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Find Others Who Share Your Journey

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Find Others Who Share Your Journey


By Erika Page, as told to Hallie Levine

I’ve been living with vitiligo since I was 7 years old. It started as small spots on the back of my spine but quickly spread, first to my knees and elbows, then all over my body. By the time I reached my early 20s, I’d lost all of my skin pigment. I put on a brave face because I didn’t want anyone to know how much I was hurting, but I had moments where I’d lie in a crumpled heap, crying on the floor. The worst part was the feeling of lack of control.

When you have vitiligo, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only person in the world living with the disease. But you’re not. There’s a whole village of us out there. Thanks to the internet, there are a number of ways to find your vitiligo tribe, too. Whether it’s through social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, personal blogs, or even through my own website, Living Dappled, there are ways to connect with others and feel less alone.

The Power of Connection

I’ll never forget the first time I connected with another person with vitiligo. I was 26. Up until then it had never occurred to me to try to speak to someone with my condition — it seemed so personal and it wasn’t something that I wanted to share. Then one day, I stumbled upon a vitiligo blog that really resonated with me. The woman was about my age and lived in New York City. I messaged her on LinkedIn, and we ended up talking on the phone for more than an hour. 

Talking to someone else with vitiligo made me feel normal. She knew my story before I even had a chance to tell her. She understood my pain and what I was going through. We talked about how it feels like no one gets it. Sure, a family member or friend might comfort you while you’re upset, but they can’t understand the ultimate reality of living with spots every day. When I hung up the phone, I cried, but I also felt a sense of peace: I had realized how much power there was in not feeling alone.

I decided then and there to launch a website. I’d been surprised at the lack of resources for people living with vitiligo. I also had loved to write since childhood. Why not combine my two passions to create a positive, uplifting platform? I wanted to capture the little moments of living with vitiligo: what’s it like to be stared at in the grocery store or to shake hands with someone when you first walk into a meeting. More importantly, I wanted to create a space where people could talk about how to live with vitiligo — especially in a positive, inspiring way.

Gaining Strength Through Social Media

When I was first diagnosed, there were no Instagram accounts I could turn to for inspiration or advice. Today, however, anyone who’s newly diagnosed can easily get

onto social media and follow other people who look just like them. That’s a beautiful gift. It’s very empowering to not only have your Instagram feed filled with these folks, but to realize that the condition doesn’t take over their entire lives. You learn that while you’re a person who has vitiligo, it doesn’t define who you are. It’s a small but fundamental shift when it comes to learning how to live with vitiligo.

It also inspires in other ways, too. A few years ago, another woman with vitiligo on Instagram dared me to take off my tanner, which I had been wearing head to toe for a few years to cover my vitiligo. The idea made me sick to my stomach at first. But the idea had been planted. A year later, I had the courage to dart into the grocery store without tanner for 5 minutes.  At first, I felt exposed, but once I got back into the car, I felt calm and confident. I had been seen by people without tanner and makeup — quite literally my worst fear — and nothing had happened.

How to Find Your Tribe

There are so many ways to reach out and get a virtual or in-person connection. The first are social media networks, such as a Facebook group or an Instagram account. These are safe spaces where you can get ideas, share thoughts, and get social support. (You can find a list of Instagram accounts to follow here.) There are also membership networks like the Dappled Darlings Community, which provides members with a private Facebook group, monthly virtual discussions, live community interviews and curated vitiligo news.

In-person support can also be important. Groups like the Global Vitiligo Foundation can point you to local events near you. There’s also the annual World Vitiligo Day conference, with allows you to connect with both medical experts and other patients.

One way I’ve personally connected with other women with vitiligo is through Living Dappled’s photo shoots. It’s been amazing to watch people’s confidence grow throughout the day as we photograph them. I remember once as we sat down for lunch, one of the women confided that she’d never worn a dress that showed off her legs before. She’d felt empowered to that day, as part of a larger community.

That’s the thing about vitiligo: you can see someone else with it and form a strong connection without even knowing each other’s name. We get each other the way partners, or parents, or children can’t. Just the act of opening up and talking about your skin helps you grow. The more you talk about it and own it, the more confident you become in who you are.



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Lift Your Home Exercises: Fundamental HIIT Gear for Most extreme Power

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Lift Your Home Exercises: Fundamental HIIT Gear for Most extreme Power

Stop and go aerobic exercise (HIIT) has turned into a wellness peculiarity, praised for its viability in consuming calories, helping digestion, and working on by and large cardiovascular wellbeing. While HIIT frequently depends on bodyweight works out, consolidating explicit gear can take your home exercises to a higher level. In this article, we will investigate fundamental HIIT hardware for home exercises, empowering you to make a dynamic and testing work-out daily schedule inside the solace of your own space.

  1. ** ** Jump Rope:
  • The goal: Cardiovascular molding, readiness, and coordination.
  • Why it’s Essential: Working out with rope is a savvy and flexible method for hoisting your pulse, making it an optimal warm-up or an essential piece of HIIT meetings. It draws in different muscle gatherings, further develops footwork, and improves generally speaking perseverance.
  1. ** Kettlebells:**
  • Purpose: Full-body strength preparing and dynamic developments.
  • “Why They Are Important:” Iron weights add protection from your HIIT exercises, focusing on muscles in a useful and dynamic way. Practices like portable weight swings, challis squats, and Turkish outfits can escalate your daily schedule, advancing strength and power.
  1. ** Dumbbells:**
  • Purpose: Designated strength preparing for explicit muscle gatherings.
  • Why They’re Essential: Dumbbells come in a variety of weights, so you can choose the resistance that best suits your fitness level. Integrate practices like hand weight lurches, shoulder presses, and bicep twists to improve muscle commitment during HIIT.
  1. ** Medication Ball:**
  • Purpose: Hazardous developments, center strength, and coordination.
  • Why It’s Essential: Medicine balls are a great way to make your workouts more intense. To make HIIT workouts more dynamic and challenging, incorporate medicine ball slams, wall throws, or Russian twists to strengthen your core and raise your heart rate.
  1. ** Opposition Bands:**
  • The goal: Obstruction preparing for muscle actuation and conditioning.
  • Why They’re Essential: Reduced and flexible, obstruction groups are ideal for adding protection from bodyweight works out. Whether you’re doing squats, leg raises, or sidelong strolls, opposition groups give steady pressure all through the development, advancing muscle perseverance and strength.
  1. ** Box or Step Platform:**
  • Purpose: Plyometric works out, including box bounces and step-ups.
  • Why It’s Essential: Adding a box or step platform to your workouts raises the heart rate and intensifies lower-body exercises by incorporating explosive movements. Box hops, step-ups, and parallel leaps upgrade power and readiness.
  1. ** Fight Ropes:**
  • The goal: Full-body molding, cardiovascular perseverance.
  • Why They’re Essential: Fight ropes give a magnificent cardiovascular exercise while drawing in the chest area, center, and legs. Waves, hammers, and varieties of arm developments with fight ropes can be integrated into HIIT for an extreme molding meeting.
  1. ** TRX Suspension Trainer:**
  • Purpose: All out body strength preparing utilizing bodyweight.
  • “Why It’s Important:” The TRX suspension mentor takes into consideration an assortment of bodyweight practices focusing on numerous muscle bunches at the same time. It is great for HIIT workouts because it is adaptable, easy to adjust, and improves stability.
  1. ** Plyometric Box:**
  • Purpose: Lower-body, explosive movements.
  • Why It’s Essential: Plyometric boxes are intended for hops, step-ups, and other touchy activities that lift power and spryness. Consolidating these developments improves cardiovascular molding and fortifies the lower body.
  1. ** Stretch Clock or App:**
    • Purpose: arranging HIIT intervals and setting their timing.
    • Why It’s Essential: HIIT depends on planned time frames and rest. A stretch clock or application assists you with remaining coordinated and centered during your exercises, guaranteeing you stick to the extreme focus blasts followed by sufficient recuperation periods.

