Spicy Salsa Verde Chicken

Recipe courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

Your chicken will never be the same with this tasty little number’s salsa verde — packed with vein-loving jalepenos, garlic, lime and orange juice — topping it off. Don’t skimp on the salsa — your favorite tortilla chips will be begging for it!

Ingredients

• 1 cup basil leaves, packed
• 1 cup cilantro, packed
• ½ cup parsley, packed
• ½ jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small shallot ,chopped
• zest of 1 lime
• juice of ½ lime
• 3 tablespoons orange juice (fresh is best)
• salt & pepper
• 1 lb. chicken breasts
• extra virgin olive oil for grilling

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except chicken in a blender.
2. Blend until puréed.
3. Combine chicken breasts with half the salsa mixture in a large bowl, toss to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, up to overnight.
4. Heat a stove top grill pan (or outdoor grill if it’s not 8 degrees where you are) over medium heat and grease with extra virgin olive oil.
5. Place chicken breasts on grill pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side or until chicken is cooked through. This will depend on how thick your chicken is.
6. Once cooked through, remove from grill pan and spoon remaining salsa over the top of each chicken breast.

Serve with a lime wedge and garnish with cilantro.

Spicy Southwest Chopped Salad with Salsa Verde

Recipe and photo courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 
2 ears corn 
• 
1 pound tomatillos, husked
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 jalapeno chile pepper, chopped
• 1/4 large white onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• salt, to taste
• 4 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/4 medium head red cabbage, chopped
• 
1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste
• 
1 head green leaf lettuce
• 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil; add the corn and boil 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the corn and allow to cool until cool enough to handle. Cut the corn off of the cob and place into a large mixing bowl; set aside
2. Place the tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeno, onion, garlic, salt, and 4 teaspoons of lime juice into a blender. Pulse until the vegetables have been finely chopped; set aside. Toss the avocado with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and mix with the corn, cabbage, black beans, and bell pepper.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning.
4. Cook the chicken breasts on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Set the breasts aside until cool enough to handle; cut into bite sized pieces.
5. Divide the lettuce leaves onto 4 plates. Mound the avocado mixture on top of the lettuce, followed by the chicken. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges to serve.

Get Fruity — A Berry Good Smoothie

Recipe courtesy of Prevention

Ingredients 

• 1 can water- or juice-packed peaches
• 8 oz.  raspberry yogurt
• 8 oz. frozen mixed berries — such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups apple juice

Directions

In a blender, combine the peaches (with juice), yogurt, mixed berries, blueberries, and apple juice. Blend on high speed until pureed. Pour and say, ahhh!

Syrian Muhammara – Red Pepper Dip 

We are addicted to this Syrian specialty. You will be too — so buy plenty of pita and veggies! You’ll be dipping for hours.

Recipe courtesy of Epicurious

Photo courtesy of Taste of Beirut

Ingredients

7 oz. jar roasted red peppers, drained

2/3 cup fine fresh bread crumbs

1/3 cup walnuts, toasted lightly and chopped fine

2 to 4 garlic cloves, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste

2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses (available at Middle Eastern stores, Central Market)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

In a food processor blend together the peppers, the bread crumbs, the walnuts, the garlic, the lemon juice, the pomegranate molasses, the cumin, the red pepper flakes, and salt to taste until the mixture is smooth and with the motor running add the oil gradually. Transfer the muhammara to a bowl and serve it at room temperature with the toasted pita triangles, pita chips, veggies.

Kale, Carrot, and Ginger Juice

Recipe and photo courtesy of fitsugar

According to Livestrong, fresh foods like oranges, kale, carrots, and ginger all help with circulation by neutralizing vein damage, strengthening capillaries, and stimulating blood circulation — and all 4 of those take center stage in this superfood-packed, circulation-boosting  juice. We are especially loving the ginger in this drink for its anti-inflammatory kick — especially now that summer’s here to help keep leg swelling down! 

