Cooking A La Heart: Delicious Heart Healthy Recipes to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

The Mankato community, nestled in the valley of the Minnesota River, was the first of three communities chosen for a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology, administered this decade-long heart-disease prevention program. Having just finished five years of clinical dietetics and frustrated over reaching people only after they entered the hospital, Linda's concern for the prevention of heart disease led her to earnestly pursue and cheerfully accept the position of nutrition coordinator for the Mankato Heart Health Program. Here she spearheaded heart healthy programs in restaurants (Dining a'la Heart), grocery stores (Shop Smart), and public school foodservice.

Through the adept assistance of Betsy Eykyn, writer and English instructor; volunteers and steering committee members, Nadine Sugden, Shirley Durfee and the late Marion Lutes, more than 200 families in this Midwestern town triple-tested recipes. Recipes were judged worthy upon their ease to prepare, practical ingredients, tastefulness and family appeal. Rest assured, the 400+ recipes in Cooking A La Heart work AND appeal to women, men, teens and children!

Linda is a registered dietitian who has served the profession of dietetics in clinical, administrative and research capacities. Recognized by the Minnesota Dietetic Association (RYDY Award) and regional publishing industry (MBA Distinguished Service Award), Linda also received the Secretary's Award for Excellence in Public Health (US DHHS) and a Governor's Certificate of Commendation for Community Health Promotion (MN).She has been honored as the Outstanding Alumna from the Family Consumer Science-Allied Health & Nursing College at MSU-Mankato, the Distinguished Woman Leader from the YWCA and the 2011 Yellow Rose Award recipient from three women s civic organizations (BPW, ZONTA and WEB).

She has volunteered with the American Heart Association for 35 years and is thrilled that the Women & Heart Disease curriculum she co-authored is still used today by the Speakers Bureau, Northwestern AHA Office. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Mankato State University; a Credential of Advance Studies in Health Services and her Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis in Nutrition Administration from the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health.

She founded Appletree Press in 1989 with an emphasis on bringing forward well-written and useful books focusing on good health, cooking and nutrition. The Small Business Association (US SBA) recognized Linda's advocacy for women entrepreneurship in 1993 by naming her the Small Business Advocate of the Year.

She is an experienced speaker on writing and publishing issues as well as on nutrition. She has been widely quoted, interviewed and has written articles in publications including: ADA Competitive Edge, Minnesota Women's Press, Business Connection, Successful Business, Redbook Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Health Confidential and the Environmental Nutrition Newsletter. Her byline, Eat well everyday! started with raising fruits and vegetables on her family's dairy farm in north central Minnesota.