Archives for July 2018

3 Healthy Grilled Dinner Recipes

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Grilling out always adds an added layer of fun to dinnertime.

Whether it’s serving up plates of delicious food while you catch up with friends or testing out new recipes on a romantic dinner date, it’s hard not to find a reason to fire up the grill.

And contrary to what many people think, grilling out doesn’t always consist of fatty foods like hamburgers or potato salad.

There are plenty of healthy (and tasty) options to serve up.

While summer vibes are in full throttle, we recommend you invite some friends to grill out, and give a few of our favorite healthy dinner recipes a try.

Here’s what we recommend…

#1: Grilled Chicken Kebabs

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Chicken kebabs are a classic grilled dinner recipe option–and they’re easy to make!

Follow this Greatist recipe to enjoy crispy chicken and summertime vegetables (such as zucchini and portobello mushrooms) the right way.

With dried dill, salt, pepper, garlic, and lemons for flavoring, you’ll more than satisfy your palate!

Ingredients:

For marinade:

  • 3 lemons, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dried dill
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For kebabs:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, chunked
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered and chunked
  • 1 red pepper, chunked
  • 16-20 baby portobello mushrooms, stems removed
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced into 1-inch rounds

Directions:

  1. Prepare marinade in a long, shallow baking dish by combining lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
  2. Prepare kabobs by skewering alternating pieces of chicken and various veggies. Be sure to leave enough room on ends of skewers to flip them while cooking.
  3. Place skewers in baking dish with marinade, and roll to coat. Cover dish and refrigerate overnight or at least for a few hours.
  4. When ready to cook, heat grill to high. Place skewers on grill. Cook, using tongs to turn skewers occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Recipe Source: https://greatist.com/eat/recipes/grilled-chicken-kabobs

#2: Grilled Cauliflower Steak Burgers

grilled cauliflower steak burgers

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If you and/or your loved ones prefer to eat vegetarian–don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten about you!

These cauliflower steak burgers are so good, they’ll tempt even the most passionate of meat eaters.

With provolone cheese, arugula, onion, mustard, and more, there is no shortage of flavors included in this grilled dinner recipe.

And, with the health benefits of cauliflower–such as reducing cancer risk, fighting inflammation, and balancing hormones, you can enjoy your meal with greater peace of mind that what’s going into your body won’t hurt it.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium-size heads cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices provolone cheese (or whatever cheese you like, or you can skip the cheese for a dairy-free option)
  • 4 Ciabatta rolls or Ciabatta-style hamburger buns
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (about 1 tablespoon per burger)
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (about 1 tablespoon per burger)
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 cup arugula

Directions:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium, about 350 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Peel the leaves off of the heads of cauliflower and cut the stem off of the bottom. Sit the heads upright on the flat cut bottom and, with a sharp chef’s knife, cut into in 1-inch thick slices.
  3. Generally, you can only get 2 good steaks out of one head of cauliflower, the slices from the middle. Reserve the two middle slices and save the outer sections for later use. Repeat with the second head of cauliflower.
  4. Brush both sides of the cauliflower slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Cut the Ciabatta buns in half and brush the insides with olive oil, so that they’ll be ready to grill when it’s time. Set aside.
  6. Place cauliflower on the grill and cook, flipping occasionally, until golden brown on both sides and fork-tender in the middle, 10-15 minutes. Add provolone and cook until melted, about 1 more minute. Remove cauliflower steaks from the grill and set aside. Place the buns over the warm grates and cook until toasty, 1-2 minutes. Remove.
  7. Smear the insides of the buns with Dijon mustard and mayonnaise. Lay cauliflower on bottom bun and top with arugula and red onions. Close with the top bun, slice in half if desired, and serve.

Recipe Source: https://www.kitchentreaty.com/grilled-cauliflower-steak-burgers/

#3: Garlic Herbed Grilled Tuna Steaks

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With a tangy citrus flavor combined with the deep flavors of thyme and garlic, this recipe spices up tuna steaks to deliver the perfect grilled seafood dish.

