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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Healthy Holiday Tips for your Teeth

The holidays can be tough on teeth! Keep them healthy with these holiday tips:
The best way to avoid cavities while still enjoying your holiday indulgences is to practice good oral hygiene. Here are some tips to help:
Eating sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods as part of a balanced meal is better than eating them alone. The body produces more saliva to help digest larger meals, which washes away more food and helps neutralize harmful acids before they can attack teeth.
Foods that take a long time to chew can damage teeth. That's because sticky foods, including nutritious choices like raisins, dates and dried fruit, hold acid against teeth longer than do other foods. Try to limit your consumption of these foods.
After consuming high-acid food (fruits) or drinks (wine), rinse with water before brushing your teeth to prevent tooth erosion from the acids.
Keep a toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste handy (for example, in your pocket or purse or store these in the glove compartment of your car) so that you can brush right after eating at holiday parties. An added benefit is that you are less likely to eat after you brush your teeth, so you may end up eating less at parties.
If you're unable to brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water or chewing sugar-free gum will help to wash away food particles, produce more saliva and neutralize acids in your mouth

For more holiday tips, visit http://bit.ly/IEXWZM

Monday, November 25, 2013

Thanksgiving Outreach Opportunities

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, are you looking to give back this holiday? There are several opportunities for you to volunteer your time or financially around Austin.

You can donate to the Hill Country Community Ministries Holiday Turkey Project 2013 for families in need by visiting http://www.bethany-umc.org/filerequest/8283.

You can also visit http://www.givingcityaustin.com/2013/10/27/thanksgiving-volunteer-opportunities-2013/ for amazing opportunities in the Austin area.


From our families to yours, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Thanksgiving Eating Tips

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends and reminds us to be thankful for all we have. On the opposite end, Thanksgiving can present a challenge if you are trying to stick to a healthy diet. Want to have a healthier Thanksgiving this year? Take a look at some food tips we found at http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/thanksgiving-tips.htm.

MAIN DISHES
1. Get Fish-Friendly: By itself, fish is lower in calories than chicken or ham, and certain types of fish are rich in heart-healthy fats. Just remember to avoid the creamy sauces!
2. Pass Up Ham: Ham is one of the fattiest meats, with 25% of your recommended amount of artery-clogging saturated fat in just one serving.
3. Dark Meat is OK: Dark meat has slightly more calories than white meat, but it also has more vitamins and minerals. Cut calories by not eating the skin.
4. Skip the Skin: Whether you eat white or dark meat, be sure to go skinless. Just one ounce of skin contains 80 calories and 2 grams of fat!
5. Try a Nontraditional Pick: Pork roast often includes both the fatty and lean parts of the meat, but it's made with herbs and spices (not brown sugar and butter) and has little added fat.
6. Refrain from Red Meat: Eeek! Red meat is one of the fattiest proteins. Be sure to trim it before you dig in, and serve yourself portions that are approximately the size of your palm.
7. Sneaky Calorie Cutter: Swap dark meat for light meat and you save 30 calories.
8. Go Easy on Gravy: Roasted turkey is a smart bet for your holiday dinner. Just don't get crazy with the gravy – it’ll cost you about 20 calories per ounce.
9. Forgo Fried: Loading fried chicken on your plate won't give you much room for sides. One serving has close to 500 calories and half your daily intake of saturated fat.
SIDE DISHES
10. Sinful Sides: With a deadly combo of cheese, sour cream, and butter, au gratin potatoes are a dish best eaten in moderation. Using low-fat cheese and cream helps, too.
11. Bypass Baked Beans: Beans are an amazing source of fiber and iron. Unfortunately, this casserole is full of brown sugar, molasses, and honey. Leave the bacon off your plate and save 42 calories.
12. Ignore Biscuits: Homemade biscuits often contain whole milk and butter, which give them their fluffy texture. They're dense in calories, so you're better off with cornbread.
13. Steamed = Slim: Steamed broccoli is a slim side. Just don't ruin it by slathering it with fat-filled cheese sauce.
14. Be Choosy with Coleslaw: This side dish varies from recipe to recipe. If you see it dripping with mayo, pass it up. Made with vinegar and herbs, it's a diet-friendly option.
15. Go Butter-Free: Cornbread, a true Thanksgiving staple, is hard to avoid. Eat it plain -- without the pat of butter -- and cut 30 calories.
16. Fresh is Best: The canned variety of cranberry sauce can be packed with sugars and additives, but homemade versions made with fresh cranberries can be a healthy topping. Either way, it won't wreck your diet.
17. Slim Down Creamed Spinach: By itself, spinach is one of the most nutritious veggies. Add in butter and cream, and you do more diet damage. If you're looking for a low-cal swap, try using reduced-fat cream cheese instead of whipping cream.
18. Banish the Bread Basket: Why waste the extra calories? Have one more spoonful of your holiday favorite instead of a plain dinner roll.
19. Go Green! Without the cream, butter, and cheese in green bean casserole, these veggies are an excellent choice. Add some flavor with garlic, lemon juice, or a sprinkle of Parmesan.
20. High-Cal Casserole Alert: The base of this casserole contains vitamin-packed green beans but smothers them with cheese, cream, and butter. Cut 50 calories by leaving off the fried onion topping.
21. Be Selective with Salads: Though it's not crazy in calories, congealed salad, a Jell-O-based dish, can contain added sugars and creams. Skip it and save room for dessert!
22. Take Control of Mac and Cheese: It's hard to avoid this gooey dish, but with several types of cheese, milk, and breadcrumbs, it's a complete diet fail. If you indulge, just take a tiny spoonful.
23. Boost Flavor Naturally: Mashed potatoes vary greatly from recipe to recipe. Cut down on calories by adding low-fat milk, herbs, and garlic, and cutting down on butter and cream.

