Feb 8, 2016
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
February is Oral Health month, a month set aside to spread awareness of chronic mouth pain, throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects of the lip and palate, gum disease, tooth decay and all other diseases relating to the oral cavity. Clearly, oral health includes a variety of ailments. In this article, I will focus on the things we all can do to improve our oral health, in an effort to stave off disease.
Cavities
Perhaps the most well-known and most prevalent oral ailment is a cavity. Cavity is a term for tooth decay, which results from bacteria. The mouth is commonly filled with bacteria that mix with saliva to form plaque on the teeth. Plaque is removed by brushing your teeth, but in the event that it is not removed, the acids in plaque damage the enamel protecting the teeth. This can create holes in the teeth, known as cavities, which lead to tooth decay.
Symptoms
Cavities are visible to the eye and range from yellow to black. Small cavities may not hurt, but large ones, especially those affecting nerves, are painful. Cavities are diagnosed by a dentist, which is why regular visits to a dental hygienist is important.
Prevention
Diet plays a role in oral health. Having a well-balanced diet helps prevent tooth decay. As importantly, decreasing your sugar intake will help avoid the formation of cavities. Likewise, sticky foods are more harmful as they remain on the teeth longer. However, dental cavities can be prevented by regularly brushing and flossing, and using toothpaste with fluoride.
Treatment
Treatment for cavities require a visit to the dentist and include fillings, crowns and/or root canals. Fillings, as the name implies, involves removing all decay from the tooth with a drill and filling the space, for example with gold, silver alloy or porcelain. Crowns, also known as caps, are used in more serious cases where the majority of the tooth is weak. Here, a fitted crown or cap, usually made of gold or porcelain, is placed over the teeth. For cavities that result in nerve injury or decay, a root canal is required. This involves removing the centre of the tooth, including the nerve and filling the root with a sealing material. Root canals often are accompanied by crowns. (more…)
Feb 1, 2016
Crunchy and healthy, this easy to make recipe for roasted chickpeas is ready for munching in just 30 minutes! Set out a bowl for your game day party and watch them disappear! Oh, and kids love them too so consider making a batch for nutritious after-school snacking!
Chickpeas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, and Copper, Folate, and Manganese.
INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425°F
2. Heat oil in an ovenproof skillet. Add chickpeas, cumin and smoked paprika, cook for 2 minutes; stirring to coat. Season with salt.
3. Place skillet in oven and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Cool and serve!
If you’re looking for something a little bit spicier try this version…
INGREDIENTS
2 (14 ounce) cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground paprika
1 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Drain and rinse the chickpeas in a strainer/colander. Layer chickpeas on paper towels and pat dry with more paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings.
4. In another bowl, add chickpeas and toss with the olive oil. Once coated with oil, sprinkle on 3 teaspoons of the seasoning mix, or to taste. You can save any remaining seasoning. Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool place.
5. Place the seasoned chickpeas in an even layer on a lined cookie sheet. Bake for 40-60 minutes; stirring once halfway through cooking time. NOTE: Monitor the chickpeas towards the end of cooking time as they can quickly burn. The chickpeas should be brown and crunchy. Let cool before serving.
Feb 1, 2016
Piled high with sweet and spicy pulled chicken, topped with slices of smoked chicken, cheese, pineapple and red onion, this sandwich is so good it may not make it to halftime.
Makes: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
3 Chicken Breasts, slow-cooked and pulled
3/4 cup sweet & spicy BBQ sauce
1 red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh pineapple, sliced (or use canned pineapple rings)
Smoked Chicken Breast deli meat slices
Swiss or Mozzarella cheese slices
Fresh Romaine Lettuce
Hawaiian sweet rolls (or use hamburger rolls)
DIRECTIONS
Place chicken breasts and BBQ sauce in a crock pot and cook on high 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours. Once cooked, and tender, use a fork to pull chicken apart until it is loosely shredded.
