Try this technique for moist, buttery salmon
Cooking en cocotte— cooking beef, lamb, pork and poultry in a covered pot with little to no liquid — concentrates flavor. We were skeptical, however, that the technique would successfully translate to fish. Fish cooks quickly. Would the fish dry out in the dry pot? We gave the technique a shot with fatty salmon fillets and were more than pleasantly surprised. By passing on searing ... READ MORE
Harvard Q & As on metabolism and a-fib
Q: My friend complains that she keeps gaining weight no matter how little she eats because she has a slow metabolism. How much does a person’s metabolism really affect body weight? A: There is a lot of misunderstanding about the impact metabolism has on our health, especially in terms of weight loss. In simple terms, metabolism is the internal process by which our body expends... READ MORE
Issues facing the sandwich generation
In my previous columns, I have written a lot about the younger and older generations and how they can better understand and interact with each other. But there is another generation that I have not discussed before that very much deserves to be recognized: the sandwich generation. The sandwich generation is so named because members of that generation are the “filling” between the... READ MORE
Summer diet tips to stick to this autumn
Over the summer, it’s easier to fill your diet with fresh produce (hello, farmers’ markets) and fit in your daily workout (thanks, longer days). Once the fall rolls around, however, a lot of those healthy summertime habits go by the wayside. But they don’t have to! Here are some warm-weather dieting tips that you should stick with all fall. Get up and get moving Summer heat can... READ MORE
More should get breast cancer gene test
More women may benefit from gene testing for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, especially if they’ve already survived cancer once, an influential health group recommended in August. At issue are genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. When they’re mutated, the body can’t repair damaged DNA as well, greatly increasing the chances of breast, ovarian and certain other cancers. Gene... READ MORE
Arthroscopy less common for knee pain
When knee arthroscopy became widely available in the 1980s, it represented a major advance. Today orthopedists evaluating and treating common knee problems often recommend arthroscopy, during which they insert an instrument into the joint and, with a light and camera on its tip, directly inspect the knee from the inside. While there, he or she can diagnose and treat common painful knee... READ MORE
Steps to take to avoid the flu this year
Q: During a recent visit I noticed that my local pharmacy was advertising the flu shot. Is it too early to get the vaccine? What else can I do to prevent getting the flu? A: It is not too early to receive your flu shot! Flu season occurs during the fall and winter months and typically peaks between December and February. After you receive the flu shot, your body’s immune system... READ MORE
Sweating at night
Q: My husband has night sweats with a cheese-like smell. It’s been going on for almost two months. He says he feels fine. He doesn’t seem worried, but I am. Should he see his doctor? A: Since your husband otherwise feels well, it’s likely nothing serious. But he should still make an appointment with his doctor. The cheesy smell is not unusual. Some Swiss researchers actually... READ MORE
Sweet and spicy Indian turkey burgers
Sweet, spicy, fruity and jammy, mango chutney is a powerhouse ingredient common in Indian cuisine that can liven up even the most mild-mannered of dishes. We first tried packing some chutney into our Classic Turkey Burgers by mixing it with the ground turkey, but the chutney’s high sugar content caused the patties to burn. Simply moving the chutney from inside the burger to on top of... READ MORE
Volunteer for studies of lung health, COPD
If you’re a former smoker or are suffering from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or another lung illness, Johns Hopkins’ Breathe Center may be able to help. At the same time, you can help others if you enroll in one of the center’s many studies on lung health. The Baltimore Breathe Center, originally known as the Johns Hopkins Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban... READ MORE
