Photo Gallery: Mediterranean diet, fiber-rich foods focus of latest ‘Docs in the Kitchen’ cooking demo

[Interim UArizona Cancer Center director and GI Division chief Dr. Juanita Merchant, whose brainchild the Docs in the Kitchen/Cookin' Docs program was, addresses attendees at gastroculinary demonstration on high-fiber foods and the Mediterranean diet, May 4, 2024, with oncologist Dr. Krisstina Gowin to her left.]

Krisstina Gowin, DO, shined in the spotlight at the most recent Docs in the Kitchen dietary/culinary learning event hosted May 4 by the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in collaboration with the Hacienda at the River senior living community.

See a photo gallery below from the cooking demonstration, which is part of the Cookin’ Docs program established by GI division Chief Juanita Merchant, MD, PhD, to educate people and patients about healthier eating to help remedy a variety of medical disorders.

[Dr. Krisstina Gowin illustrates the many health benefits of a high-fiber diet as a way to reduce cancer risks.]Under the subheading of “Fiber-Rich Foods for a Healthy Lifestyle,” Dr. Gowin, associate professor in the Division of Hematology & Oncology, focused her talk with attendees on practical ways they could incorporate fiber into their diets to reduce their risk of cancer and other ailments.

A University of Arizona Cancer Center member, Dr. Gowin also is program director of the Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Training Program and founding director of the Integrative Medicine in Hematology Oncology Fellowship. A Regents Professor, Dr. Merchant also is the Cancer Center’s interim director and associate director for basic sciences.

She and Dr. Merchant enjoyed a rich back-and-forth banter with participants as well as David Sullivan, MAEd, Hacienda at the River’s executive chef who worked with them to design the menu based on the Mediterranean Diet.

[Hacienda at the River senior living community on River Road in Tucson has served as host for three Docs in the Kitchen events, organized in partnership with the UArizona Division of Gastroenterology.]Courses on the menu savored by participants included: Appetizer – Bruschetta with Figs and Stilton; Soup – Cioppino with Jumbo Shrimp & Clams; Salad – Cannellini Bean, Basil and Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese in Filo Dough Crust; Main Dish – Swordfish with Pesto, Tabbouleh and Fava Beans; and Dessert – Pistachio Financier with Pomegranate, Tangerine and Sorbet.

NOTE: The Docs in the Kitchen/Cookin’ Docs events serve as a fundraiser for the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, with $70 of the $100 fee to attend qualifying as tax-deductible. For more info on future events, please contact Carmen Mendoza (carmenm1@arizona.edu, 520-626-6743).

For the images below, mouseover to read the caption. Click on them to enlarge.

MINI-PHOTO GALLERY:

[Hacienda at the River senior living community on River Road in Tucson has served as host for three Docs in the Kitchen events, organized in partnership with the UArizona Division of Gastroenterology.] [Carolyn Bothwell (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Melody Ayon (Division of Endocrinology) assist in checking in attendees at the Docs in the Kitchen event at the Hacienda at the River senior living community.] [Interim UArizona Cancer Center director and GI Division chief Dr. Juanita Merchant, whose brainchild the Docs in the Kitchen/Cookin' Docs program was, addresses attendees at gastroculinary demonstration on high-fiber foods and the Mediterranean diet, May 4, 2024, with oncologist Dr. Krisstina Gowin to her left.] [Dr. Juanita Merchant extolls on the healthy advantages of a Mediterranean Diet, having recently returned from Italy for a vacation.]

[The appetizer: Bruschetta with Figs and Stilton] [Dr. Krisstina Gowin talks about ways a Mediterranean-style diet is beneficial to your health.] [Chef David Sullivan notes that, in Italy, they use cashews to make their pesto sauce, instead of pine nuts -- as is the case in Arizona. ] [Chef David Sullivan shows Docs in the Kitchen attendees fresh seafood planned for the evening's meal, including jumbo shrimp, clams and swordfish.]

[Dr. Juanita Merchant mentions how the preponderance of seafood in the Mediterranean diet adds essential oils for a healthier lifestyle.] [Chef David Sullivan sautes the shrimp in butter and olive oil while Dr. Merchant watches. Another tip, he adds, is to rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium.] [Dr. Merchant talks about how soaking cashews overnight, like soaking beans, takes away enzymes that cause bloating.] [Dr. Gowin adds that, in doing the same with rice, you also get a liquid that can be used to make the drink horchata -- another dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.]

[Chef David Sullivan shows attendees the ingredients that will go into their salads.] [A server lays out the finished salads with cannellini beans, basil and tomato salad with goat cheese in filo dough crusts pre-baked as little bowls.] [Walking by, a server hoists a trayful of bowls of the soup of the day -- cioppino with jumbo shrimp and clams in a subtle broth.] [Chef David Sullivan chats with diners served the main dish, swordfish with pesto, tabbouleh and fava beans. In the background, Drs. Merchant and Gowin discuss another diner’s question.]

You can see more photos from the Docs in the Kitchen: Fiber-Rich Foods for a Healthy Lifestyle cooking demo at this DOM flickr webpage.

Photos courtesy of David Mogollon, Department of Medicine communications manager.

DOM calendar listing for this event.

ALSO SEE:
“Docs in the Kitchen to focus May 4 on ‘Fiber-Rich Foods for a Healthy Lifestyle’” | Posted April 5, 2024
“The doctor is in – in the kitchen that is” (Featured Spotlight) | Dec. 14, 2023
“Docs in the Kitchen tackle low-salt diets at next culinary event, Sept. 30” | Aug. 29, 2023
“Good Food, Good Health: Hacienda at the River joins with UArizona for Docs in the Kitchen” (Hacienda at the River) | Posted June 28, 2023
“Photo Gallery: Cookin’ Docs event offers tips for those with sensitive palates” | Posted June 16, 2023
“Hacienda at the River to Host June 10 ‘Cookin’ Docs’ Reboot Event” | Posted May 12, 2023

Release Date: 
05/07/2024 - 4:00pm
Media Contact: 
David Mogollon | Communications Manager, University of Arizona Department of Medicine