Save the planet, save hearts

Here's a top Fact of the Day for you...

In Britain, we dump more than 1 million tonnes of clothing into landfill every year!

Well we've got a better idea. Take part in our brand new Recycle for Life campaign and you can not only help reduce waste, you can also help save lives.

By recycling your good quality clothes, books and toys at our BHF Shops instead of throwing them away, you can help us - and future generations - look forward to a better quality of life.

Find out more about Recycle for Life here

How to show mum you're all heart

We've got some heart healthy top tips for every occasion - and the impending arrival of Mother's Day is no exception.

So yes, it's a time to spoil your mother, but it's also a good chance to help look after her heart.

A healthy breakfast in bed, flowers not chocolates, a fun family walk...you get the picture.

For more top Mother's Day tips read our special new section

BHF hits TV's This Morning show

You may have caught a mention of the British Heart Foundation on today's TV show This Morning, in which resident doctor Dr Chris Steele (pictured right) talked about his recent discovery that he had heart disease.

One of our heart nurses, June Davison, was featured carrying out heart health checks on members of the public, together with This Morning presenter Philip Schofield.

But don't worry if you missed it. You can still check out video from the show on This Morning's website here

Switch on to BHFtv!

Have you seen our BHF video channel which we host on YouTube? If not, then please go and check it out!

We've now made 37 different bits of video available on there, ranging from heart health information clips to some of our best BHF adverts and interviews with our supporters.

Here's the current top ten most viewed videos on BHFtv...

1 - The Beat
2 - Risking It, Managing Weight
3 - What is a Heart Attack?
4 - Michael Carrick supports BHF
5 - Tests for Heart Conditions
6 - About the BHF Heart Helpline
7 - Give Up Smoking Before You Clog Up
8 - Our BHF Supporters
9 - Peter Kilfoyle MP Supports the BHF
10 - Risking It, Smoking - Penny's story

Alec's French adventure

Good luck - or should that be "Bonne Chance!" - to Scots cyclist and BHF supporter Alec McKinnon (pictured right) who is currently training to take part in the famous Etape du Tour 2008 ride in France this summer.

Alec, a 33-year-old volunteer and part-time worker at one of our BHF Shops in Glasgow, is undertaking intensive sessions to get ready for the 102-mile ride from Pau to Hautacam in south-west France on 6 July.

The Etape du Tour takes place on one of the challenging and scenic stages used during the world famous Tour de France.

Follow Alec's regularly updated progress on his entertaining training blog here

The amazing Lucy Pearson

Have you heard of the amazing Lucy Pearson? Lucy is an eight-year-old girl who was born with congenital heart disease and received a heart transplant in 2006.

Her family have created a blog about Lucy and her amazing story which is touching the hearts of people from all over the UK.

It's a wonderful story of how a stranger and their family helped save Lucy's life - and the vital importance of being an organ donor.

Take a look at Lucy's blog today

Neighbours...everybody needs good neighbours

Do you know your neighbour? How well? Want a good excuse to pop round and ask for more than a bag of sugar?

Well we have the perfect excuse - get involved as a volunteer for our house to house collections during our upcoming Help a Heart Campaign 2008.

We urgently need volunteers to take part this June so that we can continue to fund our life-saving research.

Want to find out more about what we do? Take a look here

Did you know...

...that we produce a wide range of resources for use in schools by teachers and children or by parents and carers.

Take a look here and find out everything you need to get your kids inspired to be active and healthy.

There are some great CD roms that explore how the heart works and information on how to join our popular Artie Beat club for children aged 7 - 11 years.

All these publications are free but of course any donation you can give will make a huge difference.

Find out more here

Edith marks her century with a gift from the heart

We want to say a big thank you to Edith Mason from Littlemoor in Weymouth who has decided to donate all her birthday money to us!

What is particularly special about Edith is that she was celebrating her 100th birthday - proving you are never to old to think about others - we think Edith Mason is pretty special - Happy birthday from everyone at the BHF and thank you!

Edith said: "I had relations coming from all over the place and quite a few came from the church. I've also got a birthday tea planned at the church."

Read the full article here

You can celebrate your special occasion with us by asking family and friends to mark your special occasion – such as an anniversary, birthday or wedding – by donating to the nation’s heart charity instead of buying you a gift.

Check out bhf.org.uk/celebrate

Back to school lunchbox ideas

Are you struggling for healthy and delicious lunchbox ideas for back to school time?

Well we like to think we are a helpful bunch here at BHF HQ - so we have come up with our top tips for healthy kids lunchbox.

We hope our tips help your kids get excited about healthy eating - there are so many great colours and textures to whet their appetite!

Take a look today here

Have a LOVE-ly day

We're done here with slushy romance. No, it's not because at the blog we didn't get a Valentine. It's because we want to remind you that true love is giving a gift that saves lives

Here's the serious bit...

Our Valentine's Appeal aims to raise £1m to help fund our BHF nurses and Heart HelpLine. Find out how to donate

And the fun bit...

