The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants...

When it comes to matters of the heart, it is easy to lose focus, get your priorities out of line, & completely ignore the big picture.

You know what I'm talking about...

My freshman year...I arranged my class schedule around Greg & Jenny.

Luke & Laura had total control of my sophomore calendar. And Beau & Hope...they've captured decades of our time & are still at it.

My own grandfather had only one "show" that he would not miss...As the World Turns. OK...that was not completely honest, there were two shows...the second was "wrastlin" (which was often more believable than any of the aforementioned)...but I digress.

Regardless of age or gender...our hearts are drawn...sometimes unexplainably & almost magnetically to these stories. Relationships that sometimes nurture & thrive...and other times, harm & destroy.

February is all about the Heart...specifically, heart disease...the number one killer of women & men. Are you giving your heart the nurturing "ingredients" it needs to thrive?

I prepared a scrumptious meal that is FULL of heart healthy nutrients...omega 3's, folate (B-12), alpha & beta carotenes (lutein & lycopene), beta-sitosterols, lignans, allicin...all top "ticker" benefits!

Treat yourself to the BEST Valentine...Love your own Heart!!

Salmon & Avocado with Sesame Tamari Dressing
2 servings

3 Tbsp Tamari, divided
12 oz wild caught Salmon fillet, cut in half
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/4 tsp agave nectar
2 tsp peeled, grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, finely minced
pinch fine sea salt
1 firm, ripe avocado, chilled
1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

Preheat broiler. Place baking pan under broiler for 5 minutes. Brush salmon with 1 Tbsp of the tamari. Place the salmon on the heated baking sheet (allowing it to cook from the top & bottom simultaneously) and put under the broiler for 8-10 minutes. Salmon should flake easily with a fork when done.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining tamari, rice vinegar, lemon juice, sesame oil, agave, ginger, garlic, & salt. Pit & peel the avocado & cut into 1/2" dice. Add the avocado to the dressing & gently combine. Plate the cooked salmon & top with avocado dressing. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds & serve.

Before you say "I hate salmon", I dare you to give this a try...most people just have not had it prepared flavorfully. My kids were literally asking to lick their plates after this meal...I reminded them that was somewhat canine in approach although I appreciated the compliment :)

Tamari: a gluten free soy sauce. I choose it because I like to avoid gluten when possible & it is lower in sodium. It is available in most markets & typically shelved with the soy sauces. I've included a link to the brand I typically see & buy so that you know what it looks like.

Broccoli & Sundried Tomatoes
2 servings

1 small bunch broccoli, stemmed & cut into florets
2 oz sundried tomatoes (usually with the dried fruits, not in heavy oils & spices)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Sea salt & fresh ground pepper

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer & plunge the broccoli into the water for 3 minutes. In the meantime, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add garlic & sundried tomatoes & saute. Drain broccoli & add to the skillet. Toss the broccoli with the tomatoes & continue to heat for about 5 minutes. Salt & pepper to taste.

Treating our hearts & the hearts of those we love with this kind of TLC will help insure that we keep All My Children out of General Hospital all the Days of Our Lives ;)

Be My Valentine,

Cenee'