By: Nycole Hutchens
The American Heart Association partnered with “Taste of Soul” to bring awareness and some heart healthy soul recipes to Houston.
The 2016 Go Red Girlfriend”s Taste of Soul was an event dedicated to showcasing healthy cooking alternatives for African-Americans.
The African-American community is plagued with a myriad of health issues, from diabetes to heart disease. Taste of Soul showcased simple easy-to-do healthy alternatives provided by awarded winning chefs such as Hell’s Kitchen season 11 winner Janel Witt and many others.
Some of the healthy foods that guests were able to sample in this years event were green salads with watermelon slices, low-sodium low carb jambalaya with turkey meat and more. Many guests in attendance had an opportunity to ask questions with health experts and sample “heart-healthy” wine.
The event is specifically targeted toward women of color. The Go Red for Women Movement celebrates the energy, passion and power of women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.
The American Heart Association is working hard to change the perception of heart disease as a “man’s disease.” By teaching more and more women how to talk to their doctors, know the risk factors and understand what they can do, we will save thousands of lives every year.
In case you are not familiar, an important fact to not overlook is that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. Only one in three African American women are aware that heart disease is their No.1 killer. Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 455,000 women each year, which is about one every minute.
Anyone who missed the tasting event is still able to attend a free public health symposium Saturday, June 25 in Houston at the 3rd Ward Multi Service Center starting at 9 a.m. For more information, visit heart.org/houstongoredgirlfriend#GoRedHouston.
