Lake Oconee Dentistry - June 2019

Lake Oconee Dentistry - June 2019

The MONTHLY Smile

706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

JUNE 2019

IT’S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR: National Fishing Week!

Ever since I met my husband, Jep, I’ve had a real affinity for fishing. I’m fairly positive Jep learned how to fish before he even learned how to ride a bike. While I tried my hand at fishing a few times as a kid, it wasn’t until I witnessed Jep's love for the hobby that I became immersed in it myself. Now I can’t get enough! While any day spent out on the river or the lake makes for a good time, deep sea fishing is far and away my favorite. The first time I went fishing was on our honeymoon a little over 10 years ago. After Jep and I said our “I do’s,” we hopped on a plane to Cabo and chartered a boat named “The Minerva” — named after the Roman goddess of wisdom, the arts, and strategic warfare, a name which now seems fitting after all the good fortune and fun it has brought us. In fact, we’ve now ventured back to the same location and chartered the exact same boat for three separate trips!

The two trophy fish we caught during our Cabo trips were a blue striped marlin and a sailfish (both pictured). People often ask me if Jep and I took the fish

back and mounted them at home, but an interesting deep-sea fishing fact is that the ginormous fish you see mounted on a wall isn’t the actual fish they pulled out of the water but a replica. We spent hours reeling in these beautifully monstrous fish, took a quick picture, and then sent them back out to sea.

Our excursions always start several hours before the sun makes its ascent into the sky. Just before you get to the docks, you can grab delicious, authentic Mexican tacos, breakfast burritos, or pastry from the trucks nearby before

“You can peer over the side of the boat to see full pods of silver illuminated by the sun as it starts to peek over the horizon. It’s relaxing, breathtaking, and exciting all at once.”

We did, however, bring several mahi back to shore with us. Since we were flying internationally, the prospect of bringing the fish home was unlikely, so per custom, we donated the mahi to a local restaurant, but not before we asked the chef to cook us some for dinner. We thought he would simply grill a few pieces and pair them with some sides, but he created an entire platter with the mahi cooked several different ways. It would have made for an amazing meal for anyone, but we were particularly satisfied since we caught it ourselves. While we will always do our best to return to Cabo, we’ve also had great luck catching yellow tuna in the Florida Keys. But since Jep and I are happily awaiting the arrival of our second baby, we know that our next deep-sea fishing adventure is a little way off. When the time comes for another fishing trip, I know we’ll both have a blast!

taking to the sea. Once aboard “The Minerva,” the driver and his first mate give you options for your fishing experience: inshore fishing (approximately a mile out from the docks) and offshore fishing (several miles out where the bigger fish are located). Our trips always start with some brief inshore fishing to catch smaller fish to use as bait once we get further offshore. During this time, you can peer over the side of the boat to see full pods of silver illuminated by the sun as it starts to peek over the horizon. It’s relaxing, breathtaking, and exciting all at once.

–Dr.Shel ly

Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 1

THE TRUTH ABOUT MEDITATION An Ancient Solution to Modern Problems

HOW DO I MEDITATE? Meditating is as simple as sitting in a quiet place, closing your eyes, and focusing

Close your eyes and take a deep breath.

As the scorching summer sun beats down, it’s hard to remember that just six months ago you were shivering through the winter, whether that meant a chilly 50 F or bitter subzero temperatures. But if cooler temps sound like paradise, and a dip in the pool is no longer keeping you cool, it might be time to take a vacation somewhere chilly. Check out these three destinations to avoid the summer heat. ALASKA No place says chilly quite like Alaska. Trips to Alaska can be expensive during this time of year, but when you step into that crisp air with a cool mountainous view, you’ll understand why it’s a popular summer voyage. Travelers can choose to fly or take a cruise ship, and many cities feature tourism-packed excursions. A few notable locations include Anchorage, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Denali National Park and Preserve. ICELAND Just as its name suggests, Iceland can be the perfect destination for travelers yearning to get away from the unbearable summer heat. With temperatures rarely exceeding 60 F — the average high for the country — packing is easy for this relaxing vacation. Take a relaxing dip in one of the country’s many hot springs or enjoy tremendous views of the fjords. Even better, you can tour the This is the first step in every meditation session. Though often associated with the New Age metaphysical movement, meditation isn’t all about incense and healing crystals. Meditation is an ancient practice that strengthens your mental focus, and recent research suggests that it offers real solutions to modern problems. WHAT IS MEDITATION? Meditation has strong roots in various religious and cultural traditions, but anyone can find value in practicing it. The purpose of meditation is to strengthen your mind by promoting mindfulness, focus, and awareness. DOES MEDITATION WORK? It depends on what you mean by “work.” Will meditation allow you to defy gravity and hover above the earth? Probably not. But there are so many benefits that will leave you feeling lighter in another way. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindful meditation lowers stress levels, and patients who habitually meditate report less chronic pain. Another study published in the same journal found that regular meditation also fights depression.

on your breathing for a few minutes. Whenever your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath. You don’t need to climb a mountain or pay for a week-long retreat to start meditating.

That said, there are plenty of resources that help beginners build a strong foundation for

meditation. Popular apps like Calm or Headspace are available on any smartphone and offer guided courses you can start anywhere, anytime. You could also check online or at your local community center for group classes if you would like some in-person guidance. Meditation isn’t a magical ritual that will cure all that ails you, but plenty of research suggests meditation does provide tangible benefits to our mental and physical well-being. Maybe one day, meditation will be as commonplace as daily exercise.

