For Cardiovascular Health and Athletic Performance: A Vegetable That Can’t Be Beat!
Here’s a great health trivia question: What vegetable most effectively lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, and gives athletes a competitive edge? You might already know the answer – it’s beets! Research shows that some of the natural chemicals in beets lower cholesterol; improve oxygen delivery to muscles; and help blood vessels relax and expand (thus lowering blood pressure). That’s a lot of benefits – all packed into a humble root! Most folks carry strong opinions about beets – there are those who love them and those who don’t. Many people describe the taste of beets as rich, sweet, and earthy, while others pick up a strong hit of plain old dirt! Genetics might have something to do with our preferences for different foods – some of us can taste certain flavors more strongly than others. However, even if beets are not on your list of favorite foods, give this delicious pesto a try. Super Beet Pesto It’s made with earthy red beets, flavorful grated cheese, rich walnuts, pungent garlic, and bright lemon juice and it was a hit at this year’s YRMC Celebrate Life Expo, where it won over beet lovers and skeptics alike! Check out how easy it is to make fabulous beet pesto on this segment of AZTV’s Arizona Daily Mix. Beets are a good source of nitrate (a nutrient some vegetables absorb from the soil), and studies show that the high level of nitrate in beets and other vegetables (including leafy greens, cabbage, celery, parsley, dill, and leeks) can help blood vessels relax and stretch, thus lowering blood pressure. In fact, many scientists attribute much of the blood pressure-lowering effects of the famous DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) to the generous portions of nitrate-containing greens and other vegetables recommended in the plan. Our bodies convert some of the nitrate we get from vegetables into nitric oxide, a compound also naturally produced by healthy blood vessels. Nitric oxide relaxes and stretches blood vessels as the heart contracts and pushes blood throughout the body. Unfortunately, aging and chronic disease, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can impair the ability of blood vessels to make nitric oxide – leading to hypertension. Studies show that dietary nitrate, from nitrate-rich veggies, can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension by supplementing nitric oxide levels in the blood. Whole Red and Chiogga Beets The nitrate in beets can also give athletes a competitive edge. Studies demonstrate improved performance when athletes consume beet juice (up to 500 ml or 16 ounces) 2-3 hours before a competition. When the nitrates in beet juice are converted to nitric acid, athletes experience increased oxygen delivery to muscles, more efficient muscle performance and improved glucose metabolism as muscle cells use sugar for energy. Beets are also good for lowering cholesterol! This benefit seems to be related not to nitrate, but to the important phytochemicals that give beets their ruby-red color. Here’s a great video with Michael Greger, MD, founder of NutritionFacts.org. In this video, Dr. Greger shares research demonstrating the affinity certain vegetables have for grabbing onto bile. Bile is made from cholesterol and is a normal part of our digestive juices. Certain phytochemicals and soluble fibers in food bind with bile in the intestines and prevent bile from being reabsorbed, recycled and used again. This forces us to make new bile, which lowers cholesterol levels in our blood. Phytochemicals and fibers that bind bile may also reduce our risk of certain types of cancer. In a study comparing the bile-binding ability of 13 different veggies, beets take the lead! Sliced Red and Chiogga Beets It’s clear that some vegetables, like beets, are packed with phytochemical and other nutrients that protect us from illness and disease. For more recipes using beets, leafy greens, fresh herbs and other super-delicious and nutritious plant foods, check out Your Healthy Kitchen, YRMC’s online video cooking tutorials. You can also follow me on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where you’ll see what I am making at home, and get insider tips and recipes, and information on food- and gardening-related activities in the community!
YRMC Announces Opening Date for New Primary Care Clinic in Chino Valley
Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has announced the date for the opening of a new primary care clinic in Chino Valley. The new primary care clinic – YRMC PhysicianCare, Primary Care – is an important step to expand healthcare services for people in Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork and other communities in the region. The new clinic, located at 474 N. State Route 89 in Chino Valley, is scheduled to open on Monday, August 13. YRMC will discontinue service at their existing YRMC PhysicianCare location in Chino Valley on this same date. Patients who currently receive care at YRMC PhysicianCare in Chino Valley will begin to receive care at the new location on Monday, August 13. YRMC PhysicianCare, Primary Care in Chino Valley will deliver primary care medicine through a team of healthcare professionals including physicians, advanced clinical practitioners and other highly trained professionals. Our Healthcare Providers Physicians Jean Earl, DO, and Charity Weldt, MD, will continue to serve patients at the new YRMC PhysicianCare, Primary Care location. Scott Ekdahl, DO, MPH, and Gerald Baldwin, PA-C, will also join the practice on Monday, August 13, followed by Anthony Brown, DO, who will join the practice on Monday, August 20. Dr. Ekdahl and Dr. Brown will accept new patients. There are also plans to add an additional primary care physician later in the year. Current and New Patients People who are currently receiving care at YRMC PhysicianCare in Chino Valley will simply drive to the new location when it opens on August 13. No new patient documentation will need to be completed by current patients. New patients will need to complete new patient documentation which will be available at the clinic beginning on August 13.
My Memories of YRMC: Monica Rodarte
By Monica Rodarte, Tempe, Arizona It was September 26, 1980. I had entered the maternity ward at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in full-on labor. My baby was already crowning. It was the first day at work for the nurse who came to my aid. As she was rushing me to the labor room, the nurse said they would call my doctor. I told her I had called him before heading to the hospital. He’s not coming, I told her. He said I wasn’t in labor. She got me on the table and instructed me not to push. We needed to wait for the doctor. He’s not coming, I repeated. Then I told her, “Go out for a pass, because this baby is on the way.” That nurse delivered my baby boy, Michael, at 8:44 pm. I was in labor for one hour and delivered in four minutes. When Michael graduated from McClintock High School in Tempe, my Mom recognized that same nurse sitting behind us in the stands. I asked her if she used to work at YRMC. She said, “Yes.” I said to her, “My son is graduating tonight and I am pretty sure you delivered him.” I told her the story, and asked her if she remembered that night. Unfortunately, she didn’t, but we both had a good laugh. What are the odds? I wish I knew that nurse’s name. She delivered my greatest joy, and kept my hospital bill under $250!