24. Pass Up Pumpkin Bread: Though pumpkin is rich in vision-boosting vitamin A, pumpkin bread contains a ton of sugar and fat. You're better off with a side of sweet potatoes. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Lakeway Smiles Gives Back with LT Love


Every year, Lakeway Smiles participates in LT Love’s annual free dental day. Dr. Kaye and Sara attended this year and helped several children who cannot afford dental care. It was an amazing experience for our office and we cannot express enough how much we enjoy giving back to our community in any way we can. We look forward to next year’s event.


You can learn more about the LT Love organization by visiting http://www.ltlov.org/about.htm

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Happy Halloween



We want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Halloween! Share you costumes and carved pumpkins with us!

Whatever you are doing this Halloween, be sure to check out some safety tips from the CDC by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/.


Happy Halloween

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Austin Halloween Events

Do you love Halloween and dress up each year? We have put together a list of events you can attend in Austin this Halloween!

  • Halloween Bash 2013- The Lucky Lounge will host a great celebration complete with costume contest, surprise guests and drinks! You can purchase tickets at http://events.austin360.com/austin_tx/events/show/352118023-halloween-bash-2013.
  • “Halloween” at the Alamo Drafthouse- You can watch the horror flick in all of its glory. Visit www.drafthouse.com for more information
  • Halloween Children’s Concert at the Long Center- The Austin Symphony presents its annual concert sure to be entertaining for the entire family! Costumes are welcome and encouraged. http://www.austinsymphony.org/events/halloween-childrens-concert-2013/
  • The House of Torment – An Austin classic sure to bring on the scares and chills, the house is open through the end of October! Be sure to bring a friend with you for support!
  • There are so many more events out there! Whatever you are doing this Halloween, we wish you tons of fun! Be sure to share your costume photos with us!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

It’s a Great Pumpkin Contest at Lakeway Smiles

Announcing our pumpkin carving and decorating contest at Lakeway Smiles. Send us photos of your decorated pumpkin and you will be entered into the contest. We want to see some cool pumpkins so be sure to show off your skills!

Entering is easy! All you need to do is send us a photo of your pumpkin to LakewaysSmiles@gmail.com and we will enter you in the contest


It’s time to show off! Good luck everyone!  

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

ACL Week 2

This weekend kicks off the second week of the 2013 Austin City Limits Festival. Whether you are attending, attended last week’s or not making it out this year, you can’t deny there have been and are some amazing performers in the city! Local Austin eateries, activities, and more are also on hand at the festival for you to enjoy.


This weekend you can enjoy performances by Depeche Mode, The Cure, Lionel Richie and many more. Check out the full schedule and learn more at http://www.aclfestival.com/2013-lineup/weekend-two/

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Terror Tuesday

October is here and it’s time to add some scary to your schedule. Alamo Drafthouse is hosting Terror Tuesday throughout the month of October and beyond. You can get your horror fix every Tuesday with Dracula vs. Frankenstein, Doctor Butcher, M.D.,The Howling and more.

Terror Tuesday takes place at The Ritz location downtown and show times vary. Learn more and get your tickets at http://drafthouse.com/series/terror_tuesday/austin.


Be sure to take a friend because who wants to watch a scary movie alone?  

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Fall Beauty Trends Straight from New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week recently wrapped up its annual run and if you kept up with it, you saw several new and daring trends in both fashion and beauty! We found a great article about the 12 essential beauty trends for Fall 2013 straight from the runway! Check out the article and let us know what new trends you look forward to trying this fall!

