HealthWorks S PRIN G 2021
MAKE TIME FOR
YOUR MAMMOGRAM
ROBOT-ASSISTED
KNEE REPLACEMENT
6 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS
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Montefiore Nyack Hospital Updates FROM THE PRESIDENT
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s the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more available and its administration increases, there is the inevitable desire to begin a return to “normal,” especially after a year of pandemic-related precautions. Returning to normal requires that we proceed safely and carefully, taking care of ourselves and each other. After a long and often harsh winter, the warmer weather and increasing daylight lures us into spending more time outdoors. Doing so has the benefit of decreasing stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation. In this issue, we feature an article highlighting links to sites for safe outdoor activities— local hiking trails, parks and waterfronts in our area—where you can enjoy great views, fresh air and the sights and sounds of nature while safely enjoying the company of friends and family. Additionally, the change of season and warmer weather offers us an opportunity to start fresh and return to the basics of getting enough sleep, eating seasonally (healthy salads and fresh fruits for spring and summer) and remembering to drink plenty of water and get up and move throughout the day. This is also an excellent time to pick up a new hobby or daily practice, such as meditation, gardening, hiking or another physical activity. In so doing, you can improve your overall health and help make yourself feel physically better and mentally stronger as we continue our journey to normal. Be safe, stay healthy and enjoy what I am confident will be sunny days ahead. Best regards,
Mark Geller, MD President and Chief Executive Officer
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES Patient safety is our No. 1 priority. Highland Medical, P.C. has safety precautions in place to provide safe care in every practice and location where we see and treat patients. Same-day appointments, virtual or in person, are available with our primary care physicians. Learn more: montefiorenyack.org/highland/news/safe-care.
CALL 1-866-550-HMPC. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIALTIES, VISIT
HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM.
BREAST HEALTH It’s in Your Hands. Today, there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
TAKE OUR QUICK QUIZ TO LEARN ABOUT:
• Your personal breast cancer risk • Preventive self-care • Warning signs and more
TAKE THE QUIZ AT www.breastcare.health/quiz
THE BREAST CENTER AT MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL
facebook.com/MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack To unsubscribe, please email us at publicrelations@montefiorenyack.org.
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@Montefiore_Nyack LinkedIn.com/MontefioreNyackHospital
EDITORIAL STAFF Lauren Malone, Sr. Dir. of PR and Marketing Rose Croke, Marketing Manager Briana Tolve, Marketing Manager Kristen DiBari, Marketing Coordinator Celia Vimont, Contributing Writer
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IN THIS ISSUE
spring 2021
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KNEE REPLACEMENT: A ROLE FOR ROBOTICS How new technology is improving outcomes.
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SEPSIS: EARLY DETECTION IS KEY When the body has an extreme reaction to infection, prompt treatment saves lives.
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6 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure is key to kidney health.
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MAKE TIME FOR YOUR MAMMOGRAM Screening mammograms save lives. Don’t let the pandemic keep you from getting yours.
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ADDICTION: HELP IS AT HAND Many treatment options are available for drug and alcohol abuse.
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ENJOY THE OUTDOORS! Check out our guide to local trails and parks.
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SUPERFOODS TO GROW AT HOME Bump up your health by taking these nutrition dynamos from garden to plate.
NEW CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB OPENS Montefiore Nyack Hospital opened its new Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab, which allows our interventional cardiologists to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease while eliminating the need to transport patients to a different hospital for lifesaving cardiac interventions. The Cardiac Cath Lab is located close to the Emergency Department, ensuring convenient access to rapid evaluation for patients experiencing a cardiac event. Our highly skilled clinical team performs a wide range of interventional procedures, including pacemaker and stent insertion, removal of blood clots in the lungs and treatment of heart blockages.
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JASON FOND, MD, BARRY KRAUSHAAR, MD, JORDAN SIMON, MD, AND RICHARD POPOWITZ, MD, WITH THE ROSA ORTHOPEDIC ROBOT.
For more information, visit montefiorenyack.org/joint-replacement. To schedule a consultation, call The Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital at 845-348-7489. Our staff will answer your questions and provide a list of surgeons.
