The goal of the Ornish Lifestyle Program is to ease the effects of heart disease through lasting lifestyle changes. A health care team works with participants to encourage healthy choices. Participants attend weekly sessions in small groups, focusing on nutrition, exercise and stress management. For information, visit ornish.com.

This week, enjoy some recipes provided by local partners at the Ornish Lifestyle Program.

Tofu Poke
Island Heart Care

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons low-sodium tamari or shoyu, divided
• 2 teaspoons natural liquid smoke
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1- 1/2 pounds firm tofu, well drained, patted dry, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cups cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced on bias, divided
• 1 teaspoon zest plus juice of 1 lime
• 1-1/2 tablespoons minced ginger plus 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and more to taste
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha, plus more to taste
• 2 cups beets, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces, steamed
• 2 (7-1/2-by-8-inch) sheets nori (dried seaweed), toasted

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with baking parchment.

In a medium bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons tamari, liquid smoke and maple syrup. Add tofu; toss gently to coat. Spread tofu on prepared sheet pan; bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, 1/2 cup green onions, lime zest and juice, minced ginger, remaining 2 teaspoons tamari and Sriracha. Add tofu and beets.

Fold nori sheets in eighths, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips. Fold into tofu mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with grated ginger and remaining green onions. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 140 calories, 5 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 11 g protein.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine

• 9 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup raw sugar
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 medium (about 7 inches) slightly ripe banana, mashed
• 3 tablespoons nondairy milk (may substitute with soy or almond milk)
• 1/3 teaspoon vanilla
• 2-1/4 cups rolled oats
• 1/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/3 teaspoon baking soda
• A few dashes of ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup raisins

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with baking parchment.

In a medium bowl, mix applesauce, sugar, maple syrup, banana, nondairy milk and vanilla.

In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and add raisins. Gently stir until just combined. Form dough into 20 balls and place on cookie sheets at least 1/2 inch apart. Flatten cookies with palm. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until springy to the touch and golden brown. Let cool. Makes 20 cookies.

Approximate nutritional information, per cookie (using soy milk): 130 calories, 1.5 g fat, no saturated fat or cholesterol, 25 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 13 g sugar, 3 g protein.

Veggie Laulau
George I, ‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine

• 4-8 luau leaves, washed, stems removed
• 4-8 ti or banana leaves (optional)
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• >> Filling:
• 4 ounces purple sweet potato (about 1 medium), diced in large pieces
• 4 ounces red or Yukon gold potato (about 1 medium), diced in large pieces
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms, quartered
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 8 ounces cabbage, roughly chopped

Place a few pieces of each filling ingredient in center of a luau leaf (about 1/2 to 1 cup filling). Gently wrap leaf over and around filling. Wrap second taro leaf over first and tie with string. Wrap ti leaf or banana leaf around the laulau and tie with string, if desired.

Steam 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours depending on size of laulau. Serve with poi or brown rice. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including poi, brown rice or salt to taste): 100 calories, no fat or cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 4 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.