Ithaca College

There isn’t a holiday that’s more focused on our hearts than Valentine’s Day! While a box of chocolates for your Valentine might seem like the perfect gift, it won’t help them gain better heart health.

Whether you’re spending the day with your family, friends, or special someone, use these tips for a healthier celebration to truly make the day about you and your loved ones’ hearts:

• Cook a meal together! Restaurant foods are often loaded with excess sodium, fats, and sugars. Know exactly what you are putting into your body by having a night in and preparing a heart healthy dinner. Follow this link for some recipe ideas: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_valentines_day_recipes
  
  
• Instead of a box of chocolates, consider making chocolate-covered strawberries or having a chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits, graham crackers, and marshmallows. If you decide to break out the chocolate, use portion control and place the box in the refrigerator or freezer to enjoy over the next few weeks.
   
• Get active – show someone you love how much you care about their heart by giving them a gym membership, personal training sessions, or free exercise classes such as Yoga or Pilates.

For more information about maintaining good heart health this Valentine’s Day, check out these links:

• http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Heart-Healthy-Valentines-Day-Tips_UCM_322023_Article.jsp
  
  
• http://www.symptomfind.com/healthy-living/healthy-valentines-day/

**FOR MORE ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES - CHECK THIS OUT**

Continue to care for your heart during the entire American Heart Month in February! Be sure to attend the last Lunch-and-Learn of Heart Month:

February 24th, 11:30am-12:30pm – Business School Room 301: We will be hearing from Gina Chapman of the American Heart Association as she talks about lifestyle changes to help you become more heart healthy, facts about heart disease, and the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. RSVP to benefits@ithaca.edu. 

It’s also not too late to complete the Map Your HEART & Family History Heart Month Challenge! Click here for more information and check out our FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH website here: https://www.ithaca.edu/hr/benefits/wrklife/go_red!

Have a Happy and Heart Healthy Valentine’s Day!

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Katie Sack at ksack@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1208. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.