Briarfield Dental Care - July/August 2020

Briarfield Dental Care - July/August 2020

July/August 2020

HOT OFF THE GRILL

The Secrets of Grill Master Stuckey

F or most people, summertime is peak grilling season. The good weather demands a cookout. To be honest, I love to grill so much that I’m happy to be out there cooking in all kinds of weather. My family has a tradition of grilling steaks on Christmas Eve. But when the weather is nice, we’re certainly out there grilling a lot more often. There are plenty of ways to fire up the grill. Personally, I’m a charcoal fan, though I don’t like the lighter fluid taste, which is why I’m really glad to have a Weber charcoal grill with a gas starter. With the gas starter, it takes just 10 minutes for the charcoal to heat up, and your food doesn’t taste like lighter fluid later. I’ve had a few different grills over the years, but I always come back to Weber. They’re quality grills always produce the best meals. During my years as grill master, I’ve picked up some great recipes and a few grilling secrets. One of my favorite recipes is beer grilled chicken. This is the kind of recipe that calls for a rub. I’ve found that when you need to rub or marinate your meat beforehand, a good trick is to put everything, including the meat,

in a sealable freezer bag. You shake the bag around a bit, throw it in the refrigerator for a few hours, and turn it a couple of times. It ’s really simple, but it does an amazing job of getting the flavor in the meat. I’ve tried rubbing the spices in by hand, but the bag trick is far more effective. Another one of my favorite meals to make is baby back ribs, but that recipe is a Stuckey family secret, so I won’t be giving it out here. However, I will say that when I make ribs, I wrap the meat in tin foil before putting it on the grill. It preserves the juices really well. I cook a lot of stuff in foil on the grill. I’ve found that it holds in the flavor and keeps the meat from drying out. Pair that with a side of grilled corn or potatoes and you have a great meal. The food is an awesome part of grilling, but what I really love is spending time with my family. It ’s always been really important to me to make time for family at dinnertime. When the kids were growing up, we made family dinner a priority. Sundays in the summer were for family cookouts. Now that the kids are grown, it ’s harder to maintain that tradition. But even though we aren’t getting together

every week, I suspect the tradition is still alive and well. We recently celebrated my daughter- in-law’s 30th birthday, and my son had everyone over for an outdoor cookout. It was really cool to see him take up that tradition and carry it on. As much as I love to grill, what ’s on the grill is far less important than the people who are around the grill. I love summer cookouts because they are times to enjoy the sunshine with friends and family. This year has really highlighted just how important it is to make time for our loved ones. And when you can mix great food with great company, all the better.

“During my years as grill master, I’ve picked up some great recipes and a few grilling secrets.”

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4 Ways to Reuse Instead of Recycle DELIVERY BOXES PILING UP?

Compost Clean corrugated cardboard — what most Amazon boxes are made of — is another great source of useful carbon. Cut your boxes into pieces and place them in your compost pile so the carbon combines with the nitrogen from food scraps. The process helps break the pile down into nutrient-rich humus for healthy soil. Toys or Art Supplies Kids tend to play with the box their new toy came in rather than the toy itself for a reason. Cardboard boxes spark creativity, and the possibilities are endless! Boxes can be used as forts, spaceships, building blocks, art canvases, and more. Empty boxes can provide hours of fun with a little help from a vivid imagination.

As more people opt for online shopping, the number of home deliveries is skyrocketing. Almost every item ordered comes in its own cardboard box, and nearly 20% of these boxes end up in landfills, while the other 80% require significant amounts of energy to recycle. Here are four ways to reuse those boxes instead of just tossing them out. Garden Bed Starters Because cardboard boxes are loaded with carbon and not contaminated by many other chemicals, they’re great for starting new plants or flower beds. They help reduce weeds and protect weak or young plants from the elements, and when the carbon in cardboard combines with the nitrogen in the dirt, a nutrient-rich soil emerges for plants to flourish in.

Storage Boxes are meant for holding items, so use empty ones to organize a cluttered garage or attic or safely store less frequently used items like winter jackets or holiday decorations. If the brown cardboard aesthetic on a shelf just won’t cut it, paint the boxes or wrap them in eye- catching gift wrap, then label them. If you’re not sure how you want to use your boxes, just hold on to them until you’re ready. The beauty of cardboard is that you can break it down, store it easily, and reconstruct the boxes later when you find a use for them.

Zucchini, Avocado, and Swiss Chard — Oh My! When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In-season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient- dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because A Guide to Eating Seasonally This July or fish. Go low-carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables and a protein for a charred skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July. in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide.

Fruitful Harvest

Go Green

Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your season is here. Avocados are in season during July, joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries, and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin-inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top.

Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.

