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December Newsletter

December Newsletter 2020

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With the holidays ahead and 2021 around the corner, we’ve learned how resilient we are this year. Each day, week, and month that passed by, you learned how to adapt and creatively connect with your friends and family. Caring for one another in your personal network and communities translated to exercising precautions like the 3 Ws as recommended by the CDC: wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands. (Follow the CDC on Facebook and Twitter for more info and to stay up to date.)

This month’s newsletter includes updates from our office, warm winter recipes, handwashing tips, and more. As always, we hope you enjoy this newsletter and if you do, we’d love it if you’d share it with friends and family, especially if they are looking for a new doctor.

Happy Holidays!

From our family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Very Happy 2021!

If you weren’t able to schedule an appointment before the holidays, prioritize your next appointment with Dr.V.

Office Updates

 

Please note that our office will be closed for the holidays on December 24th, December 25th, December 31st, and January 1st. If you have an emergency, please call 911. For urgent care, we suggest visiting the emergency room at El Camino Hospital in Los Gatos or Good Samaritan Hospital. Otherwise, please leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we return to the office.

Thank you for choosing Los Gatos Doc!

Monthly Health Observance

December includes Handwashing Awareness Week. Typically, this week is celebrated in the first week of December but this year we have come to truly appreciate the importance of washing your hands thoroughly and multiple times a day in light of the pandemic.
The CDC refers to handwashing as “a do-it-yourself vaccine.” In addition to protecting yourself from COVID-19, handwashing can protect you from one in five respiratory illnesses and one in three diarrheal illnesses. During key times throughout the day be sure to remember these five easy steps: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry.

Follow this easy to use infographic to build a safe community with proper handwashing techniques.

For more information, visit the CDC’s Clean Hands Saves Lives page.

Have You Liked Us On Facebook Yet?

 

Please take a look at our Facebook page. Like, Share, Comment and enjoy the wealth of articles and information on interesting, helpful and current health topics.

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Cheesy Recipes

This December we bring you recipes featuring cheddar, feta, and parmesan paired with some tasty vegetables. Warm quiche, frittatas, and noodles for the win this winter. Try these recipes out and let us know how it came out!

Active: 15 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 (9 inch) frozen whole-wheat piecrust shell
  • 1 (8 ounce) package microwavable fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion (from 1 large onion)
  • 4 large eggs
  • ½ cup evaporated milk
  • 3 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Let pie crust thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes. Place in a preheated oven, and bake until lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
  • Step 2: Cook broccoli according to package directions, until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Coarsely chop larger pieces.
  • Step 3: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high; add onion and cook until light golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Step 4: Whisk together eggs and evaporated milk in a medium bowl. Stir in broccoli, onion, cheese, salt and black pepper. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust.
  • Step 5: Bake at 375 degrees F until just set and edges are golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/275920/make-ahead-broccoli-cheddar-quiche/

Active: 45 mins
Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons dried minced or sliced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 cup diced Yukon Gold potato
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 3 cups baby arugula
  • 8 large eggs
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat six 6-ounce ovenproof ramekins with cooking spray and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Step 2: Finely grind coriander and garlic in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a bowl and stir in oregano, nutmeg and Aleppo.
  • Step 3: Heat oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, potato, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon of the spice blend. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add zucchini, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon of the spice blend; cook, stirring often, until lightly browned but still firm, 5 to 6 minutes. Add arugula and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl until blended. Whisk in cream and the remaining spice blend.
  • Step 5: Divide the vegetable mixture and half of the feta among the prepared ramekins. Pour in the egg mixture and top with the remaining feta. Bake until the frittatas are just set in the center, about 25 minutes.

Tips Equipment: Spice grinder or mortar and pestle; six 6-oz. ovenproof ramekins

Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/277177/mini-feta-potato-frittatas/

Active: 45 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients: 

  • 2 ½ pounds celeriac (celery root), peeled
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 8 large cloves garlic, peeled
  • 8 cups baby spinach
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 pinch Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  • Step 1: Put a large pot of water on to boil. Using a spiral vegetable slicer, cut celeriac into long strands. You should have about 10 cups of celeriac “noodles.”
  • Step 2: Combine broth, wine, chicken tenders and garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the garlic is soft, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Step 3: Meanwhile, cook the “noodles” in the boiling water, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in spinach. Transfer to a colander and let drain for 3 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board; chop or shred into bite-size pieces.
  • Step 5: Puree the garlic and broth with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add cornstarch mixture and cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Whisk in 3/4 cup Parmesan, sour cream, butter, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the chicken and cook for 1 minute.
  • Step 6: Drain the vegetables, if necessary. Pour the chicken mixture on top. Serve topped with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and parsley.

Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/277154/creamy-chicken-celeriac-noodles/

In Case You Missed It

This Month’s Blog Post

November was American Diabetes Month, an important time to spread awareness about a disease affecting millions of people in the United States.

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of dwindling, the Northern Hemisphere is bracing itself for a flu season while dealing with a global pandemic. Will the confluence of the coronavirus and the influenza infections overwhelm our health systems and our bodies? Read Dr. V’s expert opinion and advice.

An enlarged prostate is a frequent concern in my older male patients. It is a byproduct of aging like grey hair, but with possible health complications. A common question I get asked is, “How serious is my enlarged prostate condition? Will it lead to prostate cancer?

If you are wondering what to give your loved ones for the holiday season during the pandemic, read the latest article for safe gift options by Dr. V on Medium.

From the Los Gatos Doc Family to Yours

“The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination.” – Terri Guillemets

As you reflect on 2020 and set goals for 2021, consider your health and wellness. What new habits have you developed during this pandemic that you would like to re-evaluate? Our goal at Los Gatos Doc is to support you in living your healthiest life. Our team wishes you a wonderful holiday season and continued health throughout the new year!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule your next visit!

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 2020!

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.

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