Team Demas Orthodontics December 2018

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ADVENTURES IN SYDNEY A Mob of Kangaroos, a Cuddly Koala, and One Amazing Trip

Students in Australia are about to go on their summer vacation — can you imagine? Summer in December. Other than a dust storm, the weather was great. With how cold it is right now, that doesn’t sound so terrible. Of all the differences between the Northern and Southern hemisphere, the time difference has to be one of the hardest to adjust to. Australia is 14 hours ahead, so it took a couple of days to get used to being so far in the future. I still don’t think I’ve fully recovered from the time difference!

Thanksgiving this year was very untraditional for Amy and me because we spent the holiday in Sydney, Australia! We went for Amy’s work with OrthoYes. Amy helps train other orthodontic providers and was there to serve their clients in Australia. It was such a unique and fun opportunity, and I was happy to be along for the ride! While there was no turkey or stuffing to be seen, we found quite a few reasons to be grateful and enjoyed our surroundings and time together very much. It was a fantastic trip!

Some of the highlights include holding a Koala, climbing the Sydney Bridge to view the city from above, and seeing about 100 kangaroos during a guided tour. Our guide told us that it’s very rare to see a group of so many together, and we felt lucky to have had such a great view of these entertaining animals. We even saw a few 'roos boxing! One looked very buff; I think he must get quite a lot of practice. While we were in Sydney, we stayed in an Airbnb and experienced the city the way locals do. We took the train into town, which cost about $1.50 to ride. Amy and I enjoyed exploring our surroundings and getting to experience Australia together. For her work, Amy also spent some time in Adelaide and got a glimpse of South Australia. I’ll admit, going from winter in Connecticut to the sunny, high-70s summer in Australia was not a bad trade. Their seasons are the opposite of ours.

Being away from home sure makes you appreciate everything you have. We took some beautiful pictures that are a lovely way to remember this spectacular trip. Amy and I are enjoying looking at them and sharing the memories we made. Right now, I’m happy to be back at the office seeing all your smiling faces again and sharing my trip with Team Demas. This Christmas, Amy and I are staying stateside. We’re heading to the Carolinas to spend Christmas with our family. After our Australian adventure, it’ll be an excellent way to celebrate the holiday. P.S. There’s still a chance for you to win a vacation getaway to Disney World! Refer your friends and family to Team Demas, and you’ll be entered to win! The more you refer, the more chances you have to win. Look inside the newsletter for more details! —Dr. Demas Have a happy holiday with your loved ones and a merry Christmas!

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3 WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CANDY

DURING THE OH-SO-SWEET HOLIDAY SEASON

BAKE WITH IT. Whether you have an excess of candy corn or candy bars, you can bake with your sweet leftovers. The next time you make chocolate chip cookies, swap out the chocolate chips for candy corn. Or the next time you make brownies, chop up leftover candy bars and add them to the batter. From peanut butter cups to mint patties, there are so many different types of candies that can take traditional baked goods to the next level. STORE IT. Although not great for you, candy is fine to eat in moderation. A good way to moderate your holiday treat intake is to store your leftover sweets in the freezer. That way, you can pull a little from your supply each month to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. That said, be sure to check the expiration dates on all candy you save.

Sometimes we get a little too much of the sweet stuff. BetweenHalloween and NewYear’s Day, candy is everywhere. It’s at home, at work, and on store shelves. Then, as the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about eating right and losing weight. When those are your NewYear’s resolutions, you have to do something about all the leftover candy so it’s not around come Jan. 1.

Here are a few ways to get rid of your leftover candy ASAP.

DONATE IT. While you may have an abundance of sweets, not everyone does. Consider donating wrapped and packaged candy to your local food bank or other nonprofits, including local homeless or women’s shelters. You can also look into donating candy to nearby schools. Many teachers will gladly take candy off your hands to reward students (or themselves) with treats throughout the rest of the school year.

CELEBRATING OUR TEAM MEMBER’S CARING ATTITUDE Christine Baril is likely the first friendly voice you will hear at Team Demas Orthodontics. As our Treatment Coordinator, she makes you feel welcome to the practice and keeps you on a smooth path to a great smile by scheduling your follow-up appointments. She’s been in the field since 2001, and she loves maintaining patients’ smiles! CHRISTINE KEEPS YOU SMILING

It was after Christine saw the impact braces had on her daughter’s self-esteem that she felt moved to get involved in the orthodontic field. “I was amazed at the positive impact a new smile had in my daughter’s life. From that point on, I knew I had to be in this profession that changes smiles and lives for good.” We are all so glad she did! Christine is an avid learner, and she regularly attends professional meetings to hone her skills toward creating the best experience for all who cross her path. It’s also not uncommon to see Christine at a local sporting or school event. Her huge heart leads her to cheer on our patients at school shows and on the playing field. Christine grew up and continues to live in the Meriden area. She and her husband, Dan, have three grown children and two dogs. When she’s not at the office, you can find Christine at Mister B’s Jerky in Southington, helping

run the local jerky store Dan owns. If you haven’t tried it, their EasyChew jerky is a delicious departure from traditional jerky, and it makes a great Christmas gift!

