Tips To Help Fight A Cold Or The Flu

Staying well during cold and flu season is hard to do but with a little nutrition know-how, fighting a cold or the flu is a little easier.

There are several important things to remember when you are trying to prevent a cold. First of all, sugar suppresses the immune system and hinders your ability to fight off the sickness. It is good practice to avoid sugar as a prevention and especially during a cold. A good multivitamin is a must to take every day for prevention of colds. And last, if not restricted by medicine, grapefruit is perfect for providing vitamin C and detoxifying the liver to keep you well.

If you currently have a cold and are in dire need of relief, remember these points to help your body fight the cold faster:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water and a small amount of fresh fruit juice are best.
• Avoid dairy which has been shown to increase congestion.
• Avoid diuretics such as coffee and tea.
• Avoid alcohol which depletes stores of vitamin C.
• Eat light with focus on easily digestible foods such as broths, vegetable soups, salads, fish and chicken.
• Chicken soup actually does work! Researchers say that the cold-fighting powers are from the vegetables that are part of the stock and that it helps relieve symptoms especially congestion. Make a batch of chicken vegetable soup and freeze to thaw when you are fighting a cold.

Grandma’s Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients :

• 1 young (3-4 lb.) chicken
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 2 qts. water
• 2 med. onions, whole
• 4 med. potatoes, sliced
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 4 carrots, scraped or diced
• 3 stalks celery, cut in 2 inch pieces
• 1 parsley sprig
• 1 parsnip, pared, if desired

Preparation :

1. Clean chicken and cut into serving pieces. Place chicken in pot, cover with water and cover pot. Bring to full boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add whole onion and simmer 30 minutes more. Add salt and pepper and simmer 15 minutes more.
2. Meanwhile, wash vegetables and cut into bite size pieces. Add in 15 minute intervals in this order: carrots, celery, parsley and parsnip. Cook until chicken is tender.
3. Before serving let soup cool, then skim off fat. If allowed to chill several hours, fat will rise to top and solidify for easy removal. Strain soup, if clear broth is desired, discarding any vegetables you do not like. Return chicken to soup or serve separately.

Note: If a creamier soup is desired, mash potatoes and then add to soup, also discarded vegetables can be pureed until smooth and returned to broth.

Click here for more information.

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This Nutrition Update is brought to you by Valerie Costanza and Seasons Wellness Clinic. For a personalized nutrition consultation with Valerie Costanza, call Seasons at 255-3223 and schedule an appointment.

Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge 2012

Need inspiration? Information? Accountability? Join some of North Louisiana’s top physicians, nutritionists and personal trainers for the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge. Each FREE session offers you the opportunity to accomplish your nutrition and fitness goals for the new year. The reward? A healthier you, goodies, door prizes, and much more! This year we have added a 30 minutes workout to the end of each session. So bring your water bottles and let’s get going!

Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #1

The first session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge will be held on Tuesday, January 10th from 5:30pm – 6:30 pm at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. We will be conducting optional weigh-ins and measurements at the end of each session so please come prepared to exercise and dress comfortably.

Our first session will include:

• Meal plans
• Strength workouts
• Recipes
• Time Management | Making time for yourself
• Prepping for our 5k run with Maryanne Smith
• Optional weigh-in and measurements (5 – 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7 p.m.)

To register, you must first join our Healthy Woman program and then click the link to RSVP. Please note: you must RSVP for each session after you have joined.

Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #2

Join us for the second session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge on Tuesday January 24, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. Don’t forget we will be exercising and doing weigh-ins at the end of this session. So, come prepared to workout and dress comfortably. You can still attend this event even if you are not participating in the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge.

The focus for this session will be:

• “Knees, Knees, Knees!” | Orthopaedic Surgeon, Major Blair, M.D., will discuss ways to avoid injury while exercising.
• “Getting down to the basics: Nutrition” | Registered Dietician, Jessica Hood, RD, LDN, will give nutrition advice and tips on staying on track with your diet.

You must be a member of the Healthy Woman program to participate in this event. If you have not joined already, click here. Membership is free, and the benefits last a lifetime. You must RSVP for each session of the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge that you would like to attend.

Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #3

Our 3rd session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge will take place on Tuesday February 7, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. Don’t forget, we will be working out and breaking a sweat for the last 30 minutes of the session. We will also be doing weigh-ins and measurements. So, dress comfortable!

The focus for this session will be:

• “Hello, dont forget about your heart!” | Interventional Cardiologist, Michael Langiulli, M.D.
• Heart Health Recipe Fun

To join Healthy Woman or RSVP to this event, click here. Membership is free, and the benefits last a lifetime.

Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #4

Session #4 will be our final session of the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge. This session will take place on Tuesday February 21, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30  at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. 

Our focus for this session will be:

• Staying on track… You CAN do it!
• Accountability = Stability

To RSVP for this session or to Join Healthy Woman, click here.

For more information about the sponsors of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge, please visit their websites.

• Northern Louisiana Medical Center 
• Body Back by Maryanne Smith  or on Facebook
• Seasons Wellness Clinic and Seasons – The Spa or on Facebook and Twitter
• Sharon Jackson’s Personal Training Services or on Facebook

Click here to see out photos from a previous Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge 5K!

 

Patti Wall: A Story of Weight Loss, Rejuvenation, and Life Change

Top 10 Summer Fruits and Veggies

 

Summer is in full swing and with the hot weather comes delicious fruits and vegetables! We have an abundance of fresh, local harvest here in North Louisiana. You can get these foods directly from local farms or from the farmer’s market (see the map below for directions or visit the Ruston Farmer’s Market website). When preparing your fruits and vegetables, you can be creative while keeping it simple. Here are my top 10 ideas on how to enjoy the wonderful flavors of summer:

 

 

 

1. Blueberries: best when eaten fresh or on top of salads and oatmeal

2. Zucchini: cut in strips, season, cover lightly with oil and bake for fries

3. Tomato: what can you not do with tomato?

4. Eggplant: slice lengthwise in ½ inch strips, season and grill. Top with sautéed tomato

5. Green beans: sauté in oil, water, onion and seasonings

6. Cucumber: slice and place in a pitcher of water…very refreshing!

7. Bell peppers: stuff with beef, rice and tomato

8. Peaches: peach salsa with tomato, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro and lemon juice

9. Squash: slice, steam, season and mash

10. Okra: sauté with tomato

Visit the Ruston Farmer’s Market for fresh, local produce!

Managing Stress With Facial Reflexology

Want more information about the benefits of Facial Reflexology? Check out our other blog posts:

• 10 Natural Ways to Cure Your Bedtime Blues
• Top 10 Pregnancy Tips
• The Proof Is In The Practice – A Journey to Reflexology
• Treat The Inner and Outer You with Facial Reflexology

To schedule your Facial Reflexology session or a consultation with our Facial Reflexologist, call Seasons – The Spa at 318.255.1155.

Top 5 Travel Essentials: Get “The Glow” on The Go!

 

We would love to hear your tips on staying healthy and beautiful when you are on the go. What do you do to keep your skin hydrated, healthy and on its best behavior when you’re traveling?

Why Doesn’t My Endocrinologist Know All Of This?

Historically, relying on a consensus statement to treat or not to treat a particular patient has been shown to result in poor care and, as such, society consensus statements and practice guidelines are considered to be worst level of evidence in support of a particular therapy or treatment. A number of organizations, including the World Health Organization and others, have ranked the strength and accuracy of various types of evidence used in the medical decision process. In all scoring systems, the highest strength of evidence is randomized control trials and meta-analyses, with lower scores for other types of evidence. All grading systems place consensus statements and expert opinion by respected authorities (societies) as the poorest level of evidence, because historically they have failed to adopt new concepts and treatments based on new knowledge or new-found understanding demonstrated in the medical literature (1-6).

For instance, a recent study published in the 2009 Journal of the American Medical Association studied the evidence supporting the practice guidelines and consensus statements published by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. It was found that only 11% of the recommendations, practice guidelines and consensus statements were based on quality evidence and over half were based on poor quality evidence that was little more than the panel’s opinion. The review also found that even the strongest (Class 1) recommendations, which are considered medical dogma, cited as a legal standards and often go unquestioned as medical fact, were only supported by high quality evidence 19% of the time and not revised based on new evidence (6).