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KNEE REPLACEMENT: A ROLE FOR
ROBOTICS A NEW ROBOTIC SYSTEM HELPS ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS AT MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL IMPROVE FIT DURING TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS.
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rthopedic surgeons performing total knee replacement surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital have a new tool—a robotic system to help them plan and perform surgery. “The robot helps us be more accurate, with less variation in results,” says Jordan Simon, MD, Director of the Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “This can lead to a more comfortable knee and a quicker recovery.” With robotic surgery, the robot is not performing the procedure—that’s still done entirely by the surgeon. The robot is a tool used by surgeons to improve the accuracy of the cutting instruments. Before the procedure, the patient has a specialized X-ray, which the robotic system uses to generate a 3D image the surgeon uses to plan the surgery. This eliminates the need for a CT scan or MRI before the operation.
PRECISION POSITIONING The robotic system uses a camera and optical trackers attached to the patient’s leg to know exactly where the knee is in space—like a GPS. Throughout the surgery, the robot provides data about the knee. This information helps the surgeon ensure the knee implant is properly positioned for the patient’s body. In any knee replacement surgery, the surgeon must cut both the bone and the soft tissue surrounding the knee. As deformity of the knee is corrected, the soft tissue around the joint has to be rebalanced correctly by the surgeon—making sure it’s not too loose or tight. If this doesn’t happen, the result can be pain, instability and restricted range of motion.
The robot helps the surgeon assess the state of the soft tissue and enables them to adjust planned bone cuts as needed before the actual cuts are made. This means less rebalancing is required. “It leads to a better range of motion in the knee and a quicker recovery,” says Dr. Simon.
WHAT TO EXPECT Whether you have traditional or robotic knee replacement, you’ll be up and walking the day of surgery. “Many patients go home the next morning,” says Dr. Simon. Patients have physical therapy at home two or three times a week for two weeks, then start going to PT outside the home. A full recovery generally takes eight to 12 weeks on average. Pain control for knee surgery is much better today than in the past, Dr. Simon notes. “The patient won’t have much pain the day of surgery. Then they’ll be given enough medications to control pain so they can recover quickly.” Many people use narcotic pain medications for three to four weeks after surgery, then switch to nonnarcotic pain medications. By six to eight weeks after surgery, most patients find that over-the-counter pain medications are all they need. Most knee replacements last more than 15 years. “We don’t know yet whether robot-assisted surgery leads to a longer life of the knee,” he says. “Regardless of what type of surgery patients have— traditional or robot-assisted—they’ll have good results, and a new knee will help them get back to the activities they enjoy.”
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SEPSIS: LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION GAINS ATTENTION EARLY TREATMENT REDUCES RISK OF COMPLICATIONS AND DEATH.
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epsis is a potentially lifethreatening condition, yet until recently it didn’t receive enough attention in the nation’s hospitals, according to William Greenhut, DO, MPH, FACEP, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Patients with sepsis are the sickest patients in the hospital,” he says. “They have a greater risk of dying compared to patients hospitalized for stroke, trauma or heart attack.” Research shows that the risk of dying from sepsis is reduced by early, aggressive treatment. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It’s a lifethreatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to critically low blood pressure, organ failure and death. There are 1.7 million cases of sepsis annually in the United States. Of those, 270,000 will die. Almost any type of infection can lead to sepsis. The most common are urinary tract infections, pneumonia and gastrointestinal infections. Some people are at higher risk of sepsis. These include adults 65 or older; people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer and kidney disease; and people with weakened immune systems. “We see a
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higher proportion of sepsis occurring in skilled nursing facilities because so many people there have these conditions,” says Dr. Greenhut. The most important component of treating sepsis is to identify it in the first place, which can be a challenge for those not trained to look for it, according to Dr. Greenhut, who chairs the hospital’s Sepsis Committee. “Everyone has a role to play in identifying sepsis in the home, nursing home or emergency department,” he says.
