Don't forget to treat yourself!

If I can give you any advise its to not stop treating yourself. Being limited to no sticky/chewy/gooey foods (which are my favorites) can be fun but I've become resourceful to finding great things to eat. 

Its Friday so I decided a great recipe for a desert is in order.  

Let me know what you think...they are my favorites.

Butterscotch Brownies
          My mother started making these "non-chocolate" brownies when I was a little girl.  Since she in turn has lived with our family since our oldest daughter was one, our girls have renamed them "Grandma's Tannies." By any name, they're fabulous, and oh so soft.

                                               1/3 cup vegetable oil
                                               2 cups brown sugar
                                               2 eggs
                                               1 ½ cups flour
                                               2 tsp baking powder
                                               1 tsp salt
                                               1 tsp vanilla
                                               (optional:  1 cup butterscotch bits)

                   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Baking time 40 minutes.
                   In a large bowl, combine oil and brown sugar, using an electric mixer and blending well. Add eggs. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt, then add vanilla.
                   Spread batter into a greased 9"x9" pan.  If desired, sprinkle 1 cup butterscotch bits over top.  Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.  After cooling one minute, swirl the bits with a knife to give a marbleized effect.
                   Cover pan with foil keep to brownies soft, or cut them in squares and store them in a covered container.

Smile in the morning and get it over with!

So its been right at a month since I've had the braces and things just keep getting better. I still have the fear of photos but really the best thing has been just to embrace them and enjoy the whole process. I will say that I love how people will tell me, "it sure takes a confident woman to be able to wear braces and still smile daily." The truth is that its not so easy but the pro's over weigh the con's.
It amazes me when people tell me that they can tell that my teeth have shifted. I know that they have changed significantly but when others can tell it reminds me why I am going through the whole thing. I actually have a great list of the best things that I have heard since braces my favorite was when someone said to me "did you do something different, did you get your hair colored?"

Life does change with braces, the little things like going out to eat isn't so easy anymore. I used to be able to eat on the run now I have to make sure to carry a toothbrush for a quick brush after I eat anything.

But in the end...it's always worth it. So smile everyday embrace that you are the confident person you know you are and show the world that tin grin!

Check out our website
http://www.brunosmiles.com/

Its just not so easy to brush and be done anymore...

I have recently realized how much I took brushing and flossing for granted. I used to think that 2 minutes of brushing in the morning and 2 minutes of brushing in the evening was a lot of work. But recently I realized how brushing takes me more like 8 minutes in the morning and 8 minutes in the evening with braces.  It is possible to keep your teeth clean but it definitely takes work. One of the best things I did was invest in an electric toothbrush, it alone cut down my brushing time in half and not to mention has removed a lot of the stains that I have from all the coffee I consume. Brushing has become a big part of my life. Not only do I brush twice a day I now have to carry a toothbrush in my purse for a "just in case" moment. I love a good salad but nothing like having a big piece of lettuce stuck between your two front teeth. So now every time I eat...I brush.

The next best thing...a waterpik. Now let me say this that it doesn't replace flossing but it is the next best thing. Yes flossing with braces is a lot of work in fact, I flossed last night and it took a good 20 minutes but in the end it is worth it. I make sure and actually floss with thread once a week and every other day I use the waterpik.

I didn't realize how important and time extensive cleaning my teeth would be with braces but one thing I realized is that in the end it will all be worth it.

 February is American Heart Month. It's true- a healthy mouth equals a healthy heart!

 

I went with the Sonicare and love it! 

Have the various speeds is great for people with sensitive teeth such as myself.

Sonicare water/air flosser its great and actually kind of fun to do! 

A bit addicting!