In this issue: Valentine's Day recipes, heart-healthy chocolate, Pilates for beginners and more.

Which healthy diet will work best for you? Manage my newsletter.   HOUSECALL Mayo Clinic named America's #1 Best Hospital by U.S. News & World Report Vol. 16, Issue 13 | February 12, 2015   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     Pyramid or plate? Explore these healthy diet options Healthy diets come in all shapes and sizes. Pick one and discover how easy it is to follow a good-for-you meal plan.     Pilates for beginners: Explore the core   Pilates isn't just for fitness fiends. It's an accessible way you can strengthen your core muscles for better posture, balance and flexibility.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Healthy chocolate: Dream or reality? In moderation, chocolate — especially dark chocolate — may help prevent heart disease. Echinacea: Is it effective for the common cold? Echinacea may slightly reduce how long a cold lasts and how severe its symptoms are, but the effect may be too minor to notice.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Broken heart syndrome Runny nose Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you Chronic fatigue syndrome     TRUSTED HEALTH TOOLS   Use our Symptom Checker to explore possible causes of your symptoms based upon Mayo Clinic's patient care experience.   Use these simple calculators and self-assessments for personalized health tips.   Calorie calculator Mayo Clinic healthy weight pyramid     NOW BLOGGING   Nutrition-wise: A healthy twist on chocolate Want to indulge without guilt? Try thinking outside the heart-shaped box.     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   Complete approach to good health With this easy-to-follow guide, discover what to do at home for more than 120 of today's most common health problems. Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies provides useful facts and practical tips for staying healthy — even a list of medicine-cabinet staples to always have on hand so that you're prepared for an accident or illness. You'll find this book an excellent resource that you and your family will use time and time again. Order your copy today!     SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT   Free Webinar: "Congenital Heart Disease — What Patients Need to Know" Questions about congenital heart disease? Ask Mayo Clinic specialists! This one-hour interactive webinar with Drs. Joseph Dearani and Carole Warnes will provide a comprehensive overview of congenital heart disease. Join us Friday, 2/13, at 12 p.m. CT. A live Q & A period will follow their discussion. Learn more.     HEALTHY RECIPES   Steak with steamed vegetables, soba noodles and ginger sauce Chocolate pudding pies Quinoa risotto with arugula and Parmesan Strawberries and cream cheese crepes   HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK   Quit smoking: Put your reasons on paper Consider what you don't like about smoking and why you want to quit smoking. Are you worried about health consequences, such as lung cancer and heart disease? Do you want to feel better? Set a good example for your kids? Rid yourself of that lingering smoke smell on your hair, skin and clothes? Write it all down and carry the list with you. Each time you go to pick up a cigarette or other tobacco product, read your list and remind yourself why you want to quit.   Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.   Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any non-Mayo products and services. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy    |    Opportunities     Give to Mayo Clinic A gift to research at Mayo Clinic is a gift of life. Donate now.     Connect with Mayo Clinic For more of our reliable health information and tools, visit us at MayoClinic.org. Or add us to your social network!   Like us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Follow on Pinterest   Watch on YouTube Patient Stories View More Newsletters       Thanks for joining our mailing list, sononui.cancer@blogger.com, for Mayo Clinic HOUSECALL.   REMOVE me from this list | Add me to this list | Customer service   © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. All rights reserved.