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Thursday, October 31, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- BRAN RAISIN MUFFINS

Bran–Raisin Muffins

1 c. All-Bran cereal
2/3 c. raisins
1¼ c. skim milk
3 T. vegetable oil
2 egg whites
1 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsps. baking powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.


In a large bowl, mix the cereal and raisins.  Add the milk, stir and let stand several minutes.  Add the vegetable oil and egg whites; beat well. 

In a small bowl whisk together the flour and baking powder.  Add to the bran mixture.  Stir until the flour is just blended or moistened. 

Evenly spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and place muffins on a cooling rack.

Nutrition Information:  one muffin
Calories 129, Total fat 4g, Saturated fat 0.5g, Cholesterol trace mg, Sodium 158 mg, Carbohydrate 20 mg, Fiber 2.5g, Sugar 5g, Protein 4g  

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

RECENTLY LOST THE DESIRE TO EXERCISE< VERY LOW ENERGY. ANY IDEA ON HOW TO GET MOTIVATED AGAIN?

Motivation improves once endorphins are released from exercise, so taking that first step might get you on your way.  If serious motivation or energy lapses, then check your thyroid, hemoglobin, blood sugar levels.  Rule out sleep apnea (suspect if history of snoring or daytime somnolence).

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- BEEF STROGANOFF

Traditionally, beef stroganoff is prepared with sour cream, making it a very high-fat meal.  Regular sour cream contains 208 calories and 20 grams of fat per ½ cup.  By using fat-free sour cream, the fat content in one serving of this dish is limited to 7 grams.

Beef Stroganoff

Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 clove  garlic, peeled, ends removed, finely chopped
1 small onion, peeled, ends removed, finely chopped
1 pound lean sirloin or lean beef tenderloin, cut into strips
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced                  
1 ½  c.  beef  broth, divided
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. paprika
3 T. all-purpose flour
1 c.  fat-free sour cream

Spray a large skillet with the cooking spray.  Add the garlic and onion.  Saute over medium heat until onion is lightly brown.  Add the beef strips and brown quickly over medium-high heat.  Add the sliced mushrooms and heat until the mushrooms are lightly brown.

In a small bowl, stir together 1c.  plus 3 T. of the beef broth, the Worcestershire sauce and paprika.  Stir the beef broth mixture into the skillet.  Bring to a boil,  then reduce the heat to simmer and cover.  Simmer until the beef is tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile in a small bowl or container with a tight-fitting lid, stir together or shake the flour and the remaining beef broth.  Gradually stir the flour mixture into the beef mixture. Return to a boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in the sour cream and heat through.  Serve over hot cooked noodles. 

Nutrition Information:  ¼  recipe
Calories 269, Total fat 7 g, Saturated  fat 2 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, Sodium 433 mg, Carbohydrate 22 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, Protein 29 g

Monday, October 28, 2013

NEW NOVI OFFICE, NOW OPEN!

We are happy to announce that our Western Wayne Heart Group office has moved to a new location at 10 Mile and Haggerty, in Novi.  We are only 5 minutes away from the old location.

39500 Ten Mile Road
Suite 103
Novi, MI 48375
Phone: (248) 267-5050
Fax: (248) 267-5051

Please see the link below for directions for our old office in Livonia to the new office in Novi.
http://goo.gl/maps/6h7hq

The move was made for several reasons.  Primarily when we enter the Physician Service Agreement (PSA) with Beaumont we needed to follow Joint Commission standards.  Several of which, unfortunately, were not able to be met within the buildings structure.  The move allowed us to meet Joint Commission standards in addition too upgrading to state of the art equipment.

We hope you are as happy with our new Novi home as we are.  Should you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call our Physician Liaison Stacie Batur.  She can help stream line communications between referring physicians, bring cards to your office (if you're a physician), or simply answer a question.  She can be reached at the numbers below:

Office: (248) 267-5050 (x6509); Primarily Mondays and Thursdays
Mobile: (248)765-4466;  Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Friday, October 25, 2013

NEW STATEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ON SEX AFTER AFTER A HEART ATTACK OR CARDIAC EVENT.

