Happy New Year!
As 2008 ends and the new year, 2009, begins, my thoughts often turn to how my life has changed in the past year and what changes will occur in the New Year. That's the one thing that has surprised me the most as my life has gone by...how much everything in life continues to change!
I'd like to think I have a little control over the changes that will occur in my life the next year. There will be opportunities that lie ahead to make resolutions, turn over a new leaf, gain a fresh start, etc. We each decide the path we will walk in this coming year. Each of us must decide what our priorities will be and what direction we will take.
It's easy in uncertain economic times to allow your attitude and thought process to be affected every day. I read a book recently that made me think about my limitations and what was affecting my attitude. Here's a great quote that embodies this thought of mine:
"I found every single successful person I've ever spoken to had a turning point. The turning point was when they made a clear, specific unequivocal decision that they were not going to live like this anymore; they were going to achieve success. Some people make that decision at 15 and some people make it at 50, and most people never make it all."
-- Brian Tracy
So, my thought for you as we head into a New Year is very simple. Is there something you've always wanted to do? No, REALLY wanted to do! Only you can answer this for yourself.
Whether it is spending more quality time with family, losing weight, going back to school, whatever it is...Improving yourself in some manner. To start the new year off in a positive way --- set goals, analyze your efforts, and evaluate your true commitment. If there's something you REALLY want to do with your life, there's always going to be a great excuse, something standing in the way. I call those obstacles "Brick Walls".
If you really want to be on the other side of that brick wall, you can climb over it. You can do an "end-around" and run around it. You can tunnel underneath it. Often times when I interact with someone who's not very excited about doing something, they'll have 15 reasons why they can't accomplish the task. People that know me well, know what I mean when I say, "That's a brick wall!" In other words, they just don't want it bad enough. The task or job is just too scary, too daunting or too much effort.
Do you have "Brick Walls" in your life keeping you from being where you want to be?
Now's the time to decide if you are serious about doing something about the things in your life that you don't like. Only you can decide.
Here's to you and your family having a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2009?
Sincerely, Dr, Ron Receveur
Wednesday
Tuesday
My "ALL-TIME" Favorite X-mas Appetizer
I've had so many patients ask me about this recipe because I talk about fixing it at Christmas for my family (every year for the last 12 years). This is my favorite appetizer of all time...seriously. I can't take credit for it. It came from Emeril's cooking show on TV. Here it is: (Yes, I'm fixing it again this year. My kids would kill me if I didn't)
Sauteed Rock Shrimp in Creole Cream Sauce in a Puff Pastry Vol-au-Vent
Ingredients
* 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 pound frozen rock shrimp (70 to 90 count)
* 1 tablespoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning, recipe follows
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 2/3 cup chopped green onions
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon Crystal Hot Sauce (to your liking)
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* Salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Thaw the pastry at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before gently unfolding. With a sharp knife, divide the pastry in half. Cut each pastry half into 4 equal triangles. With the tip of a sharp knife, make a 1/4-inch score on all edges of the triangles, being careful not to cut all the way through. Put them on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool while preparing the shrimp. Season rock shrimp with Creole seasoning. In a large skillet over high heat, saute rock shrimp in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the liquid released by the shrimp has evaporated. Add green onions, Worcestershire and hot pepper sauce and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half and sauce covers the back of a spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add butter and whisk thoroughly to combine, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
With the tip of a knife, carefully remove the top of each pastry. Divide shrimp and sauce between pastries, cover with reserved tops and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (I make this myself, but I've seen it for sale at Kroger's...already pre-made):
* 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Emeril's site says this serves 8, but at our house, 4 of us devour all of this.
Actually, I make a double batch every year and listen to my wife complain that we don't want to eat her dinner. ;-)
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do...
Dr. Ron
Sauteed Rock Shrimp in Creole Cream Sauce in a Puff Pastry Vol-au-Vent
Ingredients
* 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 pound frozen rock shrimp (70 to 90 count)
* 1 tablespoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning, recipe follows
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 2/3 cup chopped green onions
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon Crystal Hot Sauce (to your liking)
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* Salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Thaw the pastry at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before gently unfolding. With a sharp knife, divide the pastry in half. Cut each pastry half into 4 equal triangles. With the tip of a sharp knife, make a 1/4-inch score on all edges of the triangles, being careful not to cut all the way through. Put them on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool while preparing the shrimp. Season rock shrimp with Creole seasoning. In a large skillet over high heat, saute rock shrimp in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the liquid released by the shrimp has evaporated. Add green onions, Worcestershire and hot pepper sauce and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half and sauce covers the back of a spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add butter and whisk thoroughly to combine, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
With the tip of a knife, carefully remove the top of each pastry. Divide shrimp and sauce between pastries, cover with reserved tops and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (I make this myself, but I've seen it for sale at Kroger's...already pre-made):
* 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Emeril's site says this serves 8, but at our house, 4 of us devour all of this.
Actually, I make a double batch every year and listen to my wife complain that we don't want to eat her dinner. ;-)
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do...
Dr. Ron
Saturday
Dance your dance!
Just one of my favorite videos. This frivolous little video reminds me of my father this time of year. He used to tell me "Just play the cards you are dealt". Watching the cute Peanuts characters dance around all happy reminds me of my dad teaching me the lesson of being happy no matter where your life is at the moment. Enjoy your holidays...Dr. Ron
Wednesday
Exercise Can Reverse Mental Decline
Interesting studies going on these days with physical exercise and it's relationship with keeping our brains "sharp" in our later years!
One study says aerobic workouts may prevent cognitive decline.
Another study shows older adults who exercise regularly have increased blood flow and more small blood vessels in the brain.
A mouse study from Taiwan researchers indicates that daily exercise keeps the brain young. This study was conducted by Yu-Min Kuo, PhD at the Taiwan National Cheng Kung University Medical College.
Dr. Kuo's team found that younger brains create new brain cells and integrate them into existing brain networks. As mice get older, this process really slows. This slowing of brain cell creation is connected to impaired memory and learning.
Dr. Kuo wanted to try and find out if this age-related mental decline could be reversed with exercise? So he trained mice to run on exercise wheels, at 70% of their aerobic capacity, every day for five weeks. Another group of "control" mice were not trained to exercise, although they did have exercise wheels.
What the study found out was that the mice that worked out every day grew 2.5 times more new brain cells than the mice that didn't. With the exercising mice, many more of these new brain cells survived, grew, and integrated into existing brain networks.
Dr. Kuo and his colleagues reported that "Chronic treadmill running alters the chemistries of middle-aged brains toward an environment resembling younger brains."
Another study by Drs. Arthur F. Kramer and Kirk I. Erickson says that regular aerobic exercise can not only stave off the decline in brain function that often comes with age, it can also help turn back the clock on brain aging.
These doctors found that in people with or without signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, regular moderate physical activity (enough to make you breathless), has shown increases in the speed and sharpness of thought...and also the actual volume of brain tissue.
In a 6-month study Dr. Kramer performed, adults ages 60-75 who walked for 45 minutes a day three days a week improved their mental fitness, when compared with those who did only non-aerobic type exercises.
These results suggest that regular aerobic exercise can "reverse age-related cognitive decline," Kramer and Erickson write, and that the aging brain retains its capacity to grow and develop.
Guess I'd better go for that brisk walk today...or maybe I'll do 40 minutes on my treadmill while watching my ballgame! Keep Learning and Growing...Dr. Ron Receveur
One study says aerobic workouts may prevent cognitive decline.
Another study shows older adults who exercise regularly have increased blood flow and more small blood vessels in the brain.
A mouse study from Taiwan researchers indicates that daily exercise keeps the brain young. This study was conducted by Yu-Min Kuo, PhD at the Taiwan National Cheng Kung University Medical College.
Dr. Kuo's team found that younger brains create new brain cells and integrate them into existing brain networks. As mice get older, this process really slows. This slowing of brain cell creation is connected to impaired memory and learning.
Dr. Kuo wanted to try and find out if this age-related mental decline could be reversed with exercise? So he trained mice to run on exercise wheels, at 70% of their aerobic capacity, every day for five weeks. Another group of "control" mice were not trained to exercise, although they did have exercise wheels.
What the study found out was that the mice that worked out every day grew 2.5 times more new brain cells than the mice that didn't. With the exercising mice, many more of these new brain cells survived, grew, and integrated into existing brain networks.
Dr. Kuo and his colleagues reported that "Chronic treadmill running alters the chemistries of middle-aged brains toward an environment resembling younger brains."
Another study by Drs. Arthur F. Kramer and Kirk I. Erickson says that regular aerobic exercise can not only stave off the decline in brain function that often comes with age, it can also help turn back the clock on brain aging.
These doctors found that in people with or without signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, regular moderate physical activity (enough to make you breathless), has shown increases in the speed and sharpness of thought...and also the actual volume of brain tissue.
