Taking care of your heart health requires a commitment to the right routines and smart decisions, such as adopting a heart healthy diet. Foods you might already have in your kitchen can offer powerful vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that may help contribute to heart health.

Decades of research shows that each 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice, such as Florida Orange Juice, is packed with key nutrients and valuable plant compounds, which may play a beneficial role in helping lower blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Consider these additional heart health benefits of 100% orange juice:

• While many people associate vitamin C with its ability to help promote a healthy immune system, it’s also been shown to support cardiovascular health. Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C providing more than 100% of the recommended daily value in an 8-ounce glass.
• In several research studies, higher intakes of the flavonoids typically found in citrus were associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
• In one 8-ounce serving, 100% orange juice provides 10% of the daily value of potassium, which is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance affecting blood pressure. Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
• Some studies found folate and vitamin B6, both water-soluble vitamins, may help protect against heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood, an amino acid believed to cause damage to the arteries and increase the risk of blood clots when elevated. One 8-ounce glass of orange juice contains 15% of the daily value of folate and 8% of the daily value of vitamin B6.

“Drinking Florida Orange Juice is not only delicious, it delivers a powerful combination of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds,” said Dr. Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the Florida Department of Citrus. “From helping to reduce hypertension to fighting inflammation, it is an excellent choice to include in a heart-healthy diet.”

You can add the heart health benefits of 100% orange juice to your diet with the powerfully nutritious punch of Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls, the perfect mixture of textures with tangy, spicy and sweet flavors. Or start the day strong with a Florida Sunshine Grapefruit Smoothie for a breakfast beverage that requires just a few minutes of prep and blending.

Find more heart healthy inspiration at floridacitrus.org.

Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
Servings: 2

2          cups water
1          cup quinoa
1          cup Florida Orange Juice
1          tablespoon hot sauce
1          tablespoon honey
1          tablespoon soy sauce
6          tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2          tablespoons lime juice
1          tablespoon white miso
1 1/2    pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4       teaspoon kosher salt
1/8       teaspoon ground black pepper
1          bell pepper, diced
1          English cucumber, sliced into half moons
3          scallions, sliced
1          avocado, sliced
1          teaspoon sesame seeds
2          tablespoons cilantro, chopped

In pot, bring water to boil.

Add quinoa, reduce to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes. Fluff with fork.

In bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, lime juice and miso. Remove half and set aside.

Add shrimp to remaining half and marinate 15 minutes.

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add remaining oil.

Season shrimp with salt and pepper then add shrimp to wok and saute, cooking approximately 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.

Place 1/2 cup quinoa in bowl and top with bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, avocado and shrimp.

Drizzle with dressing that was set aside and garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro.

Florida Sunshine Grapefruit Smoothie
Servings: 1

1          cup Florida Orange Juice
1/2       cup Florida Grapefruit Juice
1          ripe banana
1/2       cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2       teaspoon vanilla extract

In blender, blend orange juice, grapefruit juice, banana, yogurt and vanilla extract until smooth. Serve immediately.

Heat up your next get-together by inviting family and friends over to try a DIY trend, the hot-pot party. It can be easy to prep and your guests can enjoy cooking and customizing their own meals. 

First, prepare a rich, flavored broth and serve steaming-hot in a slow cooker or multi-cooker. Next, offer a selection of meat, seafood and veggies for dunking. Cook for a few minutes then garnish with sauces and various toppings to match individual tastes.

Offer a taste of the Caribbean with a coconut milk broth and fresh papaya pica sauce. 

Learn more about this hot-pot trend and all the latest flavor trends in McCormick’s 2018 Flavor Forecast at FlavorForecast.com.

Caribbean Hot-Pot Broth with Papaya Pica Sauce
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours
Servings: 10

To make broth: Place ham hocks, onion, carrots and celery in 6-quart stockpot. Cook on medium heat 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 8 cups water, chicken stock, chile pepper, bay leaves, thyme leaves, turmeric, allspice and pepper. Add salt, to taste. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 hour, skimming fat occasionally.

