Take a look at our newsletter this month!
BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD, STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | MARCH 2019
OUR TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK WHAT A GUY IN A SPEEDO TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE
Yellowstone National Park celebrates its 147th anniversary this year on March 1. This is a particularly noteworthy celebration for me, as Yellowstone Park was the location for one of my first dates with my wife. While we shared a great experience together, we left the park with many interesting (and quite puzzling) memories and life lessons. The first lesson we learned was to always live life to the fullest. But this reminder came through rather comical means. We were driving through the park when we reached this huge hill with a scenic overlook at the top. We pulled over to check out the amazing view, and as we stared out at miles and miles of wooded landscape providing a safe home to millions of animals, we were overcome by the beauty before us. Then a van pulled up, interrupting our moment of tranquility. Out stepped an elderly gentleman — he had to be about 80 years old — wearing a tee shirt, sandals and a Speedo! My wife and I watched as he wandered around the scenic overlook taking in the scenery before him. While others might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed touring a national park dressed the way he was, this guy didn’t even seem to notice us. He was too busy enjoying nature and his own sense of adventure. While my wife and I wouldn’t follow in this guy’s footsteps exactly, we always think back on him and remind ourselves to approach life as he did: with uninhibited joy.
The second lesson we learned while on this trip was to take advantage of the plethora of breathtaking places to see right here in the U.S. It’s tempting to make travel plans for popular foreign locations like Paris, the Maldives, or Bali. While it’s important to experience new cultures, it’s equally necessary to explore the national parks we have in our own backyard.
road. There were a lot of visitors petting the younger bison, and some even had their arms around the animals’ necks, attempting to hug them. Besides our experience with the scantily clad gentleman at the scenic overlook, this scene was one of the most interesting parts of the trip. We knew it was a terrible idea for the visitors to be that close to the animals, and we worried someone might get hurt, but it was certainly picturesque. We only took a day-trip to the park, but as we left it that day, I knew it was a trip I’d always remember. Not only did I get to create great memories with the woman who would soon become my wife, but we were reminded of two important life lessons as well. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Yellowstone, I encourage you to go. You might not see an 80-year-old guy rocking a Speedo, but I’m sure you’ll still have a great time!
During our trip to Yellowstone, my wife and I constantly found ourselves overwhelmed by the park’s awe-inspiring features. A huge network of trails with a variety of difficulty levels surround geysers like Old Faithful, so there’s no shortage of places to explore. There are also hundreds of different animal species residing there that you might not get to see anywhere else in the world! In fact, I remember coming across a herd of wild bison standing along the side of the “While my wife and I wouldn’t follow in this guy’s footsteps exactly, we always think back on him and remind ourselves to approach life as he did: with uninhibited joy.”
– Dr. Brooks
513-438-8152 • 1
CHECK OUT ONE OF OHIO’S GREAT NATIONAL PARKS OR MONUMENTS! NEED A SPRING BREAK VACATION IDEA?
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day- themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination. EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors.
Spring break is the perfect time to take a trip with your family. If you are looking to stay a little closer to home this month, you still have abundant options for a great nature-filled vacation. While Ohio doesn’t boast the Grand Canyon or Mt. Rushmore, the Buckeye State still has plenty of national parks that are definitely worthy of a visit. HOPEWELL CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK From about 200 B.C. to 500 A.D., the Ohio River Valley was a focal point of the prehistoric Hopewell culture. The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park contains nationally significant archeological resources, including large earthwork and mound complexes that provide insight into the social, ceremonial, political, and economic lives of the Hopewell people. CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK This picturesque park is totally worth the drive. The winding Cuyahoga — or “crooked river” — gives way to 33,000 acres of deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. The park is a refuge for flora and fauna and provides recreation, beauty, and solitude for its visitors. PERRY’S VICTORY AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE MEMORIAL Need an excuse to visit Put-in-Bay? How about Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial? The memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the war of 1812, but it also celebrates the long- lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the U.S. DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Dayton’s contribution to aviation history is well known. This park celebrates three exceptional Dayton inventors: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. The park also commemorates their work in the Miami Valley.