Two Years Later, 100 Pounds Lighter – and Still Learning!
Russ Dowling’s life changed the day he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. As a man who works on his feet all day, he was anxious about complications like heart disease and peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves in his feet) and was at a loss about what to do to turn things around. That was two years ago. Today, after taking the Diabetes Self-Management Classes at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, working with his physician, and asking lots of questions, he’s 100 pounds lighter and his blood sugar levels are normal. His journey hasn’t been a straight shot (a budding pepperoni habit recently tripped him up a bit), and he’s still adding new, healthy habits into the lifestyle he enjoys. He’s learned that change is a process, not an event, and that change doesn’t happen overnight! Before the diagnosis of diabetes, Russ described himself as a man who was “living the dream”. He ate whatever he wanted and remarkably, all of his labs were normal. When results from labs drawn for a physical at work confirmed diabetes, he felt like he had been handed a ‘death sentence’. Russ states, “I really had no idea what to do. I needed help and information and I got all of that in the diabetes classes offered at the YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Center in Prescott Valley”. Gathering information is an important first step anyone can take toward gaining a sense of empowerment and control in managing a disease like diabetes. However, information alone often fails to sustain healthy habits. Likewise, fear of complications from a disease might initially trigger a desire for change, but fear fades as time goes by, making room for old habits to return. Debbie Peterson knows all about the challenges surrounding lifestyle change. As a Professional Certified Life Coach (PCLC), DBA Coaching Clarity by Definition, she works with people who are looking for support in creating new habits. Debbie states, “The emotions and attitudes we have, as well as the value we place in changing lifestyle habits all predict our success”. She defines attitude as an emotional tie to beliefs about ourselves (and others) and emphasizes the big role that feelings and emotions play in making lifestyle changes that stick. Developing awareness of the feelings you have about making specific lifestyle changes can help clarify what motivates you to adopt new habits, as well as what holds you back! Practitioners of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client/patient-centered counseling approach that helps people find their own motivation for change, view the conflicting feelings we often have about change as rich sources of useful information that can actually help people move forward. After all, while there are usually very good reasons to adopt a healthier diet, to drink more water, or begin a regular exercise routine, there are also good reasons to maintain the status quo! With any change in life, there are things to gain, but also things to lose, like comfortable routines and familiar ways of being with yourself and others. Simply writing down the pros and cons of adopting a new habit can help you honestly assess and come to terms with the up- and downside of change. Russ was fortunate to see mostly the upside of a new diet, weight loss and good blood sugar control. He wanted to keep working to support himself and his family, and he didn’t want anything to interfere with a big love in his life – travelling the country on his motorcycle. However, he did struggle with feelings about missing favorite foods and the comfortable habits he shared with others in his life. Making compromises and setting realistic goals has helped Russ maintain his (mostly) healthy diet. Debbie Peterson emphasizes the importance of being honest with yourself about change. “Having unreal expectations will foster feelings of disappointment that can sabotage your efforts and lend a hand to failure. Even though disappointment is nothing more than a feeling, we tend to experience that feeling when we buy into the anxiety of wrestling with our comfort zone”. She adds, “Keep your expectations real for each habit change. Most of the time we know what’s right, but choose what’s easy”. The power to make our own decisions and be the primary movers in our own lives lies at the heart of most successful lifestyle changes. By gathering information, honestly assessing the pros and cons of new habits, and being realistic about expectations (remember, nobody is perfect), we can dramatically increase our chances of creating healthy, lifelong habits!
3D Tomosynthesis Mammography Units Added to YRMC Imaging Sites
Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) introduced two additional 3D Tomosynthesis mammography units to their imaging sites in March, bringing the total to three in the YRMC network. The evidence is clear that Tomosynthesis—3D mammography—is a more precise screening for breast cancer for certain women. According to Kathleen Hoffer, Imaging Operations Manager for the BreastCare Center at YRMC, “3D mammography is becoming the standard, especially for women with dense breast tissue, and we want to make it available throughout the community. This is why we placed a new Tomosynthesis unit at Prescott Medical Imaging in Prescott and an additional unit at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley.” Research confirms that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer afflicting women in America, so detecting it is a high priority. The standard 2D mammogram creates a 2-dimensional image of the breast with two x-ray images of each breast. The 3-dimensional mammogram adds an additional view that allows breast tissue to be evaluated in greater detail with no significant increase to the radiation dose. The 3D mammogram is particularly important for women with dense breast tissue. Younger women often have denser breast tissue than older women do and will benefit even more from a 3D mammogram because of its increased accuracy rate. It also has less false positives and much lower call back rates, so a 3D mammogram is overall more accurate than a standard 2D mammogram. “When someone gets a call back and has to return for additional screening, it is very anxiety-provoking for the patient and their loved ones”, states Radiologist Brent Johnson, MD. “This is another reason 3D mammograms are better for the patient. If there is a 15 percent chance of being called back—using conventional 2D mammograms—some women may decide to avoid mammograms all together, which increases the chance of a breast cancer being missed entirely. It is very sad when I see advanced cancers that could have easily been detected much sooner simply by having a timely mammogram.” When a woman is screened with a 3D mammogram, the call back rate decreases by half from 15 percent to about 7 or 8 percent, which significantly reduces the need for additional testing and associated anxiety. Dr. Johnson states, “The extra cost of a 3D mammogram is mitigated by not having to do as many ultrasounds or extra views, a breast MRI or biopsy. Those extra tests are not only more expensive in the long run for patients, but often can ultimately increase radiation exposure compared to starting with a 3D mammogram.” Kathleen Hoffer adds, “3D mammograms are performed based on provider or radiologist recommendation. Patients who are aware that they have dense breast tissue should insist on a 3D mammogram.” Many insurance providers, including Medicare, have now opted to cover Tomosynthesis screenings, because it is actually less expensive in the long run, making the 3D mammogram better for patients in terms of cost. Some patients opt to pay the additional cost not covered by insurance simply for their peace of mind, knowing they are getting the most state-of-the-art mammogram. If you would like to have a 3D mammogram at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley or in Prescott at Prescott Medical Imaging, please speak to your primary care provider or call (928) 771-7577 for Prescott Medical Imaging or (928) 442-8900 for the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley.
