Every year, more than 600,000 people die of heart disease, and this year, nearly 800,000 people will have their first heart attack. Since it is important to stay heart healthy for people of all ages, Presbyterian Village North, a Presbyterian Communities and Services senior living community, recently offered a heart healthy cooking class along with many other educational events for its residents throughout American Heart Month. Now, the community wants to share its favorite heart-healthy recipe with the public, to help everyone get on the right track to a healthier heart.

 “We want to take this time when everyone is thinking of the heart, to educate our residents and the city of Dallas about keeping their hearts healthy,” said Shannon Radford, wellness director for Presbyterian Village North. “Women especially need to be aware of the symptoms as heart disease claims more female lives than all types of cancer combined.”  

The residents were educated on the heart and symptoms of heart disease through various games, learned about specific types of heart healthy foods and participated in fitness classes with a special focus on the heart. They attended free blood pressure checks and a Heart-to-Heart Lecture about prevention and treatment of Cardiovascular Disease. The residents recently participated in a Heart Healthy Cooking Demonstration presented by Presbyterian Village North’s Assistant Dietary Director, Ron Reczek.  

“It is important for everyone to be aware of the ways to prevent heart disease,” said Bill Holland, a resident at Presbyterian Village North. “Your body is like an automobile, you have to take care of it along the way or you will end up replacing parts. I personally have had a triple bypass, an aortic valve replaced and a pacemaker inserted. I’m a heart disease survivor and would encourage everyone to be knowledgeable about their hearts.”

“We strive to provide our residents with as much information about health issues as possible,” said Ron Kelly, executive director at Presbyterian Village North. “We believe knowledge is power. The best way to prevent heart disease is by being aware of its symptoms and living a healthy life through diet and exercise.”

Presbyterian Village North is sharing executive chef, Patrick Becquet’s, special recipe for Mediterranean Roast Vegetable, Parmesan and Egg White Omelet to help encourage the public to choose healthy options.

Ingredients: (Yields 4 servings)

• Egg whites, lightly beaten- 12 eggs separated from yolks
• 4 oz. Mozzarella Cheese, Part Skim
• 2 oz. Parmesan Cheese
• 4 Green Zucchini, ½ inch diced, 1 each
• 4 Yellow Squash, ½ inch diced, 1 each
• 2 Yellow Onions, ½ inch diced, ½ each
• 24 Crimini Mushrooms, quartered, 6 each
• 8 Roma tomatoes, centers scooped out, ½ inch diced, 2 each
• 6 tbsp. Light Olive Oil
• 4tbsp. Fresh Basil, roughly chopped
• Salt & Pepper, to taste

Procedure:

• Toss the vegetables in 4 tbsp. of olive oil, season with salt & pepper and roast in oven at 325 degrees until veggies are browning and slightly “dry” looking.
• Pull from oven and sprinkle basil on veggies and reserve.
• In a Teflon pan, put 2 tbsp. olive oil and beat to a “light sizzle.”
• Add ¾ cup veggie mix to pan. When veggies are fully heated, add egg whites and using a high-temperature rubber spatula, push and pull the egg whites to keep moving uncooked whites to the pan. When entire omelet is lightly steaming, flip over and top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Fold over in half and push onto plate to serve.