Pitner Orthodontics February 2019
THE STRAIGHT UP
February 2019
Better Than a ChoreWheel Making Room for More Appreciation
partner who tends to do less work starts expressing their gratitude.When we show our gratitude, we are recognizing someone has given us a gift. As a result, we are more likely to return that gift. In this situation, that often means contributing more to household chores. I’ll admit, I am guilty of not expressing my appreciation to Kirk as often as I should. Like I said, it actually annoys me sometimes, which is not the right mindset to have when your husband wants to organize the living room. I do cook and clean at home, but Kirk does so much and I am honestly grateful for it. I love coming home to a pretty house. I’m glad everything has its place. I like not having to clean when people come over, because it’s already clean. Because my response threshold is much higher than Kirk’s, I can feel frustrated when he insists on cleaning something right away when it doesn’t bother me, but I am glad it’s clean. After so many years together, I’ve even adopted many of his neat and tidy habits, which make me much better off. In relationships, it’s less about who is responsible for what and more about each person feeling appreciated for their contributions, whatever they may be. This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to take the time to appreciate all the work my husband does. Kirk, thank you for being so neat and tidy — even when it annoys me!You (literally) make my life shine.
In my own married life, I’m the messy person. My husband, Kirk, is extremely neat and tidy. He always has been, and it borders onOCD on occasion. There are times when his neatness annoys me. Kirk insists on having clean wood floors. This means when the Swiffer comes out, Buster and I are confined to the couch until the wet floors are dry. I’m glad the floors are clean, but why does that mean my dog and I have to go into quarantine? It drives me crazy! Kirk and I aren’t the only couple who have a different outlook on chores. Household labor is a common cause of distress between cohabitants. I know some people who get so frustrated with their partner when they come home to find dirty dishes in the kitchen. Their partner had the day off, so why didn’t they take care of it?When asked, a common response is “I didn’t notice.” To someone who can’t stand having dirty dishes in the sink or laundry piled on the floor, this response can drive them crazy. It sounds flippant. At the same time, the person who didn’t notice the dishes can “IN RELATIONSHIPS, IT’S LESS ABOUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT AND MORE ABOUT
feel like their partner is overreaching to something that’s not a big deal. The pot from last night’s dinner is still sitting on the stove. Who cares? It’s just a pot. Recent research has found the source of these common arguments is less about laziness or overreacting and more due to each partner’s different “response threshold.”This is “the degree of disorder that must exist before someone is sufficiently bothered to perform a task that’s not being done.” Someone with a higher response threshold to dirty dishes won’t bother with a few dishes in the sink, because it really doesn’t really trouble them. These differing response thresholds are why there always seems to be an imbalance of labor between partners. The person who is most bothered by disorder will end up doing more of the housework. person doing more work isn’t the real source of conflict. Trouble arises when the person who does more work doesn’t feel appreciated by their partner. If one person always cleans the bathrooms or takes out the trash, it can become “their job.”Their partner may not recognize the effort or appreciate it, and even if they do recognize the effort, they can fail to show that appreciation. When I was reading this study, the most interesting thing I learned was that one
EACH PERSON FEELING APPRECIATED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS…”
What was really interesting about the study is how the workload can change when the
–Dr. Leslie Pitner
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
Family Game Night
BREAK THE MONOTONY OF OVERPLAYED BOARD GAMES! Family game night is a time when a family can forget about all of life’s commitments and bond over a good old-fashioned board game. But the old, tattered Monopoly box or worn-out UNO cards can leave something to be desired, and the classics might be getting a little dull. and Dixit.You can play as the ghost or as one of the mediums who enters the haunting. The ghost player gives each medium a clue or vision about a potential murderer, and the mediums have to guess which person, room, or weapon was used to murder the ghost player. After each turn, the ghost reveals whether each of the mediums’ guesses are right or not. If all of the mediums succeed in guessing correctly by the seventh in-game hour, they work together to find the true murderer. Laser Chess
Catan Welcome to the island of Catan! After a long voyage at sea, the people in your expedition compete against other seafarers in building settlements. Enjoy the 45–90-minute game as you and your family build roads, barter resources, and race for absolute supremacy on Catan. One NightWerewolf Every night, werewolves prowl around the village, and it's up to the villagers to find the werewolf once the sun rises — before it's too late. Each person plays a unique role with different abilities to help find or conceal the werewolf. If the werewolf is caught, the villagers win the game, but if the werewolf manages to escape, the villagers lose.
If you’re tired of playing the same board games over and over, it might be time to start looking for ways to change things up. Here are four tabletop games you might not have heard of that are perfect for spicing up family game night. Mysterium
A classic game of chess is a great way to spend an evening, and it just got a little more interesting. Laser chess includes all the problem-solving skills a typical chess game offers but with a twist. At the end of each turn, a player fires a small laser beam that bounces off the mirrored chess pieces. If it hits the non-mirrored surface of a piece, that piece is taken by the player. A player wins when the opposing player’s king piece is illuminated.