SIGNS OF SEPSIS The most common symptoms of sepsis include: • Fever • Rapid heartbeat • Difficulty breathing • Confusion “Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one has these signs, seek medical attention immediately,” says Dr. Greenhut. “The risk of complications and death increases the longer you wait to obtain treatment.” Treatment generally involves intravenous fluids and antibiotics for a bacterial infection, if indicated. While many sepsis patients are admitted to the hospital, in some cases a person may be
treated in the emergency department and then released.
EDUCATION IS KEY Montefiore Nyack Hospital has developed a protocol for how to respond to patients who come to the hospital with signs of sepsis, or who develop the condition while in the hospital. “We’ve conducted an education campaign to ensure the entire hospital staff understands the true significance of sepsis,” says Dr. Greenhut. “We have notably improved our speed and our aggressiveness in treating these patients.” Dr. Greenhut, a member of a national committee on sepsis quality, also has been conducting an education campaign in skilled nursing facilities to help staff identify sepsis patients earlier. He’s now conducting community outreach to teach people to identify signs of sepsis at home. “There’s a lot about sepsis we don’t understand,” he says. “Despite appropriate and aggressive treatment, the mortality rate for severe cases hovers around 30 percent. Our opportunity to improve that number is to identify and treat the condition as early as possible before there are complications related to the illness.”
To learn more about sepsis, visit the Sepsis Alliance page for patients and family at www.sepsis.org/education/patients-family/.
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“We’ve conducted an education campaign to ensure the entire hospital staff understands the true significance of sepsis.” William Greenhut, DO, MPH, FACEP Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Montefiore Nyack Hospital
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WAYS TO
PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS CONTROLLING DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS KEY TO KIDNEY HEALTH.
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o keep your kidneys healthy, do what you can to avoid developing diabetes or high blood pressure and keep those conditions under control if they occur, says Pavela Saha, MD, a nephrologist at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical Rockland Renal Associates. “When you look at patients on dialysis for end-stage kidney disease, 50 percent have diabetes, while 27 percent have hypertension,” she says. “The rest have autoimmune or other conditions.”
WHAT IS KIDNEY DISEASE? The kidneys regulate the body’s fluid balance and filter wastes and toxins from the blood. They also keep electrolytes (such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium) in balance. There are three stages of kidney disease: acute, chronic and end-stage. Acute kidney disease is defined as injury to the kidneys that lasts for less than three months. If the kidneys don’t recover in that time, a person is considered to have chronic kidney disease. End-stage kidney disease occurs when a person’s kidneys are so damaged that they need dialysis (using a machine to do the work of the kidneys). “There is no cure for chronic kidney disease, so once a person has chronic disease, our goal is to delay the time until they need dialysis for as long as possible,” says Dr. Saha. Kidney disease is associated with other health conditions, including heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Most people with early kidney disease have no symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, kidney disease may be advanced. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, decreased urination, confusion, loss of appetite and sleep cycle disturbance. These symptoms tend to appear in end-stage disease when a patient usually requires dialysis.
WHAT YOU CAN DO Some risk factors for kidney disease—such as a family history of the disease—can’t be controlled. But there are steps you can take to protect your kidneys.
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If you smoke, quit.
2 If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar under control. This includes decisions about food, physical activity and medicines. 3 Keep your cholesterol at a healthy level. Take lipid-lowering medicine if prescribed by your doctor. 4 If you have high blood pressure, take medicine if prescribed by your doctor. “Monitor your blood pressure at home twice a day, in the morning and evening,” says Dr. Saha. “The reading you get in a doctor’s office isn’t always reliable.” 5 Beware of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil, Aleve, Motrin) if you have kidney disease. These drugs can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period. People with kidney disease usually can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) as long as they don’t exceed the recommended dose. 6 If you take vitamin D or C, ask your doctor how much you can safely take. Vitamin D is key to bone and skin health, but overuse can lead to elevated calcium in the blood. This can cause acute kidney damage. Vitamin C is associated with the most common type of kidney stones, called calcium oxalate stones. “If you’re at risk for this type of kidney stones, consult your doctor before taking vitamin C supplements,” she says. Controlling your diabetes and blood pressure, along with other steps, will not only help to protect your kidneys, but improve your overall health. “Because we don’t have a cure for chronic kidney disease, prevention is key,” says Dr. Saha.
To schedule an appointment with a board-certified nephrologist at Highland Medical, P.C., call 866-550-4672.
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MAKE TIME FOR YOUR
MAMMOGRAM ANNUAL BREAST SCREENING IS KEY TO FINDING CANCER EARLY, WHEN IT’S MOST TREATABLE. DON’T LET THE PANDEMIC KEEP YOU FROM YOURS.
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any women have found themselves overwhelmed juggling work and family obligations during the pandemic. In the struggle to find enough time for everything, some have put off making medical appointments, including for breast cancer screening. This can have harmful health consequences, according to Sunny Mitchell, MD, Medical Director of The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Breast cancer is very treatable when it’s detected at an early stage,” she says. “That’s why it’s so important for women to have an annual breast screening—it saves lives.”
ANNUAL SCREENING: WHEN TO START Women at average risk of breast cancer should start annual breast screening at age 40, advises Dr. Mitchell. You’re at average risk if you don’t have a strong family history of breast cancer (a parent, sibling or child who has had the disease), you or your family members don’t have one of the breast cancer genes (BRCA1 or 2), and you have not had a prior biopsy with highrisk findings. “Some women, such as those with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, may be advised to start screening earlier than age 40,” says Dr. Mitchell. Factors that are known to increase the risk of breast cancer include: Genetic mutations. Women who have inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. If you’re of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you may have a higher risk for a BRCA gene mutation. Having dense breasts. Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can
sometimes make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts may need additional breast imaging to better visualize the breast tissue. Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer may be considered higher risk than women who have not. Family history of breast cancer. A woman’s risk for breast cancer may be higher if she has a mother, sister or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who have had breast cancer. Having a first-degree male relative with breast cancer also may raise a woman’s risk. Previous treatment using radiation therapy. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts (such as for treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma) before age 30 may have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life. A woman may be considered at high risk of breast cancer either because of one specific factor or a combination of factors working together.
HOW COVID-19 VACCINATION CAN AFFECT SCREENING Some people who receive a COVID-19 vaccination may experience some swelling or tenderness in their lymph nodes under the armpit. It’s possible that this swelling will show up on breast imaging tests. “If you have recently had a COVID-19 vaccine, and then go for breast screening, tell the facility that you’ve been vaccinated,” says Sunny Mitchell, MD, Medical Director of The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “The radiologist will take that into consideration when reviewing your imaging tests and will not mistake any lymph node swelling for cancer-related changes in the breast.” She adds, “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and getting screened for breast cancer are very important, and we want to encourage women to do both.”
HIGH-TECH SCREENING TOOLS For most women, mammography is used for annual breast cancer screening. The most advanced mammography imaging available for breast cancer detection is 3D tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography. It’s more effective than traditional 2D mammography in detecting cancers earlier and decreases the need for women to be called back for additional testing. If a woman is found to have dense breasts on her mammogram, her doctor also may recommend ultrasound screening, which uses sound waves, or an MRI. These exams provide additional information on masses or lumps in the breast. An MRI also may be used in other cases, such as for women who carry breast cancer genes or have relatives who are gene carriers.
Learn more about your personal breast cancer risk and screening eligibility by taking our health quiz at www.breastcare.health/quiz. To make an appointment for a screening, call 845-348-7579.
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DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION: HELP IS AT HAND
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED A SURGE IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE. FORTUNATELY, MANY TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE.
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tudies have found that use of drugs and alcohol has soared during the pandemic. For a person trying to figure out whether a loved one has a drug-related problem, the signs aren’t always obvious, says Joseph Vittorio, MD, Medical Director of The Recovery Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “There are behavioral as well as physical signs,” he explains. “A person
may lie about where they’ve been and how they spend their money. Physical signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, missing schoolwork and ignored responsibilities.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, signs a teen may be using drugs include: •A cting withdrawn, frequently tired, depressed or hostile. • A change in peer group.
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“We plan for our patients’ release from our inpatient program from the time they’re admitted to ensure they continue to pursue their sobriety with the appropriate outpatient program or support group.” Joseph Vittorio, MD Medical Director of the Recovery Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital
could get worse, or even kill them. You can say, ‘I want you to get help because I love you and care for you,’” he says.
TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION
• Carelessness with grooming. • Loss of interest in favorite activities. • Deteriorating relationships with family members and friends. If you’re concerned a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol, the first step is to have a conversation about it. “You can say, ‘I notice a change in your behavior,’ and give some examples,” says Dr. Vittorio. “You can tell them you’re worried their drug or alcohol problem
Treatment for addiction depends on a number of issues, including a person’s substance use patterns and related medical, psychiatric and social problems. “It also depends on a person’s motivation, what type of rehab is available in their area and what their insurance will cover,” says Dr. Vittorio. In many cases, inpatient rehab is recommended initially to get a person away from the substance they were using and the lifestyle that enabled it. “A person needs a supportive environment, which will help them avoid the people, places and things they used to abuse substances with,” he explains. A typical inpatient rehab will combine counseling with medication-assisted treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several different medications to treat alcohol and opioid-use disorders. These medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. In some cases, a person can be treated successfully in an outpatient program. These programs also include counseling and medication-assisted treatment.
BUILDING RECOVERY SKILLS Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s Recovery Center offers inpatient and outpatient services. Both programs include medication-assisted treatment, psychiatry, group therapy, individual counseling and education to build the skills necessary for recovery. “We plan for our patients’ release from our inpatient program from the time they’re admitted to ensure they continue to pursue their sobriety with the appropriate outpatient program or support group,” says Dr. Vittorio. For people who are experiencing life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal, the hospital provides a medically managed detoxification program. “A person undergoing withdrawal should go to the emergency room. They’ll be admitted to detox for a few days, and from there they will go to rehab,” he says. Seeking help for an alcohol or substance use disorder takes a lot of courage, but addiction can be managed successfully. “Treatment helps people regain control of their lives,” says Dr. Vittorio. “It may take several tries before a person finds the right approach to treatment that works for them. But many people who are not successful at first eventually are able to become totally drug- or alcohol-free.”
For general questions about The Recovery Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, call 845-348-2070 or visit www.montefiorenyack.org/addiction-services.
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ENJOY THE
GREAT OUTDOORS
THIS SPRING CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO LOCAL TRAILS AND PARKS, THEN PLAN AN OUTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
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fter being inside so much this winter, spring brings the promise of fresh air and the chance to get together with family and friends outdoors. Exploring the many beautiful parks, hiking areas and waterfronts in our area provides important physical and psychological benefits. Outdoor activities pose a lower risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus than indoor activities, while providing great views, fresh air, and the sounds and smells of nature. Of course, even outdoors, wear masks when with people outside your household. Being outside can decrease feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, and improve your mood. Studies show that isolation caused by the pandemic has intensified these feelings for many. Getting moderate exercise, whether it’s a brisk walk or a more rigorous hike along hilly trails, provides many physical benefits. These include lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure; boosting bone density; building strength in your hips and legs; improving your balance and helping to control your weight. Here are some ideas to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Even if everyone in your group isn’t vaccinated yet, you can mask up, stay socially distanced and enjoy one another’s company!
Rockland County has a wealth of parks (https:// explorerocklandny.com/outdoors/parks/) for walking, hiking and observing nature. For example, Bear Mountain State Park offers fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating, ball fields, basketball courts, hiking paths and bike trails. Or you can hike to Buttermilk Falls, enjoying scenic overlooks and an area at the base of the falls for picnicking and photography. You can also find a wide range of parks in Orange County (https://www.orangecountygov.com/237/Parks-Facilities) and Westchester (https://parks.westchestergov.com/) to enjoy hiking, swimming, stunning views and wildlife. For river views (https://explorerocklandny.com/outdoors/ on-the-river/), visit Haverstraw for camping and fishing; Nyack for sailing or tubing; Piermont for canoeing through the marshes; and Stony Point for amazing river views and historical sites. You’ll find plenty of information about hiking in our area at https://www.nynjtc.org/view/hike, including up-to-date trail maps, guides and resources. You can choose a hike by level of difficulty or hike features (such as whether biking is allowed) and find out if dogs are allowed.
