The USS Maine was dispatched to Havana harbor in 1897 to ensure U.S. interests in Cuba were protected during the Cuban revolt against Spain. In early 1898, the Maine mysteriously exploded and, blaming Spain, popular opinion swung against the Spanish and rallying cries of, “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!,” were repeatedly seen in print and heard in speeches.
Thus the sinking of the Maine, caused by Spanish malfeasance or not, was a precipitating event leading to the Spanish-American War. Fast forward 35 years and we have a brash and intrepid travel writer-cum-cocktail enthusiast in the form of Charles H. Baker giving us a cocktail hearkening back to that disaster, Remember the Maine.
If Baker’s tales are to be believed, he seemingly swam in a sea of second-rate royalty and constantly hovered on the outskirts of classic Hollywood celebrity. Extracting the recipes from his verbose and purple prose is an entertaining and exhausting exercise
Of Remember the Maine, Baker writes this, “REMEMBER the MAINE, a hazy memory of a night in Havana during the unpleasantness of 1933, when each swallow was punctuated with bombs going off on the Prado, or the sound of 3-inch shells being fired at the hotel NACIONAL, then haven for certain anti-revolutionary officers.” You can see why trudging through his The Gentleman’s Companion: Being an Exotic Drinking Book Around the World with Jigger, Beaker and Flask can lead to little actual drinking. Regardless, he eventually arrives at this fine recipe.
This starts as a basic Manhattan and then, with the addition of Cherry Heering and absinthe, morphs into something more aromatic and brightly flavored. The Heering adds a musty herbal sweetness and the absinthe brings a sharp twang that, thanks to the vermouth and rye, doesn’t overwhelm the drink. I suggest Cinzano for the sweet vermouth and Kubler or Lucid for the absinthe. Old Overholt or Wild Turkey are good choices for the rye though they deliver very different expressions of the drink. The cause of the Maine’s demise remains a mystery, whether this drink does it justice is not.
REMEMBER THE MAINE
2 oz. rye whiskey
3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
2 barspoons Cherry Heering
1/2 barspoon absinthe
Stir well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Gabriel Szaszko publishes at cocktailnerd.com and hopes February brings lots of snow on the weekends that melts quickly and cleanly away by Monday.
You’ve heard it a hundred times before. Whether you just started dating or have been settled into your marriage for years now, making food together is the romantic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. That’s fine if you’re an experienced cook, but what if a four-course meal leaves you trembling at the thought of forgotten ingredients, messy kitchens and messed up timing?
Take a cue from the Danish and celebrate simplicity – make one dish, and make it really well.
The Danish smørrebrød is best described as an elegant open-faced sandwich. Typically made on buttered rye bread, the sandwich can be topped with anything from high quality cold-cuts to hard boiled eggs – the sky’s the limit. Let’s be honest – if you just started dating, this is a great way to learn each other’s preferences. The polite thing to do is to provide a nice assortment of toppings, but not so many that your date becomes overwhelmed.
With smorrebrod you can stay clear of the kitchen except for a little prep. In fact, with a tray of toppings, this finger food is easily assembled with your date in the dining room (or, better yet, while cozied up on the couch). The fun is in the choices – each person can make their smorrebrod according to their tastes. Or, if you feel like getting wild, you can take turns guessing what the other would enjoy and assemble sandwiches for each other.
Smørrebrød
Throughout Scandinavia the smørrebrød, or open-faced sandwich is the pretty way to eat lunch. The original version is eaten with a knife and fork, but by switching the rye bread with tiny pieces of sliced pumpernickel, I’ve turned them into dainty canapés – finger food, perfect for a romantic night in. Serve with chilled champagne or sparkling water.
12 slices of mini pumpernickel bread
Softened butter
1 package of smoked salmon
1/2 cucumber, halved and sliced thinly
Thinly sliced red onion, to taste
1 lemon
A few sprigs of fresh dill
Set out some butter to soften. About an hour before your date arrives, slice up all ingredients and place them on a pretty platter. Keep wet ingredients from dry ingredients. Refrigerate until needed. Assemble with date.
