I heart my new dentist. A lot.

Okay so since I've moved out to SLC, I've been slowly trying to get doctors closer to me out here. About the dentist. Let's face it. I can barely schedule an appointment to begin with let alone arrange to drive out to Centerville. I used to go to Ford Huffaker who I love and if you live in the Centerville area I highly recommend him. Well, after asking around for recommendations, several people mentioned the Sugarhouse Dental Spa. I googled it and saw only positive reviews and it sounded like an interesting concept, a little pampering to draw you in never hurt anyone, right? (But I'll get to that in a minute) So I called and they accepted my new insurance so I made an appointment.

A week later, whether it be mental or not, two of my teeth started to hurt. Not bad but it DID remind me to call to ask for a prescription for antibiotics to avoid further nasty heart complications. While I was on the phone, I mentioned I was having pain and the receptionist immediately told me they would fit me in THAT DAY. She called me back a few minutes later and asked if I could come in at 1:00. Well, my teeth still hurt so I said yes.

After A LOT of run around (bribing a co-worker to take me to the pharmacy) leaving an hour early to get my car from the trax station, etc.) I finally made it. When I walked in I was greeted by the accomadating receptionist who gave me some paperwork, took me into the waiting room where she sat me down in a massage chair and asked if she could bring me a drink - tea, coffee, water. Dumbfounded, I asked for water. After 15 minutes in my massage chair, the hygeinist came to get me. She then gave me a paraffin wax treatment on my hands, covered my hands in warm mittens and asked if I preferred a hot or cold eye mask...Um...where am I? I shrugged and decided on hot. She put the mask on me and said, "I'm going to massage your temples with some eucalyptus essential oil before we start." Oookay. Yes. Allowed. Then she began to clean my teeth which normally makes me cringe but since my eyes were covered with a warm mask and my temples smelled of eucalyptus, I didn't care. The hygeinist was sooo nice. She talked to me the whole time but not in that awkward dentist way. I really felt comfortable. After my cleaning, a girl came in and gave me a neck and shoulder massage.

Then I waited for the dentist. When he came in, I was a little taken back for a few reasons. First, he was wearing an Abercrombie and Fitch T-Shirt and jeans. Second, he was GORGEOUS. I mean, the sight of him was a revelation. (Keep in mind, I went into this knowing he's openly gay. The office touts itself as gay friendly and a referral and mentioned he dated her son) Dr. Graham is one of those men that is so perfect they have to be gay...sigh..and he is. (Author's note: I am marrying the most perfect GORGEOUS straight man alive) In retrospect, it's a good thing that he's gay otherwise I would have been far too uncomfortable around him to function. He sweetly introduced himself and looked in my mouth and said, "Aw, you grind your teeth." A small argument ensued about this but he won...only to be confirmed by Mike when I got home...I apparently DO grind my teeth. And the pain in my teeth is from clenching my jaw. He put his hands on my jaw and said, "Well there's your problem. Your jaw is so tight, poor thing." Yes, I AM a poor thing!!! Finally someone acknowledges this. :) He gave me some advice and then finished his exam. He did find one cavity and I have never been so excited to get a cavity filled in my life. Then, yes, he met me at the receptionist's desk with a latte. Yeah, that DID happen. And my co-pay was the same as it was with my old dentist. Hooray!!!!! Then, I got a really neat packet of dental supplies. I can't wait to go back.

Chipotle Lime Quinoa Salad - Just Try It!!!

I got this awesome recipe off picky-palate.com. I have a new obsession with Quinoa (pronounced by hippies as Keen-Wah). It's a super healthy grain that has lots of protein in it. Men's Health calls it a super food because of how nutritious it is...and Men's Health is my bible so I believe it. This salad is GREAT for Barbecues and family get togethers because it is delicious but more importantly, you greatly impress people because you are fancy enough to know what quinoa is and how to use it. Just act like it's not big deal and you are just that awesome. Enjoy!

1 Cup uncooked quinoa

3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley

1 teaspoon adobe sauce (from can of chipotle peppers)

1 can yellow corn, drained

1 can white beans, drain and rinsed

1/2 Cup fresh chopped cilantro leaves, chopped

2 chipotle peppers, chopped

1/2 Cup red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 Cup green onions, chopped (the green parts)

1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions. In a small bowl whisk the lime juice, olive oil, salt, parsley and adobo sauce. Pour into quinoa and mix in corn, beans, cilantro, chipotle peppers, red bell pepper and green onions. Cover and chill until serving.

8-10 servings

Recipe Box: Spaghetti Pie!!!

I love spaghetti pie...more than regular spaghetti...more than I should. This is my favorite recipe. Enjoy!

You Will Need:

6 oz. (about half the box) of spaghetti (I use whole wheat, much to Mike's dismay)

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 small can of tomato paste

1 packet of Spaghetti Sauce seasoning

2 1/4 cups water

(You can substitute the previous three ingredients for a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, I just prefer the kind you make from the seasoning packet)

1-2 tbsp butter (optional but helpful)

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mozerella cheese

1 cup lowfat cottage cheese

What to do:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Boil the spaghetti noodles (I like to salt the water with kosher salt, it adds a nice flavor to the noodles)

2. At the same time, brown the beef. Once cooked, drain the grease (Author's note: I hate hamburger grease like I hate the Nazis so once I drain off the extra grease, I also spread it out on a few paper towels to get ALL the grease off) and set aside.

3. Mix the hot spaghetti with a little butter (maybe a tablespoon, I usually use less), the parmesan and the 2 eggs and put in a pie dish to form a "crust" for the pie.

4. Mix the tomato paste, water, and seasoning packet according to directions on packet. Then add the beef and let simmer for a few minutes.

5. Spread the cottage cheese over the spaghetti mixture

6. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the spaghetti and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

7. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over the hot pie and bake 5 more minutes until the cheese in melted.

8. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving, it will thicken this way.

Since my fiance is a cop and works weird hours, I generally like to make stuff that I can put into tupperware to make little TV dinners for him to heat up when he gets home so yes, this reheats well. I served it (to myself) with steamed vegetables seasoned with nutritional yeast and a garlic knot breadstick that I made a while ago and froze. And I wanted to cry because it was so good. That is all!