Similarly, the Endocrine Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association also have a long history of guidelines and recommendations that are not supported by the medical literature and fail to adjust or abandon recommendations when new understanding and knowledge contradicts their recommendations. A case in point is the recommendation by these societies that a normal TSH adequately rules out thyroid dysfunction, despite massive amounts of literature that demonstrate this not to be the case (see Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism) or that T4 only replacement is adequate for most patients. A doctor who simply follows outdated society treatment guidelines that relies on a simple laboratory test and ignores the clinical aspects of a patient is not practicing evidence-based medicine. (1-7). Such doctors may be adequate as lab technicians, but as doctors and clinicians they fall short (1-7). This method of practice is consistently rebuked as improper and poor medicine, but has become the standard used by a large percentage of endocrinologists and physicians who feel medicine can be related to simply reading “normal” or “abnormal” in a laboratory column.

Discussing the lack of scientific basis of most medical society’s consensus statements and treatment guidelines in Internal Medicine News, Dr. Diana Petritti states, “Expert opinion and consensus statements can be quite misleading when used as the basis for a practice. Expert opinions imply that there is something that the experts know that clinician doesn’t know. I don’t think it’s always appreciated that it’s only opinion. There is a tendency to make guidelines and recommendations seem authoritative. I believe that physicians think that there is a great deal more behind authoritative recommendations than there might be when you lift the lid of the box and see what’s underneath(8).”

There has been significant concern by health care organizations and medical experts that physicians are placing too much reliance on consensus statements and failing to learn of new information presented in medical journals. Thus, they lack the ability to translate this new information into treatments for their patients. The concern is that doctors fail to practice evidence-based medicine, erroneously relying on what they have previously been taught and on “expert” societies instead of changing treatment philosophies based on new information as it becomes available. This is especially true for endocrinological conditions, where physicians are very resistant to changing old concepts of diagnosis and treatment — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary — because it is not what they were taught in medical school and endocrinology residency.

This concern is particularly clear in an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine entitled “Clinical Research to Clinical Practice: Lost in Translation” (9). The article was written by Claude Lenfant, M.D., Director of National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and it is well supported. He states that there is great concern that doctors continue to rely on what they learned 20 years before and are uninformed about scientific findings. According to Dr. Lenfant, medical researchers, along with public officials and political leaders, are increasingly concerned about physicians’ inability to translate research findings in their medical practice to benefit their patients. He says that very few physicians learn about new discoveries from reading medical journals or by attending scientific conferences; thus, they lack the ability to translate new knowledge in the field into enhanced treatments for their patients. He states that a review of past medical discoveries reveals how excruciatingly slow the medical establishment is to adopt novel concepts, noting that even simple methods to improve medical quality are often met with fierce resistance. “Given the ever-growing sophistication of our scientific knowledge and the additional new discoveries that are likely in the future, many of us harbor an uneasy, but quite realistic suspicion that this gap between what we know about disease and what we do to prevent and treat them will become even wider. And it is not just recent research results that are not finding their way into clinical practice; there is plenty of evidence that ‘old’ research outcome have been lost in translation as well (1).”

Dr. Lenfant discusses the fact that the proper practice of medicine involves the combination of medical knowledge, intuition and judgment and that physicians’ knowledge is lacking because they don’t keep up with the medical literature. He states that there is often a difference of opinion among physicians and reviewing entities, but that judgment and knowledge of the research pertaining to the patient’s condition is central to the responsible practice of medicine. “Enormous amounts of new knowledge are barreling down the information highway, but they are not arriving at the doorsteps of our patients. (9).”

These thoughts are echoed by physicians who have researched this issue as well, such as William Shankle, M.D., Professor, University of California, Irvine. He states, “Most doctors are practicing 10 to 20 years behind the available medical literature and continue to practice what they learned in medical school….There is a breakdown in the transfer of information from the research to the overwhelming majority of practicing physicians. Doctors do not seek to implement new treatments that are supported in the literature or change treatments that are not (10).”

This view is echoed by the Dean of Stanford University School of Medicine who states that in the absence of translational medicine the delivery of medical care would remain stagnant and uninformed by the tremendous progress taking place in science and medicine (11).