Instructions to make the smørresbrød as pictured:
Butter the bread. This keeps the bread from getting soggy. Lay thinly sliced cucumber halves on top of the bread. The thinner they are, the easier they’ll lay down. Next, add a layer of smoked salmon. Folding each piece in half makes for a pretty presentation. Thinly sliced red onion and a piece of fresh dill make the perfect garnish. Finally, finish things off with a slice of lemon, so that your date can squeeze a bit on the smørresbrød if desired. The lemon can be served on the side, or you can slice it thinly enough so that you can bend it in half like a bow.
OTHER TOPPING IDEAS
Tomato slices
Grated horseradish
Caviar
Shrimp
Steamed asparagus spears
Boiled eggs, sliced
Baby greens
Sliced cheese
Pâté
KNOW YOUR MEAL
DILL: Ancient Romans once claimed that dill, a symbol of vitality, provides energy and vigor to those who consume it. Today, the faintly licorice flavored herb is popular both in Scandinavian and north African cuisine.
LEMON: Lemons used to be a beauty product for ladies. A little on the lips was thought to make them rosy-red, and a splash on the cheeks was thought to make the skin creamy white.
SALMON: Salmon was incredibly popular in Europe during the Middle Ages and was found in all manner of soups, stews and pâtés. People ate so much of the fish that quantities diminished and, eventually, only the elite could afford it. Today, salmon can be found all over the northern hemisphere, especially near Canada, Scotland, Denmark and Norway.
CUCUMBER: The cucumber was first found in the sprawling foothills of the Himalayas. Today there are many varieties at our disposal. While the ones with waxy skins are mostly bland, the long, thin cucumbers sold in shrink wrap – known as European cucumbers, or hothouse cucumbers are excellent and the thin skin can be eaten if desired.
Sasha Martin is cooking her way around the world, one country at a time. Her picky husband and baby girl are along for the ride. Follow the adventure at www.GlobalTableAdventure.com. Cook Global, Shop Local.
We’ve all heard of whole foods and their nutrient-packed super powers. Even though a whole foods diet seems a bit mystical, it is as simple as incorporating more foods in their natural form to your diet.
“It seems more complicated because we often think we have to go to a whole foods store, but whole food choices are available everywhere,” says Karen Sprick, lead clinical dietitian with Hillcrest Medical Center.
“It’s as simple as eating a piece of fruit instead of drinking a cup of juice.”
“Eat the basics,” explains Sonja Stolfa, a registered and licensed dietitian with Saint Francis Health System.
“Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fresh meats. Avoid the processed stuff.”
A diet rich in unprocessed or minimally processed foods provides many health benefits, says Stolfa. Typically, food in its natural state is lower in calories and sugars, higher in fiber and a good source of healthy fats. Whole foods are nutritionally dense and contain high concentrations of antioxidants and numerous other phytochemicals that combat your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, agree Sprick and Stolfa.
“Eating more whole foods can reduce headaches, allergies, gastrointestinal problems and some autoimmune diseases,” explains Stolfa. “It helps with weight management by getting rid of a lot of empty calories.”
“It addresses your whole health,” adds Sprick.
Incorporating whole foods into your day is easy. Start your day with a piece of fruit and a bowl of whole grain cereal.
“Shop the perimeter of your supermarket,” advises Stolfa. “Challenge yourself to try something new. People who have a wide variety of foods in their diet are healthier.”
“And, are less likely to fall off the wagon,” adds Sprick. “Most Americans do not get enough vitamins and minerals.”
Read the nutrition labels. Avoid foods with lengthy ingredient lists, especially foods with partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.
“Your food shouldn’t be made out of 50 ingredients,” says Stolfa.
Look for healthier grain options like 100 percent whole wheat bread.
“Choose breads with whole wheat flour listed as the first ingredient,” recommends Sprick.
You don’t have to limit yourself to exclusively whole foods to see these health benefits.
“Just increase the amount of whole foods and decrease processed foods,” says Sprick.
Money can be an issue when trying to adopt a whole foods diet. Stolfa suggests thinking simple, buying in bulk and shopping locally.
“Convenience foods seem inexpensive but it doesn’t cost a lot to grill some chicken and bake a potato,” says Stolfa. “Buy locally as much as you can. (Local foods) are fresher and better for you.”
6 Simple Ways to Incorporate Whole Foods
Shop the perimeter of your supermarket.
Buy bread with whole wheat flour listed as the first ingredient.
Choose whole grain cereals with at least five grams of fiber per serving.
Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of highly processed snacks like chips
or cookies.
Choose fresh meats over highly processed, packaged options.
The restaurant takes its name from the wood fire grilled steaks and chops – that and its cigar room – but its devotion to the freshest products available, local whenever possible, also sets Smoke apart.
Chef Erik Reynolds, who moved to Tulsa from Austin to cook at Smoke, works with Frontier Produce and other partners to find the best local sources. He can’t wait for spring and the return of the Cherry Street Farmer’s Market, where he plans to purchase many ingredients that will wind up on the menu.
Smoke’s manager Cory Kester says that not only will the food be local, it won’t be foreign to Tulsa-area diners.
“The restaurant concept is inspired by American food, which means you have probably had all of our dishes, but not the way we do them,” says Kester.
The restaurant will offer a seasonal core menu, but they hope to keep customers guessing – and coming back – with a menu that is always fresh and somewhat in flux depending on what is available and in season. The Market Fish and Chips are an example. One day it might be made using wild salmon, the next day fresh cod.
Reynolds uses the wood fire grill to full advantage across the menu. For instance, the Grilled Romaine salad is like a Caesar salad but is tossed on the grill, giving it a smoky flavor. Starters, such as the Grilled Blue Point Oysters and decadent Smoked Tenderloin Tartar, also benefit from the grill.
The star of the show, of course, is the meat selection. The menu includes a 24 oz. rib eye, 16 oz. strip steak and 12 oz. tenderloin. There’s also a hangar steak, a cut not found on many Oklahoma menus, served with bacon-Tabasco butter. Market fish selections, lamb, chicken, pork and even quail are also on the menu.
All the steaks are hand cut daily. Smoke’s team maintains that this technique allows for superior carmelization of the proteins in the meat, which gives it a unique sweetness not found in aged meat.
This attention to detail carries through to every corner of the menu. Practically everything – including ketchup and mayonnaise – is made in house. The only thing that isn’t housemade is the ice cream, and Kester says an ice cream maker is on its way.
Carrying the locally sourced theme a step further, Smoke partners with Tulsa-based Marshall Brewing Company and Krebs’ Choc Beer to offer a selection of craft beers well suited to the menu. An impressive selection of all American wines is also available.
The restaurant owners updated the dining room of the old Bourbon Street Café space with a sleek look and expansive windows looking out onto Cherry Street. Rotating exhibits by local artists complete the décor.
A cigar room, separated from the dining room by hermetically sealed glass doors and a ventilation system, is outfitted with leather chairs, high top tables and television. Smoke works with Fogue and Bates to provide a selection of premium cigars.
Smoke, located at 1542 E. 15th St. in Tulsa, is open Monday – Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 918.949.4440. www.smoketulsa.com.
Recently opened at 18th and Boston, in the space formerly occupied by Oscar’s Gastropub, Treehouse serves rustic comfort food and barbecue that is stick-to-your-ribs satisfying.
Southern staples like deviled eggs, skillet cornbread and hushpuppies are available to start the meal. But the star of the show, barbecue, is what keeps the masses coming. Barbecued bologna, ribs, pork, brisket and other meats are served on a sandwich or in a basket. Sides include dill potato salad, cole slaw, smoked corn on the cob, mashed sweet potatoes, baked beans or a side salad.
In addition to food, Treehouse also has a packed calendar of live shows and entertainment.
Treehouse BBQ, located at 1738 S. Boston in Tulsa, is open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 918.292.8855. www.treehouseonboston.com
Nestled among the chains and big box restaurants along Memorial Road is Nunu’s Mediterranean Café & Market, a haven for those who love traditional Mediterranean favorites like hummus, tabouli and pita along with deliciously seasoned meats, veggies and rice.
Nunu’s signature hashwa is browned ground beef mixed with rice, butter and toasted almonds and seasoned with traditional Mediterranean spices and served alongside dishes such as beef tenderloin and on the sampler platter. Another favorite, the falafel sandwich served in a pita with a cucumber sauce and topped with lettuce and tomato, manages to stay light and refreshing.
Nunu’s also operates a market that sells meats, cheeses and prepared foods by the pint. The next time you are looking for a quick, delicious dinner, swing by the market to pick up containers of hashwa, hummus and Nunu’s tasty pita chips.
Nunu’s Mediterranean Café & Market, located at 3131 W. Memorial Rd. in Oklahoma City, is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday. 405.751.7000
It’s never too late to focus on your health. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that life expectancy rates have hit an all-time high at 77.9 years, so it makes sense that our longer lives should be as full and vital as possible. From modifying eating habits to incorporating a fitness routine and trying something new, there is something out there for everyone.
“The most important thing a person can do is take care of this preventative medicine,” says Dr. Charlyce Davis with INTEGRIS Family Care Edmond – Coffee Creek Clinic.
“Establishing a physician, going in for annual checkups, discussing your past medical history and any family history is important for life-long health and to catch any potential issues early.”
Davis also says that immunizations are very important and often overlooked elements of being healthy. She recommends that at a minimum, seniors should receive an annual flu shot and the shingles vaccine.
Dr. Serena Mitroo, an internal medicine specialist with OU Physicians in Edmond, says that prior to beginning any fitness routine, setting a schedule and allotting time helps to keep focused on specific goals.
“If a senior wants to work out to lose weight, he should do at least 50 minutes of exercise five days a week. If he has never exercised or it’s been a long time, 30 minutes three times a week is recommended to start.”
Arthritis, osteoporosis and joint issues are most commonly associated with aging, but seniors with any of these challenges can find a workout that fits their capabilities and limitations.
St. John Siegfried Health Club aquatic coordinator Brooke Rusher believes that the only limitations we have are the ones we set for ourselves.
“There really is no excuse. There are many programs that can accommodate anybody,” she says.
Rusher knows a thing or two about not accepting excuses, having designed a swimming program for a patient who had become blind and deaf.
“This gentleman had mentioned that he had previously enjoyed swimming. I would write in his palm – he could discern letters – and give him directions like ‘swim 10 laps.’ It got to the point where he could count the number of strokes before he reached the end of the pool so he wouldn’t bump the edge.”
St. John offers two pools with three entry methods – a ramp, stairs and a lift for wheelchairs. But before starting any fitness routine, it is highly recommended to consult a physician to discuss your plans, goals and what types of exercises are appropriate.
According to Rusher, the aquatic classes are the most popular among seniors since 75 percent of their body weight is supported in chest-deep water, helping with arthritis, back pain and similar ailments.
“Because weight is supported by the water, you can do more, like running or kicking. It definitely allows for an increased range of motion and increases balance and stability. Since water is denser than air, it’s a great cardiac workout.”
If getting into a swimsuit sounds like an exercise in awkwardness, there are also chair workouts available for those who can’t stand and exercise that utilizes dumbbells, resistance bands and tubing, creating an excellent cardio workout.
“In group classes, you’re also getting a social network,” Rusher says. “I think that’s what keeps people coming. A class-type setting builds camaraderie. Our class members care if someone is missing – they want to know what’s going on in each person’s life. It’s a support system.”
