Calapooia Family Dental - October/November 2021

Calapooia Family Dental - October/November 2021

Celebrating Families THE NOVEMBER HOLIDAY I’M CELEBRATING THAT ISN’T THANKSGIVING

Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

Calapooia Courier Oct/Nov. 2021

This summer, Rebecca and I took the kids on a five-day camping trip. We were completely remote out along the Oregon coast, and we didn’t have any cellphone service.

scheduling and saying “no.” For others, it may be something else, like lessening their outside responsibilities. The Friday after Thanksgiving marks an interesting holiday that’s related to this idea. (And, no, it’s not Black Friday!) This day is Family Day — a state holiday

Those days include some of my favorite memories of this summer.

We totally disconnected from the world. We didn’t worry about emails or the news; instead, we focused on our family. We watched as our kids used their imaginations, played together, and

talked about the things in their lives that are important to them. (This was fairly insightful and very fun, given how young they are.) It was really relaxing to temporarily remove the day-to-day clutter from our lives, and we really connected as a family. This is a goal I’ve had for myself recently. I want to become a better husband and father and ensure I am making my family a bigger priority than I have in the past. I’ve had to learn how to say “no” in the course of working toward this goal, and that hasn’t always been easy for me! But I’ve learned the value of making and sticking to a commitment to my children. This vacation was an

in Nevada — and I believe this year is an important year to celebrate that day!

Our family has never recognized this holiday, but I want to change that this year. I want us to reflect on what we have been through together as a family — both good and bad — and the ways in which we can be better in the following year. For instance, finding time to take a vacation as a dentist is never easy. You live your life about three–four months in advance, so often, your vacations are last-minute. Rebecca and I hope

to change that pattern in 2022. We want to make travel a bigger priority and start making more memories together as a family. We’ve already begun planning our next big adventure like the one we had on the coast this year, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity for greater connection together. This Family Day, I would encourage you to think about the ways in which you can be a better member of your family.

extension of that goal, but it brought to light just how valuable this can be for every family to do. I think we’re all guilty of doing what I’ve been trying to reverse lately. Daily life is hectic and can get in

the way of growing our connections with our spouse or our children, and I think it’s valuable for everyone to consider how to prevent this. Personally, I think this involves finding what tool can help you. For me, it’s been

How can your family grow, and what can you do to foster a greater connection? By building a strong home base, we can learn how to be better together.

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3 TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME Have a Low- Stress Holiday The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture- perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

GRAB A LOCAL SLICE

AT THESE 3 PIZZA JOINTS

There’s something to be said about a good slice of pizza, so we’ve put together our own list of local favorites. Check out these pizza places this fall to get your local fix! Schmizza Where: Locations across Oregon

ingredients, and classic flavors, this spot has to be a go-to for great pizza that’s sure to “wow” anyone you invite over for dinner. Choose from classics or a few specialty items, each baked on a New York style crust with homemade sauce and mozzarella cheese. You will swear you have just been transported to New York! You can even opt for salads, pastas, and calzones, and there are gluten- free options available. Check out PizzAmoré online!

When: Varies by location Website: Schmizza.com

Sure, a classic pie is perfection that cannot be understated, but the creativity it takes to produce tasty pizza that reminds you of your favorite dishes is a skill Schmizza has perfected. For instance, if you want pizza, but your partner is craving Asian food, why not try the Spicy Thai pizza, which includes a spicy peanut sauce base? Or go Mediterranean with the Green Chicken Pie, which includes pesto chicken, artichokes, and feta. The best part is that all of Schmizza’s ingredients are fresh — and the service is great too. Be sure to order online or swing in after some winter skiing (like Dr. Summers and his daughter do). PizzAmoré Where: 2212 Santiam Highway SE, Albany When: Every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Website : PizzAmore.com

Southpaws Pizza and Sports Bar Where : 560 NW Hickory St., Albany

When: Sunday–Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday–Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Website : SouthpawsPizza.com Combine your love of sports with great pizza at Southpaws. Enjoy pies that are loaded with toppings no matter what kind you get. The Redhawk is a go-to for meat lovers, while those who crave a mixture of veggies and meat will enjoy the Bulldog the best. Southpaws also has options for those who prefer sandwiches or wings, and there are gluten-free and cauliflower crust options available, too. Southpaws is the perfect spot to curb your pizza cravings and catch the next game! Learn more online.

You can’t go wrong with PizzAmoré. With rich flavors, fresh

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TO BEAN OR NOT TO BEAN?