Fall Beauty Trends from NYFW 2013 


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Celtic Music Festival Returns

The 3rd annual Celtic Music Festival returns September 21-22nd in McDade, Texas! If you’re looking for something different and fun to do on the weekend, this is a great event and quick 45-min road trip for you! The music festival is a celebration of Celtic music, history and heritage with over 20 bands playing Celtic-influenced music!


There’s even more! Dancing competitions, bagpipe competitions, harp circles and even a trivia challenge! You can learn more and purchase tickets by visiting http://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/celtic-festival/

**IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT**

You have a few days left to enter our iPad Mini giveaway! Entries will be available until Sunday, September 15th! Be sure to get your name in the drawing to win one of these amazing iPads! Entering is easy! All you need to do is leave us a review on Google + and shoot us an email with the link to your review!
   

We will be announcing the winner next week so stay tuned and good luck! Follow the instructions to enter! 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY CELEBRATION

Yes, you read the title correctly. Austin is celebrating World Chocolate Day Sunday, September 8th at Ten Thousand Villages. Volunteers will put their baking skills to the test and customers can sample their recipes. Volunteers will use fair trade chocolate, sugar, and cocoa. You can also vote on your favorite one.


The event begins at 11:00am and is free in-store, while supplies last! What a great way to celebrate chocolate! For more information visit Ten Thousand Villages online at http://austin.tenthousandvillages.com

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Even though it’s Texas, the autumn season is right around the corner! The cooler air will begin to fill the air and we will put away our bathing suits (maybe, after all it is still Texas!). We have compiled a list of the top 10 fall beauty tips for you so that you are ready for the new season.
  1. Don’t over tweeze your brows. Full brows are more flattering.
  2. Give your skin a spa treatment with something like the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System.
  3. Use darker toned nail colors
  4. Get smooth hair safely with Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy 30 Day Smoothing Treatment
  5. Switch to mineral makeup
  6. Try a new haircut like the short bob
  7. Upgrade your hairbrush
  8. Find a mascara that gives you big, long lashes
  9. Change up your hair color- red is popular this fall
  10. Soften your skin with oil- facial oils are just as great at moisturizing your skin as creams. 


Office Specials

We have some great specials going on right now if you’re looking to improve your smile.
  • New patients receive a complimentary consultation! ($75 value)
  • Get 5% off implant treatment. (Some restrictions apply)
  • Get a beautiful, straight smile with Invisalign treatment for only $3999. Payment plans are also available.
  • Get that white smile you have always wanted with Kor Whitening Treatment- a permanent way to whiten your teeth. Buy 1 get one 50% off.
  • Complimentary smile imaging allows you to picture your new smile. 


Take advantage of these specials today. Contact our office to schedule your consultation! 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Back To School Trends

Can you believe it? Summer has just flown by and children and college students are gearing up to head back to school in less than a week. Are you ready? Well to help you out, we have found and compiled some of the best style trends for back to school for both boys and girls! What do you think? Do you or your children follow any of these trends or do they stick to their own?
Boys:
  1. Denim
  2. Hoodies
  3. Athletic Styles
  4. Plaid Button-Ups
  5. Screen Tees

Girls:
  1. Leggings
  2. Bright colored shirts or screen tees
  3. Skinny Jeans
  4. Skirts
  5. Tall Boots  


Here at Lakeway Smiles, we believe the best thing you can always wear is your smile. If you follow these trends or not, just be yourself and use your smile to make your best impression this school year no matter what age you are! Best of luck to all those heading back to school! 

Extended- Enter our iPad Mini Giveaway

Great news! We have extended our iPad Mini Giveaway until September 15th! All you have to do is write us a review and send us an email letting us know. You will then be entered into our drawing for 1 of our 4 iPad Minis! Don’t miss out! You could win! With school starting up soon, an iPad Mini is a great way to get the school year started! See our graphic for further instructions. Good luck! 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Is it Healthy?

Sometimes we get caught up in words such as ‘healthy’ and ‘all-natural’ that we do not realize these foods are actually not good for us to eat. I read this article from Dr. Oz about foods we think are healthy, but really aren't that great!  Take a look at the list! You may be surprised! Have you been eating any of these?

