| |
|
 |
2/22/2008
Friday, February 29, is the final day of National Heart Month 2008. Have you made any heart healthy lifestyle changes? There are so many things you can do, such as walking a little more than usual, eating more fruits and vegetables, or cutting back or cutting out junk food.
Thirty-one year old Amy Stevens started working for Cardiology Associates in Fairhope six years ago. Around that same time, she learned that she had sinus node dysfunction, a condition which caused her heart to beat too fast sometimes, and too slowly at other times. Suddenly, in addition to being a new employee with Cardiology Associates, she was also a patient needing a pacemaker.
Since then, Amy has made it a point to live a healthy, active life. She has three daughters, ages 13, 8 and 7. Her children all participate in sports, and both she and her husband along with their oldest daughter coach a variety of teams. When not playing, coaching, or watching games, they also enjoy camping. Another outing that the entire family regularly enjoys is going to the produce stand in Loxley. “The girls have learned a lot about different fruits and vegetables,” Amy says. “They like selecting them, and then we go home and they help cut them up for different recipes, such as making fresh fruit salads. It’s been a great family activity.” Amy said that recently the entire family decided to try and eat as few processed foods as possible. She said they did it for their health, and she and her husband have even lost a few pounds. “We occasionally have a pizza night,” Amy laughs, “but we try to eat clean (unprocessed) food most of the time.”
One of their new, favorite “clean food” recipes is baked rice. Roasting in the oven makes this rice dish easy and creamy, with a consistency of a classic risotto. Amy found this recipe in “The Eat-Clean Diet” book by Tosca Reno.
Oven-Baked Brown Rice with Roasted Tomatoes
8 firm yet ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
3 T olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 c short-grain brown rice
1 T chopped fresh thyme
4-1/4 c low sodium chicken stock, heated
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Season the tomatoes with salt and spread them out on the prepared baking sheet. Roast until the edges of the skins are browned but not burned, 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
Meanwhile, heat oil in Dutch oven or large, heavy ovenproof saucepan with lid. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice and chopped thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is shiny, about 3 minutes. Stir in roast tomatoes and pour in the hot stock. Stir lightly, cover, and bring to a boil.
Transfer to oven and continue to cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 40-45 minutes. Remove the rice from the oven and fluff with a fork. Makes 8 servings.
Nutritional information per serving: 245 calories, 4 g protein, 7 g fat, 44 g carbohydrates. Recipe credit The Eat Clean Diet.
Other heart healthy recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts can be found at www.cardassoc.com.
Cardiology Associates is a 26-physician group providing coordinated and integrated comprehensive heart services including pediatric cardiology, adult clinical, invasive and interventional cardiology, preventive cardiology, electrophysiology and the treatment of heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cholesterol and lipid disorders. In April 2005, the practice introduced the first 64 slice CT Scanner in the region, dedicated to detection of cardiovascular disease. Cardiology Associates is committed to improving access to cardiovascular care, decreasing mortality due to heart disease and enhancing the quality of life for all residents in South Alabama as well as the Mississippi and Florida Gulf Coasts. Cardiology Associates operates offices in Fairhope, Mobile, and Foley, Alabama and o
|
|
