May has been designated as International Mediterranean Diet Month. Year after year, the Mediterranean diet is ranked as one of the top diets by a panel of health experts at U.S. News & World Report, and an overwhelming amount of research shows it can lead to sustainable weight loss, improve heart health and brain function, and even prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer. To celebrate, each week I will showcase two Mediterranean dishes, and hopefully you will try a few of the Mediterranean dishes at home. If you do make any of the recipes please send in a picture of your dish to Dominque Simon at dominque_simon@ncsu.edu and let me know what you think of the recipes. Happy Mediterranean Month!

Recipe #1: Shakshouka: Shakshouksa is a North African dish made simply by poaching eggs in spicy tomato sauce.

Shakshouka Recipe >>

Recipe #2: Hummus: Traditional hummus is made with chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans). This recipe uses white beans. It gives it a great mild flavor that lets the blast of lemon come through, and it’s very easy to make. Serve with carrot and/or celery sticks for a great snack or lunch.

White Bean Hummus Recipe

Home Baking

Home baking has become a new favorite pastime for many as we find ourselves spending more time at home. And what says home more than the smell of fresh-from-the-oven, homemade bread?

Are you interested in making a sourdough bread starter while also helping NC State Public Science Lab with research? If you are interested click on the link for further information.

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How to Make Sourdough Bread Starter in  4 Simple Steps

When you think of sourdough, the first thing that comes to mind is probably bread – golden brown and crispy. But did you know that underneath that alluring crust there’s a microscopic garden of beneficial bacteria and yeast?

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Maria Parham Heart Health – Don’t Put Your Heart Health On Hold During COVID-19
By: Daniel Shelford, CNO

When a heart attack strikes, every minute matters. In fact, the first few minutes are critical in determining the short-term and long-term outcome for the patient. While the world continues to focus on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is still the leading cause of death in the United States – and as such – it’s important to seek care in an emergency.

At Maria Parham Health, we want to stress the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of a heart-related emergency and that our hospital is still a safe place to come should you or your loved ones need care. Not only do we have safety measures in place to protect our patients from infection, but quickly taking action in an emergency will help ensure that the victim gets proper medical treatment before it’s too late.

Heart disease refers to problems inhibiting the heart’s ability to properly function and circulate blood through the body. Many of these problems are related to atherosclerosis – the process of a substance called plaque building up in the walls of the arteries. Plaque buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. This increases the risk of a blood clot forming, which can stop blood flow and potentially cause a heart attack, stroke or even cardiac arrest.

Heart attacks, stroke and cardiac arrest are all life-threatening, and every second is critical in regard to response time and treatment. If you or someone around you is experiencing any of the following symptoms identified by the American Heart Association, call 9-1-1 immediately to receive help and treatment as quickly as possible.

Symptoms of a heart attack:
• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Symptoms of a stroke:
• Face drooping. If you notice one side of your or someone else’s face drooping, or if it is numb, this is a telltale sign of a stroke. If you are uncertain, ask the person to smile. If their smile droops on one side, they are likely having a stroke and it’s time to call 9-1-1.
• Arm weakness. Many stroke victims experience weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech difficulty. Speech may be slurred, prohibited or difficult to understand. If someone you are with is experiencing this, ask him or her to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” If he or she cannot, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest:
• Sudden loss of responsiveness. If the person does not respond when tapped on the shoulder, they are likely experiencing cardiac arrest.
• No normal breathing. The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.

If you have heart disease or condition or have survived a stroke, you may be considered higher risk for COVID-19 complications, but don’t delay routine care. Call your doctor as you may be able to get advice over the phone or use telehealth for a virtual visit.

Maria Parham Health is proud to be an accredited Chest Pain Center (list additional heart or stroke-related accreditations and designations) demonstrating our ongoing commitment to our community’s heart health.

In the event of a heart-related emergency, know the signs and symptoms and call 9-1-1. Acting quickly may save a life, including your own.

For additional information visit the American Heart Association website or Maria Parham Health

Social Distancing at the Farmers Market

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Is Coronavirus a Concern On Fresh Produce?

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