Your family will love delving into this cooperative murder mystery game that is a mixture of Clue Now you can bring some exciting variety into your family game nights. Don’t miss out on these excellent tabletop games, and most importantly, have fun! FROM THE OFFICE OF BUSTER
Dr. Pitner’s Superpower
beautifully shaped teeth, but because their teeth are crooked or oddly spaced, they can’t imagine how their smile could ever be pretty. My mom’s been an orthodontist for so long that she can picture what a person’s smile will look like in her head before treatment even begins. But most people don’t know teeth so well. Being able to see into the future helps patients make the best decisions for their smile. Sometimes patients come in because they don’t like the way their teeth lean forward. They’re surprised to hear my mommay need to pull a few teeth out to make room for the rest to move. With the 3D model, she can show them how their smile will look if they leave the teeth in or take them out. With this vision of the future, patients can choose a treatment plan they are happiest with.
G’DAY, MATE!
Did you know Dr. Pitner has superpowers? She can see into the future and share these visions with her patients! Well, sort of. In the last year, my mom has started using a virtual 3D program at the office. When new patients come in, she scans their teeth and can show them at the first appointment how their smile will look once their treatment is all done. I’ve seen how wowed patients are when they get a glimpse of their future! Orthodontics can take a long time, so it’s nice to get a real look at what you’re working so hard for. This 3D program also helps motivate patients who don’t think there’s any hope for their teeth. Patients come in with
Right now, my mom’s superpower only lets her look at teeth, which can really help her patients! But I’m hoping that one day she’ll be able to see into the future and know where to find the best treats. –Buster
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A Walk in the Woods Is the Prescription 3 Ways Contact With Nature Improves Your Health
Our ancestors were deeply connected to their natural environment, mostly because their survival depended on it.With noWhole Foods available, those who could best track a mammoth, find water, and forage for edible plants kept themselves alive and passed on their genes. Given our history as hunter-gatherers, it’s no wonder contact with nature provides us with several health benefits. A Memory Boost In a University of Michigan study, a group of students were asked to take a memory test that involved repeating numbers back to researchers. Next, researchers separated the students into two groups. GroupA took a walk around an arboretum andGroup B walked along busy city streets. Afterward, they were asked to take the memory test again. GroupA, the students who had walked in the arboretum, performed 20 percent better on the memory test. Group B didn’t show any marked improvement.
Additional research has corroborated the memory-enhancing effects of nature. A Mood Boost Observing the benefits nature has for cognitive function, scientists wondered what effects it might have on individuals diagnosed with depression. In one study from the University of Essex, participants with major depressive disorder reported an improvement in self- esteem and mood after spending time in nature. Exercising while in nature resulted in even more of a mood boost for participants. ACalming Effect Research also shows that spending time in nature reduces stress. In a study conducted by Chiba University in Japan, participants spent two nights in the forest. Researchers evaluated their levels of stress hormones during and after this period and compared it to their normal work days in the city. Across the board, participants’
stress levels were much lower during the days spent in the forest and for several days afterward. Today, we’re less connected to our natural environment than our ancestors were. Modern comforts and technology mean we don’t have to go outside to get our food. But nature is still accessible and you don’t have to go far to find it. In many of the studies, even minor exposure to the outdoors, like adding plants to your home or looking out a window during work, showed health benefits. This winter, find ways to bring a little more nature into your life each day.Your brain will thank you.
SPICY SALMON TARTARE
INGREDIENTS
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1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded andminced 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
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3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Crackers or chips, for serving
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1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced
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DIRECTIONS
1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes tomake slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips
4. In amixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.
and strips into cubes.When finished, you should have 1/8- inch cubes.
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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
Love Means Saying Thank You
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Bring Variety to Family Game Night Peering into the Future 3 Ways Nature Improves Your Health Spicy Salmon Tartare
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Local Events
Fall in Love with Fun February is Full of Amazing Local Events
Valentine’s Day Silent Movie Where: Richland Library Sandhills, Columbia When: Sunday, Feb. 10, 3 p.m. Admission: Free Website: RichlandLibrary.com/sandhills Add a little classic romance to your Valentine’s celebrations with a silent movie at Richland Library Sandhills. This will be a special showing of a top-secret Valentine’s- themed classic film, made all the more special thanks to live music. Enjoy a relaxing Sunday at the library with your sweetheart and catch a romantic silent movie.
Viva Momix Where: HarbisonTheatre, Irmo When: Saturday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Admission: $25–30 Website: HarbisonTheatre.org/tickets- productions/viva-momix What do you get when the fun of magic and illusions meet the grace of dance?You get the innovative and internationally acclaimed Viva Momix! For over 35 years, audiences around the world have been astounded by the surreal artistry of this amazing dance company. Get your tickets now for an unbelievably beautiful performance unlike any other.
Wine forWater Where: Hay Hill Events, Columbia When: Thursday, Feb. 28, 6–8:30 p.m. Admission: $45 Website: Facebook.com/ GillsCreekWatershedAssociation/
Drink wine to support local conservation efforts at this fantastic event. Gills Creek Watershed Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Gills Creek watershed. Pair delicious wines from around the world with dinner prepared by local chefs as you enjoy live music, bid in the silent action, and join the fight for our most precious natural resource: water.
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