My cavity drilling went fine today because……
…I had it drilled without any anesthesia!
Call me crazy, but after hearing my dentist’s explanation on why he thought I could probably do without, I was convinced to at least give it a try without the giant probing needle that would have numbed my whole left side lower jaw for the rest of the day.
You see, he explained that a tooth is multilayered. And the nerves are in the inner core (the pink). The top layer is the enamel, which has no nerves so it can’t feel drilling. Then there’s a spongy looking inner layer called dentine that has SOME feeling – depending on the person – but not that much near the top where my cavity was (this was the scariest part – the “maybe” feeling.)
My dentist said he thought based on the x-rays that my cavity was right on the enamel – and I have such a fear of needles I was willing to let him try to drill without a shot. It ended up being totally fine (although I little scary at times!) and the worst part was an increased sensitivity to cold water when he had to clean it. Otherwise, I didn’t feel any pain. So glad!
I was home again (via bike!) within an hour.
Later in the afternoon I told Matt I was getting hungry for dinner and a sample of beer appeared at my desk! Beer makes such a good snack 🙂
Dinner tonight was a simple soup blend (since I was expecting not to be able to chew!)
But since I could chew, I added more 🙂
The soup was a blend of broccoli, broth, greens and beans
The greens were a special pick-up from Whole Foods! The company saw that I had blogged about their frozen kale recently and sent me a coupon to get the newest newest frozen greens – kale, collards and mustard greens mixed! SOOOO convenient!! Not only would this have been a huge pain to clean and trim, but the cost of this bag was such much less than buying these individually.
Greens + Beans Soup
Serves 3
- 1 crown of broccoli
- 2 carrots
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups frozen greens
- 1 can white navy beans
- 2 cups veggie broth
- 1 tbsp kosher or herby salt
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
- Olive oil for veggie cooking
Cook carrot, broccoli and pepper in olive oil until soft and fragrant. Remove a few broccolis for garnish. Add garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Add broth, drained beans, frozen greens, and salt. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 5 minutes. Blend everything up in a blender or with a stick blender. Pour into bowls. Garnish with cheddar cheese, chopped rosemary and reserved broccolis.
Serve with a gooey slice of pimento cheese toast!
I’ve been playing around on KERF and have a new design debut to do in the next few days. And a new giveaway tomorrow AM!
Greens + Beans Soup
Ingredients
- 1 crown of broccoli
- 2 carrots
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups frozen greens
- 1 can white navy beans
- 2 cups veggie broth
- 1 tbsp kosher or herby salt
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
- Olive oil for veggie cooking
Instructions
- Cook carrot, broccoli and pepper in olive oil until soft and fragrant.
- Remove a few broccolis for garnish.
- Add garlic.
- Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add broth, drained beans, frozen greens, and salt.
- Bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend everything up in a blender or with a stick blender.
- Pour into bowls.
- Garnish with cheddar cheese, chopped rosemary and reserved broccolis.
Christine says
Wow, you’re brave! And to bike there and back too. I’m an absolute wimp when I go to the dentist- I always have nightmares the day before.
Sara says
kath,
can i ask how much the frozen greens cost? it sounds like a good idea if it is reasonably priced…although who knows at whole paycheck.
KathEats says
I’m pretty sure they were $1.99
Ally says
haha, whole paycheck 🙂 That made me laugh!
missy says
I want that cheesy bread!
Meredith says
Awesome bowls—they look like perfect oatmeal or icecream bowls! Where are they from?
Jazz says
Haha! I used to get drilled without freezing as a child.. but that’s because my dentist was always in a hurry and said ‘ it will only hurt for a minute’ and boy did it ever!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
Love the bag of greens!! and that soup sounds fantastic.
Kristen, Sweetly says
Wow. Way to go at the dentist! I saw you tweet about the no anesthesia, and I was afraid something had gone wrong. Man, no huge needle, AND cheesy bread with dinner. :-p
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I’m excited to see the new design 🙂
Lee says
One of my British friends was telling me that in England, they never use anethesia. He said that’s why Brits are notorious for bad teeth – they are afraid of the dentist. I have no idea if this is true, but it made sense.
