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DECEMBER 2019
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‘EAR, NEWS, AND THROAT’
BREAKFAST IN BORA BORA
The BestWay to Celebrate 5Years of Marriage
and po’e , a sort of sweet banana gelatin. But the best food we ate was from the breakfast buffet at our resort in Bora Bora. They had a ridiculous spread. There were waffles, an omelet bar,
This year, Renee and I celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary, and we wanted to do something really special. My parents came down to take care of Audrey while we took an unforgettable trip to Bora Bora. This tropical island is part of French Polynesia, so imagine Hawaii mixed with France. The whole trip was unforgettable. Renee and I first flew into Tahiti, spent the night there, and then took a ferry to a nearby island called Mo'orea. We rented a car to drive all over the island, through jungles and over mountains, before spending the second day laying out on the beach. The start of our trip was spent decompressing, something we both really needed. Then, we jumped on a little prop plane and flew to Bora Bora. While in Bora Bora, we stayed in this bungalow that sat literally over a lagoon. I could jump off the deck right into the water — which I did several times. It was amazing — it was like having a part of the ocean as your own private pool. We alternated between just relaxing and being very “go, go, go.” One day was packed with snorkeling in the morning followed by swimming with stingrays and then touring the island on a Jet Ski. I’ve never been on a Jet Ski in my life, and Renee hadn’t ridden one since she was in middle school, but we agreed she should drive. At first, it was terrifying. Renee was going close to 45 mph on this thing, skipping across the water while I was holding on for dear life. Eventually, we got the hang of it, and it turned out to be really fun. We got to see some beautiful parts of the island we would never have known about. In addition to the experiences, we also ate a lot of great food during the trip. There was Poisson cru , the national dish of Tahiti, Ahi ma'a , a form of traditional cooking I can only describe as an underground crockpot, “I could jump off the deck and right out into the water —which I did several times.”
and your usual stuff, alongside 10 different varieties of tropical fruit. The resort also gets a lot of tourists from Asia, so there were tons of Asian breakfast staples, like dim sum. Best of all, because Bora Bora is a French territory, their pastry game was on point! I mean éclairs, croissants, doughnuts — and everything was baked to perfection. Renee and I don’t usually eat breakfast, but we were on vacation, so we went a little wild. I don’t want to know how much weight we gained from breakfasts alone, but I’d like to think we worked some off those calories off Jet Skiing around the island. This was our first international trip since Audrey was born, and it was pretty hard to be away from her for nine days. We really started missing her, and it sounds like by the end of the trip she was missing us, too. I’m really glad FaceTime exists so we were able to keep in touch and see her. It was easy to check in on what was going on at home. My parents sent us little videos of Audrey, and we could send videos back of what we were doing. It really helped with the distance. Ten years ago, before smartphones, this kind of trip would have been totally different.
As far as vacations go, our trip to Bora Bora is going to be hard to beat. I used up a lot of credit card points, but it was well worth it. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, as they say. And, in my opinion, the perfect way to celebrate five years of being married to the love of my life.
–Dr. Seth Evans
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We all know reindeer visit our rooftops every Christmas Eve, but what brings them there? Follow the unique and complicated history of Santa’s reindeer to find out. A visit fromwho on what night? In the 1820s, Clement Clarke Moore penned a holiday poem that became the foundation for a phenomenon still alive today. Commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “A Visit From St. Nicholas” is a beloved story shared by every generation. It is in this poem that reindeer were first credited with powering Santa’s sleigh around the globe. Many popular songs, movies, and plays have preserved Moore’s vision of St. Nick, and his reindeer and their names are no exception. (Well, kind of.) Rudolph wouldn’t join the squad until a department store added him as part of their promotions in the 1930s. What’s in a name? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, and Cupid were all brought to life by Moore, but have you ever heard of Dunder and Blixem? Though we now know the duo as Donner and Blitzen, Moore originally named them Dunder and Blixem — the Dutch words for thunder and lightning — but publishing companies wanted names that would rhyme better with the rest of the poem. Still, it was a few decades before Donner and Blitzen made their appearances in the version of the poem we know today.
Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder FEELING SAD? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience every fall and winter. If you find yourself feeling blue as the days become shorter and darker, know there are things you can do to boost your mood until spring returns. INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY Keeping your body active can increase your energy levels, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost your self-esteem. Summit Medical Group states that a person who exercises for 30–60 minutes a day can manage or avoid SAD easier than a person who does not exercise regularly. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which have a morphine-like effect on your brain. If exercising outdoors is not ideal, consider swimming, walking, or dancing instead. GET SOME SUN Exposure to sunlight is also significantly beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Sunlight helps your body produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Getting just a few minutes of sunlight a day through a walk or short jog can make all the difference. If you live in an area where the winters are bleak, cloudy, and dark, sunlight can be harder to come by. But technology has you covered: You can purchase “sun lamps,” which simulate sunlight without the damaging UV rays. Just set up a sun lamp in your workspace or living area and feel your mood lift. MAINTAIN YOUR ROUTINE Often, it can be difficult to stick with your daily routine during the cooler months. It may be harder to wake up on time in the morning to work out, or it may be too cold outside to go on your daily run. Luckily, you can find small ways to mitigate this. For example, invest in a sunrise alarm clock, which gently wakes you up with a simulated sunrise, or shop for high- quality thermal workout gear. If you continue to suffer from SAD and feel there’s no end in sight, it’s important to seek help from professionals. They can determine the best treatment options available for you.
Reindeer burgers, anyone? Moore’s poem paved the way for Santa’s most famous form of transportation, but it was actually Carl Lomen, an Alaskan businessman, who mass-marketed reindeer as Santa’s companions. In the late 1890s, the Sami natives of Northern Europe, who were longtime reindeer herders, made their passage from Norway to the U.S. with a herd of reindeer to invigorate the Alaskan landscape and help their native neighbors. Lomen saw the reindeer as an opportunity and partnered with the Macy’s department store company to create a promotional Christmas parade in which Santa, led by his reindeer, a sleigh, and Sami herders, were prominently featured. Lomen’s goal was to promote his massive reindeer conglomerate for the production and sale of reindeer meat. Instead, a holiday story was born.
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SLEEPLESS NIGHTS Are You Suffering From Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea?
personality changes, memory problems, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. If that wasn’t bad enough, nearly 80% of nocturnal strokes are connected to sleep apnea. The ASAA estimated 90% of sleep apnea cases are not yet diagnosed. Hundreds of thousands of American are suffocated in their sleep every night and feel worn out each day without knowing why. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available once your sleep apnea is diagnosed, ranging from lifestyle changes, like losing weight, to surgery, such as septoplasty. Surgery is not the most common solution for sleep apnea. At Texan ENT, Dr. Seth Evans regularly recommends a CPAP breathing mask or an oral appliance to help patients breathe easier at night. However, if you are suffering from a case of sleep apnea that demands surgery to improve, it’s best to see a doctor who can offer you the best treatment options available. Don’t spend another year struggling to keep your eyes open. Give Texan ENT a call at 512.550.0321 and determine if undiagnosed sleep apnea is keeping you up at night.
It’s not uncommon to feel tired around the holidays. Between shopping for presents, scheduling family gatherings, and socializing with coworkers at the office Christmas party, we could also use an extra nap this December. But if you notice that you’re feeling exhausted all the time and no amount of sleep seems to re-energize your body, you may be suffering from something far more serious than holiday stress. The American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) found that 15% of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that leaves a person unable to breathe properly while asleep. An episode of sleep apnea often lasts between 10 seconds and two minutes and happens hundreds of times throughout the night. During these episodes, a sleeping person is deprived of oxygen, suffocating in their sleep until their body is forced to gasp for air. This is why loud snoring is often associated with sleep apnea. Suffering from oxygen deprivation every night leads to some serious health issues that can destroy your internal organ. Patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea often suffer from fatigue, headaches, heartburn, depression,
Classic Roast Chicken
HAVE A LAUGH
Inspired by Ina Garten An Easy, Traditional Meal
Ingredients
• 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted • 1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced • 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • Olive oil
• 1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs • Kosher salt • Freshly ground pepper • 1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed • 1 lemon, halved
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string. 3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme.
4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.
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512.550.0321
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1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1 Our Trip of a Lifetime
Page 2 How Santa Claus Became Powered by Reindeer
Page 2 Boost Your Mental Health This Season
Page 3 Feel Tired After a Long Year?
Page 3 Classic Roast Chicken
Page 4 Word From the Westies
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HOUNDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS? 3 Facts Families Need to Know Before Adopting a Dog
a busy family with small kids, you might not have time to give an energetic dog the exercise she needs. This can lead to behavioral problems. Do research into the kind of dog you might want to bring home to make sure it will be a perfect match!
Happy holidays!
Izzy and I have been talking about what we hope to get this year. Personally, I’d love a new ball. This time of year, many families get a little bigger by bringing a new dog into their pack. In my opinion, every house should have at least two dogs, but pets shouldn’t be an impulsive gift. If you’re thinking about bringing a dog home for the holidays, here are a few things to keep in mind. Check your budget first. Izzy and I don’t know anything about money, but we hear it’s something humans think about a lot. We also hear that taking care of pets can cost quite a bit of money. There are the initial costs, like toys, food, veterinary bills, and training — especially if you’re bringing home a new puppy. Then there are lots of ongoing expenses, including an inevitable emergency vet bill at some point. Many veterinarians recommend getting pet health insurance to help cover some of these mounting costs. Get the right breed for your family. It’s important that your new pet matches your family’s lifestyle. For example, if you want a dog to go on long hikes or hunting trips, a wirehaired griffon would be a great fit! But if you’re
Adopt! A great way to make sure a dog’s personality will be suited to your family is by adopting your new friend from a local animal shelter. The staff will be familiar with the dogs, so they can tell you who wants to go on long walks, who just wants to snuggle, and who’s good with cats and kids. We recommend the PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, which is located in Kyle. They have tons of wonderful dogs waiting to meet you! Whether you get a dog this year or decide to wait, we wish you a very happy holidays, from our pack to yours! Izzy & Emma
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