Building a Dynamic Home HIIT Studio:

  1. ** Pick a Devoted Space:**
  • Assign a region where you can move unreservedly without impediments, guaranteeing security during dynamic developments.
  1. ** Put resources into Capacity Solutions:**
  • Coordinate your gear effectively with capacity arrangements like retires or receptacles to keep your space mess free.
  1. ** Blend and Match Equipment:**
  • Pivot and consolidate various bits of gear to keep your exercises different and forestall dullness.
  1. ** Modify Your Routine:**
  • Tailor your HIIT exercises in view of the accessible gear and your wellness objectives. Consolidate various activities to target different muscle gatherings.
  1. ** Focus on Safety:**
  • Guarantee your gear is in great shape, particularly assuming it includes loads or obstruction. Focus on appropriate structure and strategy to forestall wounds.

Conclusion:

Changing your home into a powerful HIIT safe house is feasible with the right hardware. Adding these essentials to your at-home workouts can increase variety, intensity, and effectiveness regardless of your fitness level. The flexibility of these instruments permits you to alter your HIIT schedule, making it an agreeable and testing experience that adds to your general wellness objectives.

Artificial Intelligence & Antimicrobial Stewardship: An Interview With ChatGPT

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Artificial Intelligence & Antimicrobial Stewardship: An Interview With ChatGPT


In this article the artificial intelligence program ChatGPT is interviewed about antimicrobial stewardship.

Interview with: ChatGPT by OpenAI

Interview by: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP

Article posted 6 June 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global healthcare crisis, threatening our ability to effectively treat infections and safeguard public health. In the ongoing battle against this complex challenge, antimicrobial stewardship programs have become crucial in promoting responsible antimicrobial use and combating the proliferation of resistant organisms. To shed light on this important topic, we had the privilege of interviewing an esteemed expert [ChatGPT by OpenAI] in the field of antimicrobial stewardship.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the insights and perspectives of our expert, who possesses a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding AMR and the critical role that antimicrobial stewardship plays in addressing this multifaceted issue. By exploring their expertise, experiences, and vision for the future, we aim to provide readers with valuable knowledge and inspiration to actively participate in the fight against AMR.

Our expert brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the realm of antimicrobial stewardship. With a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in responsible antimicrobial use, they have witnessed firsthand the impact of AMR on patient outcomes and the broader healthcare landscape. Through their work, they have spearheaded initiatives, developed guidelines, and collaborated with diverse stakeholders to promote effective antimicrobial stewardship practices.

During the interview, our expert offers insights into the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, its potential to mitigate AMR, and the challenges that lie ahead. We explore the utilization of technology and artificial intelligence in stewardship programs, strategies for optimizing antimicrobial prescribing, the role of education and awareness, and the imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Moreover, our expert addresses the critical need for a One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment in the fight against AMR. They highlight the significance of policy development, surveillance systems, and the responsibility of individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in curbing the progression of resistance.

By sharing their expertise, our esteemed interviewee aims to inspire healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the wider community to take an active role in antimicrobial stewardship. Together, we can foster a culture of responsible antimicrobial use and preserve the efficacy of these life-saving drugs for generations to come.

Join us as we embark on this insightful journey with our expert, delving into the world of antimicrobial stewardship and exploring the promising avenues that lie ahead in our collective efforts to combat AMR.

This introduction was written by ChatGPT.

The questions herein were then posed to ChatGPT and the answers it provided are as follows.

1. Is antimicrobial stewardship important to human health worldwide?

Yes, antimicrobial stewardship is incredibly important to human health worldwide. Antimicrobial stewardship refers to a coordinated effort to promote the appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, to minimize the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

AMR is a global health crisis that occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, evolve and become resistant to the drugs used to treat them. This makes infections caused by these resistant microorganisms much more difficult to treat and can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Here are some reasons why antimicrobial stewardship is crucial:

  1. Preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials: The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs contribute significantly to the development of AMR. By implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs, healthcare providers can ensure that these medications are used appropriately, preserving their effectiveness for future generations.
  2. Improving patient outcomes: Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim to optimize patient outcomes by ensuring that the right antimicrobial is prescribed at the right dose and duration. This approach helps to prevent treatment failures, reduce the occurrence of adverse drug reactions, and improve patient safety.
  3. Reducing healthcare costs: AMR has economic implications, as it leads to longer hospital stays, increased healthcare resource utilization, and the need for more expensive or second-line drugs. By curbing AMR through antimicrobial stewardship, healthcare costs can be reduced by minimizing the need for unnecessary or ineffective treatments.
  4. Minimizing collateral damage to the microbiome: Antimicrobial drugs not only target the pathogenic microorganisms causing infections but also affect the normal microbial flora in the body, known as the microbiome. Disrupting the microbiome can have negative consequences for human health, such as increased susceptibility to other infections. Antimicrobial stewardship helps strike a balance between treating infections effectively while minimizing unnecessary harm to the microbiome.
  5. Global public health impact: AMR is a global issue that affects people in all countries. Antimicrobial resistance knows no borders, and the spread of resistant microorganisms can occur through travel, trade, and the movement of people. Implementing antimicrobial stewardship practices worldwide is crucial for combating AMR on a global scale.

In summary, antimicrobial stewardship plays a vital role in protecting human health worldwide by preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs, improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, minimizing collateral damage to the microbiome, and addressing the global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance.

