Braces-Friendly Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

It’s mid-January here in Sioux Falls, SD. That means cold, snowy weather. Maybe you like to go skiing, cross-country or downhill, snowboarding, tubing, sledding or ice skating. Any of these winter activities can work up a good appetite. Time to pull out your slow-cooker and make some hearty, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food for you and your hungry family! This recipe for Beef Stroganoff (once a weekend or special-occasion dinner) is just the thing to warm everyone up, and can now be served on a weeknight, thanks to this easy slow-cooker recipe.  And, since it’s slow-cooked and tender, it’s a braces-friendly recipe that your favorite orthodontic patient can enjoy, as well!

BC BeefStroganoff

Bon appétit from Horner Barrow Orthodontics!

Beef Stroganoff 

 (15 minutes prep time • 5 hours, 15 minutes total time
 • Serves 8)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3×1/2×1/4-inch strips
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup
1 package (8 ounces) sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed (from 8-ounce package)
1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

Directions:
1. In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes or until beef is browned.
2. In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.
3. Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.
4. Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, Dr. Kevin Horner, Dr. Keri Barrow, and the entire staff are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every one of our patients. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Source (recipe and photo)

A Tasty, Braces-Friendly Autumn Recipe

The autumn season is in full swing here in Sioux Falls, SD. That time when we all seem to crave a delicious, hot, home-cooked meal. This recipe from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is a yummy, braces-friendly autumn meal that will surely satisfy your hungry family.

PastaPomodorini

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pasta Pomodorini

Ingredients:
3/4 pound spaghetti, fettucine or penne pasta
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/4 cup sliced garlic
1/2 teaspoon finely minced Calabrian chilies, or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pint small cherry tomatoes, stems removed, crushed between your thumb and forefinger
Sea salt, preferably gray salt
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, each torn into 2 or 3 pieces
Wedge of Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown and crisp, then add the chilies and cook for about 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Simmer briskly to soften the tomatoes and thicken the juices, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the warm pot off the heat. Add the sauce and the basil and mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and grate Parmesan over the top to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Serve with a healthy tossed salad, and some warm garlic bread.

We  hope you enjoy this easy-to-prepare, tasty autumn meal. Be sure to let Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow know how you liked this recipe at your next appointment with us!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Braces-Friendly Tailgate Party Recipes

Braces-friendly recipes

 

 

 

School is back in full swing, and that means it’s football time here in Sioux Falls, SD. And, football time means tailgating parties. We’ve gathered a few hearty, tummy-warming, braces-friendly recipes to make your game time get-togethers more memorable! No matter which team you’re routing for, we at Horner Barrow Orthodontics say, Go Team!

Southwestern Turkey Chili

Makes: 8 to 10 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
(In this recipe, pureed corn thickens this crowd-pleasing, hearty mix of beans, veggies and turkey.)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup chopped red onion
3/4 cup chopped red sweet pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
2 large cloves garlic, minced
5 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons New Mexico red chili powder (or chili powder, if you can’t find New Mexico red chili powder)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
4 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
2 15 to 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 to 16-ounce can navy beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup ketchup
2 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast

Directions:
In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, sweet pepper, celery, undrained green chiles, jalapeño pepper, garlic and oregano and cook until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour, chili powder, coriander, cumin, salt and sugar. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
Add chicken broth, black beans, navy beans, undrained tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and ketchup. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a food processor, cover and process 2 cups of the corn until pureed. Add pureed corn, the remaining 1/2 cup whole corn, and turkey. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

 

Calico Bean Bake

Makes: 12 to 14 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes to 50 minutes
(This recipe is a tasty blending of baked beans and chili, and is good for feeding a group of hungry football fans.)

Ingredients:
8 ounces lean ground beef
8 ounces bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 15 to 16-ounce can pork and beans in tomato sauce, undrained
1 15 to 16-ounce can lima beans or a 15-1/2-ounce can butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 to 16-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:
In a large skillet, cook beef, bacon and onion, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain off the fat.
In a 3-quart casserole, combine the three beans, brown sugar, the water, ketchup, vinegar and mustard. Stir in meat mixture until well combined.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until heated through.

 

Southwestern Potato Sausage Chowder

Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook: 8 to 10 hours on low, or 4 to 5 hours on high

Ingredients:
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 pound round red potatoes, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium red sweet pepper, chopped
1 green sweet pepper, chopped
1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped* (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers (optional)

Directions:
In a large skillet cook sausage until no longer pink; drain off fat.
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cooked sausage, potatoes, onion, sweet peppers, serrano or jalapeño pepper (if using), garlic, cumin, and ground pepper. Stir in chicken broth.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Top each serving with cheese if you like. Makes 6 servings.

* Important tip for handling hot peppers: Serrano or jalapeño peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, so avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them. If you DO touch the peppers with your bare hands, be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Source.

 

 

Braces-Friendly Fall Smoothies Recipes

With crisp fall weather just around the corner here in Sioux Falls, SD, our thoughts naturally turn to our favorite fall foods. Unfortunately, some of those delicious fall treats aren’t braces-friendly (like caramel apples and kettle corn), but smoothies certainly are. And, fall fruits make wonderful “pie-tasting” smoothies. Another bonus: smoothies are great for a quick and easy breakfast. You can make it the night before and enjoy it in the morning before you head out the door.

Here are 5 healthy, and tasty smoothie recipes for our orthodontic patients to try. We hope you enjoy them!

pumpkinsmoothie

Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie

Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 cup almond milk, plus a bit more if necessary
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• pinch nutmeg
• Ice, if desired

Soak the oats, almond milk, and chia seeds for at least an hour or overnight. This helps them digest better and it also gives the smoothie a smoother texture.Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.

 

Oatmeal Pear Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 large pear, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/2 teaspoon finely-grated, fresh ginger
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Blend thoroughly, pour into a glass and sprinkle with cinnamon.

 

Pumpkin/Pumpkin Seed Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Blend thoroughly, and pour into a glass and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.

 

Fall Cranberry Pear Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 cup frozen cranberries
• 2 medjool dates, pitted
•1 pear
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon all spice

Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Add a few ice cubes if not thick enough, but usually the frozen cranberries are enough to thicken it.

 

Apple Pie Chia Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 apple, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg and salt

Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth; add 1 cup of ice if desired.

Be sure to let Dr. Keri Barrow or Dr. Kevin Horner know which of these smoothie recipes is your favorite at your next appointment!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

The 3 Best Ways to Fight Bad Breath

bad-breath

No one likes bad breath (halitosis), and though it can sometimes be difficult to know yourself that you have it, it is always better to practice good oral hygiene than to risk having a smelly mouth. While there are many ways to reduce or eliminate bad breath, some are definitely more effective and longer-lasting than others.

Here are the 3 best ways to fight bad breath:

Floss Daily
Hard as it may can be to remember to floss daily, when it comes to bad breath, flossing is one of THE easiest and most cost-effective ways to freshen your mouth and breath. Flossing reduces the plaque and bacteria found in areas of your mouth that brushing simply can’t reach, and therefore, rids your mouth of the bad smell associated with that bacteria. While flossing may not eliminate bad breath on its own, if you combine it with other healthy oral hygiene habits like brushing, you will surely have a fresher, cleaner smelling (and feeling) mouth.

Use A Mouthwash
Using a mouthwash can really freshen your breath, especially if you find it still smells after brushing and flossing. There is a wide selection of mouthwash products to choose from, but if you are budget-conscious, you can also create your own mouthwash by simply mixing baking soda with water.

Here’s an easy recipe to make your own flavored mouthwash.
A lidded container – you can use a small mason jar
½ cup filtered or distilled water
2 tsp baking soda
2 drops peppermint essential oil

Baking soda will tend to settle to the bottom of the mason jar, so be sure to shake your mouthwash before each use. Swish about 2-3 teaspoons of your homemade formula in your mouth for a minute or two. As with any mouthwash, try to avoid swallowing it while gargling.

Be Sure To Brush After You Sleep
Whether waking after taking an afternoon nap, or in the morning after a full night’s sleep, you should brush your teeth in order to reduce bad breath. The reason for this is, bacteria accumulates in your mouth while you are sleeping (even during a short cat nap) and that is ultimately the source of your bad breath. The next time you wake from a good sleep, give your teeth, tongue and mouth some brushing and you will find that practicing this simple habit makes a big difference in the freshness of your breath.

There are many healthier ways to freshen your breath beyond just using gum or mints. The 3 tips above are (in our opinion) the best remedies for you to try. Put them to the test and you will most likely find that your bad breath problem is resolved, or at least considerably reduced. Of course, you can always ask Dr. Horner or Dr. Barrow about dealing with your halitosis during your next visit to our Sioux Falls, SD office.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to helping you keep your smile and your mouth healthy and beautiful!