I love when I am asked to participate in projects that are a natural fit to my lifestyle. That is why I was excited when my friends at The Motherhood<\/em> asked me to join an educational project with ConAgra Foods and Hunt\u2019s Tomatoes. (I already use Hunt\u2019s in many of my tomato-based recipes\u2026including my \u201ceasy chili recipe\u201d.)<\/p>\n ConAgra recently presented some research at the American Dietetic Association\u2019s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. The results suggest that the nutrients in tomatoes may have a measurable impact on heart disease prevention. You can learn more about their findings on this release<\/a>. Since the research is from ConAgra (who makes Hunt\u2019s tomatoes), you should definitely do your own research. Personally, I have never read anything negative about eating tomatoes\/ canned tomato products. Rather, I have always heard of the benefits of the lycopene that is found in them. (If I\u2019m wrong, I\u2019m sure that you will correct me \ud83d\ude42 \u2026)<\/p>\n Cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer in the U.S., so I have no problem including tomatoes in my food choices. I have a lot of reasons to keep my heart healthy. Reggie, Michael and Sean are all at the top of my list. I love \u201cmy guys\u201d and I want to be around as long as possible to continuously enjoy them They are<\/strong> my heart! That is one of the reasons that I have recently renewed my commitment to overall fitness. (My daily workouts had fell to the side due to the busy nature of life in 2010. No mas.) Now, I do my workouts in the morning and watch what I eat during the day. I\u2019m not obsessive about it though\u2026I like food too much. There is nothing that is \u201coff-limits\u201d to me (even McDonald\u2019s\u2026I know, \u201cthe horror\u201d!). Everything in moderation is my mindset.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are plenty of foods that are healthy for my heart and<\/strong> tasty\u2026like my chili. It\u2019s easy, healthy, economical\u2026and yummy. I am sharing my basic recipe that is a consistent crowd-pleaser. (My \u201cspicy\u201d one is too hot for my Northern friends!) The great thing about chili is that you can alter it to suit your family\u2019s taste \u2013 i.e. substitute turkey meat for beef; leave the meat out altogether and add a variety of beans and vegetables for a vegetarian chili, etc.<\/p>\n