February 8 2012 written by Diana Yin

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States? In 2008, over 616,000 people died of heart disease — that’s almost 25% of total deaths that year. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are simple changes we can make to live better… and longer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number one factor that puts people at risk for heart disease is inactivity. Being a “desk job” person myself, I have to make a conscious effort to move around throughout the day. Instead of sending an inter-office envelope, I’ll hand-deliver a document to the third-floor of my building. It only takes a few minutes, but it keeps my body moving and my mind more alert.

A personal trainer once told me that even going on a daily walk around your neighborhood or taking a restorative yoga class can help — as long as you keep yourself moving. Consider the Harvard Alumni Study that found that men who averaged at least eight flights a day enjoyed a 33 percent lower mortality rate than their sedentary counterparts. All they did was walk up a few flights of stairs!

Also among the risk factors for heart disease are obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As we know, eating healthier can make a big difference.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming eight or more fruit and vegetable servings every day, and smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of produce into a single meal.

Today’s USANA Test Kitchen recipes feature three heart smart smoothie recipes that are quick to whip up and easy to take with you wherever you go!
Cranberry Fruit Smoothie (adapted from AHA recipe)

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 (6-oz) carton of your favorite low-fat yogurt
1 banana (or other fruit of your choice)
1/3 cup 100% cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 Tbs vanilla Nutrimeal
1 tsp Fibergy Plus

Preparation

Add banana, juice and ice to blender; pulse for 5 seconds
Add Nutrimeal and Fibergy Plus; puree for 5-10 seconds or until smooth

Serving: 2

Ingredients

1 ripe banana, cut in chunks
1 cup seedless grapes
1 (6-oz) tub low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 apple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
1-1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup crushed ice
2 teaspoons Fibergy Plus
1/2 ripe avocado or cucumber (optional)

Preparation

Add all ingredients to blender; pulse for 10-15 seconds or until smooth

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 ripe banana
1 apple, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
1/4 cup fresh carrots, cut into chunks
1 cup orange juice (not from concentrate)
1/2 low-fat milk or non-dairy alternative, such as soy milk
1/2 cup crushed ice
2 Tbs Vanilla Nutrimeal (or Orange Crème, if you have it)

Preparation

Add banana, apple, carrots, juice, milk and ice to blender; pulse for 5 seconds
Add Nutrimeal; puree for 5-10 seconds or until smooth

Your Turn

Have you switched to Cheerios for breakfast? Are you consuming more whole grains? What are some simple changes you’ve made for your heart health?

Eating well is an important part of being healthy. From the USANA Test Kitchen is a monthly column offering useful nutrition tips, as well as delicious, healthy recipes that use USANA nutritionals in creative ways.

Photos by Raji Barbir

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The End is Near… Make it Count!
With 2011 coming to a close, you didn’t actually think we wouldn’t let it end without throwing one last big event before the end of the year, did you?
“RESET” your health… It’s as easy as 1,2,3

The new year is just around the corner, which means it’s time for a whole new you—a healthier, fitter you. Sure, you might have set these goals before, but losing those extra pounds has never been easier or healthier, because this time you have the RESET™ weight-management program.

Designed by USANA scientists, the RESET program and USANA’s Foods are optimally balanced to give you a head start on healthy weight loss. With the 5-Day RESET™ Kit, you can lose up to five pounds in just five days, without depriving your body of the nutrients it needs.*

To help you get going, pick up a limited edition RESET™ Fueling Fit BlenderBottle®† so that every sip will remind you of your goals. A support group is also a good idea to keep the motivation flowing—visit USANAtoday.com to find out how to host your own Reset Challenge

Be sure to pick up your RESET Kits now so you and your friends can join in on RESET week, which will run January 3–8, 2012. And although the Transform Phase is still a few weeks away, take advantage of the limited-time gourmet Orange Crème Nutrimeal™ and stock up before it’s all gone.

To hear stories of success and to share your experiences, check out What’s Up USANA?. Check out future  blogs they promise to fill you with yummy low-glycemic meal ideas, fitness tips, and more.

Jumpstart your healthy eating habits and kick your cravings to the curb. Join in on RESET week and get ready to fuel your fit in 2012!

Call or come by to pick up your kits today…  #2010-408-0101

We’re so proud of our Friend, and one of our most talented guest of Folawns “Jennifer Allen” for writing and producing such a marvelous and much needed book, videos. We all continue to stand in Awe of this, beautiful and amazing women.