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Monthly Archives: February 2012
Typically cassoulet is prepared with duck confit and takes hours from start to finish. Here’s a quick version that is more of a nod to the dish than anything. Rich with white beans, sausage, chicken and beef, this is comfort food at its finest. Nothing but a big green salad is needed to complete this dinner. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes for beans, then another 55 minutes for cassoulet Serves 8 1 pound white beans 1 ounce … continued…
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Most people realize that aerobic/cardio exercise is good for your heart. Did you realize that resistance training (a.k.a strength training) can be beneficial as well? Many people think resistance training is just for increasing strength and toning up, but it has lots of health benefits too! The following health issues are all risk factors for heart disease and are positively impacted by resistance training. Overweight/Obese • People that lose weight without incorporating resistance training into their routine often lose muscle … continued…
The school lunch program is off to a healthy start for 2012. The USDA recently announced new guidelines to help make school lunches healthier. While the national school lunch program has always aimed to provide healthy foods and appropriate portion sizes, the guidelines had not been updated in over 15 years. A lot has changed in 15 years including soaring obesity rates across all ages. The new guidelines will provide students with both fruits and vegetables every day, more whole … continued…
Often we’re so focused on keeping our hearts healthy through diet and exercise that we sometimes forget about the role our mental health, specifically stress, plays in the big picture. In fact, stress has been linked to many chronic health conditions including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), stress is pretty common. In fact 54 percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives. (APA Survey 2004) And, according … continued…
I convinced my fiance to go to the doctor. This was the first time he had been to the doctor in 15 years. Like me, he was a smoker, overweight and had never eaten a veggie in his life. He was 54. The doctor found his heart arteries were 90% clogged, his cholesterol and blood pressure were off the charts and he was turning diabetic. After having several stents put in his heart arteries, a multitude of daily and nightly … continued…
In honor of Mardi Gras, we thought incorporating some Laura’s Lean Beef into a jambalaya would be a fine thing. Here are a couple of things learned along the way. Creole jambalaya has tomatoes and is “wetter” than Cajun jambalaya (I went Cajun-style because I love that “dry” factor). There are as many ways to make jambalaya as there are gators in the Bayou. And everyone’s Grandma made the best. So, since my Nana never made jambalaya, here’s a rendition … continued…
Around 1980, I had my first angioplasty (balloon) procedure to clear my blocked heart arteries. I was back to work in a few days … feeling better than I had felt in a long time. For over 25 years, I continued to smoke and eat whatever I felt like eating. Of course, I continued to have more angioplasty procedures performed and even had stents installed to try to keep my arteries open. I was taking cholesterol drugs along with Plavix … continued…
It all started back in October 2001, when I found out I had a pituitary tumor, also known as Acromegaly which is a rare disease. This disease causes a lot of health problems internally as well as externally. It also causes all of your internal organs in your body to enlarge … which after surgery I learned some body parts may shrink but not internally. I also had Gamma Knife Radiation Therapy to shrink any residual cells that may have … continued…
Jan. 29th, 1995 was when I knew something was not right. I had just moved to Atlanta with my family and when settling in for the night I found I couldn’t “clear my chest” of a congested feeling. Four days later my aortic valve was replaced. I now approach the 17th birthday of my new valve, and I remain constantly thankful for the new lease on my life that I was given. I exercise regularly and try to maintain moderation … continued…
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in April 2009. I have been heavy most of my life. My parents have both been heavy too, and they were on medications for blood pressure. The doctors changed up something with my Dad’s prescription, and it threw him out of whack. He can no longer handle the slightest heat or humidity, and he was out of work and on anti-depression medication for about 6 months. I knew I did not want that … continued…