Heart Healthy Recipe by Myrtle Grace Motifs

Erin loves soup – especially this Quick Minestrone Soup. She and her mom used to make this when Erin's dad was away and we’d sit with some big thick oatmeal bread and dip it into the soup and be all warm and cozy! Erin suggests you double the veggies. Makes for great leftovers, is almost better the next day!

Quick Minestrone Soup

1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery
1 large can (48 oz) chicken broth
1 cup water
1 or 2 chicken bullion cubes
1 can (15 1/2 oz) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup medium shell or ditalini pasta, uncooked
1 cup frozen or canned Italian-style green beans
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated.

Combine all ingredients in Dutch oven except parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Grade parmesan cheese and sprinkle over each serving.

Be sure to check out Erin's fabulous designs HERE

How Sandra J. Sullivan of Homespun Elegance joined the SYHO Campaign

I was very honored to be asked to participate in the SYHO campaign. Hopefully, this campaign will find new stitchers and instill in them *our* love of this needleart, support our wonderful needlework shops, and promote awareness of heart disease and how to avoid it.

Unknowingly, Loose Thread Stitchers chose someone who has a very important reason for promoting heart health. At the age of 47, my husband, Lehmer, had heart bypass surgery. At 23, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (200/110). We have both greatly benefited from modern medicine and all it can do for you.

Sandra, Owner & Designer

Homespun Elegance

The SYHO Campaign was created to help stitchers learn more about Heart Health and Loose Thread Stitchers has partnered with Carol for Heart to do just that!

So who is Carol?

To know our Mom will help you appreciate how CAROL For Heart really began:

Carol Pawelski was an incredible woman, who just happened to die at the age of 60. She accomplished more in her 60 years than most of us will accomplish in twice that time. Carol's heart showed such compassion, caring and love for those around her, that it's ironic, that it was her heart that failed her in the end. To read more of Carol's Story click here

Did you know that Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of women in the United States?

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of women. Each year they claim the lives of about half a million women (500,000). That's a life each minute, and more lives than the next seven causes of death combined...including all forms of cancer.

Consistently since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease. Yet many women do not understand the fact that statistically speaking, they are more likely to die from a cardiovascular disease than anything else. This reality must change with more women understanding their risk and discussing their individual issues with their physicians.

What Women Don't Know:
* Coronary heart disease rates in women rise 2-3 times after menopause
* Blacks are at higher risk than whites
* 1 of 3 Hispanic females dies of diseases of the heart and stroke

Other Heart Related Facts:
1. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in women in the USA.
2. More women than men die of heart disease.
3. 38% of women who have an initial heart attach will die within a year.
4. For over 60% of women who die suddenly from heart disease, death is the first symptom.
5. In postmenopausal women, 70% will die of cardiovascular disease.
6. Within 6 years after a heart attack, 35% of women will have another heart attack.
7. 1 in 5 women have some form of heart disease.
8. Twice as many women die from cardiovascular disease than all cancers combined.

The above came from the Fact Sheet/Question & Answer; Go Red for Women Awareness Campaign February 2004- American Heart Association as well as the American Heart Association Southeastern Chapter

Why not make 2010 the year to get your heart healthy? Get with your stitching buddies and form a walking group. Share heart healthy recipes, be accountable to each other. Little changes in your lifestyle can make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

Be sure to let us know what your group is doing to get more Heart Healthy and you can be featured on the SYHO Blog!