February 12, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 15 Heart healthy gifts for Valentine’s Day This February, give your Valentine the best there is. From beautiful floral arrangements and decadent choco- late boxes to the freshest ingredients to prepare a won- derful dinner, Kings Food Markets has all the elements to make your day perfect -- but the most precious gift you can give is your heart. A healthy heart will allow you to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one for years to come. In honor of Heart Health month, Kings has partnered with Atlantic Health System to create a “Stay Healthy” initiative. Mary Finckenor, a registered dietician for the Cardiac Health Center of Morristown Medical Center, has helped Kings identify three simple foods to help promote heart health without sacrificing flavor. Those foods include avocados, butternut squash, and oats. Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy monounsat- urated fat and can help you feel more satisfied after a meal, which means less snacking. Try the sliced mush- room and grilled avocado salad available online at http:// kingsfoodmarkets.com/unique-recipes. Full of fruits and vegetables, which naturally help offset sodium to keep blood pressure down, this salad features avocado in a totally unexpected way, grilled. Butternut squash is packed with anti-oxidants, making it the standout pick of winter produce. It helps change up a winter diet of meat and potatoes as it is similar to sweet potatoes, but with far less calories and more heart health bang. For a delicious side dish using butternut squash, all that’s needed is olive oil, salt, pepper, and a roast- ing pan. Chop the squash, toss it with the seasonings, and roast at 400°. The natural sugars caramelize, and the squash comes out crisp and brown. Oatmeal is a staple for many winter breakfasts, and for good reason. This high-fiber meal keeps you full all morning. Most people enjoy the chewy texture of steel- cut oats, but regular rolled oats and even plain instant oats carry the same benefits. Kings Food Markets is committed to bringing healthy solutions to its customers and is excited to work with Atlantic Health System to further this initiative. Visit Kings at the Midland Park Shopping Center, 85 Godwin Avenue in Midland Park, or at 112 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood. Visit kingsfoodmarkets.com for additional information.