HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

If you think chocolate is forbidden when eating heart healthy, think again.  Although chocolate is high in fat, foods made with cocoa powder and chocolate syrup can allow you to enjoy the taste of chocolate without consuming too much fat.

Chocolate Brownies

         

Vegetable oil cooking spray

         3 T. vegetable oil

         ¾  c. sugar

         2 egg whites, beaten

        ¼  c. unsweetened cocoa

        ¾  c. sifted flour

        1 tsp. baking powder

        1 T. water

        ½  tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350.  Spray an 8 in. square baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray, set aside.  In a medium bowl, blend together the oil and sugar.  Stir in the beaten egg whites.  In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, and baking powder.  Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and thoroughly combine.  Add the water and vanilla extract. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly.  Cut into 9 squares.

Nutrition Information:  per brownie

Calories 144, Total fat 5 g, Saturated  fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 25 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Sugar 16 g, Protein 2 g

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- CRAB CAKES

Crab Cakes

                                                   

                                                            2 slightly beaten egg whites

1/4 c. plain nonfat yogurt

T. fat-free mayonnaise

1 T. snipped fresh parsley

2  tsps. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp.  prepared mustard

¼  tsp. paprika

1/8  tsp. pepper

Red pepper (cayenne) to taste

1 T. chopped chives

1 lb. crabmeat, drained, flaked

¼ c. crushed saltine crackers

Vegetable oil cooking spray

 Lemon wedges

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley,

Worcestershire  sauce, mustard, paprika, pepper, red pepper, and chives.  Stir in the crabmeat and cracker crumbs.  Shape the crab mixture into 5 patties and place on a shallow baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

Broil the patties 4-6 inches from the heat for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Do not turn the patties during broiling.  Serve on a plate garnished with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Information:  1 crab cake

Calories 192, Total fat 5 g, Saturated  fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 723 mg, Carbohydrate 11 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, Protein 25 g

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- CHICKEN FAJITAS

Chicken Fajitas

                                                                    1 lb.  boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ T. fresh lemon or lime juice

1 T. water

1 tsp. vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 large onion

1 large green pepper

1 tsp. vegetable oil

8 6-inch corn or low-fat flour tortillas

Vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 350.  Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and set aside.

Rinse chicken breasts an pat dry with paper towels.  Cut breasts lengthwise into 3/8 in. strips and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, lemon or lime juice, water, oil, garlic and pepper.  Add chicken to marinade and stir to coat evenly.  Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 10-20 minutes, stirring at least once. 

Meanwhile, slice onion and bell pepper into 1/8 in. strips.  Place vegetables in a small bowl.  Stir 1 tsp. oil into vegetable mixture and set aside.

Heat tortillas in oven for 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, spray a nonstick skillet with vegetable oil spray.  Add chicken and saute’ over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add onion and pepper slices.  Saute’ over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until onion is slightly brown.  Set aside. 

To serve, place equal amounts of cooked chicken strips on each tortilla and top with onions and peppers.

Nutrition Information:  per fajita

Calories 266, total fat 5 g, Saturated fat 1 g, Cholesterol 62  mg, Sodium 231  mg, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 28 g

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- NUTTY APPLE CAKE

This delicious, crunchy apple cake is low in fat but high in fiber and taste.  Although apples are not high in any one nutrient, they contain moderate amounts of many vitamins and minerals.

Nutty Apple Cake

                                                                         Floured baking spray

4 c. tart apples, washed and unpared, cored, diced
1 c. sugar

½ c. flour

2 tsps. baking powder

½ tsp.  cinnamon

2 egg whites

1 T. vegetable oil

 1 tsp. vanilla

 ¼ c.  chopped walnuts

½ c.  raisins

2 c.  low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray an  8x8 in. baking dish with floured baking spray.  In a large bowl, combine the apples and sugar; set aside.  In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and cinnamon; set aside.  In a small bowl mix the egg whites, oil and vanilla.  Combine the flour and egg mixtures with the apple mixture.  Stir,  do not beat, until thoroughly mixed. Fold in the walnuts and raisins.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, piercing the apples with a wooden pick to check for doneness.  Remove from oven and cut into 8 pieces.  Serve hot or cold, topped with ¼ cup low-fat yogurt or ice cream.