Prescott Area Youth Hit the Biking Trails this Summer with Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance
We’ve all seen the reports: the Prescott area is frequently rated one of the best places in the country to live. One of the foremost reasons is that our region is an ideal destination for outdoor recreation and leisure activities due to the near-perfect climate and clean air. The hiking and biking trails are nationally acclaimed. But how do we get our local youth connected to what our environment has to offer? That’s the question raised by the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance (PMBA), a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Since 2010, the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance has been dedicated to planning and building trails, as well as developing recreational riding opportunities for the citizens of Prescott. This year, the alliance is kicking off a prescott summer youth program to engage Prescott area youth in the fun and rewarding sport of mountain biking. The program will also offer our youth community service engagement opportunities. When asked why this engagement is critical, Brent Roberts, President of PMBA, offers a two-fold response, “There’s a superficial answer in that we want to give kids something to do that’s healthy, fun and offers group cohesiveness and a social outlet. But the deeper goal is that experiential programs that get kids doing things outdoors are critical for long-term mental health and well-being. We want kids to challenge themselves; to realize that they have more capability than they originally thought.” Throughout the summer, PMBA will offer weekly mountain bike rides, skills clinics and bike repair workshops, all organized around age and ability and led by trained and experienced coaches and instructors. The program is free of charge to all area youth. “When we wrote the grant for the program, we wondered if we were going to be able to raise the needed matching funds,” says Roberts. However, members of PMBA were pleasantly surprised. “It was amazing to see how much enthusiasm there was for this project. People responded so quickly and organizations were eager to support us. It was gratifying to see that our community was ready for a summer youth program like this.” Yavapai Regional Medical Center is among the PMBA Summer Youth Program supporters. “The Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance Summer Youth Program dovetails perfectly with Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Mission,” says Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications at YRMC. “As the community’s not-for-profit healthcare provider, healing is only one aspect of what we do. YRMC also promotes health education, preventive medicine and ways to encourage a healthy lifestyle for all ages. We’re proud to be involved in a program that offers kids, sometimes for the first time, a love for getting outdoors and exercising.” The weekly rides, skills clinics and bike workshops will take place Wednesday and Thursday mornings, beginning June 6th. In addition, kids and their families have an opportunity to participate in trail stewardship, where they work with a team to maintain local trails. “This gives our youth a first-hand glimpse at what it takes for a public asset like a trail system to stay in shape,” says Roberts. “They’ll see that the privilege of using public lands goes hand-in-hand with a responsibility to be stewards of those assets and to commit time and energy to maintain them.” Roberts insists that the adults involved will get as much, or more, from working with the youth. “It’s such a positive experience for the leaders, instructors and even the parents,” he says. “Some of these kids begin programs like this feeling like they don’t have anything going for them. To watch them let go of that negative self-talk and connect with a new identity and a skill they never knew they were capable of… it’s incredibly rewarding.” For more information about PMBA and the Summer Youth Program, contact Brent Roberts at (928) 713-9825 or visit prescottmtb.com.
New Design and Enhanced Navigation Features Introduced to YRMC’s Patient Portal, YRMC CareConnect
Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and YRMC PhysicianCare patients will find a fresh new design featuring improved navigation the next time they log-on to YRMC’s on-line patient portal, YRMC CareConnect. “We want our patients to have the best experience possible when accessing their confidential medical records through our on-line patient portal,” states Dee Betts, Director of Health Information Management at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “Based on feedback from our patients, we redesigned the home page to give it a fresher look and we re-engineered the way our patients navigate through the site to make it easier for them to find the information they need.” Access to YRMC CareConnect is provided free of charge to patients of Yavapai Regional Medical Center, YRMC PhysicianCare, Prescott Medical Imaging and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging. Patients can subscribe to YRMC CareConnect when registering for services at an YRMC facility, when visiting their YRMC PhysicianCare provider, or by contacting YRMC’s Health Information Management Department. When using YRMC CareConnect, patients have access to their personal health profile, laboratory results, radiology studies, medication lists, patient education resources and a comprehensive library of healthcare information. “In today’s high-tech world, people expect to have access to their health information through their preferred device, be it a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone,” states Betts. “With YRMC CareConnect, they do.” For more information contact YRMC Health Information Management at (928) 771-5657 or call YRMC’s general switchboard at (928) 445-2700 and ask for Health Information Management.
First WATCHMAN Procedure at YRMC’s James Family Heart Center
The James Family Heart Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has reached another significant medical milestone with the introduction of the left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure, better known as the “WATCHMAN™.” “The launch of this new service is another excellent example of why the community can be proud to have this state-of-the-art Heart Center right here at home,” said Pierre Tibi, MD, Medical Director of The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. “ The WATCHMAN™ is performed in YRMC’s hybrid operating suite – regarded as among the finest in the nation – by either Soundos K. Moualla, MD, YRMC Structural and Interventional Cardiologist, or Nisha Tung-Takher, MD, YRMC Cardiac Electrophysiologist. Who is eligible for the WATCHMAN™? The procedure is designed for people with Afib (atrial fibrillation) that’s not related to a heart valve problem as well as people who don’t respond well to blood thinners. Afib affects the heart’s ability to pump blood normally. It can cause blood to pool in the left atrial appendage and form a clot. A permanent heart implant, the WATCHMAN™, reduces the risk of blood clots originating in the left atrial appendage. “These blood clots can escape from the left atrial appendage, enter the bloodstream and cause a stroke,” said Gwen Rhodes, RN, YRMC Patient Navigator. “Many stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the left atrial appendage. That’s why closing off this part of the heart is recommended for some people as a way to reduce their risk of stroke.” Specially trained physicians like Drs. Moualla and Tung-Takher use computer guidance to implant the WATCHMAN™ device, which is about the size of a quarter. After making a small incision in the upper leg, these physicians insert a narrow tube, similar to a standard stent procedure, and guide the WATCHMAN™ into the left atrial appendage. The WATCHMAN™ device closes off that part of the heart to stop blood clots from escaping. Visit YRMC’s website for more information about the WATCHMAN™ and other YRMC James Family Heart Center services.
3D Tomosynthesis Mammography Units Added to YRMC Imaging Sites
Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) introduced two additional 3D Tomosynthesis mammography units to their imaging sites in March, bringing the total to three in the YRMC network. The evidence is clear that Tomosynthesis—3D mammography—is a more precise screening for breast cancer for certain women. According to Kathleen Hoffer, Imaging Operations Manager for the BreastCare Center at YRMC, “3D mammography is becoming the standard, especially for women with dense breast tissue, and we want to make it available throughout the community. This is why we placed a new Tomosynthesis unit at Prescott Medical Imaging in Prescott and an additional unit at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley.” Research confirms that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer afflicting women in America, so detecting it is a high priority. The standard 2D mammogram creates a 2-dimensional image of the breast with two x-ray images of each breast. The 3-dimensional mammogram adds an additional view that allows breast tissue to be evaluated in greater detail with no significant increase to the radiation dose. The 3D mammogram is particularly important for women with dense breast tissue. Younger women often have denser breast tissue than older women do and will benefit even more from a 3D mammogram because of its increased accuracy rate. It also has less false positives and much lower call back rates, so a 3D mammogram is overall more accurate than a standard 2D mammogram. “When someone gets a call back and has to return for additional screening, it is very anxiety-provoking for the patient and their loved ones”, states Radiologist Brent Johnson, MD. “This is another reason 3D mammograms are better for the patient. If there is a 15 percent chance of being called back—using conventional 2D mammograms—some women may decide to avoid mammograms all together, which increases the chance of a breast cancer being missed entirely. It is very sad when I see advanced cancers that could have easily been detected much sooner simply by having a timely mammogram.” When a woman is screened with a 3D mammogram, the call back rate decreases by half from 15 percent to about 7 or 8 percent, which significantly reduces the need for additional testing and associated anxiety. Dr. Johnson states, “The extra cost of a 3D mammogram is mitigated by not having to do as many ultrasounds or extra views, a breast MRI or biopsy. Those extra tests are not only more expensive in the long run for patients, but often can ultimately increase radiation exposure compared to starting with a 3D mammogram.” Kathleen Hoffer adds, “3D mammograms are performed based on provider or radiologist recommendation. Patients who are aware that they have dense breast tissue should insist on a 3D mammogram.” Many insurance providers, including Medicare, have now opted to cover Tomosynthesis screenings, because it is actually less expensive in the long run, making the 3D mammogram better for patients in terms of cost. Some patients opt to pay the additional cost not covered by insurance simply for their peace of mind, knowing they are getting the most state-of-the-art mammogram. If you would like to have a 3D mammogram at the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley or in Prescott at Prescott Medical Imaging, please speak to your primary care provider or call (928) 771-7577 for Prescott Medical Imaging or (928) 442-8900 for the BreastCare Center in Prescott Valley.
3-D Digital Breast Imaging: Convenient Access for You!
Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) now offers breast tomosynthesis – also called 3-D digital breast imaging – as part of their mammography screening services. PMI joins the BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott Valley – which has two 3-D digital imaging units – to make the service conveniently available throughout the community. “Our goal is to ensure women have 3-D digital breast imaging available when they need it and where they need it,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at YRMC. “This is about convenience and peace of mind for our patients.” In addition to the most advanced 3-D digital breast imaging, women also have available an exceptional team of radiologists and breast imaging technologists at these locations: Prescott Prescott Medical Imaging 810 Whipple Street (928) 771-7577 Prescott Valley The BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center 7700 East Florentine Road (928) 445-2700 This additional availability of 3-D digital breast imaging will be particularly good news for the 43 percent of women ages 40 to 74 years old who are classified as having dense breast tissue. On a mammogram, dense breast tissue appears white as do breast masses or tumors. This means dense tissue can sometimes mask tumors. “Breast tomosynthesis technology allows our radiologists to see dense breast tissue better because it collects the images in slices, unlike traditional mammography,” explained Sterling. The 3-D digital technology can prevent women with dense breast tissue from undergoing several imaging studies, giving them information faster. Even more important, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2016, adding 3-D digital breast imaging can help physicians better detect cancers in dense breast tissue. To learn more about 3-D digital breast imaging, women should speak to their doctor. To schedule 3-D digital breast imaging or other imaging services, contact PMI at (928) 771-7577 or the BreastCare Center at YRMC at (928) 445-2700.
First WATCHMAN Procedure at YRMC’s James Family Heart Center
The James Family Heart Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has reached another significant medical milestone with the introduction of the left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure, better known as the “WATCHMAN™.” “The launch of this new service is another excellent example of why the community can be proud to have this state-of-the-art Heart Center right here at home,” said Pierre Tibi, MD, Medical Director of The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. “ The WATCHMAN™ is performed in YRMC’s hybrid operating suite – regarded as among the finest in the nation – by either Soundos K. Moualla, MD, YRMC Structural and Interventional Cardiologist, or Nisha Tung-Takher, MD, YRMC Cardiac Electrophysiologist. Who is eligible for the WATCHMAN™? The procedure is designed for people with Afib (atrial fibrillation) that’s not related to a heart valve problem as well as people who don’t respond well to blood thinners. Afib affects the heart’s ability to pump blood normally. It can cause blood to pool in the left atrial appendage and form a clot. A permanent heart implant, the WATCHMAN™, reduces the risk of blood clots originating in the left atrial appendage. “These blood clots can escape from the left atrial appendage, enter the bloodstream and cause a stroke,” said Gwen Rhodes, RN, YRMC Patient Navigator. “Many stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the left atrial appendage. That’s why closing off this part of the heart is recommended for some people as a way to reduce their risk of stroke.” Specially trained physicians like Drs. Moualla and Tung-Takher use computer guidance to implant the WATCHMAN™ device, which is about the size of a quarter. After making a small incision in the upper leg, these physicians insert a narrow tube, similar to a standard stent procedure, and guide the WATCHMAN™ into the left atrial appendage. The WATCHMAN™ device closes off that part of the heart to stop blood clots from escaping. Visit YRMC’s website for more information about the WATCHMAN™ and other YRMC James Family Heart Center services.
