10 Foods in Red for American Heart Month

MIAMI (CBS4) - These tips are courtesy of Go Red For Women, the American Heart Association's campaign to educate women about their No. 1 killer - heart disease, and empower them to take action to prevent it.

More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. 1 in 3 American women die of heart disease, compared to 1 in 30 women that die of breast cancer.

Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Eighty percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented if they make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking.

Throughout February, American Heart Month, make every part of your celebration "Red" by enjoying these red food and drink tips from the American Heart Association.

Red Berry Squares:

Make strawberry-flavored gelatin mixed with fresh strawberries and raspberries. Cut into squares before serving.

Frozen Watermelon Bites:

Alternate frozen cubes of watermelon and mint leaves on a skewer and serve cold.

Ravin' Red Smoothie:

Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, ½ cup frozen strawberries, ½ cup frozen raspberries and 1 frozen banana.

Red Pasta:

Cook whole-wheat spaghetti and top with low-sodium marinara sauce, diced tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes.

Baked Red Apple Dessert:

Fill 1 whole red apple (cored) with ¼ cup chopped almonds, ¼ cup dried cranberries, 1 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. brown sugar. Bake for 15 minutes at 350° or until sugar bubbles.

Perfect Polenta:

Cook polenta and mix with roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted red bell pepper and sun-dried tomato.

Stuffed Red Bell Peppers:

Stuff 1 red bell pepper (cored) with ½ cup cooked brown rice, ¼ diced red onion, ¼ cup ground turkey (browned), 1 tbsp. parsley, salt and pepper. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until pepper is heated through.

Roasted Red Cabbage Salad:

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups chopped red cabbage (roasted), ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced and sautéed), ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. olive oil and sea salt.

Red Bean Salsa:

Combine 2 cups red beans, ½ cup diced red onions, 1 cup diced red tomato, ¼ cup diced jalapeño (remove seeds), ¼ cup chopped parsley, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, salt and pepper.

For more heart-healthy recipes visit GoRedForWomen.org/betterU or visit ShopGoRed.org