Nutrition and healthy eating

Did you know that about every 25 seconds someone in the U.S. is having a coronary? This makes heart disease the leading cause of death in the U.S. And that's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared February as National Heart Month.

In recognition of the importance of heart health, the Mayo Clinic is the release of a new book, "Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!" during National Heart Month. The novelty of this book is that it puts the latest guidelines for the fight against heart disease to work for you with a quick start program easy to two weeks. This guide will help you work on new lifestyle habits that can help prevent heart disease.

I challenge you to jump on the bandwagon of heart health. During the next two weeks, I want:

Eat 5. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Move 10. Increase activity and exercise at least 10 minutes longer than they normally do every day.
Sleeping 8. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.

Each of these simple habits sounding addresses complex bodily functions.

By eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables every day to fuel your body with powerful vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. These help to reduce cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood, regulate heartbeat, and protect delicate blood vessels. These foods are also abundant and move heavier starches and fatty meats.

By increasing your physical activity 10 minutes a day you will burn a few more calories and make improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, heart and blood vessel strength, and overall fitness levels. Just stand - standing during commercials, walk while talking on the phone. It is a fact that you feel the most of the day increases the risk of heart disease.

Did you know that the very lack of sleep increases blood pressure and risk of heart attack? Sleep deprivation also increases the risk of obesity and diabetes - are also associated with heart disease. Chances are, if you are not rested, is also stressed. Get to bed early so you can get a good 8 hours of sleep.

Keep a diary of what you do with these goals in the coming weeks. Did you eat 5? Did you move in October? What about sleep 8? What is important is that you try to make them.

Come back here to report on their progress and share their strategies. Of course, there are other things you need to do to the heart health. I'm sure you will find that this quick start for a healthy heart will be enough to motivate you to do other healthy changes necessary.