February 2002 

Julie Feldman MPH RD, Clinical Dietitian

February is the romantic month of Valentines Day, but it is also American Heart Month.  We are always focusing on taking care of your lungs, your bones, and your stomachs.  This months gives us the opportunity to focus on your heart, an obviously important part of your healthy bodies.  For most of our CF patients, taking care of yourself entails eating a high fat, high calorie diet.  Now is the time to remember that eating a high fat diet can be healthy also.  Eat plenty of monounsaturated fats like canola oil, olive oil, avocados and walnuts in place of butter, shortening and processed baked goods when possible.  Your heart will be happy!

Drug Development

Demegen Inc. announced this week the results of a new study and promising new inhaled therapy for cystic fibrosis patients.  The drug P113D is thought to have antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria many of us know to well.  What is unique about the drug is it's ability to maintain its function once it is part of sputum which has caused problems with prior medications.  Demegen is operating on a $1.5 million grant from the CF Foundation to complete phase II of the trials.  We will keep you posted!

Anyone for a Jump?

It is to bad we don't live in Northern Ireland!  You thought coming to our bowl-for-breath was hard, try the latest fundraising activity going on in Northern Ireland entitled Hope on a Rope!  This event will have people throwing themselves off on of the highest building in Belfast, the Hilton Hotel to aid the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (connected to a bungy cord of course).  Maybe this is an idea for next years fundraiser!!!

CF Around the World

As you know, most of my updated information comes from Cystic-L list serve.  Just thought you would be interested in how fat reaching Cystic-L is.  Cystic L is distributed to 20 different countries and over 700 people around the world.  Countries  include Macedonia, The Netherlands, and Zimbabwe.  It's a small world after all!!! 

Reminder

We are encouraging our patients to check out www.mycysticfibrosis.com .  This site is an interactive database designed to help you manage your CF with our involvement.  We look forward to hearing your feedback!

In the tradition of February as the most romantic month of the year, here is a recipe to warm you, Heart and Soul! 

From Martha Stewart, of course!

Dried Cranberry Shortbread Hearts

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen 1 3/4-inch hearts

This simple shortbread recipe is patted firmly into a baking pan; shapes are cut with a cookie cutter.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries or cherries     1.  Heat oven to 325° with a rack in center. Combine butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a wooden spoon until combined but not too creamy. Stir in dried cranberries.     2.  Pat dough evenly into an 8- or 9-inch-square baking pan. Bake until just beginning to turn golden, about 20 minutes. Place pan on cooling rack until cool enough to touch, about 20 minutes. Run knife around edges, remove shortbread, and transfer, right side up, to work surface. Use 1 1/2- to 2-inch heart cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Use a paring knife to trim stray bits of cranberry from edges. Cookies will keep for 5 days at room temperature in an airtight container.