Elkins Dental - February 2021

Elkins Dental - February 2021

FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE

ELKINSDENTAL.COM FEBRUARY 2021

STUCK IN MY OWN GROUNDHOG DAY What I Did to Change Things Up

Even though it’s a rather large place, people can’t go everywhere or anywhere they’d like. We really only had a few small places on the ships we could visit regularly while on deployment. Being the only dentist on the ship, I was lucky enough to have my own bedroom, even though it was fairly small. Whether or not you had your own room, though, doing two six-month deployments, it’s easy to find yourself living your own personal "Groundhog Day" during that time. With all the routines we had, and roughly the exact same schedule every day, it certainly felt monotonous at times. Lucky for me, I am a person of routine. I exercise in the mornings before work, enjoy eating my meals at certain times of the day, and like heading to bed at the same time every night. These are the types of routines I like because they help me get my tasks done throughout the day and keep me at my best. However, even keeping those daily tasks and routines in my deployment created a type of monotony after a while. The way I made it through was by ensuring that I had things I enjoyed doing in my routines. In my downtime, I would practice my guitar and became a lot better at playing during both of those deployments. I’d also make time to write a lot of letters and emails to people whom I normally wouldn't’have been able to stay in contact with. I even kept up with my exercise routine on the elliptical on the ship nearly every day. At night, a few of us officers had a nightly routine where we would head into the mess hall to play board games and chat with one another. I think, just as they helped me, making time for things we enjoy can help break whatever monotony people are feeling. Even if someone enjoys routines as I do, indulging in the hobbies they love can make for a happy life.

When it comes to the holiday Groundhog Day, many people are reminded of the popular film, "Groundhog Day." It’s a fun movie to watch and enjoy this time of year; as the audience, we get to see how Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, grows as a person by reliving the same day over and over. I also think, though, that it’s something we can relate to, as well. At some point in our lives, we all feel as though we’re trapped in a moment or situation that might feel inescapable. For me, that moment was when I was deployed in the Navy. I had two deployments, both of which lasted for six months. As any first experience, I was excited but nervous; I knew what my role would be, but I also knew that I would be on the same ship for two periods of 182 days. Let me tell you, being on a Navy ship is almost like you’re living the same day over and over again, just like the movie.

Trying to break up the monotony with members of the medical department

–Dr. El kins

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A SIMPLE WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR DAY!

The Calendar of ‘Things to Look Forward To’

how she improved the overall mood of her family by creating a calendar of things to look forward to every week. In a post on Facebook, she wrote,“I wanted something for me and my kids to look forward to each day, so I posted a list to my fridge of the days of the week and one fun thing each day. (Like Taco Tuesday, Takeout Thursday, Dance Party Friday, Movie & Popcorn Sunday.)”It’s an idea anyone can easily implement. Create themed days (like game night or park day) or create a schedule of fun things. Write down when the next show or movie you’re interested in will be available to stream.You can do the same for a new book or video game that may be coming out and apply the concept to virtually anything. The important thing is that you write it down on a calendar so you can see it. When you or your family glance at the calendar and see what’s coming up, it elevates your mood and boosts your day. And the more things you’re looking forward to, the better! Give it a try and get everyone in the family involved. When you need a little extra joy in your life, this is an incredibly simple way to achieve it!

Many families have faced disappointment in one way or

another. Since early last year, countless activities and events have been canceled, and people had to skip many family vacations and get-togethers. Though it is a new year, it’s still

going to be a while before normal activities and events

will be scheduled, meaning there might not be a whole lot to look forward to, which can be disheartening. So, why not change that and give yourself and your family something to look forward to? A great way to improve your day — or week, month, or even year — is to write down things you’re excited about. In an article on Lifehacker.com, one mom talked about

Kalie and Cheyenne: A Word on Dental Health 6 Methods to Improve Your Kisses

AWHITE SMILE Teeth whitening greatly boosts a person’s self-esteem. If whitening makes you want to smile more, our office at Elkins Dental has in-office whitening options available for our patients. There are also reliable over-the-counter whitening products that work well too. SMOKING Not only is smoking bad for a person’s health, but it also leads to bad breath and stained teeth. Additionally, smoking affects the way a person can taste and smell and significantly increases the risk of developing periodontal disease and oral cancer. Quit thisValentine's Day and begin a new journey to better health. DENTAL VISITS Developing a good relationship with your dentist and dental hygienists is also a sure way to increase your oral hygiene. Be sure to visit regularly however often your dental team recommends for checkups, cleanings, and other dental care. –Kal ie and Cheyenne

Valentine’s Day is here! If you’re looking for ways to make your partner smile, here are a few methods to improve your kisses.

