Overview

The month of February is typically associated with love. February also happens to be American Heart Month. This makes it a perfect time to focus on the one heart that means the most – your own! Did you know the average heart beats about 100,000 times per day? That’s a lot of work! To keep our hearts strong and healthy and performing their best, it’s important to take time to share the love. Get moving and fuel your body with some heart-loving ideas below!

Move More

Get Moving, Love Your Heart

Similar to how we work out other muscles in our body, your heart needs a work out, too! To help strengthen your heart, try to get moving at least 150 minutes per week (that’s about 20 minutes per day!).

The Move Cube
Materials:

• Printable cube template
• Tape
• Music

Print out the cube template and fill in each side with an action from the list below or come up with your own. Customize to the ages of your participants. For younger ages, consider animal movements (hop like a frog, flap wings like a bird, or waddle like a penguin). Use The Move Cube to get moving in the classroom (during morning meeting, as a fun mid-day break, or as an activity when preparing for upcoming exams) or during free time at home!

• Jump Up and Down
• Jumping Jacks
• Hop on One Foot
• Push-Ups
• Tip-Toe
• Sit-Ups
• Crawl
• Toe Touches
• Walk Backwards
• Arm Circles
• Dance
• Burpees
• Stretch
• Mountain Climbers

Eat Better

Give Your Heart Some Love with These Heart-Healthy Snacks

Keeping your heart healthy includes fueling the body with the right vitamins and minerals. One of the best ways to do this? Eat the rainbow! Fill your diet with many colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats – like avocados and nuts. Check out these delicious and heart-healthy recipes below. Want to create your own heart-healthy salad or parfait? Host a taste test, and pick from new ingredients.

Kale Berry Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of kale, thick stems removed and leaves thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 2 packages of raspberries
• 2 packages of blueberries

Directions:
1) Wash all fruits and vegetables. 2) Thinly slice kale and green onions, and dice avocado. 3) Toss all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and chill for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Yogurt Chocolate Berry Parfait

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

• Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (can substitute based on allergies)
• Assorted berries – (the more colors, the better!)
• Dark chocolate chips
• Old fashioned oats (optional)
• Cinnamon

Directions:
1) Scoop yogurt into bowl. 2) Top with fruit, dark chocolate, oats, and cinnamon. 3) Serve and enjoy!