THE BEST FALL SPICES TO BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH
It’s the season of fall spices. Pumpkin spice — which is actually a mix of many different seasonal spices — is a favorite, but it’s not the only one we should try this year. Seasonal spices are a fun way to literally spice up your meals, and many of them also have surprising health benefits! SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART: CINNAMON Cinnamon can actually help lower your blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for folks with Type 2 diabetes. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website also reports that cinnamon has heart-healthy benefits. For example, studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus decreasing the risk of developing heart disease. How to add more cinnamon to your diet: Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or plain yogurt for a warming boost of flavor. You’ll also find cinnamon in pumpkin spice, a seasonal favorite. SOMETHING FOR YOUR BRAIN: TURMERIC Recent research has found that turmeric can reduce inflammation. A compound in turmeric called curcumin has been shown to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. The anti-inflammatory
properties of turmeric may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s.
How to add more turmeric to your diet: Homemade curries are a great way to get a good dose of turmeric. You can also add turmeric to roasted vegetables or taco seasoning. SOMETHING FOR YOUR STOMACH: GINGER If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale on a plane to calm your upset stomach, then you’ve already experienced the healing properties of ginger. Ginger can be used to treat nausea, including nausea due to motion sickness and pregnancy. Studies show that ginger can also offer relief to cancer patients suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy. How to add more ginger to your diet: There are many baked goods that call for ginger. Your morning coffee or tea could also benefit from a hint of ginger.
These are just a few spices that are also superfoods! Do some research to discover the secret benefits of your favorite spices.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KRISTEN TREATMENT COORDINATOR, SINGLE MOM, AND ALL-AROUND SUPERWOMAN
From the time she was a little girl, Kristen Morton dreamed of being a teacher. She set off to college with that goal in mind. “My whole first year of college I took early childhood education classes. Then, one day I just decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do any more,” she remembers. “I changed my major a couple of times before I landed on dental assisting.” When Kristen meets someone new, her eyes immediately go to their smile. She’s always found dental work interesting and ended up falling in love with the process of orthodontics. “It’s just really great to see how, when someone goes through treatment, it can change not only their smile but their confidence,” she says. As you might have guessed by now, Kristen is one of our team members here at Marshall Orthodontics! After working at another practice for more than seven years, she joined us a year and a half ago as a dental assistant. Before long, we moved her to the post of treatment coordinator, where her people skills can really shine. “I feel like in this treatment coordinator
role having a dental assistant background is an advantage because I know the processes, the types of appointment, and the steps you go through with braces. Having that background helps me explain things to patients,” Kristen says. “I’ve also had braces twice and in-house aligners as well, so I know what the patients are going through.” When she isn’t at the office, Kristen spends most of her time with her 6-year-old son, Kohen. He loves to swim, ride bikes, and play basketball, so they spend a lot of time outside together cycling around the neighborhood or splashing in her parent’s pool. Kristen says that tackling virtual learning this year has been a challenge, but thanks to Kohen’s helpful day care center, they’re handling it well. Every day, Kristen juggles working, being a single mom, and handling the curveballs of a pandemic. In our eyes, that makes her an all‑around superwoman! If you see her next time you come into the office, be sure to say hello.
2 • WWW.MARSHALL-ORTHODONTICS.COM
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker