Our heart is one of the most important organs in our body. It's the pump that ensures that all our cells have the oxygen and nutrients they need and that carbon dioxide, metabolic wastes and toxins are removed. It is on 24/7 every day of our lives, beating about 100,000 times each day. Now, that's a lot of work, so it deserves good care.
It could be considered the number one organ in the body. And, interestingly, heart disease is the number one killer throughout the world. So wouldn't it be worth while to learn more about what causes heart disease and what we can do to resolve it.
Join us to learn more.
Heart disease is actually an umbrella term for several conditions, the most common one being high blood pressure. Other conditions include atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries from plaque, and heart arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeat.
It's actually the heart arrhythmia of Connie's first husband that got her started on this Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) journey some 40 years ago. And it was through the change to a WFPB diet that he got off all seven of the meds prescribed and completely reversed the condition.
So many times, people wait until there's a serious diagnosis or heart attack before they think to address their heart health. But you don't have to wait for something drastic to happen to take on a diet and lifestyle that can prevent or even reverse these conditions from developing.
What science is showing causes heart disease in particular is diet. A diet high in saturated fat, salt and sugar are the main culprits. These create inflammation and insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and increase cholesterol levels.
Along with a diet low, or even free of saturated fat, salt and sugar, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol and stress contribute significantly to heart disease.
The conventional, medical approach to managing heart disease is often blood pressure meds, statins and beta blockers. But these treat the effects and not the cause. They don't reverse the plaque buildup or reduce inflammation or insulin resistance.
The good news is there is a way to not just manage a heart condition but reverse it entirely, like Connie's first husband experienced. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. John McDougall have been proving that this is possible since the 1980's. Their solution: A WFPB diet, particularly one free of any added salt, oil, or sugar. And there are thousands of scientific studies now that explain how and why this works.
Along with a WFPB diet, there are three other pillars of a heart healthy lifestyle that are important. They are movement, stress reduction, and restorative sleep.
While conventional medicine can save lives in emergencies, true healing happens through lifestyle and connection. The beauty of our human bodies is that they want to heal when we give them what they need, i.e., the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle above. A healthy heart is a given for anyone with a healthy diet and lifestyle. And this is such good news.
The recipe this week is a Garlic Scape Veggie Stir Fry. Garlic scapes are those funny little twirly things that grow on top of garlic plants. They're a bit milder than garlic cloves, making them a perfect base for stir fries, sautés and pestos. They're in season at many Farmer's Markets now and some produce sections of grocery stores. If you haven't tried them before, they're something worth tasting.
To your Amazing Health,
Connie and Bill
Garlic Scape Veggie Stir Fry(Serves 4)
- 3 tablespoons veggie broth or filtered water
- 5 garlic scapes, top and bottom whitish part removed and then cut in 2 inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 carrots, cut in triangles
- 2 beets, cut in triangles
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut in 3 inch pieces
- 1 zucchini, cut in half moons
- 1½ cups sugar snap peas, cut in half
- 1½ cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
In a large pan add veggie broth or filtered water with garlic scapes, onion, carrot and beet. Cook until slightly tender.
Now add the remaining veggies and cook until tender, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy their sweet, delicious flavors.
Note: To create a one-dish-meal, add cooked whole grain and ½ cup nuts or seeds to the dish at the end of cooking.