Heart Healthy Fiber

Whole grain products are an excellent way to reduce your cholesterol! Fiber binds to Cholesterol and aids in removing it from the body. Another benefit of fiber containing foods is that fiber makes the body feel full longer by remaining inside of the stomach for a longer time period in digestion. Foods other than whole grain products which contain fiber include almonds, chestnuts, chickpeas, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and artichokes. You can also make macaroni and cheese with whole grain pasta! Here is a recipe:

Whole Grain Mac and Cheese

Ingredients serve 4

1 (8 oz) package of whole grain pasta

3 tablespoons butter (salted sweet cream butter)

4 tbsp flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon restaurant style black pepper

1 cup milk (2 %)

1 cup half & half

1 cups Pepper Jack cheese

1 cup Mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup plain bread crumbs

Directions:

1.      Preheat oven to 400◦F and let heat for at least 10 minutes prior to baking.

2.      Cook and drain macaroni according to the package directions and set aside.

3.      Melt the butter in a large sauce pan.

4.      Add flour mixed with salt and pepper using a whisk to stir and blend mixture well.

5.      Pour milk and half and half in gradually and stir constantly.

6.      Bring the mixture to a boil, then allow mixture to boil for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.

7.      Reduce heat and cook while stirring constantly for 10 minutes.

8.      Add shredded cheese little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

9.      Remove from heat and add macaroni to sauce pan and toss to coat with buttered bread crumbs.

10.  Transfer macaroni to buttered baking dish and sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.

11.  Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. This recipe serves 4 people.