CHILL OUT

Relax in These Cool Destinations This Summer

country at any time because it’s sunny almost 24 hours a day. What could be better than a midnight hike around the fourth happiest country in the world? NORWAY Just because it's summer doesn’t mean you have to give up your skiing hobby! Venture off to Norway and experience some of their most popular summer ski resorts. After a day or two shredding the slopes, experience the popular Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo or choose between numerous outdoor and indoor exhibitions. Best of all, you won’t even break a sweat, as the average temperature in Norway’s hottest month barely hits 70 F. Bordering Sweden and northern Finland, Norway can even be the beginning to a cool European tour this summer.

2 | 706-453-1333

BETTER BALANCE WITH THE INTERNAL MARTIAL ART Why Tai Chi Is Cooler Than You Think

When you think about martial arts, a few images come to mind: Mr. Miyagi, possibly nunchucks, and people breaking objects using impressive disciplined strength. But one of the most powerful martial arts you may not immediately picture is tai chi. This ancient Chinese form of combat in slow motion is an internal martial art that works from the inside out by developing the body’s internal energy, known as qi, or “chi.” In Chinese medicine, balanced qi is essential to good health. Hundreds of studies demonstrate the mental and physical benefits this quiet martial art provides. Because of its focus on posture, tai chi is particularly helpful for balance. In Harvard’s analysis of 20 different studies, tai chi was shown to improve cognitive function and slow the progression of dementia more than other forms of exercise. While the movements appear mild, the practice of tai chi requires discipline and strength. That’s part of the reason why it provides a powerful punch of health benefits and also why less than 5 percent of people stick with it. Some teachers say it takes three years to learn the basic movements of tai chi — and more than a lifetime to master. Physical training, combined with the internal meditative aspect of tai chi, are the reasons martial arts legend Jet Li has turned to the exercise in recent years, even campaigning to make it an Olympic

event. In an interview, Li explained his push to make tai chi a more widely recognized and accepted exercise: “In our attempts to push ourselves, we’ve lost sight of an important part of the sporting mindset: balance.” For anyone setting out on a mission to age gracefully, tai chi can help reduce your risk of falling with its focus on posture. An ounce of preventive tai chi may be worth a pound of cure; the Center for Disease Control reports that people pay an average of $35,000 in health care costs every time they fall. Many community centers and health and wellness facilities offer opportunities to learn tai chi, from free community classes to entire tai chi facilities. Go see for yourself why this is the martial art everyone should practice.

TAKE A BREAK

MISO SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS AND KALE

Because miso is fermented, it comes packed with all the important probiotics. As a bonus, it tastes pretty dang good, especially in this umami-packed soup filled with mushrooms and kale.

Ingredients • 1 splash olive oil

• 3 tbsp yellow miso paste • 8 oz. extra firm tofu, pressed and drained • 3/4 cup kale • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 4 oz. mushrooms, sliced • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 4 cups water • 1 cup vegetable broth

Instructions 1. In a stock pot or Dutch oven, heat oil to medium. Add mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms just begin to shrink. Add garlic, water, broth, miso, and tofu. 2. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Stir in kale and rice vinegar; cook until kale softens. 4. Divide into bowls and serve.

Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

We’re located at 1011 Parkside Main between the Publix parking lot and the movie theater.

Why You Need to Add This Exercise for Better Balance page 3 Miso Soup With Mushrooms and Kale page 3 Are All Green Foods the Same? page 4 Inside

Dr. Shelly’s Deep-Sea Fishing Excursions! page 1 Take a Deep Breath page 2 Avoid the Summer Heat Somewhere Cool page 2

IT’S ALL GREEN TO ME The Best Green Foods to Add to the Menu

EDAMAME Looking for a filling mid-afternoon snack? Skip the potato chips and help yourself to some edamame. These Japanese soybeans are a familiar sight on sushi menus, but they’re also readily available in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Edamame is delicious and a great source of protein, making it the perfect snack.

You need to eat more green foods.

No, this doesn't mean green Skittles. Green vegetables comprise one of the most important food groups, and most people aren’t eating enough of them. But if you do decide to get more nutrients from green veggies, remember that not all greens are

created equal. Dark leafy spinach is basically a superfood, offering protein, iron, vitamin A, and tons of minerals. Meanwhile, iceberg lettuce or celery may fill your stomach up, but they offer little to no nutritional value. Next time you’re at the grocery store, keep an eye out for these top-rated green vegetables that are both delicious and nutritious.

WATERCRESS Step aside, kale; here’s the real queen of green. With more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, and more vitamin C than an orange, watercress is one of the best greens you’re not eating. With all of these extra vitamins, watercress has been shown to improve heart health, bone health, and even act as an antidepressant. Next time you need a pick-me-up, consider a watercress salad. Your whole body will thank you!

AVOCADO They’re tasty, they’re trendy, and they’re great for your eyes. Avocados are a great source of an antioxidant called lutein, which improves eye health. They’re also rich in vitamin E. Researchers have recently noted that people who get most of their vitamin E from their diet tend to have a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease. It’s all the more reason to enjoy that avocado toast!

Bad childhood encounters with canned spinach or steamed Brussels sprouts are why many people avoid green veggies. But the produce section is full of tasty, healthy options waiting to appear on your dinner plate and improve your well-being.

4 | 706-453-1333