by Amanda Lanum 

It is National Wear Red Day as part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, but most cardiac events are preventable! Talk with the women in your life about changes (less salt, less fat, less sugar) they can make to stay healthy. Visit GoRedforWomen.org for more information.

Here is a recipe from the site, that we were given through our interview with Chef Michelle Bernstein and Dr. Malissa Wood:

POACHED PEARS WITH YOGURT AND WALNUTS

6 seasonal pears of your choice, peeled & cored, trim the bottom so they sit upright

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Zest and juice of 1 orange

2 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

2 cups unsweetened apple or pear juice

Topping for pears:

4 tablespoons unsweetened fat-free yogurt

1/4 teaspoon Stevia

1/2 cup toasted unsalted walnuts, chopped

Mix the yogurt and Stevia together.

Combine all ingredients except for pears. Place pears in a large pot. Pour the mixture over the pears, bring to a boil, reduce heat and partially cover. Simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until tender. Carefully remove the pears and discard the star anise and cinammon stick. Reduce the liquid until it justs coats the back of a spoon. Top the pears with the liquid.

Spoon some of the yogurt topping over the pears and sprinkle walnuts over the yogurt.