Today is the third in a series of Heart Healthy Posts that a group of my friends and I are featuring for February as Heart Health Month. Today, I present my talented friend Carolyn from All Day I Dream About Food who blogs about low carb and gluten-free eating. Take it away Carolyn!
Maple-Glazed Salmon Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette – my contribution to a Gluten Free Heart Healthy Event! Just in time for Valentine’s Day. Many thanks to Jeanette for being a part of the event and hosting me here on Jeanette’s Healthy Living.
Heart health. I will be honest and say it’s not a part of my health I give all that much thought to. But perhaps I should. Here I am, rapidly approaching 40 and like every family, a few distant members have had heart disease. And uncontrolled diabetes is strongly correlated to heart disease and stroke. So I suppose it’s fair to say that it’s on my radar, although not, perhaps, right in the center of it. Thankfully, for me the risks are low. I am healthy, active, with low cholesterol, and I keep my blood sugars carefully in check. And it just so happens that I adore many heart-healthy foods. Have I ever mentioned how much I love salmon? No? How about walnuts? Spinach? Red peppers? Red wine? Dark chocolate? The list of heart healthy options is surprisingly extensive. There’s almost no excuse for not eating some on a daily basis.
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Of course, it’s not enough just to eat right. If you’re not moving around, you’re not doing that heart any favours. I have seen the power of exercise with my own eyes and it’s pretty amazing. In my case, it was as a factor for controlling my blood sugars while in the midst of gestational diabetes (have I mentioned that diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease?). After a meal, a 30 minute walk could lower my blood sugar by 60 points or more. If you don’t know much about blood sugar, let me assure you that this is a significant number. Seeing that kind of proof on my glucometer spurred me to become a semi-competitive runner.
Movement and good food. It’s really not all that much to ask of ourselves to stay healthy, is it?
For this particular recipe, I loaded up on some of my favourites. Salmon topped the list, because I love it. Keep in mind, wild caught salmon is best. It contains far more Omega 3s than farmed salmon, and is easier on the environment too. I glazed the salmon with Dijon mustard and some sugar-free maple syrup, and a touch of maple extract to boost the flavour. You could use real maple syrup if you like, but I am a diabetic so I have to be cautious there. Then I placed the salmon on a bed of greens (may I suggest spinach in your salad mix?), with chopped red pepper and some walnuts for crunch. All topped of with my homemade walnut oil vinaigrette. Let me assure you, this is no side salad…this is your full, heart-healthy, satisfying entree. Bon Appetit!
Please pop on over to All Day I Dream About Food for the Maple-Glazed Salmon Salad Recipe.
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Walnut oil adds such a great touch!
Salmon and greens is at the top of my favorite meals to have. The maple mustard sauce looks sooo good.