Remove cover and simmer 30 minutes, skimming fat occasionally. Remove ham hocks and skim fat. In small bowl, whisk cornstarch and remaining water. Add to pot with coconut milk. Cook on medium heat 30 minutes. Skim fat. Stir lime juice into broth.

To make Papaya Pica Sauce: In food processor on high speed, process papaya, vinegar, chile pepper, onion, mustard, salt, allspice, garlic powder, ginger and cloves until smooth. Transfer to medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Pour into medium bowl.

To serve, pour broth into heated 6-quart electric slow cooker or hot pot. Cook shrimp and scallops in broth about 5 minutes, or until cooked through, stirring occasionally.

Place some rice in bowl then ladle broth and seafood over top. Stir in Papaya Pica Sauce and top with shredded coconut and pepper slices, if desired.

A packed schedule often leads to less meals around the table. Between balancing family, friends, work and activities, it can be easy to reach for a pre-packaged snack on-the-go that lacks important vitamins and nutrients.

Instead, when looking for portable, grab-and- go foods, think about a multi-purpose treat like watermelon. Not only can watermelon be diced, sliced, balled or blended, it also provides numerous health benefits. Watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable and is a source of vitamins A and C, as well as vitamin B6 and potassium.

Thinking beyond traditional slices, chunks or balls, there are many ways to incorporate watermelon into some of your favorite to-go meals, whether as a side dish or a key ingredient in beverages, salads or wraps.

Find more watermelon recipes perfect for an on-the-go lifestyle at watermelon.org/watermelononthego.

Watermelon and Bulgur Wheat Salad
Servings: 4

Dressing:

In large serving bowl, combine watermelon, bulgur wheat, arugula, grape tomatoes and chopped mint.

To make dressing: In liquid measuring cup, whisk olive oil, vinegar, garlic, honey, salt and pepper until well combined.

Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Top with shaved pecorino and season, to taste. Serve immediately.

Watermelon Collagen Creamsicle
Servings: 1

In blender, combine watermelon, collagen and heavy cream; blend. Pour into glass to serve.

Wrap It Up

Wraps are a perfect on-the-go snack and are easily customizable. Get started with one of these varieties from the National Watermelon Promotion Board or create your own combination. Start with a spread to help the fillings stick together. Place toppings in the center of a tortilla and a watermelon spear on top. Roll the tortilla over the watermelon spear to tuck in all ingredients. Fasten with a toothpick, if needed.

Watermelon Sandwich Wraps

Toppings:

English Tea Sandwich Wrap: Flour tortilla, chive cream cheese, ham, watermelon, watercress

Greek Wrap: Tortilla, plain Greek yogurt, feta cheese, watermelon, black olives

Latin Watermelon Wrap: Flour tortilla, guacamole, ham, watermelon, pepper jack cheese, cilantro, scallions, jalapenos

Southwest Chicken Wrap: Corn or flour tortilla, guacamole, chicken, watermelon, salsa, bacon ranch dressing, pepper jack cheese, romaine lettuce

Watermelon Caprese Wrap: Flour tortilla, pepperoni, watermelon, pesto, mozzarella cheese, basil

Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap: Corn tortilla, chicken, watermelon, Thai peanut sauce, Bibb lettuce, carrots, cilantro

Southwest Veggie Wrap: Spinach tortilla, guacamole, watermelon, barbecue ranch dressing, swiss cheese, cucumber, cilantro

Mid-Eastern Veggie Wrap: Corn tortilla, Hummus with pine nuts, watermelon, mint, cucumber slices

Ginger Chicken Wrap: Wheat wrap, chicken, watermelon, teriyaki ginger sauce, sweet chili and ginger sauce, Bibb lettuce, Brussels sprouts

Hawaiian Wrap: Spinach wrap, pineapple cream cheese, ham, watermelon, sweet chili and ginger sauce, cilantro