We all know Valentine's Day is on its way, but did you know that February is also National Heart Month? Here are some ways to honor both, and show your loved ones how much you care:

Top 5 Heart-Healthy Valentine Gift Ideas

1. Chocolates

If you opt for the dark, bittersweet variety, you'll benefit from lots of antioxidants, which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals. It also helps relax blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, and balance certain hormones in the body. (Plus it's delicious!)

2. Fruit Gift Basket

Include a variety of tasty, healthful fruits like kiwi, bananas and berries, along with avocadoes and veggies to maximize your gift's heart-health benefits.

3. Red Wine

Toast your love this Valentine's Day with a glass of pinot noir or a nice cabernet, a particularly rich source of antioxidants like resveratrol. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, reduces the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and strokes, while also increasing your level of HDL (good) cholesterol.

4. Seafood Gift Hamper

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that eating just 1 to 2 servings of fish a week (containing omega-3 fatty acids) reduced the risk of death from heart disease by 36%, and overall death by 17%!

5. Sports Gear

Now is a great time to commit to getting your body moving and your heart pumping, so consider giving the one you love a fancy pedometer that measures distance traveled, calories burned, and more--or maybe a pair of Z-CoiL walking shoes!

Show your shoes some LOVE! 
 

1. Avoid excessive heat.
    Never leave your Z-CoiL footwear in a hot environment, like a car parked in the sun, since extreme heat can cause the forefoot cushioning to shrink and separate from the Z-Orthotic™.
2. Remove your shoes properly.
    Always take your Z-CoiL shoes off by untying them first, then gripping the heel of the upper -- not by standing on the rubber heel pad and prying them off your feet. This could cause the heel pad to separate from the coil.
3. Clean your Z-CoiL footwear inside and out.
    Winter snow, slush and salt can be especially hard on your shoes, but it's easy to keep them in good shape. Simply wipe your shoes clean with a cloth dipped in mild, soapy water and use shoe polish to keep them shiny. For leather uppers, you may want to use a leather cleaner plus a leather conditioner. You can even hand-wash your padded insoles in warm, soapy water and let them air-dry.
4. Allow your shoes to air out.
    To keep your shoes fresher, it's a good idea to rotate the Z-CoiL shoes you wear and give each pair a chance to "breathe." If you own only one pair of Z-CoiL footwear, consider buying a second pair of padded insoles that you can swap out and hand-wash as needed.
5. Get regular footwear "tune-ups"
    As a valued Z-CoiL customer, you may receive free fitting adjustments from your local Z-CoiL distributor for as long as you own your shoes. Our goal is to maximize the pain relief benefits of our footwear by maintaining a custom fit. Bear in mind that, as the condition of your feet and body changes, so should your shoes!