Are You Looking for Heart Healthy Recipes?

As I work my way through the book—again—learning more and more as I reread it, I have decided to try various recipes and write about my taste-testing experiences.

In the Forward of the book, author Mike Anderson writes that “…all major diseases in this country could be prevented and often reversed through diet and lifestyle changes.” That statement includes heart disease.

He goes on to say that heart disease “…can be totally prevented by following the RAVE diet.”

His inexpensive book and videos present lifesaving and life-changing information in an “easy-to-digest summary” that just might offer you the motivation to change your diet in order to experience the dramatic health benefits that will surely follow such a simple change.

Here is one of the heart healthy recipes from his book:

Salad - Black Bean & Corn

• 2 cans (15 oz.) black soybeans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced*
• 1 cup chopped green onions**
• 1/2 cup chopped red onions**
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro***
• 1-2 tbsp juice from 1 lime
• 1 tbsp vegetable broth
• 1 tsp minced garlic

*I didn't have any jalapeno pepper, but I added a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
**I substituted regular, yellow onions.
***Lacking fresh cilantro, I substituted a couple of tablespoons of dried cilantro. You might try parsley if you don't care for cilantro.

Instructions: Combine first seven ingredients in a large bowl. Make dressing with lime juice, cilantro, garlic, pepper and vegetable broth. Combine well. Pour over salad ingredients and toss lightly to combine. Chill several hours before serving.

My comments: This had a lively, fresh taste, but I must admit that I needed to add a little salt. Perhaps additional lime juice or cilantro would have perked up the flavor for me, but it might be just right for you. In the book, Mike Anderson says that adding salt camouflages the real taste of food and promotes blood clotting and high blood pressure. If your intention is to prepare very heart healthy recipes, this is certainly worthwhile information.

I especially enjoyed this salad as a wrap sandwich. I simply used a whole wheat tortilla, added a few slices of avocado to the top of the salad, rolled and wrapped it up. Very tasty!