Exercise is just one part of the equation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition is equally important to keep the body’s systems firing on all cylinders.
“There are two main things that seniors need to focus on – water and balanced nutrition,” says registered dietician Suzanne Forsberg at St. John Healthy Lifestyles
“We see a lot of urinary tract infections. Most seniors really do need to drink more water.”
According to Forsberg, as you age, your taste buds decrease, leaving primarily the sweet area of taste. Many older Americans prefer sweet or sugary foods, resulting in a lack of varied nutritional foods.
“I like to use the Basic Four guidelines – fruits and veggies, dairy, bread and meat – when working with seniors,” she says. “Most remember the Basic Four from before the Food Pyramid was established.”
Forsberg speaks with everyone about dietary pitfalls she calls “zingers” – foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat.
“Fat, sugar and salt hits the Hedonist hotspot – the pleasure center of the brain. Fries are a good example of a zinger. Doughnuts as well. If you take two of the three out of a meal, like replacing milk and butter in mashed potatoes with onions, you are full without feeling like always going back to the dish for more.”
Breakfast food can often be loaded with zingers. Replacing fattening and sugary foods in the morning with healthier options can set the tone for the rest of day.
“I suggest protein like non-fat Greek yogurt with blueberries for breakfast, or egg whites and soy sausage,” says Forsberg. “Protein is very important in the morning – it gives you that alertness. Once you get the fat, sugar, salt combo out of your system, you start wanting healthier foods.”
Another tip she offers is to get colorful with your meals. Easy to remember, eating fruits and vegetables of red, yellow, green, blue and purple are essential to getting much-needed antioxidants.
“Seniors tend to go to restaurants all the time,” Forsberg says. “I recommend more homemade meals. Going out is a social activity, but you can have that same social interaction with meals at home. Host a dinner party. People tend to eat with people who have the same eating habits.”
While organic and non-processed foods are receiving a lot of attention, Forsberg doesn’t believe that you have to remove pre-packaged foods from your diet to be healthy.
“You don’t have to eliminate processed foods – they have their place. Not everything has to be organic or fresh – frozen veggies are just as good. Packaged food can work in a healthy meal, and they are good for people with orthopedic issues who can’t stand and cook all the time.”
The best side effect of exercising in a group setting or hosting dinner parties is the socialization it promotes.
Being around groups of people helps combat one of the quietly discussed issues of aging: depression.
“I think most senior patients have some mood issues – depression, being isolated,” says Mitroo. “Being active and social is very important. Volunteering is a popular method of interacting and most of my patients feel good that they are giving back to the community.”
Adds Davis, “I have many older patients who are starting new careers. I really don’t accept age as an excuse. It’s just a number.”
When she moved into a Midtown condo, this long-time Tulsa resident had the vision of seamlessly blending a Country French style with the more modern feel of the condo setting, and she knew exactly who could help her.
“We gave the entire place a facelift and put her stamp of design on it as well,” says Tulsa-based interior designer Charles Faudree of his work with the owner.
In the redesign, the entire space was changed in color to feature signature tones of the style, such as blues and reds in varying shades.
Every room in the home received a complete reworking in color and style. While vibrant reds are used in the main space, soothing blues and whites are utilized in the master and guest suites.
Extensive work was also done in the complete overhaul of the kitchen. The space features all new granite counter-tops, hardwood flooring and cabinetry.
“He can do anything,” the owner says of Faudree’s many talents.
One of the main goals in achieving the blend of two styles – Country French with a big city air – was also to create a space unique to the owner. To that end, bold choices were made in the main living area, which includes the sitting and dining rooms. A vibrant oriental wallpaper with shades of geranium, pinks and salmon serves as quite the conversation piece in the living area.
“Charles warned me I might get tired of it because it’s bright red,” the owner says, “but I haven’t yet.”
A Coromandel screen the owner brought back from a trip to Hawaii is also featured in the dining room and was yet another bold choice.