2. How can artificial intelligence help to address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a significant role in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in several ways:

  1. Data analysis and surveillance: AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of data from various sources, including electronic health records, clinical notes, microbiological data, and public health databases, to detect patterns and trends related to AMR. This can help identify emerging resistance patterns, hotspots of resistance, and factors contributing to resistance. AI-powered surveillance systems can provide real-time information to healthcare providers and public health officials, enabling them to make informed decisions and take appropriate measures to control the spread of AMR.
  2. Predictive modeling and early detection: AI can be used to develop predictive models that forecast the emergence and spread of AMR. By analyzing data on antimicrobial use, patient characteristics, and microbial genomics, AI algorithms can identify high-risk populations, predict the likelihood of resistance development, and support early detection of resistant infections. This can aid in implementing proactive measures to prevent the spread of AMR and improve patient outcomes.
  3. Precision medicine and treatment optimization: AI algorithms can analyze patient-specific data, including clinical and genetic information, to guide personalized treatment decisions. By considering individual patient characteristics and the specific resistance profiles of pathogens, AI can help optimize antimicrobial therapy, ensuring the right drug is prescribed at the right dose and duration. This can prevent the overuse or misuse of antibiotics, reducing the development of resistance.
  4. Drug discovery and development: AI can accelerate the process of discovering and developing new antimicrobial drugs. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of biological and chemical data to identify potential drug candidates, predict their efficacy, and optimize their properties. This can help researchers identify novel targets, repurpose existing drugs, and design new molecules with enhanced antimicrobial activity, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms.
  5. Decision support systems: AI-powered decision support systems can assist healthcare providers in making evidence-based decisions regarding antimicrobial prescribing. By integrating patient data, local resistance patterns, guidelines, and best practices, AI algorithms can provide real-time recommendations on appropriate antimicrobial selection, dosing, and duration. This can help reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and improve clinical outcomes.

It’s important to note that while AI has great potential, it should be implemented and validated with caution, ensuring robust data privacy and security measures are in place. Additionally, human expertise and judgment remain crucial in the interpretation and application of AI-generated insights in the context of AMR.

3. How can antimicrobial stewardship programs use artificial intelligence in their daily practice to enhance efficiency?

Antimicrobial stewardship programs can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in various ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in their daily practice:

  1. Decision support tools: AI can power decision support systems that provide real-time guidance to healthcare providers in selecting appropriate antimicrobial therapies. These tools can integrate patient-specific data, local resistance patterns, and guidelines to generate tailored recommendations for antimicrobial prescribing. By reducing decision-making complexity and providing evidence-based suggestions, AI-powered decision support tools can improve the efficiency and accuracy of antimicrobial prescribing decisions.
  2. Automated surveillance: AI algorithms can automate the surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance patterns. By continuously analyzing data from electronic health records, laboratory reports, and other sources, AI can identify patterns, trends, and anomalies related to antimicrobial prescribing and resistance. This automation can save time and resources compared to manual surveillance methods, allowing stewardship programs to detect and respond to issues promptly.
  3. Predictive analytics: AI can help predict the emergence of resistance and identify patients at risk of developing resistant infections. By analyzing patient-specific data, such as clinical information, microbiological results, and demographic factors, AI algorithms can identify patterns that indicate a higher likelihood of resistance development. This enables proactive interventions, such as targeted education, improved infection control practices, or alternative treatment strategies, to prevent the spread of resistance and optimize patient outcomes.
  4. Streamlined data analysis: AI algorithms can process and analyze large volumes of data quickly, extracting meaningful insights and identifying relevant patterns that may not be apparent to human analysts. This can be particularly valuable for stewardship programs that deal with substantial amounts of data from multiple sources. AI can help automate data analysis, allowing stewardship teams to focus their efforts on interpretation and decision-making rather than spending excessive time on data processing.
  5. Education and training: AI can support antimicrobial stewardship education and training efforts. Virtual training platforms and simulation tools powered by AI can provide interactive learning experiences, allowing healthcare providers to enhance their knowledge and skills in antimicrobial prescribing. AI can also assist in the creation of educational materials and guidelines by analyzing vast amounts of clinical data, scientific literature, and expert recommendations to generate evidence-based content.
  6. Continuous learning and improvement: AI algorithms can learn from data over time, allowing them to continuously improve their performance and adapt to evolving patterns of antimicrobial resistance. By analyzing feedback and outcomes data, AI can refine its decision-making capabilities and provide increasingly accurate recommendations for antimicrobial use. This iterative learning process can help stewardship programs stay up to date with the latest evidence and adapt their practices accordingly.

While AI can enhance the efficiency of antimicrobial stewardship programs, it is essential to ensure that the algorithms are developed and validated using high-quality data and in collaboration with clinical experts. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and oversight are also necessary to ensure the effectiveness and safety of AI applications in antimicrobial stewardship.

4. Is it appropriate for medical professionals to use artificial intelligence software in medical research or publishing? 

Yes, it is appropriate for medical professionals to use artificial intelligence (AI) software in medical research and publishing. AI has the potential to greatly enhance medical research and improve the quality and efficiency of publishing scientific work. Here are a few reasons why AI software can be beneficial in these contexts:

  1. Data analysis and pattern recognition: AI algorithms can analyze large datasets quickly and efficiently, identifying patterns and trends that may not be readily apparent to human researchers. This can help researchers extract meaningful insights from complex and extensive datasets, leading to more accurate and robust research findings. AI can assist in data preprocessing, feature extraction, and predictive modeling, allowing researchers to focus on interpretation and hypothesis generation.
  2. Literature review and synthesis: AI-powered software can assist researchers in conducting literature reviews and synthesizing vast amounts of scientific literature. By analyzing numerous articles and identifying key concepts, relationships, and evidence, AI can help researchers identify relevant studies, explore emerging trends, and summarize existing knowledge. This can streamline the literature review process and facilitate evidence-based decision-making in research and publishing.
  3. Precision and efficiency: AI algorithms can perform repetitive tasks with great precision and speed, saving time and reducing the potential for human error. For example, AI can assist in data cleaning, image analysis, statistical analysis, and manuscript formatting. This allows researchers to focus their efforts on more complex and intellectually demanding tasks, such as experimental design, critical analysis, and interpretation of results.
  4. Improved accuracy and reproducibility: AI algorithms can enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of research findings. By minimizing human biases and errors, AI can provide objective and standardized analyses. Additionally, AI-powered tools can automate workflows, ensuring consistent methodologies and reducing variability in research processes. This can enhance the robustness and reliability of research, leading to more credible and reproducible results.
  5. Data-driven insights and discovery: AI can uncover hidden patterns and relationships in data, enabling researchers to generate new hypotheses and identify novel research directions. AI algorithms can analyze large-scale genomics, imaging, and clinical data to identify potential biomarkers, therapeutic targets, or patient subgroups. This data-driven approach can accelerate discovery and innovation in medical research.

