This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 pound dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight and drained (see Tip)
6 cups unsalted chicken broth
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 (4 ounce) Parmesan cheese rind plus 2/3 cup grated Parmesan, divided
2 bone-in chicken breasts (1 pound each)
4 cups chopped kale
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
Directions
Combine beans, broth, onion, carrots, rosemary and Parmesan rind in a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with chicken. Cover and cook on Low until the beans and vegetables are tender, 7 to 8 hours.
Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board; let stand until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken, discarding bones.
Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir in kale. Cover and cook on High until the kale is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper; discard the Parmesan rind. Serve the stew drizzled with oil and sprinkled with Parmesan and parsley.
Tip: To save time, you can substitute 4 (15 ounce) cans no-salt-added cannellini beans (rinsed) for the soaked dried beans.
Equipment: 6-qt. slow cooker
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
Per Serving: 493 calories; protein 44.2g; carbohydrates 53.8g; dietary fiber 27.4g; sugars 4.5g; fat 10.9g; saturated fat 3g; cholesterol 67.8mg; vitamin a iu 4792.5IU; vitamin c 20.3mg; folate 31.8mcg; calcium 198.7mg; iron 7.1mg; magnesium 148.9mg; potassium 1556.6mg; sodium 518.4mg.
During American Heart Month, you’ll see many valuable articles about maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. American Heart Month is observed to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease.
“You’ve heard time and again from your physicians and nurse practitioners that diet, exercise, regular check-ups, and compliance with medications are all excellent ways to address cardiac health,” said John Uplinger, RPh, a Trinity Health retail pharmacist. “While this is absolutely true, for a change of pace, I’d like to offer five simple, practical steps every person can take to promote overall health and especially heart health, even during an emergency.”
1. At all times, keep an up-to-date, printed list of medications and supplements you take with you.
Whether you keep them in a backpack, wallet, purse, or pocket, such lists are very valuable for first responders in an emergency. Although you may already keep a list of medications on an app on your phone, first responders cannot override the security systems on your phone to access that information. So, for now, a printed list is best.
And don’t forget to update it annually after your check-up with your primary care provider. Indicate the name of the medication and the daily dosage.
2. Know your personal and family health history, your allergies, and your blood type.
If you have annual checkups, you are familiar with your own history. For example, you may know that you have high blood pressure, but may not know that your parents or grandparents did, too, and that stroke may “run in your family.” So, it’s best to have those conversations when you can with your family members.
When creating your medications/supplements list, also add a simple phrase about your health, your blood type, and any allergies to make it easier for first responders. For example:
Type 2 diabetes patient with high cholesterol, no allergies, blood type A positive
I am pregnant, allergic to shellfish, peanuts, and sulfa drugs, Type O negative
3. If you are on prescribed medications, check with your pharmacist before purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Your pharmacist will be able to tell you about any drug interactions or side effects in OTC medications. For example: Did you know that if you have high blood pressure, ibuprofen may not be recommended? You should check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Some cold medications can raise blood pressure, as well. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist.
4. Many pharmacies have free machines for checking blood pressure.
Take advantage of checking your blood pressure, even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be a silent killer, so it can’t hurt to check occasionally.
If you are uncertain about what your numbers mean, your pharmacist can explain it to you. Getting high results once may not be a concern, but if it persists, check with your primary care provider.
5. If you are a smoker who wants to quit, your pharmacist is an invaluable resource.
There are many products in the marketplace for smoking cessation. Your pharmacist will be able to check with your insurance company to ensure your prescription is covered and can offer the pros and cons of various smoking cessation medications. If you can quit smoking, your heart will thank you.
Pharmacists are a valuable member of your health care team.
The next time you are in the pharmacy and have a question about medication, please don’t hesitate to ask. Learn more about our available pharmacy services by calling or visiting the location nearest you.
After receiving treatment from Michigan Heart Ann Arbor for his Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), in late 2020, Rod Jenkins is now back to fly fishing, hiking, biking and most importantly, being able to keep up with his two-year-old granddaughter.
“She’s a bundle of energy, but now I can be part of her life and it feels great,” said Rod. “I’m also able to explore new trout streams to try out this spring… For the first time in 15 years, I’m back up to speed and off all medications.”
Rod is certainly not alone in facing the challenges of AFib.
What is AFib?