Known to prevent cancer, improve cardiovascular health, and boost the immune system, tuna is a terrific alternative if you’re a pescatarian or are generally trying to minimize your meat intake.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 tuna steaks (6 ounces each)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

  1. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the lemon juice, oil, garlic and thyme. Add the tuna; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
  2. Remove tuna from bag; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drain and discard marinade. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack.
  3. Grill tuna, covered, over medium-hot heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until slightly pink in the center.

Recipe Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/garlic-herbed-grilled-tuna-steaks

What are you waiting for?

Now is the perfect time to gather ingredients at your local store or farmers market, fire up that grill, and get cooking.

Impress your friends and family with one or more of these three fantastic grilling recipes before summer ends.

Looking for healthy salad recipes for light summertime lunches? Check out these three recipes.

Ask the Doctor- Why Do Expanders Have To Be Used When a Breast is Removed?

This week, Richard M. Kline Jr. M.D., of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, answers your question.

Question: Why do expanders have to be used when breast are removed and the pocket is empty and ready to be filled with an implant?

Answer:  It is not always necessary to place expanders at the time of mastectomies, but in many situations, it is a safer choice than immediately putting in an implant. Even if the breast surgeon leaves the nipples and removes no skin at all, the skin is not always healthy, as the blood flow is invariably at least somewhat compromised after mastectomy. Placing an implant under very poorly perfused skin would put additional pressure on the skin from within, and quite possibly cause the skin to die that otherwise would have lived. With an expander, we have the option of placing no fill at all at the initial surgery, thus minimizing additional pressure on the skin. In actual practice, sometimes the skin’s blood supply is so poor we don’t even put in an expander right away, but rather return to the operating room several weeks or months later to begin reconstruction.

Having said the above, I do agree it is nice if the final implant can be placed under healthy skin flaps immediately. However, it should only be done under ideal circumstances.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered by our surgical team? Just ask!

 

Making Peace with Your Body Post Breast Cancer

laughing women wearing pink for breast cance

Regardless of the severity, breast cancer takes a toll on your body.

Between chemo, radiation, and surgeries, many women struggle with their physical appearances after they’ve won their battles.

In a study published in The European Journal of Breast Health, researchers found that many of the 20 study participants who went through breast cancer treatment held a belief that breasts symbolize femininity, beauty, and motherhood.

As a result, after mastectomies, some of the participants felt that half of themselves were missing, as individuals and women.

Fortunately, there are ways to rebuild your self-esteem and body image after surviving breast cancer.

Read on to discover five tips to make peace with your body post breast cancer…

#1: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family.

Supportive family

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As the author S. Kelley Harrell writes, “we don’t heal in isolation, but in community.”

Without the support of our loved ones–whether they be friends or family–getting through rough periods in our lives may seem insurmountable.

Don’t be afraid to express your feelings of shame, self-doubt, insecurities, or beyond with those who love you and are there to support you.

Loved ones are necessary sources of warmth who will remind you of the wonderful qualities that make you who you truly are.

#2: Acknowledge that some of your body’s changes may only be temporary.

Another important point to keep in mind is that not all physical changes will be permanent.

For example, though you may gain or lose weight during treatment due to side effects of medication, you can instill changes to get back to your pre-treatment weight once your body is ready.

Of course, your body may not bounce back to “the way it used to be,” but remembering that some things will eventually return to normal is a healthy practice in positivity.

#3: Give yourself time to adjust and accept the new you.

With any physical change–even those unrelated to breast cancer–it can take time to accept and get accustomed to the change.

It’s not realistic to expect that you’ll be able to accept your new body right away.

Perhaps you used to pride yourself on certain physical characteristics that have changed considerably since you went through your breast cancer experience.

Give yourself the time to adjust your perspective on what beauty means to you.

Focus on finding new aspects of your appearance or personality that you want to emphasize or embrace–and let them shine!

#4: Eat healthy and exercise.

balanced health and diet

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Although you may be used to hearing your doctor provide the following advice, we’ll chime in here for good measure:

If you want to maintain or improve your appearance to reflect one of improved health, follow a healthy diet and incorporate exercise into your weekly routine.

Eating well and exercising will not only make you feel good from the inside out, but will also help you regain strength in your recovery process.

#5: Consider reconstructive options.

As mentioned before, for many women, breasts symbolize femininity and other values that can be hard to let go of permanently.

