Elkins Dental January 2019

Elkins Dental January 2019

FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE

ELKINSDENTAL.COM JANUARY 2019

ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY

And Wishing for Snow

but can maintain the independence she cherishes. Her biggest hobby is gardening, and she takes care of her plants diligently. The holidays also brought Evie home for her first visit since leaving for college.Though the trip isn’t too long, it’s long enough for an 18-year-old, and we were so happy to see her pull up in the driveway. One of the first things she said to us melted my heart, despite the cold outside. She told Beth and me, “It feels like a weight off my shoulders to be home.” Evie’s been doing really well in school, which is no surprise.The director of the musical theater department — her major — let her know that they’re very glad to have her there. Even though you already know your kid is amazing, it’s pretty awesome to hear that someone else thinks so too. Having everyone together for the holidays was really special. Seeing our kids, grandparents, siblings, and cousins in the same place made the season feel complete. My family and friends make this life awesome. As we go into 2019, what I’m most looking forward to is celebrating my 20th anniversary with Beth. I know, right? We’re so excited. We have a trip in the works, and I cannot wait to get away with her. What are you looking forward to this year?

Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2019? Last month, the older kids and I were chomping at the bit for Bogus to open as we eagerly awaited hopping on our snowboards and skis for the first time. And now it’s a new year! Wasn’t the first snowfall beautiful? The first thing I thought when I saw snowflakes outside was “I hope Bogus opens soon.” I switched to snowboarding a few years ago because of how much my brother loved it, and it’s been a fun challenge. Before that, I always skied. I think I’ll probably have some of the kids try it out this year. Over the holidays, we enjoyed visits from our extended family. It’s always nice to get everyone together. I got to see my new nephew for the first time over Thanksgiving — he was just 2 weeks old! He was still super little, but I can already tell he looks exactly like his brother! It’s going to be so fun watching him grow. Cousins I haven’t seen for ages also came for the holidays. As one of the oldest cousins, I’ve seen our family grow, and it’s hard to keep up with everyone. At one point during the visit, my grandma, who’s in her 90s, said to me, “I don’t remember some of their names.” I whispered back to her, “Grandma, I don’t remember some of their names!” My grandma lives in Boise these days, though she grew up just down the road here in Emmett. I pass by that house every single day on my way to and from work. I grew up visiting it for family reunions, and my grandparents lived there for many years. Now my grandma has a home right behind my aunt’s house, so she has a helping hand nearby

–Dr. Elkins

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MOM REALLY DOES KNOW BEST 3 Wives’ Tales Proven True

than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. HEARTBURNMEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THEWEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection.The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives’ tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses.The effects of garlic can actually be more effective

Hailey Jumps Into Her Career Wholeheartedly Saying Yes to Life

comforting environment,” Hailey says. “It’s given me a different perspective — there’s a lot more to it than I first thought! They make it look easy.” Hailey’s humble nature is just one of the many characteristics we appreciate about her. She’s taken the time to perfect a variety of procedures, and her knack for learning has made her our resident whitening specialist. As for working with Dr. Elkins, you can imagine what that’s like. “I really like working with Dr. Elkins. He’s really funny and makes things fun,” Hailey says. “I love it here.” Outside of work, Hailey enjoys every part of the Idaho outdoors, from horseback riding to hunting. She and her dad go shed hunting when the season is right, adventuring outside to locate the antlers that bucks have outgrown. When asked if she enjoys Idaho winters, Hailey’s answer is as enthusiastic as her attitude towards her career. “Yes, I love the cold!” she says. We are thrilled to have Hailey on our team, and we are excited for you to get to know her, too!

We’re so happy to welcome Hailey, our new dental assistant, to our team.Though Hailey recently joined the team, her journey with Elkins Dental started several years ago as a patient. In high school, Hailey’s interest in a career in dental hygiene led her to speak about it with her friendly hygienist — our very own Caryn. Caryn encouraged Hailey and shared with her

what a great field this is to work in. After completing dental school, Hailey returned to the place she’d come for dental care, and it was a huge compliment when she applied as a dental assistant. Since starting with us, Hailey has jumped in and is enthusiastically taking it upon herself to master everything. She loves that there is always something to do and says the environment at Elkins Dental makes it a great place to work. “I get along with everyone, and it’s a very welcoming,

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Inspired by Delish

Ingredients

PEANUT BUTTER AND BERRY FRENCH TOAST

• 2 cups cornflakes • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 2 cups mixed berries • Powdered sugar, to sprinkle • Maple syrup, for serving

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. On a large baking sheet lined with wax paper, place 4 slices of brioche and spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each. Cover with remaining slices, creating sandwiches. 2. In a pie plate, beat eggs with cream and vanilla. In another, coarsely crush the cornflakes. 3. Lightly soak sandwiches in the egg mixture, then dr dg in cornflakes, pressing to adhere. Return to baking sheet. Instructions • 8 slices brioche, 1/2-inch thick • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 2 large eggs • 1/8 cup heavy cream • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

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?” 4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted and up to temperature, add sandwiches, cooking on one side until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes. 5. Return sandwiches to b king sheet, add remaining butter, and r peat on oth r side. 6. Top sandwiches with berries, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup.

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.

GEM STATE? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE

Family Field Trip Weekend Where: World Center for Birds of Prey When: Jan. 19-20, 10 a.m.

Boise Philharmonic’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Concert

Where: Morrison Center When: Jan.19, 7:30 p.m.

MOST OUTRAGEOUS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION Ice Plunging, Anyone?

Weight loss, increased physical fitness, and other self-improvement goals all rank high on the lists people make for New Year’s resolutions. One that may not be quite as common? Ice plunging.This chilly endeavor is not for the faint of heart, but those who engage in it report scientifically- backed benefits like euphoria and increased happiness (caused by your body’s reaction to the cold water). In Northern countries like Finland, the popular pastime is carried out when a hole is cut in the ice so participants can make the plunge. This event also takes place closer to home at the Great Polar Bear Challenge at Lucky Peak, which happens annually on New Year’s Day and benefits the Make a Wish Foundation in Idaho. Mark your calendars for 2020!

Our winner is Amanda E! It sounds like she is taking her husband, Ray, on a vacay!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. How We Enjoyed the End of 2018 2. 3 Wives’ Tales That Are True Meet Haley!

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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3 Ways

Peanut Butter and Berry French Toast

the Winter Weather Helps You Burn Calories

1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ELKINS DENTAL

208-369-4532 Elkinsdental.com

SHOVELING, SCRAPING, AND SHIVERING 3 Ways the Winter Weather Helps You Burn Calories Winter can make it hard to stay physically fit. Between the aversion to stepping

2. SCRAPING In addition to shoveling snow, you can also get a workout by scraping those layers of ice off your windshield. In fact, you can burn up to 56 calories during a 15-minute scrape session. What’s more, you can’t slack off and skip this activity; it’s a necessary part of your morning routine. 3. SHIVERING Your body works hard to maintain a healthy temperature, and when that freezing wind rolls in, you’ll likely notice your body start to shiver. Shivering is a physiological response that produces heat through small, rapid muscle movements. It also assists with weight loss; you can burn up to 100 calories in 15 minutes of shivering. Of course, you should never purposefully make yourself chilly just to shed a few pounds, but if you have to be outside for a prolonged period of time this winter, know that your body is helping you out in more ways than one.

outside onto your ice-covered porch and the urge to drink that third cup of hot chocolate, these winter months can lead to unwanted weight gain. Nowadays, people will try almost anything to get rid of those extra pounds — yoga with goats, hula hoop fitness routines, and even underwater spinning classes. Believe it or not, you’re already working harder than you think this time of year. Here are three ways the winter weather helps you burn calories. 1. SHOVELING Love it or hate it, if you live in an area with a lot of snowfall, shoveling is a necessary chore every time it snows. While the repetition associated with this task bothers a lot of people, according to a Harvard study, you actually burn approximately 230 calories for every 30 minutes you shovel.

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