It’s important to note that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should not replace human expertise and judgment. Medical professionals should use AI as a supportive tool to augment their research and publishing efforts, rather than relying solely on AI-generated outcomes. Additionally, appropriate validation, ethical considerations, and transparency in reporting AI methodologies should be ensured in medical research and publishing to maintain scientific integrity and uphold ethical standards.

5. Will artificial intelligence have a positive or negative impact on antimicrobial resistance? 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to have a positive impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by contributing to various aspects of its prevention and management. However, there are also potential challenges and risks that need to be addressed to ensure a net positive impact. Here’s an overview:

Positive impact:

  1. Enhanced surveillance: AI can help improve AMR surveillance by analyzing large volumes of data from various sources, such as electronic health records, microbiological data, and public health databases. This can facilitate early detection of resistance patterns, timely interventions, and more effective control measures.
  2. Optimized antimicrobial prescribing: AI algorithms can assist healthcare providers in selecting appropriate antimicrobial therapies based on patient-specific data, local resistance patterns, and guidelines. This can help reduce inappropriate prescribing, optimize treatment decisions, and minimize the development of resistance.
  3. Early detection and prediction: AI can aid in predicting the emergence and spread of AMR by analyzing patient data and identifying high-risk individuals or populations. Early detection can enable proactive interventions, such as targeted surveillance, infection control measures, and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
  4. Drug discovery and development: AI can accelerate the discovery and development of new antimicrobial drugs. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of biological and chemical data to identify potential drug candidates, predict their efficacy, and optimize their properties. This can aid in overcoming resistance mechanisms and addressing the antibiotic pipeline challenge.

Challenges and risks:

  1. Data quality and biases: AI relies on quality data for accurate analysis and decision-making. If the data used for training AI models is incomplete, biased, or of low quality, it can lead to erroneous results or reinforce existing biases in AMR research and interventions.
  2. Interpretability and trust: AI algorithms often operate as “black boxes,” making it challenging to interpret their decisions or understand the underlying reasoning. This lack of interpretability can be a barrier to gaining trust among healthcare providers and stakeholders, who need to understand and validate the AI-generated recommendations.
  3. Ethical considerations: AI raises ethical concerns, such as data privacy, informed consent, and the potential for algorithmic bias. Ensuring that AI applications in AMR address these ethical considerations is crucial to maintain patient autonomy, fairness, and accountability.
  4. Human expertise and judgment: While AI can support decision-making, human expertise and judgment remain essential. Over-reliance on AI-generated recommendations without critical evaluation and clinical expertise can potentially lead to unintended consequences or suboptimal outcomes.

To maximize the positive impact of AI on AMR, it is important to address these challenges through rigorous validation, transparency, robust data governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. AI should be viewed as a tool that complements human expertise and supports evidence-based decision-making, rather than a substitute for human judgment and responsibility in managing AMR.

6. What is the most important thing humans can do to prevent the progression of antimicrobial resistance? 

The most important thing humans can do to prevent the progression of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to practice appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobial drugs. Here are some key actions individuals can take:

  1. Use antibiotics judiciously: Take antibiotics only when prescribed by a healthcare professional and complete the full course as directed. Avoid self-medication or sharing antibiotics with others. It is crucial to understand that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections like the common cold or flu.
  2. Prevent infections: Practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing with soap and water, particularly before eating and after using the restroom. Follow infection prevention measures, such as vaccination, safe food handling, and safe sexual practices, to reduce the need for antimicrobial treatment.
  3. Vaccinate: Get vaccinated according to recommended schedules. Vaccines prevent many infections and reduce the need for antibiotics in preventing and treating certain diseases.
  4. Prevent healthcare-associated infections: Follow infection prevention guidelines in healthcare settings. This includes proper hand hygiene, adherence to infection control protocols, and appropriate use of invasive devices (e.g., catheters) to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections that often require antimicrobial treatment.
  5. Promote infection control: Support efforts to improve infection control practices in healthcare facilities, communities, and animal husbandry. This includes proper sanitation, waste management, and infection control measures in hospitals, clinics, and other settings.
  6. Educate yourself and others: Raise awareness about AMR and the importance of responsible antimicrobial use. Educate yourself, your family, and your community about the risks of AMR, proper antibiotic use, and preventive measures. Encourage others to take these actions and be advocates for responsible antimicrobial use.
  7. Support antimicrobial stewardship: Engage with healthcare providers and participate in antimicrobial stewardship programs. These programs promote appropriate antimicrobial use, conduct surveillance, and develop policies to combat AMR. Supporting and adhering to their recommendations can contribute to curbing the progression of AMR.

It’s crucial to recognize that addressing AMR requires a collective effort from individuals, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the agricultural sector. Collaboration and a One Health approach that considers human, animal, and environmental factors are essential for effective AMR prevention and control.

7. Closing comments from ChatGPT

In closing, it is evident from our discussion that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into antimicrobial stewardship holds immense promise for advancing our fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AI-powered tools offer the potential to enhance decision-making, streamline data analysis, and improve surveillance, ultimately contributing to more efficient and effective antimicrobial use.

However, as we navigate this frontier, it is essential to recognize that AI is not a standalone solution. Human expertise, clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary collaboration remain indispensable in guiding and validating the outputs of AI algorithms. Responsible implementation, ongoing evaluation, and addressing ethical considerations are paramount to ensuring the safe and effective utilization of AI in antimicrobial stewardship.

By harnessing the power of AI while upholding the principles of responsible use, we can create a synergy between technology and human knowledge to optimize patient care, combat AMR, and safeguard the future of our antimicrobial arsenal. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering innovation, promoting best practices, and continuously advancing the field of antimicrobial stewardship to preserve these precious resources for generations to come.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe | The Recipe Critic

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Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe | The Recipe Critic


This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Flourless Chocolate Cake is an insanely rich and delicious chocolate dessert. Similar to the inside of a truffle, this gluten-free dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth with ease!

Looking for more great flourless desserts? Try these flourless brownies, chocolate cookies, or peanut butter cookies! These gluten-free treats are all so delicious and have the most delicious, tender texture.

A slice of chocolate cake being served with a cake spatula. There are raspberries on top of the cake.

The Best Flourless Chocolate Cake

If a rich, decadent dessert is what you’re looking for, look no further. Homemade flourless chocolate cake might seem a bit intimidating to make at first, but it’s really quite easy. Plus, you can’t ask for a more decadent, rich, and drool-worthy recipe that is sure to impress anyone!

And the good news is, it’s gluten-free, so it works for groups that have different dietary restrictions! You won’t even miss the flour with how moist and amazing this cake is. It’s so fudgy and tender, seriously like the inside of a chocolate truffle. What dessert dreams are made of!

