Mason Jar Rainbow Salad
I enjoy recipes that are flexible with ingredients you already have in your kitchen—and this mason jar salad is no exception.
Sesame Chicken Mason Jar Salad
I enjoy recipes that are flexible with ingredients you already have in your kitchen—and most of these ready-to-go mason jar salads are no exception.
Tips: Use a wide-mouth, 16-ounce mason jar (or other tall glass or plastic container with tight lid).
- Put the dressing in first, to avoid a soggy salad.
- Pile in individual ingredients, in the order listed—hardy vegetables or proteins on the bottom, delicate leaves and seeds on top.
- You can store the salad for 1-2 days.
- When ready to eat, shake and tumble jar until contents are mixed, and enjoy! Eat it straight from the jar (great for a picnic!) or pour into a bowl.
Rainbow salad
I enjoy recipes that are flexible with ingredients you already have in your kitchen—and most of these ready-to-go mason jar salads are no exception.
Tips: Use a wide-mouth, 16-ounce mason jar (or other tall glass or plastic container with tight lid).
- Put the dressing in first, to avoid a soggy salad.
- Pile in individual ingredients, in the order listed—hardy vegetables or proteins on the bottom, delicate leaves and seeds on top.
- You can store the salad for 1-2 days.
- When ready to eat, shake and tumble jar until contents are mixed, and enjoy! Eat it straight from the jar (great for a picnic!) or pour into a bowl.
Flatbread Pizza
This easy weeknight meal comes together fast and is flexible depending on what you enjoy with pizza. Other colorful options—a great way to eat a variety of vitamins and nutrients— include mushrooms, pepperoni or meatballs, purple potatoes, cauliflower, corn and olives. Recipe adapted from www.gimmesomeoven.com.
PacMed stands against racism
Let us stand against racism
PacMed wants to state, loud and clear, that racism needs to end, in all forms and everywhere. The recent murders of George Floyd and others have been haunting reminders of deep-seated injustice that continues to plague our country. At PacMed, our diverse caregivers are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve and to patients from all walks of life. To reclaim a space for justice, love and belonging, we stand with you against acts and systems of injustice wherever we see them. We are listening, thinking deeply and taking steps with you toward an equitable, empowered community.
You can read our full executive letter to the community and follow our actions against racism on our Facebook feed.
TAKE ANTI-RACIST ACTION:
- Learn: blacklivesmatter.com
- Act: kingcountyequitynow.com
- Listen: rainieravenueradio.world
- Read: southseattleemerald.com
- Bank: blackoutcoalition.org
- Spend: intentionalist.com
- Invest: communitypassageways.org
- Relate: aapf.org/sayhername
- Connect: bcia-intl.org
- Immerse: pinwseattle.org
Back to Basics: Visiting your doctor
With PacMed, you can see your doctor in person or get care without leaving the comfort of your home. PacMed offers phone visits, video visits and an online portal where patients can manage their care. These are all great ways to get the care you need while helping to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We are using telehealth much more,” adds Dr. Katumu, “such as telephone consultations, the MyChart patient portal, and Zoom meetings in MyChart.” As always, patients can use MyChart to look for test results, request prescription refills, request appointments and send a message to their care team.
The benefits of virtual visits are clear. “They help reduce exposure in the COVID-19 pandemic and are also convenient,” says Dr. Simon Katumu, a primary care provider at the PacMed Puyallup clinic. “We’ve seen great benefits for our patients.”
Technology can be particularly useful for vulnerable populations. Dr. Katumu initially worried that older patients might not warm up to technology, but that hasn’t been the case. “They can do it, or they get assistance from someone in their family who is tech savvy. It hasn’t been much of a problem,” he adds.
Virtual visits do have limitations. “We can’t draw blood virtually. We can’t complete physical examinations like listen to hearts and lungs,” acknowledges Dr. Katumu. “So, it’s not a replacement for face-to-face care, but it is a great addition to our toolkit.”
Check with your insurance provider or Medicare about coverage for telehealth/virtual care. Many have waived many rules and limitations to accessing these services during the current health crisis.
Telehealth or virtual care refers to medical care (like office visits, psychotherapy, consultations and other services) that is provided by a health provider who isn’t at your location. Instead, you and the provider use an interactive, two-way telecommunications system (like real-time audio and video)
PacMed clinics put health and safety first
New protocols. Same promise.
Our new normal still puts your health and safety first
While living through a pandemic is new to us all, we remain wholly committed to your care and safety. We’ve put the following steps in place to protect your health, and ours.
eCheck-in from anywhere. Confirm your appointment up to four days in advance on MyChart to reduce time at the front desk.
Screening. We’ll take your temperature at the door and check for symptoms.
COVID-19 Testing. Patients with symptoms are diverted away from waiting areas to be tested, or are seen at Northgate or Renton drive-thrus.
Visitors. We limit the number of people inside and ask nonessential guests to wait outside.
