Advanced Nerve & Laser's online newsletter for November 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
3941 FM 2181, Corinth, Texas 76210 940-202-1218 www.nerveandlaser.com
An American Holiday
THE ORIGINS OF THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS
Football Though baseball has long been considered the national pastime, Thanksgiving falls during the offseason. This is probably why football became the traditional Thanksgiving Day sport. The University of Michigan kicked off the tradition of Thanksgiving football in 1886, though the NFL wouldn’t join in until 1934. The Detroit Lions played in the first professional “Turkey Bowl” in 1934 against the Bears, and the Dallas Cowboys got in on the act in 1966. Detroit and Dallas (Go Cowboys!) still host most of the Thanksgiving games to this day. Turkey Day at Advanced Nerve and Laser Center Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate everything we are grateful for, and I’m grateful for the fact this country has given me and my family so much. To show my thanks, I try to give back by picking one day in November to gift a free turkey to every patient who comes in for treatment. Turkey Day starts bright and early, when I pull up to the loading dock at the grocery store with my fleet of SUVs. There’s always a pallet of frozen turkeys waiting for us. We end up with around 20 coolers, packed full of turkeys, stacked all around the office. Last year we gave away over 120 turkeys to patients. It was a busy day, but we had such a great time. A lot of those turkeys ended up on patients’ own dinner tables, but I know many people gave them to friends who couldn’t afford a turkey themselves. At the end of the day, we donated the leftover birds to a soup kitchen. This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions. I get to do something nice for my patients, who have supported me for so many years, and help other people in our community who might be having a hard time. It feels good to give back in some small way to this country I love.
My mother’s family came to the United States from Vietnam, and I was the first member of my family to be born in America. As a child, I didn’t fully understand how blessed we were to be here, but I knew how much I already loved the country I called home. This is a big reason Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. As the writer O. Henry once said, “There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” Our family Thanksgiving feasts have always been traditionally American. Everyone brings a dish, and no less than 30 sides find their way to the table. One year, my parents tried to include a Vietnamese dish, and the cousins nearly staged a revolt. I have always loved Thanksgiving traditions, and this month, I want to share the origins behind a few of them. Turkey This tasty tradition dates back to one of the earliest Thanksgivings in 1621. When Plymouth County Governor William Bradford wrote about that famous first meal between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag natives in his journal, he mentioned, “Besides waterfowl, there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc.” Thanksgiving wouldn’t become an official holiday for another 200 years, but as the colonists moved throughout the continent, they brought the tradition of turkeys with them. The relationship between turkey and Thanksgiving became so well-known that during the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton said, “No citizen of the U.S. shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope your Thanksgiving celebrations are full of family, fun, and great traditions of your own.
–Dr. Bao Tha i
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That Morning Cup of Joe
COFFEE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR HEALTH
What’s the first thing you do in the morning? For most of us in the United States, it’s one crucial task: getting that morning cup of joe. Our obsession with coffee is nothing new. A paper entitled “The Consumption of Coffee in the United States,” published July 18, 1861, noted that “the people of the United States habitually consume more coffee than the inhabitants of any other country.” Its popularity has only increased with time; people in the U.S. consume an estimated 400 million cups of coffee a day. Of course, we weren’t the first to find out how great coffee is. Long before anyone in the Americas enjoyed the beverage, legend has it that an Ethiopian goat herder discovered the amazing effects of coffee beans — on his goats. He noticed that after eating “berries” from a certain tree, his goats became so energetic they didn’t want to sleep. News spread around the Arabian Peninsula, and cafes began to pop up, known as “Schools of the Wise” for the intellectual conversations that happened there. In addition to coffee’s long-standing popularity, science has found several reasons to give our morning habit the thumbs-up. In 2015, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines evaluated the effects of coffee and caffeine for the first time, concluding that coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle “along with other behaviors, such as refraining from smoking, consuming a nutritionally balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, and being physically active.” The guidelines cite “strong and
consistent evidence” that consuming coffee within the moderate range (3–5 cups per day, or up to 400 mg of caffeine per day) is not associated with an increased risk of major diseases. In fact, according to observational evidence, caffeine intake may be linked to reduced risk for certain
diseases in healthy adults. Scientists think that antioxidants found in coffee, such as polyphenols, might contribute to its positive effects.
