Sierra Crest Dental - Winter 2019/2020

Sierra Crest Dental - Winter 2019/2020

Sierra Crest Dental

Newsletter

530-562-4089 SierraCrestDental.com

WINTER 2019/2020

Ending 2019 With Lots of Love AND STARTING 2020 WITH LOTS OF EXCITEMENT

House in Reno, a charitable organization that works with homeless and at-risk youth to help them develop life and job skills so they can sustain themselves independently. We received tons of donations and support from both our staff and our patients in the forms of food, clothing, toiletries, and more. We couldn’t have accomplished so much without all of your support, and we want to offer an immensely big THANK-YOU! Some of our patients might have wondered why we decided to donate to a charity in Reno rather than Truckee. We were made aware of the Eddy House and all the good they do when Virg, one of our hygienists, read about them in the local paper and was completely heartbroken that there were so many struggling with independence so close to our home. Half of our staff actually lives in Reno, and many of our patients come from there too. So even though this donation drive may not have been local to Truckee, it still impacted the people around us and a neighboring city. Sierra Crest Dental has always strived to donate to as many charities and organizations as it can, and over the years, our efforts have primarily gone to locations in Truckee and Tahoe. So this year, we felt very strongly that we should help the youth of Reno, especially during these cold winter months. Again, we could not have achieved that without your help, and we’re so grateful. P.S. We’d all like to wish a very, very happy (belated) birthday to Dr. Delaney, who celebrated on Jan. 19! You’re a wonderful boss, and we all truly love working for you! –Your Sierra Crest Team –Dr. Delaney We hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the new year, and we can’t wait to see you during your next visit!

The new year is already off to a great start, and we owe that to such a spectacular 2019. I’ve officially reached my one-year anniversary of owning Sierra Crest Dental, and it’s been such a joy to celebrate that milestone by continuing to provide our patients with the care they need and deserve.

Our 2019 Christmas party at Moody’s was a complete hit! The entire staff and their families had a blast, as we always do. It was wonderful to spend some quality time with the members of our great team and have some fun. We really got into the spirit of the holidays and reminisced on all our fantastic patients and the work we were able to do for them over the last year. The team generously surprised me with an enormous basket full of gifts and wouldn’t let me leave the table until I opened every single one of them. I couldn’t ask for a better team — or better friends. December here in Truckee was pretty good as far as the weather goes. We got a decent base layer of snow and even a few powder days. It made for the great skiing our town has been longing for. To escape the crowds in Truckee over the holidays I took a trip down to Auburn to get some last mountain bike rides in. It was beautiful, and the trails were clear of snow. After the craziness of our summer schedule keeping me off my bike during that season, I’m so glad I had the chance to get out and do some riding in Auburn. It was a great way to reenergize.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to talk about our most recent donation drive. We collected donations for the Eddy

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If you walk down the yogurt aisle of any store today, you’ll see more varieties than ever before: Greek, Australian, Icelandic, whipped, and probiotic-packed — not to mention yogurts made with soy, coconut, and almond milks. And, of course, you have all the classic yogurt brands and tons of flavors to choose from. But what’s the difference between all of these yogurt varieties? What sets Greek apart from Australian? What is unique about Icelandic (Skyr)? We’ve gone ahead and broken it down for you. Greek yogurt is one of the more common varieties on the market. It’s typically a thicker consistency with roughly double the protein of traditional, strained yogurts. Most brands of Greek yogurt have less sugar and fewer carbs, as well as fewer A World of Yogurt

A LOOK AT 3 TYPES OF YOGURT

ingredients overall. A high-quality Greek yogurt will typically only have 3–4 ingredients: milk, live active cultures, and any flavorings (vanilla, honey, fruit, etc.). If you see any fillers like corn starch or corn syrup listed on the ingredients label, it’s probably not the real deal. Australian yogurt (or Aussie yoghurt) is newer to most stores, and one of the biggest brands in the U.S. is Noosa. Because it’s typically made with whole milk, it’s rich and creamy — you won’t be saving any calories here. It’s not quite as thick as Greek yogurt, but it’s not runny either. It’s often described as silky smooth and sweeter than other varieties of yogurt, thanks in part to the whole milk. Honey and fruit mix in exceptionally well, and like Greek yogurt, this variety is packed with protein.

MEET RUBIN AND ARLO!

