(Family Features) La comida, las bebidas, los regalos y el tiempo con la familia hacen de las fiestas una ocasión feliz para las personas de todo el país. Sin embargo, toda esa celebración a veces puede convertirse en una distracción para mantener la salud del corazón.

De hecho, las alegrías de la temporada pueden estropearse para muchos, ya que las investigaciones muestran un aumento en los eventos cardíacos y las muertes por ataques cardíacos durante la última semana de diciembre. Según un estudio publicado en la revista de la American Heart Association, “Circulation”, ocurren más muertes por problemas cardíacos el 25 de diciembre que cualquier otro día del año, seguidas por el segundo número más grande el 26 de diciembre y el tercero el 1 de enero.

“Las vacaciones son un momento ajetreado, a menudo estresante, para muchos de nosotros”, dijo Mitchell S.V. Elkind, MD, MS, FAHA, director de ciencias clínicas de la American Heart Association. “Las rutinas se interrumpen. Es posible que tendamos a comer y beber más y a hacer menos ejercicio y relajarnos menos. Dormimos muy poco y experimentamos demasiado estrés. Si bien no sabemos exactamente por qué hay más ataques cardíacos mortales durante este tiempo, es importante tener en cuenta que estos factores pueden incrementarse, aumentando el riesgo de un evento cardíaco mortal”.

Ser consciente de este fenómeno anual y tomar algunas medidas importantes y saludables para el corazón puede ayudar a salvar vidas. Considere estos consejos del Dr. Elkind y los expertos de la American Heart Association.

• Conozca los síntomas y tome medidas. Los signos de un ataque cardíaco varían en hombres y mujeres, pero es importante reconocerlos temprano y llamar al 9-1-1 para obtener ayuda. Cuanto antes comience el tratamiento médico, mayores serán las posibilidades de supervivencia y de prevención del daño cardíaco.
• Celebre con moderación. Comer saludablemente durante las fiestas no tiene por qué significar privarse. Hay maneras de comer de manera inteligente, como limitar la ingesta de sodio y buscar pequeños intercambios saludables para que continúe sintiéndose lo mejor posible mientras come y bebe con moderación.
• Practique la buena voluntad hacia sí mismo. Tómese un tiempo para cuidarse durante esta temporada ajetreada. Leer un libro favorito, meditar o incluso jugar con mascotas son formas productivas de reducir el estrés de las interacciones familiares, las finanzas tensas, los horarios agitados, los viajes y otros factores estresantes que pueden provocar las vacaciones.
• Siga moviéndose. El ajetreo y el bullicio de la preparación para las fiestas a menudo deja de lado el ejercicio, pero es importante mantenerse activo tanto como sea posible. Sea creativo para mantenerse en movimiento dando un paseo familiar o jugando juegos físicamente activos con sus seres queridos.
• Tome sus medicamentos. Los horarios ocupados pueden hacer que algunas personas se salten los medicamentos, a veces incluso los olvidan en casa o no renuevan las recetas a tiempo. Trate de usar un cuadro de medicamentos como recordatorio y asegúrese de controlar los números de su presión arterial.

Descubra más formas de vivir una vida saludable para el corazón durante las fiestas y durante todo el año en heart.org.

Foto cortesía de Getty Images

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

(Family Features) Celebrate Mom and other special women in your life with a Mother’s Day gift that makes a lasting impact for children. When you shop at UNICEF Market, you’re not only choosing beautifully hand-crafted artisanal gifts, but also supporting its efforts to keep children healthy, educated and safe across 190 countries and territories. A portion of every sale could provide safe water, enhance schools, supply essential services or protect infants from preventable diseases. Each item, from jewelry and apparel to homeware, is sourced from talented artisans who receive fair prices for their creations, strengthening their communities and supporting their families. In fact, the gifts give back three times over: They support artisans and help communities thrive, assist vulnerable children and make for thoughtful, compassionate Mother’s Day gifts. Choose a meaningful gift that honors the special women in your life while empowering children with the tools for a better future. Featured Gifts

• Aqua Handblown Recycled Glass Carafe and Cup Set, ‘Delicate Aqua’ Add a touch of elegance to any space with this eco-friendly carafe and glass set, handblown from recycled glass by artisans in Mexico. Perfect for your home office or bedside table, it’s a beautiful and practical way to support sustainability.
• Handmade Artisan Jewelry Choose from a stunning collection of handmade jewelry crafted by artisans from around the world, including first-edition Beads of Hope Bracelets from Guatemala. From modern designs to timeless elegance, each piece tells a story of cultural heritage and artistry.
• Unique Home Decor Bring a global touch to your home with handcrafted decor from Africa, Latin America and Asia. Whether it’s a rustic accent, a Peruvian rug or an African sculpture, these pieces can add character and charm to any room.

Inspired Gifts for Moms and Babies

• For a gift that truly gives back, consider

UNICEF’s Inspired Gifts

• . These donations support life-saving programs and can be sent via email or printed as a card. Perfect for those who have it all, these gifts honor the special women in your life while supporting children across the globe.

