Education - Sensenbrenner Primary Care

Beyond the Bedside: Heart Disease

April 16, 2024

Dr. Eric Sensenbrenner “Heart disease” is a term that can be used interchangeably with cardiovascular disease. Both describe poor blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body that result in tissue damage such as a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Every minute, someone in the United States dies from heart disease. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include age, gender, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. As you can see, we are unable to control or change some risk factors which poses a challenge to preventing cardiovascular disease. For those risk factors we can control, we try to maximize treatment through diet, exercise, and medication to best reduce a patient’s risk. It is important to know if anyone...

Asparagus and Pea Risotto

April 16, 2024

Education

Ingredients: 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces1 cup fresh or frozen peas1 small onion, finely chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1 cup Arborio rice4 cups vegetable broth, kept warm1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)2 tablespoons olive oil1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper to tasteFresh herbs (like parsley or basil) for garnish Instructions: 1. Prepare the vegetables: Steam the asparagus pieces until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. If using frozen peas, thaw them; if fresh, steam them until just tender, about 2 minutes. 2. Cook the onion and garlic: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent and soft. 3. Toast the rice: Add the Arborio rice to the pan, stirring constantly for about...

Spring Spinach Salad with Strawberries

March 8, 2024

Education, Uncategorized

This salad is often topped with ingredients like sliced almonds or feta cheese for added texture and richness. The homemade poppy seed dressing, typically made from ingredients like yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, and of course, poppy seeds, adds a creamy and tangy dimension to the salad. Here's a high-level overview of how you might prepare such a salad: Salad Base: Start with fresh baby spinach as your green foundation.Strawberries: Hull and thinly slice ripe strawberries and mix them with the spinach.Additional Toppings: Add toasted sliced almonds for crunch and crumbled feta cheese for creaminess.Poppy Seed Dressing: Prepare the dressing by combining plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, a touch of vinegar (like Champagne or white wine vinegar), poppy seeds, and a bit of grated shallot for a punch...

Exploring the 5 Love Languages: The Key to Lasting Connections

February 5, 2024

Education

Since its debut in 1992, "The 5 Love Languages" has changed the way we understand and express emotional care in relationships. At the heart of the book's philosophy is the concept that individuals communicate and receive love in primarily five distinct ways: Gifts: You express love through tangible gifts. These can be small tokens or bigger items.Acts of Service: Actions speak louder than words. You demonstrate your affection with thoughtful gestures, such as cooking a meal, cleaning the house, or filling the car with gas. When others do the same for you, you feel loved.Words of Affirmation: You most appreciate giving and receiving love through kind words, including compliments, praise, cheerleading, and other verbal expressions of support or admiration. For you, words speak louder than actions.Quality...

Broken Heart Syndrome: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

February 5, 2024

Education

By Tyler Hyslep, PA-C Broken Heart Syndrome, medically termed stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a condition that often presents with symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. However, unlike a heart attack, this syndrome is precipitated by intense emotional or physical stress rather than an obstruction in the coronary arteries. This distinction emphasizes the profound connection between our mind and body. Patients with Broken Heart Syndrome typically report chest pain and shortness of breath. The distinctive feature of this condition is a temporary weakening or ballooning of the heart's left ventricle—the primary pumping chamber—which resembles a shape akin to a Japanese "takotsubo" or octopus trap, inspiring the syndrome's name. Acute emotional events, such as the loss of a loved one, romantic separation, severe financial hardship, or...

Healthier Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

February 5, 2024

Education

To make dark chocolate-covered strawberries a healthier treat, you can adjust the recipe by choosing high-quality ingredients and adding some health-conscious toppings. Here's how you can tweak the recipe: Ingredients: 1 pound (about 450g) fresh strawberries with leaves (ensure they're organic if possible to reduce pesticide exposure)8 ounces (about 225g) dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa (the higher the cocoa content, the less sugar it typically contains)Optional toppings: Chopped nuts (like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts for healthy fats and protein), unsweetened shredded coconut, or chia seeds (for added fiber and omega-3 fatty acids) Instructions: Prepare the Strawberries: Wash the strawberries gently and pat them completely dry. It's crucial that they're fully dry to prevent the chocolate from seizing.Melt the Dark Chocolate: Choose the melting method that works best for...

Eating Healthier In The New Year

January 11, 2024

Education, Uncategorized

By Tristan Samson, Practice Manager It’s that time of year when resolutions are made, some kept, some broken but usually all are made with the best of intentions. Eating healthier is a common and commendable goal, and making realistic changes can lead to long-term success. Like a lot of people, I have my own struggles with having enough time in my day to eat right. I can struggle to be happy with my weight or to know what number is right for my body at now age 53. As I look at some of my own habits and where I can make adjustments, I want to share some practical and realistic ways to eat healthier in the New Year and all year long: Set Realistic Goals: I definitely...

Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe

January 9, 2024

Education

Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder1-2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or any preferred sweetener (adjust to taste)1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extractA pinch of cinnamon (optional)A pinch of sea salt Instructions: In a small saucepan, heat the almond milk over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling.Add the cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of sea salt to the saucepan.Whisk the mixture continuously until everything is well combined and the cocoa powder has dissolved completely.Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, to ensure the flavors meld together.Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.Remove from heat and pour the hot cocoa into a mug.Optionally, top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a...

A Holiday Message

December 6, 2023

Education, Uncategorized

Tis the season to celebrate and connect with people you care about. Nobody wants to be sick or inthe hospital for the holidays, but studies have shown that more people are admitted to the hospitalduring the winter months than at other times of the year. Colder weather, less physical activity,weight gain, and infections - such as the flu - can all contribute to the need for doctor visits andhospitalizations at some point during the colder months. Prevention is best. Wash your hands, cover your cough, take regular medications as prescribed. Stayin touch with your doctor to help handle health problems before they become a bigger issue.Whether you are healthy and have flu like symptoms or have also been diagnosed with conditionssuch as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (COPD),...

Here’s a simple and delicious vegetable crudité recipe along with a classic yogurt-based dip

December 6, 2023

Education

Vegetable Crudité: Ingredients: 2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks2-3 celery stalks, cut into sticks1-2 bell peppers (assorted colors), sliced into strips1 cucumber, sliced into rounds or sticksCherry tomatoesBroccoli floretsCauliflower floretsRadishes, sliced thinlyAny other favorite vegetables of your choice Instructions: Wash and prepare the vegetables by cutting them into bite-sized pieces or sticks. Arrange them on a serving platter, keeping colors and shapes varied for an attractive presentation. Yogurt-Based Dip: Ingredients: 1 cup Greek yogurt (or regular plain yogurt)1-2 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or any preferred herb like chives, parsley, or mint)1 tablespoon lemon juiceSalt and pepper to taste Instructions: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined. Assembling the Crudité Platter: Place the bowl of yogurt dip in...