Heart & Soul
A Collection of Heart Healthy Southern Foods
Introduction
The mission of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is to help individuals, families, and communities put research-based knowledge to work to improve their lives. That educational information is delivered from our two Land Grant Institutions, North Carolina State University and A & T State University. As Extension Agents with the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences within the Cooperative Extension Service, we strive to foster informed decision-making about human and environmental concerns in a changing world. This cookbook idea was born of our programming efforts in the Nutrition and Wellness State Major Program. In Eastern North Carolina our audiences are continually changing. We have the "folks" that have lived here all their lives and then over the past few years we have had quite a few "Southern transplants" arrive. Whether you have been here 80 years or only a couple, there is a certain fascination with the delicious traditional "soul" food we enjoy here in the South. In our attempt to guide people to healthier eating, we began offering healthy Southern Cooking programs with great response. After compiling a number of booklets with healthy cooking tips and recipes for our classes, we decided there was a need for a comprehensive resource for lovers of Southern food. Included you will find tips for using herbs and spices, barbecuing, ingredient substitutions, and keeping food safely. The recipes are lower in fat and/or calories than traditional Southern recipes however, they are not calorie free. Most foods can fit into a healthy, well-balanced diet if eaten in moderation. "Heart and Soul" has been a labor of love because we are Southern women and understand why people are captivated by our food. We have enjoyed compiling a cookbook of traditional Southern recipes made healthier for today's changing lifestyles. We hope you'll "fancy" these dishes as much as we do!