braces friendly recipe

Having braces doesn't mean compromising on delicious meals! Orthodontic patients can still enjoy a variety of tasty and nutritious dishes without worrying about damaging their braces. Check out this recipe for Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers that are not only safe for braces but also packed with essential nutrients for a healthy smile.

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color of your choice)
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 1 cup black beans (canned or cooked)
• 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish that can hold the bell peppers upright.
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside. Rinse them thoroughly and set aside.
3. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the vegetable broth (or water) to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is fully cooked and fluffy. Set aside.
4. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels to the onion and garlic mixture. Season with ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Combine the cooked quinoa with the vegetable mixture, and stir well to incorporate all the ingredients.
7. Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the quinoa-vegetable mixture, pressing down gently to fill them completely. If desired, top each stuffed pepper with shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the bell peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
10. Remove the foil, and if you added cheese, let it melt and become golden brown (about 5 more minutes).
11. Remove from the oven and allow the stuffed peppers to cool slightly before serving.

Bon appétit and happy eating! Follow us on Facebook or twitter for more great orthodontic tips and information about or Whitefish Bay, WI office.

We love autumn in Whitefish Bay, WI. The leaves are changing into their beautiful fall colors and the fall harvest means lots of pumpkins for carving! Did we mention that we love the Whitefish Bay Pumpkin Festival?

In honor of all things pumpkin related, we wanted to share our favorite braces friendly pumpkin recipe. It's soft and easy for teeth that might be sore from an adjustment and healthy (because it is made with pumpkin, right?) Enjoy!

Pumpkin Custard

15 ounce can of pumpkin

2 large eggs

1 cup half-and-half cream

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 teaspons pumpkin spice

Instructions

Blend ingredients until smooth and then pour into 4 custard cups. Bake in a water bath for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Top with whip cream. Eat warm or chilled. Enjoy!

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This time of year, we love eating warm desserts that highlight the fall harvest. A favorite dessert is Dr. Barden’s Braces Friendly Baked Apple.

Braces Friendly, Baked Apples Recipe 

Ingredients

4 large apples

4 tablespoons of soft butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup oatmeal

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup raisins (or chopped nuts if you have clear aligners, otherwise nuts can damage brackets and wires!)

Instructions

Wash the apples.  Cut the apple in half and remove the core using a spoon. Combine the other ingredients and fill the apples.  Place the apples in a casserole baking dish. Put ¾ cup water on the bottom and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, until apples are soft and filling has browned.

Serve warm and top with whip cream.  Enjoy!

Check out some of our other braces friendly recipes for dinner here and appetizers here!  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to learn more about Barden Orthodontics and other dental tips!

Does it seem like your kids are always hungry for a snack?? If they have braces, be sure to have some braces friendly snacks available for them when they are hungry.  Keep in mind, anything that is hard (nuts, hard candy) or sticky (caramels, gum etc) can result in broken brackets and an emergency orthodontic appointment when you would rather be having fun!

Some healthy summer snack suggestions:

• Fruit such as berries, oranges, kiwi and watermelon are refreshing, filled with vitamins and won't damage orthodontic appliances.
• Smoothies are a healthy, cool, and refreshing treat!
• Hummus served with pita bread or soft veggies (such as red peppers or mini tomatoes). Be sure to cut any hard veggies into small pieces.
• Cheese sticks.
• Ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sherbet are cool treats (but filled with sugar so be sure to brush after eating!)

If you have braces, please avoid eating some popular summer snacks such as corn-on-the-cob or popcorn. They can cause some serious damage to orthodontic appliances and brackets.

Be sure to brush 2x a day for 2 minutes each time and floss daily. We hope you all have a great summer break filled with lots of fun activities!

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Are you looking for a new braces friendly dinner recipe? How about “Loaded Baked Potato Casserole? It’s perfect for a weekday dinner, soft enough to eat with braces (and even sore teeth), and packed with healthy ingredients.

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

• 6 to 8 cups mashed potatoes (or try mashed cauliflower for a fun alternative)
• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 6 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
• 1 onion and 2 cloves of garlic (chopped and sautéed in olive oil)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings: salsa, sour cream, fresh parsley, chives, or jalapeños.

Instructions

In a large, buttered casserole dish, layer mashed potatoes, onions, chicken, cheese, and bacon. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is melted and dish is heated through.  Serve hot with toppings of choice and enjoy!

Check out some of Dr. Douglas Barden's other braces friendly recipes including garden veggie chili, stew, and fun appetizers. Share your favorite braces friendly meal suggestions with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

Are you ready for some football?! You might be in orthodontic treatment but you can still eat great food while cheering on your favorite team. Check out Dr Barden’s favorite, braces friendly appetizer recipes!

Craving something spicy?

Stuffed Jalapeno poppers

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces ground sausage
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 10 large jalapenos

Instructions

Cook and drain the meat. Slice the jalapenos in half and clean out seeds. Combine the other ingredients and stuff the peppers. Bake on a greased pan at 350 for 15 – 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Do you have a sweet tooth?

Fruit kababs

• Skewer strawberries, pieces of fresh pineapple, apple, cantaloupe, grapes and other favorite fruits onto a kabab stick. Serve with a side of fruit dip.

Fruit dip

• 1 container of cool whip
• 2 tablespoons cocoa

Instructions

Mix cool whip and cocoa powder. Serve chilled.

Looking for easy finger food?

Savory Roll Ups

• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies
• 4 ounce can chopped black olives
• 1 package of flour tortilla shells

Instructions:

Mix cream cheese, chilies, and olives together. Spread a layer of the dip onto a tortilla shell. Roll the shell, chill, and cut into bite size pieces.

Remember if you have braces, avoid any hard (nuts or popcorn) or sticky (caramels) appetizers as they can break brackets and orthodontic appliances. Broken appliances can result in an extra appointment at our office and slow down your treatment progress.

What are your favorite game-time recipes? Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Enjoy the Game!

Everyone at Barden Orthodontics is looking forward to Thanksgiving! It’s a day to show appreciation for the many wonderful things in our lives. It’s also a chance to share our favorite foods with family and friends.

Traditional Thanksgiving foods also happen to be Braces-Friendly Food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy are all soft and easy to eat with braces. If you have braces, be sure to avoid any hard foods that might bend wires or break the brackets and orthodontic appliances. If you have Invisalign® you can eat whatever you want because you remove the aligners while eating!

If you are looking for a new recipe that is braces-friendly, here is one of Dr. Douglas Barden’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes. It’s packed with vegetables that are cooked soft, sure to please everyone, and easy to eat even with sore teeth!

Creamy Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 large package of frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower combination
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl combine vegetable, mushroom soup, 1/2 cup cheese, sour cream. Salt and pepper to personal preference. Transfer to a baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 5 minutes longer.

You can easily double this recipe if you are serving a big crowd!

Share your favorite braces-friendly recipe with us on our Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from Barden Orthodontics!

“What’s for dinner?” Are you looking for a healthy dinner recipe that is also “braces friendly”? In the wintertime, a Barden family favorite is this easy, slow cooker beef stew. It’s packed with healthy vegetables and everything cooks soft, so you don’t need to worry about breaking wires or brackets. Even people with sore teeth can enjoy this meal! The recipe is easy to make and can be adjusted to include vegetables that your family loves!

Easy slow cooker beef stew
2 lbs beef stew meat
¼ cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 clove minced garlic
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 onion chopped
2 cups beef broth
3 diced potatoes
4 sliced carrots
1 cup peas

Directions
Place meat in slow cooker and stir in the flour. Add the other ingredients. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 4-6 hours. If desired, or needed, you can thicken the stew with tomato paste. ENJOY!

What are some of your family's favorite dinners? Share them with us on our Facebook page!

Fall is a great time for fresh, healthy vegetables. Whether you grow them in your garden or get them at a local farmer’s market, they are tasty and full of vitamins that are essential for healthy teeth. Are you looking for a delicious healthy recipe that uses garden vegetables and is “brace friendly” food? Below is a Barden family favorite recipe. It is perfect for a cool fall day and since the veggies are cooked soft they won’t damage your brackets or wires.

Easy Garden Vegetarian Chili

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
5 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups juicy chopped fresh tomatoes
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup corn kernels
1 can kidney beans
2 cups water or vegetable stock
tomato paste as needed to thicken as preferred
salt and pepper to preference

Directions
Heat oil in pot. Add onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Sauté until onion is soft. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Bring to boil and then simmer over low until vegetables are soft. Enjoy!

Share your family favorite recipes on our Facebook page.

Looking for a healthy summertime snack that is sure to please your child who is wearing braces? We recommend smoothies! Packed with healthy fruits (and even vegetables) a smoothie is a tasty cool treat, can feel good when teeth are sore, and is sure to make everyone happy.

We are happy to share a Barden family favorite smoothie recipe.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
1 banana
1 cup milk
½ cup vanilla or plain yogurt
2 tablespoons peanut butter (try sunflower seed butter if allergic to peanuts!)
1 cup of ice cubes

Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

When making smoothies you can get creative with fruits and find the combination that you like the best!

Share your favorite smoothie recipe with everyone on our Facebook page!

It's almost game day and you're wondering what to put on the menu for your guests. Most snacks are typically highly processed and unhealthy. Why not mix it up this year and opt for some snacks that promote good oral health? Here are some of Dr. Douglas Barden favorites!

• Apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers: These foods and other crispy, fibrous, fruits and vegetables are an excellent choice for the big game. Not only are they rich in vitamins and minerals which your body and mouth need, they are also known as detergent foods because of the cleaning effect they have on the teeth and gums. Try apples wedges spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.
• Beans: Beans are filling because they are packed with fiber and that keeps you from opting for sugary or fatty snacks. Along with fruits and vegetables, beans should be one of the stars of your game-day snack lineup. How about some hearty chickpea hummus with cucumber chips?
• Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews: Nuts abound in the minerals that help keep your teeth and gums strong like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Put out a bowl of raw or roasted nuts for your guests as a crunchy, satisfying alternative to chips or crackers. Recent research even shows that the polyunsaturated fatty acids in nuts may help prevent gum disease. But remember not to eat the whole bowl! Nuts are very high in calories and a little goes a long way. Enjoy and handful or two along with your other healthy snacks.
• Dark chocolate: This one may be hard to believe at first, but research shows chocolate can be great for your teeth and help prevent decay! Now don't run off and start stocking your pantry with a bunch of that super sweet stuff, because these benefits come mainly from the tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids present in the cacao bean. Dark chocolate is the least processed variety of chocolate and the closest to the cacao bean, so make sure you purchase a variety that is listed as 70% cocoa or more for these benefits. Like with nuts, chocolate is easy to overdo — aim to eat two or three squares.
• Be sure to check out these braces friendly appetizer recipes! These are sure to please everyone on game day!
• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook  for more helpful dental information!

You have braces, and you’re probably wondering what to eat. You can’t have gum, popcorn or other delicious but braces-unfriendly foods. But fear not! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have a delicious recipe that will satisfy both your sugar craving and hunger when the weather gets cold.

Apple Bombolini
Ingredients:

Rustic dough
• 9 ounces cake flour (about 3 cups)
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch sea salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into large pieces
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoon cold water

Apple sauce filling
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Diced apples:
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

For the dough: In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, add the dry ingredients and mix for 5 seconds to blend. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until the butter is about the size of peas. Add the cold water and blend until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a roughly shaped ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
Applesauce filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Put the apples with the rest of the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and cook until the apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Diced apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into large slices. Toss with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and set aside.

Assemble the bomboloni: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to1/4-inch thick round. Cut into 6-inch rounds. Place about 1/4 cup of the Apple Sauce Filling onto the center of each round. Top with a few pieces of the Diced Apples. Pull the sides up towards the center to form a bundle, pinching the dough together towards top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before baking