Elowen Dace didn’t think heart-healthy eating could be so simple—until her doctor gave her a wake-up call at 36. “I wasn’t overweight, but I was tired, sluggish, and my cholesterol was creeping up,” she says. Determined to take back control, Elowen started searching for realistic changes she could stick with. Her breakthrough came with one simple rule: keep it under five ingredients.
Instead of overhauling her entire kitchen or counting every calorie, Elowen focused on minimalism. “When meals only have a few components, you’re more mindful of what goes in,” she explains. Her favorite combinations usually begin with one lean protein, a heart-friendly fat like olive oil or avocado, and a generous helping of vegetables.
One night it’s roasted salmon with a side of sautéed kale and sweet potato. The next, it’s grilled chicken tossed with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette. Elowen noticed that by keeping things simple, her body started feeling lighter—less bloated, more energetic. And best of all, her blood pressure normalized within three months.
Now, Elowen encourages others to not overcomplicate their health. “If it takes 30 minutes or less and only a handful of whole ingredients, it’s a win,” she says. She no longer obsessively reads food labels because her plate rarely contains anything processed to begin with.
Her fridge looks different now: no sugary dressings, no frozen meals, no bottled sauces. “I used to think eating clean was expensive and exhausting. Turns out, it’s the processed stuff that costs more in the long run—both for your wallet and your body.”
For Elowen, it’s not about perfection. It’s about consistent simplicity. “Five ingredients or fewer isn’t a rule—it’s a mindset.”
