It’s February and we celebrate both heart health and Valentine’s Day! So why not take your sweetheart out to dinner and choose something Mediterranean like an Italian entree.

Select marinara sauce, which is rich red tomatoes, olive oil with garlic and other veggies and put it over whole grains for a rich antioxidant power meal. These have all been shown to be heart-healthy and may help fight against heart attack and stroke in people. Add some crusty Italian bread made with enriched flour to give you a folic acid boost.

The darker the grape, the more antioxidant power the drink has. Wine drinkers should choose the red varieties and remember it only takes one glass a day to provide a sufficient amount of antioxidants. If going alcohol free is your preference, a dark red juice like pomegranate or cranberry works just as well. Add a little diet un-cola for a refreshing red spritzer that is high in antioxidants.

For dessert, go for the dark chocolate as it has more cocoa powder, which is high in antioxidants and also heart healthy. Share it with your sweetheart to curb the calorie load.

Remember to include heart healthy foods each month. And what a better way than with economic grain-based foods. Here are some of my favorites:  Artichoke Wheat Berry Salad, Mixed Bean Soup with Pasta and Bruschetta.

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