Tasty Benefits of Broccoli

Dig in to Enjoy the Tasty Benefits of Broccoli

Recipe by Lisa Markley, MS, RDN

Lisa Markley, MS, RDN, is the Director of Culinary Medicine at AdventHealth Whole Health Institute. She is passionate about educating others how to harness the healing power of food and offers virtual cooking and nutrition classes. Broccoli has a well-earned reputation for being a nutritional superstar. After all, it’s a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Better yet, eating broccoli regularly may help reduce the risk of cancer, improve bone health and protect heart health. This delicious broccoli salad is great to serve at a summer picnic or potluck.

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Tahini Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

1 pound broccoli florets ½ cup chopped red onion ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins ½ cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup sesame tahini 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup ¾ teaspoon sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Water

Directions:

1 Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces then toss in a medium mixing bowl with onions and dried cranberries or raisins.

2 In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lime juice, vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Slowly add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you reach a consistency that’s thin enough to pour, yet still thick and creamy enough to coat the broccoli.

3 Toss broccoli salad with dressing.

Sprinkle with sunflower seeds when ready to serve.

Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes

Join Lisa Markley for virtual cooking classes that will walk you through how to implement evidence-based nutrition recommendations and culinary techniques for achieving optimal health. Register at AdventHealthKC.com/Events.

Spend Your Saturday Evening With the Kansas City Symphony

AdventHealth South Overland Park is thrilled to host the Kansas City Symphony for a free outdoor Mobile Music Box concert. The Kansas City Symphony musicians bring the music to you, from familiar classics to uplifting modern works.

Saturday, June 26, 6:30 to 7:30 pm AdventHealth South Overland Park, 7840 W. 165th Street Overland Park, KS 66223

Park in the east parking lot. Seating available in the west parking lot. Lawn and folding chairs are encouraged.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Earns Five Stars in Updated CMS Quality Ratings

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission again earned five stars from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for April 2021. AdventHealth Shawnee Mission is one of only six hospitals in Kansas to earn the highest possible rating, and one of 455 hospitals out of the more than 4,500 U.S. hospitals surveyed.

Whole Health Institute Adds Practitioners, Formalizes Name

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s integrative medicine office, which had been temporarily referred to as the Center for Whole Health since its establishment in 2019, now has a permanent name, a permanent office and a growing team of practitioners. The newly minted AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, located in the medical office building at AdventHealth South Overland Park, provides high quality, unrushed and personalized care to deliver a true healing experience. The multidisciplinary team of clinicians is led by Tereza Hubkova, MD, medical director and integrative medicine physician, and now also includes Megan Schlick, ND, AdventHealth’s longtime naturopathic doctor, and Lisa Markley, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian nutritionist and director of culinary medicine. The practitioners help clients achieve better health with less medications and they work alongside primary care physicians and other specialists to support the patient’s optimal health. To schedule directly with the Whole Health Institute, call 913-632-3550 or learn more at

AdventHealthKC.com/IntegrativeMedicine.

AdventHealth Medical Group Adds Primary Care Practices in Southern Overland Park, Lawrence

This summer, AdventHealth Medical Group will welcome two new primary care practices: a brand-new family medicine and internal medicine office in southern Overland Park and a longtime family medicine office in downtown Lawrence.

In August, Primary Care at South Overland Park will open at AdventHealth South Overland Park, near 165th and Antioch. The office will be staffed by two experienced physicians and a nurse practitioner. This will become the second AdventHealth Medical Group primary care office at AdventHealth South Overland Park; Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at South Overland Park opened on the campus in 2017.

Family Medicine Associates, which has served the healthcare needs of Lawrence-area residents since 2001, will join the AdventHealth Medical Group network in late summer. The provider team includes four family physicians and six physician assistants.

With these additions, AdventHealth Medical Group will now have primary care offices in 12 communities across Johnson, Miami and Douglas counties.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals® List

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has been named to the Fortune/ IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals® list. This is the fifth time AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has been recognized with this honor as one of the top performing hospitals in the U.S. The annual list recognizes excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for the Spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission received an “A” grade in the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has earned 16 consecutive ‘A’ grades.

What happens when you stay indoors for an unprecedented amount of time, get a lot less sleep than usual, have no opportunity to exercise and face non-stop, overwhelming stress?

For more than 61 percent of Americans, what happened was unwanted weight gain due to the once-in-a-century COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a new American Psychological Association report, 40 percent of 3,000 adults surveyed gained an average of 29 pounds in 2020. And 10 percent said they gained more than 50 pounds.

“I think almost everyone went into this pandemic period with the idea that it would only last for a short period of time, so they were not careful with the habits they established, and those habits resulted in unwanted consequences with regard to weight,” said Matthew Swan, MD, Obesity Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

Matthew Swan, MD, Primary Care, AdventHealth Medical Group

With experience in both internal medicine and oncology, Dr. Swan is uniquely qualified to provide care for patients with a wide range of health needs, from complex medical conditions to chronic disease management to routine preventive or acute care. Dr. Swan earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his residency, including service as chief resident, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colo.

Emotional eating and trouble sleeping

Even without a pandemic environment, negative emotions may lead to a feeling of emptiness or an emotional void. Food is believed to be a way to fill that void and create a false feeling of temporary wholeness. This pattern is known as “emotional eating.” It can cause feelings of guilt or shame, and lead to a cycle of excess eating and, of course, weight gain.