Ingredients

• 1 Fuji apple, cored and sliced

• 1 lemon, peele
• 
1 orange, with peel
• 2 carrots, whole

• 6 kale leaves, rinsed

• 1 inch of ginger root

Directions

1. Slice up the apple, orange, and lemon.
2. Remove the peel from the lemon and add all of the ingredients to your electric juicer.
3. For less bite, remove the peel of the orange before adding it to your juicer (but note that the peels of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits boost their bioflavonoid power big time!)

Beet it with an Unexpectedly Delicious Roasted Beet Crostini

Recipe and photo courtesy of Eating Well

The entire beet plant—roots, stems and greens—can be used in this stunning appetizer. The beets are roasted then pureed with goat cheese for a creamy ruby-red spread. The greens and stems are sautéed with olive oil and garlic for the topping.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch beets with greens attached, (see Tip)
• 16 1/2-inch-thick slices baguette, preferably whole-grain, cut on the diagonal
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, or red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces creamy goat cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Trim greens from beets, reserving stems and greens. Place the beets in a baking pan, cover with foil and roast until very tender when pierced with a knife, 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the beets. Uncover and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350°.
3. While the beets cool, arrange baguette slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake, turning the slices over once halfway through, until toasted but not browned, about 14 minutes.
4. Thinly slice the beet green stems and finely chop the leaves; keep stems and leaves separate. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the stems and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the greens, vinegar and water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and the liquid has evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in salt and remove from the heat.
5. Peel the cooled beets and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place 3/4 cup beet pieces, goat cheese and pepper in a food processor and puree until smooth (reserve the remaining beets for another use).
6. To assemble crostini, spread about 2 teaspoons beet-cheese spread on each slice of toasted baguette and top with sautéed greens.

Tip: Look for bunches of beets with 2 to 3 medium-to-large beets for this recipe. If you have trouble finding beets with greens still attached, use loose beets plus 3 cups finely chopped chard greens and thinly sliced stems.

For more background on vein healthy foods and drinks, read more from our blog: Eat This, Drink That For Healthier Veins

When you’re in the business of helping feel better, it truly is a team effort and nothing is more satisfying than hearing compliments about our staff from our patients. And when you have compassionate, engaging people like patient coordinator, Sarah Elkadiri, on your team, we know our patients are in great hands! 

Patient Coordinator Sarah Elkadiri

Q. What do you do at HVC and how long have you been here? 

A. I started working as an intern here at Hamilton Vein October 22, 2012 while finishing up my double masters in business administration and health administration at the University of Houston Clear Lake. 

Now I’m a patient coordinator whose responsibilities include scheduling and coordinating treatment plans, explaining billing documents and treatment plans. Basically it’s my job to ensure each patient is informed and educated about all aspects of their treatment. I love people so building relationships is right up my alley!

Q. How did you get into this field?

A. I love people and helping people so initially I was accepted to a dental school. Once there, I could tell it wasn’t the fit for me because it was very hands-on and I really couldn’t interact with the patients! For someone who loves to communicate, I knew I had to find something else healthcare related. 

That something else was discovered when a friend of mine worked in the admin department of a hospital. So I thought I’d give that avenue a try — and I loved it!

Q. What do you love most about your job? 

A. I love to see change, results. Since I communicate the most with our patients, you really get to know them. And it’s thrilling to see their progress as they go through treatment.

I love how the patient coordinators help the patients create their own little “Hamilton Vein family” — if there’s a particular PA, doctor or nurse they like to see each time, we make that happen for them. We do everything we can to accommodate schedules and special requests so our patients feel comfortable every step of the way.  

Plus, being a patient coordinator let’s me do two things I love to do: talk and work with people! We see people walk in with some pretty serious, debilitating vein problems and because my desk is right near the exit, I get to see their happy, smiling faces when they go out.

You just don’t realize what an impact you’ve made. The patients end up loving us so much! They bring us gifts, home-baked goodies, and so many compliments and thank you notes. 

Q. Any patient story that really sticks out in your mind?

A. When I first started, there was a lady who walked in with a walker during the early stages of her treatment and when she walked out later — she started dancing and singing, “Look at me! I can move now!” It was so moving. 