The centerpiece anchoring the entire living space and a favorite of the owner is the antique fireplace. Originally there was no fireplace, but Faudree helped orchestrate the creation of one when he located a stunning old French mantelpiece.
“It really is the focal point of the room,” Faudree says.
Adding the finishing touch to the space is Faudree’s own signature fabric design from Vervain used in the drapery accentuating the traditional elements in the condo. Faudree made extensive us of drapery in this project, both as an aesthetic choice and to provide protection from, what can at times be harsh, sunlight.
Draperies in the living space and master suite will be featured in Faudree’s forthcoming design book, Charles Faudree Details, out in September.
Faudree and the owner have a long-term working relationship with previous collaborations on two homes.
As a long-time fan of Country French design, the owner has spent decades collecting pieces and furniture that embody the sensibilities of the design aesthetic.
“She has incorporated a lot from her previous home,” Faudree says. “And she has accumulated a great collection of artworks and furniture.”
One of the owner’s favorite furniture pieces is a nearly 100-year-old ornate French sofa that belonged to her mother. The sofa is a focal point in the master suite, which also has drapery and bed hangings from Faudree that the owner has kept nearly 25 years.
The master bath continues the soothing aqua blue tones found in the mater suite and adds a touch of glamour – marble flooring and vanity space, along with mirrored ceiling and walls create a definite sense drama.
Adding to the uptown feel of the condo are two spacious balconies, one is off the library where the owner enjoys the view of the nighttime skyline in a space that is uniquely her own.
“When you look out from the balconies at the skyline at night, you can’t tell if it’s Tulsa, New York or Chicago,” she says.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday for the proverbial romantic heart, but with the coming of American Heart Month in February, is also a good time to give the physical one some TLC.
Thanks in large part to our less-than-healthy diet and exercise habits, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America, and it kills more women each year than all of the various types of cancer combined.
“The good news is that lifestyle changes, particularly when enacted early, can prevent heart attacks and strokes,” says Dr. Michael Fogli with Oklahoma Cardiovascular Consultants in Tulsa.
“People make broad resolutions for health and diet in the new year that aren’t very trackable,” says Nellie Kelly with the American Heart Association.
“We might have made ‘get healthier’ our New Year’s resolution, or maybe it was ‘lose weight’ – those aren’t very specific. It’s hard to tell if they’re doing things that make a difference in the prevention of heart disease.”
A better, longer life, lower health care costs and a healthier heart are just on the other side of these seven common-sense tips – or, as the American Heart Association calls them, Life’s Simple 7.
1 Get Active
Here’s the exciting part about turning off the TV and getting off the couch: It doesn’t take much to make an impact on the risk factors for heart disease. In fact, a mere 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week does the trick – that’s little more than 20 minutes per day.
“One of easiest things people can do is walk,” Kelly says. “It’s free, and it’s something you can do with a friend. Plus, it turns out that walking 10 minutes three times a day – say, during your breaks at work – is almost as good as walking 30 minutes all at once.”
“You don’t have to belong to a health club,” Fogli adds. “Buy a used treadmill or exercise bike off of Craigslist and use it for 30 to 45 minutes while watching the evening news or your favorite TV show, and do it at least five days each week.”
If a healthy heart and the promise of a long life aren’t enough of an incentive to exercise, try Zumba, or take a ballroom dancing class.
“The best kind of exercise is the kind you’ll actually do,” Kelly says.
Just be sure to consult your doctor before you start an exercise program, advises Dr. George Chrysant with INTEGRIS Heart Hospital, especially if you have a familial history of heart disease.
2 Control Cholesterol
Much of the work of preventing heart disease has to do with what we eat. When attempting to control cholesterol, opt for lean meats and ditch the fatty cuts of beef.
“Americans consume beef in huge quantities, and that is unhealthy,” says Dr. Lubna Wani with OU Physicians. “It’s high in cholesterol and it will increase your risk for heart disease. Follow the Mediterranean diet – get plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts and replace fats in cooking with olive oil.”
