County Line on the Hill & County Line on the Lake

May 16, 2013 in Healthy Dining Program with 0 Comments

Local BBQ Destinations Now Offer Approved Menu Items

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Any Austinite will tell you where to head for “legendary bar-b-q”― the “Hill” or the “Lake.” County Line on the Hill, aka “the original County Line,” is located in a historic “speak-easy;” this location offers “tourist worthy” views and deliciously grilled items. The County Line on the Lake lives up its name, set in an old lake lodge, and surrounded by a large redwood deck over-looking Lake Austin.

County Line’s two Austin locations are still branded in the minds of Austin foodies for their bar-b-q, but they have now added a new notch to their “legendary” status by becoming the only bar-b-q restaurant in town that serves menu items approved by the St. David’s HealthCare Healthy Dining Program.

The following approved menu items are available at County Line on the Hill:

  • Grilled Norwegian Salmon Platter―served with a grilled veggie kabob, baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread). *Optional addition: side salad with roasted pecan balsamic vinaigrette
  • Grilled Chicken Breast Platter―served with a grilled veggie kabob, baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread). *Optional addition: side salad with roasted pecan balsamic vinaigrette
  • Grilled Veggie Kabob Platter―served with a baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread). *Optional addition: side salad with roasted pecan balsamic vinaigrette

(Complete menu for County Line on the Hill)

The following approved menu items are available at County Line on the Lake:

  • Grilled Norwegian Salmon Platter―served with a grilled veggie kabob, baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread)
  • Grilled Chicken Breast Platter―served with a grilled veggie kabob, baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread)
  • Grilled Veggie Kabob Platter―served with a baked potato (includes a teaspoon of Smart Balance Spread)

(Complete menu for County Line on the Lake)

So whether you are feeling like the “Hill” or the “Lake,” this Austin institution offers healthy
options in a historic bar-b-q setting.

  • County Line on the Hill, located at 6500 Bee Cave Road in Bee Cave - countyline.com
  • County Line on the Lake, located at 5204 Ranch Road 2222 in Austin - countyline.com

–St. David’s HealthCare Healthy Dining Program

How Do You Feed Your Footprint?

May 14, 2013 in Community, Diet, Tips with 0 Comments

(by Tarie Beldin, RD, LD)

As we begin the month of May…let us reflect back on April, on Earth Day, where we examine ways to conserve energy and take steps to save the planet….perhaps you have wondered – “does what I eat have an effect on my carbon footprint?”

To refresh your memory…a carbon footprint is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) that is given off from burning fossil fuels for lifestyle activities. Honestly, our society sometimes makes eating a recreational activity, so if we are concerned with reducing our carbon footprint, we need to educate ourselves about where our food comes from and how it is produced.

Research suggests that the more greenhouse gas produced, the higher the temperature at the lower levels of the atmosphere. This “global warming” can lead to extreme shifts in temperatures, droughts, blizzards, hurricanes and eventually a lower crop yield.

So just what is it about our food choices that increase the production of greenhouse gases, and what can we do about it?

  • We throw out about 1/3 of the food we buy… which is approximately 400 lbs. per year. Most of this is due to overbuying. Rotting produce and leftovers decay in landfills; this is second only to paper waste in terms of volume.
  • Think of how far your food travels and how it is produced. The more processed it is, the more energy used to produce it. The more paper/cardboard packaging it has, the greater the strain to forests. The farther away your food has to travel to get to your plate, the more fuel used for transportation and energy used for refrigeration.
  • Eating a diet that contains a lot of animal products can also have a negative impact. Animals consume far more food than they produce and also strain the environment by consuming large amounts of water, and their waste products can pollute the air and water supply.

Here are just 2 suggestions that will not only help the planet, but improve your health as well.

  • Eat more of a plant-based diet. Plants require less energy to produce and they can also help protect against disease.
  • Buy local. Whether it is meat or melon – visit local farmer’s markets or become part of Community Supported Agriculture programs. Buying whole, unprocessed foods that are grown or produced close to home are better for you and the environment.

Small changes can make a difference, and if we all made these changes – each day…not just Earth Day… in time, we could make an impact in our environment.

Solving the Mystery of Headache Pain

May 13, 2013 in Lifestyle Tips, Rehabilitation, Sports with 0 Comments

There are currently 28 million headache sufferers in the United States. 21 million are female, and 7 million are male (www.americanheadachesociety.org).