Q. Where are you from?

A. I was born and raised in Houston. My parents are from Badhdad originally but moved to the States in 1980.

Q. Share a special patient story

A. A couple of months ago I had a lady call and tell me how much her legs hurt and all the pain she was in. She was terrified to come in, thinking it would hurt, even the consult. I talked to her for at least 20 minutes explaining that the consult is completely painless, what it was, and that once she came in the she would find out what was causing her pain.  

She did come in and after her consult she sat down with me so I could go over her treatment plan and billing information. I assured her that now that she knew what was going on and that there was a plan forward in place, she could relax. She was in the best place to get treated. She was so relieved after that. That made me feel great.

After she was done with treatment she sent a handwritten note to Dr. Hamilton, saying things like “I was the patient. But your staff was patient with the patient. Sarah and your staff worked so hard to accommodate my schedule.” I love that she took the time to write a note. That is so meaningful. 

Q. Tell us something people don’t know about you. Do you have a special talent? Lived somewhere exotic? In a band? 

A. This might be too revealing, but I’m a HUGE Backstreet Boys fan.

I’ve seen them every time they come to Houston and I have been known to travel to their concerts. I’m the girl holding up signs that say “Marry Me!” My favorite is Brian Littrell. I’m also a Spice Girls fan.

Oh, and I sky dive.  

Q. What’s your guilty TV pleasure?

A. “Revenge” is just addicting. And I love to hate the “Kardashians” — which I have to watch when my husband’s not around. 

Q.  What’s your favorite place to eat or go in Houston?  

A. There’s this awesome hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant in midtown — Cali Sandwiches. I ate there almost every day when I worked downtown. You MUST go there! 

Q. If you won the lottery, what would you do?

A. Pay off student loans! For sure. And travel the world. Travel, travel, travel. Guess I’d have to buy a jet!

Q. What is your dream vacation?

A. I really want to go to Bora Bora/ Thailand

Q. What do you like to do on your days off?

A. Pamper, get nails done, massage, guilty pleasure TV, family time.

Q. Any exciting news?

A. I’m gonna be a new mom! I’m due in November and this baby is going to be in “time out” as soon as it’s born — so not making mommy feel good right now! But we are very excited! 

In case you missed Dr. Hamilton on the Wellness Hour yesterday, make yourself comfortable and listen in on this enlightening conversation that covers everything from vein treatment myths, like how vein stripping IS NOT how veins are treated today; the various types and degrees of vein disease; the debilitating effects of progressive vein disease (decreased quality of life, pain, leg ulcers), patient success stories, and more.

Fair warning: Discussions with Dr. Hamilton about vein disease invariably mean he’ll use visuals to show the progression of the disease. Some are quite unsettling but necessary to show because so many people think their skin problems –especially those with flaking, itching, dry, and even ulcerated skin — are dermatological problems or related to some other medical condition — when, many times, it’s vein disease. 

Click on the image to view Dr. Hamilton’s interview with Mr. Alvarez from January 2011.

In particular it was a great opportunity for us to reach out and spread the word about vein disease. We got such a kick when people would stop by our booth and say, “Oh, well I don’t have vein disease.” We’d then ask to ultrasound their legs, and, more often than not, they did have it — much to their surprise! 

The job of perforating veins is to connect the superficial, surface roads — the saphenous veins — to the main highway — the deep, femoral veins — that make up the leg vein superhighway. 

There are two saphenous veins in each leg — the great saphenous and the small saphenous. When vein disease is present in either one or both of these veins, a simple vein ablation procedure will heat the vein and close it. The body naturally responds to this “road closure” by rerouting blood to healthier, deeper veins. 

This rerouting happens through the perforator veins — the “connecting streets” between the deep (femoral) and superficial (saphenous) veins.

However, if a perforator vein becomes diseased and blood is not able to flow properly through its “one-way system” conditions such as edema, skin discoloration and leg ulcers can develop. According to Dr. Hamilton, people with leg ulcers and diseased perforator veins experience the most challenges. Due to consistent low oxygen levels and high venous pressure, blood can seep into superficial veins and alter the surrounding skin tissue as well. Circumstances that can cause skin to ulcerate — developing into ulcers that can become very hard and severe. 