YOUR GUIDE TO DRINKING COFFEE AND MINDING YOUR ORAL HEALTH

For coffee lovers, nothing compares to the roasted smell or warmth of a cup of joe — or a few — each morning, but this love affair with the bean has to come with a balance. Coffee can have benefits and risks for your body and your oral health. Assess each and create your own preventive action plan with this go-to guide. The Cons Any drink that isn’t water will come with oral health concerns. In the case of coffee, this risk comes in many forms. For starters, coffee is made up of tannins, which have dark pigments that can stain your teeth. This can create lasting stains if you are a heavy coffee drinker. Furthermore, coffee can be acidic and break down the delicate ecosystem of good and bad protein that make up your mouth. With more acidity, bad proteins thrive, and your mouth can have trouble staving off decay. This can be exacerbated if you use sugary additives in your coffee.

The Pros Drinking one or two cups of coffee every day can have tremendous benefits for your health! Remember those tannins? They are part of a group of compounds called polyphenols, which are comprised of plants. These aid in lowering your risk of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and heart conditions. Because of the body-to-mouth connection, this means the nutrients in coffee could reduce inflammation in your gums. Preventive Tips You can’t fully avoid coffee’s risks, but you can lessen the impact. Start by how you drink your coffee. Reduce how many additives you put in your drink to limit its acidity and sugar composition. Next, drink coffee all at once, rather than sipping on it for hours. You don’t have to guzzle it in minutes, but try to limit how long you drink it each day. Afterward, drink water to wash away any lingering droplets. And finally, if you drink coffee, try using a straw to limit coffee’s exposure to your teeth. While coffee may have a Jekyll and Hyde-like personality when it comes to your health, it doesn’t have to be avoided! For more teeth tips like this one, connect with your hygienist and dentist at

your next appointment. Schedule yours today!

Vegan Green Bean Casserole INGREDIENTS

SUDOKU

• 1 small onion, sliced • 7 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided • ¼ cup and 3 tbsp flour, divided • 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs • 2 shallots, chopped

• 8 oz can

mushrooms, sliced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 lb green beans, cooked • 3 cups almond milk

DIRECTIONS

1. Set the oven to broil. 2. In a shallow baking pan, combine onion, 1 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp flour, and panko breadcrumbs. 3. Broil for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Afterward, preheat the oven to 375 F. 4. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add shallots, mushrooms, and garlic, stirring until tender. 5. In a large bowl, mix mushroom mixture with the cooked green beans. 6. In the same skillet, add 4 tbsp olive oil and ¼ cup of flour, whisking until golden. Gradually add the almond milk until it thickens, then toss with the green beans. 7. Transfer mixture into a baking dish and cook for 20 minutes. 8. Add onion and breadcrumb mixture on top, then bake for another 5 minutes.

Inspired by Delish.com

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Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

1070 24th Ave SW Albany, OR 97321 541-926-3689 CalapooiaFamilyDental.com

What I Learned When I Made My Family a Priority Inside this Issue 1 2 Lowering Holiday Stress

3 Local Pizza Places You’ll Love

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Should You Drink Coffee?

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

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November Is Secretly the Best Time to Camp

NOVEMBER IS SECRETLY THE BEST TIME TO CAMP STARGAZING, BIRD-WATCHING, AND MORE

Stargazing Less rain means fewer clouds, which means clearer nights. Combine that with fewer leaves on the trees, and you have an unobscured view of the sky than any other month in the year. November is also one of the few months when you can see meteor showers. If you’ve ever been entranced by the night sky, November provides the perfect opportunity to stargaze. Bird-Watching At this point in the season, many birds have already begun to migrate south. Some birds have stopover locations they stay at for a few days, so you might see birds unique to the area due to their migration. States in the north might see their local birds flying against beautiful backdrops as they make their journey to warmer areas. Regardless of your camping expertise, November is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a new family adventure or just want some personal quiet time to reflect, look no further than fall camping.

Camping is most often associated with summer, but the humid, hot weather combined with the numerous bugs can create a frustrating experience. Most don’t realize that fall — specifically November — is the perfect time to take the family for an outdoor adventure. Here are some of the best reasons to pitch your tent in November. Scenery and Weather Camping in spring usually brings the risk of rain, while summer temperatures can make it unbearable. Fall weather, however, provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy camping to its fullest. It’s usually dry, and most states do not hit colder temperatures until the end of November. The leaves also change color in preparation for winter, which creates some truly awe-inspiring scenery — and a natural playground for children. Just watch for hidden dangers lurking beneath the fallen leaves that could injure your child. You shouldn’t have to worry about bugs, though; November has significantly fewer bugs than the summer or spring months.

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