Before heading out to enjoy the natural beauty of our local parks, hiking trails and nature reserves, check the websites for the latest information about hours and any restrictions.
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SUPERFOODS TO GROW AT HOME BUMP UP YOUR HEALTH BY TAKING THESE NUTRITION DYNAMOS FROM GARDEN TO PLATE.
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ant to ramp up your antioxidant intake, boost your health and feel more energized? You can start by integrating a few select superfoods into your diet. We’ve chosen four nutrient-dense dynamos that are easily grown in a home garden and fare well in our region. Most of these superfoods don’t take up a lot of square footage in the garden. They’ll also thrive in outdoor containers or inside on a windowsill. You’ll get the freshest food available and the greatest health benefits possible by taking vitamin-rich produce from your garden straight to your plate. Going on a hike (see opposite page)? These foods will add punch and nutrition to any picnic lunch you bring along.
NUTRITION-PACKED HERBS Mint is a nutritional superstar that will amp up your smoothies. Other uses? Stir fresh mint into hot or iced tea, or snip into Mediterranean salads, dips and entrées. Mint is loaded with antioxidants and is a natural antimicrobial agent and breath freshener. Mint spreads rapidly in the garden. To control the creep, plant in a confined outdoor space or a container. Parsley, best known as a garnish, is delicious when blended into pesto and chimichurri sauce or chopped into an array of soups and salads. Loaded
with iron and vitamins C, A, K and B-12, parsley may help relieve joint pain, and some studies show it can inhibit tumor formation. Parsley seeds are slow to sprout. To give them a boost before planting, cover in warm water and let stand overnight. Parsley can be planted in pots indoors or out in the garden two to three weeks before the last frost. It likes moist, nutrient-rich soil and does best in partial shade or full sun.
SUPER SEEDS AND SPROUTS More than ever, nutritionists are touting the benefits of seeds and sprouts. Chia can be eaten in both forms. Chia seeds, which have a mild, nutty flavor, can be eaten whole—sprinkled on cereal or yogurt, mixed into vegetable or rice dishes, added to sauces or baked into muffins. Sprouted chia has even more vitamins and minerals and is a tasty addition to salads, soups and sandwiches. Chia sprouts are tiny workhorses, high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, antioxidants, calcium and magnesium. Chia sprouts grow happily in a sunny indoor spot. (Remember the Chia Pet?) Use the sprinkle-sprouting method: Add equal amounts of chia seeds and bottled spring or filtered water to a shallow glass baking dish. After an hour, tilt the dish to
pour out the water, leaving behind the moistened chia seeds. Cover the tray with foil or a plastic lid to trap in the moisture, but leave one corner slightly open. Keep the seeds in a warm place. After about four days, they’ll sprout into seedlings, and when they’re about one-half inch long, it’s time to taste! Leftovers? No problem—you can store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for two weeks. One caveat: If you’re taking bloodpressure medications or blood thinners, ask your doctor before eating chia, which can interact negatively with some of those medicines.
GARDEN ADVISERS Ready to grow your own superfoods, but feeling a tad overwhelmed? The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE)—Rockland Education Center in Stony Point, NY, is a go-to resource for all your gardening questions. For more information, visit: www.rocklandcce.org or call 845-429-7085.
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NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Harrisburg, PA Permit #324
160 North Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960
JOIN US THIS FALL Montefiore Nyack Hospital Is Celebrating 125 Years of Service to the Community HONORING Philip O. Ozuah, MD, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Montefiore Medicine
Richard Kohlhausen
Chair, Montefiore Nyack Board of Trustees
The Village of Nyack
Thursday, September 30, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. Palisades Credit Union Park Home of the New York Boulders | Pomona, NY Enjoy cocktails and festive entertainment in a large outdoor arena with social distancing. Visit https://bit.ly/MontefioreNyack125th for sponsorship opportunities, tickets or ads. For information, call Tracie McLee at 845-348-2771 or email mcleet@montefiorenyack.org.
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