Those Pearly Whites

If there's one compliment that I consistently get it's 

"You have the whitest teeth! How do you keep them so white?"

In high school, I could honestly say that I credited it to my lack of drinking dark, staining liquids like coffee or soda. That's definitely changed though, and I've still managed to counter the staining for the most part. I don't spend a ridiculous amount of money on teeth whitening, but I do take protective measures to keep my teeth nice and white.

then again, maybe my teeth are just really
big so they look whiter? 

Of course, I keep up a hygienic regimen of brushing my teeth regularly, and flossing as regularly as possible. But, any time I drink or eat anything that might stain my teeth I brush soon after. I use Crest whitening toothpaste as well as the White Strips (although I haven't used the strips in a while and have maintained the whiteness). I'm not a huge user of mouthwash and I don't really believe in the "straw" method... you know, always drinking out of a straw. It's just not something that I really worry about.

I really credit the whiteness to making sure no staining substances stay on my teeth. If I don't have a toothbrush, etc. with me, just swishing with water to "flush" anything away is helpful... I think. I'm no dentist and I don't have any backup besides my own experience, but I have had only 2 small cavities in my life, so I like to think I know how to take care of my teeth by brushing at least twice daily- usually more like 3 or 4 times though- using a whitening toothpaste, as well as removing staining substances before they have the chance to really stain the teeth is really what I rely on.

As with everything else in life, I find what works and go with it. I can't guarantee that just brushing with great toothpaste, etc. works for everyone... but I'd say it's a good start! 

Namaste!

I go into every summer with a huge list of things I want to accomplish: golf, road trips, amusement parks, etc. 

More often than not I end up leaving a lot of my goals for "next summer" in order to be lazy in the then and now. Yes, I have a mental idea of some things I'd like to do this summer, starting with getting really healthy. 

I want to be more active in general. Do more. See more. Live. Today is officially my first day of summer, and I'm starting with yoga- something that has always been equally intriguing and terrifying. I've never been flexible or patient, but today starts the journey to both. I've found some beginner videos that work the muscles used for running, so it's killing two birds with one stone (I'm really serious about running at least a half-marathon before I turn 21). 

I still want to learn to golf, and I've recently had this urge to play tennis- a huge joke if you knew the fits I used to throw when my parents made me go to tennis camp. But hey, getting older has made me curious and I'm trying to use what's left of my summers to soak up every opportunity I have! There will be more to come with regards to my summer plans, as well as what direction the blog is going to take in the next few months.

So, I leave you with a few questions:

have you tried yoga?

what's your biggest "goal" for this summer?