It’s Bar-B-Que Time

With 4^th of July just a few days away, we know many of you have got to be planning for a huge get together. And nothing says 4^th of July like a back yard Barbeque. But you’re probably thinking…”Ugh! So much work. I have to slave away over the hot barbeque and miss out on all of the fun.” Not true, you just need to re-think how you do your barbeques. 

Photo Provided by blovelyevents.com

Think Stations. Create areas in your yard for different food and beverage stations. Incorporate “Build Your Own” style bars for hot dogs and hamburgers and let your guests help themselves. You can have all of the condiments and fixin’s pre-done, thus allowing you more time to enjoy your party and really celebrate what the 4^th of July is all about. 

Photo Provided by partycity.com

Photo Provided by partycity.com

Creating “Build Your Own” bars is fun and lets you get super creative. Plus “Build Your Own” bars take away the hassle of custom orders, you know…having to remember who is allergic to what, who is not eating gluten at the moment, etc. Just be sure to have everything at each station labeled so your guests know what’s what. And…there is no reason you can’t make all of the food “Build Your Own”. From Salad, to Drinks, to Dessert…if you take some time before the 4^th to prepare, you can create a station for all of the traditional 4^th of July goodies. 

Put the power of what your guests eat in their hands…and enjoy what a great time everyone is having (including you) this 4^th of July.

My Milkshake Brings All Y'all to the Yard

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Heads up people! Tomorrow is National Vanilla Milkshake Day! 

National Vanilla Milkshake Day is a celebration that falls on the same day every year…June 20^th! And with Summer officially beginning on June 21^st, what better way to kick off the season then with homemade Vanilla Milkshakes? 

A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream and flavorings such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce. Milkshakes are usually served in a tall glass with a straw and whipped cream as a topping. 

Now, we are giving you a 24 hour heads-up on this “unofficial” National Holiday so that you can perfect your milkshake making skills. Here are some tips for making the best milkshake ever: 

1. The Perfect Blend - You can always add more milk, but you can’t take it away. Add a little milk to your ice cream at a time until you are happy with the consistency. The more milk you add, the thinner the shake. So be careful, we’re not making cold soup here. 
2. Quality not Quantity – Milkshakes are meant to be rich and delicious. Milkshake time is not the time to use non-fat milk. When making milkshakes, be sure all of your ingredients are the best, from the premium ice cream to the 100% whole milk. 
3. The Fresh Factor – If you’re feeling like you might want to spice up your traditional vanilla shake, add fresh vanilla bean, fresh fruit or fresh spices. You can pretty much add anything to a vanilla shake…just make sure what you add is fresh. 

Paula Deen's Vanilla Milkshake

Photo Provided by foodnetwork.com

Need a tried and true Vanilla Milkshake recipe? Try this one from Paula Deen. Just reading the simple ingredients will make you mouth water.

Braces, Braces and More Braces

Orthodontic technology has brought us many options with regards to braces. These days, there are many types of braces, from metal braces to ceramic braces…even clear braces. But what braces are right for you? 

Metal Braces 

When it comes to braces, metal braces are the most commonly used. Metal braces involve brackets that are glued onto the front side of each individual tooth.  You may have heard the words “self-ligating" when people talk about metal braces. Self-ligating is an innovative technology that uses high-tech, light-force wires to achieve tooth movement with less pressure on your teeth for more comfortable treatment. 

Ceramic Braces

Like metal braces, ceramic braces are glued onto the front of each tooth but are crystal-clear and blend with the natural color of your teeth so they are not as visible as metal braces. They are made of a strong, polycrystaline alumina that is more comfortable on your lips and cheeks. 

Clear Aligners 

 

A series of alignment trays are created from molds and can be removed for brushing and flossing. Each aligner works to straighten your teeth in small incremental movements until the desired results are achieved. Clear Aligners are made of lightweight, clear plastic in the shape of your dental arches and are virtually invisible. 

Basically…when you get right down to it, there are 2 basic types of braces. Those that are attached to the teeth and those that are removable.  The type of braces you will need will be dependent on your specific orthodontic problem. Because each individual’s case is different, we cannot use the same treatment or braces on every person. However, if you are considering orthodontic treatment and have a specific type of bracket in mind, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion.  You never know what braces will be right for you until you ask.

Lock It Down

It’s time to celebrate! 

You’ve just gotten your taken braces off and your smile looks awesome! 

Now, if you want to keep that super straight, amazing smile you are going to need to make sure you wear your retainer. 

We know you know this…the braces come of, the retainer goes on. But we can’t stress it enough. If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth are going to move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places…just as if you never even had braces at all. 

Here’s something you may not know… your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces and/or other orthodontic appliances, it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth and smile don’t look like they are moving, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable, and that crooked smile you thought was a thing of the past is back again.  

 

So, if you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your nice straight teeth won’t be nice and straight for long. And we know you didn’t go through orthodontic treatment just for fun.