www.eauclairedental.com | (715) 257-4335 LIFETIME PAGES FEB 2018
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IN THE SHADOW OF WINTER A Short Month With a Lot of Holidays
February is one of those months filled with holidays. From Groundhog Day to Presidents Day, there is something to celebrate just about every week, even more so if you are in grade school! Of course, I think a lot of us are guilty of tuning in to the Groundhog Day broadcast, live from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to find out the fate of the next several weeks. Will spring arrive early? Or will we be stuck with six more weeks of winter? Or do we put too much stock into the shadow of a rodent? No matter the outcome, there will always be more winter around the corner, and I can’t say that disappoints me. February is my favorite winter month. The days are slowly but surely getting longer. The Then there’s the holiday that defines the month of February for many people — Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to show people that we care about them and to show them how much we love and appreciate them. And the holiday isn’t just reserved for our significant others, but for everyone who makes an impact in our lives, from family to friends to colleagues — and patients! In fact, be on the lookout for a special Valentine’s Day coupon! Though Valentine’s Day may serve as a reminder to show appreciation to the people who are important to us, we shouldn’t let the holiday serve as an excuse. It’s just as important to show appreciation to the people we care most about throughout the year. After all, they don’t stop being important to us in March or in August, so why start, or stop, with February? While most people associate the month with love, February is also a very patriotic month. Just a few days after Valentine’s Day, we have Presidents Day. It’s a day that marks both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays, with Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22 and Lincoln’s on Feb. 12. temperature is steadily climbing. And yet, we still have plenty of beautiful winter days to look forward to. These are the days when the sun shines vibrantly over a crisp sheet of snow — days defined by the beauty of nature.
“These are the days when the sun shines vibrantly over a crisp sheet of snow — days defined by the beauty of nature.”
Interesting fact, when Washington was born, the people of the time used a different calendar (the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar, which we use today), and on that calendar, his birthday was Feb. 11.
It almost seems like we’re shortchanging two of our greatest presidents. When I was in grade school we recognized both birthdays separately. These days, they’re lumped together. Though, that doesn’t take away from the importance of the day. It’s a day to look back on the tradition of great presidents and to remember what they did for our country. It’s also a reminder that we’re the greatest nation of opportunity in the world. As you celebrate your favorite February holidays — or skip right past them — you can rest assured that no matter what the groundhog sees on February 2, spring is right around the corner. It’s important to look ahead with optimism, because before you know it, we’ll be right back in the middle of summer! –Dr. Anthony Butchert
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SPICE IN YOUR LIFE? Need a little
Ginger This root is an essential natural anti-inflammatory. It can help ease an upset stomach and finally tame your nausea. You can safely eat it raw, candied, as a supplement, in tea, or in baked goods. Ginger is most effective when it’s ingested raw or in capsule form. If you have morning sickness, raw ginger might do the trick. Just ask the people of ancient China. Like many spices, ginger’s use as a supplement goes back centuries. Southeast Asian countries used it to ease their own common ailments. Call it tried and true. Peppermint You can use peppermint as an essential oil, steep the leaves for tea, or take a supplement capsule. Each form comes with its own benefits. As an essential oil, peppermint is great for treating colds. It’s a mild decongestant, and it helps with coughs and stuffed-up noses. It also soothes sore throats and headaches. Rub one or two drops under your nose, on your temples, or over your sinuses and feel the relief wash over you. Even further, a study published by The BMJ found that when administered as a capsule, peppermint helped reduce the symptoms of IBS in a majority of patients.
Spices and herbs add much more than flavor and aroma to your favorite beverages and treats. They also offer many health benefits. When properly utilized, these spice rack staples can ease a variety of symptoms. Ready to find your new holistic health kick? Read on. Nutmeg
This spice, known for its earthy, nutty flavor, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Want to calm nagging pain? This spice
has been used to treat joint pain and arthritis. It can even be used to
remedy bad breath. Nutmeg is most potent when it’s freshly grated, so it’s recommended you purchase whole nutmeg seed, found in most specialty food stores. You can incorporate nutmeg into your diet by taking it as a supplement in capsule form or simply sprinkling it into your next chai tea. Your achy joints will thank you.
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to improve your smile? If you did, you are not alone. This year, millions of American made it their number one goal to improve their smile and improve their confidence! This is the power of cosmetic dentistry. If you live with a smile you don’t love, you can change it — and we can help. It all starts with a smile makeover. You can achieve a more beautiful and sparkling smile, one that will boost your confidence. After all, one of the biggest reasons why people sign up for a smile makeover is not just restore or revitalize their smile, but to restore their confidence. It’s confidence that can translate to a new perspective on your social life, your career, and everything in between. A smile makeover looks different for every person. It might be as simple as teeth whitening. Or, you may want to replace a broken or missing tooth. With a smile makeover, anything is possible! Are You Ready for a Smile Makeover? It’s Time for a New, Confident You •
Replace one or more missing teeth
• Restore cracked, chipped, broken, worn, or misshapen teeth • Alter teeth that appear too long, too short, or too pointed • Whiten discolored, yellowed, or stained teeth The choice is yours! We are here to help you determine the best dental treatment based on your personal needs and wants. If you can dream it, we can help you achieve it. Put yourself on a path to accomplishing your resolutions this year. Let’s talk and see what we can do to improve your smile’s appearance and achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
What else can a smile makeover help you achieve? • Reduce gaps or spaces between teeth • Straighten slightly misaligned or uneven teeth
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A LONG AND STORIED GRIN The History of Dentures
Humans have always been social creatures. Long before the development of acrylic plastics and polyvinyl siloxane impressions, our ancestors understood the value of a winning smile. But what was a Roman general to do if some Vandal knocked his teeth out? Dentures have a storied history that goes back longer than you may think. Even back in 700 B.C., people crafted and polished sets of teeth. In the valleys of what is now northern Italy, Etruscan artisans set human and animal teeth in gold bands to act as dentures. This practice was not widespread due to the cost of the raw materials, but it was resilient. After the Etruscan civilization was assimilated into Rome, the technique spread across the empire. In the 1700s, ivory became the preferred base for dentures. Walrus and elephant bones were carved and used as the base on which human and animal teeth were riveted. Contrary to popular belief, George Washington’s dentures were not made of wood. His dentures used hippopotamus ivory, set with human, horse, and donkey teeth, and they were reinforced with gold springs. It was high-class for his time.
As diets changed, so did dentures. The problem with using biological teeth, aside from being rather morbid, is that they decay. In the 19th century, sugar became widely available. The per capita sugar consumption of Industrial England quintupled in just 30 years. Decay of both original and false teeth became a pressing issue, driving the demand for alternative denture designs higher and higher. Porcelain teeth with a hardened rubber base became the new standard until the development of plastic in the 20th century. The jump to plastic was part of a larger revolution in the modern era: the empowerment of the working class. Up until this point, the story of dentures had been gilded in gold and ivory. Only the rich and powerful could afford a rejuvenated smile. The past 100-plus years have made dentures more comfortable, more lifelike, and more affordable — and that is something to smile about.
SWEET AND ZESTY DETOX SALAD
HAVE A LAUGH!
Hoping to shave off those extra holiday pounds or keep up with your New Year’s resolution? Look no further than this easy winter detox salad!
INGREDIENTS
For the Dressing: •
For the Salad: •
1 large carrot, roughly chopped
3 cups chopped kale leaves
• • • • • • •
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• • • • • • •
2 cups chopped broccoli florets 2 cups chopped red cabbage 1 cup matchstick carrots 1 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon white miso 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil Salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1 diced avocado
DIRECTIONS 1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.
Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com.
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Stop in to pick up a Free rose for someone else or for yourself. Hurry! We will only have 2 dozen available.
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A Month of Too Many Holidays 1 2 2 3 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 3 Holistic Remedies Hiding in Your Kitchen Is This Your Year for a Smile Makeover? Who Invented Dentures? Whip Up This Winter Salad in a Flash! Presidents Day or Washington’s Birthday
THE TANGLED HISTORY OF PRESIDENTS DAY
How the Holiday Came to Be
On the third Monday in February, the entire nation celebrates Presidents Day ... sort of. While the holiday is known colloquially as Presidents Day, its official federal name is still Washington’s Birthday. If that wasn’t confusing enough, different states officially know it as “Presidents Day,” “Lincoln/Washington/Presidents Day,” “Washington- Lincoln Day,” “George Washington Day,” and more. Let’s untangle how all these variant names came about and delve into the fascinating history of the holiday. Washington was born on February 22, 1731. Given his incredible contribution to the founding of the United States, it’s understandable that a national holiday would be established to commemorate his legacy. The holiday was first established in 1879 for employees in Washington, D.C. Six years later, it was expanded to include all federal offices nationwide. And for the next century or so, nothing changed. However, in 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This bill officially moved holidays that were once celebrated on specific dates, like Memorial Day and Columbus Day, to a particular Monday in a given month. This allowed for three-day weekends and, hopefully, encouraged retail sales with an extra day of shopping. But this, unintentionally, moved
Washington’s birthday celebration to a day between his actual birthday and the birthday of another venerated president, Abraham Lincoln. By the late 20th century, Lincoln’s reputation and legacy were as titanic as Washington’s. Because Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, many states found it appropriate to make the day a commemoration of two great presidents rather than just one. By the 1980s, “Presidents Day” was the more widely acknowledged name, if not the official designation.
Why it hasn’t received a uniform federal name is anyone’s guess, but at least when you say “Presidents Day,” everyone knows what you’re talking about. No matter what you call it, the day is a chance to celebrate some of the people who’ve made lasting contributions to our nation’s history. If you look at any presidential ranking, Washington and Lincoln are probably No. 1 and No. 2. It’s fitting, then, that we celebrate their birthdays in tandem.
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