Free e-cookbook to keep hearts healthy

MEDIA RELEASE
02 July 2009

Free e-cookbook to keep hearts healthy in tough times

A recession-busting cookbook aimed at helping Kiwi families has been launched by the Heart Foundation.

As the economic recession continues to bite into household budgets, the Heart Foundation hopes its new online e-cookbook will help New Zealand families stay on track with their health.

The e-cookbook ‘Cheap Eats for the Heart’ has been compiled by Heart Foundation National Catering Manager, Andrea Bidois, and includes an easy-to-follow shopping and recipe guide.

She hopes it will relieve some of the pressure amongst people struggling to provide families and communities on tight budgets with quality, nutritious food.

Andrea says historical experience from various countries indicates that adverse health effects go hand in hand with tough economic times.

“This cookbook helps to debunk the myth that healthier food options are expensive,” says Andrea.

“Apart from stress, economic recessions can compromise the way we choose to shop and eat, meaning nutritious food options can fall down the agenda and receive less priority.

“But with careful pantry planning and a ‘back to basics’ approach, cooking healthy food on a budget can be practical, easy and beneficial for our hearts and wallets.

“Everyday more and more families are struggling to keep healthy food options on the table and the timing of this resource couldn’t be better.

“We certainly don’t want people turning to fast foods in place of healthy options,” she says.

Andrea Bidois hopes that the online format will provide easy access for the resource to find its way into Kiwi homes.

“Already the word is spreading quickly that this resource is readily available – and that it’s free to download from the Heart Foundation’s website,” says Andrea.

“We are also encouraging people without internet access to contact their local branch of the Heart Foundation for a free hard copy version of Cheap Eats for the Heart.

“Anything we can do to help the community at a time like this is invaluable,” she says.

To download a copy of Cheap Eats for the Heart visit: www.heartfoundation.org.nz and click on the ‘Healthy Eating’ tab along the top of the page

ENDS

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