This concern has also received significant publicity in the mainstream media. An example is an article by Sidney Smith, M.D., former president of the American Heart Association, published in 2003 in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Too Many Patients Never Reap the Benefits of Great Research.” Dr. Smith is very critical of physicians for not seeking out available information and applying that information to their patients, arguing that doctors feel the best medicine is what they’ve been doing and thinking for years. They discount new research, Dr. Smith says, because it is not what they have been taught or practiced, and they refuse to admit that what they have been doing or thinking for many years is not the best medicine. He states, “A large part of the problem is the real resistance of physicians…; many of these independent-minded souls don’t like being told that science knows best, and the way they’ve always done things is second-rate (12).” The National Center for Policy Analysis also expresses concern for the lack of ability of physicians to translate medical therapies into practice (13).

A review published in The Annals of Internal Medicine found that there is clearly a problem of physicians not seeking to advance their knowledge by reviewing the current literature, believing proper care is what they learned in medical school or residency and not basing their treatments on the most current research. The review found that the longer a physician is in practice, the more inappropriate and substandard the care (14). Thus, it is not a surprise that the scientific evidence as expressed in the literature is often opposite to what is continually repeated as dogma by most physicians and those considered to be “experts.”

Another example is a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (15). In reviewing the study, the National Institute of Medicine reports that there is an unacceptable lag between the discovery of new treatment modalities and their acceptance into routine care: “The lag between the discovery of more effective forms of treatment and their incorporation into routine patient care averages 17 years.” (16) In response to this unacceptable lag, the Business and Professions Code passed an amendment relating to the healing arts. This amendment — CA Assembly Bill 592; An Act to Amend Section 2234.1 of the Business and Professions Code — states: Since the National Institute of Medicine has reported that it can take up to 17 years for a new best practice to reach the average physician and surgeon, it is prudent to give attention to new developments not only in general medical care but in the actual treatment of specific diseases, particularly those that are not yet broadly recognized [such as the concept of tissue hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia] (17).

The Principals of Medical Ethics adopted by the American Medical Association in 1980 states that a physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, make relevant information available to patients, colleagues, and the public (18). This has, unfortunately, been replaced with a goal of providing merely “adequate” care. The current insurance reimbursement system in the United States fosters this thinking, as the worst physicians are financially rewarded by insurance companies. While it is true that the best physicians are continually fighting to provide cutting edge treatments and superior care that the insurance companies deem not medically necessary, even these physicians eventually get worn down and are forced to capitulate to the current system that promotes substandard care.

This was clearly demonstrated in a study published in the March 2006 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine entitled “Who is at Greater Risk for Receiving Poor-Quality Health Care.” The study found that the majority of individuals received substandard, poor-quality care, and that there was no significant difference among different income levels or whether or not the individual was covered by insurance. It used to be the case that only those in low socioeconomic classes without insurance received poor-quality care. But insurance company restrictions on treatments and diagnostic procedures have made the same poor care afforded to those of low socioeconomic status the new standard-of-care for society at large (19). An example of this is a physician’s failing to spend the time to adequately assess a potential hypothyroid patient and instead simply does a TSH test.

Most physicians will satisfy their required amount of continuing medical education (CME) by going to a conference a year, usually at a highly desirable location that has skiing, golf, boating, etc. Physicians are rarely monitored as to whether or not they actually showed up for the lectures or went skiing instead. One must also understand that the majority of conferences organized by medical societies are in fact sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. These payments by pharmaceutical companies are called unrestricted grants, so that the society has free reign to do what they want with the money and thus can claim there is no influence of lecture content by the companies. The problem, however, is that if the society wants to continue getting these “unrestricted” grants, they must think twice about providing content that the sponsoring pharmaceutical company might disapprove of. Consequently, ground breaking research that goes against the status quo and does not support the drug industry receives little attention.

Evidence-based medicine involves the synthesis of all available data when comparing therapeutic options for patients. Evidence-based medicine does not mean that data should be ignored until a randomized control trial of a particular size and duration is completed. A physician who tries to avoid the need of being a physician and is fine with just being a technician or health care provider will adamantly defend the “one-size fits all” method of diagnosis and treatment. But the best doctors who truly practice evidence-based medicine and not merely the perception of such will not rely on consensus statements to best provide their patients. Instead of relying on old dogma, the best physicians will seek out and translate both basic science results and clinical outcomes to decide on the safest, most efficacious treatment for their patients. Further, the best physicians will continually assess the current available data to decide which therapies are likely to carry the greatest benefits for patients and involve the lowest risks.

