Five Heart Healthy Foods

While heart healthy foods are in abundance, there are some foods that lead the heart healthy pack. Here are five excellent choices:

Salmon. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help regulate the heart, reduce blood pressure, and combat inflammation.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a whole grain. Whole grains are loaded with fiber, iron, and B Vitamins.

Almonds. Nuts contain healthy unsaturated fats, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins. Almonds in particular are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and folate.

Beans. Beans, especially black and kidney beans, are loaded with B Vitamins, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Red Wine. In moderation, red wine can thin the blood, making it less likely to clot, lower cholesterol, and provide the body with plenty of antioxidants.

How-to Pit a Mango

The mango doesn't have a traditional small, round pit. Instead, it has a long, flat pit shaped like an oval. The pit is also fibrous, and hard to cut around. The skin of a mango must be removed before eating as well, as it contains an oil similar to poison ivy and poison sumac. Use this step-by-step guide to remove both the peel and pit of a mango.

1. Place the mango on end, so that the stem is facing downwards.

2. With a sharp knife and working lengthwise, cut off the first third of the mango, then the end third section, leaving the middle third section behind. The middle section is where the pit resides. Some pits are larger than others, and you may have to adjust your cut.

3. Take the two sections that contain the fruit and make lengthwise cuts through the flesh, taking care not to cut all the way through the peel.

4. Make crosswise cuts through the lengthwise cuts, again taking care not to cut through the peel. At this point, you should have nice cubes of mango.

5. Peel the segments off the peel, or use a paring knife. Now, you're ready to eat.