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November/December 2024
THE HEIGHTS SMILE Herald
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
A Slice of Tradition
GRANDMA’S CARDAMOM BREAD AND THE MAGIC OF SHARED STORIES
One of my favorite family traditions is my grandma’s cardamom bread. I’m Swedish, and when I was growing up, she would make the delicious Swedish sweet bread that we all looked forward to every year. We each had our unique methods of preparing it in my family. My personal favorite was a thick slice toasted with butter that soaked in for the perfect sweet and savory taste. The smell of it toasting always takes me back to warm memories of my grandparents’ home. Recently, I shared the story of grandma’s cardamom bread with a patient and was surprised when she said it sounded a lot like something she ate growing up. The conversation continued, and we realized we shared a tradition we did not know anyone else knew. This talk, which expanded to another person, wasn’t just a chat about the weather or dental work. It was an engaging revelation that ultimately bonded three people in ways none of us expected. With Thanksgiving approaching, I can’t help but reflect on the warm traditions we share with our biological families and those we cultivate with the family we choose. During this holiday, it can be easy to wall ourselves up a little and only spend time with our relatives. But it’s also important
to reach out and talk to the people outside your circle. These are connections that form through sharing — shared experiences, values, ideas, and histories. Each bit of ourselves that we reveal can bring us closer and teach us new things about each other. This sharing of our lives, traditions, and memories truly brings everyone together and speaks to the spirit of Thanksgiving I love most. My patient has a Finnish background and called this sweet bread from my childhood “nissua.” As she described the tender cardamom bread and we looked up pictures, it was clear our beloved family treats were the same. She told me that Ashtabula, a town within driving distance from us, had a vibrant Finnish community and might be where I could find this bread. Not long after this conversation, another patient came in from Ashtabula, and I began telling her about the cardamom bread. I was looking for suggestions on a good bakery where I could find it. She said, “I know exactly what bakery you should go to.” My grandparents have since passed away, and though my brother and dad make pretty good re-creations of the cardamom bread, they live far away, and I rarely get to eat it. So, I was excited to trek out to this bakery I never would have known existed if I hadn’t started sharing this tradition with patients. It wasn’t just an individual experience; there was a light in my patients’ eyes when they realized this common ground we had found.
Grandma and Grandpa Schermer with little Jason
my grandparents, they won’t be here anymore at some point. My kids are growing up and going to college. The number of times they will return home is dwindling fast. Every moment we spend with them is important, hearing their stories and watching the world through their eyes. But, share yourself and your treasured traditions with others in your life. I’m so thankful I can share stories like my grandma’s bread with my family, my two patients, and all of you. Each time we share of ourselves, it brings us closer together. The patient from Ashtabula actually brought in a loaf of the nissua bread before I could even make it to the bakery. I didn’t wait until I got home to try it — I had it before I went in to see my next patient — and while I was enjoying the taste and the smells of the toast, it was like my grandma was with me again. It really made my day. (As tasty as that nissua was in Ashtabula, nothing will ever beat Grandma’s.) -Dr. Jason Schermer
One conversation about bread forever connected three people.
As I think about Thanksgiving, my message this year is to enjoy your family and relatives. Like
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DISCOVER THE HEART OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT LOCAL SHOPS Shop Small, Make a Big Impact
Today, it’s easy to shop on Amazon and click “buy now.” But when was the last time you strolled into your local coffee shop or bookstore and chatted with the owner? Independent businesses are a true reflection of the community, built by our friends, family, and neighbors’ ingenuity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. With Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know the independent stores near you. These businesses not only offer unique, artisan, or handmade gifts for the holiday season, but they also are a chance to get to know other locals. As you start your seasonal shopping excursions, here are three ways to support small businesses. GET TO KNOW THE SHOPS One of the best ways to support local businesses is to explore their shops and take the time to get to know them. Step into that store you’ve always been curious about or the one you have never noticed before. See if the owner is around and chat with them. Learn their unique story about who they are, why they started this business, and what drives them.
SHOUT THEM OUT Word of mouth matters when you are a small business, so if you had a great experience at a shop, write a nice review about it. Post about it on social media or share a quick photo to help boost its visibility. When looking for the next brunch or meetup spot with friends and family, take them to one of your new favorite local restaurants or cafes. SHOP SMALL When you do your gift shopping, whether for Christmas or a birthday, start with local businesses so they have the first opportunity to earn your attention and sales. Gift cards are also a great way to support them and continue to help introduce new people to their store. Make sure to pick up a business card and include it with your gift so the recipient can learn about it. This November, step out of your routine and explore the small businesses in your community. By shopping small, you’ll find unique gifts and treasures and give back to the neighbors and friends who make your city special.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Since my job requires frequent moves, I am always frustrated by finding new doctors and dentists wherever I go. What a pleasant surprise to find a great dental practice in Dr. Schermer and his great staff. They are kind and compassionate and patiently answered every question I had. Hopefully, I will not have to move for quite awhile, but if I do, I will drive hours to continue to see my great dental team!” -Brent C.
“Dr. Jason Schermer is very well-respected and talented. He takes the pain out of dentistry with his gentle touch and compassionate approach. His practice is something to smile about. Set up an appointment today!” -Kelly D. — “Dr. Schermer practices with knowledge and compassion. He is a very likeable person, and I’ve heard patients say amazing things about his gentleness and extreme care!” -Simone C.