 

• Mom and Baby Care Ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby with a package that includes essential medications for a smooth and safe delivery. This gift directly supports the health of moms and babies in need.
• Bundle of Hope Your donation can provide children with the essential tools for learning and growing: clean water, soap, exercise books, pencils, vaccines and therapeutic food. This gift helps ensure all children have the resources they need for healthy, productive futures.

This Mother’s Day, celebrate moms and children around the world with a gift that keeps on giving by visiting market.unicefusa.org.   SOURCE: UNICEF

Want to make this Mother’s Day extra special? Skip the crowded restaurants and show Mom your love through a home-cooked meal she’ll never forget. We’ve crafted three foolproof recipes that even kitchen novices can master – because nothing says “I love you” quite like a meal made from the heart.

🌟 1. Heavenly Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Compote

Picture golden, cloud-like pancakes that practically float off the plate, their edges delicately crispy while their centers remain pillowy-soft and tender. The rich, creamy ricotta creates pockets of moisture that melt in your mouth, while bright lemon zest cuts through with citrusy sparkle. The warm berry compote cascades over the stack, its jewel-toned fruits bursting with sweet-tart juice that mingles perfectly with pure maple syrup.

🍳 2. Mediterranean Brunch Board

A feast for both eyes and palate, this stunning spread features eggs with golden yolks that ooze luxuriously when broken, their richness enhanced by aromatic dukkah’s nutty crunch. Creamy, house-made hummus swirled with extra virgin olive oil sits alongside prosciutto roses that fold like silk. Fresh figs, split to reveal their honey-sweet crimson centers, nestle against wedges of artisanal cheese that range from buttery-soft to crystalline-sharp. Every bite tells a story of Mediterranean sunshine.

👑 3. Herb-Crusted Salmon with Champagne Cream Sauce

A masterpiece of textures and flavors: the salmon’s herb crust offers a satisfying crackle before revealing the perfectly cooked, rose-pink flesh beneath that flakes at the mere touch of a fork. The champagne cream sauce, velvety and sophisticated, pools elegantly around the fish, its subtle bubbles lending an air of celebration. Bright green asparagus spears provide the perfect crisp-tender contrast, while the wild mushroom risotto, infused with earthy aromatics and finished with a generous shower of Parmesan, creates a bed of creamy comfort that ties the whole dish together.

Why These Recipes Work:

Each recipe can be partially prepped in advance

Ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets

They’re impressive without being overly complicated

Perfect balance of flavors and textures

Suitable for various dietary preferences

Each bite is carefully crafted to create not just a meal, but a memorable experience that shows Mom just how special she is. The interplay of textures and flavors in each dish creates a symphony of tastes that will linger in her memory long after the last bite.

Here are some Wine Pairings to make these dishes perfect:

🌟 Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Perfect Pairing: Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti

Why it works: The light bubbles and subtle sweetness complement the citrus notes while cutting through the richness of the ricotta.

🍳 Mediterranean Brunch Board

Perfect Pairing: Rosé or Albariño

Why it works: A crisp, dry rosé enhances the salty prosciutto and creamy cheeses, while Albariño’s mineral notes complement the Mediterranean flavors.

👑 Herb-Crusted Salmon

Perfect Pairing: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir

Why it works: A lightly oaked Chardonnay matches the richness of the champagne sauce, while a light-bodied Pinot Noir works beautifully with the herb crust.

Plating Instructions:

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:

Stack 3-4 pancakes slightly off-center on a warm, white plate

Drizzle berry compote in an artistic swoosh from 2 o’clock to 7 o’clock

Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar

Pro tip: Use a wide, flat plate to let the colors pop against the white background

Mediterranean Brunch Board:

Start with a large wooden board or slate platter

Create height by placing small bowls of hummus and dips at different points

Arrange prosciutto roses in a cascading pattern

Group cheeses by type, creating a gradient from soft to hard

Fill negative space with fresh herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Use small olive wood bowls for dips to add rustic elegance

Herb-Crusted Salmon:

Place the risotto in a shallow bowl using a ring mold

Position the salmon at a 45-degree angle, slightly overlapping the risotto

Arrange asparagus spears like a fan

Drizzle champagne sauce in an elegant circle around the plate

Garnish with micro herbs and edible flowers

Pro tip: Warm the plates before serving to keep everything at perfect temperature

Remember: The most important ingredient isn’t listed in any recipe – it’s the love and thought you put into making Mom’s day special. These meals aren’t just about the food; they’re about creating precious moments together.

Ready to make Mom’s day unforgettable? Save these recipes now and start planning your Mother’s Day menu. Trust us – seeing her face light up will be worth every minute in the kitchen.

Here are some related links to further help you make Mother’s Day special:

Good Housekeeping: 55 Best Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas – Good Housekeeping

Food Network: Mother’s Day Recipes: Brunch, Dinner, Desserts and More

NYT Cooking: Mother’s Day Recipes – NYT Cooking

Happy Mother’s Day!

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

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