Today we are joining together to help raise awareness for Heart Disease. Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic lost her Mom to heart disease when her mother was 47, and Kim was 15. Each year on the day her Mom passed she shares stories and photos of her Mom. This year she joined forces with Jen of Juanita’s Cocina, whose life was also touched by heart disease when her Stepfather had a heart attack. Jen’s Stepfather is alive and well more than a decade later, and for that, Jen is thankful every day. The ladies got in touch with other bloggers to ask them to share their own stories about how heart disease has touched their lives. So today we share stories and recipes from our hearts to yours, in memory and honour of Momzie, Kim’s Mom. We hope you will share your stories with us today as well.
In 2006, at the age of 52 my dad had triple by-pass surgery. High cholesterol runs in our family, and he had been on medication for years to help control it. He was having some problems, and my mom forced him to go to the doctor. Turned out he had major blockage, and his cholesterol medicine was the only reason he had not had a heart attack. The cholesterol medicine had actually formed new vessels going to his heart. They thought he was going to have a stint put in, but after he went into surgery they ended up doing a triple by-pass.
My dad is alive, well, active, and much healthier these days. He has completely changed his lifestyle. My dad now works-out most days, and watches what he eats (well, my mom does that part). In 2009, my husband and I hiked with my dad to the top of a mountain. That is something he never would have done before. I have a 7 year old son, and I am so happy that he will have many years to come with my dad.
Today we are sharing healthy recipes to go along with bringing awareness. I made a pesto with heart healthy olive oil, walnuts and a combination of arugula and spinach. I also used some chickens stock to thin it out instead of lots of oil. Arugula walnut pesto is great over whole grain pasta, or mixed in with Greek yogurt as a sandwich spread, or even on top of chicken with fresh tomatoes and a little cheese!
Arugula Walnut Pesto
Peppery arugula and walnuts give lots of flavor to this healthy pesto.
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1 1/2 cup arugula/spinach mix
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 3 tbls walnuts
- 3 tbls olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine basil, arugula, parsley, walnuts, olive oil, and garlic in the food process. Process until a smooth paste forms.
- Add cheese, stock, salt and pepper. Pulse until combined.
- Add additional stock to thin out if necessary.
Notes
Adapted from Cooking Light
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per ServingCalories 72Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 5mgSodium 350mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 3g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I’m so happy to hear that your father has changed his ways. 🙂
I think it’s great that you all are sharing your stories to bring awareness to the issue.
And the pesto looks great!
JanetFCTC says
Kind of scary reading your post, Erin since your dad is maybe 10 years my senior. I’m so so glad for all of you that he is ok!!
Now to go buy some arugula!