AFib is the most common type of heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, impacting up to 6.1 million people in the United States. AFib is an electrical problem of the heart that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
When someone has AFib, the electrical signals in the top chambers of the heart (or atria) have become irregular which can lead to a faster heart rate in the bottom chambers of the heart (or ventricles). When the heart isn’t effectively pumping blood through the body, normal activity can become tiring, make breathing challenging, or potentially cause dizziness.
Risk Factors of AFib
Common risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, and heavy alcohol use. People can also develop AFib even if they don’t have any of these risk factors and lead a healthy lifestyle. This is why early treatment is the key to managing AFib. As an active, fitness enthusiast, Rod’s condition was unexpected, but he was fortunate to have a key ally in the team at Michigan Heart. They remained supportive through the years and kept pursuing new treatments that eventually resolved his AFib.
Rod’s path to recovery began in 2006 when he started experiencing classic AFib symptoms including being light-headed, shortness of breath and fatigue. Once diagnosed at Michigan Heart, he first attempted to manage his symptoms with medication and a common treatment that involved cauterizing or scarring the inside of the heart. This procedure sought to stop the electrical pulses that triggered his irregular heartbeat and caused many of the AFib symptoms he was experiencing.
That initial treatment did not deliver the desired result for Rod. He then turned to Jihn Han, MD and Robert Lyons, MD from Michigan Heart, who performed a hybrid convergent ablation procedure, an innovative, minimally invasive treatment that involves cauterizing both the inside and outside surfaces of the heart to halt uneven electrical pulses that were causing Rod’s AFib. Michigan Heart provided an additional tune up procedure to ensure Rod’s heart was performing perfectly.
“Over the past 15 years our ability to help patients with AFib has come a long way,” said Dr. Han. The development of procedures such as hybrid convergent ablation is a game changer.”
While medical progress and innovation continues to move forward, there is still no substitute for paying close attention to what your body is telling you and getting the necessary help as soon as an issue arises.
“The first line of defense against AFib is understanding the symptoms, but there are many people who don’t know the warning signs,” said Dr. Lyons. “That’s why it’s crucial to get regular check-ups to stop AFib before it stops you.”
The benefits of catching AFib early and getting effective treatment are life-changing.
“I’m so happy with the results and my quality of life right now and it’s all because of the Michigan Heart team at St. Joe’s,” said Rod. “I was being held hostage by AFib. I have my life back, which is wonderful!”
What causes AFib?
As people get older, their risk for AFib increases. Some people who lead a healthy lifestyle and don’t have any other medical conditions can still develop AFib. However, AFib has some common causes and risk factors. Such as:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Coronary artery disease
Heart muscle problems
Heart valve problems
Lung disease
Sleep apnea
Scarring of the atrium
Extreme physical stress
Genetics
Abnormal mineral levels
High thyroid levels/Overactive thyroid
Toxins – including alcohol and some drugs
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms tend to occur when the heart rate is too fast. A person may have no symptoms when the heart rate is normal. Although these symptoms may be uncomfortable and cause concern, they are not usually life threatening.
Only 60% of people with AFib have symptoms. The other 40% do not have symptoms.
Common Symptoms:
Irregular and fast heartbeats
Heart palpitations (a pounding feeling in your chest)
Trouble breathing
Anxiety
Chest pain
Dizziness
Lightheadedness or almost passing out
*If you think you may be experiencing a heart attack or medical emergency – call 911.
Ready to get back to your rhythm?
Schedule an appointment with one of our heart doctors today.
This delicious frittata is loaded with heart-healthy, omega-3 enriched eggs and a medley of colorful vegetables. Start cooking the vegetables on the stove and finish them up in the oven with the egg mixture. To serve, top with avocado slices, grape tomatoes and a touch of sriracha.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat an oven-going 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add sweet potato, sweet pepper and broccoli; cook and stir over medium 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.
In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt and black pepper. Pour mixture over vegetables in skillet. Cook, without stirring, until mixture begins to set on bottom and around edges. Using a spatula, lift egg mixture so uncooked portion flows underneath.
Transfer skillet to oven; cook 5 minutes or until egg mixture is set. Remove from oven. Let stand 2 minutes. Top servings with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle with sriracha.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size:
1/4 frittata (3/4 cup)
Per Serving:
219 calories; protein 13.9g; carbohydrates 7.7g; dietary fiber 3.3g; sugars 2.2g; fat 15g; saturated fat 3.9g; cholesterol 372mg; vitamin a iu 2112.2IU; vitamin c 25mg; folate 90.8mcg; calcium 70.7mg; iron 2.2mg; magnesium 30.2mg; potassium 455.8mg; sodium 226mg.