Grill pineapple slices. Lightly butter rolls and broil in oven until lightly browned. Assemble your chicken burger – layer in this order – pulled chicken, pineapple slice, smoked chicken deli slices, cheese slice, red onion slices, and finally, lettuce. Enjoy!
Feb 1, 2016
Bermudians are no strangers to cod fish cakes, and these crispy, golden-brown nuggets of yum are a spicy variation of the former – just the right size for serving as appetizers.
Dried, salted cod fillets.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 lbs boneless salted cod fish
3 potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Habanero pepper, minced
3 tablespoons bell pepper. minced
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
1 large egg
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/3-1/2 cup milk
Vegetable oil for frying (about 3 cups)
DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse fish under cold water to remove excess salt. Place fish in a large pot and cover with cold water. Refrigerate, covered, overnight, changing the water three or four times.
Drain fish; discard water. Add more water and cook on medium-high heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain off water and with a fork, flake cod.
2. Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and roughly mash.
3. Heat olive oil in large frying pan; cook onion and garlic, stirring, until onion softens. Add Habanero and red bell pepper. Cook for 1 minute longer.
4. Combine flaked cod, sauteed onion, garlic and pepper mixture, thyme, parsley and egg with potato mixture; mix well.
5. Roll teaspoons of fish mixture into football-shaped balls. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, make the batter. Whisk together dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder and sugar. Gradually add the milk, starting with 1/3 cup, whisking well; add more milk, if necessary, until desired batter consistency is reached.
7. Heat oil in a deep skillet or saucepan. Dip each cod ball into batter mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Fry fritters, in batches, until heated through, crisp and golden-brown. Drain on paper towels.
Jan 27, 2016
Healthee® Organic Tumeric Beverages are uniquely formulated to bring the most effective delivery of all the benefits that tumeric has to offer.
Tumeric (curcuma longa) is a perennial plant found in the ginger family. This yellow culinary root, still widely used in Southeast Asia, goes all the way back to ancient India.
The active components of turmeric responsible for its rich color and health benefits is known as curcumin. The active curcuminoids are high in anti-oxidants.
A field of curcuma longa.
Turmeric supports health with:
• High Antioxidants
• Healthy Inflammation Response
• Promoting Healthy Cholesterol Levels
• Protecting Cells From Free Radical Damage
• Natural Detoxifying Characteristics
• Increasing The production Of Vital Enzymes in the liver.
Healthee® blends Organic Black Pepper Extract and Organic Olive Extract in their tumeric beverages to help to increase the absorption of nutrients along the digestive tract. All of the ingredients are Certified Organic and the final process is in an Organic-Certified facility in California.
Healthee® Organic Tumeric Drinks are available in 6 fl oz bottle in three varieties:
Original – A tasty drink loaded with beneficial properties for your well-being. The main ingredient of organic turmeric has healthy inflammation responses and anti-oxidant properties. Turmeric can help increase the production of vital enzymes in the liver which eliminate toxins found in the body.
Sugar-Free – A great alternative for anyone who closely monitors their blood sugar levels, or who simply wishes to stay away from sugar! Stevia is a naturally occurring, zero-calorie sweetener that has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It’s scientifically proven that stevia has an array of health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
With Cinnamon – The addition of cinnamon adds an enchanting aroma and savory flavor boost to this drink. The Cinnamon also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and improves blood circulation.
Jan 25, 2016
Fontina cheese is a semi-soft Italian cow’s milk cheese, originating from the Aosta Valley in the Alps. Fontina cheese has a mild, nutty flavour and melts well, making it favourable for baking, and fondue, of course!
Seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and thyme, this baked Fontina recipe is perfect for dunking hunks of bread into its gooey deliciousness!
Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 6 min Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 lbs Italian Fontina cheese, rind removed, diced into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
6 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, minced
1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 crusty French baguette, cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the broiler and move the oven rack to top position.
2. Arrange the cubes of Fontina evenly in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic, thyme, and rosemary over the cheese. Season with salt and pepper and place the pan under the broiler for 6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and golden brown.
3. Serve immediately accompanied with French bread slices for dipping.
