Sometimes the most challenging part of eating healthy is knowing what to buy, which is why I am sharing this list heart-smart grocery list that I found over at Best Health Magazine online. Here are a few items you should add to your grocery list right now. Your heart will thank you!

1. Unsweetened oatmeal
2. Whole-grain quinoa
3. Whole-grain brown rice
4. Bell peppers

Image via Best Health Magazine

5. Carrots
6. Winter squash
7. Sweet potatoes
8. Kale
9. Spinach
10. Swiss chard
11. Red grapes

Image via Best Health Magazine

12. Apples
13. Low-fat popcorn
14. Dark chocolate

Image via Best Health Magazine

15. 100 percent orange juice
16. Green or white tea
17. Rainbow trout
18. Pork tenderloin (Speaking of pork, look out for some heart-healthy pork recipes coming soon!)
19. Lentils
20. Extra-virgin olive oil
21. Walnuts

Image via Best Health Magazine

22. Flaxseed
23. Curry powder/turmeric
24. Oregano
25. Low-fat yogurt
26. Skim milk

Read the full post over at Best Health to learn more about how and why these foods are good for your heart. I hope that these posts have been beneficial to you and your health. I will be sharing more heart-healthy recipes this week, so be sure to check back here regularly.

In my search for all things heart-healthy, I found this fantastic list of recipes via Cooking Light. Today I am sharing some of their recipes for chicken, and tomorrow I will be back to share some drool-worthy recipes for beefy goodness.

Images via Cooking Light

1. Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Sandwiches

2. Chicken, Cashew, and Red Pepper Stir-Fry

Images via Cooking Light

3. Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

4. Sesame Brown Rice Salad with Shredded Chicken and Peanuts

Bon appetit, and have a great rest of the week!

Yesterday I shared 4 Recipes for a Healthy Heart with all of you. I hope that the post proved that heart-healthy eating doesn’t have to be one flavorless meal after another. If anything, taking the time to choose ingredients that are better for your heart makes eating the meals you prepare that much more enjoyable because you know you won’t regret it later.

That being said, which part of a meal should always be enjoyed and never regretted? Desserts, of course! Here are a few recipes I found at Health.com for some heart-healthy desserts.

Images via Health.com

1. Mocha Phyllo Cups

2. Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cake

Images via Health.com

3. Quick Baked Pears

4. Cinnamon Streusel Crisps

Images via Health.com

5. Cantaloupe Sherbert

6. Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

Check out the full list of heart-healthy dessert recipes at Health.com, and then meet me back here tomorrow!

Have a sweet week!

Happy June, everyone!

Spring has already sprung, summer is about to begin, and this green thumb gal is ready to spend some quality time in the sun. Today I am sharing with you my secret for healthy skin that is sun-kissed skin, but not burnt or blemished.

1. This pore perfecting facial polish by bliss is a must-have! End of story.

2. If brown spots are a girl’s worst enemy, then this skin brightening complex by Lytera is definitely her best friend.

3. When I told my friend Nicole, who just started her own dermatology practice in Columbus, that I was in need of some good sunscreen she recommended EltaMD. You can’t get a better endorsement than that!

4. Every now and then I like to make my own products as well. When your face needs a little extra moisture after a few hours in the sun, try this mask: 4 tablespoons of honey, 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, and half of a freshly squeezed lemon.

Enjoy the soon-to-be summer, everyone. Go out and get some sun, but not too much!