What is Flourless Chocolate Cake Made Of?

There are lots of different recipes out there for flourless chocolate cake, but the main ingredients in this recipe are sugar, chocolate, butter and eggs. The large quantity of eggs are what allow this dessert to take on the form of a cake without the addition of flour.

  • Granulated Sugar: To make the cake nice and sweet!
  • Strong Coffee: Even if you don’t like coffee, a hint of strong coffee with rich chocolate really enhances the overall flavor.
  • Salt: Just a little bit to make the whole cake taste better!
  • Chocolate Chips: I recommend using semi-sweet, bittersweet, or dark chocolate chips since sugar is added separately.
  • Butter: I used unsalted butter to add a boost of richness to the flourless chocolate cake.
  • Vanilla: Okay, nothing earth shattering there. I think pretty much every dessert recipe deserves vanilla, but I also consider it a necessary ingredient in flourless chocolate cake. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor!
  • Large Eggs: Give the cake its structure.

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Similar to a cheesecake, this flourless chocolate cake uses a water bath to set up properly. But trust me, it’s not as tricky to get right! Follow these instructions to end up with the most rich, chocolatey, gluten-free dessert ever.

Preparing the Cake Batter and Water Bath

  1. Preheat Oven, Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with parchment paper. Spray the inside of the pan and top of the parchment paper with cooking spray. Wrap the bottom of the spring form pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Separately, fill a large casserole dish (I used 11×13 inch) or baking sheet with about 1/2 inch of water to form a water bath.
  2. Coffee Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, coffee and salt. Stir well and heat just until the sugar and salt have fully dissolved. Remove from heat.
  3. Melt Chocolate: Place chocolate in microwave safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute increments on 50% power to melt, stirring well in between each minute. Alternatively, you can melt chocolate in a double boiler. As soon as all the chocolate has melted, transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  4. Combine: Using the paddle attachment, beat on low to medium speed, adding one tablespoon of butter at a time until all of the butter has been added and it has melted into the chocolate. With the mixer running, add the coffee sugar mixture and blend until fully mixed. Add the vanilla, then mix well to combine and scrape sides of bowl as needed.
  5. Mix in Eggs, Add to Pan: With the mixer still running, slowly add eggs. You want them fully incorporated, but you do not want to overly mix the batter. Scrape the sides of the bowl well and give a final stir to make sure everything is fully mixed. Transfer all of the batter to the prepared spring form pan.

Baking

  1. Bake: Place the aluminum foil lined pan in the water bath and bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. The center of the cake should be set but slightly jiggly.
  2. Chill: For best results, chill cake in pan over night. I was able to skip this step and remove it from the pan a couple hours after I took it out of the oven, but it was even better after a night of refrigeration. To remove from pan, release spring to life side off and transfer to a cake platter.
  3. Serve: Serve flourless chocolate cake with freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.

How Do I Know When My Cake is Done?

Much like a cheesecake, you want your flourless chocolate cake to be set yet still a bit jiggly in the middle before you remove it from the oven. The water bath and low cooking temperature really make this recipe difficult to mess up, so don’t worry if you end up taking the cake out of the oven a few minutes early or late.

The “done” window is probably around 10 minutes long, so just keep checking the center as the time approaches.

4-photo collage of the cake batter and water bath being prepared.

Tips for Making Flourless Chocolate Cake

  • Use High-Quality Chocolate! Since chocolate is one of the main ingredients of this cake, using high-quality chocolate will yield high-quality flavor. Instead of chocolate chips, you may use baking chocolate or chocolate bars, but these will need to be chopped into small pieces before melting.
  • Don’t Overmix: Don’t overmix the batter. Mix just until all the eggs are incorporated and the bottom and sides of the bowl have been scraped down and mixed in.
  • Using Other Pans: I have seen other people use a cake pan to make flourless chocolate cake, but I haven’t had luck trying it out. The cake tends to stick even with the parchment paper. If you have a smaller springform pan, I recommend cutting the recipe in half.
  • Add Grand Marnier: Everyone knows orange and chocolate are a magical duo, so adding orange-flavored liqueur to a flourless chocolate cake seemed like a no brainer to me. You could even take it a step further and add a bit of orange zest as well to really enhance that citrus flavor.

Top-down view of flourless chocolate cake cut into slices.

Storing Leftover Cake/ Freezing

Store leftover flourless chocolate cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You may freeze the whole flourless chocolate cake or individual slices for up to 3 months. Place the cake or slice on parchment paper and then on a baking sheet. Freeze for 3-4 hours until fully frozen, then transfer to an airtight container or a freezer ziploc bag. To thaw, remove the parchment paper and place it on a plate or cake platter. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours, or overnight, until completely thawed.

Can Flourless Chocolate Cake Be Made Ahead of Time?

Flourless chocolate cake is a great make-ahead dessert! Make it up to 3 days before serving. Keep chilled in the fridge in an airtight container or on a serving plate covered with plastic wrap.

A slice of cake with a bite taken out of it.

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  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan with parchment paper and spray the inside of the pan and the parchment paper well with pan spray. Wrap the bottom of the spring form pan with a couple layers of heavy duty aluminum foil, wrapping the foil all the way up the sides of the pan.

  • Add the coffee, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

  • Place chocolate in microwave safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute increments on 50% power to melt, stirring well in between each minute. Alternatively, you can melt chocolate in a double boiler. As soon as all the chocolate has melted, transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.

  • Using the paddle attachment, beat on low to medium speed, adding one tablespoon of butter at a time until all of the butter has been added and it has melted into the chocolate. With the mixer running, add the coffee sugar mixture and blend until fully mixed. Add the vanilla and mix well until fully combine, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

  • With the mixer still running, slowly add eggs. You want them fully incorporated, but you do not want to overly mix the batter. Scrape the sides of the bowl well and give a final stir to make sure everything is fully mixed. Transfer all of the batter to the prepared spring form pan.

  • Place the aluminum foil lined pan in the water bath and bake in preheated oven for 55-60 minutes. The center of the cake should be set and only have the very slighted wobble to it.

  • For best results, chill cake in pan over night, or at least for 4 hours. To remove from pan, release the spring and open the pan, inverting the cake onto a cake platter. If needed, run a knife around the outside of the cake to help it release from the sides

  • Serve with freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.

Originally posted March 6, 2019
Updated on February 3, 2024

Calories: 511kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 6gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 3gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 613IUCalcium: 44mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.





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Healthy You! – December 2023 edition

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Healthy You! – December 2023 edition


The December edition of Healthy You! focuses on mind-body connections. Your employees will discover how stress affects the body and how meditation can help release tension. They will also learn how mindfulness can help them remain positive in challenging situations. And since the food we eat can affect how we feel, employees can get tips on how to make healthier food choices at parties so their spirits will be merry and bright all season long.

