What special event do we celebrate in February?
I know you are probably all thinking about the Hallmark Card holiday also called "Valentines Day", but this one is far more important. February is Heart Awareness Month.
During the month of February in Healthy World Cuisine, we will be celebrating a full month of yummy heart-shaped healthy foods and cardiac awareness. I promise I will also include a couple of days of smarter desserts to satisfy our sweet tooth's and make our teenagers happy as well. Eating healthy can be exciting, colorful and delicious. Come along and I will show you the way.
Eating healthy can keep your heart functioning properly and help reduce your cholesterol. Increased cholesterol levels can cause an accumulation of plaque in your cardiac vessels, along with clots and/or spasm that can lead to a heart attack (Myocardial infarction). Prevention is always best with a heart healthy diet and exercise.
However, even with our best valiant efforts combined with some bad genes, we can be prone to having a heart attack. Having worked over 20 years in cardiology, I know how important it is for people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack as "Time is Muscle". It is important to note that 85% of heart muscle damage takes place within the first hour. This is often referred to as the “golden hour.” It is within this timeframe that the heart vessel needs to be opened.
Heart attacks deprive the heart muscle of needed blood and oxygen and causes permanent damage to the cardiac muscle. The clogged arteries will continue to deprive the heart of their needed nourishment and oxygenation until medical therapy, intervention or even surgery is implemented. The sooner you get to the door of the emergency room, the better the patients outcome will be . Do NOT wait! Go directly to the emergency room. The clock is ticking.
Patients sometimes ignore their signs and symptoms as they do not want to be a bother anyone, feel they are too young to have heart attack or do not have the classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack. I caution you to take note of the following signs and symptoms and seek immediate medical care if you or someone near you is experiencing them.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
- Pressure, a feeling of fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
- Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw
- Increasing episodes of chest pain
- Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen
- Shortness of breath (SOB)
- Sweating
- Impending sense of doom
- Fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
Additional, or different, heart attack signs and symptoms in women may include:
- Heartburn or abdominal pain
- Clammy skin
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Unusual or unexplained fatigue
I am sure that you can all think of the dramatic scene on TV of some guy grabbing his chest and left arm, sweating, and falling to the ground as everyone gasps in astonishment. I hate to disappoint you but this is more of a rarity. Many people have very vague symptoms or just some of the symptoms on these lists. This is why it is important to be aware of your body signals and don't ignore them as everyone is different. So lets all enjoy some prevention with some delicious...
Heart Happy Turkey Veggie Burgers
Serves 2 adults or 1 hungry teenager
- ½ pound ground turkey or ground chicken
- ½ small chopped onion
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger
- 1 tomato chopped
- ¼ yellow or orange pepper
- ¼ red pepper
- couple sprigs or Chinese Kale Chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Splash of rice vinegar
- non-stick spray (Pam)
- (You can use any colorful rainbow vegetables and herbs you have in your refrigerator just make sure that you chop small or grate them so they cook evenly)
- (Kids dislike turkey? Then maybe use one half ground beef and one half ground turkey- Hide the veggies under a slice of melted low-fat mozzarella cheese. You have to start out slow and with some compromises with our difficult kids)
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine chopped onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, peppers, chinese kale, dried basil, olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste and mix well. (Reserve ¼ of the ingredients for garnish)
Step 2: In a second bowl combine ground turkey and vegetable mixture and combine well.
Step 3: Spray heart-shaped pancake tin with non stick oil spray. Fill heart-shaped pancake tin with ground turkey and vegetable mixture.
Step 4: Spray grill pan or your outdoor BBQ grill with a little non-stick spray. Place heart-shaped turkey burgers on grill and grill on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side depending on how thick/think your burgers are.
Step 5: Remove turkey burgers from grill. Be careful as the metal will be hot from the mold. Set on plate and remove mold. Garnish with the remaining vegetable mixture on top. Without the bun, better for your heart. However, if serving to the kids, they would like it with some cheese on top with a nice bun and toppings.
