Healthy Cooking

I was asked by a patient if I would give them some advice on healthy cooking, so here is a great recipe that not only is healthy, but easy and fun to do. I first saw this on a video blog for Straits Restaurant in San Francisco, but I am using a Martha Stewart recipe. Also, rather than using Sea Bass, I chose Pacific Halibut (according to Sea Food watch by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Pacific Halibut is a more sustainable fish. You guessed it, there is an app for that at the iTunes store.)

Origami Halibut

Serves 4

• 24 dried longan
• 24 goji berries
• 4 pieces halibut (6 ounces each)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded, ribs and stems removed, and julienned
• 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded, ribs and stems removed, and julienned
• 8 shittake mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed, and julienned
• 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and julienned
• Freshly ground white pepper
• Origami Sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a small bowl mix together dried longan with 1 cup water; set aside until plump. In another small bowl, mix together goji berries with 1 cup water; set aside until plump.
3. Place one half of each of the parchment paper boxes on a baking sheet; set aside. Place fish pieces on a cutting board with a long end facing you. Cut fish horizontally stopping about 1/2 inch before reaching the opposite side. Open cut fish like a book.
4. Place one piece of fish in the center of each box. Divide peppers, mushrooms, ginger, dried longan, and wolfberries evenly between each box; season with pepper. Top each with 2 tablespoons of Origami Sauce. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon around each piece of sea bass.
5. Cover boxes with remaining half of parchment paper boxes. Transfer baking sheet to oven and roast until fish is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve sea bass immediately in their boxes. 

Origami Sauce
Makes enough for 4 servings

• 3 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients with 1/4 cup water until well combined. 

How to make the Origami Box, (remember you will need to make two per serving.)

What gets your heart pumping on St. Valentine's Day?

By Jason Epeneter

February 7, 2010

For most of us, it's the love we share with that special someone in our lives.

I raise this question about one of the strongest, most important muscles in the body-beating roughly 2.5 billion times and pumping nearly 300 million liters of blood in an average lifetime-because we depend on its function every day of our existence for everything from oxygen and hormone delivery to tissues, as well as the removal of waste from the body.

There is nothing glamorous about this organ, except for the fact that it operates every second of every minute of every day of every month of every year for our entire life without our conscious control. Wow! How is this possible, you might ask?

The answer is in your NERVOUS SYSTEM. A division of this system called the autonomic nervous system, or ANS, is responsible for every heart rhythm in your life. I find it easiest to think of this group of nerves as those that are responsible for "automatic" functions in the body (i.e. heart rhythm, breathing, digestion, etc.)

These nerves automatically adjust to every demand placed upon the body as perceived by the brain, and they are always functioning whether you are awake or not. Isn't it great that when we exercise, for example, the heart automatically accelerates, our respirations automatically increase and waste removal of toxins in the body accelerates as well? It's truly amazing.

As chiropractors, we are naturally very concerned about the function and integrity of this group of nerves. Why? Because the largest network of nerves that feed signals to the heart are found cased inside the spine at the base of the neck. Acute or repetitive stress on the body can irritate these nerves and thus distort the signals sent to the heart, causing it to function abnormally.

The nerves at the base of the neck are subjected to tremendous pressure and irritation anytime the head drifts forward off of the shoulders.

This usually occurs while driving, reading or using the computer (it's a good thing this article is short!).

Imagine how long you could hold a 10 lb. weight by your side versus holding it straight out in front of you. Holding the weight out in front of you for a long period of time is similar to the strain that your joints and nerves experience when your head drifts forward off the shoulders.

It's easy to see when someone is experiencing chronic stress to the nerves in that part of the spine if they exhibit what is known as a Dowager's Hump, or what many refer to as a "buffalo hump."

Medical studies show that this not only has a detrimental effect on heart function, but that it will decrease the lifespan of the individual by as much as 30 percent.

If there is someone you care about that spends a substantial amount of time driving, reading and using the computer, please have them checked by a chiropractor. Their life will have more vitality, longevity and happiness because of it.

Jason Epeneter is a family chiropractor at Premier Chiropractic in SeaTac and recently returned to his roots here in South King County after practicing for 6 years in San Diego.

He loves spending time with his wife, daughter and other family and is passionate about empowering others with information for a healthier life. He can be reached at 206-878-8888 or at seatacchiro@gmail.com

http://www.highlinetimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/what-gets-your-heart-pumping-st-valentines-day