Read the new issue.



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Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

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Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe


I’ve posted a lot of recipes for DIY homemade cleaners, but dishwasher detergent was one I had trouble figuring out. After a little more digging, I finally figured out the secret! This homemade dishwasher detergent recipe uses natural ingredients to help you save money and get dirty dishes squeaky clean.

Powdered Dishwasher Detergent

I’d experimented with a lot of dishwasher powder recipes, but all of them left a little residue, especially on glassware. I wasn’t sure if I had too much of something or if I was missing an ingredient that would make it more effective.

Thanks to a little tip on Pinterest, I figured out the missing ingredient was citric acid. Even better, I already had some on hand from making bath bombs so I gave it a try. The result was clean, shiny dishes without residue buildup or grime.

The Magical Ingredient

As the name implies, citric acid is an acid and is naturally found in lemon juice. Adding fresh lemon juice to your homemade dishwasher detergent though isn’t really practical since it decreases the shelf life. For those with hard water (especially if you don’t have a water softener) citric acid provides natural cleaning power to beat filmy dish residue.

Most citric acid comes from fermented GMO-corn, so it’s important to check your source. The citric acid I use is food-grade, non-GMO, and fermented from cane sugar. Vinegar is made by using natural microbes to ferment fruit sugar (like apples) into acetic acid. Citric acid is made in much the same way as vinegar, except the end result of fermentation is citric acid.

I combine the citric acid with the rest of the ingredients and put the whole thing in the detergent compartment. Some people find though that it works best separately as a rinse aid. In this case, put a tablespoon of citric acid powder in the rinse aid compartment of your dishwasher.

Some people instead use vinegar in the liquid rinse dispenser or in a bowl in the top rack of the dishwasher. Over time though the white vinegar can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses in your dishwasher.

How Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Works

While the natural acidity of the citric acid prevents a film, the other ingredients in this homemade detergent help clean dishes.

Washing soda, the main ingredient here, raises water pH and helps soften water. It also removes stains and grease and works as a cleaning agent. Most store-bought detergents include it in their soap recipe so you’ll often see it on the label as sodium carbonate. You can even make it yourself from baking soda.

I’ve also added salt to the recipe which also helps clean and soften water. Most recipes call for Kosher salt since it’s pure sodium chloride without any other minerals. I haven’t had a problem using regular sea salt though.

Much Ado…

The final ingredient in this dishwasher blend is borax, which has been the center of some online debate. In my opinion, borax is very much on the low end of the scale when it comes to the potential toxicity of chemicals in cleaning products. It’s a naturally occurring ingredient that I feel comfortable using in my cleaning recipes.

If not, I’ve also used enzyme cleaners like Biokleen dishwasher soap which doesn’t have borax.

Where to Buy It

Don’t want to make your own dishwasher detergent but don’t want to resort to hand washing a load of dishes either? There are plenty of healthy dishwasher detergent options now! You can even find some of these at places like Walmart, Amazon, or your local grocery store. Here are some ones I’ve used before with good results:

DIY Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

This simple recipe is a great non-toxic alternative for cleaner dishes! Plus it takes mere minutes to make.

Prep Time3 minutes

Total Time3 minutes

Yield: 3 cups

Author: Katie Wells

  • Stir all of the ingredients together and break up any clumps. You can use a fork to mash in the essential oils if using.

  • Use 1-2 tablespoons per dishwasher load as needed.

  • For an extra boost, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid (only a few!!!) to the powder before closing the soap container in the dishwasher.

Store the dishwasher detergent in an airtight container in a dry place.

Not Working For You?

Homemade powdered dish detergent can be tricky. Depending on how hard/soft your water is and the temperature you wash dishes at it can be difficult to find a recipe that works.

One easy fix to try is to omit the citric acid from this recipe and instead use it as a rinse agent. Put 1 tablespoon of homemade dishwasher detergent into the prewash compartment, and add 1 tablespoon of citric acid to the main wash compartment. This way, when you run the wash cycle the dish detergent will first wash the dishes, then the citric acid will help shine them.

New to Natural Cleaning?

If you’re just starting with DIY or natural cleaners, here are some other easy and inexpensive recipes:

What do you use in the dishwasher? Ever made your own dishwasher detergent? Share below!

Homemade dishwasher detergent makes natural cleaning easy. Borax, washing soda, citric acid and salt make an effective and inexpensive natural option.



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Screening at Seattle Hospital Illustrates a Candida auris Outbreak

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Screening at Seattle Hospital Illustrates a Candida auris Outbreak


Last week, Seattle health officials confirmed the fourth case of the fungal infection, Candida auris (C auris), in a local hospital, Kindred Hospital Seattle, according to Public Health Seattle and King County.1

This fourth case that had links to Kindred hospital was reported on January 26. The very first case was discovered just weeks before on January 10 in a patient who was admitted to the hospital. Additional screening of other patients found 2 new positive C auris cases on January 22.1 These patients had previously tested negative for C auris when they were first admitted. This is the first known outbreak of C auris in Washington state.

It is important to note, that C auris typically affects older patients with comorbidities.

“Most healthy people do not need to worry about C auris infections,” Claire Brostrom-Smith, manager of the Healthcare Associated Infections Program at Public Health Seattle and King County, said in a statement. “The risk is mainly for patients that have long stays at hospitals and need medical interventions like breathing tubes, feeding tubes or urinary catheters.”1

Incidence Rates are Increasing, Multidrug Resistance (MDR) Continues

C auris continues to see an increase in incidence rates, with a 95% increase in cases during 2020-2021. And over the last 5 years, CDC has tracked cases using the Premier Healthcare database, which is a comprehensive electronic healthcare data repository, and offers insights on hospitalizations.2

Last year, the CDC’s publication, Emerging Infectious Diseases, published data looking at patterns with these patients. From 2017–2022, they examined 192 cases of C auris and offered data on these hospitalizations. Investigators examined features of C auris hospitalizations and compared those those without bloodstream infections (BSI). Within the study there were 38 (20%) C auris BSI. The authors noted that consistent with treatment guidelines, most BSI hospitalizations involved echinocandin therapy. “Echinocandin use was more frequent for bloodstream (76%) versus nonbloodstream (25%) hospitalizations; median time from first positive culture to echinocandin use was 2 days (interquartile range 1–3 days),” they wrote.2

Typically the first-line of therapy for C auris is echinocandins, and the fungal infection is proving to be multidrug resistant with this drug class, which can lead to increased mortality if there is treatment failure overall.