This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
4 RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES ENJOY YOURSELF!
As the weather warms up, the urge to get out of the house becomes stronger. However, any plans you might have can be abruptly canceled due to rain. If you find yourself stuck inside for the day, here are a few activities to keep you occupied. GET BAKIN’ A wet and chilly day is an excellent opportunity to warm yourself up with some baked goods. Bake your favorite snickerdoodle cookies or fudge brownies, and pour yourself a mug full of hot chocolate or cider to get through the stormy day. READ A BOOK If you have a bookshelf full of novels you’ve not cracked open, a rainy day is the perfect time to jump in. Settle down on the sofa with a cuddly blanket and enjoy some
uninterrupted reading. The rain smattering against your windows creates the perfect background noise to delve into the pages of a new adventure. CREATE YOUR OWN FILM FESTIVAL Having a movie or TV series marathon is another great way to pass the time. You can watch some of the classics, like “Forrest Gump” or “Singing in the Rain,” fill the day with “The Lord of the Rings” series, or start a new Netflix show. If you want to involve your kids in the binge-watching, you can let them pick out one of their favorite movies too. PIECE TOGETHER A PUZZLE A rainy day is a great opportunity to pull out a puzzle. You can also grab your friends or family members and make the puzzle a team activity. With the whole day ahead of you, you’ll have several hours to devote to one of your favorite hobbies.
Don’t let the rain keep you down! Instead, take advantage of the weather and enjoy a cozy day at home.
SOBA NOODLES WITH GARLIC AND ZUCCHINI
HOW BIG IS YOUR BRAIN?: Don’t forget to participate in our practice’s weekly trivia contest for a chance to win prizes! To play Tuesday Trivia, start by liking Anderson Dental Care on Facebook. Here’s how it works: 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. DID YOU REMEMBER TO FLOSS?: Don’t miss a chance to celebrate World Oral Health Day (WOHD) on March 20! Here at Anderson Dental Care, we believe that a healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand. That is why we support the WOHD campaign, which encourages people to make the connection between their oral health and their general health and well-being. Need more advice about how to maintain your dental hygiene? Call in to make an appointment today! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Inspired by NaturallyElla.com
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • •
4 ounces soba noodles 1 tablespoon olive oil 2–3 cloves garlic, grated
1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and grated
1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons water
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, julienned into noodle strands
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook until tender, about 4–5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.
water, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Add onions, simmering for 3
minutes. Stir in zucchini and cook for an additional 90 seconds.
2. In a large skillet or wok over
medium-low heat, warm olive oil until barely shimmering. Add grated garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute. Pour in soy sauce and
4. Add soba noodles and toss to fully coat. Serve immediately, or cool and serve as a cold dish.
513-438-8152 • 3
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
WHAT A GUY IN A SPEEDO TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 2 3 3 4
FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
NEED A SPRING BREAK VACATION IDEA?
DON’T LET THE RAIN DAMPEN YOUR SPIRITS
SOBA NOODLES WITH GARLIC AND ZUCCHINI
THE SIMPLE TOOTH: TIME FOR FUN FACTS!
THE SIMPLE TOOTH FUN FACTS ABOUT SPRING!
HERBIVORE HABITS Most wild herbivores (plant eaters) who live in four-season climates have babies in the early spring. This time of year offers their babies the best chance of growing large and strong and gives them time to put on some fat to store during the winter months. FLOWER POWER Many trees, flowers, plants, and bulbs begin to grow during the spring due to the ample availability of water, light, warmth, and soil (compost). The first spring flowers are typically dandelions, daffodils, lilacs, lilies, iris, and tulips, to name but a few. WHAT’S IN A NAME? Before spring was called “spring,” it was referred to as “Lent” in Old English. Starting in the 14th century, this time of year was called “springing time,” which was a reference to plants “springing” from the ground. In the 15th century, this term was shortened to “spring-time” and then further shortened in the 16th century to just “spring.”
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 clients love these weekly trivia questions, our team here at Anderson Dental Care decided to help you expand your knowledge with some fun spring-themed facts. GODDESS OF SPRING If you’re a mythology buff, you’ve likely heard of Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring. According to legend, Hades, the god of the
underworld, fell in love with Persephone when he saw her picking flowers in a meadow one day. He then carried her off in his chariot to live with him in the underworld. Her mother, Demeter, scoured the world trying to convince other gods to get Hades to release Persephone. Eventually, Hades compromised. His ill- gotten wife would spend winters with him as queen of the underworld but would return each spring to preside over rebirth and growth.
Be sure to check out our May edition for some more fun facts!
4 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog