I’m about to give props (that means I like it) to a product that might surprise some of you. Well not as much as the chips perhaps. My mom discovered this tasty buttery spread at Trader Joe’s. I have long discouraged use of margarines but upon further investigation, this product had the “goods” of margarine, but not the bads.

This product is:

• No Hydrogenated Oil
• Non-GMO Ingredients
• No Trans-Fatty Acids
• All Natural (NO PRESERVATIVES)
• No Artificial Flavor
• Lactose Free
• Gluten Free
• 100% Vegan

And you can bake with it. I kid you not. I used it in an emergency (shh! don’t tell anyone!!) - making the Gateau Piege and realizing I did not have any butter in the house – only this tub of buttery spread. It said good for baking and at that point I was too far along in my recipe to turn back so I went for it. And it turned out just fine. I used it again to make lemon bars – and the shortbread tasted delicious!

Bottom line – I think this is a great product and worth using as a supplement. I am not planning to get rid of butter but this is a nice alternative when I want to go easier on fat or dairy products.  Plus – in light of heart disease month, I think this product deserves a little attention.

More information on the company and their products are available on their website. Check it out.

This post was already planned in light of February being Heart Disease month, but it seems all the more timely since a good friend of mine just had a scare yesterday thinking she may have been having a heart attack. You did read that correctly – I said she. According to the American Heart Association:

While heart disease and stroke kill one in every 3.7 men, one in 2.4 women lose their lives to heart disease and stroke. They are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. By way of comparison, breast cancer kills one in 29 women. Source: AHA Website

The thing most women do not realize is that symptoms in women are typically different from the symptoms we have been taught to expect – the symptoms men typically experience.

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. This feeling may occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs of discomfort. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. Source: Red For Women

Both women and men out there, please pay attention to any warning signs you may encounter!  One in three deaths is a very high number so take these signs seriously!

February is Heart Disease month. Heart disease is responsible for 29% of all deaths in the United States – nearly 700,000 people annually. That is almost one-third of all US deaths each year.

What are some basic steps you can take to reduce your chance of heart disease?

1. Get moving! Do some type of daily activity that is just for you: walking, yoga, running, weights, roller blading, playing chase with your kids – anything! Don’t have time? Take a walk around the block at lunch time, wake up 5 minutes earlier and do some push-ups or lunges, do some stretching when you watch TV or before bed.
2. Eat more vegetables. Didn’t your mother tell you to eat your veggies? I know mine did. Instead of counting your calories and worrying about every single bite – focus on eating more veggies and your consumption of foods with HFCS, trans fat, etc. will naturally decline. And even if it doesn’t, at least you will bet getting more vitamins and nutrients. Why not challenge yourself to try one new vegetable or vegetable recipe every week this month? I’ll be posting a lot of veggie recipes to help you out.
3. Eat more fruits. No this isn’t the same category as vegetables. The point is to try to eat more of all the products nature generates without our “help.” Instead of dessert – try having some fruit.

That is it. It really is THAT simple. Challenge yourself this month to be active every day and to increase your fruit and vegetable intake.

If you are looking for more information (and government influenced material) – check out the Center For Disease Control’s website.