1/2cupcanned diced tomatoes (with juice) or low sodium salsa
2teaspoonscumin
1teaspoonpaprika
1teaspoononion powder
1teaspoongarlic powder
1/2teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes(optional)
1/2teaspoonoregano
1packagetempeh, finely chopped
8soft corn tortillas(4 inch diameter)
Salt to taste(optional)
Instructions
Add one (1) tablespoon of water to a skillet and sauté pepper strips and diced onion until soft.
Then add diced tomatoes (with juice), cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and oregano.
Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
Add chopped tempeh and cook for 2-3 more minutes or until the tempeh has absorbed some of the sauce.
Serve over corn tortillas. Top with cilantro lime slaw or other toppings like jalapeno, low sodium hot sauce/salsa, lettuce, avocado slices (optional).
Notes
Chef’s Tip: Use a food processor to easily chop the tempeh. Be sure not to overmix.
Keyword heart healthy, tacos, tempeh, vegetarian
Rainbow Frittata
This delicious frittata is loaded with heart-healthy, omega-3 enriched eggs and a medley of colorful vegetables. Start cooking the vegetables on the stove and finish them up in the oven with the egg mixture. To serve, top with avocado slices, grape tomatoes and a touch of sriracha.
Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of heart arrythmia or irregular heartbeat affecting 2.7 to 6.1 million people in the United States.
About AFib, Its Signs, and Symptoms
AFib is an electrical problem of the heart that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
When someone has AFib, the electrical signals in the top chambers of the heart (or atria) have become irregular which can lead to a faster heart rate in the bottom chambers of the heart (or ventricles). When the heart isn’t fully and effectively pumping blood through the body, normal activity can become tiring, make breathing challenging, or cause dizziness.
Common risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, and heavy alcohol use. People can develop AFib even if they don’t have any of these risk factors and lead a healthy lifestyle. This is why early treatment is the key to managing AFib.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of AFib. Watch our AFib video.
Treating AFib: The Convergent Procedure
Many treatment options exist for AFib including medications, medical procedures, or a combination of the two. For patients with persistent AFib that doesn’t respond to medical therapy or prior ablation attempts, a hybrid combined ablation, more commonly known as the Convergent Procedure, might be an option.
What is the Convergent Procedure?
It’s a staged procedure that combines minimally invasive surgery and catheter-based ablation. For this procedure, a cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist work side-by-side to create scar tissue within the heart. This scarring blocks abnormal electrical signals to restore a normal heart rhythm. The surgeon may also seal a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage which can lower your stroke risk.
What are the benefits of the Convergent procedure?
Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate the use of some medications, including anticoagulants after having the Convergent procedure. They are also significantly more likely to be in a normal heart rhythm long-term compared with catheter ablation alone.
Who qualifies?
This procedure is ideal for patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation who have failed prior ablation or medical management and it only requires a two-night stay in the hospital. If you’ve been diagnosed with AFib talk to your doctor to see if Convergent is a treatment option for you.
*If you think you may be experiencing a heart attack or medical emergency – call 911.
Ready to get back to your rhythm?
Schedule an appointment with one of our heart doctors today.
Renee and Ed Chodkowski are avid supporters of St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and Local Care.
Message from Renee:
Ed and I always feel excited to support
St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and Brighton. Community support of local businesses
– in this case, local WORLD CLASS health care – is one of my passions as a
citizen and as “The Great Foodini*.” I have a story, and this is why
I am so committed to St. Joe’s and their remarkable Transformation project
right here in Livingston County.
My story….my dad died at 45 from heart disease. His dad died
at 42 from heart disease. His brother and sister barely made it to 60. Heart
disease. My mom died of lung cancer at 52. My goal is to live 25 out of my 24
hours every day.
When we were working as a family to get care for my dad, we
found ourselves traveling two and three states away for meetings, surgeries,
consultations and treatments. It was a logistical nightmare and financially
impossible to get what was considered the best care. It was never spoken aloud,
but I know that weighed heavily on my dad and I believe he would have been with
us longer had great health care been local.
My mom’s story is similar – her best
treatment was a thousand miles away, next best was 50 miles away, but between
Michigan winters, serious commuter traffic, parking nightmares and waiting, a
half hour treatment was a full day’s work. It exhausted her and she ultimately
declined treatment. I believe she would have been with us longer had great
health care been local.