Laura says
It’s not true. Must be just the brave and/or crazy Brits! 🙂
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
You are a brave soul!! I could never go sans anesthesia, I would probably cry like a blubbering little baby.
Slash that is THE most gorgeous soup bowl I have ever seen! It plays eye games with the mirror effect, I luuurve
Dorry says
So excited to see the new design! I’m such a visual person so I love when people mix it up.
Brandy says
Couldn’t help but notice the Brooklyn Brewery glass! I’ve been there twice when visiting New York. I loooove their chocolate stout. It had me making “Mmmmmm” noises out loud whilst tasting 🙂
Oh, and COOL BOWL!
Annette says
YUMM. Nice bravery-like I said, the dentist is always kinda fun for me 😉
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
I’m glad your tooth drilling was such a breeze! I would have been SO scared!
Casey says
That soup looks right up my alley!
Emily @ Savory and Savage says
Do you count Novocaine as anesthesia? If I was afraid of needles I would have a terrible time at the dentist. For any drilling they need to give me 2 -3 shots of novocaine because for some reason I have a high tolerance and the novocaine wears off way to0 fast.
[email protected] says
I had a cavity drilled without anesthesia when I was 11 that hurt like hell!!!!!
Nicole @ A Vegan in the House says
What?/? I don’t think I would have been as brave. You rock!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
You are far braver than I am – impressive!
Now THOSE greens sound like the beginning of a smoothie creation. 🙂 Have you heard that frozen can be better for you since often produce sits on shelves so long it loses nutritional value?
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That soup looks delish!
Rachel @ Healthy Teacher says
For some reason, I often shy away from blending soups. I always eat them chunky. I think I need to give up that fear.
Camille says
I can’t wait to see the design and giveaway!
Alaina says
I am so glad I’ve never had cavities. I don’t think I could handle the drills and needles. Although I’ll probably have to get my wisdom teeth taken out.
I love the green’s in your post today! 🙂
Gina says
New layout? Your’s is already amazing 🙂 I absolutely love your header.
But I can’t wait to see the new one. And the giveaway!
lauren says
Best thing I ever did at the dentist was to do the fillings without getting numbed up. My teeth always seem to hurt for days when I get the anestetics. Probably because the Dentist can be a little more rough if you can’t fee it!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
I had all four wisdom teeth pulled without any anesthesia! I was so nervous – I kept asking them to numb me even more. I obviously couldn’t feel anything, but I could hear it and “feel” pressure, so I was numb for HOURS!
KathEats says
Mine today was without ANY numbing! My wisdom tooth experience was similar – lots of crunching noises 🙁
stacey-healthylife says
I don’t care for the dentist. But no shot, I’m not sure that I could brave the other option. I would be scared.
Jessa says
Kudos on the whole dentist experience, riding your bike and being able to eat tasty stuff afterwards! I have a fun dentist experience too: I had 3 wisdom teeth pulled withOUT anasthesia, and then rode my bike home as well afterwards (the only option, as I didn t own a car at the time, and no public transportation existed where I lived) … by the time I got home the blood had started pumping out of the holes in my jaw leaving blood dripping down my chin. My husband saw me in that condition and has REFUSED to have his wisdom teeth pulled ever since 🙂 Yep, women can be hardcore 😉
KathEats says
Ahhhh!!! I can’t believe your dentist let you bike home after that!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
Congrats on surviving the dentists, sans numbing! You are ready for natural childbirth one day 🙂
The soup…looks delish! You are quite the star after a day in the dentist chair to be cooking (and blogging!)
🙂
Jessica says
I always get cavities done without any anesthesia as well!! The dull pain of drilling is so much better than the sharp pain of that needle! plus you don’t get the fat lip feeling afterwards! I thought I was the only one!
Maryann (The Balanced Bean) says
When I got my cavity filled my dentist convinced my I didnt need anesthesia as well..it wasnt too bad! Glad you had a good experience!
Alba & Dilek says
If anyone is daring enough to try, there’s a similar soup to this that is one of the traditional foods of the Black Sea part of Turkey. It is basically the same recipe and procedure. The ingredients are: collard greens, tomatoes, corn meal, salt and your favorite spices and herbs. 🙂
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles says
Just the noise of the drill sends me into a panic. No anesthesia? You are one brave cookie!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i am SO impressed with your bravery at the dentist.
Hannah says
Oh my heavens, I could never do that! My teeth are so sensitive I almost always have to get two shots of anaesthesia!
[email protected] says
Wow Kath! You’re one tough gal! way to go 🙂
Christie {Nourishing Eats} says
I’m glad the dentist wasn’t traumatizing. I can’t even imagine not getting my mouth numbed with a drill coming at me!!
I always keep a couple bags of those frozen greens on hand for soups and quick dishes. I’m not a huge fan of them just cooked as a side dish (I think they are chopped too small) but they really do come in handy.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
That soup looks delish! It is great having frozen veggies on hand, so convenient.
Katie says
Dentist is not fun : p Im glad you made it out ok ; ) never a fun thing!
Love the bowl the soup is in, and the soup sounds really good !
Cant wait to see the new design!!!!!!
Lauren says
Glad to hear the drilling went better than expected. That soup looks fantastic. I’ve been craving broccoli soup for awhile now.
Have a great day Kath!
laine @ beets, butter and mountaintops says
I used to get my cavities filled without anesthesia. I discovered that the dentist goes and gets a sharper drill, is more careful and finishes more quickly if you don’t use novacaine. When they think you are numb they can use a duller needle, dig around all they want and don’t need to be quick. Also, I founding that humming while they are drilling produces an anesthetic effect through the vibrations.
Simply Life says
wow, that really s brave!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That soup looks delicious!
megan @ blackberries for jam says
What a tough woman! You earned that beer!
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete says
You are braver than me! I am just so nervous at the dentist that I don’t think I could pass up the numbing “just in case” I needed it.
Amy says
Dude, you are hardcore. I never would have been so brave! Needles don’t bother me as much as drilling, though.
Your soup looks so good, too! I don’t like greens – it’s a texture thing, I think, and also I’m not southern so I never ate them growing up – but pureeing them in a soup sounds like a great idea. Definitely trying it!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
You are one brave, brave woman. I can’t imagine not getting numbed. I’m so afraid of dentists and teeth pain. 😉
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
You must really trust your dentist! In my experience, when someone says “Oh it won’t hurt”, it does. A lot! 😛
Allie says
You are so brave! Once I went without being numbed and it was not good… at all. I’m glad you had a good experience! Dinner looks great.. especially the cheese toast 🙂
Hope says
That soup looks so good! I love that Whole Foods now sells frozen kale! That would make things so much easier having it frozen.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
You are a brave soul Kath! I buy my spinach frozen but haven’t managed to find other frozen greens like kale and collard greens. I’m not sure if they have them at the Whole Foods near me but I’m gonna check it out next time because I love not having the hassle of washing them up!
Emily says
The soup looks really yummy, do you approve of the new frozen veggie blend? Hopefully my WF has it to try 🙂
MyLifeRunning says
Recipe looks fantastic. Whole Foods is a 35min drive from me, but I think you inspired me enough to make the drive today. Thanks!
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy says
You are definitely brave! I had a bad experience as a child where the area wasn’t completely numb and I could feel the drilling in a bad way! Now I would be too afraid to get a cavity filled without a shot.
Thealogian says
Good for you! I hate needles as well and the past two cavities (I’ve only ever had three in my whole life), I decided to forgo the shots as well. Giant needles are way worse than the pinch you feel when they drill on such a shallow level. Rawr!
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day says
Wow.. I’m glad the filling went well.. i had a horrific experience over the summer of not being able to get numb and drilling hell. I had over 20 shots in my mouth.
the soup looks so good!
Katie Photiadis says
Kath, I wish that I had skipped the novicaine when I got a tooth filled last month. My mouth was so numb after the procedure that I could only lift one side of my lips (making me look a bit like the Joker from the Dark Knight, haha).
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
Congrats on getting your cavity drilled without numbing it! Also that soup looks delicious 🙂
Kara says
OMG, you are so much braver than me! I hate, hate those needles, but the drill is even worse if I’m waiting for the pain!
I think you officially a badass 🙂
Evan Thomas says
I can’t believe you had it done without the pain meds. If I ever have to go to the doctor or dentist, I want them to give me all the drugs they have.
dee says
love the bowl! i love the new navigation bar. it’s so clean!
i dislike going to the dentist too. but that’s because i have a really bad relationship with pain. i mean really bad. 😉
meg says
I have had it drilled a few times without anesthesia and I prefer it! It goes much faster, and if there’s a little pain, I agree that it’s better than the icky needle.
Laura @ Starting Out Fit says
Wow, you are one BRAVE girl!!! Having just gotten some fillings done in the past few weeks, I couldn’t imagine not getting any freezing done. The last time I went, I had to get 2 needles!!
Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan) says
Yikes! No anesthesia?! I would faint at the idea hehe 🙂 I’m glad you were able to eat solid food afterward! I’m so jealous that you can bike everywhere 😀 It’s good you take advantage of CVille’s walkability (or BIKEability!) 😀
Richelle says
Glad your dentist appointment went well. I need to make one today becauses yesterday one of my fiilings cracked and I ended up swallowing a peices of it. Now there feels like there’s a hole where food could get stuck in. Blah. Your soup looks tasty!
Anne @ Your Kind of Salad says
Gah! I just had a cavity drilled this morning (with the novacain!) I’ve been drooling on myself for an hour; but hopefully it’ll stop soon 🙂 You’re brave!
Allison K. says
ugh…I hate numb face!
Emily says
Oh my gooosh! I must try those greens.
Leannalove says
There was this dentist I went to as a child that used to drill without anesthesia. He always told us to “raise our arm” if it started to hurt.
It ALWAYS hurt. Stupid dentist..
Sarah @ One Love Sarah says
Wow what a brave lady. Those greens look so good and simple and cheap! Might be picking them up next time I’m at the whole foods
Kiran says
The pimento bread looks so yummy! Glad the dentist appt went well. I couldn’t go through drilling without the needle. No way 😀
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I would have been so scared to do that without any numbing!! But it definitely would make it much more pleasant afterward. Going through the day without a half numb mouth is so annoying.
[email protected] Sweet Life says
Would love to hear about your decision to keep your maiden name!
Amber K says
There is absolutely no way I would do it without numbing. I have the most sensitive teeth ever! I’m a little strange though because my favorite time at the dentist ever was when I had my four wisdom teeth pulled at once. I was numb and had laughing gas and I was sooo comfortable.
Wendy says
Glad it didn’t hurt! I ALWAYS request fillings without the Novocaine. The dentists look at me like I’m crazy, but the needle and the de-numbing are far more unpleasant than the drilling!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
I am SO impressed with your decision! I am so afraid of any form of pain I don’t think I can say I’d be able to make the same decision as you, even with the reassurance from the dentist! You go, girl!
bitt says
You are so brave. My first cavity the dentist convinced me not to get the Novocaine and it turns out I have really sensitive teeth, so it was awful. And I was only a kid! Nowadays I even have to get double the amount because I can still feel the pain.
Minna says
Long time reader, first time commenter 🙂 After reading, i thought I’d comment. I went to the dentist yesterday to get a cavity (two actually) filled too! weird! I’ve never had a dentist tell me that i probably wouldn’t need any novocaine when getting a tooth drilled for a cavity, but i still don’t think I’d be brave enough to not be numbed up first. I don’t know how you did it. I spent the whole time being scared i might feel something anyway, even though i got about six shots of novocaine.
You’re right though, the lower half of my face was numb for at least four hours which made for some really awkward conversations and it’s been about a day and a half since i got the shots in my jaw and it still feels like someone punched me if i open my mouth up too far. I’d say you did the smart thing 🙂
Donna says
I had a final crown done today…definitely with anesthesia…took a few hours to wear off. SOOOO expensive.
Jess (Sweet Potato) says
Your are a much braver woman than me! Theres no way I would have let my dentist anywhere close to my teeth without being numb. I get the chills just thinking about it!