To Boost Health and Wellness, Sit Less and Stand More!
Boosting health and wellness can be as easy as sitting less and standing more! Numerous studies prove that taking short breaks throughout the day to stand (or move around a bit) improves health and wellness in previously unimagined ways. Standing and/or engaging in frequent light activity (like walking around your office, standing while talking on the phone, or even just doing chores) improves mood and energy, sharpens mental focus, controls appetite, and dramatically improves blood sugar control. In fact, standing or moving for five minutes every hour may be just as important as a weekly exercise routine for reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Research Links Standing with Better Mood, Concentration, and Appetite Control Anyone with a desk job knows that prolonged sitting leads to stiff and painful hips and knees! However, sitting too much also reduces your ability to concentrate, and can increase mental stress. A study at the University of Colorado found that people who took frequent 5-10 minute standing or walking breaks during a six-hour workday enjoyed improved feelings of alertness and wellbeing, lower stress levels, and even reduced appetite compared to those who sat at their desks for most of the day. Remarkably, for most participants in the study, those regular breaks produced better results than starting the day with a brisk, 30-minute walk. Sitting also contributes to boredom and fatigue, which commonly triggers a search for snacks! Researchers theorize that low energy states, like boredom, trigger your brain to tell you to do something to improve your mood. Eating, even if you are not hungry, does help improve energy and concentration for a short period of time. However, simple, light activity produces the same results, with no added calories! Sitting Less Improves Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure and Risk of Chronic Disease One of the largest studies to examine the links between sitting and health is the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study. Researchers followed more than 11,000 adults without diabetes and compared the time people spent each day watching television with a number of health markers. As might be expected, glucose and insulin levels, blood pressure, and waist measurements increased with every extra hour people spent watching TV. Researchers were surprised, however, when they discovered that regular, moderate exercise (at least 150 minutes a week) did not improve the health of anyone who spent more than a few hours each day watching television. In other words, thirty minutes or more of concentrated exercise most days of the week did not ameliorate the negative health effects of sitting too much. Other studies show that taking a walk, or simply standing after meals (even just to do the dishes), can significantly lower post-meal blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. In addition, and perhaps most intriguingly, long-term studies also find a decreased risk of death from any cause (including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), in people who simply sit less during the day and move more. Standing Burns More Fat and Calories! How does standing more and sitting less improve health? Scientists aren’t exactly sure, but it might have something to do with our ability to use fat as fuel. Muscles that are important for postural support (standing) are quite good at siphoning off fat that is circulating in the bloodstream (as triglycerides and cholesterol), and using it for energy. When we sit too much, those muscles lose some of their ability to use circulating fat for fuel. This could contribute to some of the symptoms of pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome, including high triglycerides, increased waist circumference and insulin resistance. When we stand or engage in light activity, we also burn more calories. In fact, most people can burn 500-800 additional calories by standing at work; engaging in ‘walking meetings’; taking regular movement breaks; and just not sitting more than a total of six hours a day! Burning more calories helps us achieve a healthier weight, which lowers the risk for many chronic diseases. Tools to Create New Habits Once you get into the habit, it’s easy to cut back on daily chair time. Numerous online tools are available to remind you to take a break from sitting. Check out Apple’s Stand Up – The Work Break Timer or Google Chrome’s Office Fit for just a few useful apps you can use at work or home. There are also many options out there for converting your work area into a sit/stand/or walk environment. Encourage walking meetings at work, and stand up while working whenever possible. Even walking to talk to someone in your office instead of calling or sending an email will get you out of your chair more often. If you are into playing video games at home, try some of the active options on the Nintendo Wii. Get off the couch during television ads to do chores or walk in place for a while. Even better, watch a lot less TV! Just sit less and stand more. You’ll feel better when you do!
Prescott Area Youth Hit the Biking Trails this Summer with Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance
We’ve all seen the reports: the Prescott area is frequently rated one of the best places in the country to live. One of the foremost reasons is that our region is an ideal destination for outdoor recreation and leisure activities due to the near-perfect climate and clean air. The hiking and biking trails are nationally acclaimed. But how do we get our local youth connected to what our environment has to offer? That’s the question raised by the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance (PMBA), a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Since 2010, the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance has been dedicated to planning and building trails, as well as developing recreational riding opportunities for the citizens of Prescott. This year, the alliance is kicking off a prescott summer youth program to engage Prescott area youth in the fun and rewarding sport of mountain biking. The program will also offer our youth community service engagement opportunities. When asked why this engagement is critical, Brent Roberts, President of PMBA, offers a two-fold response, “There’s a superficial answer in that we want to give kids something to do that’s healthy, fun and offers group cohesiveness and a social outlet. But the deeper goal is that experiential programs that get kids doing things outdoors are critical for long-term mental health and well-being. We want kids to challenge themselves; to realize that they have more capability than they originally thought.” Throughout the summer, PMBA will offer weekly mountain bike rides, skills clinics and bike repair workshops, all organized around age and ability and led by trained and experienced coaches and instructors. The program is free of charge to all area youth. “When we wrote the grant for the program, we wondered if we were going to be able to raise the needed matching funds,” says Roberts. However, members of PMBA were pleasantly surprised. “It was amazing to see how much enthusiasm there was for this project. People responded so quickly and organizations were eager to support us. It was gratifying to see that our community was ready for a summer youth program like this.” Yavapai Regional Medical Center is among the PMBA Summer Youth Program supporters. “The Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance Summer Youth Program dovetails perfectly with Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Mission,” says Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications at YRMC. “As the community’s not-for-profit healthcare provider, healing is only one aspect of what we do. YRMC also promotes health education, preventive medicine and ways to encourage a healthy lifestyle for all ages. We’re proud to be involved in a program that offers kids, sometimes for the first time, a love for getting outdoors and exercising.” The weekly rides, skills clinics and bike workshops will take place Wednesday and Thursday mornings, beginning June 6th. In addition, kids and their families have an opportunity to participate in trail stewardship, where they work with a team to maintain local trails. “This gives our youth a first-hand glimpse at what it takes for a public asset like a trail system to stay in shape,” says Roberts. “They’ll see that the privilege of using public lands goes hand-in-hand with a responsibility to be stewards of those assets and to commit time and energy to maintain them.” Roberts insists that the adults involved will get as much, or more, from working with the youth. “It’s such a positive experience for the leaders, instructors and even the parents,” he says. “Some of these kids begin programs like this feeling like they don’t have anything going for them. To watch them let go of that negative self-talk and connect with a new identity and a skill they never knew they were capable of… it’s incredibly rewarding.” For more information about PMBA and the Summer Youth Program, contact Brent Roberts at (928) 713-9825 or visit prescottmtb.com.