  1. Souped-Up Drinks such as sports and health drinks
  2. Premade Smoothies
  3. Trail Mix
  4. Frozen Diet Entrees (Fresh is always best!)
  5. Bars
  6. Muffins
  7. Frozen Yogurt (It can’t be!)
  8. Fat-Free Sweets
  9. Granola
  10. Nut Butter
Check out the complete article: http://bit.ly/12OK5Zg

2013 Ice Cream Festival

It’s that time of year again! The 7th Annual Ice Cream Festival returns to Austin this Saturday, August 17th at Fiesta Gardens.  There will be free ice cream, games, contests, and live entertainment from 10AM-7PM.


The event cost is $10 per person and children 8 and under are free! Proceeds will benefit local Austin charities! Learn more about the ice cream festival by visiting http://bit.ly/lIeos

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Healthy Back-To-School Tips

It’s that time again to prepare your children for back-to-school. Many of us get caught up in making sure they have the supplies they need, get new clothes, etc and forget about a few important things they also need before going back to school. You can make sure they go back happy and healthy by following these few steps:

  1. Make sure shots are current-Schools will not enroll students without an immunization record
  2. Check their vision- According to Pamela F. Gallin, MD, director of pediatric ophthalmology at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, as many as one in 20 children can’t see out of one of their eyes.  Many parents find it difficult to determine if their children need glasses, so it’s best to have their vision checked regularly.
  3. Alert your child, school nurse, teachers, and other individuals your child interacts with about any health issues, allergies or physical restrictions they may have.
  4. Provide the school with any medications your child needs. 


Barton Springs Fest

This Saturday join other local residents at Zilker Park for Barton Springs Fest.  An all day long event of outdoor and adventure learning, food, drinks, and live music, it’s guaranteed to be fun for the entire family. The event is a result of a resolution passed by Austin City Council to mark the 2nd Saturday in August as Barton Springs Fest which is part of the Save our Springs ordinance.


The event will be held from 8am-7pm and is FREE to the public.  You can learn more about the fest and activities by visiting www.sosalliance.org

Thursday, July 25, 2013

National Dance Day 2013

Saturday, July 27th is National Dance Day! There are several activities taking place on Saturday to help you get into the spirit and celebrate the joy of dance. The Butler Dance Education Center has teamed up with So You Think You Can Dance and the Dizzy Feet Foundation to host an all-day dance event. From 9:30am-4pm you can choose to take a single class or stick around all day. Donations will benefit Ballet Austin’s Scholarship Program. The event takes place at the Ballet Austin Butler Community School.

Whatever you do to celebrate, remember to have fun and dance! “Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”
― Rumi

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Music Under the Star Concert

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum celebrates the 10th season of their free summer concert series with Music Under the Star. You can join them for their last showing this Friday, July 26th with entertainment by Guy Forsyth, an Austin Favorite. Forsyth is known for his live shows and rich American roots sound. The show is from 6-9pm and you are encouraged to bring camp chairs and blankets.

Taking place on the Lone Star Plaza, people of all ages are welcome to attend. The museum’s exhibits are also open and free to the public at this time.


Friday, July 19, 2013

Prepare For Back-To-School

Summer has just flown by and back to school will be here sooner than you think. It’s difficult to transition children into back-to-school mode, but by taking a few steps a little early, your child(ren) will be ready to get back into school come August.

Step 1: Get back into your old school routine- Utilize the last few weeks of summer to re-establish schedules, morning routines, activities, etc.

Step 2: For smaller children, encourage independence- Once they arrive in the classroom, children will need to do several things for themselves. Begin speaking to your child about responsibilities and expectations. You can also assign them tasks or chores to get them transitioned.

Step 3: Set-up a schedule- Similar to step one, set a wake-up time, breakfast time, homework time, and bed time and stick to it a few weeks before school starts. Homework time before school starts can be reading time or something of that nature.

Step 4: Get the rest of the family involved- Everyone is probably still in summer mode, but by getting the whole family in back-to-school mode will help provide a smoother transition for everyone. 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Lakeway Smiles Summer Giveaway

Have you heard our latest announcement? We are giving away 4 iPad Minis during our end of summer giveaway! Entering is easy and TWO winners will be selected from each of our locations, Lakeway and downtown Austin.

So how does it work? Entering is easy! All you need to do is leave us a review on Google + and shoot us an email. Don’t have an account with Google +? No problem! Getting one is easy! Simply follow the steps attached and you will be entered to win an iPad Mini. You have until August 15, 2013 to do it! Good luck!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Classic Game Fest

Remember how much fun you had playing games like Contra, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Cart, and other older games? Well don’t worry because this weekend you can experience the fun all over again. Classic Game Fest returns to Austin, Saturday and Sunday July 13-14th at the Palmer Events Center.  Weekend tickets cost $10 and kids 12 and under get in free! Over $800 in gift cards, 15 trophies, and 2 nights of concerts will be available for attendees!


You can check out the full schedule at www.ClassicGameFest.com .

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Dr. Patel Visits the Dominican Republic

At the beginning of June, Dr. Patel journeyed on a volunteer dental mission trip to the Dominican Republic to help people with dental problems. The team worked 5 days in a dental clinic and was able to help many people who were missing several teeth and/or all of their teeth. They performed many dental implant procedures and surgeries and were able to help many people get their teeth back or start them on the road to getting their smiles back.


Dr. Patel also spent time learning advanced implant surgery techniques with one of his mentors. He greatly enjoyed the time he spent at the clinic and working with the people there. They were all wonderful.  Dr. Patel consistently tries to perform volunteer dental work overseas working to improve the oral health and smiles of people all around the world.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Summer Beauty Tips

We all look forward to summertime, but sometimes the heat and day-to-day activities can become daunting and harmful to our skin and health. Look good, feel good, and stay healthy this summer with our summer beauty guide!
1.       Look good: Lighten up your beauty routine by going lightly on your make-up and letting your hair flow naturally. Exfoliate your skin daily!
2.       Feel good: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated with water and avoid drinks high in sugar. Although tempting, try to swap that ice cream cone for a power smoothie or frozen yogurt instead.
3.       Stay healthy: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to all areas that are exposed to the sun. Aside from daily use of sun-screen, boost your UV protection by taking an antioxidant supplement. Ensure your make-up and lip-gloss have at least SPF 15. 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Dental Trivia


How well do you your teeth? Take a shot at our dental trivia and send us your responses via Facebook and we will choose a winner!

1.       What is the second most common disease in the United States?  

2.       Who did the most valuable tooth belong to in 1816?

3.       When was dental floss first commercially manufactured? What was it made out of?

4.       How many teeth do mosquitoes?

5.       Ancient cultures chewed on what items to clean their teeth?

6.       Regular dental cleanings can help prevent what?

7.       When did the electric toothbrush first appear?

8.       *Tinsel teeth” and “metal mouth” refer to wearing what?

9.       How many miles of dental floss is purchased in North America each year?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Peace



In lieu of the tragic events that occurred during the Boston marathon, the nation mourned for the 3 lives lost. One of those lives was that of 8-year old Martin Richard. He was waiting at the finish line with his family for friends to finish the marathon when the explosions occurred. The injuries Martin incurred from the bombing ultimately took his life and left his family stunned and deeply saddened by his loss.
Martin was described as a ‘happy-go-lucky’ little boy who was always playing some sport and being active. In a photo of him that has become widely popular over the past few days, Martin holds up a poster with the words, “No more hurting people…Peace” written on it. The poster was made by Martin as a classroom activity after the shooting of Travyon Martin. Although extremely young, Martin understood the importance of peace with others and tried to spread the word.
Through this tragic event, we can all look at Martin and follow his example by spreading the peace among ourselves, family, friends, co-workers, and the rest of the world. Children can teach us great lessons and what a legacy Martin has left in such a tragic situation.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to everyone affected by the Boston bombings, especially the Martin family.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Shen Yun 2013 Tour


Are you looking for some new and exciting entertainment? Well look no further! Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance performance with a live orchestra is coming to Austin this weekend.  Performing at the Long Center Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Shen Yun Performing Arts combines the traditions of China’s classical arts and legends with dance and music to deliver a spectacular show you are sure to enjoy. Go with family and friends and experience this cultural phenomenon.

Tickets are still available. You can purchase them and learn more about Shen Yun at http://tickets.shenyun.com/event/shen-yun-2013-austin.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Thank You!


We wanted to extend our biggest ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who was involved in the Girl Rising event! Around 250 people came to support the cause and view the documentary; which was over double the amount we needed to match our goal! Thanks to those in attendance as well as those who helped promote the film. We had such a great turn-out, the theater had to move us into their largest room!
The film was extremely touching and opened our eyes to different issues facing girls around the world. The stories were engaging and gave us a sense of hope for the future.
You can still help the Girl Rising campaign. There are many partners for the organization! Check it out here

Friday, February 22, 2013

Update- Girl Rising Campaign WILL come to Austin


A big thank you to everyone who bought tickets to see the Girl Rising screening on Monday, March 11th at Arbor 8 at Great Hills! We have reached our goal which has guaranteed that this will happen. You can still sign-up to see the show by February 28th. The screening will begin at 7:30pm on March 11th. The film is intended to raise awareness regarding the global movement for girls’ education. We are excited to see everyone there!

Sign up to buy a ticket here: http://bit.ly/WHDgEq