In the aforementioned study, C auris had a high mortality rate. “Including in-hospital deaths and discharges to hospice, the overall estimated crude mortality rate of 34% (47% for BSI) was similar to the 30-day mortality rate from a previous study in New York (27% overall and 39% for BSI),” the investigators wrote.3

Screening

From a public health standpoint, there is concern about growing cases, MDR, and mortality rates. However, stakeholders are aware of preventative strategies and stress the significance of testing and infection prevention controls.

For example, the C auris cases in Seattle were identified as a result of a screening program called the Partners for Patient Safety Program. Through the program, all patients at the hospital are screened at the time of their admission to the facility.

The intent of the program is to detect cases early-on to help prevent spread. Screening is a significant strategy because patients can often be asymptomatic but can still transmit C auris to other patients.

“Health care facilities that provide screening are taking an important proactive step to identify cases early-on to reduce the risk of spread to other patients,” Brostrom-Smith said.

Meghan Lyman, MD, medical officer, Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and her colleagues coauthored a study, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year looking at the CDC surveillance data tracking the incidence rates of C auris. Contagion interviewed Lyman last year, and she explained the CDC stresses the importance of these medical facilities being proactive in their approach to infection prevention. “Implementing these practices effectively and ensuring there’s good compliances is important but not always easy. It takes a lot of work and investment of resources,” Lyman stated.4

References
1.Update on C auris – The Partners for Patients Safety Program Screening and Cases. Public Health Seattle and King County. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://publichealthinsider.com/2024/01/30/update-on-c-auris-the-partners-for-patient-safety-program-screening-and-cases/

2.Parkinson J. Tracking Candida Auris. ContagionLive. July 5, 2023. Accessed February 3, 2024. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/tracking-candida-auris

3. Benedict K, Forsberg K, Gold J, et al. Candida auris‒Associated Hospitalizations, United States, 2017–2022. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(7):1485-1487. doi:10.3201/eid2907.230540

4. Parkinson J. Placing Context Around Public Health Messaging, Addressing Infection Prevention for Candida Auris. ContagionLive. March 30, 2023. Accessed February 3, 2024.



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Moussaka Recipe | The Recipe Critic

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Moussaka Recipe | The Recipe Critic


This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Moussaka is a hearty, delicious dish perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. If you’ve never tried it before, you’re in for a treat! It’s made with layers of eggplant, potatoes, meat sauce, and bechamel sauce, and baked until the crust is golden brown. Everyone at the dinner table will be blown away!

Although moussaka is a common Greek dish, it’s levantine in origin with Arab influences! A few similar recipes that I know you’ll love: baba ganoush, shakshuka, and of course- hummus!

A slice of moussaka on a stoneware plate.

What is Moussaka?

Get ready to journey to the eastern Mediterranean! If you’ve never had it before, Moussaka is a mouthwatering dish that combines layers of savory goodness. I’m talking tender eggplant slices, seasoned ground beef, and creamy béchamel sauce, all baked to perfection.

This dish hails from the Levant region, but its modern form, with the iconic béchamel, was refined by a Greek chef (thanks, Nikolaos Tselementes!) in the 1920s. It’s a hearty and flavorful meal, perfect for both special occasions and casual weeknight meals.

Ingredient List

Below are all of the ingredients for the Greek version of moussaka. The flavor and texture they create is out of this world! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Vegetables:

  • Eggplant: The star of the show! Slice them thin, fry them golden, and layer them for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Eggplant is a great vegetable to work with. It absorbs the flavor of whatever you’re cooking it in!
  • Potatoes: Another base layer, adding tender, delicious starchiness.

Meat Sauce:

  • Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is the main protein source in this moussaka recipe. Feel free to use lamb for a traditional twist!
  • Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes and tomato paste create a tangy and hearty base for the sauce.
  • Onions & Garlic: Add savory flavor and aromatics.
  • Spices: I used a combination of cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper!
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity and also deglazes the pan for extra flavor.

Bechamel Sauce:

  • Butter & Flour: The base of this creamy sauce.
  • Milk: Warmed milk gets whisked in, so the bechamel is nice and creamy.
  • Egg Yolks: Add richness and help bind the sauce for a velvety finish.
  • Nutmeg & Parmesan: A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth, while parmesan cheese brings salty depth and a golden gratin crust. SO good!

Other Necessities:

  • Olive Oil: For frying the vegetables in and adding earthiness to the moussaka overall.
  • Fresh Parsley: For a finishing touch!

How to Make Moussaka

This recipe is prep-heavy, but it’s so worth it! All of the hearty layers are what makes moussaka so good.

Prepare the Vegetables

  1. Wash and Slice: Wash your eggplants and potatoes, slice them into ¼ inch rounds. Squeeze the eggplant dry with paper towels, remove any excess liquid.
  2. Sauté: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the vegetables to the hot oil and fry them until they are just browned. Work in a couple batches to avoid crowding, adding more oil between batches.
  3. Remove Excess Oil and Season: When the vegetables are removed from the oil, place them on paper towels to allow any excess oil to run off. Season the fried veggies with salt and pepper and set aside.

For the Meat Sauce

  1. Cook Beef and Onion: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the ground beef and onion. Saute until the beef is thoroughly browned and cooked through. Add the garlic and saute another 2 minutes.
  2. Add Tomatoes, Vinegar, and Spices: To the saucepan add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, cinnamon, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring everything to a gentile boil, mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Set Aside: Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.

For the Béchamel Sauce

  1. Roux: Melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes, until thick and bubbly and just starting to lightly brown.
  2. Whisk in Milk: Slowly add the milk a little at a time while whisking constantly to prevent clumping. Increase the heat to medium and continue to whisk for 3-4 minutes until thickened and nearly boiling.
  3. Add Eggs and Seasonings: Remove the bechamel sauce from heat and add the egg yolks, salt and pepper to taste as well as 1 pinch of nutmeg. Whisk the egg yolks in quickly to fully incorporate the eggs without letting them cook in clumps in the sauce, then set aside.

Assemble the Moussaka

  1. Preheat Oven, Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Vegetable Layers: Spread the potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Layer half the eggplants on top of the potatoes.
  3. Top With Meat Sauce and Bechamel: Pour all the meat sauce over the eggplant. Layer the remaining eggplant on top of the meat sauce. Pour the bechamel sauce over the eggplant and top it with the parmesan cheese.
  4. Bake: Bake the mousaka for 35-45 minutes or until the crust is a golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
  5. Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy!
6-photo collage of the meat and vegetables being layered in a baking dish.

Tips and Variations

This delicious layered dish is super easy to customize. Here are some ideas:

  • Traditional Version: You can use ground lamb in place of ground beef, which is more traditional. 
  • Omit the Potatoes: You can leave out the potato layer entirely if you want, no need to replace it with anything else!
  • Make it Meatless: Skip the ground beef and double up on the vegetables, adding lentils or chickpeas for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a vegetarian-friendly option.
  • Golden Crust: For a more golden-brown crust, broil your moussaka for a minute or two before serving.

