The Health Advocate | Amway

Posted by: Andy Gamm for Mark Nelson

When Shakespeare talked of complete inner satisfaction, I believe he coined the phrase “..to your heart’s content”.  For you doubters on the origin of the phrase check out Henry VI or Merchant of Venice and see if you can find the phrase before 1592.

 Around the holidays what could be better than enjoying the season to your heart’s content!  Romantic literature aside, when we say this phrase, do we ever really wonder what really makes our heart…content?

 Our heart is a pretty important organ.  Without it working, things go downhill fast.  What really makes our heart content is regular exercise, controlling stress and eating right. Sounds like your holiday season doesn’t it?  The good news is that with a little effort you can really make your heart happy this holiday season without 16^th century playwrights calling you a  “literalist dullard” (stings doesn’t it?).

 Though a family walk after holiday dinners and keeping your party invite list under 100 can help with exercise and stress, as a Marketing Director for Nutrilite, I am closest to understanding what foods and supplements make your heart happy.  Here are some ideas that might help your heart smile without too much sacrifice this holiday season:

• Meals – There are a lot of opportunities to make your favorite foods taste even better while thinking of your heart, and the good news is there are great time saving recipes all over the internet.  One  of my favorites is oatmeal/blueberry pancakes vs. plain white flour pancakes.  Despite tasting a lot better, oatmeal and blueberries are both great for your heart, bringing antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and Omega 3s to your breakfast.
• Drinking – Before Uncle Jimmy falls face first in the 10,000 calorie bowl of eggnog again this year, consider offering him a nice glass of red wine instead.  If drinks are being served (in moderation of course), it is tough to beat red wine for your heart due to  its high phytonutrients (Reservatrol) and potential for improving good HDL cholesterol levels.
• Sweets –  Again, the Internet will come through for you here with thousands of healthier heart choice recipes.  Try oatmeal raisin cookies over red velvet cupcakes , quality dark chocolate with real cocoa vs. milk chocolate with a “cocoa like tasting substance” and substitute applesauce or healthy olive oils vs. butter and margarine in your recipes.

As with all eating, moderation is key along with eating whole foods over processed foods as much as possible.  It is critical to get as much nutrients as possible from food, but if that is not enough, supplementation can also help fill the gaps.  If you are looking for good heart supplements to consider, try Nutrilite Heart Health Omega-3 or Nutrilite Coenzyme Q10 which are both packed with what your heart loves.

 Good heart friendly nutrition should not have to take a vacation with you around the holidays.  Perhaps Shakespeare would have summed up his thoughts around healthy holiday choices for your heart by asking… “To beat or not to beat… that is the question”.

 Mark Nelson is a proud husband and father of two very active children.  He is the Marketing Director for Amway’s Nutrilite brand in Ada MI.  He enjoys living a healthy and active lifestyle, working on ’69 GTO’s and learning more about Gen Y social media habits.