A+ Family Dentistry's online newsletter for May 2018
San Diego Location: 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1
Poway Location: 12915 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-5100
San Diego, CA 92105 Phone: 619-265-2467
The Happy Tooth
AMAZING WOMEN, AMAZING MOMS THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT WOMEN IN MY LIFE
“I am quite fortunate that the three most important women in my life also happen to be some of the most incredible moms I have ever met.”
Every year, we celebrate mothers on the second Sunday of May. I am quite fortunate that the three most important women in my life also happen to be some of the most incredible moms I have ever met. This month, I would like to celebrate them: my grandmother, my mother, and my sister.
know where my mom got it. But she worked hard to give us a chance, even if it meant leaving everything familiar behind. Our boat ended up having to turn back, but my mom never gave up. In 1991, when they started an emigration program for people to leave Vietnam, my mom made sure our family was a part of it. I don’t know how she got the money together to pay for all the tickets, but we got to come to America because my mom worked hard all her life. At 16, I was pretty rebellious, and our relationship was tough, but I now recognize how strong my mom is. And when I’m having a tough time, I compare it to what my mom went through, and I gain a little perspective. Last but not least, I want to recognize my sister. Patients know her as Dr. Janice, and I am so happy to work alongside her every day. I’ll admit, I didn’t always feel that way. Janice is 6 years younger than I am, and when we were children, she followed me around everywhere I went. It drove me crazy! As we got older, our relationship evolved. Today, Janice is my best friend. We’re sisters, so we won’t always get along, but we’re always supportive and strive to make each other better. I greatly admire her as a fellow dentist and for how she works hard to be the best mom she can be. She spends much of her free time with her son, Jake, and she’s one of the most cheerful, positive people I know. Each day is a little brighter because I get to see my sister.
For most of my young life, I lived with my grandparents in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, my father fought for the South Vietnamese army, and after the war, he was sent to a concentration camp. Even after he was released, he wasn’t allowed back into the city where we lived, because the government was afraid of a rebellion. He lived in the rural area, and when my mom decided to live with him, she knew it would be better for me and my siblings if we stayed in the city. As a result, I was raised primarily by my grandmother. My grandma was a really strong woman. After the war, the whole country was poor, and many people were starving. I don’t know how she did it, but every night, my grandmother made sure there was food on the table for us to eat. We didn’t have a lot, but we had enough, and that was a blessing. My grandma also taught me how to read and write the alphabet when I was really little, and once I learned, she had me teach my sister and brother. She was my first teacher, and I will always be grateful for the strength and support she gave us. I didn’t live with my parents until I was 16 years old. My siblings and I would go visit our parents in the summer, but it wasn’t until we came to America in 1991 that we lived together. Most teenage girls have challenging relationships with their mothers, but since we were also learning English and living together for the first time, things between my mom and I were downright rocky. We didn’t have a close relationship then, but I remember watching my mom from afar and seeing that she was a survivor. My dad was in a concentration camp until I was four years old, so my mom was basically a single mother. When I was 8, we tried to escape Vietnam on a boat. It was too dangerous for my dad to come, so it was just my mom, myself, and my siblings. Getting on that boat cost a lot of money, and I don’t
I am truly blessed to know so many strong women and wonderful moms. Thank you all for making my life fuller by being part of it.
–Dr. Justene Doan
May 2018 Edition
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P1
Mothers Shape the World
women’s rights, delivering her famous impromptu speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” in May of 1851. Irena Sendler (1910–2008)
3 of History’s Bravest Moms
When the Nazis invaded Warsaw in September of 1939, Irena Sendler, a 29-year-old social worker and mother of two, hatched a scheme to rescue Jewish children from the brutal ghettos. Along with many friends and colleagues, she smuggled out nearly 2,500 Jewish orphans, hiding infants on trams and garbage wagons and guiding kids through a labyrinth of secret passageways beneath the city. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858– 1928)
Moms make the world go round. After running the gauntlet of childbirth, they raise and guide us throughout our lives, shouldering the tremendous burden and responsibility of motherhood. Mothers are in turn formidable, kind, powerful, gentle, wise, fierce, patient, supportive, empathetic, driven, and full of love. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are three historic moms who never stopped fighting for what they believed in. Sojourner Truth (1797–1883) Before she escaped from New York
slaveholder John Dumont, Sojourner Truth had at least three of her children sold away from her. When Dumont went back on his promise to emancipate Truth and her infant daughter in 1826, she took the girl and fled to an abolitionist Quaker family, but she was forced to leave her other daughter and her
Despite being a wife and the mother of five children — two of whom died tragically young — Emmeline Pankhurst became one of the fiercest advocates for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century. After founding the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903, she and her cohorts adopted an aggressive strategy
5-year-old son, Peter, behind. Soon after, she learned that Peter had been illegally sold by Dumont to a slaveholder in Alabama, so she went to court and secured his safe return. It was the first successful case brought by a black woman against a white man in American history. Truth went on to become a prominent abolitionist and a speaker for
to raise awareness for the issue; they began by buttonholing politicians and staging rallies, then progressed to vandalism, window smashing, and arson. She was instrumental in the movement. Pankhurst lived to see women gain the right to vote in 1928. A+ Referrals We want to thank all of our patients who put so much faith in us by recommending our services to their friends and family members. Last month, our referrals came from these amazing patients:
“I hadn’t been to the dentist in 20 years, so I had poor dental health. I needed a cleaning, fillings, and a few crowns. This is a very nice office — clean and neat. The staff are friendly and caring. They made me feel comfortable, and they explain procedures thoroughly. The doctor is professional and friendly and describes everything in detail. I was impressed with the follow-up phone calls after I received treatment. “My gums and teeth look and feel better and are in better health. I got everything fixed, and they did it well with no complications. I have told several people about my experience, and I hope they choose A+ Family Dentistry for their dental needs. Thank you!” –Dan “I first found out about A+ Family Dentistry through a family member. Dr. Tran and his staff are friendly and take the time to explain what the procedure is going to be like. They also educate you on why a procedure needs to be done and the potential problems that can occur if proper measures are not taken. The education alone has been enough to keep me motivated to have healthy teeth! My teenage daughter and 8-year-old son told me they really like the dentist, so you know it’s been a positive experience!” –Alyssa TESTIMONIALS See What Others Are Saying
Shernitta B. Rachel B. Leticia B. Herman C.
Michelle H. Emily K. June M. Steve M.
Davy Mey. Veronique M. Teania M. Kelly R.
Mashette S. Joanna W.
And the winner of May’s referral prize of a free Sonicare Toothbrush with a value of $220! Mashette S. Thank you to all of our patients who continue to support us. Check back next month when we will announce the winner of our next referral prize.
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MAKE MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL Celebrate Moms Around the World
Japan Moms in Japan are celebrated on “Haha no Hi,” held on the second Sunday in May. The holiday was introduced in Japan after World War II and has become widely embraced. In Japan, a popular gift for moms on Haha no Hi is a bouquet of red carnations, a flower that represents a mother’s purity, sweetness, and endurance. Brazil “Dia das Mães,” Brazil’s Mother’s Day celebration, also falls on the second Sunday of May. In terms of popularity, Dia das Mães ranks second only to Christmas for Brazilians. Families start to plan well in advance. Moms in Brazil are
This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 13. At least, that’s when we celebrate Mother’s Day in the United States. People in almost every nation dedicate a holiday to celebrating moms, and each country has traditions as unique as the moms they honor. Here are just a few fantastic Mother’s Day celebrations from around the world. Mexico In Mexico, Mother’s Day, or “El Dia de la Madre,” is a big deal. This May 10 holiday is always the busiest day of the year for restaurants in Mexico. Like in the United States, flowers and gifts are popular, but in Mexico, El Dia de la Madre is also celebrated with music. In fact, in some cities, it’s tradition to go to your mom’s house on the morning of May 10 and wake her up with a song!
afternoon, and skits or musical performances from their children. San Diego, California Most of us won’t be able to visit Mexico, Japan, or Brazil to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, but we believe the holiday should still be special. That’s why we’re inviting patients to come celebrate with us a day early! On Saturday, May 12, we invite you to bring your mom, grandma, aunt, and all the wonderful women in your life to A+ Family’s San Diego location. We’ll have free fruit and apple cider for everyone! This is just our way of saying thank you to the wonderful moms we know and love.
usually treated to church gatherings in the morning, big family barbecues in the
Happy Mother’s Day to all the great moms out there. We hope to see you all on May 12!
Sautéed Zucchini & SQUASH WITH FETA
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Zucchini and summer squash are arriving on grocery store shelves. Here is a great way to take these humble, delicious vegetables to the next level. This easy dish is perfect for early summer.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 zucchini
• • •
2 teaspoons fresh thyme 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 summer squash
1/2 medium red onion
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2 minutes), add zucchini and squash. Season
with salt and pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize. 4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.
BLOOMING GARDENING MAY DAY SPRING
MAY GEMINI MOTHERS DAY TAURUS
EMERALD LILY NIGHTINGALE WARM
Adapted from mynewroots.org
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Here’s to the Amazing Moms Page 1 3 of the Most Formidable Moms in History Page 2 What Some of Our Patients Are Saying Page 2 Join Us for Mother’s Day! Page 3 Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta Page 3 Plan the Perfect Camping Trip Page 4 Inside This Issue Aplusfamilydentistry.com 619-265-2467 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1 San Diego, CA 92105
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For Your Best Adventure Yet 3 CAMPING TIPS
Camping season is upon us. We all like to enjoy the scenery and the adventure of the great outdoors with our families, but sometimes “roughing it” can be, well, rough. Luckily, a little prep goes a long way and can make camping more enjoyable for everyone. These three simple tips will let you spend more time soaking in the natural beauty around you and less time stressing about who brought the trail mix. Do Your Research Triple-checking your packing list won’t do you much good if you arrive at your destination and find it’s lacking some of the necessities you were counting on, such as water or restrooms. Campsites offer different amenities, and some can be quite meager. With a little research, you can find a spot that fits your family’s needs. Don’t want to pack in all your water? Find a site that has a pump. Are you bringing your dog? Look for a site that’s pet-friendly. Prefer a cabin or yurt over pitching a tent? Plenty of locations have these options. Most U.S. Forest Service websites and state and national park resources include these details. By doing your homework, you can find and reserve the place that fits your priorities. Plan a Simple, TastyMenu Nothing ends a camping trip as quickly as realizing you didn’t bring enough food. To avoid this, plan your menu with a few ready-made meals and some
nonperishable items. Dutch oven meals and hot dogs roasted over the campfire are great options, and snacks such as trail mix and fruit are easy to store. Think about the meals you normally cook at home, then decide which are adaptable for the campsite. Once you’ve decided on the meals — which could be a fun opportunity for the kids to get involved in the preparation —make a list and head to the grocery store. As you pack, make sure you have proper storage options for perishable and nonperishable items. If bears are a concern, think ahead about how you’ll safely store your food. Plan Activities — and a FewBackups If it rains during the trip, don’t let the weather ruin your whole weekend. You may have to save fishing and hiking for another day, but there are still some activities you can enjoy in a sheltered area or a cozy tent. Bring along a few indoor activities, such as a deck of cards or games like Boggle, which require little equipment and can easily be stored in a backpack.
To keep kids engaged outside, bring some picture books listing the plants and animals native to the area where you’re camping. You could even use the picture books to set up a nature scavenger hunt along a trail, which is a great way to motivate reluctant hikers.
A few games can prevent the most dreaded words a parent will ever hear: “I’m bored.”
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