There’s one major caveat, however. While coffee shows potential benefits when consumed in moderate amounts, the sugar and other additives that many of us like to put in it get a thumbs-down. The Dietary Guidelines also note that health alone isn’t a reason to start drinking caffeine. Folks with blood pressure concerns should be especially careful and should consult their doctor about how much coffee is okay to drink, as studies have shown evidence of increased blood pressure with caffeine consumption. Everything in moderation, as the saying goes, at least when it comes to caffeine.
Caffeine by the Cup
Type
12 63 8 2–5 Milligrams/fluid ounce
Brewed or drip coffee Espresso Instant coffee Decaffeinated coffee
Pain-Free Cooking
AVOI D I NJURY TH I S THANKSGI V I NG
Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work-related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! Mix It Up Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short
bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions. Use Your Tools If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Ergonomic kitchen utensils are available to make many cooking tasks, from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. Lifting the Turkey All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again!
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BE I NG D I ABET IC DOESN ’ T MEAN SK I PP I NG HOL I DAY FUN A Side of Insulin
There are a lot of reasons to love the holidays, but the food certainly tops the list. From the Thanksgiving feast to the cookies left out for Santa, there’s a reason weight loss is a popular New Year’s resolution. But if you’re diabetic, the holiday menu can be perilous. Here are some tips for managing your blood sugar without sacrificing your favorite holiday dish. Control the Menu Most of what you’ll see on the menu during the holidays isn’t great for someone watching their blood sugar levels. But you don’t have to skip the turkey and gravy just to stay healthy. Instead, make sure there are healthy options available that you enjoy. If you are attending an event, volunteer to bring a dish. A fresh salad, a side of steamed vegetables with fresh seasonings, or a platter of veggies and cheese will be a welcome addition at any gathering. Include nutritious options with your holiday meals so that you can enjoy festive favorites without overindulging. Think About Your Drinks By all means, eat, drink, and be merry, but if you’re diabetic, it’s important to remember that alcohol can make your blood sugar spike fast and then crash a few hours later. A glass
of wine at 10 p.m. can lead to hypoglycemia at 2 a.m. If you are going to drink, make a point of checking your blood sugar, and avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Be Aware of Social Pressure It’s not just the temptation of sweet treats and fatty foods that makes it so hard to “be good” during the holidays. Well-meaning friends and family members will often insist that everyone overindulge. “It’s the holidays!” they’ll exclaim when you say no to their tasty offerings. While it’s okay to partake in that slice of pumpkin pie after dinner, the key to safely enjoying favorite treats during the holidays is to know when to say no. Don’t let social pressure get you into trouble. Although we do not directly treat diabetes, our team can offer advice and strategies for managing the condition. Discover how good nutrition, simple weight loss routines, and mindfulness can change what it means to live with diabetes. Give the Advanced Nerve and Laser Center a call at 940-202-1218 to learn strategies for managing your diabetes through the holidays and into the new year.
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
SUDOKU
Inspired by The New York Times
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
INGREDIENTS
• •
•
5 pounds sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup canned coconut milk
• • •
DIRECTIONS
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over
half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and
low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt,
sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
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Sudoku answer from page 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
What’s Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition?
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A Closer Look at Your Cup of Joe 3 Tips for Pain-Free Cooking Tips for Diabetics During the Holidays Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes
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Leading by Example
How You Can Teach Kids Good Dental Habi ts THE THAI REPORT:
the age of 12 — to make sure they develop proper brushing technique. Brushing your teeth together creates a fun activity out of a daily routine. The Importance of Healthy Eating Brushing and flossing every day is only part of what it
Dental and oral health advice from Dr. Bao Thai’s other half at Swisher Dental.
Research published in Pediatric Institute Publications found that kids “learn by observing adults, even when those adults aren’t intentionally trying to teach them anything.” This makes a lot of sense to me. As a mom, I know my son picks up on the things I do, and as a dentist, I know there is only so much I can do to help my young patients. If you want to see improvement in your child’s oral health, here are some ways you can lead by example. Practice What You Preach If you are not brushing and flossing every night, why should your kids? Why would kids make regular dentist appointments as adults if their own parents never went themselves? If you want to help your kids or grandkids learn good dental habits, you need to practice those good habits yourself. Brush Together One good way of leading by example is to brush your teeth with your kids or grandkids. It is recommended that a parent supervise a child’s brushing until the child’s second molar erupts — around
takes to have a healthy smile. What you eat also plays a role. Sweets are okay on special occasions,
but if you are snagging a candy bar every time you want a snack, your kids will follow suit. Make a point to enjoy tooth-friendly foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts. Parents and grandparents are the first teachers we have in life. When we lead by example, we can help our children develop a lifetime of healthy habits. –Dr. Suzanne Thai
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