Did you know that you could actually save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before the end of the year? While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most run on a calendar year. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, these 4 reasons will show you why you should make a dental appointment.
1. Yearly Maximum
The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly maximum usually renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not rollover.
2. Deductible
The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and could be higher if you choose an out-of-network dentist. However, the average deductible for a dental insurance plan is usually around $50 per year. Your deductible also starts again when your plan rolls over.
3. Premiums
If you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any dental treatment, you should always have your regular dental cleanings to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental problems.
4. Dental Problems Can Worsen
By delaying dental treatment, you are risking more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. What may be a simple cavity now, could turn into a root canal later.
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest bloggers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Pharmacy. We can compound your medications in our state of the art Austin Compounding Pharmacy lab. For more information about Live Oak Pharmacy, give us a call at 512-476-8979 or come visit us at 1611 W 5th Street, Austin, TX 78703. Live Oak Pharmacy | Customized For Your Health
First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now there’s Small Business Saturday! Small Business Saturday is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.
Live Oak Pharmacy is proud to participate for the second year in a row! American Express wants to help you make a difference. Get a one-time $25 statement credit when you register an eligible American Express® Card and use that Card for a purchase of $25 or more at a small business, like Live Oak Pharmacy, on November 26th.
We started Live Oak Pharmacy because we realized that Austin was changing so much. And really what downtown needed for the people that live, work and play down here was it needed an innovative pharmacy that focused on wellness. And so we wanted to create that opportunity.
I think the thing that makes Live Oak Pharmacy really unique, it’s not the prescriptions, it’s the people. The people that work at Live Oak Pharmacy, our customers and patients, the prescribers that we work with. Live Oak Pharmacy isn’t a traditional pharmacy. We’re a compounding pharmacy as well.
One of the core values of Live Oak Pharmacy is doing our best to be a good corporate neighbor. Whether that means volunteering at a local community event, creating a team to participate in a walk and raise awareness, sponsor a gala, or even just setting up an information table so that we can help educate the public.
At Live Oak Pharmacy we really try to incorporate as many different areas of, of points of contact that we can reach our customers, our patients, and the prescribers that we work with. Whether it’s through social media, having events in the store, or creating a meeting space as an opportunity for people to come together and really just connect with the communities that we serve.
My name is Scot Maitland and I’m one of the business owners of Live Oak Pharmacy along with Nathan Pope and this is our business story.
We created a little video for Live Oak Pharmacy using YouTube.com/MyBusinessStory - a site built for small businesses to tell their stories and encourage everyone to Shop Small. Thanks to both Google and American Express for creating this. For more about Live Oak Pharmacy, visit our business at http://LiveOakRx.com
What could be better for your health than fresh fruits and vegetables? But even the ripest apple or the leafiest lettuce can carry dirt and nasty bacteria that need to be thoroughly washed off before it’s safe to eat. Follow these tips for making sure your produce is untainted:
Start with a clean slate. Wipe down your kitchen counter, scrub your knives and cutting boards, and wash your hands before cleaning your food.
Water is best. Don’t use soap or detergents to wash your produce; they can seep into the items and potentially make people sick. Use cool water and wash for 30 to 60 seconds in most cases. Some nutritionists say that a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar or lemon juice is even more effective, as long as you thoroughly rinse the produce when you’re done.
Wash peeled food, too. Dirt and microbes can hide in the crevices of such fruits and orange and bananas, so even though you don’t eat the skin, washing it prevents the spread of harmful material from the peel to the fruit through contact with your fingers.
Don’t wash and store. Wait until you’re ready to eat the item in question. If you wash it and then stick it in the refrigerator, it will retain moisture and spoil faster.
Use a brush. For firmer fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes, a stiff vegetable brush can do a good job of removing dirt and particles you don’t want to eat.
Live Oak Pharmacy is your pharmacy! We offer you a balance of health and wellness and try to add some fun along the way! Have questions about nutrition? Talk with our pharmacist today! Stop in or call us at 512-476-8979!
Michelle Gonzalez, Fishmongress at Quality Seafood Market, writes a monthly article for Live Oak Pharmacy on seafood as an essential part of whole body wellness.
October is known as the month for Breast Cancer Awareness, however to seafood lovers it is also known as National Seafood Month! There is no better time than now to showcase the health benefits of eating a seafood rich diet as well as quick tips to help you make informed seafood choices.
As most of us know, SEAFOOD = OMEGA 3s = HEALTHIER BODY! While this is true there are many other benefits and reasons to love and consume the recommended 8oz of seafood weekly.
Here are five reasons you should incorporate seafood into your diet:
Eating fish reduces the risk of death from heart disease, the leading cause of death in both men and women. Seafood intake has also been linked to a lower risk of stroke, depression and mental decline with age.
Fish intake is extremely important for pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding because it supplies DHA, a specific omega-3 fatty acid that is beneficial for infant’s brain development.
Essential fatty acids found in most seafood may cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Various reports show that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can slow mental decline and even reduce the development of Alzheimer’s disease in older people.
Seafood lovers and eaters have lower risks of getting cancer. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are the essential components responsible for protection against cancer. In fact, there had been reports that people who eat fish regularly have low risks of cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, and prostate.
Shellfish help aid in healthy skin, and good eyesight. Different varieties of shellfish are rich in vitamins and minerals, aside from being very low in fat content. Shellfish helps guarantee healthy skin and promotes good eyesight because vitamins contained in shellfish aid in formation and use of red blood cells and muscles.
It is important that you purchase the freshest seafood possible for the most benefits. So keep these quick tips and tidbits in mind when purchasing your seafood at your local market.
Buy your seafood from markets that have a reputable name. Quality Seafood Market has been selling seafood since 1938. They are known for their fresh fish and friendly and trustworthy fishmongers. Go with your gut instinct and ask yourself: What is my first impression of this facility? Does it look and smell clean?
Only buy fish that is refrigerated or properly iced. Fish should be displayed on a thick bed of fresh ice and preferably in a case.
Previously frozen ais still considered fresh. Nowadays, fresh catches can be processed and frozen immediately to very low temperatures – frequently, this takes place right on the fishing vessel.
Fish should smell fresh and mild NEVER sour, fishy or ammonia-like. Remember that a fish’s eyes should be clear, and the fish should have firm, shiny flesh. Dull flesh, fillet discoloration (green to yellowish) and cloudy eyes could mean the fish is on it’s last fin or not good!
Thaw frozen seafood gradually by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. If you have to thaw seafood quickly, seal it in a plastic bag and immerse it in cold water.
Seafood should be cooked to an internal temp of 145°F. if you don’t have a food thermometer lying around use these everyday techniques to know when your seafood is ready. Fish: Flesh should be opaque and separate easily. Shrimp & Lobster: Flesh becomes pearly-opaque. Scallops: Flesh turns milky white or opaque and firm. Clams, mussels, and oysters: Look for their shells to open and throw away the shells that don’t open.
Remember to always consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any known allergens or medical conditions before consuming seafood.
National Seafood Month provides the perfect opportunity to become a healthier you, to branch out and try a new fish or shellfish or pass on new seafood facts and information you have learned to family and friends. Give yourself the gift of health and seafood awareness this month. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try new things!
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Last month, Live Oak Pharmacy was featured on the cover of Drugstore Canada. “North America’s hippest drugstore mixes personalized care, an on-trend health focus and social media buzz to create best-in-class ‘local’ pharmacy in the big city.” Click on the cover to download the PDF article and thanks for making us North America’s Hippest Drugstore!
It’s Friday and that’s a good reason to smile! Here are a few more . . .
A genuine smile increases the production of serotonin, the happy hormone.
Smiling builds bridges to other people around us. It keeps us from remaining aloof and separate from one another. Babies as young as three weeks old even recognize smiling as a bonding behavior.
One smile uses more than 16 muscles.
Come into Live Oak Pharmacy to get a smile, they’re free and available every time you walk in the door!
It’s still too hot to fire up that oven. Ceviche (say-VEE-chay) is a great hot weather meal. It requires no heat and very little prep time. What’s more, it’s cool and refreshing! This week, I’d like to share a few pointers that I learned from my fellow fishmonger, Ryan Verheyn of Quality Seafood Market, on how to safely prepare ceviche. Most recipes call for marinating the seafood (fish, shrimp, scallops, octopus, and squid are all popular choices) for 1-5 hours in citric acid (i.e., lime juice) before consumption. The fresher the seafood and the longer it marinates, the more bacteria is killed by the acid and the safer the ceviche is to eat. However, Ryan recommends an even more sanitary method than just selecting a fresh catch and marinating it. Ryan marinates just the seafood, leaving the other ingredients aside, in the citric acid for 5 hours or overnight, if possible. This ensures that the maximum amount of bacteria bites the dust. When he’s ready to serve the ceviche, Ryan drains the seafood, discards the marinade and replenishes it with fresh lime juice. Then he adds his other fresh ingredients, such as diced jalapeño and onion, chopped tomato, and minced garlic and cilantro. The new lime juice has a brighter, fresher flavor, not to mention it’s free of that fishy marinade.
As always, when making ceviche, be sure to buy seafood from a reputable, busy market that is known for its high turnover of product (you don’t want fish that’s been sitting around all week). Also, ask your monger what fish she recommends that day. What’s the freshest? What has the right texture and flavor for ceviche? My personal favorite is black drum. It’s lean, white, and firm. It has a mild flavor and takes to the flavors of other fresh ingredients well. Finally, it’s a local, wild-caught Texas favorite. Now what could be more refreshing than supporting your local fisherman? See you in the market!
Come into Live Oak Pharmacy to get a smile, they’re free and available every time you walk in the door!
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
What better way to celebrate than to adopt a new member of the family! Studies show that people who own pets are healthier! Pet owners have greater self-esteem, are more physically fit, less lonely, more conscientious, more extroverted and tend to be less fearful!
There are plenty of places in Austin that offer adoption services.
This is also the perfect time to think about microchipping your pet if you haven’t done so. Talk to our friends over at Austin Urban Vet Center to learn more about microchipping! And don’t forget to get your four legged friend a snazzy Red Dingo pet identification charm!
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s Pharmacy. We’re also Austin’s pet friendly pharmacy located in downtown Austin. Come in with your four legged friend today and see how we’re different! We’re located at 1611 W 5th Street just two blocks east of MoPac.
Being back in school can be a pain for your kids–if you’re not watching their backs. A typical elementary school student hauls between 10 and 20 pounds in books, lunch, and other school supplies in their backpacks. While most kids can handle the weight, about one in 10 complain of back pain. And although it may not cause long-term back problems, many children have to curtail their usual activity or take pain medication.
Here’s some tips to prevent back pain in kids:
Encourage kids to carry only what they need. A filled pack should weigh no more than 30 percent of your child’s weight.
Tell kids to wear a backpack as close to their bodies as possible. Recommend that they use both shoulder straps and the pelvic strap.
Instruct kids to switch the pack between both shoulders, if you know they won’t use both straps. For example: Carry the pack on the right shoulder one day and on the left shoulder the next day.
Distribute the weight as evenly as possible. This will ensure a balanced load.
Buy a pack with padded shoulder straps. Some also come with padding in the back.
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s Pharmacy and we care about your kid’s health and wellness too! Children aren’t little people, they have their own special health and wellness needs. Talk to our pharmacist today about your kids! Live Oak Pharmacy is located at 1611 W 5th Street (just 2 blocks east of MoPac) with plenty of free parking located behind the store!