Hamilton Vein Center performs the only FDA-approved treatment for diseased perforator veins. 

The ClosureRFS™ Stylet is the only endovenous device approved by the FDA for the treatment of incompetent perforators. 

ClosureRFS is a simple, image-guided procedure, much like the Venefit™ vein closure treatment. 

ClosureRFS treats the problem — directly at the source.

After careful insertion of the ClosureRFS catheter, our vein specialists use image-guided ultrasound to place the RFS stylet into the diseased perforator vein. Radiofrequency energy is then applied to heat the vein, causing it to collapse. Over a period of time the vein closes completely, becomes scar tissue and is absorbed by the body.

Immediately post-treatment, you literally walk away with no more than a barely noticeable mark at the insertion point. You also walk away knowing that this procedure is putting you on the path to recovery.

A serious problem. A proven solution.

Leg ulcer treatment is complex and, usually, ongoing. It’s crucial to know that minimally invasive intervention at any stage can have significant, life changing impact. We are chronic vein disease specialists at Hamilton Vein Center, performing the most advanced, outpatient vein treatment procedures available. 

If you suffer from a venous leg ulcer or other symptoms of vein disease, call our office today at 281-565-0033 or make an appointment online. Your first visit is complimentary and includes an ultrasound screening and consultation.

As vein specialists, this sounds like quite a claim – because it might lead people to believe that the creams “cure” varicose veins and other related vein disease symptoms. And that’s not quite the case.

On certain levels, vein creams containing the ingredient, Diosmin or Diosmin 95®, offer varying stages of relief from the symptoms associated with varicose veins – like feelings of tiredness, heaviness, and achiness. Diosmin 95 (the 95 means it contains 95% diosmin and 5% hesperidin) is an FDA-approved ingredient clinically proven to strengthen veins by prolonging the neuromediator activity in the vein. (Quick biochemical tutorial: Neuromediators are chemicals that are released by the nerve endings that cause the vein to contract and relax.) Breakdowns and below average levels of neuromediators are what lead to the vein becoming too relaxed.

Strong neuromediator presence = Stronger veins

All this is compelling, well-documented information. But, as a vein specialists who are board-certified physicians and interventional/vascular radiologists with years of experience in the field, we are quite leery of “cure-all” and “no medical intervention necessary” claims.

Here’s the deal, once you have varicose veins, the only way to truly “cure” them is through a targeted, minimally invasive vein treatment that pinpoints the source and closes the vein completely. Because once the vein has broken down to a point that it’s unable to pump blood sufficiently back towards the heart – you have a breakdown in the valve that no cream can touch, let alone fix.

That said, we do believe some vein creams that contain Diosmin (at least 90% or higher), hesperidin, horse chestnut, gotu kola, butcher’s broom and other vein-health supportive ingredients can effectively relieve symptoms and even reduce the cosmetic signs (squigglies, discoloration, ropey-ness). And anything that helps vein sufferers feel better, proactively strengthens veins and improves circulation is worth some hype. 

Think you have vein disease or are experiencing the symptoms of vein disease? End the guessing game today with a call to 281-565-0033 to schedule your free vein consultation and screening. You can book online too.

We know veins and know how to treat them painlessly and easily to make you feel better now. 

Next weekend, Reliant Center will become the center of the female universe when the Ultimate Women’s Expo rolls into town, and we hope you’ll join us! 

For two gorgeous days women are invited to come indulge, connect, pamper and better themselves from hundreds of vendors, including us! With one in three women affected by vein disease, we hope you’ll stop by booth #728 and get a mini-vein consultation performed by one of our ultrasound experts. While you’re there, gals who register for a full vein consultation and screening at one of our seven area locations can register to win a free sclerotherapy session for you or a friend ($450 value)!

This year’s keynote speakers are Sherri Shepherd, Emmy Award Winning Host of The View, on Saturday, April 20, and Emmy award winning actress and Queen of Daytime Drama, Jeanne Cooper, on Sunday, April 21.  

Specially priced tickets are available online and at the door. Reliant Center is located at One Reliant Park, Houston, TX 77054. 

Stop by BOOTH 728 and let us know you’re there! We’d love to see you!