AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Keep Your Heart Healthy There are many ways to keep your heart healthy and strong. You can limit your fat intake; don't smoke; be physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes a day although 60 minutes is ideal; exercise portion control; do your best to cut out junk and fast food; eat fish more often; limit sugar and salt intake; choose whole grains, legumes, fresh produce and low fat dairy products. People Who Have "Heart" Another aspect of a healthy heart is to consider not only what you do to help your heart function properly on the inside, but how your actions can affect your mental and emotional well being. It seems fitting that some examples of people who have "heart" were born in February, better known as Heart Month. Civil rights activist Rosa Parks; artist Norman Rockwell; Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; abolitionist movement leader Frederick Douglass; aviator Charles Lindberg; women's rights leader Susan B. Anthony; and Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Guinta, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his squad members who were under attack in Afghanistan, are all examples of those who took a risk and made adifference. Some people who have "heart" are brave and courageous, while others are tenacious and won't give up on a cause they believe in. Of course you don't have to perform heroic deeds to demonstrate that you have "heart." Volunteering, taking care of the environment, or being kind to others all qualify as heartfelt actions.