Recipes for Cooking, Health, and Nutrition

Happy Heart Cookbook

Dear Friends,

      It is hard to put into words what I feel in my heart.

     I am not a professional writer. I am not a doctor, nurse, dietitian, nutritionist or speech maker. I am, like many of you, a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in law, aunt, cousin, and friend. I still feel that I’m a daughter and daughter-in-law, too, even though our parents are gone…… these roles remain.

      There are many events in our lives that cause our lives to change drastically. Illnesses, accidents, and especially losing our parents and other relatives were traumatic for me. But the event that completely changed my life was my husband Joe’s Heart attack on Christmas Day night 1989

      The fears, the unknown, the whys, the panic, the feelings of resentment, bitterness, hope and love, the blues, the ifs, the guilt, the denials, the emotional stress of this situation made each moment, each day a challenge.

      Although every heart attack is not a life-threatening one, Joe’s was. Although there were several Factors to consider in helping Joe on the “road to recovery”, his physician’s care, medicines he has to take, exercise (when it was permitted) the one factor that I felt I could help with was Joe’s Diet.

      I’ve always prided myself on the tasty, nutritious, basic, attractive meals I’ve made for my family. But after Joe’s attack, meal planning took on a whole new meaning.

      Although I’ve been interested in nutrition, diet, vitamins and cooking for many years, and I have read extensively on these subjects, Joe’s diet became one of the most difficult obstacles I’ve ever had to overcome.

      I felt so helpless about a great part of Joe’s recovery, but planning nutritious, yet tasty meals for him helped me to feel more a part of his recovery.

      Once something like this happens, you begin to learn of others in the same situation. It became obvious to me that while there were many cookbooks on the market, and although the hospital provided great diet guidelines, the daily planning and preparation of meals, so they would most benefit Joe, was very complex.

      My family, friends and several of the people I’ve met through Joe’s rehabilitation program, gave me the idea to put my recipes and experience together, not only to share with heart patients, but with their families too.

     Many of you, my readers, have probably been in a situation similar to mine. Your probably can identify with me and share the same innermost feelings when a loved one is ill and goes through a serious trauma. Down deep inside you feel that nothing will ever be the same again, but I made my mind to take one day at a time. Now every day we have together is more precious and special to us both. We know that no one lives forever, for as the saying goes “no one leaves this world alive”. Until that day comes we are thankful and welcome the time god has given us again. We will try to make the best of every moment.

     My cookbook is derived from my own personal knowledge and experience in following a recommended diet for my husband Joe, following his heart attack last year.

      As always, consult your physician before beginning any dietary program or therapy.

      My cookbook is not meant to take the place of your physician’s recommendations for diet modification or medical advice.

      I hope you enjoy the HAPPY HEART COOKBOOK, and, if you’d like to share some thoughts or comments with me, I’d be happy to hear from you.

For good health and hope to all,

Grace