Wellness Wednesday-Heart Healthy Tips and Omelette Recipe

Last Friday I asked you, if you knew that February was American Heart Month?  Everyone has a heart and we need to take care of it.  Too many people are dying from heart attacks.  My mom has had several heart problems.  In December, 2 of friends lost their parents.  And just yesterday I found out a very close family friend had just past from a HEART ATTACK.  I am passing along the information below, we can all use a tip or two.

Jenny Craig is more committed than ever to combating the obesity epidemic and the overwhelming heart health issues caused by weight-related diseases. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America? Scary, we know, but there is something you can do about it. In honor of American Heart Month, Jenny Craig is working with the American Heart Association to support its My Heart. My Life.™ healthy living initiative.

Here are Jenny Craig’s five simple tips to a healthy heart:
o Add a Pop of Color: Fill your plate with foods rich in water, fiber and protein and lower in fat. This principle known as the Volumetrics® Approach to eating allows you to eat more food, feel fuller and add nutrients with fewer calories. For example, mixing non-starchy vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli and peppers, into your pasta dish will lower the calorie density and enlarge your portion.
o Move More: Physical activity is a key component to weight loss success and keeping your heart healthy. Increasing your level of activity will not only help you to burn calories, but it will also reduce stress. Try integrating physical activity into your lifestyle so that you’re exercising without even knowing it – run around with your children, park further away from the door or take the stairs. You can even do body weight exercises in your own living room during commercial breaks of your favorite TV show. Just move more!
o Manage Your Portions: You can still eat the foods you love, but when preparing meals just be mindful of how much you’re piling on. If you use the plate method, 1/4 of your plate will have a serving of a starch, 1/4 will have a protein and 1/2 will have vegetables, which you can pile as high as you like (without additional fat). Remember the first bite tastes the best, so no need to eat too much.
o Join a Heart Walk: Join Team Jenny at one of the more than 300 Heart Walks across the country this year! Make the commitment to join a Heart Walk and take a stand in the fight against heart disease and help save lives. Not really sure where to begin? Take it slow! Just remember to start with a 5-minute warm-up and finish with a 5-minute cool-down every time you work out and be sure to stay hydrated. Click here to learn more about how you can join Team Jenny at a Heart Walk near you.
o Break for Breakfast: While it may seem like just a little meal you skip at the start of your daily routine, breakfast is truly the most important meal of your entire day. Not only does it help to boost your metabolism, it also keeps your blood sugar stable throughout the day. So the next time you’re moving a mile a minute, take a moment to slow down and grab a healthy bite in the morning. Your heart will thank you later!
Try this simple, heart healthy recipe the next time you’re making breakfast. This dish also incorporates the Volumetrics® Approach (exclusive to the Jenny Craig program), by including fresh veggies. This principle, founded by Dr. Barbara Rolls, Professor of Nutritional Sciences and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, allows one to eat more food and feel fuller on fewer calories by choosing foods rich in water, fiber and protein and lower in fat.
Jenny Craig's Spinach & Green Chile Omelette

Ingredients-
-4 egg whites
-1/2 cup nonfat milk
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
-1 cup red bell pepper, diced
-1/3 cup shredded spinach leaves
-2 Tbsp. fat-free sour cream
-nonstick vegetable spray

Directions

1. Spray large skillet with nonstick spray and heat over medium heat.

2. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites, milk, salt and pepper.

3. Cook the egg mixture over medium-heat for about 3 minutes or until sides start to set.

4. Place green chilies, bell pepper and spinach leaves on one side of the egg mixture and fold in half.

5. Cook for an additional minute, or until vegetables are soft.

6. Cut omelette in half, top with sour cream and serve.
For more information on Jenny Craig, visit: http://www.jennycraig.com/. And, don’t forget to visit http://www.jennycraig.com/heart-walk to learn about how Jenny is supporting the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. ™ initiative. Here, you will soon be able to sign up for the American Heart Association's Heart Walks taking place in over 300 cities through 2013.   ***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.