February is Heart Month!

A Healthy Heart with Omega-3s! Over the past year, you have probably heard from Rob the story about our Mom. Mom has battled with her weight since she was a teen. Subsequently, in a pattern of unhealthy eating and inactivity, significant health issues have developed as a result. Her list of ailments include, high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and congestive heart. She was on several medications. Her mobility had been limited to the point that she used a scooter to get around sometimes. She was omitted to Cleveland Clinic several times due to congestive heart failure. Having her last bout in the hospital last July, our family started on the Paleo Diet and has seen significant results - mainly in our mother. To date, she has lost 60 pounds and still loosing. We are so proud of her. So, this week's post is dedicated to her and to maintaining a healthy heart.

Omega-3 has been linked to contributing to strong, healthy hearts. The American Heart Association indicates that Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of - or who have - cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmia's (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly). Heart disease is linked to inflammation. Omega-3s help reduce the inflammation of the heart.

So, how do we get Omega-3s? Omega- 3s are found in green leaves of plants like grass, algae, and seaweed. Now, most of us do not eat that on a regular basis, nor are our bodies designed to digest that. However, some of what we DO eat has that as their diet - wild caught fish, pasteurized chickens, and grass-fed beef. Basically, they are eating foods they are SUPPOSED to eat...not the current diet of mega farms. Some vegetables are also a good source of Omega-3s. Here is a list of food higher in Omega-3s:

• Fish like: Black Cod, Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Salmon, Sardines, Trout


• Cabbage


• Cauliflower


• Herbs like: Mustard Seed, Oregano, Cloves


• Eggs enriched with Omega-3s


• Flax seeds & Flax Seed Oil


• Oysters & Scallops


• Walnuts & Walnut Oil


• Pumpkin Seeds

There are other foods that contain Omega-3s but are not as high in ratio. These foods include:

• Fish like: Cod, Snapper, Sole, Flounder, Haddock


• Greens like: Collards, Kale, Spinach, Romaine, Turnip Greens,


• Crab


• Shrimp


• Strawberries


• Vegetables like: Brussell Sprouts, Green Beans, Winter Squash

So, to ensure you are getting your Omega-3s, incorporate as many foods into your daily diet as possible. However, that still may not be enough. You should consider incorporating Fish Oil as a supplement. Check out the Whole Nine's article on Fish Oil at http://whole9life.com/fish-oil-faq/ and Robb Wolfe's Fish Oil Calculator http://whole9life.com/fish-oil/.

Watch this week for recipes that will contain Omega-3 rich foods AND that will be delicious food for that special Valentine's Day romantic courses.