Thanks to the miraculous nature of modern day surgery and medicine, reconstructive options for your breasts after a mastectomy are possible.

If what you truly desire is to bring back your shape, reconstructive breast surgery is always an option.

Talk to a doctor and see what your options are. If you’re interested in seeing what our options are, check out our website here.

As a breast cancer survivor, there is a lot to be proud of.

Though physical changes to your body can be incredibly difficult to experience and acknowledge, there are ways to make peace with the changes.

Keep these five tips in mind in your journey to living life with a new normal.

Have any additional suggestions for what you do to feel beautiful in the skin you’re in? Share them in the comments below!

Ask the Doctor – I Was In An Accident And Now Have a Painful Knot On My Reconstructed Right Breast. Should I Be Worried About Long Term Damage?

This week, Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question: I had reconstruction about 6 years ago after a double mastectomy. I had several surgeries for revisions. I had an SGAP on my right and stacked DIEP on left. Everything was fine until a month and a half ago when I was hit by a driver who ran a stop sign and t-boned me. My car was totalled. I had an impact on my right breast from the steering wheel and the airbags. For the past two months, I have had a large knot on my right breast. This is the SGAP one. It is painful and the knot is the same size. Could there be long-term damage to the reconstructed breast from the accident?

Answer:  If you are still having problems, you should see a plastic surgeon, and likely he or she will order some type of imaging (CT scan or MRI) to assess the situation. It is certainly possible that the flap could be damaged, or even other structures, such as your pectoralis muscle. While it might or might not be possible to do anything to improve any damage, I do recommend that you see someone to have it investigated.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

3 Delicious Charleston Culinary Food Tours

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If there’s one thing Charleston has gained prominence for, it’s the city’s food!

From traditional Southern fare and delicious seafood to farm-to-table dinners and innovative cocktails, Charleston’s burgeoning culinary scene has received attention from the likes of Bon Appétit, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, and Food & Wine magazine.

In AFAR magazine’s words, “Charleston is home to world-famous chefs, as well as restaurants that have been preparing time-tested recipes for generations. This is a city that celebrates both haute cuisine and Lowcountry fare.”

Whether you’re a local or visitor to Charleston, read on–because today, we’re going to give you our picks for three of the city’s most enticing food tours.

Happy reading–and bon appétit!

#1: Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour

culinary tours

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Looking for a culinary tour that includes a healthy dose of local Charleston history?

The Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour would be right up your alley!

On this tour, you’ll stop at 4 restaurants over the course of 2.5 hours to sample a wide range of delicious dishes and beverages that are sure to fill you up.

Each restaurant stop will give you the chance to rest your legs, taste delectable dishes such as sliders and pies, and hear from the restaurant staff and chefs.

In addition to the fantastic cuisine and fascinating historical information, reviewers of the tour consistently mention the magnetic energy and liveliness of the tour company’s guides.

Individual tickets are $60–click here to learn more and book your spot!

#2: Savor the Flavors of Charleston Food Walking Tour

Savour Flavors

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Bulldog Tours’ Savor the Flavors of Charleston Food Walking Tour is, as one TripAdvisor reviewer puts it, “worth your time.”

As you stop by local restaurants, markets, and bakeries over the course of two and a half hours, you’ll have the opportunity to taste local delicacies ranging from grits to South Carolina barbecue.

With no shortage of samples, you’ll get in a full meal’s worth of food.

And for mixology, beer, and wine enthusiasts, you will have the opportunity to purchase alcoholic beverages along the way.

Individual tickets are $65–reserve your spot and learn more here!

#3: Farm-to-Table Experience

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For all of you organic, fresh, and local food devotees, the Farm-to-Table Experience from Charleston Culinary Tours is a must.

This farm-to-table experience combines the talents of renowned local chefs with fresh produce, dairy, and other food products available at a Travel + Leisure-appraised Charleston farmers market.

Over the course of three hours, the tour will play out as follows…

  • A tour guide and that day’s participating chef will lead the group to the farmers market to pick out the freshest ingredients the market has to offer.
  • From there, you’ll follow your guide as he or she takes you on a 45-minute walking tour of the city. Meanwhile, the chef will prepare a multicourse meal utilizing the ingredients purchased at the market.
  • At the end, you and your fellow participants will sit down to a scrumptious and healthy brunch–a true farm-to-table experience!

