Go Red–It’s the Color for Healthy You

Say yes to the dress—the red dress that is.  It’s that time of year when savvy women don their best red apparel.  It is not about the fashion, but the message that true fashionistas need to look good and feel good by leading a healthy lifestyle.  We’ve all heard about Go Red for Women®,  the designated day in February—February 7 to be exact, when the American Heart Association  encourages us to wear red, spotlighting the importance of women having healthy hearts.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. One in four women in this country dies of heart disease.  Risk factors contributing to the disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity.  These are all factors that can benefit from lifestyle changes and a healthy diet.  According to the USDA recommended guidelines, build a colorful healthy plate with fruits and vegetables taking up half of the plate’s space.

When you boost the amount of produce in your diet, you maximize the nutrients, increase anti-oxidants, and fiber—all best bets for a heart healthy lifestyle.   Go red choices on the menu include red beets, pomegranates, red cabbage, red grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, red apples, red grapes, tomatoes, red currants, dried cranberries and cherries.

Make your menu pop with color—Red Blush Fruit Salad is the perfect accessory for that red dress.

Red Blush Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Cream

Fruit salad is on trend for breakfast, snack or dessert.

Watermelon Chunks

Red grapefruit sections or slices

Red apple chunks

Red grape halves*

Red raspberries

Pomegranate arlis*

Honey Lemon Cream

1/2 cup Greek-style non-fat plain yogurt

2 Tablespoons honey

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

In a medium-size bowl, combine watermelon, apples, grapes, grapefruit, and pomegranate arlis, mix lightly. Add raspberries; mix gently. Chill until ready to serve.

Stir together yogurt, honey and lemon zest.  Serve with fruit mixture. Garnish with additional arlis, if desired. Keep any remaining cream mixture in refrigerator.

*Pomegranate seeds