Nutrition Information: 1/8 recipe

Calories 287, Total fat 5 g, Saturated  fat  0.5 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 98 mg, Carbohydrate 59 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Sugar 38 g,  Protein 5 g

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- APPLE PANCAKES WITH CINNAMON SAUCE

Take advantage of the abundance of fresh apples this month with this tasty breakfast recipe.

Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sauce

                                                                         Vegetable oil cooking spray

2 tart apples, peeled, cored, seeded, coarsely chopped

½ c. flour

1 c. skim milk
1 T. sugar

4 egg whites

1 T. vegetable oil

Sauce:

1 c. nonfat vanilla yogurt

1 tsp. cinnamon

                                                                         2 T. apple juice

                                                                         1 T. sugar

In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, gently sauté the apples over medium heat until almost soft, about 6-10 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  In a medium-size bowl, mix the flour, milk, sugar and egg whites.  Stir in the vegetable oil, cover the batter and set aside for at least 20 minutes.  In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt with the cinnamon, apple juice and sugar until creamy.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Preheat a nonstick griddle or large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat.  Mix the cooled apples into the batter.  Pour ½ c. of the batter on the griddle or skillet.  Cook each pancake for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Turn with a spatula and cook the second side until lightly browned.  Serve ¼ c. of the sauce on the side with each pancake.

Nutrition Information:  per ¼ recipe

Calories 232, Total fat 4 g, Saturated fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Sodium 122 mg, Carbohydrate 41 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Sugar 18 g, Protein 10 g 

MICHIGAN HEART GROUP INTERGRATES WITH WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL

On June 1, 2012 a change occurred at Michigan Heart Group we became integrated with William Beaumont Hospital in the form of a Professional Services Agreement. Our signage will soon read Beaumont Michigan Heart Group, Beaumont Michigan Heart Rhythm Group and Beaumont Western Wayne Heart Group.

This professional agreement will integrate some of the services that we provide with the hospital as well as some of our operations including our outpatient testing and billing, but will allow Michigan Heart Group to maintain operational control of the practice. Management of these operations still occurs locally within Michigan Heart Group. We have not experienced that these changes with Beaumont have disrupted any of the services that you currently receive from your physician.

We believe that with this integration model, we will be best able to provide you with the high quality of care that you have come to expect and deserve from our practice. All of our physicians will continue practicing from their current locations and your records will remain available to your physician without any further actions taken on your part. This is intended to be essentially a transparent change to you, the patient, in terms of how your care is delivered. Such a change has been made necessary after we have experienced years of progressive cuts in insurance reimbursement while our fixed costs have steadily increased. The status quo was no longer a viable option for the future.

You will notice changes specific to billing. Beaumont will bill applicable charges to your insurance. You will receive a billing statement from Beaumont rather than from Michigan Heart Group. You may still call Michigan Heart Group for billing inquiries however questions/determinations will be advised and directed by Beaumont.

We value your loyalty and trust that you have placed in our physicians and staff over the past several years and we continue to look forward to serving you in the future. As we indicated above, we believe that most of these changes will be transparent to your healthcare needs. If you have any questions, please contact our administrator, Darlene Nichols at 248-267-5050, select option 2.

Thank you for choosing Michigan Heart Group, in affiliation with William Beaumont Hospital for your healthcare services. We look forward to serving you now and in the future.

Very truly yours,

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- HONEY CARROTS

Honey Carrots

1½ lbs. baby carrots

½ c. water

1 T. light margarine

2 T. honey

½ T. light brown sugar

2 T. minced fresh parsley (optional)

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.  Add carrots, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until tender-crisp.  Drain.

In a large nonstick skillet, melt margarine over medium heat.  Add honey, sugar and carrots.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until carrots are well glazed, 1 to 2 minutes.  Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Nutrition Information:  per 1/6 recipe

Calories 90, Total fat 2 g, Saturated fat 1g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 93 mg, Carbohydrate   18 g,  Protein 1g

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC PRESSURES ARE HIGH?

Elevated systolic and diastolic Blood Pressure implies likely needs for medications to control Blood Pressure.  If elevations are borderline high (130-140/80-90), I would suggest checking it at home and then consider a weight loss program.  Alcohol and salt restriction to help.  If frequent rechecks still show BP often in excess of 140/90, you need to start a medication, along with a physical exam and lab tests.

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- HEART SMART MEATLOAF

Heart Smart Meat Loaf

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 medium green pepper, finely diced

1 large celery stalk, finely diced

1 tsp. thyme

1 lb. ground turkey breast

1lb. lean ground beef

½  c.  rolled oats

2/3 c. ketchup, divided

2 egg whites

1 ½  tsp. freshly ground pepper

In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, sauté the onion, green pepper, celery and thyme over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes; add water if the pan becomes dry. 

In a large bowl, combine the onion mixture, turkey and beef.  Add the rolled oats, 1/3 c. of  ketchup, egg whites and pepper; mix well.

Spray a 9x13 inch shallow baking dish with the cooking spray.  Spoon the mixture into the baking dish and shape it into a flat loaf about 2 inches high.  Spread remaining ketchup on top.  Bake at 350  for 45 min. to 1 hour, or until loaf is cooked through.  Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Information: 1/8 recipe

Calories 221, Total fat 8 g, Saturated fat 3 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 330 mg, Carbohydrate 10 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Sugar 0.5 g, Protein 28 g

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- SUGAR COOKIES

Traditional holiday cookies use dough that is high in fat, with each cookie containing 4 or 5 grams of fat.  By substituting egg whites for whole eggs and including nonfat yogurt, this dough yields cookies with only 1 gram of fat each.

  

Sugar Cookies

¾  c. sugar

1/3 c. tub margarine

2 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. nonfat vanilla yogurt

3 c. all-purpose flour, divided

1 tsp. baking powder

½  tsp. baking soda

¼  tsp. ground nutmeg

Vegetable oil cooking spray

           

In medium bowl, cream the sugar and margarine until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.  Add the egg whites one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add the vanilla and yogurt; mix well.  In a separate medium bowl, sift together 2 2/3 c.  flour, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg.  Add gradually to the yogurt mixture.  Mix well.  Divide the dough into 3 equal parts and press into disc shapes.  Cover and chill for at least 3 hours. 

At baking time preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 c.  of flour on the work surface.  Roll each part of the dough to ¼-inch on the floured surface.  Cut with 2-inch cookie cutter.  Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake until no indentation remains when touched, about 6 to 8 minutes.  Remove from the oven

and place on a cooling rack.  Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Nutrition Information:  1 cookie

Calories 51, Total fat 1 g, Saturated fat (trace), Cholesterol (trace), Sodium 36 mg, Carbohydrate 9 g, Fiber (trace), Sugar 3 g, Protein 1 g

WHY DO I HEAR HEART THUMPS AND PALPITATIONS WHEN I LAY ON MY RIGHT SIDE?

Lying on one side or another impacts on both lung mechanics (influences ventilatiry capacity deepening on function of each lung in the chest cavity), and venous return to the heart.  Either of these factors can influence cardiopulmonary status and under the right conditions can produce a stress on the heart that results in sympathetic nervous stimulation.  This can cause skipped beats/palpitations.

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- TURKEY LASAGNA

Turkey Lasagna

                       

Vegetable oil spray

½  c.  chopped onion

8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. ground turkey

3 c.  no-salt-added tomato sauce

2 tsps. basil

½  tsp. oregano

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

   10 oz.  pkg. frozen no-salt-added chopped spinach defrosted and squeezed dry

2 c.  (1 lb.) low-fat cottage cheese

                                                                                    Dash nutmeg

                                                                                     1 8 oz. pkg. lasagna noodles

                                                                                     8 oz. part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 375.  Lightly spray a 9x13 in. baking dish with vegetable oil.  In a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, combine onion, mushrooms, garlic and ground turkey.  Saute’ until turkey is no longer pink.  Cover pan and continue to cook until mushrooms have released juices, then uncover and evaporate juices over high heat.  Add tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and pepper.  Reduce heat.  In a bowl, stir spinach, cottage cheese and nutmeg together.  Set aside.  Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt.

Lay one-third of noodles on bottom of dish; add one-half of spinach mixture, one-third of tomato sauce and one-third of cheese.  Repeat layers once.  Finish with one  layer noodles, one-third sauce and remaining cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Nutrition Information:  1/9 recipe

Calories 326, Total fat 8 g, Saturated  fat 4 g, Cholesterol 49 mg, Sodium 433  mg, Carbohydrate 32 g,  Protein 31 g

2013 BEAUMONT MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday's.  The 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