References

 

Top 10 Natural Ways To Cure Your Bedtime Blues

La belle au bois dormant. In French, this means the beauty asleep in the woods. I would love to feel like that. Wouldn’t you? I have vivid childhood memories of Sleeping Beauty in a peaceful sleep on a beautifully adorned bed awaiting a kiss from the daring and young Prince Philip. Could this really be a curse? Hardly.

60 million Americans suffer from sleep-related disorders each year and would love a night of rest! 18 million prescriptions are written each year for sleeping medications. By taking sleeping pills for your sleep disorder you can experience drug dependence, drug tolerance, drowsiness throughout the day, or you may be masking the underlying problem keeping you from sleep. Seasons has compiled a list of the top 10 natural ways to cure your bedtime blues.

1.Valerian. The use of Valerian dates back to second century A.D.! Scientists believe Valerian increases the amount of GABA in the brain. GABA regulates nerve cells and has a calming effect on anxiety. Although it may take a few weeks for it to be effective, Valerian can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve the quality of sleep itself. Valerian can be bought in capsule form at drugstores or online.

2.Lavender Oil and Body Lotion. Research shows that simply inhaling the soothing scent creates calming and sedative effects. I would suggest putting lavender body lotion all over your body before bedtime or rubbing one to two drops of Lavender in essential oil form over your pillow. Young Living’s Lavender Essential Oil is available at Seasons.

3.SleepEase. SleepEase by Sprayology contains herbs such as Valerian and Chamomile for a restful nights sleep. It treats symptoms of wakefulness, restlessness, emotional stress, anxiety, and caffeine sensitivity. SleepEase does not leave you with the groggy feeling of prescription sleep aids. To use: Spray 2 times under the tongue before bedtime and if sleep is interrupted. At a lower dosage, SleepEase is great for children!

4.SnoreSoother. At one time or another we have all fallen prey to an infamous snorer. Whether it be your husband, wife, child, or perhaps your own noisy habit keeping you from sleep, snoring can ruin a perfectly good nights rest. SnoreSoother by Sprayology consists of ingredients that reach the root of the problem. It has lung extract for bronchial congestion and the promotion of healthy lung tissue, as well as, white aspidosperma bark which eases difficult breathing and asthma symptoms. For best results spray twice under the tongue 3 times per day and if sleep is interrupted.

5.Facial Reflexology. If sleep is a problem for you, it is most likely caused by something else. Using special techniques, reflexology works on the root of your problem by finding the biggest deposit under your skin. After a series of treatments clients begin to notice a difference. As your body begins to heal in the area of the deposit you will find that sleeping becomes easier as well. You can schedule a Facial Reflexology appointment at Seasons. We recommend a series of 8 – 10 for best results.

6.Massage Therapy. This is a relaxing option to improve your sleep patterns. Massages decrease stress hormones, relieve chronic pain and balance your nervous system allowing you to sleep better, especially if your insomnia is stress induced. Seasons offers several massages. We recommend a Hot Stone or Swedish Relaxation massage for consistent sleep habits.

7.Yoga. Yoga gives your body and mind time to meditate. In addition, deep breathing and stretching are important aspects of yoga. Studies show that daily yoga for eight weeks improves total sleep time and the time it takes to fall asleep. Seasons offers yoga classes to those of all levels of experience.

8.Avoid Sweets and Caffeine. Your diet is an important part of your sleep regimen. Sugar could be one of the culprits keeping you from sleep, causing you to wake up during the night as your blood sugar levels fall. Cutting or significantly decreasing your sugar intake is important if you have trouble sleeping. If you frequently drink caffeine in the late afternoon or in the evening you may want to try eliminating caffeine from your diet as well. Not only does caffeine increase difficulty in falling asleep, it also reduces the amount of deep sleep you get.

9.Magnesium and Calcium. These sleep aids are most effective when taken together. A Magnesium deficiency can make you feel nervous and keep you from sleeping while a Calcium deficiency causes you to feel restless. You should take 500 mg of Calcium and 250 mg of Magnesium 45 minutes prior to bedtime. Be sure to choose a pharmaceutical grade supplement for best results.

