February is National Heart Month- 4 Ways You Can Help Save Lives, plus Grilling Hot Buttered Popcorn

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRESCUES.com

Dear Chef Mick (@BBQ Rescues)-

I want to help other women and men detect Heart Disease and live a healthy lifestyle. With symptoms and at a (younger)age- atypical for having Heart Disease, my doctor misdiagnosed me as having Costochondritis in September, 2015. After only one year (on September 1, 2016) I had an Angiogram test that showed an 80%(!) blockage in my left anterior descending artery. I was then diagnosed with Heart Disease and had to undergo invasive surgery, with a stent put into my artery.

As a recent survivor,  my company Luvafoodie is about having a joy and passion for food and beverages. Due to my love for food and cooking, my brand is launching a new gourmet salt free spice line that will still be delicious for all Foodies to use. A low sodium diet is best for controlling Heart Disease. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure. Most Americans eat too much processed foods, 77% of salt comes from processed foods.

February is National Heart Awareness Month for American Heart Association. Friday, February 3rd is an important day for all men and women to wear red and help bring attention to the prevention of Women’s Heart Disease. More women die each year of heart disease than any other disease. Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year- approximately one woman every minute. Every 80 seconds a woman dies of heart disease or a stroke.

The new salt free spice line is available from the beginning of November 2016. Enclosed you will find our new Salt Free Spice Blends:  Happy Heart, Garlic and Green Herb, Countryside Herb, and Chillin Chili-Lime.

We greatly appreciate you Chef Mick Brown and your support in producing top notch Luvafoodie spice videos both for our grilling spices and also our new salt free spices. Luvafoodie is a Gourmet brand for people who share a passion for food and beverage. We have a growing social media following on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube channel.

Happy New Year 2017 and Help us Save Lives at Luvafoodie.com!

Michelle Mazzara, CEO Luvafoodie.com

---

Dear Michelle-

I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better. Thanks so much for the opportunity to help spread the word about this timely issue. We like to encourage everyone to try cooking a little healthier, especially when it comes to Grilling and BBQ Recipes. Also Michelle, Congratulations on the recent appearance on your local Minnesota CBS affiliate, the WCCO Morning Show. It’s never too early to talk about Wine Pairings…

With that in mind here are 4 Easy Things You Can Do to Help Save Lives for February Heart Awareness Month-

1. Share a Link to this Blog, with anyone and everyone. Whether your page is about Pet Care, Auto Mechanics, or even Politics- (both Democrats and Republicans have hearts to take care of).

2. Wear Something Red on Friday, February 3rd to help spread awareness of Heart Disease.

3. Support the American Heart Association Fundraiser by Donating or Participating in a February “FUNRaiser”.

4. Try purchasing and/or preparing Lower Sodium versions of your favorite foods. There are Low Salt options of many Snacks, Soups and other Groceries you buy.

-Ask for Less Salt when ordering Eggs and Made-To-Order Dishes

-If you Cook, try adding 1/4 one quarter (or none) of your regular amount of Salt. Then you can season lightly at the end or with Salt Substitute.

-Enter Luvafoodie’s Recipe Contest. Free No-Salt Blends for Winner of Best Recipe with Red Ingredients. (Entries Due by Jan. 31st) 

GRILLED HOT BUTTER POPCORN

1 Cup White or Rainbow Popcorn Kernels

2 Tbsp Sunflower Oil

2 Tbsp Low Salt Butter

1/2 Tsp Himalayan Pink Salt (or to Taste)

2 Tbsp Luvafoodie No Salt Seasoning (of Your Choice), a Favorite BBQ Rub or Following Recipe

Supplies:

Thin Aluminum Pot w/Lid or Foil Pan

Aluminum Foil

Bowl for Mixing/Serving

Grilled Popcorn Cooking Directions

1. Heat Gas, Charcoal or Electric Grill to Medium High
2. Mix Popcorn and Oil in Pot (or Pan) plus Sprinkle of Pink Salt, to taste
3. Arrange Kernel into single layer at bottom of Pan and cover tightly with sheet of Foil
4. Secure Top of Pan with Lid or tightly cover with Foil (to hold in air and catch popping corns)
5. Heat Pan directly over heat for 8-10 Minutes, shake when corn starts to pop
6. Remove Pan from heat once hearing popping slow down to less than 1 per 3 seconds
7. Make Foil Cup to melt Butter over heat (or use small Grill Safe container)
8. Optional- Mix 2 Tsp Dry Seasoning into Butter before drizzling into Popcorn. Sprinkle reserved Seasoning and Salt to taste. Mix Well and Enjoy!

 

SUPERFOOD NO-SALT FIESTA TACO/CHILI SEASONING

Add this for anything (and everything) to bring Southwest or “South of Border” Flavor. Use it to Season Tacos (Beef, Chicken, Veggie, etc..), Red Beef (Chicken or Vegetarian) Chili. Make Low Fat Homemade Doritos by Baking, Pan Crisping or Grilling Tortillas, then Season. Add to Fresh Buttered Popcorn for sensational Party or Game Day Snacking.

Mix These Dry Ground or Powdered Spices:

3 Tbsp. Smoked Paprika

2 Tbsp. Onion Powder

2 Tbsp Red Bell Pepper

2 Tbsp. Garlic

2 Tbsp. Cumin

1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

*Optional For Spicy Add 1 Tsp or more Ground Red Ancho Chili or Cayenne Pepper Powder

**If you wish to add Sodium Finish by sprinkling small amount of Himalayan Pink or Salt Substitute right before Serving

---

Chef Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Caterer and Private Grilling Instructor, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors. General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co. and the new California Gold BBQ Rubs. In May of 2015, he won Grill Master Champion on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen on special BBQ episode “Grill or Be Grilled” (Season 8, Episode 3). He also recently appeared on Bravo TV, catering for the Cast of Vanderpump Rules (2016 Season Finale). He is also author of web blogs  The Adventures of Tastee BQ and  BBQ Catering Confidential. His newest project BBQ RESCUES!, includes a Blog Talk Radio Show, Youtube TV Channel and Podcasts on iTunes. Email- Mick@BBQRESCUES.com

VIDEOS

Michelle Mazzara on WCCO Morning News talking Salt-Free Diet 1/25/17

Michelle Mazzara on WCCO Morning News Food and Wine Pairings 12/12/16

Luvafoodie No Salt Spice Animated Video

BBQ RESCUES! “Popcorn Love” Recipe Video

 

LINKS

American Heart Association website

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

American Heart Association “FunRaisers” page

http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR?fr_id=5042&pg=entry#

February Heart Month Tool Kit- U.S. Government Healthfinder.com

https://healthfinder.gov/nho/FebruaryToolkit.aspx

HHS Million Hearts Educational website

https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/news-media/events/heart-month.html

CBS- WCCO News Minnesota

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/category/food-drink-cocktailsbeer/3592990-a-seasonal-spin-on-your-favorite-libations/

Luvafoodie.com website http://luvafoodie.com/

Follow BBQ RESCUES TV Youtube Channel