Guard A Heart Foundation Hosts Heart Healthy Chef Demo at Tommy Bahama in Laguna Beach

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guard A Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization, raising awareness for cardiovascular disease by educating on the dangers of vulnerable plaque, held a Heart Healthy Chef Demo in honor of National Heart Day on Saturday September 29 at Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach.

Chef Marcus Lage led a lively interactive chef demo in collaboration with Guard a Heart Foundation, illustrating that you can still dine at your favorite restaurants and enjoy meals that are both tasty and good for you. Chef Marcus Lage is a graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena where he honed his skills working in variety of food industry positions. A native of Irvine, Chef Marcus is dedicated to creating menu options that are both delicious and healthy. He even showed us that adding a small amount of butter is better for the heart than margarine, as confirmed by Dr. Bahar who also attended the event. Moderation is key when preparing heart healthy dishes.

Guard A Heart launched the monthly Heart Healthy Chef Demos in July 2012 as an important educational tool within Guard a Heart's lifestyle program and to show that eating healthy doesn't mean deprivation. Enjoying a delicious meal at your favorite restaurant can still be fun, social and heart healthy. This event sold out, indicating that the local community is indeed hungry (pun intended) to learn more about how to eat right. A suggested $10 donation is requested to cover costs and help support the organization's cause. Guests not only get to taste the healthy menu sampling and learn how to prepare them, they also get to take home the recipe and recreate it at home. One hundred percent of proceeds from Chef Demo events will go towards Guard a Heart's  "Know Your Risk, Inspire Life" campaign, which uses donated funds to offer financial assistance for cardiac testing and lifestyle modification for those who cannot otherwise afford it. Please visit us at www.guardaheart.org for the next fun and educational Chef Demo.

About Guard A Heart

Guard A Heart is a non-profit foundation, dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease prevention by spreading the word to guard your heart and save your life. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is if individuals know their risk and take the necessary steps, most cardiovascular disease is preventable. Although heart disease is typically diagnosed in adulthood, its roots are often found in childhood. Compelling research has shown that plaque buildup in the arterial walls begins very early in life and progresses through increasing degrees of atherosclerosis. Intervention strategies and healthy lifestyle changes to reduce heart disease risk should begin early when reversal of the process is easier, not later in life when the disease is more fully developed.  Guard a Heart Foundation provides assistance for individuals who are unable to pay for cardiac risk assessments.  Please visit www.guardaheart.org for more information.

About Tommy Bahama Bar & Grill

Sit back and enjoy the island lifestyle at our Laguna Beach Bar & Grill, scenically situated along the majestic Pacific Ocean. Serving contemporary American cuisine and delicious handcrafted cocktails, our Laguna Beach location is perfect for lunch, dinner and pick-me-ups all day long. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For store and restaurant locations, please visit http://www.tommybahama.com/  

For media inquiries, please contact:
Dina Scaglione
949.910.9401
[email protected]

SOURCE Guard A Heart Foundation