In a large pot, bring the apple juice to a near boil. Add all the other ingredients and turn off the heat. Read Melody Moonlight’s story at Tinyurl.com/LovePotionStory to infuse it all with magic and meaning. Courtesy of Andy Bottagaro, potion maker at Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, in Boulder, CO. Editor's note: For more Healthy Holiday Toppers, read the online version of this article at NAeastMichigan.com.
DO YOU KNOW WHY YOUR ORAL HEALTHCARE CAN’T WAIT?
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nyone who reads this publication is keenly aware that the past few years have been financially challenging. From Wall Street to Main Street, layoffs, cutbacks and financial hardship have been hitting close to home.
mouth. If more people considered their mouth to be the gateway to the rest of the body and its overall health, then choosing between undergoing periodontal (gum) disease treatment and buying a new cell phone would become a no-brainer.
Do you know anyone who isn’t trying to save money by postponing purchases that they may have taken for granted just a few months ago? Although being frugal in an uncertain economy is not a bad thing, there are some things that should always remain on the “must have” list unless the financial situation is critical.
Our office is primarily focused on prevention and achieving total wellness with every patient. However, many people wait until emergency conditions, such as pain, prevail. By this time, the course of treatment is more invasive and costly. Oral healthcare is a perfect example of an “ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.”
One such example is oral healthcare. For many Americans, maintaining proper oral health via regular dental visits and compliance with a dentistrecommended treatment plan are given a very low priority.
A Revitalizing Ritual for the New Year Start the new year with a tabula rasa (clean slate) by hosting a New Year’s Eve Good Riddance Tea Party. Gather family and friends over warm ginger tea, spiced apple cider, hot chocolate and festive finger foods. Guests write down on slips of paper any mistakes, disappointments, regrets, hurts or failings they wish to be forgiven or forgotten. One by one, put them into a crackling fireplace or bonfire to symbolize surrendering of the past. “This ties the heart strings in a comforting bow,” comments author Sarah Ban Breathnach. Then, inscribe fresh intentions for the year to come and tuck them away in a special place. “This is the most mystical part, because so many prayers get answered,” Ban Breathnach says. Lastly, toast the new year with optimism and joy.
Many people still believe that the only time they really need to see a dentist is when they feel pain or something is cracked or broken. Nothing can be further from the truth! In fact, the latest medical research indicates that maintaining optimum oral health is vital for one’s overall health and well-being. For example, recent studies have linked undiagnosed and untreated periodontal (gum) disease with increased risks and complications for patients with heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other systemic health conditions. We also know from studies that 3 out of 4 Americans experience some form of gum disease in their lifetime. If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then your mouth is the window to your body and your overall health and wellness. Many people do not realize that more than 90% of all systemic diseases have signs and symptoms that we can see in the
At HPS Advanced Dental Care, we believe in Changing Lives! Our goal is to positively impact the lives of every person that we are lucky enough to cross paths with. We take, very seriously, the trust that is given to us by the patients that we have the privilege to serve. We believe that, given the opportunity, we will affect your life for the better. The care we provide will always be the best for your individual needs with the focus on what is most important to you and on achieving total health and wellness to create a smile that is uniquely yours while keeping you as healthy as possible. Every member of our practice, from our doctors to our dental team to our patients, is our family. We will always create an unmatched dental experience that you will not find anywhere else while having a lot of fun in the process! For more information about HPS Advanced Dental Care and Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton or to reserve your time with her practice, call 248-652-0024 or visit her website at MercuryFreeDentalWellness.com. They are located at 4741 24 Mile Road, Suite C, Shelby Township.
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