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PAJAMAS, PUZZLES, AND POZOLE OUR TEAM’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
“Every New Year’s Eve, we’d have family dinner, play Trivial Pursuit, or put together a puzzle with either ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ or the top 100 countdowns of the year on the radio in the background. We’d watch an old movie — usually ‘Laurel and Hardy,’ ‘Three Stooges,’ or something along that genre. The important part was that we were together.” — Dr. Jason Schermer, Dentist “Once a year, my mamita (grandmother) would come home to visit us in Colombia. We would take a few days off of school and gather at my aunt’s house to spend time with my mamita. She would collect presents for each one of us during the year and would distribute them as Santa Claus would during Christmas. My mom had a calmness to her that I only saw during mamita’s homecoming!” — Dr. Andrea, Dentist “One of my favorite holiday traditions is wearing matching pajamas with my family on Christmas day. Every year, we pick a new set and make sure to get an annual pajama photo!” — Taylor, Registered Dental Hygienist
“My mom’s side of the family has Christmas Eve dinner, and at some point throughout the evening, the parents put a dot of honey on their child’s forehead so they’re ‘extra sweet’ throughout the upcoming year!” — Lauren, Registered Dental Hygienist “We always spend a weekend at my parents’ house to celebrate the holidays, and everyone goes bowling one night. There’s a good dose of playful competition no matter what age — and a few side bets to keep it interesting.” — Janae, Registered Dental Hygienist “My extended family does an unusual white elephant exchange where one person buys all of the gifts of various dollar amounts. One person might get a roll of toilet paper, and another might win a TV! You never know what you’ll walk out with!” — Erika, Dental Assistant “One of my favorite traditions is getting together with my family on Thanksgiving, sharing laughs, stories, and my aunt’s famous mac and cheese.” — Jordan, Office Manager
“We usually get together with friends who have no family in the area. Everyone usually brings a dish from their country.” — Maria, Insurance Coordinator “One of my favorite traditions growing up was helping my mom and aunts prepare tamales, pozole, and champurrado (a rich, traditional Mexican hot chocolate) while listening to Mexican music on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed our dinner together, and then we would share the delicious leftovers on Christmas Day.” — Jennifer, Administrative Assistant “My favorite tradition is getting together with my family and watching ‘A Christmas Story.’ The movie plays for 24 hours straight, so we start on Christmas Eve and watch it until the night ends on Christmas Day!” — Gwyn, Dental Assistant
LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKES OF THE MONTH
Exquisite Lemon Bars
Q: Who doesn’t eat on Thanksgiving? A: A turkey, because it is always stuffed.
Ingredients •
2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• • • •
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp grated lemon zest
• • • •
Q: Where do you find a turkey with no legs? A: Exactly where you left it. Q: What would happen if a cranberry became sad? A: It would turn into a blueberry.
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups granulated sugar
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. 3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. 5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Pour over crust. 6. Bake for 25 minutes or until set. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@exceptionalsmiles.com You may see it in our next issue!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
exceptionalsmiles.com
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
INSIDE 1 A Recipe for Connection This Thanksgiving 2 Celebrate Small Business Saturday What People Are Saying About Us 3 The Holiday Memories We Love at Exceptional Smiles Exquisite Lemon Bars 4 Curb Your Cough: Discover the Soothing Power of Hot Tea
QUELL YOUR COUGH WITH HOT TEA
The rattle of coughing is the soundtrack of winter, and about 1 in 5 adults suffer from coughs during the peak cold and flu season. While coughing can signify serious illness, sufferers need short-term relief more often. You should always ask a health care professional for advice when you are ill. But simpler, natural treatments for an irritating cough may be as close as your kitchen cupboard: A steaming cup of hot tea can soothe irritation in your throat and chest. As winter draws near, consider stocking your shelves with teas offering these therapeutic effects. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES Licorice root, chamomile, elderberry, and green tea are all linked to reducing inflammation in airways. Licorice root also has anti-spasmodic properties
that can help calm irritated tissues, and it is an ingredient in many leading tea brands, including Traditional Medicinals, Yogi, and Pukka. However, it’s best to consume licorice root tea in moderation. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deems licorice root safe, consuming large amounts can cause side effects, including high blood pressure. SOOTHING, LUBRICATING TEAS While mucilage may sound like the name of an old-fashioned glue, it is actually a viscous, gelatinous plant substance that soothes and moistens irritated tissues. Mucilage is found in teas containing licorice root, marshmallow root, and mullein. EXPECTORANT EFFECTS An expectorant can lubricate your airways and thin the mucus in your respiratory system. This, in turn, makes your cough more productive, easing discomfort, expelling bacteria, and helping heal your airways more quickly. Teas containing ginger and mullein offer this benefit. OPENING AIRWAYS Some of the most popular herbal teas also help ease cold symptoms. Eucalyptus teas can help open up constricted airways, and teas containing peppermint and thyme also relieve sinus and cold symptoms.
In all cases, you can amplify tea’s therapeutic benefits by adding a spoonful of honey! Honey’s throat-coating consistency soothes irritated tissues.
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