| Check Out the New Features of AAKP My Health™ |  |
AAKP My Health™ now offers new features to help users take charge of their health care. Users can now receive appointment reminders by email and print emergency contact cards.
AAKP My Health™ is a free, unique section of the AAKP website, www.aakp.org, that provides you with online tools to be the leader in your healthcare. With AAKP My Health™, you can:
· Track your lab results
· Log your medications
· List your healthcare team members
· Prepare information for doctor visits
· Test your kidney knowledge
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Recipe of the Month: Cream of Chicken Wild Rice Asparagus Soup |
 Servings: 8
Serving size: 2 cups
- 1/2 cup wild rice
- 2 cups hot water
- 6-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (divided use)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 cups asparagus, trimmed and diced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup extra dry vermouth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced small
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- fresh ground pepper to taste
- 4 cups liquid nondairy creamer
- parsley and chives (optional)
Preparation:
- Soak wild rice in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain.
- In a saucepan, combine wild rice and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a slow boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 45 minutes, covered.
- Remove from heat, allow rice to sit, covered, for additional 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
- In a Dutch oven, melt butter and sauté the garlic and onion until tender. Add carrots and asparagus. Continue to cook until tender.
- Mix in flour and cook over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in remaining 4-1/2 cups chicken broth and vermouth. Using a wire whisk, blend until smooth.
- Add diced chicken, seasonings, and then slowly add the nondairy creamer. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Fold in prepared wild rice, and serve. Top with parsley and chives as a garnish if desired.
Nutrient Analysis: Calories: 385; Fat: 21g; Protein: 18g; Phosphorus 209mg; Potassium: 415mg; Sodium 315mg
Renal and Renal Diabetic Exchanges: Two meat; one starch; one nondairy; one vegetable, medium potassium; two carbohydrate choices
Helpful Hints:
- Steps 1 through 3 can be done up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate cooked rice until ready to use.
- Count as 1 cup fluid if you are on a fluid restriction.
- Omit the salt if reduced-sodium broth is used instead of low-sodium broth.
- A two-cup serving is meal size portion. For an appetizer portion decrease serving to 3/4 cup. (153 cal, 7 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat, 120 mg sodium, 158 mg potassium, 80 g phosphorus).
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| Deadline Extended for Annual Awards Nominations | AAKP has extended the deadline for Annual Award nominations to Thursday, July 15, after receiving several requests. AAKP presents its Annual Awards to nominees who have made significant contributions to the renal community and helped to carry out the mission of the Association. The Annual Awards are presented during the AAKP Annual Convention, taking place September 2-4, 2010 in Tampa, FL.
The awards include the AAKP Patient Comeback of the Year Award, presented to a patient who has overcome major obstacles and displayed extraordinary courage and determination to take charge of his/her life; the Peter Lundin, MD, Award, presented to a renal physician who makes contributions to the care and well-being of patients over a lifetime of devoted service; and the Caregiver Award, presented to a family member, friend or health care professional who has made an significant difference in the life of a patient or patients. More award categories can be found on the AAKP website.
Nomination forms are available by contacting AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or by visiting the Annual Awards website, www.aakp.org/events/convention/2010/awards. To be considered, all nominations must be post marked and mailed to AAKP no later than Thursday, July 15, 2010. Self nominations are both encouraged and accepted. |
| White Rice Increases Diabetes Risk, Brown Rice Does Not |
Consuming more white rice appears to be associated with a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, whereas consuming more brown rice may be associated with a lower risk for the disease. The researchers estimated that replacing 50 grams (equivalent to one-third of a serving) of white rice per day with the same amount of brown rice would be associated with a 16 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Replacing white rice with whole grains as a group could be associated with a risk reduction.
In general, white rice has a higher measure of how much a food raises blood sugar levels compared with the same amount of sugar or white bread-than brown rice. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least half of carbohydrate intake come from whole grains. From a public health point of view, replacing refined grains such as white rice by whole grains, including brown rice, should be recommended to prevent diabetes. |
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Register for AAKP's Annual Convention |
 Don't delay registering for the 37th Annual AAKP Convention. This year's Convention takes place Sept. 2 - 4, at the Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in Tampa, FL, and features educational sessions, exciting social events and an exhibit hall filled with renal companies ready to show patients the latest products and treatment options available.
Convention registration is now open. Attendees may purchase the full Convention package, which starts at $90 for patients and family members, or one-day registrations, which start at $25 per day. The Convention package includes three days of educational sessions, a tote bag, souvenir t-shirt and tickets to the First-Time Attendees' Luncheon, Welcoming Ceremonies, and Annual Banquet. For more information about the AAKP 37th Annual Convention, call AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or visit the AAKP website. |
| Over-the-Counter Calcium Supplements Can Cause Hypertension and Kidney Failure | Negative health effects linked to taking too much supplemental calcium are on the rise, according to a commentary appearing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The incidence of the so-called milk-alkali or calcium-alkali syndrome is growing in large part because of widespread use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements.
According to the authors, the obvious preventive strategy against the calcium-alkali syndrome is to limit the intake of calcium to no more than 1.2 to 1.5 grams per day. Calcium supplements taken in the recommended amounts are not only safe but are quite beneficial. According to researchers, taking calcium supplements in excess can cause problems. Even at the recommended dose, careful monitoring of any medication is wise and yearly determinations of blood calcium levels for those patients taking calcium supplements or vitamin D is a wise approach.
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| Tip of the Month: Eating Out Successfully |
 Eating at a restaurant does not have to sabotage a healthy diet. Use smart-eating strategies: plan ahead, consider the menu and choose foods carefully to keep you on your plan.
- Think ahead. Plan where you want to go and consider the meal options at the location.
- Hunger can tend to make you eat too much bread before your meal arrives. Ask the waiter to hold onto the bread and chips until your meal is served. Out of sight, out of mind.
- Order the regular or child size portions. For a lighter meal order an appetizer in place of a main course.
- Ask for sauces, dressings and toppings to be served on the side. Then you have control over how much you eat.
- Split your order. Share an extra large sandwich or main course with a friend or take half home for another meal.
Courtesy of the American Dietetic Association.
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