HEART PROGRAM SPONSORS HEALTHY RECIPE CONTEST

The Heart Institute at St. Francis Medical Center is sponsoring the Heart Healthy Recipe Contest in early February.

"The contest is an opportunity for us to draw attention to heart health and its relationship to proper nutrition," said Vicki Frank, RN, cardiac rehabilitation supervisor at St. Francis. She said the contest is being held as part of The Heart Institute's observation of American Heart Month in February.

Recipes will be judged in three categories: main dishes, vegetables, soups and salads, and desserts and breads. "Entries will be judged by a panel of area health and nutrition specialists on the basis of taste, ease of preparation, appearance and fat content," said Frank.

Those interested in entering the contest should bring their prepared dish and a copy of its recipe to The Heart Institute on Feb. 3 before 2 p.m. "It would also be helpful if contest participants can bring nutritional breakdown information about their recipes, but it's not mandatory," Frank said.

Winning entries will be announced at 2 p.m. Feb. 5 during HeartBeat '94 activities at West Park Mall. Prizes will include a pasta maker for the best recipe, grocery gift certificates for first place winners in each category, and "Cooking Light" cookbooks for second place entries in each category.

For more information, call Frank at 339-6157 or 1-800-455-1111.