The American Heart Association (AHA) said in 2012 that sex is safe for most heart attack patients, and now a new statement from the AHA and a European cardiology group provides a road map for how to conduct sexual counseling.

Sexual counseling should be tailored to each patient with cardiovascular disease (CVD) along with his or her partner, and should address topics such as when to resume sex, specific methods and recommended positions, and the role of intimacy without sex, according to writing chair Elaine Steinke, APRN, PhD, a professor of nursing at Wichita State University in Kansas, and colleagues.

Studies have shown that sexual counseling is often overlooked by providers, and that effective strategies are needed to increase the comfort of healthcare professionals for delivering such information, according to the consensus statement from the AHA and the European Society of Cardiology Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions.

The statement, published online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association and the European Heart Journal, suggested that sexual counseling be included in basic professional training and continuing education.

"The 2012 scientific statement primarily addressed the safety and timing of return to sexual activity after a cardiac event," Steinke told MedPage Today.

"While return to sexual activity is a common concern, patients and their partners frequently request information on how to resume sexual activity. Therefore, the intent of this consensus statement is to provide guidance to healthcare providers on what to discuss with patients and their partners," she said.  The document noted the importance for healthcare providers to initiate the conversation about resuming sexual activity for those with CVD because patients might shy away from it.

"Patients are anxious and often afraid sex will trigger another cardiac event -- but the topic sometimes gets passed over because of embarrassment or discomfort," Steinke said in a statement.

The document suggested that modeling and role modeling with common patient questions and scenarios may be a useful strategy to increase both knowledge and comfort about resuming sexual activity.

The consensus statement is the first to provide "how to" information about resuming sexual activities and applies to patients who have had a heart attack, heart transplant, stroke, received an implanted heart device, or have other heart conditions, as well as to their partners, Steinke and colleagues said.

All patients regardless of gender, age, and sexual orientation should receive counseling.  Past recommendations focused on when to resume sex, risks with sex, and managing medications.  In the current statement, researchers said that a multidisciplinary team approach can be beneficial for sexual counseling (class IIa, level of evidence [LOE] B).

They noted that information and support regarding sexual issues are not readily available to patients. Healthcare professionals who provide sexual counseling to patients with CVD should receive training in certain aspects such as taking a sexual history, communication techniques, referrals to specially trained sex counselors, and awareness of cultural differences that might guide the discussion (class I, LOE B).

Sexual counseling can help reduce the psychological impact of CVD such as fear, anxiety, and depression associated with the disease itself or with resuming sexual activity (class IIa, LOE C).


Depression, for example, can be a contributing cause of erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and difficulty with orgasm, Steinke and colleagues pointed out.

Consideration has to be given to certain heart medications that might have an impact on sexual function. Providers should encourage patients to report any side effects and to continue taking the medication until the problem is thoroughly discussed in a healthcare setting (class IIa, LOE C).

If patients did not experience cardiovascular symptoms during exercise testing, they can be encouraged to resume sexual activity (class IIa, LOE B).

Physical activities such as brisk walking may be suggested for some heart patients before resuming sexual activity. Patients should also be encouraged to engage in regular physical exercise. (class IIa, LOE B).


"All healthcare providers should be ready and willing to address these areas of sexual counseling," Steinke said. "That includes cardiologists, primary care practitioners, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists."

POSTED BY: STEVEN ALMANY, MD

Thursday, October 24, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- CURRIED PUMPKIN SOUP

The value of pumpkin, one of the orange vegetables that are high in beta carotene, is often overlooked.  This pumpkin soup is a fall favorite, but you can make it year-round using canned pumpkin.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

                              
                                                                    1 T. vegetable oil
½ c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, peeled, ends removed, mashed & diced
2 c. pumpkin puree, freshly made, or 1 lb. canned
4 c. chicken stock, defatted
1 bay leaf
Pinch of sugar
1/3 tsp. curry powder, or to taste
Pinch of nutmeg
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 c. plain low-fat yogurt
Fresh chives to garnish, chopped, optional

In a small soup pot, heat the vegetable oil.  Add the onion and sauté 2 minutes.  Add the garlic and continue to sauté 3 more minutes.  Add the pumpkin puree and chicken stock; stir well to mix.  Add the bay leaf, sugar, curry powder, nutmeg and pepper.  Bring to a boil, lower to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, covered. 

