Mediterrean Chickpea Stew

In a soup pot, sauté the onions, garlic and celery for 5 minutes; add the squash or sweet potatoes and green peppers. Continue sautéing for an additional 5 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth, chickpeas and tomatoes; simmer for 30 minutes. Add seasonings and continue cooking at a low simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until the squash is tender. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Add the greens and cook just until wilted.

Serve as a stew or ladle over cooked brown rice or other whole grain.

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For the 57th year, February is being celebrated as American Heart Month. It reminds us all that we need to take good care of our hearts, because the integrity of the vascular system is central to good health and longevity. Approximately 665,000 Americans die of heart disease every year and, for 50% of them, their first symptom is death. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters once joyfully celebrated the love in their lives on many Valentine’s Days. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from this disease that most often claims lives prematurely.

Since heart disease is primarily related to lifestyle choices, this is a good time for each of us to pause and take a serious look at the way we live. Since the 1950s, the medical community has understood that diet plays a significant role in the development and progression of this disease. More recently, inflammation has been identified as a factor. Consumption of foods containing saturated fat and cholesterol, along with inflammation, causes the buildup of plaque that narrows and hardens arteries. (Dietary cholesterol is still a factor.) This impairs blood flow to all parts of the body, with the only difference being the affected location. In addition to causing heart attacks, plaque accumulation can lead to high blood pressure, strokes, dementia, kidney disease and chronic pain, as well as other diseases.

Cholesterol is only found in animals, so all of the cholesterol and most of the saturated fat come from eating them and their byproducts. For most people, eliminating animal foods causes blood levels of cholesterol and fat (triglycerides) to plummet and inflammation to subside. Research shows that people who have plaque in their arteries (which includes almost everyone — including children) can prevent progression and even reverse their disease by eliminating the main sources of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat: meat, fowl, fish, eggs and dairy (including milk, cream and cheese). Which foods have the potential for opening arteries, reducing inflammation and keeping the body healthy? Those from plant sources: vegetables, legumes, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds — a whole-food, plant-exclusive eating style (also known as a vegan diet).

Embracing a whole-food, plant-exclusive diet has the potential to prevent and reverse Type 2 diabetes, improve gastrointestinal function, decrease the risk for autoimmune diseases, prevent cancer, decrease pain, optimize kidney function, improve reproductive health, facilitate weight loss and increase energy and vitality. How does this happen? When a person stops eating disease-promoting foods and instead consumes only health-promoting foods, the body begins to heal itself. It comes as no surprise that plant-eaters experience an average of eight more quality years than meat-eaters.

One of the most frequently asked questions about changing to a plant-exclusive diet is, “Where do you get your protein?” While this nutrient is vital to optimal physiological function, it is important to know that virtually all whole, unprocessed plant foods contain protein. Legumes — particularly soybeans — are excellent sources. When consuming a wide variety of whole plant foods at a calorie level that maintains a person’s appropriate weight, there will be adequate but not excessive protein. Currently, in our culture, there is an emphasis on consuming large quantities of protein (mostly by companies who are selling it), and this often results in excessive intake, which can have detrimental health effects, such as impaired kidney function, the development of various cancers and others.

Many of the foods the average person eats are vegan, so to make heart-healthy dietary changes, the focus needs to be directed to finding substitutions for those that are not. Making changes in this manner is an easy way to move from being an omnivore to an herbivore. Here are five easy steps:

1. Instead of consuming dairy-type products from animals, try those made from plants — milk, cheese, yogurt, cream and even ice cream-type frozen desserts. You will get the most benefit from those made with soy.

2. Instead of consuming chicken eggs, make "tofu scramble" by crumbling a block of standard tofu, adding seasonings and lightly pan-frying. Another alternative is a product called "Just Egg," which makes delicious omelets. For recipes containing eggs, combine 3 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds. This forms a gel that functions similar to eggs in cooking. Oftentimes, eggs can simply be eliminated from the ingredient list.

3. Instead of meat, fowl and fish, substitute foods from a wide variety of cooked beans, peas, lentils and their derivatives. Many companies produce meat look-alikes that facilitate the transition to a whole-food, plant-exclusive diet. They have names such as "beefless ground," "porkless bites," "chick’n strips," "fishless filets" and, yes, even "bac’n." These are usually made with legumes (frequently with the very versatile soybean), vegetables or wheat gluten.

4. Instead of meat fat or butter, use unsaturated oils such as canola or plant-based margarines.

5. "Veganize" recipes by simply substituting plant ingredients for those that come from animal sources.

The benefits of adopting a whole-food, plant-exclusive diet are significant and immediate. A comment most often heard from new herbivores is "I feel great. I have lost excess weight. My blood values have improved. My only regret is that I didn’t make this change sooner."

It’s no coincidence that American Heart Month embraces a holiday of love — Valentine’s Day. Love both your physical and emotional heart by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Family and friends who love you (and your heart) will be grateful for being able to experience you with improved health and an extended lifespan.

Here are some quick and easy recipes to assist you in celebrating Vegantine’s Day! They include ingredients that are abundant with health-promoting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients — and, yes, protein and "good" carbs.