Pitner Ortho's online newsletter for November 2017
THE STRAIGHT UP
November 2017
EXPERIENCE NOW Gratitude in Each Moment
this life. During my time at the abbey, I thought about how wonderful my life is and all I have to value. It dawned on me that the most important thing in my life is the relationships I have with other people. In my career as an orthodontist, I have been lucky to meet so many different people. There are some who come into my office that I see for just a short period of time, maybe a year or two. Then there are others who I watch grow up. I can vividly remember when some of my high school patients first came in to my office for early evaluation at the age of eight. Nearly 10 years later, they tower over me and are so relieved to finally get their braces off. “WHEN WE APPRECIATE THIS MOMENT, WE EMBRACE THE IDEA OF LIVING LIFE AS A HUMAN BEING, NOT A HUMAN DOING.” Chris Peterson, the father of positive psychology, once said, “Other people matter.” It’s a simple fact we can so easily forget at times. In the work I do, it’s other people who make it worthwhile. Each day, I get to meet new people, have incredible conversations, or learn something new about someone I’ve known for years. This year, I want to let all my patients know how grateful I am to each and every one of you. Thank you for making each moment better by letting me be a part of your life.
I
trip was actually spent in an abbey — yes, where nuns live. About two hours fromSydney is the town of Jamberoo, and I really wanted to visit JamberooAbbey. Home to Benedictine nuns, Jamberoo Abbey opens its doors to guests. Benedictine nuns are famous for their silence, and while Joanna and I would talk at dinner, the nuns speak to each other only as needed, and the abbey halls are mostly silent. Guests have their own little cabins to stay in, and you are left to do or not do as you please. It was kind of like being a hermit for a while. I honestly loved staying at the abbey. As I’ve often told my husband, I believe I have a real talent for doing nothing, and it was amazing to have the space to do nothing and just be. I would sit in the sun on the porch outside my cabin and watch the cows wander through the nearby field. My brain calmed down and began to appreciate each moment as it passed by. It’s easy to get so caught up on worrying about what will be , or dwell on what has been , that we forget all we can control is what is right now . When we appreciate this moment, we embrace the idea of living life as a human being, not a human doing. Only then can we see all the wonderful things we have to be grateful for in
t’s almostThanksgiving, and I have gratitude on the brain.
When we make a point to express more gratitude in our lives, we often focus on the good things in our past or the joys we look forward to. These are wonderful reasons to be thankful, but we can miss out on so much gratitude when we don’t allow ourselves to experience this moment, right now.
Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to fully live in the now when I visited my friend Joanna in Sydney, Australia. Sydney is a glorious city that blends the best parts of San Francisco, Vancouver, and Santa Monica.We had an absolute blast, but my favorite part of the whole
– Dr. Leslie Pitner
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
3 FAMILY ACTIVITIES
FOR THANKSGIVING
Stuff the Turkey Game Want to get the kids outside so
Unless you have a child auditioning for “MasterChef Junior,” you’re probably not going to let the little ones cook the turkey this Thanksgiving. Just because the kitchen might be off limits, though, doesn’t mean you can’t find a few creative ways to make the holiday extra special for your kids. Spice up Thanksgiving with these fun, family friendly activities.
special. Turn your kids’ table into a canvas for a colorful, creative dining experience.
you can get to work in the kitchen? Create a Thanksgiving-themed game for them to play outside while you prep the stuffing and put the turkey in the oven. To create a holiday-themed “Stuff the Turkey” game, all you need is a few paper bags. We’ll bet you have some left over from shopping. Use two small bags stuffed with scrap paper to create legs and glue them to a larger bag folded to look like the body of a turkey. Now that you have your turkey, you need some balls to stuff it with. Anything soft and baseball-sized will work, even some balled-up paper. Kids will take turns
To do this, use craft or art paper to cover the table. Tape everything down tightly and provide crayons and colored pencils for every place setting. If you want to add some extra holiday spirit, put the drawing supplies in empty cranberry sauce and pumpkin cans. Gratitude Mobiles | Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t just about delicious food. It’s also about reflecting on the parts of our lives we are grateful for. Teaching kids about gratitude is the most valuable Thanksgiving lesson. Bring that concept to life with a gratitude mobile. Grab some colored paper circles — or cut them out — and have your children write down things that they are thankful for. A silver Sharpie is great for this. Punch holes in the tops of the circles and run string through them. Tie the other end of the string to a coat hanger or embroidery hoop and hang it from the ceiling.
Coloring-Book Tablecloths If you have a big family, you are probably
familiar with the Thanksgiving tradition of the kids’ table. It may be smaller than the grown-up’s seating arrangement, but it doesn’t have to be any less
trying to toss the balls into the turkey, scoring points for every shot made.
TESTIMONIAL
"PitnerOrthodontics is the best. Not only did they straightenmy teeth to perfection to improve my smile and confidence,
but they also are very friendly and convenient. I got in and out quickly, so I didn’t miss much school time. But what I really loved about PitnerOrthodontics was the doctor, the assistants, and the atmosphere of the whole office.When you come in, they welcome you. It is comfortable and airy.You even get a treat, like ice cream, after your appointment. AND, you get rewards, like movie tickets and dinner cards, for just doing the right thing in keeping your braces clean and wearing rubber bands. I definitely will keep telling all my friends to go to PitnerOrthodontics!They rock!" -Tagan D. (teen)
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OTIS: UNLIKELY HURRICANE HERO
in a crisis aren’t of Air Force One or of celebrities donating millions. They’re of ordinary people — and pets — striving, surviving, and making their way back home, just like Otis.
after the storm, a woman snapped a picture of a damp Otis trotting down the street. In his mouth, he toted an entire bag of dog food, and not a small one. The woman posted the picture to Facebook. “This dog is walking around Sinton, Texas, carrying a [sic] entire bag of dog food with him. LOL #refugee,” the caption read. The image resonated with people and quickly went viral, being shared over 50,000 times. The people of the Lone Star State have long prided themselves on their pluck and resilience. “Must be a Texas dog cause [sic] he can survive without help,” one commenter wrote online. Another site called him “the hero Texas needed.”
In late August, the nation was put to the test after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Journalists, professional and otherwise, brought back stories and images of the destruction in Harvey's aftermath. Among those stories was one about a dog named Otis. Otis, a German shepherd mix, belongs to a 5-year-old boy in Sinton, Texas. “He’s a special dog,” said Salvador Segovia, the grandfather of Otis’ owner. “He’s been instrumental in helping my grandson following numerous hospital visits for seizures and asthma.” Apparently, Otis is a local celebrity due to his affable nature. He can saunter down to the Dairy Queen and score a free hamburger. Salvador says he’s also the only dog allowed to lie down in front of the county court house. When Harvey struck, dogs, cats, and people sprang into survival mode. For Otis, that meant gathering resources. The morning
Otis’ canine resilience was both humorous and inspirational. The most powerful images
ROASTED PARMESAN PESTO P O T A T O E S
It only takes 3 ingredients to make these crispy, flavorful potatoes. They’re the perfect side dish for any meal.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 lbs. red potatoes, quartered • 2 tablespoons basil pesto • Salt and pepper, to taste • 3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to a large baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast 20 minutes and remove from oven. 3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over potatoes and put the pan back in the oven. Roast for an additional 10–15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crispy. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Recipe courtesyTwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
5953 Wescott Rd. Columbia, SC 29212 803-781-5225 Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.drpitner.com
INSIDE
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Experience Now
3 Family Activities for Thanksgiving Testimonial
A Very Good Boy
Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes
Local Events
Local Events for October AUTUMNAL ADVENTURES Autumn festivities are in full swing this month, and you don’t have to go far to get in the spirit. Check out some of these local happenings for fun, food, and family time. Pumpkins, ghouls, and produce, ohmy!
Deceased Farm Where: Olde FarmRoad, Lexington, South Carolina When: Thursday–Sunday, September 22 through November 4, 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. each night Admission: $16Thursday andSunday, $20 Looking for frightening fun for the big kids? Deceased Farms is the place to find it.This spooky venue gathers your deepest fears into one intense experience, and, because of this, the event is not recommended for children under 12. Complete with 3-D glasses that take you through a haunted building, a desolate farm, and two acres of cornfields, this is sure to be a spooky night. Friday andSaturday (cash only) Website: deceasedfarm.com
Pumpkin Picking at Clinton Sease Farm Where: Clinton Sease FarmandCornMaze, Lexington, SouthCarolina When: Sunday, Friday, andSaturday, September 22 through November 12 Admission: $12maze admission, $1 with purchase of maze admission Website: clintonseasefarm.com For fun for the whole family can enjoy, head to Clinton Sease Farm. Campfires, cornmazes, and a pumpkin patch are all found here. Games and outdoor activities keep the little ones entertained, while older kids will enjoy the cornmaze. Everyone can take part in pumpkin picking—make it a competition for the best design!
City Roots Farmers Market Where: University of SouthCarolina, Columbia, SouthCarolina When: EveryThursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: Free Website: cityroots.org To really fall into the season, there’s nothing better than farm-fresh food. Coming from City Roots’ farm, the first urban farm in South Carolina, the market is a year-round offering of the bounty grown there. Selections include fresh organic produce, pasture-raised beef, lamb, poultry, free-range eggs, baked goods, and fresh milk and butter. Ready-to-cook market meals provide dinner for the night or week. The market also features live music and an ever-changing variety of tastings.
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