In a 6-month study Dr. Kramer performed, adults ages 60-75 who walked for 45 minutes a day three days a week improved their mental fitness, when compared with those who did only non-aerobic type exercises.
These results suggest that regular aerobic exercise can "reverse age-related cognitive decline," Kramer and Erickson write, and that the aging brain retains its capacity to grow and develop.
Guess I'd better go for that brisk walk today...or maybe I'll do 40 minutes on my treadmill while watching my ballgame! Keep Learning and Growing...Dr. Ron Receveur
Sunday
Sick of Not Being Able to Enjoy Almond Brittle at X-mas?
Hello Again! Only Two and a half weeks til X-mas...Wow!
I was in Columbus Ohio listening to Dr. Duke Heller speak this weekend about patients who couldn't chew their food because of poorly fitting dentures. He mentioned where a group of patients who had ulcers were studied and found that 83% of the patients who had ulcers in their stomach were denture wearers.
I had read and understood that the digestive process of breaking down your food so your body can absorb the nutrients begins in your mouth. The saliva and salivary amylase (enzyme) starts the process of digesting the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in your mouth. When your food is not properly chewed and the enzymes and acids in your mouth don't get the opportunity to begin breaking down the food, then the stomach has to work overtime.
Because the food didn't get properly chewed and broken down in your mouth, the stomach must produce a higher level of acid to break down the food in your stomach. That additional acid can cause heartburn, ulcers, an irritable colon or diarrhea.
The loss of chewing power among those patients with dentures is also significant. People with all of their natural teeth can chew their food with 540 pounds per square inch (PSI). People with full dentures can only "chomp down" with 50 PSI!
This loss of chewing efficiency prevents people from eating sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables and proteins, such as meats and nuts.
The harmful effects on the stomach lining affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the stomach and intestines.
Chronic nutritional deficiencies increase health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A 2001 Japanese study found that people who still had their natural teeth lived an average of 6 years longer than those who were denture wearers.
OK, OK...so we understand what people lose when they lose their teeth. The neatest part of the weekend was when Dr. Rob Heller showed some very interesting ways he stabilized partial dentures and full dentures for his patients. He showed one of his patients who only had four of their small incisors in the front remaining on their lower jaw. This patient couldn't tolerate her removable partial because it moved around so much and made her mouth sore. Rob placed two small implants just behind these four teeth, put ball attachments on them and made her partial snap onto these two little balls.
You should have heard what the patient had to say about this new arrangement! She could chew again. She was able to use her old partial...in other words, she didn't have to pay for a new one! If you have trouble chewing your food because of missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, you should know that there are options today that were just not available prior to now.
One of my favorite patients has this Almond brittle recipe that is "to die for". She always brings me some at Christmas. Don't miss out on those little things in life... now that things can be so easily fixed!
I was in Columbus Ohio listening to Dr. Duke Heller speak this weekend about patients who couldn't chew their food because of poorly fitting dentures. He mentioned where a group of patients who had ulcers were studied and found that 83% of the patients who had ulcers in their stomach were denture wearers.
I had read and understood that the digestive process of breaking down your food so your body can absorb the nutrients begins in your mouth. The saliva and salivary amylase (enzyme) starts the process of digesting the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in your mouth. When your food is not properly chewed and the enzymes and acids in your mouth don't get the opportunity to begin breaking down the food, then the stomach has to work overtime.
Because the food didn't get properly chewed and broken down in your mouth, the stomach must produce a higher level of acid to break down the food in your stomach. That additional acid can cause heartburn, ulcers, an irritable colon or diarrhea.
The loss of chewing power among those patients with dentures is also significant. People with all of their natural teeth can chew their food with 540 pounds per square inch (PSI). People with full dentures can only "chomp down" with 50 PSI!
This loss of chewing efficiency prevents people from eating sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables and proteins, such as meats and nuts.
The harmful effects on the stomach lining affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the stomach and intestines.
Chronic nutritional deficiencies increase health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A 2001 Japanese study found that people who still had their natural teeth lived an average of 6 years longer than those who were denture wearers.
OK, OK...so we understand what people lose when they lose their teeth. The neatest part of the weekend was when Dr. Rob Heller showed some very interesting ways he stabilized partial dentures and full dentures for his patients. He showed one of his patients who only had four of their small incisors in the front remaining on their lower jaw. This patient couldn't tolerate her removable partial because it moved around so much and made her mouth sore. Rob placed two small implants just behind these four teeth, put ball attachments on them and made her partial snap onto these two little balls.
