Memorial Day is a time to reflect on all family members who have gone before us.  It is also a time to realize that the freedoms we enjoy in this glorious country have come to us at great price.

Many heroic men and women have given their lives so that we can live in the liberty found in no other country on earth.  I could not be more grateful to these selfless souls and their comrades whose bodies and/or minds will be forever scarred for their sacrifices made for our American way of life.

Our lives, our liberty, and our pursuit of happiness could only be possible because of our military, the best.

I believe that Memorial Day, being the first unofficial weekend for the summer season, should be enjoyed.  I also believe many people view this holiday as merely a three-day weekend.  As citizens of the United States of America, we should all reflect on why we enjoy our freedoms.

Our family made our annual Memorial Day trip to the cemetery.  My wife’s older sister died in 1999 from Multiple Sclerosis.  We visited and prayed over her grave.  As a family, we visited a second cemetery where my wife and I plan to be buried (hopefully, not in the near future).  The day was sunny and cool and both cemeteries felt like places to be reflective.

We talked as a family about whether or not land, often in the middle of cities, should be used for cemeteries.  Are we wasting land that could be made available for more productive uses?  Should everyone be cremated?  Our consensus came down to a few thoughts.  Cemeteries are much like parks.  They are places to relax, reflect, meditate, and enjoy.  And cremation is also a choice anyone can make.  Ashes can then be interred or scattered.  Again, in this country how we are laid to rest is a choice, a freedom all of us can make as we wish.

Memorial Day is most certainly a day filled with sadness and pride.  Memorial Day is a significant holiday in our yearly calendar and should always remain as such.  It is a holiday we need to thoughtfully observe.  It is a holiday that builds family memories.  It is a time to nurture patriotism and gratitude.

Thanks for reading and blogging!

Smile often,

Dr. James G. Hood

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Following is the menu for our Hood Family Memorial Day Lunch Party, and  our Cinnamon Ice Cream Recipe.

Cinnamon Ice Cream

Ingredients:

3    c. heavy cream

1½ c. whole milk

2    vanilla beans, split lengthwise

1    c. plus 2 Tbs. sugar

6    egg yolks

2½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Combine cream and milk in large saucepan.
2. Scrape in seeds from vanilla beans; add beans.
3. Bring just to a simmer.
4. Whisk sugar and yolks in large bowl to blend.
5. Gradually whisk in hot cream mixture.
6. Return mixture to same saucepan.
7. Stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 6 minutes (do not boil).
8. Strain into large bowl; whisk in cinnamon.
9. Chill until cold, about 3 hours.
10. Transfer custard to ice cream maker, and process according to manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Transfer ice cream to covered container and freeze until firm.
12. Can be made 3 days ahead; keep frozen.

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.

507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1

Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA

Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414

Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com

Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com,  www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com

www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org,  www.sjogrensblog.org

Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Fluoride is one of the most abundant and chemically reactive elements on earth.  Many foods (including certain teas, red wines, meat, fish, eggs and cheeses) contain high amounts of fluoride.  Everyone ingests at least trace amounts of fluoride on a regular basis.  Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that strengthens teeth.

Fluoride can be taken in one of two ways:  topically and systemically.  Topical applications of fluoride include toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments in a dental office.  Systemic fluoride is taken as a tablet or added to the diet as mentioned above or added to something ingested (i.e., water fluoridation).

Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the fluoride content in local water facilities to the recommended dose for optimal dental health.  Hundreds of fluoridation studies, from more than 20 countries, have proven the effect of optimal fluoride levels in local diets at reducing tooth decay.  In some communities fluoride needs to be reduced (taken out) from local water supplies, and in other communities it is added to water supplies to create optimal fluoride concentration.

There are still a few areas (i.e., Spokane, WA) which have virtually no naturally occurring fluoride in local water supplies and civic leaders have chosen (I believe unwisely) not to add fluoride to the community water.   In such a case, your family dentist can prescribe fluoride tablets in the optimal concentration for local water supplies to prevent decay in residents.

Again, numerous studies have shown that fluoridated water, at an optimal level recommended for decay prevention in teeth, is completely safe.

Application of fluoride to teeth (both systemically and topically), along with pit and fissure sealants, are the two best preventive measures in reducing or preventing decay in teeth.

Fluoride does not replace flossing but, as part of a good oral hygiene program, can go a long way in helping to reduce or eliminate tooth decay.

Keep Smiling!

Dr. James G. Hood

 Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.

507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1, Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA

Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414

Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com

Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com,  www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com

www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org,  www.sjogrensblog.org

Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Mountain Valley View Farm is Now Selling

Organic, Artisan Goat Cheese!

Our delicious, creamy cheese is handmade on our farm from the sweet, rich organic milk produced by our small herd of Nubian dairy goats. We offer a soft, natural chèvre as well as four flavored varieties: Garlic, Sundried Tomato, Black Olive, and Green Olive. Each of our delightful cheeses is perfect to spread on crackers or to add a special touch to any meal.

Like goat milk, goat cheese is not only tasty, it is very healthy and nutritious. It is lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol than cheese made from cow milk, and has a higher content of important vitamins and minerals such as calcium and Vitamin A. It is also a significant source of protein Furthermore, it is easier to digest than cow cheese and can be eaten by those with sensitive stomachs, including infants and many people who are lactose-intolerant.

Goats were some of the first domesticated animals in the world, and goat cheese is possibly the oldest manmade dairy product, with a history that stretches back thousands of years. Although we in the United States have come to rely more heavily on dairy from cows, goat milk and cheese is a staple in the rest of the world, prized for its unique flavor and excellent nutritional values. Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. is proud to continue this ancient tradition by crafting the highest quality artisan chèvre to tantalize and satisfy your tastebuds.

Pricing & Information

$7.00   + Shipping & Handling   One 6 oz. goat cheese log, any flavor
$25.00 + Shipping & Handling   Variety pack of 4 cheese logs, any combo of flavors
$60.00 + Shipping & Handling   Bulk tub 4 lbs goat cheese, available in chèvre

Worldwide shipping is available. Goat cheese can be purchased on any of the Mountain Valley View Farm sites, or you may call 509-928-1800 for more information.

http://www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

http://www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

http://www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com

Mountain Valley View Farm is a small family farm serving the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area with healthy, farm fresh produce and more. We are located in beautiful Spokane Valley.