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ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD, STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | JANUARY 2019
WEEKLY DATE NIGHTS AND GUITAR PLAYING HOW TO REACH THOSE GOALS THAT REALLY MATTER
As people all across the globe gear up to ring in the new year, they can’t help but think about goals they might try to reach in the upcoming months. With the strong social media presence nowadays, even those who strongly protest the idea of New Year’s resolutions find themselves joining in on the #NewYearNewMe mindset. Unfortunately, statistics indicate 80 percent of resolutions set in that first week are long forgotten by the end of February. I think those high numbers have to do with the size of people’s resolutions rather than their lack of effort. Many people go the whole year without setting a single goal for themselves, and once New Year’s Eve rolls around, they make these mega-sized goals to remodel the house or lose 200 pounds. Then when they don’t reach these unattainable goals, they lose all confidence in themselves and feel disappointed rather than excited as they head into the new year. I personally love setting goals. It’s an activity that’s near and dear to my heart because it demonstrates progress. In my experience, in order to reach a goal, a person needs to break it down into smaller, more manageable milestones that can be evaluated weekly, monthly, or even quarterly. This last year, I worked on two goals that were particularly special to me. Approximately six months ago, I noticed that I had reached all my objectives at work. Things were going really well, and I was accomplishing all the
tasks I had set for myself earlier in the year. I realized that, as a result of working so hard at the office, I wasn’t spending enough time with my kids. I thought to myself, “I’m good at goal setting. Why don’t I just set one to spend more time with my children?” Initially, I wasn’t sure how to reach this overarching goal, so I broke it down and started by scheduling weekly one-on-one dates with each of my kids.
in recent years. Similar to my date night goal, I decided to accomplish this one by setting up the objective to play and sing a song to my kids before bed four times a week. I even put them in charge of reminding me. Let me tell you, kids are great for accountability! Even though I’ve already accomplished both of these more personal goals, I know I will continue to make them a part of my weekly planning session. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of life; sometimes, we all have to be intentional about what is most important. So, as you starting making a list of resolutions for 2019, I encourage you to consider the ways you might break them down into smaller pieces that allow you to evaluate your progress each week or month. By re-evaluating your goals more often, you no longer have to feel guilty just because you didn’t make it to the gym, learn a new language, join a book club, or travel the world by March. You can re-evaluate, start over, and work toward what matters. Happy 2019!
I began by putting a small box up in the corner of my planner, and I placed a check there if I had the date. The actual event might vary; for example, one night, my daughter and I shared mac and cheese at Panera. The date is rewarding and special each time because I get to show them how much I love spending time with them. I made another goal around the same time to play the guitar more. I used to love to sing and play, but I hadn’t been making the time for it sometimes, we all have to be intentional about what is most important.” “It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of life;
– Dr. Brooks
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3 RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER THIS UPCOMING YEAR SOME OF DR. BROOKS’ GOALS FOR 2019
SOCIALLY SECURE SOCIAL MEDIA REMINDERS FOR PARENTS Social media has been making the world smaller than ever. The distance among cross-country relatives and friends shrinks with each post or Skype call. And instant updates from loved ones are particularly valuable during the holidays. That Christmas morning video call means Grandma and Grandpa get to see their grandkids in their new holiday outfits, but so can online predators. According to digital and safety experts, half of the photos filtered onto the darknet are stolen from parents’ social media accounts. If these predators are privy to your photos, they’re also able to snag your location and other sensitive information, putting you and your children at physical risk as well. On a less disturbing note, social media content is permanent. Even after you delete a post or a photo, it leaves a digital footprint that could follow your child throughout their education and could even affect job interviews or future relationships. It’s still possible for you to foster a sense of privacy in the digital age, but it’s important to respect what your child deems private information. After all, it’s their future. Consider these rules before you share. 1. ASK YOUR CHILD’S PERMISSION. If they can speak, then they can speak for themselves. Children love to see photos of themselves, but they may also be aware of what they are and aren’t comfortable with, even at a young age. 2. LIMIT THE NUDITY. Everyone loves a beach day, but think twice before posting swimsuit or skinny-dipping pictures. Opt to post safer photos, like the family posing prior to fun in the sun. 3. CHECK YOUR SETTINGS. Your privacy settings may be exposing your family to more people than you know, and if you feel the need to share every minute of your child’s day online, making these settings airtight will protect your children and their reputations. 1. TINYBEANS.COM is a secure photo-sharing website for parents of babies and young children. The digital photo album app allows you to share photos with only the people you choose. 2. CREATE A SEPARATE, SECURE GROUP ON FACEBOOK. Family, friends, or coworkers in closed groups can still fawn over their little ones in a personal, safe setting. Despite the dangers your digital life can elicit, you don’t have to avoid the digital world completely. Social media is still a great tool for families to stay connected, as long as you take precautions. Go ahead and brag about your kids online — just be safe and considerate of your child’s wishes. Consider some of these safe alternatives to regular public posting:
As you start compiling your New Year’s resolutions for 2019, chances are that at one point or another, you might run out of ideas. If you need some resolution inspiration as you head into this year, Dr. Brooks has provided three goals worthy of consideration.
HAVE A FAMILY NIGHT
When you have a young family, it’s easy to get so caught up in the chaos of just getting through the day (cooking meals, running errands, giving baths, etc.) that you can’t find time to sit down as a family and spend some time together. As a father of four kids all under the age of 10, I know how difficult it can be to plan a family night. But it’s one of my wife’s and my most important goals. Each week, we set up a board game on the floor and play for as long as we can. Sometimes we even set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes. The game usually gets trampled on by tiny feet, and no one ever “wins” it, but we get to spend quality time together as a family.
LAUGH MORE
It seems that now more than ever, people are under a lot of stress in their lives. To deal with stress, I focus on laughing more. No matter how bad the situation, I try to find something positive. I have a patient who exemplifies this idea better than anyone I’ve met. For example, she is in her mid-80s, and one day, she came into the office on crutches. She grabbed her leg, placed it up on the dental chair, and said, “I don’t know if the leg got me here or if I drug it along behind me!” With the dreary weather this time of year, many people find it difficult to remember the good aspects of their lives. It happens to all of us. One thing I do when I’m feeling down is set a timer for five minutes, grab a pen and paper, and make a list of things I’m thankful for. After just five minutes, I find that I feel a lot better. FIND A WAY TO BE THANKFUL
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WHY JANUARY? THE ORIGIN OF NEW YEAR’S DAY
The month of January kicks off by welcoming the new year — there are countdowns, fireworks, and of course, the ball drop in a freezing-cold Times Square. But why? Why do we start our calendars when much of the U.S. is in the dead of winter? Why January? The short answer is Julius Caesar and Roman politics. The calendar had long been a political tool in Rome. Depending on who was in power, Roman pontifices would add or subtract entire weeks from the year, manually adjusting the term limits of elected officials. As you could imagine, this caused a lot of chaos, because months frequently slipped out of time with the changing seasons. After becoming emperor, Julius Caesar brought about some much-needed reforms. Inspired by the Egyptian solar calendar, Caesar fixed the Roman year at 365 days and instituted the leap year to keep months aligned with the solstices. He moved the new year from the spring to the day that elected officials traditionally began their year-long terms, Jan. 1. This choice carried spiritual significance, since January was named for Janus, god of doors and gates. What better month to celebrate new beginnings? Under Caesar and subsequent rulers, the Roman Empire
expanded its reach, carrying its calendar with it. While much of Europe adopted Caesar’s calendar, New Year’s Day remained a hot-button issue for centuries. Thanks in part to the spread of Christianity and to the colder conditions in Northern Europe, there was a lot of resistance to the January start date. Religious leaders saw it as a pagan holiday, and much of Europe chose to restart the calendar on March 25, during the Feast of Annunciation. Much of Catholic Europe officially recognized Jan. 1 as the start of the new year after Pope Gregory reformed the solar calendar again, correcting certain mathematical errors made in Caesar’s day. There were still holdouts, however. In fact, England and its American colonies continued to celebrate New Year’s Day in March until 1752. So there you have it — we were very close to having our fireworks celebrations in lovely spring weather. Ultimately, the ubiquity of the Gregorian calendar won out, as the demands of our increasingly interconnected world made a shared calendar a necessity.
So if you struggle to start your New Year’s resolutions this winter, blame Julius Caesar.
CHICKEN CHOP SUEY
HOW BIG IS YOUR BRAIN?: We hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas celebration with your closest friends, family, and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, of course! As you gear up for 2019, don’t forget to participate in our weekly trivia contest for a chance to win prizes! To play our famous “Tuesday Trivia,” start by “liking” Anderson Dental Care on Facebook. We will post one trivia question each Tuesday, and you can answer it by commenting on the post. If you guess correctly, you will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
INGREDIENTS
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2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs
3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4-inch ribbons 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
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2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
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Salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once simmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice.
Inspired by The New York Times
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513-438-8152 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD, STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255
HOW TO REACH THOSE GOALS THAT REALLY MATTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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STAYING SAFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SOME OF DR. BROOKS’ GOALS FOR 2019
WHY START THE NEW YEAR IN WINTER?
CHICKEN CHOP SUEY
THE SIMPLE TOOTH
THE SIMPLE TOOTH RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THESE THEMED FUN FACTS!
IN GOOD COMPANY Make sure to be surrounded by family or loved ones on New Year’s Eve. The first person you come across in the new year could set the tone for the next 12 months. This applies to couples, as well. If a couple celebrating New Year’s Eve together do not kiss, according to legend, the future of the relationship might be bleak. So be sure to lay one on your significant other when the clock strikes 12! COLORED UNDERPANTS! Whether you’re partial to boxer shorts, briefs, or something a little more daring, if you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in Italy, make sure your underpants are red. In Italy, wearing red underwear guarantees luck and success for the year ahead! Be sure to check out our March edition for some more fun facts to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
If you have liked our page on Facebook, you probably already know about our awesome Tuesday Trivia competition that takes place (almost) every week. If not, be sure to check inside the newsletter for instructions explaining how to play. Because our patients love these weekly trivia questions, our team here at Anderson Dental Care decided to help you expand your knowledge with some fun New Year’s-themed facts.
the most stolen car. To discourage car theft, make sure your car is in a populated area and never leave your keys in the car.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? January is named after Janus, the god
with two faces — one looking forward and one looking backward. He is the god of beginnings, transitions, gates, doors, passages, and endings. Janus also presided over the beginning and ending of conflict, and hence, war and peace. FIRST BALL DROP! The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop came about because of a ban on fireworks. The first ball in 1907 was 700 pounds and was lit with 100 25-watt lights. The current ball puts the old one to shame (thanks to technology). Today it is covered in 2,688 crystals, is lit by 32,000 LED lights, weighs 11,875 pounds, and is 12 feet in diameter.
A SPIKE IN CRIME
According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicles are stolen on New Year’s Day more than any other holiday. Don’t think your old car is safe, either. In 2011, the 1994 Honda Accord was
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