10.Bed-time Routine. Remember when you were young and 7:30 bedtime was strictly enforced even if it was still light outside? Maybe it’s time to get back into that routine. No, you don’t have to go to sleep at 7:30. But it is important to get a full eight hours of sleep every night. A routine works best when fighting insomnia. Make sure that you are going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

These natural remedies will have you snoozing in no time. Having trouble finding a product? Call Seasons at (318)255-1155. Don’t miss out on another night of beauty sleep!

Medi-Spa, Botox and Fillers Defined: Q&A with Anna Stephens, WHNP

What is a Medi-Spa (Medical Spa)?

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a physician. Dr. Nathan Goodyear is the overseeing physician at Seasons – The Spa and Seasons Medical Aesthetics. The spa menus at medi-spas will vary, but you can usually receive treatments such as laser hair removal, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, microdermabrasion, photofacials, injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, and chemical peels. For a the spa menu at Seasons, visit: www.seasonswc.com.

 

Compared to other day and medi-spas, what makes Seasons the best choice?

We are constantly learning, evolving, adding services, and exploring new technologies to offer our clients the superior service they have come to expect. Our clients are not the only ones who have noticed! Seasons – The Spa was named ‘Best of the Delta – Best Medi-Spa 2010′ by Delta Style Magazine and Seasons was voted ‘Best Small Business 2010′ by Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Louisiana Tech University College of Business.

What types of training have you received for medical spa procedures?

I attend advanced training every 4-6 months with a clinical trainer from Merz Aesthetics, makers of Radiesse dermal filler. I’ve also attended training with Empire Medical in 2008 and again in 2010. Empire Medical offers a more general type of training including Botox and many types of dermal fillers. In addition, I’ve received advanced training from Allergan, makers of Botox and Juvederm.

How much experience have you had with facial fillers in the lips or nasolabial folds?

I have been injecting this area for over 3 years.

How will I choose the filler that is safest and best for me?

At your personal consultation, we will discuss your beauty goals as well as discuss different options available. After determining what areas most concern you, we will decide which filler best suits your needs. Not all fillers can be used in all areas of the face.

Does insurance cover medi-spa procedures or is financing available?

The type of medical insurance that most of us have will not cover medical spa procedures. These procedures are considered cosmetic by almost all insurance companies. Fortunately, the cost involved for most medical spa procedures is minimal and there are other options for paying for medical spa procedures such as credit cards and Care Credit financing. For more information about Care Credit, please contact our Ruston office at 318.255.1155.

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Need to Spice Up Your Life? Cook with Herbs!

by Valerie Costanza, RD  Cooking with Herbs Are you tired of the same flavors used in your every day cooking? Do you want to add spice to your life but aren’t sure how? Adding fresh herbs while cooking not only turns an ordinary meal into extraordinary but also has added health benefits. Herbs come from a plant so just like fruits and vegetables, they contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These nutrients are best absorbed from foods not supplements therefore getting a varied diet is important to health. Herbs used in cooking can add health benefits such as: Thyme improves the immune system Sage aids in digestion and calms the nerves during stressful times Rosemary stimulates the liver to detoxify the body Garlic destroys cancer cells and disrupts tumor cell growth Parsley acts as an anti-inflammatory, as well as protects the body against colds and the flu There are many more disease fighting herbs. Rack up the health benefits by adding them to each meal and don’t be afraid to try new spices. Baked Chicken alla Milanese Ingredients : 1 clove(s) garlic 1 cup(s) parsley leaves 1/2 cup(s) seasoned breadcrumbs Zest of 1/2 lemon Salt and pepper 2 boned chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry 4 tablespoon(s) olive oil 2 lemon wedges Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Chop the garlic together with the parsley and place in a small bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Moisten this mixture with 2 tablespoons of oil. Lay the boned thighs in a heavy baking pan and coat the top of the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle the chicken with the remaining olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, or until browned. Serve with lemon wedges. This Nutrition Update is brought to you by Seasons.  For a personalized nutrition consultation with Valerie Costanza, call Seasons at 255-3223 and schedule an appointment.

 

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