Make sure to check out our LIVE Facebook video to watch the recap of A is for Artichoke, Atherosclerosis and Awareness and please join our amazing community!
Learn the Fun Facts for Kids and Fun Facts for Grown Ups about why an Artichoke is good for you! Watch a short 'how to' video on how to steam and eat an artichoke! And make sure to download the super yummy recipe for an Artichoke Tapenade!
Download the Artichoke Tapenade Recipe here:
"Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow. The plaque can burst, triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569
The word 'atherosclerosis' comes from the Greek words "athero" which means "paste" and "sclerosis" which means hardness. So it's basically like saying a hard paste forms in your arteries. This hardening of the arteries will cause many health issues and can lead to death by coronary heart disease. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in the US for both men and women. It's the number 1 killer and yet it's also completely preventative with proper lifestyle choices. That means, the number 1 killer in America could be avoided and millions of lives saved by eating a healthier diet and moving your bodies!
As you will hear in this Ted Talk by Dr. Gregor, this build up in the arteries is now even being found in children! That is so scary that even our children are at risk for heart disease :( Watch this live saving video below:
A is for Awareness both for the planet and for your health and the health of your family. Every change or shift we would like to make in our lives, starts with the awareness of what it is we feel needs to change or shift. Just having the awareness sets forth the actions that will then need to take place for the change to happen. Awareness and actions can be seemingly small but over time create a compound effect of positive lasting change. For example, if you become aware that you feel bad about using plastic to cover or store your food, you can easily swap your plastic materials for eco friendly reusable materials. This seemingly small action alone would add up over time to create a massive benefit to the planet! What are some things you are doing in your home that is part of the positive ripple effect of change?
Share your awesomeness in our Facebook Group and see what others are doing :)
A is for awareness in your own health and the health of your family. Having awareness of what you put in your bodies in the first big step in making new positive healthy shifts in your life. This could be having an awareness of the positive things you already do for your health, or maybe you notice the not so positive things you are doing that will harm your health? What are you becoming aware of now as you read this?
What are some positive daily/weekly things you do that will lead to that same idea of a positive compound effect of change over time? For example - walking for 30 minutes outside in fresh air everyday leads to massive positive effects over time. We talked about a is for atherosclerosis and so walking for 30 minutes a day will help keep your arteries healthier and over time will reduce the risk of your arteries getting blocked. Another example would be adding 1 serving of veggies to everyone's plates every day. A seemingly small change that will lead to massive health benefits, and not to mention habits, over time for everyone!
This works in reverse way as well. If you drink a soda or give your kids sugary juice every day, over time that has a negative compound effect on your health and the health of your child. Slowly over time you and your child can develop type 2 diabetes from the compounding of all that sugar over time and the overload it creates on the body. Or just like we talked about atherosclerosis, if you eat fat from animal sources, over time the lipids literally get stuck and blocks your arteries which can lead to coronary heart disease.
So what is some awareness you would like to bring to you and your family's health?
Enjoy this short video below on how to eat a fresh Artichoke!
If you liked this video, please support us by subscribing and sharing with your friends and family :)
We used the recipe for Artichoke Tapenade from one of my favorite cookbooks,
Don't forget to watch the recap of A is for Artichoke, Atherosclerosis and Awareness and please join our amazing family!