Grill Game So Strong

There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs,

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Know Your Mouth

How to Thoroughly Check Your Oral Health

GUMS For the most part, healthy gums are always pink. They should be firm around each tooth and not tender, swollen, red, or white. Where the gums naturally sit on the tooth varies from person to person, but if you start to notice your gums receding more than normal, this could be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could mean you’re not doing either often enough or are being too rough, or it may indicate other health issues. TONGUE Much like the gums, the tongue should always be pink. It should also be covered with small nodules called papillae. Discoloration of the tongue, like white spots, could be a sign of infection or a side effect of diabetes and asthma medications. A red tongue could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an indication that you have a fever. Sores and bumps on your tongue — or on your gums and the insides of your cheeks —may

While you should never attempt any type of dental procedure or

need to be treated with medication if they don’t go away on their own.

BREATH Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also be an indicator of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy breath should be naturally neutral, meaning there shouldn’t be much scent to it at all. Bacteria breed in the presence of food particles, and it’s these bacteria that cause stinky breath. Eating pungent foods may cause bad breath temporarily, but if it continues even after brushing or using mouthwash, this could be a sign of other issues. A thorough check of your or a family member’s oral health may require a few extra steps, but it’s well worth your time. No one knows your mouth better than you, but if you have an issue, then you should always tell your dentist about it, because no one knows oral hygiene better than them! That Song is By Lifehouse? The band was founded in 1995, though they went by Blyss before changing their names to Lifehouse in 2000 just before “No Name Face,” their debut studio album, was released. That album included

oral cleaning with professional tools at home, it is important to be aware of the overall health of your mouth. Whether you’re between visits to your dentist or haven’t scheduled an appointment in a while, look for the following signs to help you decide if it’s time for a trip to the dentist. TEETH Strong teeth are the first sign of a healthy mouth. Determine whether or not yours are strong by checking for loose teeth, pain, sensitivity, or discoloration other than the yellowing that occurs with age. It doesn’t mean your teeth are unhealthy if they aren’t perfectly straight, but make sure their alignment isn’t causing issues with the way you bite, chew, or relax your jaw.

Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist

Several years ago, I turned on PBS and caught an episode of “Austin City Limits.” The show features a variety of bands and musical artists, and that night, they were covering a band

Don’t Miss Kids’ Day Dates July 23- Dinosaur Day August 20-Superhero Day September 17-It’s a surprise! Lacie and her husband Josh were surprised with the early arrival of Lyla Mae Storrer on June 8 at 10:01 a.m. Lyla weighed in at 5 lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long. We’re not sue who’s more excited, her big brother Jax or big sister Avalyn. JUST ARRIVED!

called Lifehouse. I’d never heard of this group before, but once I heard their music, I was hooked. Even if you aren’t familiar with the band Lifehouse, you’ve almost certainly heard some of their

the song “Hanging by a Moment,” which became very popular and brought the band mainstream recognition. What I like most about Lifehouse is the consistent quality of their music. I’ve never been disappointed by one of their albums. They’re an alternative rock group, but they’re not hard rock. Their songs have a lighter

songs. Their single “You and Me” was released in 2005 and topped U.S. and international charts. This song was everywhere. Radio stations played it on repeat, it appeared in several TV shows, and it’s ended up on almost every wedding playlist since. Unless you happened to be a huge Lifehouse fan, you probably wouldn’t recognize the song by name, but as soon as it starts playing, it’ll be stuck in your head all day.

sound, which is great for when times are tough. A few of my favorite songs are “Gotta Be Tonight,” “Broken,” and “The Joke.” Lifehouse is still touring and writing music today, and I look forward to hearing what songs they’ll put out next.

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The Secrets of Grill Master Stuckey

What to Do With All Those Boxes Eat Seasonally This July How to Keep an Eye on Your Oral Health Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist

Win a Brand-New Fitbit!

Now in Network for Paramount Dental, an Affiliate of ProMedica

Your Health MADE EASY Refer a Friend and Win a Fitbit Versa!

The holidays are over, and it’s time to put away the sweets, get back to the gym, and make our health a priority again. The question is, what’s the best way to do that? A brief online search reveals a lot of articles with people boasting about what worked for them. This year, don’t take one-size-fits-all health advice. Learn what works best for you! To help our patients take control of their health, we’re giving away a brand-new Fitbit Versa. Celebrated for its innovative, easy-to-use software, the Fitbit Versa can build healthy eating habits, create exercise accountability, and teach you how to make the best health choices for your

body. Make 2020 the year you become your healthiest self!

How can I win? Enter to win your new Fitbit by helping your friends and family improve their oral health! Any time a new patient gives your name at their first appointment, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize. The more people you refer, the more entries you’ll get and the better your chances of winning!

Make your health a priority and help your friends and family do the same!

Winner will be drawn on Monday, Aug. 31.

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