Thank you, Christine, for keeping our patients and team smiling! We’re so glad to have Christine on our team, and we know you will be too!

MAKE A RESOLUTION TO SMILE MORE

BE HAPPIER IN 2019

Want to feel happier? Smile more! It’s the rule of “fake it until you make it.” Research from the Department of Psychology at University of Alberta found that smiling, even when you’re feeling down, can lead to feelings of happiness. This is just one of many studies that show the importance of smiling to improve your overall mood.

Here are a few ways to help you smile more in the new year.

MAKE A NEW PLAYLIST It’s no secret that music has a powerful affect on our emotions —who doesn’t cry every time they hear “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan? Use this power to your advantage by adding uplifting, inspirational music to your day. Apps like Spotify, Pandora, and even YouTube let you create a playlist full of your favorite songs to enjoy while getting ready in the morning, on your commute, or while waiting in line at the grocery story. DO SOMETHING NICE It feels good to do something nice for others, and research shows that doing something nice can truly increase your happiness. Even little things can make a big impact, like donating to charity, buying a coffee for the person behind you in line, or holding the door open for someone. Don’t forget it’s also okay to do something nice for yourself, too. Make time to read a good book, take a bubble bath, or enjoy your favorite tea.

BE PROUD OF YOUR SMILE It can be difficult to smile more if you’re embarrassed by crooked or misaligned teeth. When someone feels self-conscious about their smile, it’s not uncommon for them to struggle with their confidence or self-esteem. Fortunately, advancements in modern orthodontics means there are many treatment options that can easily fit your needs and lifestyle. At Team Demas Orthodontics, we offer traditional braces and Invisalign treatment plans for kids, teens, and adults. It’s easier to smile freely when you have a beautiful smile to show off. There are plenty of resolutions you could make this year, but we believe the most important resolutions are the ones that help you live a happier, healthier life. And even just smiling a little more can help you have a truly happy new year.

A N D Y O U C O U L D W I N REFER A FRIEND A VACATION GIVEAWAY TO

30-MINUTE CAULIFLOWER SOUP

This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.

INGREDIENTS

•

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

•

1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced

• • • •

1/2 cup heavy cream

• • •

1 leek, chopped

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Si mply r efe r a p a t ie nt to our o ffice to e nt e r to WIN! The mor e r efe rr a ls you s e n d t he mor e cha n ce s to WIN!

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.

(Contest runs June 21, 2018  thru June 21, 2019)

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3 2 1 INS I DE TH I S ISSUE Aus t ra l i an Adven t u r e s

The Be s t Ways to Us e Le f tove r Candy

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MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WINTER HOLIDAYS

HANUKKAH Hanukkah pays homage to a two-year Jewish rebellion against an oppressive Greek-Syrian government that took them captive in an attempt to eliminate Judaism. The tradition of the eight-day celebration and the lighting of the menorah candles comes from the story of a miracle that happened during the rebellion, when a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days in a temple. DIWALI Though celebrated in late fall, Diwali is a Hindu holiday that’s known as the festival of lights. Its main purpose is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and the five-day festival includes the lighting of candles or lamps, feasting, and giving gifts to family and friends. Diwali also celebrates the Hindu new year and is the largest, most widely celebrated festival in India. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but educating your children about holiday practices other than Christmas will give them a broader worldview and inspire them to gain further knowledge about cultures outside their own. Your local library is a great resource for children’s literature on these holidays, and there are also TV programs from PBS that feature episodes on these traditions. Enjoy the winter holiday season, however you decide to celebrate!

According to the Pew Research Center, Christmas is the most celebrated December holiday in the U.S. Yet, like the melting pot it is, the U.S. contains many cultures from across the globe, each with their own traditions. Teach your kids about some of the holiday celebrations from different cultures this season. KWANZAA Created in 1966 by black studies professor Maulana Karenga during the Black Nationalist Movement, Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration and reflection period for African Americans. The week offers African Americans the opportunity to connect with African culture and history by celebrating the seven principles of African heritage, which include unity, self-determination, and creativity.

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(860) 276-0333 | www.teamdemas.com

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