Every year in February we see the hearts come out of the closet.  We see heart shaped cakes, hearts floating in mylar, stuffed hearts being held by stuffed animals. It's the month of Valentines Day and 'Hearts, Hearts, Hearts' is the theme. And why? Because Valentines Day is the month to celebrate those who you love. And love comes from the heart. 

HeVe is recognizing February to be Heart Healthy month because we believe that living a healthy and happy lifestyle has much to do with your heart. And since February and Valentines Day is already here to remind us to show others we love them, HeVe is here to remind you to show yourself some love as well. How do you show that you love and respect yourself? By keeping your heart, mind and soul healthy. After all, if you really want to give someone the best Valentine's Day gift they could ask for, give them the guarantee that you'll be here to spend a long and healthy lifetime with them.

It's common knowledge that heart disease is the number one killer of women. It's referred to as the 'Silent Killer'. Why silent? Because you don't realize it's there until it strikes. It happens out of a clear blue sky, which often causes the most heart-break for all victims and loved ones. But the uncanny thing about this disease is that it is completely preventable and reversible. Completely preventable and reversible if you're willing to take action to stop it. 

5 Baby Steps to a Healthy, Happy Heart

1) Stop eating foods with LDL (Bad) Cholesterol. Food that comes from animals is food that has bad cholesterol. Beef, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy. This is a bold baby step but it's a step in a healthy direction, that could save your life. One egg contains 212 mg of LDL cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends an 'allowance' of 300 mg of bad cholesterol daily. Just one egg puts you near the edge of the recommended daily allowance. So any animal product eaten after 1 1/4 eggs puts you at a high cholesterol risk for the day. If quitting all animal products is too large a baby step for you, just start with omitting meat, eggs, or dairy. All of those items are full of cholesterol and are a great start to getting your heart healthy.

2) Just Say No to Hydrogenated. Another promoter of heart disease is hydrogenated fats/oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils that have been processed in such a way to remain solid at room temperature. Crisco, it's hydrogenated. Cool Whip, it's hydrogenated. Wal-Mart Peanut Butter, it's hydrogenated. The package of cake sprinkles I found rummaging through Mom's pantry, they're hydrogenated. It it's an oil, (which is a liquid substance...right?) so it's not meant to be a solid at room temperature. You'll have to check labels for hydrogenated oils/fats, but it's well worth it. When you find them, just imagine that solid oil sitting in your artery just like it sits solid on the counter. That's what I do.

3) Pucker up to Plants. Regardless of if you're taking baby step number one all the way or in phases, you'll need up up your intake of plant foods. Specifically, fruits and veggies, whole grains, nuts and beans. You'll love doing this because you will feel full, which will help you not to overindulge, and you'll have lots of energy. Plants actually help lower bad cholesterol. It's not enough that they just don't have any LDL cholesterol in them, but they actually fight off the stuff that's already there due to poor diet choices!

4) Shake Your Groove Thang. We may not like it, but we know good and well that a little movement goes a long way. Ways to get more active without feeling like your making yourself exercise are found easier than you think. Go on a walk with yourself, your kids, or your dog. Dance by yourself or with your partner. Visit a large shopping mall and do a couple of laps first to 'scan for sales' (i.e. burn some calories) before you cruise into the stores you like.

5) Use your Smarts. I'd be happy if I thought that reading one blog post or magazine article could really completely change a person's mind or heart on a issue. But the truth is that scenario is not likely to occur.  Articles may give us inspiration, but we have to start listening to our brains and heart about what we believe is the best for us. Too often we listen to our emotions, our self-conscious, T.V. commercials, and that little voice inside that says 'you can't do it'. We're smart enough to not buy into the negativity we feel weighing us down, we just have to act on it.