It's a good time to try reducing stroke risk

Black History Month: a time to fight a leading cause of death in black population

Black History Month presents us with an opportunity to recognize past achievements and focus on one of the greatest threats to the black population: stroke. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death among blacks, and more than 100,000 will suffer one this year.

But blacks can get help to reduce their stroke risk through Power To End Stroke, an educational campaign of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. It encourages blacks to sign a pledge to make a commitment to reduce their stroke risk. Once signing the stroke pledge, they may become Power To End Stroke ambassadors who help spread the messages about stroke.

The five simple signs of stroke are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message of freedom was reiterated through the words of his daughter, the late Yolanda King: "We will only be truly free when we reach down to the inner depths of our own being and sign with the pen and ink of assertive selfhood, our own emancipation proclamation. No civil rights, no voting rights, no equal rights, no immigration rights are worth fighting for if we are dying from heart disease and stroke," she said while serving as a Power To End Stroke ambassador shortly after her mother, the late Coretta Scott King, suffered a stroke.

Call the American Stroke Association, (888) 4-STROKE or visit www.strokeassociation.org/power to:

• Take the stroke pledge to begin the journey to reduce stroke risk.

• Receive free information about blacks and stroke.

• Find out how to reduce stroke in the community through the Power To End Stroke campaign.

• Request healthy recipes that can fit into your everyday menus, such as Skillet Ham Hash, taken from "Healthy Soul Food Recipes."

Skillet Ham Hash

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1 large red bell pepper, diced

1 medium onion, diced

½ cup diced lower-sodium, low-fat ham (about 4 ounces), all visible fat discarded

3 cups frozen fat-free southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed

½ teaspoon salt-free Cajun or Creole seasoning blend (see note)

2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the bell peppers and onion for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the ham. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until warmed through, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the hash browns and seasoning blend. Cook without stirring for 4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown. Stir (the golden-brown pieces will be redistributed). Cook without stirring for 4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and the mixture is warmed through.

Stir in the parsley, salt, and pepper. Spoon onto plates.

Serves four.

Cook's note: If you can't find salt-free Cajun or Creole seasoning blend or just prefer to make your own, stir together 1 teaspoon each chile powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, paprika, and ground cumin in a small bowl. Makes 2 tablespoons. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition values per serving: 207 calories, 3.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated),37 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 9 g protein, 12 mg cholesterol, 420 mg sodium.

"Healthy Soul Food Recipes" by the American Heart Association (2007 Published by Publications International, Ltd.)