CLOSED ~ Heart Healthy Tips the Whole Family Can Love + Que Rica Vida Healthy Heart Basket Giveaway!

The health statistics are heart-stopping for Hispanic communities: the leading cause of death among both Hispanic men (27 percent) and women (31.5 percent) is cardiovascular disease. As part of a joint effort to raise awareness of the importance of heart health among Hispanics and their families, well-known physician Dr. Aliza Lifshitz and General Mills are putting heart-healthy information, recipes and wellness materials at consumers’ fingertips.

Through Qué Rica Vida® – General Mills’ lifestyle resource for Latinas – featured heart health materials will be readily available this month in the Qué Rica Vida Spanish magazine and online at www.QueRicaVida.com.

“A healthy heart is a happy heart, and there are easy steps you can take to lower your chances of developing heart disease and its risk factors,” explained Dr. Aliza. “The good news here is that individuals can decrease their risk of heart disease by making healthier lifestyle choices. This means exercising and getting your cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly. In fact, even a small weight loss can be beneficial. One recent study indicates that reducing your weight by just 10 percent can decrease your blood pressure and lower your blood cholesterol – two changes that can make for a healthier heart. ”

Dr. Aliza offers several of her top tips to kick-off Heart Health Month, and encourages Hispanics to discover more information at www.QueRicaVida.com, or her website www.vidaysalud.com:
Whole Grain Advantage: Research shows that a diet rich in whole grain foods may help reduce the risk for heart disease and some cancers, and they may help with weight management . When purchasing items like bread, cereal, flour, rice and tortillas, check the ingredient label to make sure the product contains whole grain. A new study indicates that 95 percent of Americans are not getting enough whole grain, so Dr. Aliza noted it’s important to take steps to work more whole grain foods in to Hispanics’ daily diets.

Sounds Like A Plan: A heart-healthy eating plan is vital to lowering cholesterol and helping maintain healthier body weight. Given the importance of planning healthy meals, at the end of February www.QueRicaVida.com will offer a free family meal plan tailored for Hispanics. The meal plan was developed in partnership with the General Mills Bell Institute for Health and Nutrition and focuses on good-for-you foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lean protein. Dr. Aliza recommends keeping a written journal of what you eat each day so you can chart your progress and take notes.

Easy Steps: It’s easy – and fun – to incorporate physical activity into your (and your family’s) daily routine. Make time to stay active by doing things you love, like dancing, walking, swimming, gardening or biking. Regular exercise can help improve blood lipid levels, which decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Aliza strongly recommends that before beginning an exercise program, you make sure to consult a doctor.

“General Mills is very committed to issues that affect Latina women and their families, especially those related to health,” explained Rodolfo Rodriguez, director of multicultural marketing for General Mills. “The heart health materials we’re offering together with Dr. Aliza are meant to spark tangible ways we can promote healthier, more vibrant Hispanic communities – one family at a time.”

We all need to be aware of this important issue. As a Latina, I know that I could be in danger of heart disease. As part of this awareness campaign, Que Rica Vida has offered a Heart Healthy Basket to me to give away to one lucky reader.. The basket is valued at $75 and includes the following items: Betty Crocker Healthy Heart cookbook, Cheerios cereal, Cheerios t-shirt, Cheerios Libro de Jugar book, Honey Nut Cheerios cereal, Breakfast bowl, Heart Healthy Bisquick, Que Rica Vida mug (I want this!! If the winner is super duper nice they can let me have it. hee hee), Que Rica Vida mouse pad, General Mills jump rope. YAY! You know I love giving stuff away! So read the rules and enter!!

Mandatory Entry

Tell me what are you doing to be healthier.

Extra Entries
* Go to the Que Rica Vida (Spanish) site or the General Mills site (I want to be fair to the non-Spanish speakers) and come back and tell me one recipe that you like. If you go to both, you get one entry each!! (1 entry)
* Like Que Rica Vida on Facebook (1 entry)
* Subscribe to my blog through email (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @carogonza (1 entry)
* Like The Art of Random Willynillyness on Facebook page (1 entry)
* Tweet this giveaway. Leave the link to the tweet in your post. (1 entry/tweet per day)
* Follow my blog on GFC (1 entry)
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* GRAB MY NEW BUTTON CODE!! Add my button to your site (1 entry)
* Add my site to your blogroll (1 entry)
* Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry - see right sidebar for widget)
* Blog about this giveaway leave the link (3 entries)
* Add this Giveaway to a Sweepstakes site, Mr. Linky, your giveaway list etc. Leave the link!! (2 entries per submission - unlimited!!)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!
Deadline: Wednesday, March 23 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.



Disclosure: I received no compensation and the opinions in this post are solely mine. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.
About Qué Rica Vida
Now in its fifth year, the Qué Rica Vida initiative is an important resource designed to provide Latina moms with culturally relevant lifestyle information and expert advice on Education, Holiday Occasions, Health & Wellness and Family -- issues of great importance to Hispanic families in America. The program was developed by General Mills to help the Hispanic mother succeed in creating a healthier, easier, richer life for her and her family. The cornerstone of the Qué Rica Vida initiative is its free quarterly lifestyle magazine and website of the same name, http://www.QueRicaVida.com.

About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Yoplait , Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Häagen-Dazs, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.