August 23, 2013

Walk with a Doc Newsletter

Good morning! Hope this finds you well. Lots of activity this week? Lots of walking and singing and dancing? Sweet. Today, we're going to touch on the health benefits of peppers. You're busy, I'm verbose. Let's hit the high points:
Why are they good? Pain reduction, weight loss, all that good antioxidant stuff, and lots of vitamins.
Antioxidants? Yep. Phytochemicals that neutralize the free radicals that damage cells.
Thanks, now I'm asleep. That's not a question.
Seriously, these antioxidants can reduce or prevent symptoms of certain diseases. 
C'mon. Wake up, there are preliminary, non-human studies showing they prevent or slow cancer in animals.
What about the vitamins and nutrients? Vitamin A, B6, C, Beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and others. Plus certain peppers have lots of fiber, folate, and important minerals.
Don't peppers have Capsaicin? What is that? That is what gives peppers their heat. It's an antioxidant that releases endorphins. It's also suggested to increase your metabolism to provide modest weight loss. The Mayans and Aztecs used to think of it as an aphodisiac.
How do you know that? My first girlfriend in college was an Aztec.
Then why'd you breakup? They were heavy on human sacrifice. 
Sounds like hot peppers could be very good for me. What if I don't like heat? Start with bell peppers (zero capsaicin) and gradually work your way up. Your taste buds will get used to them. Make sure you get rid of the veins and seeds - they are the hottest part. You can make salsa, add some jalapenos to guacamole, mix it in with some soups - you can find a way. Roast some poblanos. 
What if I have GERD or heartburn? Don't eat them. It'll make it worse.
Cool. What if I climb the pepper ladder too fast?
Dairy neutralizes them. Remember, you will acclimate. Start small and go slow.

Don't Call it a Comeback

They never left. 

Over the last 9 years, Poop Muffins remain our most wildly popular recipe. Crazy enough, some days the calls coming into World Walk with a Doc Headquarters seem like a twisted version of 'She loves me, she loves me not'. 
"Hey, can you forward me the poop muffin recipe? 
"Hey, I'm Dr. Smith and I want to bring Walk with a Doc to New Orleans" 
"Hey Liz you got the poop muffin recipe?" 
You get it. 

Anyway, since the trial in Summer '09 (Mr. Hankey v. WWAD), we'd been instructed not to publish. Now with that the statute of limitations has expired, we have chosen to release the hounds!

For purposes of full disclosure - my mother-in-law (source) is a very gifted cook/baker that takes a great recipe and turbo-charges it into something that is off the charts. I asked my wife one day what makes them so good and this is what she said,

"She adds an egg whereas most of the "Weight Watchers" recipes I looked at online don't call for an egg. She also likes to throw in vanilla and some dark chocolate chips (she uses Giardelli 60% dark choc. chips). I am sure adding the egg and the chocolate chips, changes the Weight Watchers point profile. However, dark chocolate is good for the heart, right?" Here 'tis.

 

3 Cups All Bran Cereal
2 1/2 Cups Hot Water
Low-Fat Brownie Mix (I use whatever looks good)
2 teaspoons baking powder

 

Here are the add in's I use (this probably changes the Weight Watcher Points):
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dark Chocolate Chips

 

Soak the All Bran in the Hot Water for 5 minutes.
Add the Brownie Mix, along with the baking powder and mix well by hand
Pour into greased muffin tins (or a greased 9x13" pan) and bake according to directions on the box. (When we make the muffins, we go about 350 for 20 minutes).

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Guthrie Health
Elmira, New York

Thank you to Dr. Brian Cassetta and the wonderful people at Guthrie Health. This story made us proud.


Caution 

Many of you know that we have a city approximately 55 miles west of St. Louis that serves as a Beta testing site for Walk with a Doc. It was selected from 100's of other sites around the U.S. for its demographic make-up (perfectly mimics our newsletter distribution list). They always receive the newsletter 14 days prior to its national release. 
Well, one of our regular participants read this newsletter and generously decided to make the Poop Muffins, add the dried powder of a Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper, and bring them to the local Walk with a Doc the following day. 
He tried one after setting the box down in the Metro Park pavilion and fortunately before the 68 others in attendance.  He was standing less than 50 yards from the park's restroom as he listened to Dr. Zimmerman address the group that morning. 
It was either the pace that our 'walker' made is way to the facilities, his failure to exit the bathroom, or most likely the screams that were continually coming from inside park restroom that led Dr. Z's nurse to call Wakefield's volunteer paramedics. 
After arriving and getting the debriefing from Dr. Z and his nurse, 6 of the 7 emergency personnel understandably refused to enter the park lavaratory. The hero  that chose to enter (Nathan Coughlin of Wakefield ) remains under treatment for inhalation injuries at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO. 
We write this newsletter in Nate's honor (above photo snapped as he emerged to the press after nearly 14 hours on the scene).
150 minutes this week. Feels so good.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. 


David
614.714.0407
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