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3 tips to live a heart-healthy lifestyle

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(Family Features) Following a healthy diet, prioritizing exercise and limiting alcohol and tobacco intake can have a dramatic impact on your day-to-day life, especially if you have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation (AFib).

AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that affects more than 6 million people in the United States and can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. AFib symptoms include heart palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

One of the most notable risk factors for AFib is high blood pressure. An unhealthy diet and unhealthy habits can be contributing factors to high blood pressure, so making adjustments to diet and daily routines can help manage symptoms and help you lead a healthier life.

Consider these three tips to help you start living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

1. Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet
Too much sugar and salt can lead to high blood pressure, putting you potentially at risk for heart diseases, including AFib. When shopping for food, take time to read the nutrition facts and choose foods lower in sodium and sugar, or consider trying spices and herbs as a healthier alternative to salt. Another healthy swap is removing trans fats and saturated fats, like fried or fast foods and fatty meats like sausage and bacon, and instead trying unsaturated fats like seeds and avocados.

Whole grains are a good source of fiber that play a part in regulating blood pressure and heart health. When eaten as part of a heart-healthy diet, whole grains can help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and weight, and lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 32%. Dietary fiber can help improve blood cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. Incorporate vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains into your diet to increase your daily fiber intake.

2. Get Some Exercise to Kickstart Your Heart
Exercise can help make both your body and heart stronger. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week – that’s 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Aerobic exercise can include walking, running, swimming, playing tennis and more.

It is also important to incorporate strength training exercises into your workout regimen at least twice a week. Any activity is better than no activity, so even making an effort to stand up throughout the day to walk around, parking farther away from a destination, or taking the stairs can make a difference.

3. Limit Alcohol and Tobacco Usage
Moderation is key when consuming alcohol, as excessive consumption correlates directly to increased risk for high blood pressure along with other negative side effects, like triggering AFib episodes. In addition, tobacco use is strongly discouraged as part of any healthy diet, but it has particularly problematic effects on heart health, like damaging the function of your heart and the structure and function of your blood vessels.

To learn more about AFib and your treatment options, or to find an electrophysiologist near you, visit GetSmartAboutAFib.com.

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock


SOURCE:
Biosense Webster

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EDIBLES

Create showstopping holiday meals with recipes featuring premium pork

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(Family Features) If you’re wondering what to serve for a delightful holiday meal, look no further than pork – a perfect match for festive menus as it’s easy to prepare, versatile, budget-friendly and pairs well with seasonal ingredients.

With flavorful, mouthwatering recipes like Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin and Stuffing-Filled Pork Chops, Coleman All Natural Meats offers trusted premium pork sourced from American farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones. All its pork is made of Heritage Breed Duroc, which is known for its tenderness, superior marbling, juiciness and flavor.

These elevated, seasonal pork recipes offer a delicious and unexpected twist your friends and family will love at your next holiday gathering.

For more recipe inspiration, visit ColemanNatural.com.

Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 45-60 minutes
Servings: 6

  • 1 Coleman Pork Loin (4 pounds)
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Glaze:

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar glaze
  • 6 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon minced sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4-6 sliced apples
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Remove pork from packaging and pat dry with paper towel. Season all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. To make glaze: In bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar glaze, mustard, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, sage, thyme and garlic. Add salt and pepper, to taste. In steady stream, slowly add olive oil to emulsify while whisking.
  4. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear pork loin 2-3 minutes on each side.
  5. Move pork to lined baking sheet and brush on about half the glaze. Roast 30 minutes.
  6. Remove pork from oven and spread sliced apples around pork loin. Brush remaining glaze over pork and apples. Bake 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 150 F.
  7. Let pork loin rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Stuffing-Filled Pork Chops

Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 30-45 minutes
Servings: 6

Stuffing:

