Sharing the Love: 5 Ways to Practice Heart Health, Together

Two things are generally agreed upon as priceless: love and health. This Heart Health Month presents the perfect opportunity to combine the two.

There are so many wonderful heritage diet foods that are great for heart health and can keep us nourished and feeling good, including olive oil, whole grains, leafy greens, beans, and so many others. However, heritage diets go beyond what’s on the plate and encourage other habits – such as movement, shared meals and methods of stress reduction – that are good for our hearts in multiple ways: both cardiovascular and emotional. 

For the rest of February and beyond, try sharing the love by nourishing your heart physically and emotionally while encouraging others to do the same. After all, there’s no better way to show love than by taking care of others, mind, body and soul.

Team Up to Make a Multi-Course Meal

In the wake of the prix fixe and tasting menus of Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect time to bring some foodie flair into your own home. Try getting friends or family together to create a collective, multi-course menu using heart-healthy ingredients.

One fun way to do this is to have each participant choose an ingredient to center their dish around. From healthy fats like avocados to antioxidant-rich berries, there are versatile heart-healthy ingredient options for appetizers, entrees and desserts. Allowing each person to focus on just one dish is a great way to keep the evening stress-free and the conversation about each item flowing!

Plan a Picnic or Activity Night

If you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back than a full-fledged dinner party, a picnic is a great method of finding togetherness around a simple meal. Although getting fresh air is always a healthy plus when possible, picnics can be had even in the coldest weather by gathering plenty of blankets and pillows on the floor or couch. If you’re looking for a touch of romance, add some candles and a glass of red wine, and the stage for date night is set!

There are lots of heart-healthy, easy-to-eat food options when it comes to picnics, such as these Chickpea Walnut Sandwiches, Millet Nori Wraps with Smoked Salmon, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cake. Whether you talk for hours over your meal or curl up with a movie afterwards, your heart will be full in every way.

Make Movement Fun

Taking a walk is a popular form of physical activity for good reason. It’s simple, accessible, and a great way to get the endorphins flowing. But there are so many other ways to engage in fun movement, especially with others.

Have you always wanted to try a dance class? Is hot yoga calling your name? Movement can even be as simple as pulling up a 20-minute Pilates routine on YouTube and going through it with your friends. Not only will you get your blood pumping, but engaging in new forms of physical activity with people you love is often a recipe for laughter and post-workout conversation that will make your heart sing.

Taste the Rainbow

From deep red beets to bright citrus to greens, eating seasonally, even in the winter, can present a wonderful way to pack in heart-healthy nutrients while adding some color to your days. 

Farmer’s markets, when the season is right, are always a fun way to pass the time and pick up delicious, vibrant fruits and vegetables. Just shopping with a friend is a valuable way to spend time together, and sharing a cart might introduce you to ingredients you wouldn’t have otherwise picked up. Try challenging yourselves to make your haul as colorful as possible – and, even better, cook it up together!

Tell Stories Around the Table

Whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or a Galentine’s potluck, the next time you find yourself sharing a meal with others, try suggesting storytelling that’s specific to the group.

It may feel silly at first to go one-by-one around the table, but it will inevitably evolve into organic conversation. From reminiscing about clothing trends with high school friends to simply recounting the highlight of your day with parents or kids, picking something everyone can contribute to is a wonderful way to engage with the hearts and lives of your loved ones. 

Matters of the heart are a notoriously complex thing, but not when it comes to these practices! Good food and good company are excellent ways to keeping your heart happy and are essential components of all Oldways heritage diet pyramids. If you end up trying any of these activities, be sure to tag Oldways on Instagram at @oldways_pt, and check out our recipe database for inspiration for your next shared meal!