Grant Regional | aspire to live well | Fall 2018

Make friends with fresh herbs If you want to perk up the flavor of foods without adding salt, here’s a simple solution: herbs. Fresh ones in particular can liven up almost any recipe or food, even bland ones. And there are some espe- cially tasty pairings. For instance, combine: Basil with summer veggies, eggs, pastas, low-sodium pizza, chicken and fish dishes. For a simple dish, layer slices of tomato; low-fat, low-sodium mozzarella; and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and add a few shakes of black pepper. Cilantro with beans, tomatoes, corn, peppers, avocados and rice. For a simple dish, mix together black beans, corn, chopped red bell pepper, chopped jalapeños, cilan- tro and a squeeze of lime juice. Mint with fruit cups, carrots, cucumbers, peas, lamb, beans and unsweetened iced tea or water. For a simple dish, cut up watermelon and cantaloupe. Drizzle with a mix- ture of mint and low-fat yogurt. Store smart You don’t want to let fresh herbs go bad before you use them. Leafy herbs—such as basil, cilantro and mint—will keep for several days with their stems in wa- ter, like flowers. Just trim the stems at the bottom first. But keep basil at room temperature, not in the fridge. Wrap woodier herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and sage, loosely in a paper towel. Then seal in a plastic bag and store them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Source: American Heart Association Need a new knee? 3 questions to ask A worn-out knee can make you miserable. And if you’re living with one, you may wonder if it’s time to consider knee replacement surgery. Your doctor can discuss the pros and cons of surgery—but ultimately the decision is yours. That’s because most knee replacements are elective, meaning they’re done when you’re ready to seek relief from your pain, not for an emergency medical reason. To help you decide, here are three ques- tions to ask yourself about your knee pain and other considerations: 1 Can I live with the pain I have now? If pain is affecting your daily life, surgery may be the right choice. Here are some red flags: ●   ● It’s hard to climb stairs, get into a car or move around your home. ●   ● You’re giving up activities you enjoy. ●   ● You wake up at night in pain. ●   ● Your mood and relationships are affected. ●   ● You have more bad days than good. 2 Have I exhausted all other options? Knee replacement surgery is typically only appropriate if other, more conservative treatments haven’t helped. These include pain relievers, steroid in- jections, exercise, physical therapy and assistive devices, such as a walker or a cane. 3 Am I ready to commit to recovery? Removing a natural knee and replacing it with artificial parts is a major surgery. For better healing, you may need to stop smoking and lose weight beforehand. And afterward you’ll need physical therapy to regain muscle strength, range of motion and good mobil- ity. But keep your eyes on the prize: This surgery eases pain for most people. LEAVE PAIN BEHIND Put your knee in the hands of our skilled orthopedic surgeon, Brad Binsfeld, DO. Call 608-723-2131 to make an appointment. Sources: American Academy of OrthopaedicSurgeons; Arthritis Foundation; National Institutes of Health 6 FALL 2018