I've missed you indeed, but I'm finally back!

Hey everyone! It's been too long since I've last posted something, and as some of you already know, in the last year, there's been a huge change in my life. I am now a proud mommy to a 14 month old boy, named Elías Leon. He is such a happy and loving little boy, with tons of energy. One thing is for sure, and that is that he loves smiling and laughing, just like his mommy! 

His first baby teeth erupted when he was only 4.5 months, which was super early on the charts. Currently he has 12 baby teeth, and the his first baby molars are already showing through his gums. 

So I was thinking, what better way to start blogging again, then to incorporate my little munchkin in my first post back?! 

I have been doing a couple of things to maintain his oral and dental hygiene tip top since day one, and I would love to share all of my tips and suggestions to all of those current and/or future mommies out there. 

So I will be following up this post with pictures of all the wonderful and handy products that I've used to this day with Elías. I will have pros and cons, tips, and any other helpful points I might have come across with each product. I'm so excited to finally get back on here and start sharing my thoughts on those topics that I have near and dear to my heart. 

I hope to have this infant oral healthcare post up within the next couple of days, in the meantime, I'll leave you with a smile that simply melts my heart everytime. Please meet my little ray of sunshine, Elías Leon Madrigal...

Snack More, Lose Weight!

Yes, you can eat between meals, and even a late night bite without having to feel bad. In fact, it's one of the best ways to slim down. Of course you still have to make healthy and nutritious choices. Healthy snacking will help avoid those energy slumps, and improve your weight-control efforts. Eating smaller amounts throughout the day will give you a metabolic boost, which helps burn extra calories per day. Jackpot, right?! I have a couple of favorite delicious and very nutritious snacks that I highly recommend to those that want to give their not so active metabolism a little pick-me-upper, let me know which ones you like, or if you have any others that you can add.*

• 1 or 2 brown rice cakes w/ 1 Tbs of almond butter or natural peanut butter

• A small banana and a serving of pistachios

• A bag of baked apple or pear chips

• Cucumber wheels topped with 1/2 cup mixture of pesto and nonfat Greek yogurt

• 1 celery stick cut into 2inch pieces and filled with natural peanut butter

• 1 plain flavored Chobani Greek yogurt with a handful of sliced almonds and dried cherries

Your snack should contain the right mix of nutrients (combo of complex carbs and protein) and it shouldn't be more than 300 calories.

Feel Triumphant with Trident

I always recommend for my patients to buy Trident sugarless gum with xylitol. The main reason is because chewing this type of gum has plenty of positive benefits. If you are at high risk for dental caries, suffer from dry mouth, or need a breath saver after snacks or meals, then Trident with xylitol should be your new best friend.

Xylitol, the main ingredient in this gum, is what helps fight those acids that are released by plaque, which break down the enamel of our teeth and eventually lead to dental caries. It helps neutralize the environment and essentially starves and kills the caries-forming bacteria.

This gum can also help remove food that may have been left on the chewing surfaces of our teeth, helping them stay cleaner after meals or snacks. Chewing can also help stimulate saliva production, giving some much needed relief to those that suffer from dry mouth. Last, but not least, it can help neutralize odors, creating a nice and fresh smelling breath.

I love the fun fruity flavors, especially the one below, so try them out and see which one you like, let me know ;-)

Start your engine w/ Blueberry-Almond Oatmeal

We now all know how important breakfast is, it jump starts your metabolism and gives you the energy to start off your long day. This blueberry-almond oatmeal is so creamy and rich with delicious flavors.
It really only takes less than 10 minutes to make, that means that anyone rushing to get to work can take just a few minutes of their morning to put this scrumptious breakfast together, so don't give me that "it takes too long" excuse!

With the fiber-filled oats, and the tons of antioxidants that blueberries pack, this breakfast not only boosts your energy, but it leaves your heart and mind feeling happy because its so healthy and good for you. It will fill you up a lot longer than having that cup of coffee with donut or croissant, and it won't give you that crash that sometimes those empty and non-nutritional calories do.

Ingredients needed (serves 2):
1 1/14 cups quick oats
2 cups skim milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Handful of both blueberries and sliced raw almonds

Put milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and stir in the oats, mixing for a minute until there is a creamy consistency. Pour into a bowl and mix the brown sugar, almonds and blueberries. You can let it sit for a minute to cool down a bit, but if you're like me, I just dig in and eat it a warm as I can...yummy to my tummy.

So give it a try and let me know what you think. ;-)

Oh Glorious Waterpik, Come Hither!

Are you one of the few that takes the time to floss at least once a day? I know how hard and messy it can be to grab that floss and properly run it though the entire mouth.

The Waterpik will save you time and frustration, making it a much easier and pleasurable habit to have. The Waterpik is more effective in reaching hard-to-reach areas and improving gum health than string floss, it is very convenient and easy to use, and it's reservoir allows you to get dual action, not only are you removing plaque more effectively, but you can flush and irrigate the entire mouth by putting over-the-counter or doctor prescribed rinses in it's reservoir.

Are you still asking yourself why you should floss or irrigate? Well, here are five very important reasons why you shouldn't think twice anymore.
1. Prevent Dental Caries
2. Prevent Gum Disease
3. Prevent Halitosis (bad breath)
4. Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
5. Avoid Complications of Diabetes

It's amazing what one minute of irrigating per day can do for your smile and body, it truly is a wonderful product to incorporate in your daily routine.

Heart Healthy Oatmeal Pancakes

Are you wondering what to have on the weekends that is savory yet healthy? Well, try these oatmeal pancakes, they are to die for and they are super easy to make! If you are eating healthy during the week, it's ok to have two of these on a Saturday or Sunday morning every so often.

You can make then from scratch if you'd like, but if you want to enjoy every minute of your precious weekends like I do, then just buy the Quaker Oatmeal brand pancake mix, and follow the healthy version (uses egg whites) on the back of the box. I just add a handful of steel cut oats, a tablespoon of natural vanilla, and a teaspoon of cinnamon into the mixture for extra flavor.

Once you have your scrumptious pancakes done, add some sweet strawberries and banana slices on top, so you don't have to use but a drizzle of natural honey for that sugar fix we always crave ;o)

Hope you enjoy!!!

Tongue Wand? Yes, please!

Do you suffer from halitosis (bad breath)? Well get one of these tongue wands and start seeing, feeling, and most importantly, smelling a difference. Most of the time bad breath is due to the gases that arise from the debris (plaque) on our tongue.

Using this tongue wand, which is made in a way that even people with a gag reflex can use, will help reduce bad breath and prevent gum disease greatly. The bacteria that lodges on our tongue needs more than toothbrushing, and these wands are made just for that, removing the culprit much more effectively and efficiently.

So go ahead, buy one, or if you're lucky, maybe your wonderful hygienist will simply give you one, just like I do! Remember, you must brush properly at least two times a day, floss daily, and now, clean your tongue each time you brush your teeth for a healthy, fresh smelling smile.

So say goodbye to those tic-tacs, and embrace your new breath saving tool, the amazing Tongue Wand! ... Let me know what you think if you do start to use one.