A Comfort Recipe for Your Heart

Taking charge of your own health and encouraging your girlfriends, sisters, mothers, aunts and daughters to do likewise could significantly reduce each of your chances of being affected by the modern day epidemic of heart disease.

KN has teamed up with Dr. Elizabeth Klodas (M.D., F.A.C.C.), a mother and cardiologist from Minnesota to share some tips on improving the heart health of you and your loved ones.

She suggests a few activities below to help you and your girlfriends celebrate February's American Heart Month together:

Pantry Review—Invite a friend over and read food labels together.

♥ Discard any items containing trans-fats, a liquid fat that has been “hydrogenated” to be solid at room temperature. These fats are used to enhance the shelf life and flavor of foods and not only raise LDL (the bad cholesterol), but also lower HDL (the good/protective cholesterol component), making them especially potent at promoting the development of heart disease.

♥ Exchange low fiber carbohydrates for ones with higher fiber content. Favor high fiber breads, whole wheat pastas, brown rice, legumes and items containing flax meal, wheat germ and/or oat bran. High fiber foods contain at least 2 grams of fiber for every 100 calories. Women need to consume at least 20 to 25 grams of fiber per day.

♥ The new fibré™ product developed by Dr. Klodas can also be used to add more fiber to everyday foods. fibré is a natural formulation of premium gold flax, wheat germ, oat bran, prunes and apricots which can supplement recipes or be directly sprinkled on foods. Look for new KN baking mixes, featuring fibré, this spring!

♥ Stock up on fresh vegetables and fruits—and make a commitment to eat them. Share simple recipes or meal ideas that incorporate these items to replace canned and processed ingredients.

Dedicate Valentine's Day to your heart and those you love!

♥ Encourage family members to schedule a heart "check-up" with healthcare providers to discuss blood pressure, weight levels, cholesterol and blood sugar profiles.

♥ Lower family's risks over time with exercise, weight loss and nutritional support.

♥ Give the gift of better sleep with KN pajamas— see our 2007 heart health themes!

♥ Write a letter of heart-felt encouragement to someone you care about - choose from a new KN stationery assortment!

Organize a "movement club":

♥ Bring one or more of your friends together for exercise every day–goal should be at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, walking, swimming, bike riding, weight training, gardening, tennis, dance or karate lessons.

Have a lengthy "chat" with your doctor. Suggested questions to ask:

♥ What do my cholesterol numbers mean? What is my goal?

♥ How often should I have my cholesterol checked and how long should it take to reach my goal?

♥ What is my blood pressure? What is my goal and how often should this be rechecked?

♥ What is my blood sugar level?

♥ What do I need to know about my family history?

♥ Do I need to lose weigh tand if so, how much?

♥ What do I need to know beefore starting an excercise program?

♥ What types of foods should I be eating?

♥ What resources are available to help me quit smoking (or encourage someone I love to quit)?

Splurge on a Girls' Day Out.

♥ Enjoy a "spring break" with your friends.

♥ Exclusive packages offer special savings, turn-down gifts of KN pajamas and a variety of fitness, wellness and spa activities to enhance your health and well-being.

♥ The Getaways also benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Background on heart disease:

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, claiming almost half a million women’s lives each year. Indeed, 50,000 more women than men die of heart disease each year in our country. And yet this remains a predominantly preventable disease or disorder.

Our lifestyle choices are paramount in influencing our chances of developing heart disease...Committing to healthful habits each and every day and undergoing periodic comprehensive risk assessments with health care providers remain the most effective ways to limit the impact of heart disease.