Individual tickets cost $75–learn more and claim your spot here!

These tours are incredibly popular, and space is limited–so don’t hesitate to make your reservation.

Do you have another culinary tour to recommend? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Ask The Doctor – I Recently Received Concerning Results on a Mammogram. Should I Wait the Recommended 6 Months to Discuss Implant Removal or Begin the Process Now?

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This week, Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question: I am a 61-year-old female with breast implants that were placed in 1986. I have been pregnant 6 times, 5 c-sections and one miscarriage. 2 infant deaths and 3 living children. I was able to breastfeed 4 of my children. Approximately 4-5 years ago I had an abnormal mammogram.  (I am in the process of obtaining those records) I underwent an ultrasound to the left breast and was informed that everything was “ok”. Following mammogram was normal. I retired from nursing 2 years ago and moved from Virginia to West Virginia. My most recent mammogram 5/2/2018 stated “There are bilateral breast implants. There is mild to moderate residual parenchyma tissue bilaterally. There is an asymmetric parenchyma nodule in each breast anteriorly, most likely benign. Six month bilateral mammogram advised to confirm stability.” Doctor, I’m not sure I should wait another six months or peruse implant removal and breast tissue removal. You know us nurses “overthink”. I’d like to know if you have another suggestion vs wait for the next mammogram. Thank you so much for you’re valuable time and consideration.

Answer:

Thank you so much for your question. It sounds like you are getting frustrated, and it’s easy to see why.

We don’t actually treat breast cancer per se, we just do reconstruction, so I can’t actually recommend a particular imaging technique or schedule. I can, however, recommend that you see a surgical oncologist who treats breast diseases (if you haven’t already), as they often have a good “feel” from experience for how to manage these type situations. They see many, many images, and, unlike radiologists, later correlate many of those images with what they see in surgery, which gives them a unique perspective. He or she may recommend an MRI or ultrasound, or may just agree with your previous recommendations, but even that might be reassuring.

Thanks again for your question, and have a great weekend!

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

Breast Reconstruction: What Are My Options after an Unsuccessful Reconstructive Surgery?

Making the decision to undergo breast reconstruction surgery is a decision that is not taken lightly.

That’s why it breaks our hearts when we discover that there are women out there who are unhappy with their reconstructive results.

Over the past few months, we’ve heard from several ladies who want to know what their options are when their surgery doesn’t turn out as planned.

We thought our insight would be helpful to others who are facing the same problems as these courageous women.

Here are our answers to what your options are after an unsuccessful reconstructive surgery.

What Are My Reconstruction Options after a Failed Implant Reconstruction?

Question: Do you do reconstruction after ex-plants from a ruptured implant?

Answer: If you have had mastectomies, we will attempt to do reconstruction no matter what has happened, as long as you want it, and it’s medically safe to do so.

If your breast sustained damage from a ruptured implant placed for cosmetic reasons, we will still be happy to help you, but this might not be covered by your insurance.

I hope this helps.

See the full post here.

I’m Unhappy with My Reconstructive Result from Another Surgeon – Are You Able to Make It Look More Natural?

Question: Three years ago, I had a double mastectomy and am now cancer free.

My plastic surgeon did a terrible job with the reconstruction.

The left side implant is way off to the outer side and looks larger than the right side. The right side is way too far to the outside. There is zero cleavage.

Is there any way to reposition the implants more to the natural position of the breast?

I do not expect perfect, but don’t like looking like a botched job. Thank you.

Answer:  I’m glad to hear you have been cancer free and have your treatment for breast cancer behind you.

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, it is part of our mission to help women move on with their lives after breast cancer. We focus our efforts on helping women get their bodies back together with permanent “natural results.”

I’m sorry you are disappointed with your reconstruction.

If you have had radiation, then it may be very hard to have your breasts match with implant reconstruction. If you have not had radiation, then perhaps your implants could be revised or adjusted for an improvement.

Unfortunately, these corrections are all too often temporary. It is possible that using your own fatty tissue would be a more permanent option without implants.

