It’s been over a year since our entire way of living has shifted in order to protect ourselves and our communities from COVID-19. This Spring you may notice that you have a greater appreciation for life. We hope you can take a moment to pause, appreciate the vibrant wildflowers in your midst, and spring into action. For a few trail options, check out California in Bloom: 5 Bay Area Trails Painted With Wildflowers.
Please continue to exercise precautions as recommended by CDC: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. Our team at Los Gatos Doc is grateful for all that you do to keep one another and our communities safe. For the latest on vaccine eligibility, visit the Santa Clara County Health Department or contact Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Support Line (1-833-560-0560). Please be mindful of sharing personal health information with unofficial sources. Read on to try out a few fruit filled recipes, check out some tips on how to eat right and well, and learn about kidney health.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to Adriana and Jessica at 408.502.6040.
A Message from Dr. V
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Dr. V shares a few thoughts with us on the anniversary of the pandemic along with his recommendations on what’s next for our communities.
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If you haven’t booked your Annual Physical or need to schedule an appointment for another reason, take a few moments to book your appointment online today.</a.
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Monthly Health Observance – National Kidney Month
Did you know that about 1 in 3 people are at risk for kidney disease? March is National Kidney Month, an important time to raise awareness about this health issue. Key factors for this condition include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and family history of kidney disease.
Are you in the 33% of U.S. adults at risk for kidney disease? If you’d like to assess your risk level, take this brief quiz from the National Kidney Foundation. Based on these results, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. V to discuss your risk factors. Remember that you can steer the direction of your health by taking actions to manage your blood sugar levels and being attentive to your kidney health.
Source: National Kidney Foundation
Kidney-Healthy Recipe
If you or your loved ones are working to manage kidney disease and work towards healthier eating options, consider these fruity and flavorful recipes. Be sure to let us know which ones you enjoyed the most. We’d love to hear from you!
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Ingredients
- ½ cup nonfat cottage cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 fresh eggs
- 1 cup fat-free lemon yogurt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Splenda
- 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup blueberries
Directions
- Puree cottage cheese till smooth.
- Place cottage cheese puree, butter, Splenda in a mixer and beat till smooth.
- Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and blend until smooth.
- Scrape sides of the bowl. Sift dry ingredients, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add to the mixing bowl, blend until smooth.
- Add blueberries and mix them into the rest of the batter.
- Pour mixture into a greased 8″ angel food cake pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375°F.
Source: Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 20 mins
1/3 cup per serving
Ingredients
- 1 medium delicious apple with skin
- 10 green grapes
- 4 oz mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
- ½ cup fresh pineapple chunks
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries, cherry flavored
- 6 oz strawberry flavor Greek yogurt
- 6 large strawberries
Directions
- Wash the apple, grapes, and strawberries.
- Pat dry.
- Chop the apple into bite size pieces.
- Slice strawberries.
- Mix apple, grapes, Mandarin oranges, pineapple, dried cranberries, and yogurt together.
- Cover and chill for 2 hours.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries and serve.
Source: Yogurt Covered Fruit Salad
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 1 hr
1 peach plus topping per serving
Ingredients
- 1 can (21 ounces) peaches in their own juice (drained)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white flour
- ¾ cup oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ stick cold butter, unsalted
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a buttered muffin tin, put in peaches and sprinkle with lemon juice.
- Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and spices.
- Cut in butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Sprinkle over fruit mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until browned and bubbly.
- Serve warm.
Source: Fruit Crisp
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!
Eating right and well can help prevent and manage many chronic diseases. The best part is that eating right can be easy, simple, delicious, and affordable.
In this blog, we share some tips to help you and your family make smart choices in your diet that are sustainable and ensure optimal health
Taking care of your heart helps prevent many cardiovascular diseases and helps maintain cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces depression, and lessens the risk of developing dementia. In this article, we offer the top five tips to take care of your heart.
A Special Thank you to P.M. for A Kind Facebook Review!
“What a wonderful first appointment. My first video office visit with Dr. V was everything a new
patient could hope it would be. Dr. V took the time to get to know a little about me and my life. He listened patiently and was very reassuring. I am confident that he is a doctor who has great skill in meeting his patient’s needs.
Jessica and Adriana were excellent in guiding me thru the process of setting up the communication programs. I am looking forward to being under their care.”
Fresh Starts and New Beginning
“You are reborn with the roses, in every spring.”
― Juan Ramón Jiménez
With vaccines increasingly available around the country, there’s hope for
fresh starts and new beginnings. As you reflect on the past year, remember to take time out for yourself. Take a walk outside by yourself or with loved ones, appreciate the nature in your environment, and remember to take deep breaths. Our team at Los Gatos Doc wishes you the best of health. Although we miss seeing you in our office, please remember that we’re just a phone call away
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.
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.