Hi, I’m Rubin the sheepdog! I get to go first because I’m the big brother in our family. And when I say big, I mean big . I’m 6 years old and weigh 100 pounds! But don’t let my size scare you. I’m really just a pile of fluff, on the inside and outside. I do my best to be kind and sweet every day, and my mom, Virg, says I wear my feelings on my sleeve. My little brother, Arlo, took some getting used to at first, but now I really like having him around. Sometimes, I even let him win at tug of war. Hi there! My name is Arlo, and they call me a mutt because I’m part poodle and part golden retriever but all play! I’m only 1 year old, so I’m still learning how to keep up with my family when we all go running on the trails together. But when I play with my big brother, Rubin, I totally know what I’m doing. I win tug of war all the time! He’s no match for me.

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CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE?

THE SECRET TO LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE

Skyr , often referred to as Icelandic yogurt, has a lot in common with Greek yogurt in terms of consistency and protein content, but it’s actually not a yogurt at all. It’s a cultured dairy product classified as “fresh sour milk cheese.” But don’t let that put you off. It’s thick, smooth, packed with nutrients and probiotics, and lower in sugar than traditional yogurt. Skyr is most commonly made with skim or low-fat milk, but since it has gained global popularity, you can find varieties made with 2% and whole milk, too. Yogurt is a rich source of gut-healthy probiotics, and while there are some differences in terms of texture, flavor, and nutritional content, any of these three types are a great choice for your diet. Check out New Moon Natural Foods or the Tahoe Food Hub for some great local, organic options.

The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that.

Less Stress Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical health as well as mental. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress- inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men. Healthier Immune Systems Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at Ohio State University Medical Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. Longer, Happier Lives Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.” So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love. And don't forget to show your teeth some love too. Call the office at 530-562-4089 to schedule your appointment today if you don't have one already.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN

• 1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 lbs), peeled and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces • 4 large plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing • Salt, to taste • 1/3 cup green olives, chopped Ingredients

• 1–2 tbsp oil-packed Calabrian peppers, chopped • 1/4 cup basil, finely shredded, plus whole leaves for garnish • 6 oz fontina cheese, thinly sliced • Crusty bread, for serving

Directions 1. Heat oven to 450 F and heat a grill pan. Brush eggplant and tomato slices with olive oil and season lightly with salt. Grill eggplant in batches over moderately high heat, turning once, until softened and lightly charred, about 4 minutes. Grill tomatoes, turning once, until lightly charred but still intact, about 2 minutes. 2. In a bowl, combine the olives, peppers, and shredded basil. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In the center, arrange half of the eggplant in a 9-inch square, overlapping the slices slightly. Top with half of the grilled tomatoes, olive mixture, and fontina. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, ending with the cheese. 3. Bake in the center of the oven for about 15 minutes, until bubbling and golden. Let stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with whole basil leaves and serve with crusty bread.

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Catching Up and Looking Forward Inside This Issue p.1 p.2 What’s Your Favorite Yogurt?

Meet Rubin and Arlo!

p.3

Eggplant Parmesan

The Effects of Love on Your Physical Health

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Visit Yosemite During Winter

Winter in Yosemite While most people opt to visit Yosemite National Park during the summer months, winter can be a special time of year to visit the park and experience the completely different — but equally breathtaking — activities and natural beauty it has to offer. Several roads throughout the Yosemite Valley are closed starting in November, but from mid-December through April, Glacier Point Road is consistently plowed so the Badger Pass Ski Area can be accessed by car (but their website recommends snow tires and tire chains). You can gear up for some thrilling downhill skiing and snowboarding or experience hundreds of miles of cross-country trails on skis. If skiing or snowboarding aren’t your speed, you can tromp through the wintry landscape on snowshoes, and you can even schedule a guided trip that will lead you through the trees. You can also have some fun on an outdoor ice rink that A DAZZLING DESTINATION

sits directly under the Half Dome or enjoy some sledding and snow tubing with the whole family.

Slowing down for a hike or pitching your tent for winter camping will really allow you to see all the beauty the park has to offer during this time of year. You can see frazil ice — frozen mist that settles onto rivers in small slushed domes — and spot frozen waterfalls like Horsetail Fall, which looks like falling lava as it lights up in a sunset glow. When night falls, the stargazing in Yosemite Valley is unparalleled. The sky is dark enough to get a glimpse of the Milky Way and a few foreign galaxies. Yosemite even offers stargazing tours if you want to learn more about what you’re looking at. It might be chilly out there, but if you’re looking for a winter getaway that truly embodies everything this season is about, then you can’t go wrong with a trip to Yosemite National Park.

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Enter for your chance to win

January 31-March 10 Refer friends or family for 5 entries Follow us on social media for 1 entry A Spa Day at the Ritz Carlton

For every New Patient seen that you refer during this contest you gain 5 entries.