Sierra Crest Dental - Fall 2020

Sierra Crest Dental - Fall 2020

530-562-4089 SierraCrestDental.com Newsletter FALL 2020 Sierra Crest Dental

Meet Dr. ElizabethMier, DDS THE NEWEST DENTIST TO JOIN OUR TEAM

Society, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. As a member of the Spear Faculty Club, I also attend over 50 hours of continuing education workshops per year and regularly participate in local study clubs.

We’re so thrilled to welcome the newest member of our team: Dr. Elizabeth Mier! Dr. Mier brings years of wonderful knowledge and experience to our practice that we can’t wait to share with our patients. Give her a warm Sierra Crest welcome the next time you’re in!

–Dr. Delaney

As a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, I grew up spending most winter weekends in the mountains of Tahoe, skiing, snowboarding, and playing in the snow. One of my earliest memories is learning to ski at Northstar at the age of 2! In more recent years, I’ve discovered the magic of Tahoe in the summer. Exploring the lake by boat and hiking the trails of the Sierras have become my favorite ways to spend summer days. I’ve enjoyed city life for the last few years, but when my parents decided to make the move to Truckee last year, I was ecstatic to follow in their footsteps and get back to the mountains I love.

I always knew I wanted to be in health care to help people, but I also loved the artistry of painting and drawing from a young age. When I decided to shadow my family dentist in college, I realized how hands-on dentistry is and that as a dentist, I would be able to physically do something to take patients out of pain and help them feel more confident about their smiles. Dentistry combines my two passions, and I couldn’t be happier being able to do what I love every day!

I received my bachelor’s of science in biopsychology from the honors program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After that, I attended the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, where I achieved dean's honors for nine semesters and was also very active with the USC Mobile Clinic, providing dental care for underserved populations throughout Southern California. Upon finishing dental school, I moved to Orange County, where I practiced dentistry for three years before returning home to the Bay Area. For the last five years, I’ve been practicing dentistry in Walnut Creek while living in San Francisco. I’m an active member of the Contra Costa Dental

Being able to live and work in my favorite place is a dream come true! I have a Bernese mountain dog named Meribel who can’t wait to explore the area with me, and when I’m not snowboarding, wakeboarding, or hiking around Tahoe, I also enjoy camping, paddleboarding, wine tasting, and attending Pilates and barre classes. When it comes to dentistry, I love creating beautiful restorations that look natural and follow form, function, and biology. I also love working alongside patients to understand

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AN INTRODUCTION TO TURMERIC’S The Power of the Golden Spice

aspirin. However, a moderate amount typically doesn’t react with these or other medications and has many other benefits.

People have raved about many superfoods over the past few decades, but one that’s garnered notable attention is turmeric. Fittingly known as the golden spice due to its orange- yellow hue, turmeric is famous for being a crucial part of Indian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine. But does turmeric actually help people? And if so, how? Let’s start with the basics to find out. What’s in turmeric? First, it’s important to know what the spice contains and why researchers are so excited about it. Turmeric is packed with a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, antioxidants, and a decrease in the risk of cancer.

Can it improve joint health? In many cases, yes! The Arthritis Foundation recommends taking a 400–600-milligram tablet of turmeric up to three times daily. Multiple studies cite turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain, and one study even notes that turmeric seemed to work just as well as ibuprofen (Advil) for people with arthritis in their knees. Participants in that study took 800 milligrams of turmeric every day. Can it help the liver? Yes. One of the spice’s most notable characteristics is its powerful antioxidant abilities. Antioxidants play an important function in our bodies. The average person is exposed to refined and processed foods, smoking,

Pro Tip: You should not consume excessive amounts of turmeric if you take medication that has blood-thinning effects, such as

MEET OTIS! Our Furry Family O

Hello! My name is Otis, and I’m 12 years old. I’m a long-haired dachshund who’s not afraid to speak my mind. Food is one of my favorite things, but sometimes my family isn’t very punctual. I sometimes have to remind them when it’s dinner time by flinging my food bowl across the room. It always makes a loud noise and my family usually comes running. Works every time. One of my favorite things is tagging along to work, where I visit my human friends, Ale and Evelyn. I love what the humans call a “breakroom,” especially when someone forgets to tuck in the chairs. I simply hop up on the chairs, onto the table, and then help myself to the wonderful treats just sitting there. It’s the best!

family always plays fetch with me too. If they’d let me, I’d play all day even though Mom says I’m getting slower from age and the many treats from dad. Seriously though, I think I’m as fast as ever!

I love to practice my hunting and running skills. Squirrels are the best because they test how quickly I can run, but they are tricky! Once, I chased a squirrel into some rocks, and the squirrel cleverly ran between a crack. I ran after, but the space was too small for me and I ended up getting stuck for a little while. Ale and I were worried, but by working together, I wiggled free, safe and sound.

At home, I’m loved by everyone! They’re always giving me plenty of love, treats and walks — especially my dad. My

I’m so happy with the amazing life I have! Enjoy the fall weather!

