Message from the VMC Medical Spokesperson

Welcome to this fortnight's edition of Heath eNews!

With all the publicity regarding swine flu, one can be forgiven for thinking it is the only virus around. Whilst there are now more than 1,500 cases of swine flu within Australia, regular winter cold and flu viruses remain far more common than the pig variety. Read on to learn about things you can do to boost your immunity and deal with winter illnesses.

If you have any comments about this newsletter or Virtual Medical Centre, share them with me here.

Yours in good health,

Dr Joe Kosterich
MBBS

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Winter exercise ideas

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Preventing infections

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Hormone therapy

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Ingredients
Serves 4

1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3/4 cup water
250g lean minced beef
pinch chilli powder (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
400g can of red kidney beans, drained
400g can of chopped tomatoes
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 small cos lettuce, outer leaves discarded
1 tomato, finely chopped
1/3 cup grated Australian reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/3 cup Australian reduced-fat natural yoghurt


Method

1. Cook onion and garlic with 2 tablespoons of water in a non-stick saucepan until softened. Stir in minced beef and spices and cook over high heat until browned.

2. Add beans, tomatoes, pepper and remaining water. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until mixture has thickened. Stir in parsley.

3. To serve, spoon beef mixture into lettuce leaves, sprinkle with cheese, fresh tomato and dollop with yoghurt.


Nutrient analysis per serve

Fat: 6.6g
Saturated fat: 3.1g
Calcium: 190mg
Fibre: 2.2g
Sodium: 110mg
No added sugar

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