Neighborhood ERs:
Community, Convenience, Care
By Lana C. Maciel
In the past few years, you’ve probably seen them cropping up all over town – on the street corner right outside your neighborhood, a few blocks away from your job, or even across the street from your local grocery store. Community emergency centers have become so common, it’s easy to think these free-standing locations are nothing more than ordinary clinics. But take a closer look, and you’ll realize these local emergency rooms are actually every bit as serious as the name states.
From heart attacks to strokes to broken bones, neighborhood ER centers are equipped to handle it all. Those that bear the name of a main hospital, such as St. Luke’s or Methodist, operate as a direct extension of the hospital. Other non-hospital-affiliated centers, such as Emerus, operate independently, but are still equipped with a quality staff ready to handle any emergency situation.
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THE HEALTHY CHEF
Houston's top chefs offer advice on low-fat, flavorful cooking
Maurizio Ferrarese
Quattro–Four Seasons Hotel Houston
What do people love most about Italian food? The pasta, of course! With pasta, it’s all about portion control. Look for serving sizes on the package and follow them. Most people prepare more pasta than they really need because it does look like a lot until after it is cooked. Also, use more whole wheat pasta.
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Surgeons Implant Artificial Heart
Doctors at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (SLEH) have successfully implanted the first continuous-flow device that mimics what might be considered a total artificial heart in a desperately ill patient facing imminent death. Because the implanted pumps provide the blood flow that the sick heart cannot, they act as a total artificial heart.
Drs. Bud Frazier and Billy Cohn earlier this year implanted the two approved devices into 55-year-old Houstonian Craig A. Lewis in a last attempt to save his life.
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 Ask the Dietician
With Mother’s Day in mind, our expert tackles nutrition matters affecting women
By Karen Collins
Q: Why does my doctor suggest that I avoid soy foods while I am taking an anti-estrogen medication to treat breast cancer?
A: Soy foods contain natural plant compounds called isoflavones that are referred to as phytoestrogens because they have estrogen-like activity. Note, however, that this is a much weaker form than our body’s natural estrogen. Women who have or have had hormone-sensitive breast cancers often question whether it is safe for them to eat these phytoestrogen-containing foods. Researchers now say that eating up to three standard servings a day of traditional whole-soy foods is probably safe for these women.
However, to avoid any chance of these compounds interfering with anti-estrogen medications, many experts advise against eating soy foods while taking these medicines. Foods that women should avoid include: tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy nuts, soymilk, soy flour, textured soy protein (often in meatless crumbles) and soy protein isolate. Soybean oil and soy sauce, which do not contain isoflavones, are safe to consume.
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 Helpful Green Tips
Houston green consultant and owner of Designs for Success Lura Lovestar offers these tips to help you become more eco-conscious at home or at the office.
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