People often attribute headache pain to allergies, food or other causes, but some headache pain often originates from the cervical spine. If the source of your headache pain is a mechanical diagnosis, it may be treatable with physical therapy.

If you answer “yes” to ANY one of the following questions, you could be a good candidate for physical therapy to address your headache pain:

  • Headache produced consistently with certain posture or activities (such as when you are propped up in bed reading)
  • Loss of range of motion of cervical spine when headache occurs (more painful/stiffer to turn or look up)
  • Unilateral or headache on one side of your head
  • Headache at base of the posterior portion of your head
  • Headache occurs more often when “still” versus “moving”

During my years as a clinician treating a variety of different patients, I have found alleviating a patient’s headache pain is the most rewarding. One of my former female patients arrived in my office six weeks post cervical spine fusion surgery. Two weeks after the surgery, she received an epidural injection that resulted in a constant headache. She attributed the cause of her headache to the injection. During the course of her mechanical exam, we were able to find a simple sustained head and cervical spine positioning that she could perform easily while sitting. During her first exam, this position decreased her pain from a 9 (on a 10-point scale) to a 2. She was instructed to perform this movement every 2 hours and with the occurrence of headaches. On her second visit, one week later, she reported that her headache had completely subsided within 24 hours from the initial visit. She also reported that when she felt the trace of a headache beginning to start that she could relieve it with the exercise.

If you are suffering from headaches, please don’t hesitate to tell your physician because you may be able to receive therapy as a conservative treatment option. At the St. David’s Spine and Sports Therapy Clinic, we can assess your headache and determine if it is a mechanical diagnosis that can be treated in an average of two to four visits.

-Susan Hennigan, DPT
St. David’s Spine and Sport Therapy Clinic

Nursing Our Community to Health

May 10, 2013 in Community with 0 Comments

By David Huffstutler

HuffstutlerLast month, news coverage about the fertilizer plant explosion in West included a story that resonated with me. A nurse who worked at a nursing home that had collapsed from the explosion was at home, 20 miles from the plant at the time of the blast. However, when she heard the massive noise from so far away, she rushed to the nursing facility to help evacuate residents. Similar stories abounded about the heroic work of nurses during the aftermath of the bombing at the Boston Marathon. As do so many nurses every single day, these nurses went beyond their traditional call of duty and saved lives.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase 26 percent from 2010 to 2020. The Bureau of Labor Statistics attributes this growth to an increased emphasis on preventative care, technological advancements and the fact that the aging baby-boomer population continues to require healthcare services as they live longer and more active lives.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports there were 3.5 million employed nurses in 2011. Of those nurses, 78 percent were RNs—64 percent of whom worked in hospitals.

There’s a reason people are moving more and more to this wonderful profession. Studies indicate that nurses are among the most trusted healthcare professionals in the country. A nurse is usually the first person a patient sees when he or she falls ill and the last one they see when they leave the hospital. Every day, nurses leave indelible impressions on their patients. Their worth is truly immeasurable.

On behalf of St. David’s HealthCare, thank you to all nurses for your compassion and commitment. Whether you serve right here in Central Texas, or in Boston, in West, or anywhere else in the country, you truly are making a difference.

–

David Huffstutler is president and chief executive officer of St. David’s HealthCare, which employs more than 3,100 nurses in Central Texas.

Importance of Physical Activity for People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

May 9, 2013 in Community, Rehabilitation with 0 Comments

Screenshot_5_9_13_6_25_AMAs you may know, March was Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. As a physical therapist who treats patients with MS, and someone with MS myself, I find I am in a unique position. Providing therapy for MS patients is something I have wanted to do since PT school, and I wrote my master’s thesis on the utilization of physical therapy by persons with MS. It is my goal to reemphasize the importance of physical activity for the MS population, as well as remind the community of the many available resources at their fingertips.

We all know that everyone benefits from physical activity, and it’s important to remember the same is true for persons with MS. However, some individuals may have more barriers than others, so activity must be individualized to fit your specific needs. I tell my patients to focus on three areas of activity—flexibility, strength and cardio. All three are needed for optimal health. My advice to all MS patients is to find some activities you enjoy that will address one or all of the above areas. Physical activity may be the key to maintaining cognitive sharpness and keeping weakness and spasticity at bay.

