Would you believe me if I told you that coming to the Hormel Historic Home would give you a stronger heart?

I might be exaggerating a little, but if you come to our free upcoming program on Thursday, Feb. 6, you will definitely learn some things about how your diet can make your heart healthier.

Jen Haugen, local registered dietician, will share helpful food lists and strategies to heart-healthy eating as well a simple five step approach to making realistic changes to your eating habits. She will demonstrate recipes and share samples so come hungry.

On Jan. 16, 1929, the Austin Daily Herald reported on another presentation aimed at helping people maintain healthy eating habits. Mrs. M. E. Cook gave a talk during a series of lectures referred to as “Household Efficiency.” The paper stated that:

“Mrs. Cook last night emphasized the importance of food with reference to the needs of the body. She also pointed out that value of judicious meal planning, taking into consideration the selection and digestibility of various foods for the needs of people of different sex, age and occupation.”

“Special attention was given by the speaker to the subject of ‘Diets for Children’ and those for body regulation, emphasizing the advisability of taking the necessary elements of iron, iodine, calcium, potassium and phosphorous into the system through the medium of food, rather than medicine.”

The Household Efficiency series continued at the Y.W.C.A. for several years and included lectures on stretching a family’s food budget and how to properly serve food tableside. In 1932 the series deviated away from the kitchen and held a session entitled ‘Secrets of Feminine Charm…”

I probably would have benefitted from that lecture.

Mark your calendars for the Heart Healthy presentation and then plan to join us again on April 9, when Jen will present about popular diet trends and the pros and cons of each.

(P.S. I am sure sausage won’t be on Jen’s suggested heart healthy diet plan, but you can still get tickets for the Foodie Throwdown which will feature sausage in many creative and delicious ways.)

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Healthy Living Series: 5 Simple Steps to a Healthier Heart and Life

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6
• Presented by Jen Haugen. Free

History Happy Hour: Women of War

• 5:30 p.m., social, 6 p.m. presentation, Monday, Feb. 10
• Presented by Al Smith

Ninth annual Foodie Throwdown: It All Started with Sausage.

• Saturday, Feb. 15
• $40 per person