With Spring here, we can look forward to longer days and warmer weather. It’s also another opportunity in the year after the New Year for reflection and renewal.
This Spring, I want to remind you to put your health first and pay close attention to it. Integrate healthy habits into your lifestyle and schedule your routine preventive health screenings to be at your healthiest and happiest best. So, what’s on your spring physical and mental cleaning to-do list? Take a few moments out of our schedule to figure out your very own spring cleaning plan. And don’t hesitate to reach out to us for consultation on improving your health anytime.
This Spring edition of Los Gatos Doc’s newsletter, learn more about improving your eating habits, what you should know about sepsis that can save lives, easy, light, tasty spring recipes, and more.
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Recreation Ideas
Campbell Summer Camp: Now is the time to start planning for your child’s summer! Camps are filling up fast! For more information or to register, visit here.
The 45th Annual Great Race, hosted by the Rotary Club of Los Gatos: Calling all runners for the 45th Annual Great Race, hosted by the Rotary Club of Los Gatos, on April 29th. It’s a fast, fun, and certified 4-mile race. Join now!
Take Care Of Your Kidneys
While most people don’t give their kidneys much thought, you might want to pay attention as they are important for your health. Kidneys remove waste products and extra fluids from your blood. Monitoring your kidney health helps you take preventive action that helps lower your risk of developing serious health conditions. As early kidney disease shows no symptoms, most people are unaware they are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The best way to know that your kidney is functioning well is to get tested. Urine and blood tests can tell you if you have kidney disease, and regular check-ups can tell if it is getting worse.
At Los Gatos Doc, we help develop a customized care plan for your kidneys based on your test reports. This plan includes lifestyle changes and managing your condition so you can slow the progression of the disease. So, don’t wait until you feel sick. Talk to us today about getting tested and improving your kidney health here: https://tinyurl.com/yckkm6t8
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIH (NIDDK)
![Kidney Month](https://www.losgatosdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LGD_KidneyMonth-300x169.jpeg)
In Case You Missed It / Reading Corner:
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!
Each year, serious problems like eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder affect many Americans. It’s difficult to identify eating disorders because there are so many factors to consider. Know how to spot the warning signs of potential eating orders and how to overcome them in our latest article. Read now.
Sepsis is an illness that spreads throughout your body. Any part of the body can become infected, and the infection will typically remain there. On rare occasions, the infection can spread to your body’s key organs and progress rapidly. Because your body cannot control the infection, organ failure, tissue damage, and even death may result. Sepsis is a dangerous condition that can sometimes be fatal. Read more about the condition in our latest blog.
Spring Recipes
Get in top shape and health for the spring season. Here are some delicious, creative, and diverse meals to make your heart happy.
![Spring Tabouli](https://www.losgatosdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LGD_SpringTabouli-150x150.png)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Salad
- 1 cup quinoa (dry)
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 bunch of asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups shelled fresh English peas ( available at Trader Joes) or substitute shelled edamame, radishes, cucumber, snow peas, or even spring greens.
- 3 scallions – thinly sliced at a diagonal
- 1/2 cup fresh dill ( 2 x .5 ounces packages) chopped ( or sub-Italian parsley)
- 1/2 cup Italian parsley, more to taste.
- 1/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted ( optional, or sub other nut or seed)
- A pinch of salt
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice ( 1-2 lemons)
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1/2–1 teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes: crumbled goat cheese or feta, sliced avocado, sunflower sprouts or pea shoots, flower petals- chive blossoms are nice.
Method:
- Rinse the quinoa and place it in a pot with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, cover, lower heat, and allow it to simmer on low heat for 12-15 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let sit covered for 5 -10 minutes, then uncover, fluff with a fork, and let it cool.
- While the quinoa is cooking, blanch the peas and asparagus in salted boiling water for just a few minutes, until bright and tender. Rinse under cold water.
- Place the cooled quinoa and blanched veggies in a bowl. Add the scallions, dill, and almonds and give a toss. Add the oil, lemon zest and lemon juice and salt, pepper and stir again.
- Taste, adjust salt and lemon, adding more if you like. If you are making this ahead, be sure to taste before serving as flavors will mellow – so I’ll usually add a little more salt and lemon.
- Serve with optional avocado, feta, goat cheese, and sunflower sprouts.
Source: Feasting at Home
![white bean spinach](https://www.losgatosdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LGD_white-bean-spinach-couscous-soup-recipe-150x150.jpeg)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 2 leeks, white portions chopped & green discarded
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups white beans
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat couscous
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method:
- Heat oil in a large pot. Add leeks and garlic, and sauté until tender. Stir in cumin, broth, white beans & bay leaves. Over high heat, bring to a boil.
- Add couscous. Simmer & cover for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, add spinach & cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
Source: Bitememore
![skinny shamrock](https://www.losgatosdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LGD_skinny-shamrock-shake-550x794-1-150x150.jpeg)
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup fat-free milk
- 3/4 cup 0% fat vanilla frozen yogurt or Halo Top ice cream
- 1/3 cup sliced avocado
- 1 tbsp raw sugar or a few drops Nu Naturals Stevia
- 1/4 tsp mint extract, not Peppermint
- 1 cup crushed ice
Method
- Pour the milk, frozen yogurt, avocado, sugar, mint extract, and ice into your blender.
- Blend for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is thick and icy.
- Pour into two glasses and serve with a straw. Serve immediately.
Source: Skinnytaste
Self-care is not vanity, it’s sanity.
Here’s to a warmer and cozier Spring season with your loved ones. We’re grateful that you’re a part of the Los Gatos Doc family. Consider sharing your favorite newsletters as they offer great tips and health advice and help you and your loved ones stay informed. Call Los Gatos Doc at 408.502.6040 if you have questions about your health. Have a wonderful spring!
Warmly,
Dr. V, Adriana, & Jessica
P.S. Don’t forget to visit Los Gatos Doc on Facebook and like us to stay up-to-date on current health issues and receive office updates from your favorite primary care team. Please contact your primary care team by phone at 408.502.6040 or Request an Appointment today with any comments, questions, or concerns.
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