A slice of moussaka being served.

Storing Leftover Moussaka

Leftovers are your friend! Moussaka tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

  • In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • To Reheat: Reheat your moussaka in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until warmed through at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Top-down view of moussaka in a baking dish with a slice taken out of it.

More Delicious Mediterranean Recipes

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Prepare the vegetables

  • Wash your eggplants and potatoes, slice them into ¼ inch rounds. Squeeze the eggplant dry with paper towels, remove any excess liquid.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the vegetables to the hot oil and fry them until they are just browned. Work in a couple batches to avoid crowding, adding more oil between batches.

  • When the vegetables are removed from the oil, place them on paper towels to allow any excess oil to run off. Season the fried veggies with salt and pepper and set aside.

For the meat sauce

  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the ground beef and onion. Saute until the beef is thoroughly browned and cooked through. Add the garlic and saute another 2 minutes.

  • To the saucepan add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, cinamon, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring everything to a gentile boil, mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

  • Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.

For the bechamel sauce

  • Melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes, until thick and bubbly and just starting to lightly brown.

  • Slowly add the milk a little at a time while whisking constantly to prevent clumping. Increase the heat to medium and continue to whisk for 3-4 minutes until thickened and nearly boiling.

  • Remove the bechamel sauce from heat and add the egg yolks, salt and pepper to taste as well as 1 pinch of nutmeg. Whisk the egg yolks in quickly to fully incorporate the eggs without letting them cook in clumps in the sauce, then set aside.

Assemble the Moussaka

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

  • Spread the potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Layer half the eggplants on top of the potatoes.

  • Pour all the meat sauce over the eggplant. Layer the remaining eggplant on top of the meat sauce. Pour the bechamel sauce over the eggplant and top it with the parmesan cheese.

  • Bake the mousaka for 35-45 minutes or until the crust is a golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 22gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 651mgPotassium: 1105mgFiber: 7gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 598IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 257mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.





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Act now: Get Marketplace insurance for 2024

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Act now: Get Marketplace insurance for 2024


Published on November 16, 2023

It’s Open Enrollment! You have less than a month to enroll in or change plans for coverage that starts January 1.

For coverage to start:

  • January 1, 2024: Act by December 15, 2023
  • February 1, 2024: Act by January 15, 2024

How to apply & enroll

  • First timer? Welcome! Create an account.
  • Returning user? Welcome back! Log in to update your application, compare plans, and change or renew for 2024. That way you’ll know your savings are correct and that your plan meets your needs and budget.



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Can ‘Soda Taxes’ Improve Our Health?

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Can ‘Soda Taxes’ Improve Our Health?


A new study shows taxes on sugary beverages like soda reduce demand and are likely to improve public health.

Soda is the No. 1 source of added sugar in the American diet. Aside from the tooth decay your mother warned you about, soda and sugar-sweetened tea, fruit, and sports drinks and their added calories increase insulin resistance, obesity, and the risks of diabetes, heart disease, liver cancer, and other chronic disease, research shows. 

That’s in part because sugary beverages have little nutritional value, and sugar in its liquid form can be especially unhealthy because it is so rapidly absorbed into the blood. In a 2019 study of 10 European countries, sugary beverage consumption increased the risk of premature death across all diseases and complications.

To combat the crisis, dozens of countries have taxed the beverages, and though opposition from the American beverage industry is formidable, a handful of U.S. locales have followed suit. 

“Tax and price change gets you to look at your habits and think again, ‘Is this what I want to be doing?’ ” says Michael Long, SD, an associate professor of prevention and community health at George Washington University.

That’s just how it’s designed, Long says. As with tobacco, alcohol, or cannabis, the higher shelf price signals to shoppers that sugary drinks come with a cost to society. 

The new study in The Journal of the American Medical Association found sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes in five U.S. cities raised soda prices by an average of 33% – roughly $1 per 6-pack – leading to a 33% drop in sales, and shoppers typically did not leave their cities to buy the drinks elsewhere. (The study looked at data from Boulder, CO; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and Seattle.)

“This impact was sustained,” says Lisa Powell, PhD, a distinguished professor of health policy and administration at the University of Illinois Chicago. “That’s a very large change in behavior.” 

 

Still, widespread adoption of the taxes has been elusive. Only the Navajo Nation and the five cities in the study – along with Albany, CA; Berkeley, CA; Cook County, IL; and Washington, DC – have levied some form of tax on sugary drinks. Cook County later repealed its tax. Some states, including Arizona and Michigan, have blocked such taxes, while California and Washington have prohibited cities from levying further taxes.

A national tax seems even more elusive, despite a 2015 study by Long and others predicting a penny-per-ounce national SSB tax would cost little and generate more than $12.5 billion in tax revenue and $23.6 billion in health care savings over a decade, while increasing healthy life expectancy. (Studies in 2012 and 2019 forecast similar results.)

Since 2009 – when the industry successfully fought the Obama administration’s proposed SSB excise tax – beverage companies have spent tens of millions on lobbying efforts. They’ve spent more on campaigns to shift blame for the obesity epidemic away from their products, according to a 2018 study in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.

One of the industry’s favorite arguments is that SSB taxes kill jobs. But Powell says only industry-funded studies have reached that conclusion. Non-industry-funded, peer-reviewed studies have found “no net negative impacts on employment,” she says.

Powell likened it to when people stopped listening to CDs. Jobs were lost in that product sector, she says, but music streaming services created new ones. 

Confronted with an SSB tax, consumers often buy untaxed drinks made by the same beverage companies, Powell says, or they spend savings on other goods and services – not to mention the economic activity generated by the government spending newfound revenue.

“Preferences change all the time,” she says. “The money doesn’t disappear from the economy.” 

Another industry argument is that SSB taxes hit the poor harder. Powell and Long counter that. 

Clearly, lower-income households consume more soda and are more responsive to price changes, they say. But that’s kind of the point: Families that quit buying sugary drinks stand to save money at the grocery store – and the doctor’s office, Long says. 

Beverage companies market dangerously unhealthy drinks and are “putting them everywhere,” even schools and hospitals, Long says. Far from being some sinister plan of “the nanny state,” SSB taxes are a form of appropriate regulation, he says.

 

“We do need the government to help us achieve our goals as a people and community. The idea we can thrive as a people without any form of collective action is wrong,” Long says. 

Powell concurs. The key takeaway for January’s study is that SSB taxes are “an effective tool for reducing demand,” she says. An excise tax of 1 to 2 cents per ounce would be most effective at a federal level, she says.

“At the end of the day, we have a policy tool that we know is effective in the interest of national public health,” Powell says. 

“The broader the jurisdiction, the better.”



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