Delicious Baked Spiced Shrimp and Sausages
healthy sheet pan recipe with an irresistible spice blend!
Dear Readers:
All recipe links are at the bottom of the post. Along with the shrimp bake, I included a delicious overnight oats recipe, a blueberry anti-inflammatory smoothie, and a delicious ginger mocktail recipe!
What a difference a day makes….
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was having some health challenges. Ten days ago, I was at home relaxing with Steve, and my heart started flipping, fluttering, and racing. I ended up in the ER with Afib and rapid heart rate, an electrical imbalance in the heart. It was and still is very scary and something I am wrapping my head around. Thankfully, I started blood pressure meds while they figured things out. I am still getting lots of tests, such as an echocardiogram, carotid ultrasound, and angiogram, and I am wearing a heart monitor for 14 days. Thankfully, my heart is calm as I learn more and continue to make lifestyle changes.
My lifestyle is very healthy. I am slender, do pilates, functional fitness, weights, and Peloton, and walk several days a week. I eat super healthy, or so I thought, following a Mediterranean-style diet. But I do get migraines and take an occasional Triptan and Aleve for headaches. I have learned since my incident that Aleve is a risk factor for high blood pressure and Afib, as well as dehydration, low magnesium, low potassium, and more. Stress can contribute, as can alcohol and caffeine. Hypertension, obesity, advancing age, and sleep apnea are risk factors.
I share this with you in hopes that I might help someone else who has AFib. I found a fantastic book written by renowned cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr. John Day called The Afib Cure. It’s an inspiring book on how to prevent AFib and how to live healthfully with It. I had no idea that over 33 million people worldwide have AFib, and it’s on the rise. It can strike at any age. Over 10 million Americans live with Afib, and many do not know they have it. I didn’t know what Afib was until I was diagnosed in the ER.
Dr. Day’s suggestions include eating a lower-sodium diet, such as the DASH diet, and integrating many vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, fresh fruits, seafood, and lean protein sources. He also includes lots of lifestyle guidelines and cardiac tests to integrate into your medical testing.
Untreated Afib can raise your risk of stroke, so I’m not messing around. I am tracking my sodium, reducing stress, and doubling my veggie intake. A high-fiber diet is also recommended.
Important Afib and Cardiac Markers:
Know your blood pressure numbers and own them! High blood pressure is a silent killer, as you can’t feel it. Check it regularly. Mine was super low all my adult life, but over the last few months, it's been rising after a death in the family and other stressors. I am a caregiver, and that stress might have contributed.
Get an annual physical and check your cholesterol numbers. Mine had been creeping up the last two years.
Stay hydrated. On the day of my ‘event,’ I was out and about, skipped lunch, and did not have much water.
Eat magnesium-rich foods and take supplemental magnesium, such as magnesium citrate and glycinate. Of course, check with your doctor before starting magnesium or any new supplement.
Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. This helps keep electrolytes balanced.
Watch your sugar intake. Since sugar is inflammatory, Dr. Day recommends limiting it as much as possible.
Moderate or eliminate alcohol and caffeine intake. I live in the wine country and love a glass of wine, but I have drastically cut back since my diagnosis.
Ensure you don’t have sleep apnea, a risk factor.
Stay active! Walk, swim, lift weights, and more!
Get some sunlight daily and check your vitamin D levels.
If you have had an experience with Afib, I would love to hear from you!
Here are the recipes with links and complete step-by-step instructions.
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This first recipe has a little story in the blog post. I reconnected with an old friend and her husband, and this recipe was inspired by our dinner under the stars at their beautiful mountain home! It has an incredibly delicious marinade that is so easy to make.
Delicious Spiced Shrimp Bake
LINK: Delicious Easy Shrimp Bake with Sausage and Onions - Delectable Food Life
This second recipe is a healthy breakfast you can meal prep and enjoy anytime! We make it with stevia-sweetened dark chocolate chips.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
LINK: The Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats - Delectable Food Life
I also wanted to include an anti-inflammatory smoothie that is a perfect healthy breakfast or snack.
Blueberry Protein Shake - Anti-inflammatory
LINK: The Best Blueberry Protein Shake - Anti-inflammatory - Delectable Food Life
This is a super easy and healthy mocktail recipe! It has a homemade ginger honey syrup.
Gingerale Mocktail Recipe
LINK: https://delectablefoodlife.com/easy-refreshing-ginger-ale-non-alcoholic-mocktail-recipe/
Thanks for being part of our gluten-free community! I love hearing from my readers! You can leave a comment or reach me at contact@delectablefoodlife.com