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Patients make a difference in my life every day by showing me how happy they are when they feel comfortable with their smile. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping them achieve that. I’m so thrilled to be joining the team at Sierra Crest Dental, and I can’t wait to start getting to know each of you!

their personal oral health goals and helping them develop a plan to achieve those goals. Getting to know each of my patients and developing lifelong relationships that are centered around trust has always been important to me. I love hearing about my patients’ families, pets, hobbies, and interests, and I treat every patient as if they were a close friend or family member.

–Elizabeth Mier, DDS

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TRY THESE HOMEGROWN INGREDIENTS IN YOUR SMOOTHIES!

HEALTH BENEFITS

environmental pollution, and chemicals found in pesticides and drugs. Turmeric can protect the liver from damage due to these toxins, which also aids those who take strong medications known to cause long-term liver damage. Can it decrease symptoms of hay fever and depression? Some symptoms, yes. The curcumin in turmeric can help reduce hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. When used in tandem with antidepressants, turmeric may help reduce symptoms of depression. There are many benefits to using turmeric in your weekly meal routine. Try out some Indian or Chinese recipes or prepare some Instagram-worthy golden milk. In whatever you make, enjoy the rich flavor combinations turmeric offers! Tag @SierraCrestDental with your creations!

3 GARDEN FAVORITES FOR SOMETHING DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS

When you’re looking for a tasty, healthy snack, homemade smoothies are hard to beat. Naturally sweetened by fresh fruits and vegetables and packed with all sorts of nutrients, smoothies are the perfect summertime breakfast option or post-workout reward. Even better, you can grow several smoothie-worthy ingredients right in your own backyard. For a truly fresh and healthy treat, trying growing these ingredients in your garden. SPINACH Just like spinach is easy to blend into smoothies, it’s also easy to grow in gardens. Most varieties take between 37–45 days to mature and can be grown multiple times throughout the year. Spinach is a rich source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and various other vitamins and minerals. Plus, if you’re not a fan of leafy greens, you’re in luck. You can’t taste it at all when you pair it with sweeter fruits and vegetables in a smoothie. CARROTS Like spinach, you can easily start growing carrots this summer and have them ready to harvest in the fall, though they take about twice as long to grow. Carrots can give your smoothies a delightful natural sweetness. They’re also a waist-friendly food and full of nutrients like beta carotene, fiber, and antioxidants. If you have them in your garden, they’re a must- have in your smoothie. MINT If you want a garden plant that grows fast in abundance and tastes good, mint is the plant for you. It takes around 90 days for the plant to grow 1–2 feet tall and yield plenty of refreshing, tasty leaves to garnish your smoothies. Just be sure to plant mint in its own container, or else it might take over your garden! Mint leaves can also go a long way in soothing an upset stomach. A good smoothie is enough to satisfy your cravings for something sweet and nutritious, and when you can use ingredients fresh from your garden, it’s all the more satisfactory.

GREEN SMOOTHIE

• 1 cup spinach leaves, chopped • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped • 1 apple, cored • 1 tbsp honey • 4 sprigs mint leaves Ingredients

• 1 inch ginger, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flax seed powder

• 2 tbsp instant oats • Yogurt (optional) • 3 ice cubes

Directions 1. Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend with a very small amount of water until you get a smooth paste. 2. Once all of the ingredients have blended well, add additional water to create your preferred texture. (Instead of water, you can add yogurt if you’d like.) 3. Once the smoothie is ready, transfer it into the serving glass. Add ice cubes and serve chilled. Source: ArchanasKitchen.com/spinach-apple-and-carrot-juice-smoothie

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Introducing Dr. Elizabeth Mier, DDS Inside ThisIssue p.1 p.2 p.3 The Power of the Golden Spice Meet Otis! Green Smoothie 3 Garden-Fresh Ingredients for Your Smoothies!

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Visit Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

SEE NATURE AS IT’S MEANT TO BE

just a few of the natural spectacles to see. Preservation of the area has made it look much the same as it likely did for some of the region's earliest settlers. The reserve beckons visitors to take in views at its picturesque overlooks and peaceful walking trails. There are no food or drinks allowed, no dogs permitted, and no large groups without special permits. The reserve has a “pack-in, pack-out” system, so whatever you bring with you must be removed the same way, even pieces of trash. These rules may seem discouraging, but for those who want to enjoy a slice of Southern California in its most natural state, these rules are what give them that chance. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a true window to the natural past. The protections in place will hopefully keep it pristine for many years to come, but that’s no reason to delay experiencing it.

The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located within San Diego, the second-largest city in California, but it’s one of the most natural and wildlife-packed stretches of land in the area. This is due to the ongoing efforts to preserve the land and keep it as it was thousands of years ago. Torrey Pines is open to the public, but it’s important to keep in mind that, although it is sanctioned under the California State Park system, it is not in fact a park. It’s designated as a reserve, one of only 14 of the 279 units in California. A natural reserve is assigned to areas of importance, ones that often house rare or endangered plants and other wildlife. This is what makes Torrey Pines such a marvelous place to visit. The 1,500 acres of land that make up the reserve look just as San Diego did before it was developed. Miles of sprawling, unspoiled beaches, thick coverage of maritime plants and the rare Torrey pine, and lagoons that are homes to migrating birds — these are

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