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THE
BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | JUNE 2022
A Summer Activity Our Whole Family Enjoys ONE ACTIVITY WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
When you have multiple children ranging from 1–10 years old, it can be difficult to find a summer activity the whole family can enjoy. We’ve tried taking the kids on a boat, and although it was fun, it was stressful. Swimming pools and waterparks are also hard for us to manage. Sometimes we’ll do one-on-one activities with kids like taking one canoeing or fishing, but we really enjoy doing things together as a family. Luckily, hiking offers something for each of us to enjoy. The kids don’t always look forward to hiking itself, but they love to collect rocks or leaves, see critters in the woods, and make it to landmarks we enjoy over and over. Our favorite park to go to is Woodland Mound. It has tons of open spaces for our kids to play. Sometimes we fly kites; other times, they play on the playground. But our favorite thing about Woodland Mound is the hiking and walking trails. A few have par course activities our kids love, and many have beautiful scenic lookouts. When we go hiking, we like to find routes that have scenic destinations. It helps our kids stay motivated during our journey.
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One place we take the kids year-round is the Cincinnati Nature Center. One hike ends at a big pond where the kids love to skip rocks, and in the winter we skip them across the ice and listen to the cracking echoes. Another park called Withrow Nature Preserve has a hike to a lookout with a huge tree that we call the “Winnie the Pooh tree.” We also use our hikes as an opportunity to learn something new. For example, there are often signs around the trails that provide information on the animals, which birds you might see, and information about different plants. We learn what foods the animals like to eat and if the plants are native to the area or invasive. The kids love to bird-watch, and they have tons of fun facts about birds because of our hikes. One of our team members recommended an app called AllTrails, and my family and I love it! This app shows you maps of trails, gives information about difficulty or specific challenges of the trail, average time to complete it, other trails you may be interested in. It also tracks how far you’ve hiked — the kids’ favorite part. They love knowing the distance we traveled, and they ask at the end of every hike how many miles we’ve walked. Jessica is sometimes surprised when I tell her that we sometimes hiked for 5 miles! I also believe hiking provides an important life lesson for my kids — that we can do hard things! There will be things in life we have to face that we’re not excited about, but the destination and things learned along the way will be worth it. We just try our best and be proud of our journey and what we accomplish along the way. “When we go hiking, we like to find routes that have scenic destinations. It helps our kids stay motivated during our journey.”
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Yes, Oral pH Matters
You use your toothbrush to clean your teeth and your tongue, but while your mouth is cleaner, your toothbrush carries germs and residue from your mouth. Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria, so it’s best to clean your toothbrush every week. Here are four ways to keep any kind of toothbrush germ-free! USE HOT WATER. Before and after using your toothbrush, run hot water over the bristles. This gets rid of bacteria that your toothbrush has collected from brushing your teeth and the hours between brushes. You can also boil water and soak the bristles for 30 seconds. However, be sure not to leave your toothbrush in there for too long because the plastic around the bristles and handle could potentially melt. SOAK THE BRISTLES IN ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH. For extra protection, fill a small cup with an antibacterial mouthwash or 3% hydrogen peroxide and place your toothbrush in it for two minutes after every use. Keep in mind that doing this may wear out your toothbrush faster, since mouthwash contains ingredients that can break down bristles. STORE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AWAY FROM THE TOILET. When you flush your toilet, the swirling water that removes waste from the bowl mixes with particles in the air. This is known as “toilet plume” and can get on bathroom surfaces — including your toothbrush! Be sure to store your toothbrush in a medicine cabinet or cover it with a holder. WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE AND AFTER BRUSHING. Your hands carry a lot of germs, so wash your hands before you pick up your toothbrush. This will help kill bacteria that could be transported onto your toothbrush and mouth. Because you're cleaning the germs away in your mouth, be sure to wash your hands after brushing your teeth. These tips can help you keep your bristles clean with every use. It’s also essential to replace your toothbrush every three months or if you get sick. It’s important to keep your oral health in tip-top shape, but let’s not forget about cleaning the tool that helps keep your smile clean and bright! 4 TIPS TO HELP KILL BACTERIA GERMS CAN LIVE ON YOUR TOOTHBRUSH!
Plan the Ultimate Water Balloon Fight (And Score Parent Brownie Points) Summer is here, which means your kids are probably about to disappear for endless play dates, outdoor adventures, or even summer jobs. Fortunately, there’s one way to keep them home and make your house the “cool” spot for their friends to hang out: Plan an epic water balloon fight. Water balloons are the essence of summer, and everyone can get in on the action. If you have a big family, you can plan the ultimate family battle, or your children can invite their friends over for a showdown. (Teenagers will love this as much as elementary schoolers!) Whichever option you choose, use these tips to level up the fun:
1. PROVIDE PLENTY OF AMMUNITION. Fill at least 100 water balloons, or 25–50 balloons per player, to extend the window of your battle.