Another way to control cholesterol is to know one’s numbers, Wani adds, and keep in mind that total cholesterol is not the number to know.
“There’s the bad, or LDL cholesterol and then there’s the good, triglycerides. We need to know both so that we can keep them in a healthy range. For a person without a history of high cholesterol in the family, get a baseline cholesterol check at age 30,” Wani says. “Get it done sooner if there is a family history.”
3 Eat Better
“It’s about fruits and veggies, and fiber is very important,” Kelly says. “Unrefined whole grains can help the body to lower blood cholesterol, and cutting back on foods containing partially hydrogenated oils reduces trans fats.”
“Many of us are eating better but are still eating too much,” Chrysant says. “You can eat the healthiest thing you want, but if you eat 10 servings of it, that still adds up to a lot of calories.”
The American Heart Association has whittled some healthful eating tips down to brass tacks: Less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day; less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day and fish on the menu twice per week.
Fogli adds that men should consume 35 grams of fiber each day, and women 25 grams. Substitute the usual bagel or donut with high-fiber cereal in non-fat yogurt with fresh strawberries, he says, and swap mashed potatoes and French fries for a spinach salad or hummus.
4 Manage Blood Pressure
Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
“High blood pressure is almost universally present in those with coronary disease,” Chrysant says.
“Your blood pressure is an important number to know not just because high blood pressure means the heart is pumping harder, but because the blood vessels can be injured if blood is pumped through them at a pressure that’s higher than normal,” Kelly says. “The body then reacts as it does with any injury – it builds scar tissue. That scar tissue can contribute to hardened arteries and to blood clots.”
The number we all want to hear at our check-ups is 120/80, according to the AMA.
High sodium diets are associated with a higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke, especially if you already have high blood pressure, Fogli says. On average, Americans consume about two times the recommended daily amount.
Cut sodium intake by limiting processed and canned foods, sauces and salad dressings, chips and crackers and restaurant food. Consume instead fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, low-fat dairy products and season with herbs rather than salt, Fogli says.
Oklahoma ranks sixth in the nation for obesity, another leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and worldwide. Those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater should focus on portion control and calorie reduction in their diets, Fogli says.
“You will need to consume 500 calories less than you normally do to lose one pound each week,” Fogli says. “For the average person, if you exercise regularly and eat four small meals a day, each containing 400 calories or less, you will get there.”
Here’s an example of what a 400-calorie meal looks like, from www.prevention.com as suggested by Fogli: a half-cup of dry oats, cooked; one-fourth cup of semisweet chocolate chips; and one cup of raspberries. Voila! Chocolate raspberry oatmeal – now that’s hard to argue with.
6 Reduce Blood Sugar
Diabetics are at twice the risk of heart disease than are the general population, and according to Wani, 40 percent of Oklahomans are diabetic.
Diet can go a long way to reduce blood sugar, Wani says. Nixing sodas and opting for water instead is a good first step.
“Some cardiovascular risk factors do not produce symptoms,” Fogli says. “You could have diabetes or very high blood pressure and cholesterol and not even know it until you have a stroke or heart attack.
“Get your fasting blood sugar and cholesterol checked at age 35 and your blood pressure checked at least once each year to determine if medication will help,” he says.
7 Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the U.S., Fogli says, and Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for prevalence of tobacco use.
“The chemicals in cigarette smoke are blood vessel poison; there is no better way to put it,” Fogli says. “It’s amazing in our youth-obsessed culture how many people continue to smoke, which accelerates the aging process like nothing else.”
Cigarette smoking accelerates the build up of cholesterol in all arteries, including those that carry blood to our heart and brain.
“It’s an addiction, and it’s very hard to give up, but it’s not impossible,” Wani says. “Call 1.800.QUIT.NOW, try a nicotine patch, nicotine gum or even more tea or coffee, which is actually good for your heart in quantities less than five cups per day.”