Crawfest 2018 Raises $30,000 to Keep Kids Healthy
Good friends, great food and good times were the order of the day as more than 300 gathered to raise more than $30,000 to promote children’s health. Sponsored by Dr. Peter Tibi and Yavapai Cardiac Surgery, the 6th Annual Crawfest was held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Holiday Gardens Courtyard in downtown Prescott. Tibi, together with his friend and co-worker, Mississippi-born Jared Head, served up a spicy Cajun menu of crawfish, jambalaya, outrageous desserts and refreshing libations. Mixed with the fabulous sounds of Mother Road Trio and the Alter Ego Band, you felt like you were in The Big Easy. “We couldn’t do this alone. We had great support from our many friends and our corporate sponsors,” said Tibi. Crawfest event sponsors included: Air Methods/Native Air; Boyle, Pecharich, Cline, Whittington & Stallings, P.L.L.C.; Northern Arizona Hospitalists; Prescott Anesthesia Associates P.L.L.C.; Voya Financial; Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo Securities and Yavapai Pathology Associates. Funds raised benefit Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC) “Partners for Healthy Students” program. Founded in 1999, Partners for Healthy Students provides primary, preventive, vision, and other healthcare services to school children and their siblings throughout YRMC’s service area. Services are provided at no cost to those with little or no insurance or the ability to pay. “The impact of our program touches our entire community. We keep children healthy and in the classroom attentive and learning. We keep moms and dads at work. And in the end, healthy, loving families and a reliable workforce are two vital components of strong and vibrant communities,” said Program Director, Amy Negovan. To learn more about YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program, contact the YRMC Foundation by calling (928) 771–5169.
YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride
If you’ve spent any time at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, you’ve probably heard the sound of a hand bell throughout the halls twice a day. The bell heralds the arrival of the snack cart, and the ringer is a member of the snack cart volunteer team, serving hot coffee, juices, fruit, yogurt and other goodies to visitors and staff at the hospital. On any given morning, you might be served by YRMC volunteers John Peters and Richard McBride. The duo often resembles a comedy team more than hospital volunteers. Employees and visitors who purchase snacks from the cart can’t help but join in the banter and good-natured teasing. But don’t let the lightheartedness fool you. They take their job very seriously. “A big philosophy we have is that we go the extra mile,” says Peters, “Let’s say that you have a nurse caring for a patient in one of the rooms in ICU. I know one nurse in particular who always wants a bag of cheddar popcorn and a string cheese. I’ll get her badge from her, ring it up and take it back there to her station.” Peters and McBride are particularly proud of their dedication. “Our record for uninterrupted service is 79 weeks without missing a day,” says Peters. A snowstorm prevented the volunteers from coming in on the 80th day. When asked why this dedication is so important, Peters responds, ”I really can’t explain it. I’m sure it’s this way for all the other volunteers. It’s just a sense of good feeling that you’re providing a service.” Peters describes the camaraderie and friendship as an added bonus to volunteering at YRMC, including getting to know the staff and fellow volunteers, learning about their families, grandchildren and travels. As McBride picks up the hand bell and starts down the hall to ring their arrival, Peters sums it up this way, “Volunteering is a wonderful experience. Period. It’s the only way to explain it.” The YRMC Volunteer Services Department welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the snack cart as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information, call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678
Volunteer Spotlight: Don Packard, PAWS Pet Therapy Program
Anyone who owns a dog or other pet knows the calming effect they can have. When we pet our animal friends, stress and worry often seem to melt away. Scientific studies have now proven this to be true. Pets can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. In addition, petting an animal can release endorphins that have a calming effect and can enhance healing. In keeping with our Vision of treating the whole patient — body, mind and spirit — Yavapai Regional Medical Center offers visits from specially trained therapy animals through the Pets Are Warm Support (PAWS) program. YRMC accepts dogs who are certified through Pet Partners, a national organization that evaluates and tests all animals to ensure that their health, skills and aptitude meet rigorous standards. Visits from PAWS pets can reduce boredom, increase socialization and communication, and provide comfort, especially for those patients who are missing their own pets at home. PAWS program volunteer Don Packard brings Sailor, his beautiful Australian Shepherd, to YRMC every Tuesday. “Of course I’m giving back, but there’s more to it than that,” says Packard, “It gives me satisfaction seeing these folks who don’t get to see dogs. It does their heart good, and it does mine too.” Patients aren’t the only people who enjoy the therapy pets at YRMC. The staff looks forward to their regularly scheduled visits as well. “He’s a therapy dog for everybody,” says Packard, “The staff really likes him too. He’s well known. ‘It’s Tuesday and Sailor’s here!’ That’s what they say.” You can take a preliminary quiz to see if your dog may have the right temperament to be a therapy dog at petpartners.org. If you’re a patient at YRMC and would like to arrange a PAWS visit, check with your caregiver first, then call Volunteer Services. In Prescott, the phone number is (928) 771-5678. In Prescott Valley, call (928) 442-8678. YRMC Volunteer Services welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the PAWS program as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678
YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Videos Now at One Convenient Location
Patient Blood Management is a widely respected and widely practiced approach to patient care, particularly before, during and after surgical procedures. It emphasizes safe and effective medical and surgical techniques, which are designed to prevent anemia, decrease bleeding and improve the outcome of your procedure. Since 2012, Yavapai Regional Medical Center has practiced Patient Blood Management, reducing the need for blood transfusions, which can carry inherent risks. Learn more about Patient Blood Management and how it is being used at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. It’s important to make decisions now, prior to a scheduled or unexpected surgical procedure. Visit yrmchealthconnect.org/pbm to learn more.
Conserving Your Blood for Faster Recovery, Better Results
Pioneers … innovators … leaders, these words describe the medical professionals who introduced Patient Blood Management (PBM) to Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) as well as to healthcare organizations throughout the world. Why is PBM important to our community? First, YRMC sponsors Arizona’s only PBM program. Its goal is to prevent unnecessary blood transfusions by applying scientific and safe medical-surgical techniques. These techniques decrease bleeding, prevent anemia and speed recovery for patients. PBM Experts Gather PBM proponents from YRMC and organizations around the globe gathered recently for the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM) Annual Conference. SABM is a growing, international society dedicated to improving patient health through blood management. SABM’s Annual Conference focused on how PBM programs are improving patient outcomes by taking steps that reduce exposure to the risks associated with blood transfusions. YRMC Leads in PBM I was proud that my YRMC colleague, Jared Head, AGACNP-BC, Hospitalist, presented an excellent example of this to SABM Annual Conference attendees. He spoke about harnessing a substance produced by the kidneys to promote the production of red blood cells. This substance is preventing blood transfusions in YRMC’s open heart surgery patients. YRMC is also part of SABM’s leadership. Pierre Tibi, MD – Medical Director of YRMC’s James Family Heart Center and the hospital’s PBM Program – serves as the President of SABM. Additionally, during the SABM Annual Conference, I took the SABM certification exam. This one-day course and exam gave me the information and tools needed for best practices in the field of PBM. It reinforced for me that PBM improves patient outcomes and shortens the amount of time people spend in the hospital. YRMC Puts PBM into Practice Here are a few ways YRMC’s PBM program helps patients by reducing unnecessary transfusions: Administering iron therapy as well as Vitamins B6, B12, K and Folic Acid to people in outpatient settings. Using blood-conserving techniques and medications to promote healthy clotting before and during surgery. Decreasing patient blood loss through fewer blood draws and taking smaller amounts of blood during draws. I’m proud that YRMC is a Hospital Affiliate of SABM. I’m even prouder that as PBM pioneers, we are offering our patients the latest and best medical care. To learn more about PBM, email Dale Black, YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Program Coordinator. By Selina Bliss, RN, RN-BC Yavapai Regional Medical Center Professional Development Council Patient Blood Management Program and President of the Arizona Nurses Association
Prescott Radiologists Welcomes Peter Mamalakis, MD
Prescott Radiologists has hired a musculoskeletal radiologist with specialty expertise in diagnosing diseases and abnormalities of bones and joints based on images from MRI, CT scan, x-ray and ultrasound. Dr. Mamalakis was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is one of 12 children born to parents of Greek origin. He has quite varied experiences including studying Genetics at the University of Wisconsin, teaching for an adult education firm in North Carolina, and working in Internet Technology and Business Engineering. He ultimately decided Medicine was a better fit for him because, as he shared “I realized that in medicine, it would always be a challenge and I would always have to learn.” Dr. Mamalakis earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He completed his residency training in Diagnostic Radiology at Rochester General Hospital. Dr. Mamalakis said, “One of the best ways to keep me engaged is to give me the biggest, most complicated puzzle and then just let me see if I can figure out what the answer is.” Radiology is a great fit in terms of figuring out puzzles. He decided to do his musculoskeletal fellowship because, according to Dr. Mamalakis, “It offers hands-on interaction with patients as well as the challenge and focus it takes to read MRI, which can be extremely detailed and extremely sensitive. So it is a nice balance for me.” He completed his fellowship at VCU-MCV in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Mamalakis has over five years of specialty imaging experience in Maryland and Arizona and is a member of the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America. Arizona suits his interests well, as in his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, swimming and skiing. He loves national parks and has hiked the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon. “I highly recommend hiking Bryce Canyon in the winter time,” he said. He also likes to read, shoot pool and play darts. This board certified musculoskeletal radiologist is the only specialist in this field in the Quad Cities area, and Prescott Radiologists, YRMC, and the community are very fortunate to have this doctor with this remarkable skill set.
Chemoembolization: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Treating Cancer
As vascular specialists, interventional radiologists target specific illnesses and diseases by using image guidance and small devices, which they guide through blood vessels to reach a part of the body that requires treatment. One such treatment is chemoembolization, a minimally invasive procedure that can shrink or even destroy cancerous liver tumors. “Data from published studies on the procedure show that it is effective in up to 70 percent of patients in preventing disease progression,” said Ben Paxton, MD, Interventional Radiologist, Prescott. Liver cancer can be a primary or a secondary cancer. If it is a primary cancer, the cancer tumor originates in the liver. This type of cancer is typically associated with liver cirrhosis or from Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection. If it is a secondary cancer, tumor cells have metastasized—spread—from other organs in the body. Patients with other types of cancer are at risk for developing liver cancer since the liver acts as a holding area for circulating cancer cells. While surgery still offers the best chance of a cure, it may not be possible for as many as two-thirds of primary liver cancer patients and as many as 90 percent of those with secondary liver cancer. “Chemoembolization is a minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer that can be used when there is too much tumor to treat with surgical approaches,” said Dr. Paxton. This type of treatment attacks the cancerous tumor from inside the body, while keeping the surrounding tissues and organs healthy. This is different from systemic chemotherapy that attacks the entire body as well as the cancerous tumor. Chemoembolization delivers a high dose of chemotherapy directly into the organ while blocking, or embolizing, the arteries that supply the tumor with blood and nutrients. Embolizing the arteries that feed the tumor can help to shrink or destroy the tumor. Chemoembolization can be used in combination with systemic chemotherapy, radiation and radiofrequency ablation treatments. These other treatments can be used to treat cancer in other parts of the body while doctors can “utilize chemoembolization to control the cancer in the liver,” according to Iyad Hamarneh, MD, Oncologist, Arizona Oncology Associates in Prescott Valley. An example is a patient who has colon cancer that has spread to the liver. This patient has already undergone surgery and chemotherapy. “Chemoembolization provides another, less invasive option to control their disease that has less morbidity and less mortality and potentially could help control the cancer,” said Dr. Hamarneh. Dr. Hamarneh believes it is important that our community is able to provide top-notch cancer treatment because the financial burden of cancer and the time it takes to treat cancer can be considerable. “It is important to give these patients as normal a quality of life as possible and receiving treatment close to home is an important part of this process,” Dr. Hamarneh said. Dr. Paxton agrees. “It is important to provide this treatment locally in our community so that people don’t have to travel to receive it. They can spend more time in the comfort of their homes and with their families, and more time with their local doctors.” Dr. Paxton’s partner, Interventional Radiologist Matthew Dicker, MD, said, “We work closely with oncologists and their patients to provide minimally invasive options to diagnose and treat or aid in the treatment of cancers.” Dr. Hamarneh looks forward to working more closely with the interventional radiologists who perform chemoembolization in the quad-cities area and indicates that it is absolutely great and important that we can provide these options to our patients here locally. “The decision to perform chemoembolization is a complex one that requires close collaboration between the oncologist and interventional radiologist as it may not be the right choice for every patient with primary or secondary liver cancer,” said Dr. Hamarneh. For more information about chemoembolization, as well as image-guided biopsies, placing long-term IV access for chemotherapy, and other cancer treatment options that interventional radiologists perform, please contact Vascular and Interventional Specialists (VISP) at (928) 771-8477.