Masking. Everyone must wear a mask at all times. Bring one from home, or we have one for you.
Distancing. Marks on the floor remind you to keep a safe distance from others.
Sanitizing. We’re rigorously wiping down high-touch areas and surfaces. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout.
Specialties. Close-contact departments are taking extra precautions, like physical therapy and ear/nose/throat.
Virtual Visits. Routine online appointments add more breathing room in our clinics. Learn more and ask us how to get care from the comfort of home: www.PacMed.org/Telehealth.
Thank you for working with us as we create a new normal that’s safe for everyone.
Call us with questions at 1.888.472.2633 or schedule at www.PacMed.org/Schedule
Summer Blueberry Basil Salad
Mike Diabetes Star
Mike P., a Diabetes STAR Patient
Mike is the sort of person where seeing is believing. When he was diagnosed 20 years ago with type 1 diabetes, he needed to know that he truly could have an impact on the disease. So he signed up with a weight-loss program. “I needed to confirm the physiology of the disease,” he explains. As his weight dropped and his blood sugar numbers improved, Mike was convinced. From then on, he was all about finding solutions that worked for him and fit his life.
Finding Focus with a Smart-Phone App
Mike was motivated. “I wanted to live a long life with my wife and children,” he says. But he also was stymied—“How do I do this?!” He had attended PacMed diabetes support groups and nutrition classes, but what pulled it all together for him was an app on his smart phone.
“I realized technology could help me make a change in the foods that I ate and the exercise that I wasn’t doing,” he says. The app focused him where he didn’t have a focus before. Shopping became routine, convenient and even fun. He could plug foods into the app and quickly know what he could buy.
Enlisting Confidants
At 260 pounds, Mike knew from his days as a Navy Pilot that his ideal weight was 207 pounds. “I’d had assertiveness training in the Navy, and it was time to be assertive with myself,” he says.
Mike knew he needed to change his diet—“no more chips or chocolates!” And he knew he needed his wife and daughter’s support if this was really going to work. “My family became my confidants,” he says. “They participated in food exclusions and supported my goals and attitudes.”
Strong Tools, Strong Results
Mike went from a 44 waist to a 38 in six months. He’s lowered his A1c levels from 8.2% to 6.1%. He’s cut most of his medications in half. “It’s important to get your tools together,” Mike advises. “An app, a meter you can and will use everywhere, food labels—and your brain, the best tool in the tool pouch!”
“The rewards come in all sizes,” Mike says. “They may be better test results, a smiling spouse, a pleased doctor or comments from coworkers.” Once a week Mike and his family treat themselves. They go to their favorite restaurant and enjoy an 800-calorie meal—steak, potatoes, mushrooms. They really enjoy their weekly ritual.
PacMed can help you find an approach that suits you. Talk to your provider and learn more at www.PacMed.org/diabetes.
Georgia Diabetes Star
Georgia, a Diabetes STAR Patient
As retired military, Georgia knows how to be disciplined. When she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 15 years ago, losing weight became a top goal. She’d lost 60 pounds several times, but always gained it back. So she made a plan—and lost 130 pounds!
“I never set out to lose half my weight! That’s a goal I’d never be able to make. I’d feel defeated before I even started,” says Georgia.
Losing a Whole “Me”
Georgia looked at her weight in 10-pound increments. She’d set a goal to lose 10 pounds and then maintain her new weight for three months. Then she’d set another 10-pound goal and hold that weight. And so on.
It took Georgia four years to lose 130 pounds—an amount that’s more than her current body weight. She’s kept it off for five years. And this past spring, Georgia’s doctor took her off all her medications!
Georgia also set out to learn all she could about diabetes. She did a lot of reading. She also had some habits to change—such as dealing with stress by eating a processed sweet, like a Twinkie or Ding Dong. “Now they taste terrible!” she says. Today, she watches what she eats and finds alternatives that taste just as good.
Yea Team!
Georgia learned that the people around her play a crucial role. “I don’t let others sabotage my efforts. It’s amazing how many people do that!” she says. “I just tell them to leave me alone, that I want to eat healthy.” And that’s exactly what she does. She appreciates her friends and family who are also focused on health and encourage her.
“I wish I had known at the get-go that there are great support groups for diabetics—people who are in the same boat, who you can talk with,” adds Georgia. PacMed offers monthly support groups for patients and their supporters.
No Place to Go But Up
As for the psychological aspect to losing weight, Georgia adds, “My aunt would say that you need to reach your Benjamin Bottom—that point where there is no place else to go but up. I reached it: I was tired, couldn’t get a date… I’m a fun, nice person, and I wanted more out of life!”
Since then, Georgia has fallen in love, feels great and has an excellent team at PacMed who guide her and cheer her on. “Diabetes is not a death sentence unless you let it be,” she says. “If you want to have a normal life, there are choices.”
PacMed can help you find an approach that suits you. Talk to your provider and learn more at www.PacMed.org/diabetes.