There are two takeaways from my story. One is how important local care is, and St. Joe’s has demonstrated unwavering commitment to Livingston County. Second, education is key to prevention with so many illnesses. St. Joe’s has so many health education, screening, diagnostic, prevention and health management programs available – right here in Livingston County. You should see their new healthy education kitchen! (See article below). Foodini was excited! This is part of the ongoing Transformation project.
“St. Joe’s and the
patients we serve benefit greatly from passionate support like the Chodkowskis
give. We are so grateful to have them as
partners,” said John O’Malley, president, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston. “As donors and volunteer leaders, Ed and
Renee help ensure our community has high quality, high value, compassionate and
local care.”
Renee (*aka The Great
Foodini) believes anyone can learn to prepare healthy, delicious meals. She teaches and presents both home cooking
and worksite wellness programs for all ages and groups sizes but her favorite
is her home base demonstration kitchen at Cleary University in Howell. She is regular on Livingston County’s 93.5
WHMI FM; has achieved national acclaim on FOX’s reality series “MasterChef,”
was recognized in the “Pie of Emeril’s Eye” Contest on ABC’s “Good Morning
America;” and was selected by Red Gold Tomatoes as one of the top seven
food writers/bloggers in the U.S. Renee
is a tireless volunteer leader in support of farm-to-table cooking, good
nutrition for all ages, fighting hunger and making nutrition a part of healthy
living.
Outside
the kitchen, Renee and Ed have been
married for over 38 years, and have lived in Livingston County for 40 years. They raised their children here, who are both
graduates from Howell High School, and were born at St. Joe’s (when it was
still named McPherson Hospital). As
part of a healthy-lifestyle, Renee and Ed enjoy playing tennis, traveling,
scuba diving, and golfing, and of course eating the healthy meals Renee
prepares.
Ed and Renee are
champions for St. Joe’s, including serving as co-chairs for the 2019 Livingston
Ball last April. The couple is most
passionate about partnering with St. Joe’s on local care, prevention and
treatment through healthy eating, and making a lasting impact on the community.
First Intensive Heart Health Rehab Program in Livingston County
Your investment in St. Joseph Mercy Livingston is an investment in innovative, evidence-based, local health care. In November 2018, we opened the county’s first intensive heart health rehab program, Pritikin ICR™ (Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation).
“The Pritikin program has proven to be very successful for patients
at high risk for a cardiovascular event, and we are thrilled to offer this
program to Livingston County to improve the health and wellness of our local
community,” said John O’ Malley, president of St. Joseph Mercy Livingston.
“This is one example of our commitment to transforming care.”
Numerous studies have
documented the Pritikin program’s ability to lower blood cholesterol levels,
improve blood pressure and blood sugar control and reduce other lifestyle-related
risk factors.
Patients benefit from
Pritiken’s three-pronged approach that focuses on: healthy eating, healthy mindset and exercise.
At St. Joe’s Livingston, exercise physiologists facilitate individual and group workshops, yoga therapists lead our mind body workshops and yoga classes, the program includes personalized counseling and coaching, and nutritionists lead classes in meal planning, supermarket shopping and cooking – all in a renovated space including a gym, classrooms and demonstration kitchen. Patients learn skills they can use in every-day life to improve their health. Cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of dying or having another heart attack by as much as 30 to 50 percent, according to the American College of Cardiology.
For more information, please call St. Joe’s Cardiac Rehab at 517-545-6385.
Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide? Stroke follows second. Even these conditions do not result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. Know the risks and reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Risks factors include:
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
physical inactivity
Obesity/being overweight
Diabetes
Stress (leads to poor lifestyle choices)
Alcohol (raises blood pressure and triglycerides)
Diet and nutrition (affects cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity)
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a serious condition that causes arteries in the legs to become narrowed by plaque. When arteries are clogged, blood flow to the legs and feet is reduced, causing pain and making it difficult to walk.
Symptoms of PAD include muscle pain or cramping in legs after activity, wounds on the legs or feet that are slow to heal, changes in your skin color or temperature of your feet and legs and odd growth changes in your toe nails.
Your risk for developing PAD is increased if you have history of smoking or other health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or obesity. Your age or family history may also be a factor.
There are new, minimally invasive ways for trained cardiologists to help open arteries, reduce symptoms and ensure quality of life is improved. If you’re concerned you’re at risk, talk to your doctor to learn what you can do to lower your risk for disease.