2. UP THE STAKES WITH WATER GUNS. Water balloons are great, but water balloons and water guns are even better! Spy magazine recommends hiding the guns around your yard or piling them in the center of the war zone where players will have a hard time grabbing them without getting wet. 3. EXTEND THE BATTLE WITH REFILL/DUMP BUCKETS. If you have water guns in the fight, make sure to strategically place buckets of water around the war zone. Big buckets are great for refilling guns, and small ones can fuel splash battles when your balloons run out. 4. CREATE AN EPIC KICKOFF. Increase the drama of your game by having the players stand in a big circle with the ammunition in the center (like “The Hunger Games”) or splitting into groups and having each team start on opposite sides of no man’s land. Don’t forget the countdown! 5. SHAKE UP THE FORMAT. Come up with rules for your fight instead of making it an all-out brawl. Do you want to do a tag-style game, where someone is “it” until they balloon someone else? Or would you rather imitate dodgeball and tag each other “out” with balloons? Poll your players to see which idea is a hit.
Pro Tip: Consider swapping water balloons for sponges to save water. You can simply re-soak them to continue the battle!
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3 DREAMY TRAILS IN THE NORTHEAST Get Your Hiking Boots On!
ALTHOUGH OSTRICHES are one of the largest and heaviest birds, they do not fly. To make up for this, they are built for running. With their powerful legs, ostriches can sprint up to 43 miles per hour and maintain a steady speed of 31 miles per hour. WHO CAME UP WITH MANGA? Osamu Tezuka is a Japanese cartoonist who is known for the creation of manga and anime. His manga series, “Astro Boy,” was the first Japanese TV series to embody the aesthetic known as anime. He invented the style of creating characters with large eyes, seen in manga and anime. HOW ARE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND TEDDY ROOSEVELT RELATED? Some people assume that Franklin Roosevelt was the son of Theodore Roosevelt, but the two former presidents are fifth cousins. Their closest tie was Franklin Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor, who was the niece of Theodore Roosevelt. WHO WAS BIG BEN NAMED AFTER? The origin of the name Big Ben has two popular theories. First, the bell was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the Great Bell. Second, Big Ben's nickname is named after English heavyweight champion Benjamin Caunt. Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. NO. 1: WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST, NEW HAMPSHIRE If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national park has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes. NO. 2: STEPSTONE FALLS (BEN UTTER TRAIL), RHODE ISLAND If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss this perfect trail. Follow this walk along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its
narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages.
NO. 3: CAMEL'S HUMP TRAIL, VERMONT As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!
If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try! YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW MINI NO-BAKE KEY LIME PIES
INGREDIENTS
1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine lime juice, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 sticks of butter. Cook until the butter melts. 2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a mixer and stir into lime juice mixture until combined. 3. Bring to a simmer. Stir constantly for 5–7 minutes until thick and creamy. Pour through a mesh strainer. 4. Chill lime curd for 2 hours in the refrigerator. 5. In a food processor, add graham crackers, 1/3 cup melted butter, and 1/3 cup sugar. Pulse to combine crumb mixture. 6. In a bowl, whip the cream with powdered sugar until stiff for topping. 7. In 12 small dishes or ramekins, add the crumb mixture, followed by the lime curd. Add whipped topping and garnish with lime zest. DIRECTIONS
• 1 cup lime juice • 2 1/3 cups sugar, divided • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened • 14 eggs • 12 whole graham crackers • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted • 1 1/2 cups whipping cream • 1/2 cup powdered sugar • Lime zest, for garnish
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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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
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 2 3 3 3 4
We Make Hikes Enjoyable for the Entire Family
Make Your Place the ‘Cool House’ This Summer
Are You Cleaning Your Toothbrush?
3 Dreamy Northeastern Hiking Trails
Your Monthly Need-To-Know
Mini No-Bake Key Lime Pies
Local Events — Park Edition!
WHAT’S GOING ON, CINCINNATI? 3 PARKS TO VISIT THIS MONTH
Now that the kids are out of school and the weather is sunny and warm, it’s the perfect time to visit some parks. Your family will have the opportunity to go outside, exercise, and bond with one another. Here are some of our favorite parks that you can go to this month!
they announce these special events. These activities include the Red, White, and Blue Ash, free fitness events, movies, an ice rink, and even farmers' markets. The best part of it all is that the park has wheelchair-accessible areas and is sensory-friendly. FREDERICK H. ALMS MEMORIAL PARK 710 Tusculum Ave. Cincinnati-Oh.gov/cincyparks/ Also known as Alms Park, it offers many play areas for children, trails for hiking, and picnic areas you can reserve for your family. The park also gives an amazing view of the Ohio River and other scenery, such as the surrounding buildings,
the hills of Kentucky, and the Little Miami River. Alms Park is near the Lunken Airport, and if you’re lucky, you may be able to see a plane fly over you while they're taking off or landing. WOODLAND MOUND 8250 Old Kellogg Rd GreatParks.org/parks/woodland-mound Besides the fantastic hiking trails with beautiful outdoor scenery, this park has other great things to offer. The visitor center features wildlife exhibits, children’s playgrounds, a splash
SUMMIT PARK 4335 Glendale Milford Rd. SummitParkBlueAsh.com
This park is fun for the entire family. The park’s mission was to create an area of opportunity for young people and older adults, and they did just that! There are many things you can attend at this park, and they have a calendar where
park during the summer, and even a gift shop. If you want to try your hand at disc golf, they also have an 18-hole disc golf course you can play.
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