Happy New Year! While the events of 2020 might still be at the forefront of our minds, there’s hope with the COVID-19 vaccine around the corner. Please continue to exercise precautions as recommended by CDC: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. Our team is grateful that so many have been observing these guidelines and helping our community curb COVID-19 transmission.
For updates on when you will be eligible for the vaccine, Dr. V recommends that you follow updates from the Santa Clara County Health Department. Please be cautious in sharing personal health information with unofficial sources. If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to Adriana and Jessica at 408.502.6040.
Read on to learn more about Dr. V’s experience with the vaccine, strategies to cope with caution fatigue, and other tips to manage mental health in times of stress.
Welcome 2021 & COVID-19 Update
In this video, Dr. V shares his experience with the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine, its availability, and other important information.
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Monthly Health Observance
January is Thyroid Awareness Month. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that can be found at the base of your neck. It is responsible for a range of functions including regulation of your heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and weight. Possible thyroid issues include hypothyroidism (more common), hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer. Check out this National Institutes of Health article to gather more information and review symptoms of thyroid disorders. In your next Video Visit with Dr. V, take a moment to learn about this important health issue affecting over 1 in 20 people in the United States.
Book your appointment online today or call our office at 408.502.6040.
Carve out some time this month to spread awareness to your friends and family about thyroid health. Forward this newsletter to a person in your network.
Source: Thinking About Your Thyroid (National Institutes of Health)
New Year, New Recipes!
With the new year underway, it’s a good time to reassess your diet and consider these healthful recipes. Almonds and steel-cut oats are foods that are known to reduce stress and increase serotonin levels, respectively. Let us know these recipes help provide you with a boost. We’d love to hear from you!
Source: Special Diets – Stress Reducing Foods – Food & Wine
Active: 10 mins
Total: 30 mins
Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound roasted unsalted almonds with skin (1 1/2 cups)
- 1 quart skim milk
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- 2 bananas, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Directions
- Step 1: In a food processor, grind the almonds to a coarse powder. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon of the honey and the cardamom. Warm over moderate heat. Off the heat, cover and let stand for 20 minutes, then strain. Discard the solids.
- Step 2: In a medium nonstick skillet, warm the remaining 3 tablespoons of honey. Add the bananas and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Scrape into bowls, pour in the warm almond milk and serve with spoons.
Total: 15 mins
Yield: 6
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups steel-cut oats
- 6 cups water
- ¼ cup chopped salted roasted almonds
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- Brown sugar or pure maple syrup (for serving)
Directions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, boil the oats in the water for 1 minute. Cover and let stand overnight at room temperature.
- Step 2: The next day, uncover the oats and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the oatmeal is cooked and creamy but still a little bit chewy, about 10 minutes. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls. Top with the chopped almonds and dried cranberries and sweeten to taste with brown sugar or pure maple syrup.
Active: 1 hr
Total: 2 hrs
Yield: 8
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1 large hot red chile, seeded and minced
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2/3 cup dry white wine
- 2/3 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crème fraîche
- 1 large mango, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (2 cups)
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Tabasco
- Two 3-pound skinned rotisserie chickens—leg meat shredded,
- breast meat sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch of sugar
- 8 cups finely shredded Boston lettuce
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Directions
- Step 1: In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add the shallot and chile and cook over moderately low heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook over high heat until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and boil until reduced to 3 tablespoons. Add the stock and apricot jam and boil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 4 minutes. Transfer the curry dressing to a medium bowl and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, about 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk the mayonnaise and crème fraîche into the curry dressing. Fold in the mango, scallions, lemon juice and cilantro. Season with salt, pepper and Tabasco. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken leg meat with half of the dressing and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Step 3: In a small skillet, toast the almonds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden brown, 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, mix the oil with the lime juice, mustard and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded lettuce and toss well. Transfer to a platter. Arrange the leg meat over the lettuce and top with the sliced breast meat. Spoon the remaining curry dressing over the salad. Garnish with the toasted almond slices and the cilantro leaves and serve right away.
Source: Special Diets – Stress Reducing Foods – Food & Wine
In Case You Missed It
Each month, we provide you with the best, most current research and information on health topics that affect you. Read our latest blogs about current medical conditions that will keep you up to date and in the know!
Year-end reflections are a great practice to incorporate into your life. It becomes even more significant when the year is a turbulent one, like 2020. So take the time to hit the pause button, look back, and reflect on the year that was 2020 as we start the new year.
Strong mental health is not the absence of mental health problems. Rather, it is the ability to ride through the stress and hardships of life. The first step is to understand that it is normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed at times. There are several ways to take care of your mental health.
If you’re looking to buy gifts for your loved ones during the pandemic, take tips from this article by Dr. V where he discusses some safe, thoughtful, and useful gift options for your loved ones during the holiday season or otherwise.
A Special Thank you to M.T. for A Kind Yelp Review!
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My company offers Blue Cross Shield of Florida. It is very difficult to find any primary care physicians in the area as Blue Cross offers very poor doctor search tools. I didn’t have a primary care physician for 3 years and finally ended up in the hospital. I got a referral to Dr. V from the surgeon and I’m so glad I did. I finally have a primary care doctor that is easy to talk to, get appointments, prescriptions, and is amazingly caring and supportive. My care started during the start of the COVID pandemic and has all been online. Video appointments are easy (phone or PC) and I can now finally get the care I need. I recommend Dr Villivalam 5 stars and I’m really happy I have him as my doctor
We Wish You A Happy & Healthy 2021
“JANUARY, The first month of the year, A perfect time to start all over again, Changing energies and deserting old moods, New beginnings, new attitudes.”- Charmaine J. Forde
With the winter solstice behind us, we can look forward to increased daylight in the weeks ahead. It’s a good time of year to step outside and reconnect with nature by taking long walks. Check out Santa Clara County’s Park Finder if you’re looking for a new adventure. Remember to heed the 3 Ws as recommended by the CDC: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands.
As always, please reach out to our team with any questions.
Warmly,
Dr. V, Adriana, & Jessica
P.S. Don’t forget to share this newsletter with 3 friends, family, and co-workers. Spread the New Year Cheer by helping them achieve their health goals in 2021!
Dr. V and his staff would love to hear from you! Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Contact your primary care team by phone at 408.502.6040. Please note that any replies to this newsletter will not be forwarded to your primary care team in an effort to protect patient privacy.