LIFE AFTER A ROOT CANAL

Now here's a question some of you may have pondered. The dreaded root canal...a tortuous procedure that makes the toughest cringe at the thought. 

Well I'm about to answer that for you, cause I had my first one this week! But first a little background...

A Big cavity is discovered in my back molar. Seems the little sneak had been gleefully growing under an old filling. The dentist looks doubtful but we try to fill it an hope for the best. No go....root canal or pull the whole thing. I'm going for pulling, but at the ninth hour, when I'm literally about to get the freezing, there is a change of heart and I decide to give this old molar one last chance. 

So off I go to a specialist and let the root canal begin. Ok....not as bad as I thought...I'm well frozen and it seems to me the endodontist is getting a pretty good upper body workout but after about 40-45 minutes the deed is done. 

What remains though is a pretty tender mouth and I've been living off of soft foods for most of the week: oatmeal, yogurt, stuff like that. Since I'm eating this way, might as well make the best of it.

How about a nice risotto with fresh local peas and mushrooms!

Risotto, like a root canal, takes a little time. You start with waking up the rice in a bath of olive oil and white wine:

Now here comes the part that takes a while, you have to add broth (chicken, vegetable) a little at a time and just keep stirring between each and watch the rice get fatter and fatter.

So, just hang out at the stove, pour a little of the wine for yourself and keep stirring. I'm reminded of the scene with Billy Crystal in Princess Bride as he brings Wesley back to life: "Hey! Hello in der?!! What's so important? Whatcha got that's worth livin' for!?" Risotto...I've got Risotto. No need to hurry, I'll just keep stirring and sipping.

Eventually after about 20-25 minutes, you have big, fat, happy rice with mushrooms and peas tucked in, all soft and easy to eat.

Life after a root canal does exist. You may have to change your diet a bit for a while but like Twooo Wove, it's worth livin' for!