Send a cheeky virtual Valentine gift to all your friends on Facebook

HeartDog finds love this Valentine's

Avid blog readers may recall that last year we introduced you to Tilly - a springer spaniel who wears her heart on her coat.

We're pleased to report that 'HeartDog' has found love in time for Valentine's.

Owner and BHF supporter, Susanna Gates has kindly sent us this picture of Tilly enjoying a stroll among the early snowdrops.

Susanna tells us: "She's on holiday in Looe, Cornwall this week visiting her boyfriend Jimmy, an 8 year old springer!"

Anyone else out there with pets - or anything else for that matter - featuring unusual appearances of heart-shaped markings? You know where to come.

Goodbye Spice Girls - hello spicy BHF

Gutted that the Spice Girls tour has been cut short? Never mind, we're feeling pretty spicy here at the BHF.

Why? Well firstly we've some fiery recipes to spice up your Valentine's night.

Then we'll be talking spice at the Zee Carnival at London's Olympia from 15-17 February.

We'll have a fantastic stall showcasing our useful publications including our Asian recipe book, children's activities and heart health information books.

And if spicy stars are your thing, you can always check out Bollywood heart throbs.

Say it with a window

When you're in love you just have to tell the world ..... or at least your local high street.

This Valentine's Day simply pop into your local BHF shop and post a Love Note in the window for all to see.

For a suggested donation of £1 you can post this cute little heart (shown).

But if you really aim to impress why not splash out on a large glittery Love Note, for a suggested donation of £2.

For more ways to support our Valentine Appeal see our Valentine website.

My/Her Top Five for Valentine's

This just in from the female side of the BHF Online team - the Top Five Valentine's Day gifts they'd be most chuffed to receive on Thursday.

So now you have no excuse...

1. Pamper spa day experience
2. Pretty and pink – George Foreman limited edition Valentine Grill
3. Heart shaped trinket box
4. Groove is in the heart t-shirt
5. Large heart pendant with 16” chain

See below for the male choice Valentine's Top Five...

My/His Top Five for Valentine's

Our Valentine Appeal 2008 is aiming to raise £1 million for our BHF Heart Nurses and the Heart Helpline information service.

To help hit that target we are selling some great Valentine's gifts through our Online Shop

So as a male writing this entry to the blog, I am more than happy to share with any of our female readers my Top Five favourite gifts, which I am sure most chaps would be delighted to receive.

I've left the price off because it shouldn't really matter, should it? Everything you buy from our Valentine shop goes to help the vital, pioneering work of the BHF - so no need to even feel guilty about splashing out big time on the man in your life!

So here's my picks...
1. Lamborghini vs Ferrari Driving Day
2. Italian Cookery Masterclass
3. Russ Valentine Bear (if the cash is a bit tight)
4. 'I Love You' Mug (ditto above)
5. Aerobatic Flight Experience

Tomorrow we'll bring you the Top Five choices of one of the female members of the BHF.

In the meantime, check out our sister Valentine Appeal 2008 blog and the Valentine website

Who'll win the toss?

Normally they'd be content just to, er, batter their opponents in the Championship.

But earlier this week, four players from Plymouth Argyle (pictured right) tried their hands at tossing pancakes to help promote our upcoming 5km Hearts First Jog in the grounds of the town's Saltram House.

Julie Contreras, the BHF's South West regional events co-ordinator, said: "We wanted to celebrate Pancake Day and also promote our jog.

"We wanted people to enjoy pancakes but also use the event as a chance to train afterwards and lose the calories in preparation for our big 5km run."

Read more about how the quartet got on with their flipping - and watch some video - on the Plymouth Evening Herald website

Hearty's put through his paces

It's good to see Hearty getting his recommended 30 mins of exercise a day.

On this occasion our heart-shaped mascot was in action at a Hearts First jog in Strathclyde Park, Glasgow.

Hearty's enthusiastic warm up routine got our runners in the mood for the 6k and 12k runs last Saturday.

A Hearty thanks to all those who took part, helping to raise money for our vital work.

If you'd like to take part in any of our runs and jogs, see our main website for details.

Our recipe for a heart healthy Pancake Day

Looks delicious doesn't it?

And the good news is that the humble pancake - traditionally a meeting ground for all manner of unhealthy ingredients and calorie-busting fillings - can actually be made in a healthily way.

Check out our latest top tips for the lowdown on how to enjoy a healthy Shrove Tuesday without having to cut out the pancakes.

The ad with the hand which is squeezing a squeezy heart - and which you really should watch...

If you've been sitting or standing in a doctors' surgery or chemist recently you may well have seen the great new ad promoting our very own BHF Heart Helpline, which offers free heart health information on 08450 70 80 70.

If, on the other hand, you've been fortunate to have been healthy - and thus able to stay away from the doctor and chemist - you'll will in fact have been unfortunate enough to have missed the ad. In which case we think you should see it, so just take a look at it below...