Sometimes it is hard to start over with another approach, but it may be necessary if you desire a more natural and permanent result.

If you would like more information about natural breast reconstruction with your own tissue, let me know.

See the full post here.

I Have Implants But They Feel Horrible and My Reconstruction Looks Terrible. Is There Any Hope after Reconstruction?

Question:  I have implants. I do not like them, they feel horrible, and my reconstruction looks terrible.

Is there any hope after reconstruction?

Answer:  Fortunately, your previous experiences with implants in all probability do not affect our ability to get you a satisfactory reconstruction using only your own tissue.

See the full post here.

Do you have breast reconstruction questions? Send us your questions here

Ask the Doctor – What Can Be Done To Fix a Previous Radiated Breast with Implant?

This week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: What can be done for a 2004 radiated breast with implant. As common, it has encapsulated to a high degree and is painful, misshaped and raised, looking very unnatural. Thank you

Answer:  Without question, the course of action most likely to work is to remove the implant and proceed with reconstruction using your own tissue. If you still have breast tissue remaining, it can be removed by a breast surgeon at the same time that your healthy tissue is transferred.

The most common source for the new tissue (the “flap”) is the abdomen, which is usually harvested as a DIEP flap. If the abdomen is not available or not adequate, then the buttocks (“sGAP flap”) can often be used. Our success rates over the last 13 years are 99.07% using the DIEP flap, and 95.7% using the sGAP flap. The initial surgery requires on average 4 nights in the hospital, but subsequent stages are much easier.

If you can’t or don’t want to use your own tissue, there are a couple of other options which may offer some hope, although the chances of success are nowhere near as good as using your own tissue. One is a course of hyperbaric oxygen, which has been shown to bring new blood vessels to the radiated tissue.

Another potential option, which must be regarded as experimental at this point, would be to completely cover the implant with acellular dermal matrix, or “ADM” (Alloderm being the most commonly used variety). This material has some efficacy in preventing contracture, but the effect would be less pronounced in radiated tissue.

Hope this helps. I would be happy to discuss your situation further with you, if you wish.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

5 Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List

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Summer…

The perfect time to relax poolside (or on the beach like us in Charleston) and catch up on some reading.

Not sure what to read?

No problem–we’ve got you covered.

Check out these 5 books we recommend you add to your summer reading list.

#1 – The Woman in the Window

 

the woman in the window

If you enjoy thriller novels, A.J. Finn’s book, The Woman in the Window, is a must-read for you this summer.

This book starts out with the main character, Anna Fox, spying on her neighbors from her Harlem townhouse.

Poor Anna suffers from agoraphobia and is house-bound.

While watching her neighbor, she believes she witnesses a crime.

Was she right? If so, what was the crime and who did it?

Read the book to find out!

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#2 – Girl, Wash Your Face

girl wash your face

As women, we tell ourselves a lot of lies.

For instance, you might have said to yourself…

  • “I’m not good enough.
  • “I’m not thin enough.
  • “I’m not a good parent.

If you have, this honest, yet light-hearted look into the lies we tell ourselves each day is a must-read.

Join author Rachel Hollis as she gives advice on how to get rid of a limiting mindset that destroys self-confidence and keeps you from moving forward.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#3 – Little Women

little women

There’s nothing quite like revisiting the treasured classic Little Women.

In this epic tale, you’ll take a journey with the author Louisa May Alcott who tells the story of what it was like for her and her three sisters to grow up in Concord, Massachusetts, in the 1860s.

All in all, the story tells of how the sisters grow up, find love, and find their place in the world.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#4 – Brave New World

brave new world

Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, is based on a scientific empire that manufactures its citizens in the laboratory on a eugenic basis.

The story follows the fortunes of John, the illegitimate son of a senior governor, who has grown up in America, outside the new empire.

Will John be able to find a place in this new society?

Find out by reading the book!

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#5 – Yes Please

yes please

If you’re in need of a laugh, we highly recommend picking up a copy of Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please.

In this book, Amy shares comical and heartwarming stories about life, her time on SNL, and being a woman in show business.

Regardless of whether you know Amy from SNL or movies, she shares many stories that any woman (in show business or not) can relate to and connect with.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

What are your favorite books? Let us know in the comments below!