EDIBLES

3 tips to live a heart-healthy lifestyle

Published

4 years ago

03/02/2022

(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

EDIBLES

Fried chicken from the comfort of home

Published

3 days ago

11/13/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) If frying chicken at home seems too daunting of a task, rest assured – these homemade Fried Chicken Tenders take the guesswork out of a comforting favorite. With buttery flavor and less mess, going out for fried chicken will be a thing of the past. To find more ways to bring your favorite flavors home, visit Culinary.net.

Fried Chicken Tenders

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Servings: 4

Oil of choice, for frying
1/2 stick butter
2 eggs
2 cups milk
3 pounds chicken breast, cut into strips
2 cups flour
1/4 cup barbecue seasoning of choice
1/4 cup mesquite seasoning
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
dipping sauce of choice (optional)

Fill Dutch oven or large frying pan halfway with oil and butter; heat over medium heat.
In large bowl, mix eggs and milk then place chicken strips in mixture.
In separate bowl, mix flour, barbecue seasoning and mesquite seasoning. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Remove 4-6 chicken strips from milk mixture and cover completely in flour mixture.
Drop pinch of flour in hot oil; if it crackles, it’s hot enough. Once hot, fry battered chicken 4 minutes then, using tongs or fork, turn over and fry 4 minutes. When done, chicken will be golden and almost float. Remove from frying pan and repeat with remaining chicken.
Serve with dipping sauce of choice, if desired.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Take on dinnertime with tasty taco cups

Published

1 week ago

11/06/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Take Taco Tuesday up a notch with these easy Taco Cups that save room on your plate for dips, salsa and sides. Whether you like them mild or spicy, lightly topped or fully loaded, they’re a perfect solution for weeknight family dinners or weekend get-togethers. Find more Cookin’ Savvy creations at Culinary.net.

Taco Cups
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

1 1/2    pounds ground beef
1-2       tablespoons taco seasoning
1          package (8 count) flour tortillas
shredded cheese
lettuce
cilantro
sour cream
salsa
guacamole (optional)
black olives (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.

Brown ground beef with taco seasoning.

Cut tortillas in half then in half again, making four pieces. Place two pieces in each hole of muffin tin. Place browned ground beef in each hole then top with shredded cheese. Bake 15 minutes, or until tortillas reach desired crispiness.

Using knife, shred lettuce and cilantro. Top each cup with sour cream, salsa, lettuce and cilantro, as desired. Add guacamole and olives, if desired.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Super easy sweet treat for your next fall party

Published

2 weeks ago

10/30/2025

bowienews

(Culinary.net) A sweet and savory treat, these Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels will disappear scary fast at your next Halloween party. With just three ingredients, they’re easy to make and share with guests of all ages.

Visit Culinary.net to find more quick, simple treats.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=F_B3CbeAf1c%3Fmodestbranding%3D1%26rel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0

Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yield: about 36 pretzels

3/4 cup orange candy melts
1 bag (16 ounces) mini pretzel twists
1/4 cup mini green coated chocolate candies

Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In medium microwave-safe bowl, melt candy melts 30 seconds then stir. Working in 15-second intervals, continue microwaving until melted and smooth, stirring between intervals. With fork or dipping utensil, dip 36 mini pretzel twists, one at a time, into melted orange chocolate and gently tap side of bowl to remove excess.
Lay each covered pretzel on parchment paper. Using remaining pretzel twists, break apart enough to equal 1/4 cup.
Place one mini green chocolate candy (to form leaf) and one broken pretzel piece (to form stem) on top of each dipped pretzel. Repeat with remaining pretzels and chocolate candies.
Let set until solid. Pretzels can harden on counter about 30 minutes, or placed in refrigerator or freezer 5-10 minutes.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net