Ingredients
- ground turkey -
- garlic -
- onion -
- ginger -
- tomato -
- bell peppers -
- gailan -
- rice vinegar -
Wholesome Cook says
Now that's an idea I like! Lots of veg and delicious turkey mince. Delicious!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Martyna, lots of veggies keeps this burger super moist.
katyarich says
Hola Bam, this recipe looks fantastic and also is a good idea for Valentines day.....have a great week:):)
Healthy World Cuisine says
Gracias Katya. Have a wonderful Valentine Day week. BAM
Shumaila says
I never knew February is Heart Awareness month- fits perfectly with Valentine's Day doesn't it! Those turkey burgers look delish. Wish my husband ate turkey- he eats only chicken. Would have definitely tried this recipe. Adore the heart based theme! Looking forward to more recipes like this and the jello one.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Shumalia, this recipe works great with chicken too. I just use whatever kind of veggies I have around and usually that is a lot and it keeps it very moist. BAM
thecompletecookbook says
Those are just too lovely!
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Mandy. Hoping you have a grand day. BAM
Charles says
Hi Bam - these look so full and tasty. I love the colours... all that chopped pepper in the middle giving a lovely bit of sweetness. That heart shape too... just adorable!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Charles. I love eating the rainbow and this dish is just that. Lots of colorful veggies that add lots of moisture and sweetness to this dish. Take Care, BAM
bitsandbreadcrumbs says
I prefer turkey burgers to beef burgers for the most part, and yours look savory and delicious! What a great heart shaped mould...that makes it so much prettier to serve without a bun. Great post!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Bits and Bread crumbs. Our family is trying to reduce our intake of white things like bread, potatoes and white rice. So much easier to catch on photograph without that big bun in the way.
promenadeplantings says
A great post BAM, a timely reminder for us all to look after our hearts. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks. I hope everyone will to take a little time out to promote measures for cardiac prevention.
Joanne says
Those look delicious, and I love the heart shape!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Joanne. My little heart molds are from Japan always find such cute things there.
Dawn says
These are just adorable!!! I might have to make them...
Healthy World Cuisine says
Give it a try and let me know how it works out. Even without the molds these burgers are quite tasty.
Hannah (BitterSweet) says
Very cute presentation! I like the idea of Heart Awareness much more than Valentine's Day anyway. It's a far more important thing to remember than giving out crappy cards and flowers.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hannah, I could not agree more! Take Care, BAM
filingawaycupcakes says
Yummm and yayyy! I need more recipes like this for my dad.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks so much for stopping by. You are in luck as this month you will have many more heart healthy recipes coming your way. Stay tuned! Take care, BAM
Sharon | Chinese Soup Pot says
When I saw the first line of your post, I seriously thought you were referring to Valentine's Day! I knew that yesterday was Nat'l Women's Heart Health Awareness Day. I supported the cause by wearing red and blue jeans as the campaign had asked everyone to do. And now, I'm learning that Feb is also Heart Awareness month! This is perfect timing for your lovely heart-shaped burger patties! They look so delicious! =)
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Sharon, I am glad you helped kick off the campaign trail to increase Women's Heart Awareness. Women are just as high risk as men for having a heart attack. Heart attacks are the number one killer of women over the age of 50 and women may have an increased risk during those menopausal years. In addition, women can have very unique signs and symptoms that sometimes do not display like the classic heart attack symptoms and that is why education and increasing awareness is needed. I hope I can reach out to a few readers. Take care, BAM
Purely.. Kay says
I LOVE turkey burgers, but I never thought to add veggies to it. This looks absolutely amazing.. and you're right.. eating healthy can be colorful and fun 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Kay. Adding the vegetables really makes it moist and flavorful. When I am eating the rainbow of different veggies, I feel happy.
ceciliag says
eating healthy should not be dull and you have proved it can be exciting too! c
Healthy World Cuisine says
I agree. With just a little creativity we can eat some real tasty meals with no guilt after we do.
Choc Chip Uru says
I love your interpretation of the heart month - a healthy heart is a lovable one 🙂
Awesome recipe!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Choc Chip Uru. I'm glad you liked the recipe. BAM