Wishing you and your families Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Belated Happy Hanukkah! Joyful Kwanzaa! We hope that your celebrations this year are merry and bright, and that 2024 treats you and your loved ones with kindness.
We know you’re busy this time of year, but we hope that you’ll take some time to read and enjoy our newsletter.
In This Issue:
- Holiday Party 2023
- Hand washing Awareness Month
- Pay Your Bill Online
- Holiday Poem
- Recipe of the Month: Chicken Pot Pie
- YouTube Channel
- Please Leave us a Review!
Holiday Party 2023
We had great fun at our annual Holiday party on Friday, December 8. We enjoyed our traditional Yankee Gift Exchange, a lovely meal, and the company of team members who only occasionally work with us – thank you Kailea, Lindsey, Wendy, Laura, and Ryn for joining us! Unable to join us this year were Dr. Patel, Dr. Hailemelecot, Samantha, Annette, Rodney, Kristen and Debra.
Ours is a dental practice that is truly family owned and operated. In the photo above, seated, are Dr. Levy, the practice owner, next to his wife Lena, who is our practice manager/vice-president of operations. Seated next to Lena is Debbie, our former practice manager, who for 38 years continues to offer us tremendous support, especially in the human resources area.
Hand Washing Awareness Month
During this month of hand washing awareness, we want to remind you of the CDC’s Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign. This campaign, which encourages people to make clean hands a healthy habit at home and away, is especially important around the holidays when we’re gathering with family and friends.
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If soap and water aren’t available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Pay Your Bill Online
Effective January 2024, you will no longer have to speak with us over the phone to give us a credit card number, or snail mail us a check. You will have the option to receive a text message or an email, and to securely pay the balance online at your convenience.
While we work through this transition, you will continue to receive the usual paper statement. You will also receive a text message and/or an email stating the amount due, with a link to a secure payment site. Please only issue one payment.
If you wish to receive a paperless link to pay your balance, please make sure we have your correct email address and cell phone number.
If you want to opt out of electronic billing, please send us a written request via email to info@drhlevyassoc.com or please mail it to Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates, 198 Thomas Johnson Dr, Ste 108, Frederick, MD 21702. All requests must be received in writing to properly update your account preferences.
Electronic payment links will NOT include an itemized statement. You will continue to receive your Estimate of Benefits from the insurance company that explains your out-of-pocket expense. If you need an itemized statement, please call, email, or send us a secure message through our portal (https://drhlevyassoc.mydentistlink.com/messaging).
We appreciate your patience as we bring our billing practices into the 2020s!
Holiday Poem
In winter’s grasp, the world aglow,
A season wrapped in purest snow.
With twinkling lights and cheer so bright,
It’s time for hearts to take delight.
The air is filled with festive song,
As jolly spirits dance along.
With laughter ringing in the air,
Joy and peace, a love to share.
In homes adorned with green and red,
Where stories spin and warmth is spread,
Families gather, hearts unite,
Embracing this enchanting night.
Gifts exchanged and blessings sent,
Gratitude in every event.
For in this time, our spirits soar,
As memories are made, forevermore.
So let us cherish, hand in hand,
The beauty of this wonderland.
As stars above their brilliance gleam,
Wishing you a joyful, dream-filled dream.
Air-Fryer Gingerbread Churros
A touch of molasses and ginger gives these cinnamon-sugar treats a gingerbread twist. Dunk them into a maple-syrup-sweetened cream cheese dip or try caramel sauce, melted chocolate or chocolate hazelnut spread.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- Cooking spray
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Cream Cheese-Maple Dip (see Tip) or caramel sauce, melted dark chocolate or chocolate-hazelnut spread (optional)
Directions
- Combine water, butter, molasses and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to boil. Remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour until completely incorporated and the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add egg to the dough and stir until completely incorporated. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pipe the dough into 18 (3- to 4-inch) logs about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer the pan to the freezer and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Lightly coat the churros with cooking spray. Working in batches as necessary, place the churros in an even layer in the basket of an air fryer. Cook at 380°F, turning once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine sugar, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg in a shallow dish. Roll the warm churros in the sugar mixture to coat. Serve with Cream Cheese-Maple Dip or drizzle with caramel sauce, melted chocolate or chocolate-hazelnut spread, if desired.
Equipment:
Air fryer; pastry bag with star tip; parchment paper
Tip:
To prepare Cream Cheese-Maple Dip, beat 4 oz. softened reduced-fat cream cheese, 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream and 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.