Wear Red is a campaign to raise awareness about the number one killer of women – heart disease. They’re working hard to change the perception that heart disease is a “man’s disease.” And it’s working! By teaching more and more women how to talk to their doctors about heart disease, thousands of lives can be saved every year. Because the good news is that heart disease is often preventable!

Help make an impact on Friday, February 5. Bring attention to the issue of women’s heart health. Start by wearing red.

More information at Go Red for Women.

Everyone likes dip. Dip for chips, dip for veggies, dip for wings or grilled tofu or chicken, and dip for breads (think pita, naan, baguette slices, sourdough cubes…).

Dairy-free dips are easy, and they can taste as good as (or better than) the dairy ones. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!

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Ranch Dip
Green * Makes about 2 cups

1/2 box Morinu firm silken tofu
3 heaping Tablespoons Vegenaise or Nayonnaise
1 large garlic clove
1 Tablespoon dried parsley (or 2 Tablespoons fresh)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
a few shakes of salt-free veggie seasoning (try Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or Spike)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Blend in food processor then add in enough soy or rice milk to thin to desired consistency.

Honey Mustard Dip
Yellow * Makes about 2 cups

1/2 box Morinu firm silken tofu
2 to 3 Tablespoons of honey mustard dressing (I use Kozlowski Farms, no sugar)
1 6-inch length of celery, cut into chunks
freshly ground pepper to taste

Blend in processor until smooth and then add a little soy or rice milk to thin to desired consistency. Add a touch more honey if you like it sweeter.

Artichoke Hummus
Green * Makes about 2 cups

1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts
1 cup chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup tahini
1/2 cup parsley
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Cut artichoke hearts into pieces. Combine all ingredients in bowl of food processor and pulse to blend to desired consistency.

Peanut Sauce
Yellow * Makes about 2 cups

2 cups soy milk
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
1/2 teaspoon caraway
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon coriander
2 anchovies (option)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons peanut butter
1-2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice

Blend all ingredients together.

Copyright © 2010 Hennergy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• 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 with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs 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.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 911 or your emergency response number.

Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

If you’re out somewhere – the gym, your place of worship, school, even your office – tell someone right away. Lots of places have defibrulators and people trained to use them. A quick response is the best response if you even remotely suspect a heart attack.

Today we have a musical break from the testosterone of football. A little girl power.

Congrats to Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and P!nk for their Grammy awards and standout performances last Sunday. Performances like those demand vocal and physical fitness. You may not be singing from a spinning trapeze thing like P!nk, or running up and down the stairs like Beyonce, or dancing like Gaga – but imagine what you could do in your own life if you were as fit as they are.

What’s holding you back? Get up and get moving.
You know you want to dance to this.

February is American Heart Month, so we’ll be posting some information about heart health throughout the month. Look for the hearts in the post title.

The foundation of good heart health is good nutrition. We have that covered here at Marilu.com, with our emphasis on plant-based foods and whole foods. Eating primarily whole foods can help you eat a lower fat and lower sodium diet, and it can help you find and maintain a healthy weight. All of these things will improve your heart health. Find recipes here on the blog each Monday and Thursday, and in our Recipe Collection.

Plan now to wear red on Friday, February 5 – it’s National Wear Red Day, promoting women’s heart health. More on that Friday – but plan ahead now!

Our epic Party Hearty Super Bowl class returns! Starting TODAY, Monday, February 1, take five days with coach SusalMikYUM to get ready for the party you’re throwing or attending on Sunday. Check it out!

Get yourself to the stadium and join the fun! (yes, get up – just like everyone else in the stadium… wheb the jumbotron is looking at you, you don’t want to be caught sitting down!)

Chili is a family favorite, and it’s easy to pull together. It’s great for crowds, it keeps well in a crock pot, and you can freeze the leftovers. It’s also very flexible – which means if you need to substitute an ingredient or two, it will be fine. You’ll still have awesome chili in the end.

Serve with cornbread.

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Portabella Chili
Purple * Serves 4

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces Portabella mushrooms; stems removed, cleaned and coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons ground cumin
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 (35 ounce ) can of tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
1 (15 ounce) can of kidney beans, drained

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until onions are translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until soft. Add the cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 1 hour. Serve immediately.

Variations on a chili theme:

1. Brown 1 pound ground turkey in 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Then proceed with the recipe as directed (add the onions and garlic to the turkey and keep going).
2. Add a can of black beans along with the can of kidney beans. Two cans of beans increases the protein content for vegans.
3. Substitute the large can of diced tomatoes for one 15-oz can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (try RoTel brand), undrained, and one 15-oz can diced tomatoes (try Muir Glen fire-roasted), undrained. Spicy!
4. Add 2 chipotle peppers, minced (from a can of chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce) plus 1 Tablespoon adobo sauce. Spicy!

Copyright © 2010 Hennergy, Inc. All rights reserved.