BARBARA, arts, educational & cultural consultant: Did you say you want to help a woman you love? Do you really mean it? Well, if you do, listen to me.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. I'm not talking about candy, ice cream and heart-shaped cakes and doughnuts. I'm talking about sincere, symbolic actions instead of sabotage. Improve that special woman's health by encouraging her to exercise and eat heart-smart foods.

Heart-smart foods are low saturated fat, high protein, high fiber, low salt and reduced carbohydrates.

Whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice, veggies, low saturated fat, low - fat dairy products and lean protein such as fish and poultry are all healthy heart choices.

I also recommend that you remind her to be cholesterol conscious. Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance called lipids, is needed for cell membranes, insulation of nerves and hormone protection. It helps the liver make bile acids to aid food digestion. Eighty percent of our cholesterol is made by the body. I call that the "inmake" cholesterol. The other 20 percent comes from cholesterol in animal products that we eat such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. I call that the "intake" cholesterol.

Special carriers called lipoproteins transport cholesterol and other fats, which can not be dissolved in the blood. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered bad cholesterol because too much of it can clog the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered good cholesterol because it is believed to carry the bad cholesterol away from the blood vessel, reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Problems occur when we take in excessive amounts of refined or processed foods such as white bread, cookies, cakes, pasta and pastries. The body can't burn the excess, which causes a physical slow down.

In the U.S., high cholesterol, refined foods are the main part of the diet. That should convince you that we are in need of a paradigm shift. So, pick foods from the good list above. They will benefit any woman you love, and they will benefit you.

As we move into an age of amazing technological advances, let's slow down and do some self-analyses. For the heart-conscious, and we all need to be heart-conscious these days, we are what we eat and we reap what we sow. So, this year, on Valentine's Day and every other day, do things that show you really care. Choose the gift of health! Choose the gift of life! Show a real gift of love! Here are a few of Barbara's "Heart-i-ly Approved Gifts":