Below are some recommended exercises for MS patients:

  • Swimming (or just walking in a pool)
  • Walking (on the ground or a treadmill, even short durations are ok)
  • Stationary bike or rower (if your legs are not working well, an upper body ergo meter is another option)
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Resistance training (either with weights or resistance bands)

The key is to keep moving, while staying cool and managing your fatigue. This could mean 10-minute workouts, several times a day. Some alternatives may include keeping up with regular daily activities that can also provide exercise, such as: gardening, vacuuming, sweeping or practicing standing from a variety of seat heights.

Overall, remember to keep moving, stay cool (especially as the summer months approach), and manage fatigue by shortening workouts or increasing daily activity frequency.

Below you can find some other resources that may be helpful:

Visit the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America for information on the following resources:

  • My MS manager application for phones
  • My MS Resource locator
  • S.E.A.R.C.H. program for navigating various medications/therapies

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a great online community with resources and information including:

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers is another good resource.

  • NARCOMS (North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis)

If you don’t have MS, but know someone who does, consider fundraising for research via an MS walk or bike ride! Check out the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for more information.

- Kathy Bolstorff, PT, NCS, MSCS

Occupational Therapy – Living Life to the Fullest

May 6, 2013 in Exercise with 0 Comments

“To be healthy, one needs to be occupied, doing the daily activities to fulfill the roles they have chosen”

photoWhat do Occupational Therapists do for their patients?

  • Find ways to help clients improve their abilities
  • Help people do the things they want or need to do
  • Restructure environments for optimal success to participate in daily life tasks
  • Re-educate movement patterns, improve cognitive skills and educate to modify task requirements
  • Specialize in creating customized splints to minimize deformity and improve functionality
  • Teach the use of adaptive equipment to simplify task performance and maintain independence with life skills
  • Use a holistic and individualized approach with all clients
  • Provide education and guidance to clients, family members and caregivers
  • Promote maximizing independence in all areas of life

The Occupational Therapists at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center help patients participate more actively in life!

  • Work in the acute, inpatient, outpatient and Day Program settings
  • Treat a range of diagnoses and illnesses
    • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
    • Upper extremity fractures and injuries
    • Total hip, knee or shoulder replacements
    • Stroke
    • Rotator cuff injuries
    • Traumas
      • Car or bicycle accidents
      • Falls
  • Help people across the lifespan – from neonates to the elderly
    • Work with children with special needs to help them participate in school and social situations
    • Work with people recovering from injury or illness to regain skills
    • Work with elderly adults who experience physical and cognitive changes

Help us celebrate our Occupational Therapists this month during National Occupational Therapy month!

New Research Links Omega-3Fatty Acids to Reduction in Risk of Breast Cancer

April 24, 2013 in Cancer Care with 0 Comments

A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors by 30%, according to new research from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids because our bodies need them for optimum health. It is important to get them from dietary sources because our bodies are unable to produce them on their own. Most of us are aware of the heart health benefits and triglyceride reduction properties that can occur with adding omega-3 fatty acids to our diets, but they are now also thought to play a positive role in anti-inflammatory conditions.

There are several types of omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids EPA and DHA are primarily found in fatty fish and fish oil. Sources include: sardines, mackerel, salmon and halibut. A source of the fatty acid ALA can be found in the flax plant. Supplements provide an alternative to adding these foods to your diet, but you should always discuss adding supplements into your diet with your healthcare provider since some have been associated with side effects such as bleeding.

Here is a recipe that will help you easily incorporate fatty acids into your diet. Zucchini, banana and flaxseed muffins are one of our favorites: Martha Stewart’s Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins

Source: Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, January 3013

Brenda Baumann, RN, MSN

Successful Green Initiatives and Celebrating Earth Day

April 22, 2013 in Community, Lifestyle Tips with 0 Comments

Monday, April 22, 2013, is Earth Day—a national program that aims to educate the community on the environmental and economic benefits of waste reduction and recycling.

St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center has continued its dedication to green practices for five years after adopting its recycling program, which has helped manage and reduce waste produced at its campus. Over the past five years, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center has recycled 610 tons of recyclable materials and saved 4,285,925 gallons of water. Annually, our recycling efforts save about 2,081 trees and divert over 400 cubic yards of materials from being placed in the landfills.