The Tanglewood Music Center is an annual summer music academy in Lenox, Mass., where young, developing musicians come to receive training and display their prodigious talents during the Tanglewood Music Festival, a series of outdoor concerts and the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Tanglewood’s lush lawn, regal trees and unparalleled views of placid lakes and rolling hills provide the perfect seats from which to listen to enchanting orchestra performances. Nature’s symphony harmonizes with musicians. Birds nesting nearby accompany with warbles and chirps.
As Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Owen Young puts it, it is amazing.
“There’s the physical beauty of the place plus that extra feeling that in those trees, in those tanglewoods, are the spirits of so many musical conductors,” he says.
“I remember as a student at Tanglewood, Leonard Bernstein would conduct us, and he would stop and look up and say, ‘I feel the spirit of (Serge) Koussevitzky here.’”
James Levine will lead the BSO in an all-Italian opening night concert of music by Verdi, Rossini and Respighi on July 8, Berlioz’s Monumental Requiem on July 9 and Mahler’s thrilling Fifth Symphony on July 29.
Other BSO highlights include Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Aug. 26; Yo-Yo Ma, in one of his four Tanglewood appearances, performing Schumann’s Cello Concerto on Aug. 13; an all-Baroque program with Susan Graham singing arias of Handel and Gluck, Aug. 22; Joshua Bell in Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, July 10; and Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos leading an all-Spanish program with guitarist Pepe Romero, Aug. 12.
Several popular artists return to Tanglewood this summer: Christoph Eschenbach conducts two programs, July 30-31; Itzhak Perlman conducts and performs as a soloist in an all-Beethoven program, Aug. 27; and Lorin Maazel leads the BSO in their season finale performance of Tanglewood’s signature piece, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, on Aug. 28.
Other high points of this summer’s schedule include the Boston Pops performing a Cole Porter tribute on July 17 and singer/songwriter James Taylor returning to Tanglewood for four performances, alone with his guitar on June 30, with the Boston Pops July 1 and with his band on July 3 and 4.
Tanglewood 2011 also presents some of the best from the worlds of jazz, pop and rock. Grammy Award-winning band Train will make their first-ever Tanglewood appearance on Aug. 8.
The Tanglewood Music Festival, now in its 74th year, closes its summer season with the annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival, Sept. 2-4. For detailed information about the 2011 Tanglewood season, including how to purchase tickets, priced from $9-$115, visit www.tanglewood.org.
Tanglewood takes place on a beautiful 550-acre estate that is also the home of Hawthorne Cottage, where Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote several books. The Berkshire summer resort town of Lenox is small but charming with lots to see and do, including the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, a restored 1902 depot; a live playhouse called Shakespeare & Company; the Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio, featuring paintings by Picasso, Georges Braque and Juan Gris, along with lazy nature trails; plus many “cottages,” which are actually the summer mansions of the 19th-century rich and famous. Among the most notable is The Mount, the estate of celebrated designer and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton.
There are many very good places to stay in Lenox, but two boutique country inns stand out: the Blantyre, a converted 1902 Tudor mansion which now resembles a Scottish manor, and the Wheatleigh, built during the Gilded Age in the style of an Italian palazzo.
These inns are pricey, though. The Wheatleigh’s Dining Room is a AAA Five Diamond-rated restaurant serving magnificent French cuisine, such as Scottish salmon and black truffles wrapped in puff pastry with foie gras and gateau of wild mushrooms.
Chuck Mai is the Vice President of Public & Government Affairs? for AAA Oklahoma.
e living space and a favorite of the owner is the antique fireplace. Originally there was no fireplace, but Faudree helped orchestrate the creation of one when he located a stunning old French mantelpiece. 
“The chemicals in cigarette smoke are blood vessel poison; there is no better way to put it,” Fogli says. “It’s amazing in our youth-obsessed culture how many people continue to smoke, which accelerates the aging process like nothing else.”