You should have heard what the patient had to say about this new arrangement! She could chew again. She was able to use her old partial...in other words, she didn't have to pay for a new one! If you have trouble chewing your food because of missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, you should know that there are options today that were just not available prior to now.
One of my favorite patients has this Almond brittle recipe that is "to die for". She always brings me some at Christmas. Don't miss out on those little things in life... now that things can be so easily fixed!
Tuesday
No-Lecture Dentistry
Hello Again!
I guess you're never too old to learn new tricks, lol.
I've been in practice 27 years and have worked very hard to help people get over their fear of dentistry. I thought I was pretty good at finding ways to make our patients comfortable with having their dentistry done.
A while back I was doing what a nerdy dentist would do I guess...reading about fearful dental patients and what stood in the way of them getting the dentistry that they wanted and needed. This so-called management expert said there was a new #1 reason why people avoided the dentist. After I thought about what he said, it all made sense.
Want to guess what it is? You'll never get it...until I tell you. Then, if you're like me, you'll say "Oh yeah, that makes sense!".
It's not fear of pain, shots or the drill...for the top reasons for dental chair avoidance; the number one fear that intelligent, conscientious people put off taking care of their teeth. Here it is...
I guess we've just never "talked down" to people or scolded them. No sermons, lectures or guilt trips in any way to our patients, whether adult or child.
We understand there are many valid reasons for not making it to the dentist in the timeliest manner...
Maybe a child is sick, or playing in a tournament. Perhaps your work schedule has been crazy. Financial issues are another reason for needing to put off an appointment (ask about our payment plans if you are strapped for cash and without insurance). And of course there's dental phobia.
But above all reasons, the most reported in studies is the guilt and fear of being lectured.
We treat patients with the same respect we'd like to be treated with...
Consider our office a "NO GUILT, LECTURE-FREE" zone.
Whatever the reason for not coming in sooner, we will be happy to see you.
If anxiety, fear or a low threshold for pain have kept you away, we can talk about some remedies for these issues as well.
To speak with one of my caring and competent staff about your needs or to see if conscious sedation is for you, call:
812-945-SMILE (7645)
Committed to compassionate and comfortable dental care,
Ron Receveur, DDS
P.S. We truly welcome those afraid of dental work and use a variety of methods including sedation dentistry. See what many satisfied patients have to say about their experiences in our office. Go to http://www.indianasmiles.com/
I guess you're never too old to learn new tricks, lol.
I've been in practice 27 years and have worked very hard to help people get over their fear of dentistry. I thought I was pretty good at finding ways to make our patients comfortable with having their dentistry done.
A while back I was doing what a nerdy dentist would do I guess...reading about fearful dental patients and what stood in the way of them getting the dentistry that they wanted and needed. This so-called management expert said there was a new #1 reason why people avoided the dentist. After I thought about what he said, it all made sense.
Want to guess what it is? You'll never get it...until I tell you. Then, if you're like me, you'll say "Oh yeah, that makes sense!".
It's not fear of pain, shots or the drill...for the top reasons for dental chair avoidance; the number one fear that intelligent, conscientious people put off taking care of their teeth. Here it is...
#1 Reason for Avoiding the Dentist is the fear of getting a lecture.
I guess we've just never "talked down" to people or scolded them. No sermons, lectures or guilt trips in any way to our patients, whether adult or child.
We understand there are many valid reasons for not making it to the dentist in the timeliest manner...
Maybe a child is sick, or playing in a tournament. Perhaps your work schedule has been crazy. Financial issues are another reason for needing to put off an appointment (ask about our payment plans if you are strapped for cash and without insurance). And of course there's dental phobia.
But above all reasons, the most reported in studies is the guilt and fear of being lectured.
We treat patients with the same respect we'd like to be treated with...
Consider our office a "NO GUILT, LECTURE-FREE" zone.
Whatever the reason for not coming in sooner, we will be happy to see you.
If anxiety, fear or a low threshold for pain have kept you away, we can talk about some remedies for these issues as well.
To speak with one of my caring and competent staff about your needs or to see if conscious sedation is for you, call:
812-945-SMILE (7645)
Committed to compassionate and comfortable dental care,
Ron Receveur, DDS
P.S. We truly welcome those afraid of dental work and use a variety of methods including sedation dentistry. See what many satisfied patients have to say about their experiences in our office. Go to http://www.indianasmiles.com/
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