Remove from the heat and whisk in the yogurt.  Return to the heat only to bring the temperature of the soup back to hot.  Do not boil.  Remove and discard the bay leaf.  Serve in hot soup bowls, garnished with chives if desired. 

Nutrition Information:  per 1/8 recipe
Calories 91, Total fat 3 g, Saturated fat 1 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, Sodium 436 mg, Carbohydrate 10 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 3 g, Protein 7 g

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

HOW MANY TIMES A DAY WOULD I HAVE TO EXERCISE TO LOOSE WEIGHT?

Aerobic and controlled wight training for 30-40 minutes per day (preferably at one time to maximize cardiopulmonary conditioning) is helpful to lose weight along with a carefully planned out calorie reduciont strategy. Goal with aerobic activity is to get your HR up to 65-80% maximum (220-age).  A 44 year old would have a max heart rate hoal of 176.  65-80% of this is where you would aim to keep the heart rate at, 120-140 bpm (beats per min.)

                                                       POSTED BY:  Steve Ajluni, MID

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- RATATOUILLE SOUP

Orzo is a pasta made from wheat, and it’s shaped like long-grain rice.  It gives this soup a delicious and unique flavor.

Ratatouille Soup
 Vegetable oil cooking spray  
1 c.  chopped onion
1 c.  chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled, ends removed, chopped
3 c.  eggplant, peeled, cut into ¼ -inch cubes
1 can  (32 oz. )  tomatoes, undrained, crushed
2 c.  zucchini ( sliced ¼-inch thick )
4 c.  water
1 bay leaf
1 ¼  tsp.  dried basil
1 ¼  tsps.  dried oregano
1/8 tsp. pepper
½  c.  (3 oz. ) orzo or favorite small pasta

 Spray a large soup pot with the cooking spray and warm over medium heat.  Add the onion, green pepper and garlic.  Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add  the  eggplant and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently and adding small amounts of water, if necessary, to prevent sticking.  Add the tomatoes, zucchini, 4 c.  water, bay leaf, basil, oregano and pepper.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes.  Add the orzo and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.  Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.

 
Nutrition Information:  1/8 recipe
Calories 96, Total fat (trace), Saturated fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 292 mg, Carbohydrate 22 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, Protein 3 g

Monday, October 21, 2013

WELCOMING MICHELLE FORCINA, PA-C AND DAWN MITCHELL, ACNP

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group would like to welcome two new physician extenders...

Michelle Forcina, Physician Assistant
Dawn Mitchell, Nurse Practitioner 

They will be joining our mid-level team of Cheryl Vincent, A.P.R.N.; Anita Juriga, A.P.R.N; Howard Hollinger, P.A.-C.; Debra Goodall, A.P.R.N; Mariann Graham, Nurse Clinician; and Lilly Paciorkowski, Nurse Clinician.

Michelle comes to us with a background in Cardiac Electrophysiology.  She has primarily worked with Electrophysiologist and Device Clinics for the last seven years. She will be office based and seeing patients out of Beaumont's Michigan Heart Rhythm Group, working closely with our device specialist Jan Halash and Amy Douglas as well as Drs. Cragg, Williamson and Kutinsky.

Dawn has worked for William Beaumont Hospital in several different capacities over the last 30 years and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.  Her main focus for the last 20 years has been Cardiology where she has learned the many different arenas it has to offer.  Dawn will primarily be seeing patients in the hospital however will most likely also see patients in the office as space and time allow.

We are very fortunate to have found these two wonderful additions to our team.  They look forward to meeting you and we hope you look forward to meeting them.

Thank you!
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Physicians

Friday, October 18, 2013

EARLY SURGERY MAY BE BETTER FOR PATIENTS WITH MITRAL VALVE REGURGITATION

Bloomberg News (8/14, Cortez, 1.41M) reports that research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that individuals who have “damaged mitral valves” may “live longer and healthier lives if they get immediate surgery to repair a severe defect rather than wait for symptoms to appear.”

CardioSource (8/14, 2K) reports that, according to the researchers, “The advantages associated with early surgical correction of mitral valve regurgitation were confirmed in both unmatched and matched populations, using multiple statistical methods.”

MedPage Today (8/14, Phend, 185K) reports that “repair within 3 months of diagnosis in absence of traditional class I indications was associated with roughly half the mortality risk of watchful waiting, for 10-year survival rates of 86% versus 69% (P<0 .001="" 10="" 23="" absence="" also="" and="" any="" at="" atrial="" benefits="" class="" come="" developed="" didn="" early="" even="" extra="" failure="" fewer="" fibrillation="" for="" found="" heart="" held="" i="" in="" investigators="" o:p="" of="" overall.="" p="" patients="" risk="" substantially="" surgery="" t="" that="" the="" these="" traditional="" triggers="" versus="" with="" years="">

Heartwire (8/14, O'Riordan, 5K) points out that “the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for the treatment of MR state that surgery is a class I indication for symptomatic patients or those with an ejection fraction <60 diameter="" end-systolic="" left="" or="">40 mm.” 

HealthDay (8/14, Thompson, 2K) also covers the story

POSTED BY:  Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

FREE HEART SCREENINGS FOR YOUR STUDENT ATHLETE

OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL
OCTOBER 26th, 2013
10am-4pm
MUST REGISTER



OXFORD, Mich. (WXYZ) - Beaumont Health Systems says cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes. So Beaumont is teaming up with WXYZ-7 and 97.1 The Ticket to offer free student heart screenings.

The goal is to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in teens.  The free heart checks with take place Saturday, October 26th (10am-4pm)  at Oxford High School, 745 N. Oxford Road in Oxford.  You must register for the event at http://heart.beaumont.edu/upcoming-student-heart-screenings   or by calling 800-328-8542.
Beaumont says the screening will include a medical history, blood pressure check, an electrocardiogram or ECG, and a "quick-look" echocardiogram, an ultrasound image of the heart.


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM BYPASS SURGERY?

Skin healing 1-2 weeks, Bone healing 2-4 months.  Off pain medications, several weeks.  Return to work varies if it is your business. Usually 6-8 weeks for non physical jobs.  This is about the same for single, double, triple and quadruple bypass since the incisions are similar.  Some variables may occur which the surgeon will discuss.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- HARVEST CASSEROLE

 Using fruits and vegetables readily available in the fall, this side dish blends citrus juice and honey to give it a sweet, tangy flavor.  The dish is also cholesterol and nearly fat free!

Harvest Casserole

1 ½  lbs. sweet potatoes
1 lb.  acorn squash, peeled and cubed
1 medium apple, cored and cubed
½  c. raisins
2 T.  water
½  c.  chopped onion
1/3  c.  orange juice
2 T.  honey
1 tsp.  lemon juice
1/8  tsp.  cinnamon
1/8  tsp.  ground allspice
Dash of pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a 1 1/2 quart baking dish, combine sweet potatoes, squash, apple and raisins.  Set aside.  In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil and steam the onion until tender, stirring often.  Add the orange juice, honey, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, allspice and pepper.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Pour over the vegetables and fruits. 

Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Remove cover and stir until coated with sauce.  Bake 10 minutes more.  Serves 8.

Nutrition information:  1 serving
Calories 142, Total fat (trace), Saturated fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 56 mg, Carbohydrate 35 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Sugar 16 g, Protein 2 g

Friday, October 11, 2013

STUDY FINDS SPORTS-RELATED SUDDEN DEATH MORE COMMON IN MEN

Reuters (8/14, Pittman) reports that a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that men who participate in sports are 20 times more likely to die of sudden heart problems than their female athlete counterparts. Study author Dr. Eloi Marijon, of the Universite Paris Descartes at the Sorbonne Paris Cite in Paris, said the “study is the first to demonstrate the low incidence of sudden death among women in the general population is not only related to a lower sport participation.” Marijon cited two possible reasons for the difference: that men start activity quickly exerting all their energy immediately, whereas women build up to full exertion; and buildup and blockage of the arteries to the heart are more likely in men than woman.

HealthDay (8/14, Reinberg, 2K) adds that the “deaths varied by sport among men, but not among women.” According to Marijon, “whether this finding is related to the way of practicing sports or constitutional – for example, difference in terms of coronary heart disease and risk of arrhythmia during acute coronary syndrome – needs further study.”

MedPage Today (8/14, Gever, 185K) also reports on the study.


POSTED BY:  Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- SLOPPY JOES

You can eat healthfully and still enjoy some old favorites.  Here is a pared-down version of Sloppy Joes with perked-up flavor.

Sloppy Joes
                                                                                                                                               
                                                                         Sauce:
                                                                         8 oz. can no-salt-added tomato sauce
                                                                         ½ c. low-sodium ketchup
1 ½  T. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 tsp. molasses
1 clove garlic, finely minced or ½ tsp. bottled minced garlic
½ tsp. dry mustard

Meat:
1 lb. lean ground beef (90% lean)
½ small onion, finely chopped
Hot pepper sauce to taste (optional)
                                                                         6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted if desired

In a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients.  Simmer, stirring occasionally, while preparing meat.

Heat a nonstick skillet, at least 10 inches in diameter, over medium-high heat.  Add beef and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.  Pour beef into a strainer or colander and rinse under hot water.

 Add onion to skillet and sauté, stirring frequently, until translucent.  Add beef and sauce to onion in skillet and heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add hot pepper sauce if desired.  Spoon about ½ c. mixture over each bun half and cover with bun top.

Nutrition Information:  per 1/6 recipe
Calories 249, Total fat 5 g, Cholesterol 47 g, Sodium 324 mg, Carbohydrate 30 g, Protein 23g

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

IS DICLOFENAC POTTASIUM SAFE IN HEART DISEASE?

SI increased risk...

Diclofenac is an NSAID which are primarily used as antiinflammatories and analgesic agents in patients with acute or chronic inflammation  As a class, these meds carry a small absolute cardiac risk increase primarily triggered by a 1-2% incidence of fluid retention or BP elevation (which can destabilize a cardiac patient.  For most this is not too high a risk and is offset by the benefits.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- PARMESAN OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

Parmesan Oven-Fried Chicken

 4-4oz boneless chicken breasts,  washed and patted dry
¼ c. low-calorie Italian salad dressing
Vegetable oil cooking spray
½ c. fine, dry Italian bread crumbs
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
2 T. fresh parsley, washed and chopped
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. pepper


Marinate the chicken in the salad dressing overnight.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Spray a 9x13 in. baking dish with the cooking spray.  In a small bowl, combine the Italian bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder and pepper.  Turn the chicken over in the salad dressing to moisten all sides.  Dredge the chicken in the bread crumb mixture.  Place in the prepared dish and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until tender.

Nutrition Information: per ¼ recipe
Calories 291, Total fat 9 g, Saturated fat 3 g, Cholesterol 104 mg, Sodium 448 mg, Carbohydrate 10 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Sugar 1 g, Protein 41 g 

Monday, October 7, 2013

2013 BEAUMONT MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday'sThe 2013 days are listed below.  We ask, in order to ensure your prescriptions are refilled in time, please call at least one week prior to the holiday.  Calls taken after 10:00 am, the day before closing, are not guaranteed to be called in.

