When I was in the 9th grade, the second year of public school for this home-school kid, I had the BRILLIANT idea of entering the Science Fair. That year, triggered by a recent lesson on dominant and recessive genes, I was going to take on a major research project … had the science fair come later in the year, I’m sure I would have been inspired by BOB, AKA “Big Ol’ Butt” – the frog I dissected in the spring.
Yes, I named him. I also named the fetal pig I dissected in Biology 2. Her name was Charlotte. And, I made her a lace bow. She deserved to look pretty.
But, I digress. In the 9th grade, spurred by the knowledge that many in my Mother’s side of the family had suffered from heart defects, heart disease and numerous other heart issues, I decided I was going to research my chance of having heart problems.
Using a pedigree chart, a punnet’s square and half a ton of family research for both sides of my family, I came down to a final conclusion: My three sisters and I all had a 25% chance of dealing with heart disease in our lives.
(oh … the 90’s with its lovely florals…. oy)
Now, as a 15 year old kid, I was more concerned about using this information to win my science fair, but as a 30-something year old adult . . . the knowledge that I have a 1 in 4 chance of facing heart disease is terrifying.
It’s one of the reasons I keep trying to do what’s right:
- Whole grains, Fruits and Vegetables, Heart-Healthy Fats
(my favorite lunch)
- Exercise (both cardio and strength training)
(quick “catch my breath” break during a recent training run)
- And, trying to make smart choices when eating out or picking up convenience items from the grocery store.
(quick lunch after craving my childhood favorites of soup and grilled cheese)
It’s just a simple matter of Addressing Your Heart.
Campbell’s is trying to encourage people to focus on a healthy heart this month. If you share how you care for your heart in the kitchen with a photo, story or tip, you will be entered in the Campbell’s Address Your Heart Kitchen Project Sweepstakes. The big prize is a $50,000 kitchen makeover!
Follow the steps below and share how you care for your heart to participate in Campbell’s contest and you could win a $50,000 kitchen makeover.
(Contest Rules & Prize Page.)
Step 1: Submit a photo below that shows how you care for your heart
Step 2: Fill out the information required including your name, email address and zip code.
Step 3: Write a short contest entry (up to 200 words) that corresponds with the photo and share how you care for your heart. Please be honest and sincere with all your thoughts and remember to tell us in 200 words or less.
Step 4: Confirm you’ve read the Official Rules.
Step 5: Log in through your Facebook account.
Step 6: Submit your contest entry.
You can share your contest entry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and visit AddressYourHeart.com for recipes, tips, and downloadable coupons for heart-healthy products from Campbell.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of the Campbell Soup Company’s Address Your Heart initiative. The opinions, text, and images are all mine.
