Martha Lectures for Novartis at the Brooklyn Marriot

Tonight I lectured on Diet/Lifestyle for Hypertension Management for a group of cardiologists. The lecture was held at the Marriot at the Brooklyn Bridge and was sponsored by Novartis. The program was called Recipes for Hypertension Management.

The program was great! Both the participants as well as the presenters really enjoyed the evening. I don’t know of any other program sponsored by a pharmaceutical company that includes a lecture on diet/lifestyle, a cooking demonstration by a well known chef, education on a new medication AND a great meal. Most pharmaceutical companies have educational programs that include a talk by a physician (and a meal of course) … but I’ve never heard of a program that included a nutritionist and a chef!  (pic is of Chef Ballanco and myself)

The evening consisted of:

1. Cocktails and full course dinner.  Chef Ballanco assisted the hotel staff in preparing a delicious meal for the attendees.

2. My lecture on Nutrition/Lifestyle for Hypertension Management. I will do a post on tips to lower blood pressure in the next few days.

3. Lecture was by cardiologist  Emma Meagher, M.D. who discussed Novartis’s  medication for hypertension called Exforge.  

4. Cooking demonstration by well known chef, Edwin Bellanco from Morrel Wine Bar & Cafe in NYC.  Chef Ballanco was quite skilled in tossing the veggies high in the frying pan. One of the attendees said the she was interested in learning how to do this. Chef said to practice flipping toast in your frying pan to acquire this skill. City girls and guys – you may want to practice flipping toast in the privacy of your home before you try to impress your date with your flipping skills. Trying to toss food in the frying pan and having it fall to the floor is not impressive…

5. Lastly, there was a Q & A panel discussion.  I had a question for the chef. I was especially curious if most chefs “finish off” broiled or grilled food with butter. He said this was true of many chefs – although he does not do this. So the next time you order grilled fish, chicken or steak, ask for no added butter. Save yourself ~ 100 calories or more.

More to come....
I will also be doing “Recipes for Hypertension”  in the next few weeks in Long Island and Westchester. Last year we presented this program in Chicago, Detroit, Greenwich CT, and NYC . It’s a great (and fun) way to educate physicians on the importance of lifestyle as well as medication when it comes to treating high blood pressure. It also shows them that tasty meals can be healthy and low in sodium.  (Pic is of Chef  Ballanca after his “flipping” show)

BTW – I am going to check out Morrels wine bar very soon.  Chef Ballanca said they have over 140 wines by the glass. Mmmm…