For Cardiovascular Health and Athletic Performance: A Vegetable That Can’t Be Beat!
Here’s a great health trivia question: What vegetable most effectively lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, and gives athletes a competitive edge? You might already know the answer – it’s beets! Research shows that some of the natural chemicals in beets lower cholesterol; improve oxygen delivery to muscles; and help blood vessels relax and expand (thus lowering blood pressure). That’s a lot of benefits – all packed into a humble root! Most folks carry strong opinions about beets – there are those who love them and those who don’t. Many people describe the taste of beets as rich, sweet, and earthy, while others pick up a strong hit of plain old dirt! Genetics might have something to do with our preferences for different foods – some of us can taste certain flavors more strongly than others. However, even if beets are not on your list of favorite foods, give this delicious pesto a try. Super Beet Pesto It’s made with earthy red beets, flavorful grated cheese, rich walnuts, pungent garlic, and bright lemon juice and it was a hit at this year’s YRMC Celebrate Life Expo, where it won over beet lovers and skeptics alike! Check out how easy it is to make fabulous beet pesto on this segment of AZTV’s Arizona Daily Mix. Beets are a good source of nitrate (a nutrient some vegetables absorb from the soil), and studies show that the high level of nitrate in beets and other vegetables (including leafy greens, cabbage, celery, parsley, dill, and leeks) can help blood vessels relax and stretch, thus lowering blood pressure. In fact, many scientists attribute much of the blood pressure-lowering effects of the famous DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) to the generous portions of nitrate-containing greens and other vegetables recommended in the plan. Our bodies convert some of the nitrate we get from vegetables into nitric oxide, a compound also naturally produced by healthy blood vessels. Nitric oxide relaxes and stretches blood vessels as the heart contracts and pushes blood throughout the body. Unfortunately, aging and chronic disease, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can impair the ability of blood vessels to make nitric oxide – leading to hypertension. Studies show that dietary nitrate, from nitrate-rich veggies, can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension by supplementing nitric oxide levels in the blood. Whole Red and Chiogga Beets The nitrate in beets can also give athletes a competitive edge. Studies demonstrate improved performance when athletes consume beet juice (up to 500 ml or 16 ounces) 2-3 hours before a competition. When the nitrates in beet juice are converted to nitric acid, athletes experience increased oxygen delivery to muscles, more efficient muscle performance and improved glucose metabolism as muscle cells use sugar for energy. Beets are also good for lowering cholesterol! This benefit seems to be related not to nitrate, but to the important phytochemicals that give beets their ruby-red color. Here’s a great video with Michael Greger, MD, founder of NutritionFacts.org. In this video, Dr. Greger shares research demonstrating the affinity certain vegetables have for grabbing onto bile. Bile is made from cholesterol and is a normal part of our digestive juices. Certain phytochemicals and soluble fibers in food bind with bile in the intestines and prevent bile from being reabsorbed, recycled and used again. This forces us to make new bile, which lowers cholesterol levels in our blood. Phytochemicals and fibers that bind bile may also reduce our risk of certain types of cancer. In a study comparing the bile-binding ability of 13 different veggies, beets take the lead! Sliced Red and Chiogga Beets It’s clear that some vegetables, like beets, are packed with phytochemical and other nutrients that protect us from illness and disease. For more recipes using beets, leafy greens, fresh herbs and other super-delicious and nutritious plant foods, check out Your Healthy Kitchen, YRMC’s online video cooking tutorials. You can also follow me on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where you’ll see what I am making at home, and get insider tips and recipes, and information on food- and gardening-related activities in the community!
Springtime Pesto: Your Healthy Kitchen
What do you do with all of those beautiful fresh herbs and baby greens popping up at the Prescott Farmers Market and backyard gardens? Rita Carey Rubin, host of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen suggests pesto! Rita recently visited AZTV’s Sandy and Friends with loads of greens like kale, arugula, cilantro and parsley. These super foods are packed with nutrients that fight cancer, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and help your liver work better to eliminate toxins. You may have heard of basil pesto, made with basil, nuts, olive oil and cheese, but Rita says delicious pesto can be made with many different types of herbs and greens. “Pesto is great with soups, grilled, roasted or steamed vegetables, potatoes, meat, chicken or fish, and of course, pasta,” Rita says, “And it’s easy! You simply blend your ingredients in a food processor and… viola!” In this video, Rita shows how easy it is to make Carrot Top Pesto. Click here to watch Springtime Pesto on YouTube. Here are some pesto recipes you can download: Carrot Top Pesto Aimee Novak’s Pesto Possibilities Lemon Barley Salad with Kale Pesto Your Healthy Kitchen is one of the many ways that Yavapai Regional Medical Center, your not-for-profit community healthcare provider, provides health education and support to the people of Yavapai County.