“The use of emotional eating to provide some sort of comfort undoubtedly affected the majority of the population. Those who have been using food as a way to cope with their stress unfortunately have been left with little in the way of other options or avenues to learn new habits for the time being,” said Swan.

Additionally, when you’re not getting enough sleep, you end up with a hormonal imbalance. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Denying your body that recovery will leave you feeling hungrier and more tired.

“We have all spent a large amount of time in our homes, resulting in people eating a lot more than they normally would. For those who are working from home, the office has never been closer to the kitchen which provides a near constant temptation for many people. It is almost like someone sat down and created a plan to make the population collectively gain weight,” said Swan.

It’s time to get moving

With the arrival of warmer weather and fewer COVID-19 restrictions thanks to the rising number of vaccinations, it’s the perfect time to reassess our daily habits and get back to a healthier lifestyle.

Even if exercise doesn’t feel like a priority, the benefits are huge. It relieves stress, boosts the immune system and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. In fact, any physical activity that you can fit into your day – even a fiveminute walk – will be helpful to keep your weight in check and brighten your mood.

As you begin taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle, it’s important to be kind to yourself. Remember, this isn’t an experience you’re going through alone. And it hasn’t been easy. The whole world is trying to cope with the past year. So it’s important to remind yourself that even small progress is progress.

“The place that exercise really holds its own is with the maintenance of weight and mental wellbeing. Exercise maintains muscle mass, which is crucial for your resting metabolic rate, the calories you burn just being alive. It also has a positive effect on your neurotransmitters – helping you feel calm and well,” said Swan.

Consequences of the Pandemic

Kids and Pets Have Been Affected, Too

Grown-ups aren’t the only ones with growing waistlines as the country has sheltered-in-place. Pediatricians are warning that the pandemic’s long-term disruption of in-person schooling, sports and other activities is leading to weight gain that could have long-lasting impacts on children’s health. And veterinarians report that even pets are getting pudgy. Banfield Pet Hospital, the nation’s largest general veterinary practice, surveyed almost 1,000 dog and cat owners in October 2020. Some 42 percent of pet parents admitted that their pets had gained weight during quarantine.

Kimberly Matthews, MD, OB/GYN, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Kimberly Matthews, MD, earned her bachelor of science from the University of MissouriRolla, and received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and completed her residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is Board-certified with the American Board of OB/GYN. Matthews is married and has two daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, exercising and reading.

Time to Talk Family Planning?

Make Sure Your Doctor Is Part of the Conversation

Maybe you just started to think seriously about getting pregnant. Or maybe you don’t intend to get pregnant anytime soon but have concerns about family planning and your biological clock.

Rest assured, your health care provider is ready to discuss any and all reproductive topics – even ones that seem embarrassing or sensitive.

“At this visit, we will go over health history, vaccination history, genetic history and determine if any testing or vaccines should be done prior to trying to conceive. Answering questions about fertility and the best time to achieve pregnancy can be addressed as well,” said Kimberly Matthews, MD, OB/GYN, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

What are some health conditions that can affect someone’s ability to get pregnant?

3 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 3 Thyroid disorders 3 Weight disorders 3 Endometriosis 3 Other autoimmune and endocrine disorders.

Having health conditions that affect fertility does not mean it is impossible to get pregnant. There are many things that we can do to optimize health to help achieve pregnancy naturally. If needed, there are medications that can help patients achieve a pregnancy if ovulation or menstrual cycle regularity are issues.

Be sure to request a fertility consultation

When you call to make your appointment, make sure your health care provider knows you want to talk about family planning and fertility so there’s plenty of time for a productive conversation.

Write a list of your concerns, symptoms and questions beforehand. It’s a lot easier than trying to gather your thoughts or come up with your questions off the top of your head.

And you be sure to bring a list of your medications you’re taking to your appointment — even over-thecounter products or supplements.

“If possible, the woman's partner should also be included in the visit. Some important information to have is the partner's health history and the partner's family history, especially if there are any genetic risk factors in your partner's family that could affect the upcoming pregnancy,” said Matthews.

Another important topic is fertility charting, which determines when a woman is most fertile by monitoring the menstrual cycles.

“This can be done by looking for signs of ovulation like changes in bodily fluids or increases in temperature. A really nice way to track cycles is to use an app on your phone, which can help you predict your most fertile days,” said Matthews.

Ask about supplements and lifestyle changes

Vitamins aren't only for people who are pregnant. Some supplements should be taken before you even start trying to conceive.

“It is very important to be taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mg of folic acid several months before trying to conceive and getting at least 1 mg is even better. Some women on certain medicines or with certain health conditions may need even more folic acid. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is important as well and you should get at least 200mg daily,” said Matthews.

It's crucial to have an open conversation with your health care provider about your lifestyle habits and ask if you need to make changes before trying to conceive. For example, being overweight or underweight can decrease your fertility. Excessive exercising, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can also negative impact your fertility and pregnancy.

Share the good news with your doctor right away

Many couples have no idea what to do after they find out they’re pregnant. Fortunately, your doctor can help.

“Your health care provider will help you set up your first appointment at the appropriate time in the pregnancy. Make sure you stop smoking and drinking if you haven't already done so. Continue with healthy diet and exercise. Most importantly, relax and celebrate what you've been working to achieve and the excitement a pregnancy brings,” said Matthews.

Get an inside look at our Birth Center and our team, so that when your baby is ready to arrive, you’re ready, too. If you’ve already chosen AdventHealth as your labor and delivery hospital, an in-person tour is offered as part of AdventHealth maternity navigator visits.