CONTAGIOUS CAVITIES Cavities are caused by bacteria, which can spread from one person to another through kissing, sharing a fork, or drinking after someone. Therefore, brushing twice a day (for two minutes) and flossing every day will lead to a cavity-free mouth and prevent people from sharing that bacteria. BAD BREATH Brushing and flossing can also reduce the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Using mouthwash and sugar-free gum is also beneficial, as it helps breath stay fresh. TOOTHBRUSH SHARING As a couple, it’s wonderful to share a life, but not a toothbrush. Sharing a toothbrush also means sharing bacteria, which can lead to an increased risk of cavities and other dental diseases, such as gingivitis. Make sure you both have your own toothbrush and remember to change it every 3–4 months or if the toothbrush is becoming frayed.

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STRAWBERRY KISSED ALMOND BUTTER MUFFINS

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Ingredients

GOOD CHEER Beer lovers, rejoice! Idaho is the world’s largest hop producer, and more and more people are taking advantage of our agricultural bounty by opening breweries in the Treasure Valley. Share a few of these treasures with visiting family members and their only question will be “How did we not come here sooner?” • 1 cup oat flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup strawberry fruit spread, divided (we recommend Bonne Maman INTENSE)

MOUNTAIN RANGES Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, we don’t have to go far to find mountaintop winter activities. If skiing or tubing is your idea of winter fun, Bogus Basin is just a short drive away, and heading to McCall makes a fun weekend getaway. ... AND RIVERS Not only are we surrounded by the Payette and Boise rivers, Idaho is also home to the deepest gorge in North America: Hells Canyon. Take that, Arizona! • 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed • 3/4 cup natural creamy almond butter (can substitute creamy peanut butter) • 2 large eggs • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey) • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Out-of-town relatives who are visiting for the holidays might wonder what makes Emmett so special. But we already know the Treasure Valley is full of gems — and we don’t just mean the rocks. Here are some additional reasons Emmett and The Gem State are great. WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE On average, we have 210 sunny days per year. Compare that to 144 rainy days in Portland and we can feel pretty happy about all our free vitamin D. Directions

5. Evenly divide batter into liners. Add 1 tsp strawberry fruit spread to the top of each muffin. 6. Use a butter knife to gent y swirl the spread int he batter. 7. Bake for 22–27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Transfe muffins to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and spray with nonstick cooking spr y. 3. In a large bowl, mix bananas, almond butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 4. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and salt until s ooth. JOKES DAD

A Day to Catch ‘em All! DID YOU KNOW? I thought I won the argument with my wife about how to arrange the dining room furniture. But when I got home, the tables were turned. Often, when people think of Pokémon, the first thought that comes into their mind is a cute and small yellow pocket-monster, known as Pikachu. Over the past three decades, the Pokémon franchise has caught the attention of thousands of individuals across the world. Pikachu is not only an icon of the series but also a mascot for both the Pokémon franchise and Nintendo. On Feb. 27, 1996, Pokémon was first released into the world as "Pokémon Red and Green" on the Game Boy in Japan. Later, the Pokémon Company International dubbed Feb. 27 as Pokémon Day, when it held events and also gave fans a time to celebrate the beloved franchise.

Do you have a date for Valentine’s Day? Yes, it is Feb. 14.

Since 1996, Pokémon’s popularity has skyrocketed. Today, many people celebrate Pokémon by collecting cards, playing games, watching the TV series and movies, participating in Pokémon Card Championships, and playing Pokémon Go.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. The Same Navy Ship for 364 days 2. Improve Your Day With This Simple Life Hack

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

3. Strawberry

4. Can Mountain Air Actually

Kissed Almond Butter Muffins

Improve Your Health?

1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617

A Word on Dental Health

Did You Know?

Happy Valentine's Day from Elkins Dental!

208-369-4532 ElkinsDental.com

THE BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS

2017 even found that living at a higher elevation is associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that include high blood pressure, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol. Even more interesting, mountain air may passively improve your weight loss journey as well. NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS One German study followed 20 obese men who lived in an environmental research station below the highest peak in the country. The subjects reached the peak effortlessly by railway or cable car, and they were allowed to eat as much as they liked. By the end of the week, however, each had lost an average of 1.5 kilograms or 3.3 pounds. Two factors are thought to have contributed to the weight loss: A naturally decreased appetite from the altitude (the men ate nearly 700 fewer calories than usual) and an increased metabolic rate. While there is still more to learn about the potential benefits of spending time in the mountains, these three studies give the greenlight for more high-altitude adventures.

In the famous Swiss novel "Heidi,”a little girl recovers from her fragile health — both physically and mentally — by spending time in the mountains. There are plenty of anecdotal stories about the medicinal effects of mountain air, but how much is supported by research? Here's what there is evidence for so far:

CLEANER, POLLUTION-FREE AIR One basic but important benefit of getting to a higher altitude is the escape from city pollution. It may surprise some city dwellers that air pollution is linked to asthma attacks for those with sensitive lungs and also to more serious conditions. Research suggests that prolonged exposure to air pollution may lead to chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other lung diseases.

Up in the mountains, you’ll likely be able to breathe a little easier.

REDUCED RISK OF OBESITY AND HEART DISEASE People who spend more time at high altitudes may also experience a decreased appetite and lower risk of obesity. One study from

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