Monday
May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
Thursday
July 4, 2013
Independence Day
Monday
September 2, 2013
Labor Day
Thursday
November 28, 2013
Thanksgiving
Friday
November 29, 2013 
Day after Thanksgiving
Tuesday
December 24, 2013
Christmas Eve
Wednesday
December 25, 2013
Christmas Day
Tuesday
December 31, 2013
New Year’s Eve (1/2 day)
Wednesday
January 1, 2014
New Year’s Day


Thank you:
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Sta

Friday, October 4, 2013

HEART FAILURE MEDICATION MAY NOT BENEFIT AFRICAN AMERICANS AS MUCH AS OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS

MedPage Today (8/17, Kaiser, 185K) reported that research published online in Circulation: Heart Failure suggests that “African Americans with heart failure and reduced left ventricular output may not derive the same benefit from spironolactone as other ethnic groups.” Investigators found that while “patients in the trial taking spironolactone (Aldactone) exhibited an overall significant increase in potassium levels (mean increase 0.28 mmol/L, P<0 .001="" 0.29="" black="" ethnic="" for="" groups="" in="" increase="" interaction="" mmol="" nbsp="" other="" p="0.03" patients="" potassium="" significantly="" smaller="" span="" than="" the="" versus="" was="">

MedPage Today added that “American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), the class of drugs to which spironolactone belongs, recommend they be prescribed, along with standard medical therapies, in patients with heart failure class III or IV with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and in patients after acute heart attack with concomitant symptoms of heart failure and reduced LVEF,” but physicians often do not prescribe spironolactone due to the side effects associated with its use


POSTED BY:  Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- POACHED SALMON WITH DILL SAUCE

This flavorful salmon is a cinch to prepare, and the dill weed adds a distinct flavor to the sauce.

Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce


1 medium onion, peeled, ends removed, sliced
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 ½  c.  water
1 T. lemon juice
4 salmon steaks (6 to 7 ounces each)

 Sauce:
1 T. tub margarine
1 T. finely chopped onion
 2 T. flour
1 tsp. dill weed
1/8  tsp. white pepper
1 c.  skim milk

In a skillet large enough to hold fish in a single layer, combine the onion, bouillon,  water and lemon juice.  Heat to a boil over high heat.  Add the salmon steaks and simmer, tightly covered, about 10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

In small saucepan, melt the margarine over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until tender, about 3 minutes.  Stir in the flour, dill weed and pepper.  Add the milk, mixing well.  Heat until the mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes.  Remove the salmon to a platter.  Pour the dill sauce over the salmon and serve. 

Nutrition Information:  ¼  recipe
Calories 292, Total fat 10 g,  Saturated fat  2 g, Cholesterol 62  mg, Sodium 351 mg,
Carbohydrate 10 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, Protein 38 g

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

HOW CAN I DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN HEART PAIN (RELATED TO HEART DISEASE) AND HEART BURN?

History helps.  Heart disease pain (angina) more typically occurs with activity/exertion, is a tightness associated with shortness of breath and reduced exercise tolerance.  Heartburn is typically a burning ache that comes on with rest or aggravated when recumbent, with symptoms made worse by eating.  Symptom relief might occur with antacids.  That said either condition might occur atypically.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

Fresh Strawberry Pie

                                             1 ½ tsp. unflavored gelatin
                                             1 T. water
                                             6 c. fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled
                                             3 T. cornstarch
                                             ½ c. sugar
                                             1 c. water
                                             Few drops red food coloring
                                             1 9-inch pie shell, baked and cooled

In a small bowl, combine gelatin and 1 tablespoon water.  Set aside. 

Measure 4 cups whole strawberries of uniform size.  Place strawberries, points up, on bottom of pie shell.

Place remaining 2 cups strawberries in a bowl and crush with a fork or potato masher.  Place in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add cornstarch, sugar and water.  Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and clear.  Remove from heat and add gelatin.  Cool and add food coloring.

Pour into pie shell, cover and refrigerate.  Chill several hours before serving.  Serves 8.

Nutrition Information:  per serving
Calories 244, Total fat 10g, Saturated fat 1g, Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 90g, Carbohydrate 38g Protein 3g