Shrink your waistline with chocolate!

Did you know that dark chocolate has been show to not only be good for your heart, but also your waistline?

According to a study done by the University of Copenhagen, people who ate dark chocolate had fewer cravings afterward than those who ate milk chocolate. It has stearic acid, which can slow digestion and may make you stay full longer.

Remember to always practice moderation. A couple of dark Hershey Kisses is all you need.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Easter Leftovers

Looking for a great way to use that leftover Easter ham. Here is a unique soup that tastes great and is good for you. Beans are a great source of protein; naturally low fat; and high in heart-healthy fiber.

Caribbean Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 pound chorizo sausage (or spicy sausage), chopped
1/3 pound cooked ham, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (1 pound) sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 small hot green chile pepper, diced
1 1/2 cups water
2 (16 ounce) cans County Market black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the sausage and ham 2 to 3 minutes. Place the onion in the pot, and cook until tender. Stir in garlic, and cook until tender, then mix in the sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes with juice, chile pepper, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.
Stir the beans into the pot, and cook uncovered until heated through. Mix in the cilantro and season with salt

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Eggcellent

Here is another one of my favorite finds. Eggland's Best Eggs. They have 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs and are a great source of heart-healthy omega 3-fatty acids. Eggs are the most perfect form of protein you can eat. And recent studies have shown that eggs can actually help raise good HDL cholesterol.

Eggs can be a part of your healthy diet. Try to aim for no more than one per day. When looking for a great snack try them hardboiled. They will last up to one week in the refrigerator.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Get Steamed!!!!

Did you know that steaming certain vegetables could increase their cholesterol lowering capabilities?

Beets, green beans, carrots, cauliflower and asparagus have been shown to help lower cholesterol even better when steamed.

Most important is eating vegetables in a way that you enjoy. Try them steamed, raw, roasted or grilled. Remember, the main goal is to aim for 5-a-day. Then try some different techniques to help increase their disease fighting capabilities.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Powerhouse Beverages

So we know that antioxidants are good for our heart and health, but sometimes it's hard to figure out which fruits and vegetables have the highest amounts. Did you know that the most antioxidant-packed beverages that have been shown to provide heart health benefits include purple grape juice and pomegranate juice? Look for 100% concord grape juice like Welch's and 100% pomegranate juice such as POM. Some other healthy beverages include red wine, Acai juice, and tea.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Go For The 6!!!

Are you getting enough Omega-6 fatty acids in your diet? The American Heart Association urges Americans to make sure they get enough of this important fats in order to help prevent heart disease.

Omega-6 fatty acids usually don't get as much attention as Omega-3 fatty acids but are equally important. They can be found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Both Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. They are both beneficial at replacing saturated and trans fatty acids in the diet. Try to get 5-10% of your daily calories from these healthy fats.

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Go For The 6!!!

Are you getting enough Omega-6 fatty acids in your diet? The American Heart Association urges Americans to make sure they get enough of this important fats in order to help prevent heart disease.

Omega-6 fatty acids usually don't get as much attention as Omega-3 fatty acids but are equally important. They can be found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Both Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. They are both beneficial at replacing saturated and trans fatty acids in the diet. Try to get 5-10% of your daily calories from these healthy fats.

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods