by Renee Aufdermauer | May 9, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Lunch & Snack Recipes, Recipes
Creamy homemade hummus —a classic Mediterranean dip perfect for sharing.
- 15 ounce can chickpeas/garbanzo, rinsed and drained well
- juice from 1 lemon about 1/4 cup
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1-2 cloves garlic very finely minced
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- minced fresh parsley
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In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, garlic and yogurt. Process for 1 minute, then open the food processer and scrape the sides. Process for another minute.
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While the processor is running, pour in the olive oil. Taste and check for smooth consistency.
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If the hummus is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water.
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Just before serving, sprinkle with smoked paprika, fresh parsley and drizzle with additional olive oil.
- Enjoy on pita bread, fresh vegetables like carrots and cucumbers, or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps!
Resource: steamykitchen.com
by Renee Aufdermauer | May 2, 2024 | Connect Well, Featured, Uncategorized
Navigating healthcare can be confusing, and knowing when and where to seek medical attention can feel like solving a complex puzzle. There are different types of medical care, including primary care, urgent care, emergency care, and online doctor visits, and each serves a specific purpose. Having a clear understanding of the differences between them is vital for maintaining your health effectively.
Primary care is your first point of contact for managing your overall health. Your primary care provider (PCP) can help with routine check-ups, preventive care, and treatment of common illnesses. Establishing a relationship with a PCP is important because they get to know your medical history and can provide personalized care and guidance. You should visit your PCP for regular screenings, vaccinations, management of chronic conditions (like diabetes or hypertension), non-emergency illnesses (like colds or infections), and general health concerns.
Urgent care centers are equipped to handle non-life-threatening medical issues that require prompt attention but are not severe enough for an emergency room visit. They offer extended hours and typically treat conditions like minor injuries, infections, and illnesses that need immediate care but are not critical. You should choose urgent care for conditions like sprains, minor burns, fever, vomiting, stitches, or other urgent but not life-threatening issues, especially when your PCP is not available.
Emergency rooms are designed to handle critical or life-threatening situations. If experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, severe burns, or major trauma, head straight to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t hesitate. Use emergency care for serious injuries (broken bones, severe cuts), severe illnesses, heart attacks, strokes, or any condition that could be life-threatening.
Telemedicine or virtual visits with doctors provide a convenient way to consult healthcare professionals remotely. This option is suitable for non-emergency issues when an in-person visit is not necessary. You should consider online visits for minor illnesses (like sinus infections, rashes), medication refills, follow-up consultations, or initial assessments of symptoms.
Health literacy is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being and navigate the healthcare system effectively. Having a primary care provider is essential for several reasons, including continuity of care, preventive care, health advocacy, and chronic disease management. Your PCP manages your long-term health needs and coordinates care across specialists, ensuring holistic and personalized treatment.
When visiting a healthcare provider, whether it’s a PCP, urgent care, or online doctor, expect a comprehensive evaluation, a physical examination, diagnostic tests, and a treatment plan. Remember to communicate openly with your healthcare provider, ask questions, and voice any concerns you have about your health. Your active involvement in your healthcare journey can lead to better outcomes and improved overall well-being.
Understanding the nuances of when and where to seek medical care empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. By embracing health literacy and establishing a relationship with a primary care provider, individuals can navigate the complexities of healthcare with confidence, ensuring timely access to appropriate care when needed.
To learn more about Medical Services or to find a Primary Care Provider, please visit: https://adventisthealth.org/tillamook/doctors/
https://tillamookchc.org/medical-services/
https://www.nehalembayhealth.org/
Resources:
“Primary, Urgent, Emergency Care and Online Doctor Visits – What’s the Difference?” UnityPoint Health, www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/primary-urgent–emergency-care-whats-the-difference. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
by Renee Aufdermauer | Mar 14, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Recipes
It’s Spring – Time for Asparagus
By Laura Swanson
Every vegetable has its season, and for me, a favorite is “asparagus” season – when the first early Spring crops arrive and the price per pound drops. There are so many ways to prepare asparagus – classic steamed; drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and roast with garlic of course; and pickled. Yes, pickled asparagus spears – oh, yum!
One of our family traditions is to prepare “Spring Asparagus Soup” for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. It’s perfect for our Irish heritage (my mom’s maiden name was Fitzpatrick) to have green soup and corned beef. This is a quick and easy soup to prepare, low in calories and asparagus is such a nutrient rich vegetable.
Asparagus is a young tender shoot (spear) vegetable, which emerges from its underground root system. Their use as food was well recognized by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a prized delicacy. One of the oldest recorded vegetables, its thought to have originated along the coastal regions of eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor regions. Botanically, it is a herbaceous perennial plant (meaning it will come back year after year with a little attention and maintenance) belonging to the Asparagaceae family. It is closely related to the Liliaceae plants which also include onion, garlic, tulip, daffodil, etc – all the heralds of Spring. Plant asparagus crowns in early spring, and once established, this plant can provide an abundance of healthy spears after a couple years. Young scaly edible spears emerge from the underground extensive matted root systems, which can be ready for harvest in early Spring in some areas, usually by late Spring here on the Oregon Coast. When I see my asparagus making an appearance in the garden, that’s when I know it’s Spring.
Asparagus is a very low-calorie vegetable. 1 cup (134 g) fresh spears carry just 40 calories. Fresh asparagus is a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as the B vitamins. Asparagus is an excellent source of minerals, copper, iron,. calcium, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus.
This soup is so easy to prepare, elegant and very nourishing. And if Spring had a flavor or taste – it’s Asparagus soup! Serve it for your Easter dinner, and when it’s spring asparagus season – stock up! The soup freezes well, too. You can use vegetable stock and then it is vegan/vegetarian and is also gluten-free.
SPRING ASPARAGUS SOUP
- 2 1/2 lbs. asparagus
- 3 T. butter
- 1/2 C. minced onion
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 t. ground coriander
- 4-6 C. chicken or vegetable stock
- Salt and White Pepper
1. Steam asparagus to tender, bright green.
2. Cut tips and reserve. Cut remaining stalks into 1″ pieces.
3. Sauté onion, garlic and coriander in butter in large heavy pan, until soft, not browned.
4. Add asparagus stalks. Simmer 10-15 minutes
5. Puree in blender or with submersible blender
6. Pour back in pan; add stock; add asparagus tips. Heat to hot.
7. Add white pepper and salt to taste.