Further awareness and motivational tactics that have helped recycling efforts at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center include:

  • Pharmacy Waste Recycling – In 2012, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center implemented a pharmacy waste program. This program helps divert hazardous waste from being sent to landfills and establishes proper disposal practices to meet EPA regulations.
  • Condensation Collection – An average daily collection of 1,800 gallons of condensation run-off that is used to water 3 courtyards on the campus. This helps reduce the impact on the community’s water supply.
  • Utility 4 CP program – This program is vital in providing emergency relief to the electrical power grid as demands in our state continue to stress the electrical grid during severe weather events. Our participation in this program will net a savings of $15,000 in 2013.
  • Filta Kitchen Grease Recycling Program – This program resulted in the recycling of 500 pounds of grease last year. This program converts the grease into biodiesel fuel.

Past projects include:

  • Implementing the use of electronic pay stubs instead of paper versions.
  • Donating over 100,000 pounds of products and supplies to Project C.U.R.E. —a nonprofit organization that takes expired and used medical supplies and products (such as surgery kits, dressings, radiology equipment and defibrillators) and delivers them to third-world countries in need of medical equipment and supplies.
  • Working towards a mercury-free environment over the last 10 years in various ways, including:
    • Retrofitting lighting to remove light bulbs that contain mercury
    • Changing laboratory procedures to eliminate testing equipment that contains mercury
    • Creating a policy that monitors product selection to curtail the use of any new products being brought into the facility that contain mercury
  • Retrofitting over 500 light fixtures throughout the facility, saving 16 watts of power per light fixture (over 8,000 watts per day).
  • Xeriscaping the hospital property by using plants that require little to no water.
  • Using HEPA filter bags in all of the hospital’s vacuum cleaners.
  • Using microfiber mops that use less water to clean the floors.

The UT Club, Offering Healthy Fare in a Spirited Setting

April 19, 2013 in Healthy Dining Program with 0 Comments

UniversityofTexasClub-Austin-TX-color-logoThe University of Texas Club is a prestigious private club located inside the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. It has sophistication and style unique to the great state of Texas and the university that bears its name.

Designed to meet the high culinary expectations of its members, the Club’s innovative menu draws on the executive chef’s experience and talent. Not only does the menu offer the finest selections, but all menus are created daily featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients.

The St. David’s HealthCare Healthy Dining Program currently approves the following menu item:

  • Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Port Sauce and Vegetable Cous Cous

This delicious but healthy menu item includes succulent pork medallions drizzled with a tangy, semi-sweet port wine cherry sauce accompanied by a vegetable cous cous with fresh onions, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash. This entrée packs jumbo-tron sized taste with a healthy onside kick. (Insert stadium cheers here!)

While the Club is the only private club that is a participant in the Healthy Dining Program, this tasty pork dish may give you one more reason to don your burnt orange, become a member and join in on an Austin tradition.

http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-University-of-Texas-Club/Amenities/Dining

-St. David’s HealthCare Healthy Dining Program

St. David’s Medical Center First in Central Texas To Earn Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

April 18, 2013 in Stroke with 0 Comments

DNV_certified_comprehensive_strokeWhat does it mean to be a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center?

  • Recognition by one of the leading accrediting agencies in the United States.
  • Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer the most advanced stroke treatment available in a given geographic region.
  • The hospital has met the nation’s highest standards in stroke care, an accomplishment that is a genuine team effort.
  • The hospital can provide services such as neurosurgery, neurocritical care and endovascular therapies for cerebrovascular diseases.
  • The level of certification determines where EMS providers will transport patients for the most appropriate medical care within state health department guidelines.
  • DNV Healthcare is the only hospital accreditation program approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that integrates the ISO 9001 Quality Management System with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. DNV’s National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) accreditation program requires hospitals to evaluate the continuum of patient care and take measured steps to improve, if warranted.
  • The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification incorporates elements from its NIAHO hospital accreditation standards, as well as requirements from the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and Recommendations of the American Stroke Association.
  • In order to earn and maintain a Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, the hospital must participate in the Medicare program and be in compliance with the conditions of participation, which may be demonstrated by maintaining accreditation with DNV or another CMS-approved accreditation organization.
  • The hospital will be visited annually to monitor the hospital’s adherence to patient safety criteria established by CMS and to evaluate processes that impact patient care across various departments and facilities of the hospital.

Congratulations to St. David’s Medical Center and NeuroTexas Institute on this outstanding accomplishment!

DNV Healthcare Inc. is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a part of Det Norske Veritas, a global independent foundation dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. For more information about DNV Healthcare and its NIAHO hospital accreditation program, visit DNVAccreditation.com.

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