(Family Features) No matter your motivations, it’s never too late or too early to start focusing on your heart health, and taking steps now can make a big difference. Small changes, like following a healthier eating plan, can help you start down a path toward improved heart health.

One step you can take is following the DASH eating plan, which is a flexible and balanced way of eating that stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and was developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Requiring no special foods, DASH provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Being more physically active, managing stress, getting quality sleep and not smoking combined with DASH can put you on a path toward a healthy heart for life.

Encouraging others to join you on your heart-health journey can also be rewarding. Research shows social support and personal networks make it more likely you’ll stick to healthy habits like eating healthy.

Sharing heart-healthy recipes with family and friends is an added bonus, and these DASH-friendly meals can help you take the guesswork out of putting nutritious dinners on the table. Greek-Style Flank Steaks with Tangy Yogurt Sauce offer the bold flavors of the Mediterranean while Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is as easy to make as it is colorful. For a complementary combination of pork and sweet fruit flavor, these Baked Pork Chops with Apple Cranberry Sauce are perfect to serve alongside brown rice or steamed broccoli.

Learn more about heart health and find DASH-friendly recipes at nhlbi.nih.gov/DASH.

Greek-Style Flank Steak with Tangy Yogurt Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Marinade:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons fresh oregano, rinsed, dried and chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves)
• 1 beef flank steak (12 ounces)

Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, rinsed, dried and chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. To make marinade: In large bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic.
2. Lay steak in flat container with sides and pour marinade over steak. Marinate at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours, turning several times.
3. To make yogurt sauce: Combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic and salt. Set yogurt sauce aside at least 15 minutes to blend flavors. Sauce can be prepared up to 1 hour in advance and refrigerated.
4. Preheat broiler to high with rack 3 inches from heat source.
5. Broil steak about 10 minutes on each side to minimum internal temperature of 145 F. Let cool 5 minutes before carving.
6. Slice thinly across grain into 12 slices.
7. Serve three slices with 1/2 cup yogurt sauce.

Tip: Serve in sandwich with pita bread, lettuce and tomato.

Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Salmon:

• 2 tablespoons light teriyaki sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin or sweet rice wine
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons scallions, rinsed and minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger, minced
• 12 ounces salmon fillets, cut into four portions (3 ounces each)

Vegetables:

• 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen vegetables stir-fry
• 1/2 tablespoon peanut oil or vegetable oil
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 1 clove)
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon scallions, rinsed and minced
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. To prepare salmon: Mix teriyaki sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, scallions and ginger well. Pour over salmon and marinate 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove salmon from marinade.
4. Place salmon on baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork in thickest part and reaches minimum internal temperature of 145 F.
5. To prepare vegetables: Thaw frozen vegetables in microwave or place bag in bowl of hot water about 10 minutes. In large wok or saute pan, heat oil. Add garlic, ginger and scallions; cook gently, but do not brown, 30-60 seconds.
6. Add vegetables and continue stir-frying 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Add soy sauce.
7. Serve one piece of salmon with 1 cup vegetables.

Baked Pork Chops with Apple Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Pork Chops:

• 4 boneless pork chops (about 3 ounces each)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 medium orange, rinsed and zested
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 medium apple, peeled and grated (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup 100% orange juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. To prepare pork chops: Season pork chops with pepper and orange zest.
3. In large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add pork chops and cook until browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn and brown 2 minutes. Remove pork chops from pan, place on nonstick baking sheet and bake 10 minutes to minimum internal temperature of 160 F.
4. To make sauce: Add chicken broth to saute pan and stir to loosen brown bits from pork chops. Set aside.
5. In small saucepan over medium heat, cook grated apples, cinnamon stick and bay leaf until apples begin to soften.
6. Add cranberries, orange juice and reserved broth. Bring to boil then lower heat to gentle simmer. Simmer 10 minutes, or until cranberries are plump and apples are tender. Remove cinnamon stick.
7. Peel orange and cut into eight sections.
8. Serve one pork chop with 1/4 cup sauce and two orange segments.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Chowder
Easy Chicken Shepard's Pie
Santa Fe Chicken Saute

(Family Features) With risk factors for heart disease on the rise, it has never been more important to incorporate heart-healthy meals into your family’s diet.

According to recent statistics, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. With this in mind, Campbell Soup Company is on a mission to help women care for their hearts. With a diverse portfolio of foods that balance great taste and nutritional value, Campbell offers nearly 100 options that meet the criteria for the American Heart Association’s® Heart-Check mark.
Caring for your heart starts in the kitchen

Creating balanced meals for the family doesn’t have to be difficult. In addition to offering heart-healthy foods, Campbell works with its culinary staff, nutrition team and trained chefs to create healthy recipes. This recipe for Sante Fe Chicken Saute is a simple, one-skillet dish that combines lean chicken breast, black beans and corn with a spicy picante kick. Or, try this recipe for Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Chowder, which features chicken paired with a flavorful combination of zucchini, corn, potatoes and cream of celery soup. And no one can resist comforting Easy Chicken Shepard’s Pie. For more easy-to-prepare and heart-healthy recipes and for nutrition information, visit www.campbellskitchen.com.
Seven steps towards a healthier heart

A strong heart starts with a healthy diet and lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, following these seven health and behavior factors can make a huge difference in your heart’s health. For more heart-healthy tips, visit www.heart.org.

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
3. Engage in regular physical activity.
4. Eat a healthy diet.
5. Manage blood pressure.
6. Take charge of cholesterol.
7. Keep blood sugar, or glucose, at healthy levels.

Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Chowder

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 large onion, minced (about 1 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Cream of Celery Soup
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 medium red potatoes, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 large zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 cup whole kernel corn
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Heat oil in 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in soup, milk and water and heat to a boil. Stir in potatoes, zucchini and corn. Reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Cook for 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken and parsley and cook until mixture is hot and bubbling.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Total Time

1 hour

Serves

6 servings

Easy Chicken Shepard's Pie

Ingredients

• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning, crushed
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
• 1 cup fat free evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup shredded 2% milk Cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Stir soup and 1/4 cup water in large bowl.
3. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, onion powder and poultry seasoning.
4. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until well browned, stirring occasionally. Add chicken and vegetables to soup mixture and stir to coat.
5. Spoon chicken mixture into 2-quart round casserole.
6. Microwave remaining water in microwavable bowl on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until hot. Add potato flakes and stir until water is absorbed. Stir in milk and remaining black pepper. Loosely cover and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes or until mixture is hot.
7. Spread potato mixture over chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until chicken mixture is hot and bubbling.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 10 minutes

Serves

4 servings

Santa Fe Chicken Saute

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 3/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 4 green onions, minced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Tomato Soup
• 1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 can (about 15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup whole kernel corn
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preparation

1. Stir chili powder and cumin in small bowl. Season chicken with chili powder mixture.
2. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 minutes or until browned on both sides. Add garlic and onions and cook; stir for 1 minute.
3. Stir in soup, picante sauce and water and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add beans and corn. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
4. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes

Serves

6 servings

Source

Campbell Soup Company

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