  • 1 small box biscuit mix
  • 1 stick butter
  • 2-3 stalks finely diced celery
  • 1 finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1-2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bag cornbread stuffing mix
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 6 Coleman Natural bone-in or boneless pork chops
  • oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
  1. To make stuffing: Bake biscuits according to package directions 1 day ahead. Dry biscuits will absorb more broth.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  3. In skillet, melt butter then add celery and onions. Saute until onions are translucent then add poultry seasoning and half the broth. Set aside to cool.
  4. In bowl, combine stuffing mix, crumbled biscuits and eggs.
  5. Add onion mix to bowl and mix well. Add leftover broth if mixture is too dry. Set aside.
  6. Slit each chop on rounded side, cutting almost through to bone, to create deep pockets for stuffing.
  7. Season chops with garlic, sage, thyme and rosemary. Fill each chop with stuffing mixture. Use toothpicks to keep chops closed.
  8. Preheat skillet with oil over medium-high heat and sear each chop 2-3 minutes on each side.
  9. Once chops are seared, add remaining stuffing to pan, cover with foil and bake 30-45 minutes until chops reach 140 F in center. Remove foil for last 10 minutes to brown top of stuffing, if desired.


SOURCE:
Coleman Natural Foods

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EDIBLES

Transform holiday leftovers into vibrant, flavorful meals

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(Family Features) Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.

The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% natural chili peppers, lime and sea salt, Tajín pairs perfectly with turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers.

Gone are the days of simply reheating turkey and stuffing or making a turkey sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this comforting Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie or spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos.

For more holiday recipe inspiration, visit tajin.com/us.

Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie

Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Biscuits:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Turkey Pot Pie Filling:

  • 1/2 cup turkey fat
  • 1 1/2 cups diced onion
  • 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups diced celery
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
  • 1 tablespoon diamond crystal coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 8 cups cold turkey stock
  • Tajín Clasico Seasoning, to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 6 cups leftover cooked turkey, chopped
  1. To make biscuits: In mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cream of tartar.
  2. Grate butter and mix with dry ingredients.
  3. Carefully add buttermilk and mix until incorporated.
  4. Fold over 5-6 times, roll out and cut into 10-12 rounds.
  5. Place cut biscuits on floured surface.
  6. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  7. To make turkey pot pie filling: Preheat oven to 375 F.
  8. Heat large pot over high heat and add turkey fat.
  9. Add onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; gently sweat.
  10. Add 1/2 cup flour and cook 2-3 minutes.
  11. Add turkey stock 2 cups at a time, allowing to thicken before adding more.
  12. In bowl, mix remaining flour with turkey.
  13. Add turkey pot, bring to simmer until thickened.
  14. Add seasoning, to taste.
  15. Add pot pie filling to casserole dish and gently place biscuits closely together on top.
  16. Brush biscuits with melted butter and bake 25-30 minutes.
  17. Remove from oven and cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos

Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each)

  • 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled and separated
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh bitter orange juice or fresh lime juice with fresh orange juice combo
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Tajín Clasico Seasoning
  • 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
  • 1 cup duck fat, ghee or high smoke point oil of choice
  • 4-6 tortillas

Toppings (optional):

  • pico de gallo
  • pickled onions
  • cilantro
  • pomegranate seeds
  • avocado
  1. With mortar and pestle, crush together garlic cloves and salt, make paste and place in medium bowl.
  2. Stir in juice, olive oil and seasoning.
  3. Fold mojo into shredded turkey meat.
  4. In large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt duck fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add turkey, in batches, stirring often, until meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat.
  5. Heat up tortillas, place turkey carnitas on top and add pico de gallo, pickled onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds or avocado as desired.

Note: Once browned in duck fat, carnitas can be stored in the fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt fat and warm carnitas.


SOURCE:
Tajín

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EDIBLES

Punch up your holiday beverage menu

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(Culinary.net) This time of year is all about food and sweet desserts, but don’t forget to quench guests’ thirst with a seasonal sip. This Christmas Cranberry Punch offers a slightly less sweet take on traditional punch so you can add a touch of tart to the beverage cart. Visit Culinary.net to find more delicious holiday recipe ideas.

Christmas Cranberry Punch

  • 1 package fresh cranberries
  • 1 can pineapple chunks
  • 3-4 rosemary twigs
  • 6 cans lemon-lime soda, divided
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 20 ounces orange pineapple juice
  • 1 orange
  1. The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze.
  2. Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight.
  3. In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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