Livingston Dental - August 2020

Livingston Dental - August 2020

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

August 2020

Life With Livingston Dental

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Lessons From Hiking Keep One Foot in Front of the Other and Savor the Moment

some hikes are long and challenging. Far too often, people give up when the going gets tough. When you’re on the trail, you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you’ll eventually arrive at your destination. The same is true in life. When you get to the top of Table Mountain, you get to see the back of the Tetons, and it’s a phenomenal view. Not many people are able to enjoy that. Not everyone is able to put in the effort of a 10.5-mile hike. Those who do, though, are rewarded with a majestic view. Sometimes you see people in such a hurry to get to the top. It seems like they’re in such a rush to get to the end that they don’t enjoy the hike itself. At home, we have a quote up on the wall: “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” I think about this a lot. Hiking has taught me to slow down, soak up the scenery, and listen to nature. It’s taught me that life is a wondrous journey to be savored thoroughly. When you reach the peak, the views that you enjoy are wonderful, but it’s really about the process of getting there.

One of my favorite hikes is the trek to the top of Table Mountain in Wyoming, on the west side of the Tetons. It’s a beautiful hike with stunning views of the mountains, but with an elevation gain of about 4,000 feet, it’s not for the faint of heart. Still, if you can muster the energy, the view is worth it. I’ve led Scouts on this hike many times over the years. They practically run up the mountain, they’re in such phenomenal shape. On one of our hikes up Table Mountain, as we were getting near the top, we saw a group of people who had stopped and were sitting by the trail. They were nervous about hiking along the cliff that was up ahead, and they’d become paralyzed by their fear. We invited them to come with us, and we helped them along as we got up to the summit. Preparation is key in hiking. These folks didn’t have the right gear, which added to their challenge. They were wearing sandals, but the hike up Table Mountain is best done in hiking boots or sturdy running shoes. You also want to prepare for any type of weather. This didn’t happen on Table Mountain, but on other hikes, we’ve gotten caught in a sudden downpour. Having a plastic poncho on hand can save the day. The same goes for bringing a little extra food and water. It

may add a little weight to your pack, but it’s always worth it in the end. You should remember that challenges are part of the trek. Hiking sometimes requires going through dense vegetation, so you have to be paying attention. If you’re not, you can easily wander off of the trail. Sometimes the trail becomes slippery and steep, making you wonder if you should continue on. It’s helpful to remember that setbacks like these add adventure to life. Working through them helps you build character, and when you get to the summit, you prove to yourself that you can rise to the challenge. If this sounds like it applies to more than just hiking, you’re right. I’ve taken many life lessons from hiking. Like seasons of life,

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All About Collagen

The Protein That Holds Us Together

Even if you have heard of collagen, chances are you don’t know much about what it does for the human body. Collagen makes up a third of the body’s proteins. In some ways, it is the glue that holds our bodies together (the first part of “collagen” comes from the Greek word “ kolla ,” meaning “glue”). Getting your body to produce more collagen can have amazing health benefits, particularly for those who are aging and noticing more wrinkles. There are around 16 types of collagen proteins in the body, but type 1 collagen makes up roughly 90% of a person’s collagen count. Type 1 collagen gives structure to our tendons, bones, connective tissues, and skin. When we’re younger, our bodies produce enough collagen to keep our skin tight and strong. However, as we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which contributes to thinner skin and wrinkles. Fortunately, there are certain foods and nutrients you can consume to boost your collagen production and keep your skin smoother and stronger for longer. Collagen begins in the body as procollagen, which is created when two amino acids, glycine and proline, combine. Vitamin C aids this process, so any foods with high concentrations of these nutrients help your body produce more collagen.

Egg whites are a great source of proline, along with foods like asparagus, cabbage, and dairy products. Additionally, pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin all have high levels of glycine. If you want to get your vitamin C levels up, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are tasty choices. Watch out for foods and habits that can damage your collagen production, like eating lots of refined sugar, exposing your skin to too much sunshine, and smoking. By adopting habits and diets that enhance collagen production, you can keep yourself looking younger and feeling better, even as you get older.

Private Wojtek, Heroic Brown Bear of WWII Many brave soldiers answered the call to bear arms during WWII, but one Polish artillery supply company took things a step further and armed a bear. That’s right — among the countless animal heroes of WWII was a full-grown brown bear from the mountains of Northern Iran named Wojtek. When the soldiers reached the coast of Egypt, where they were to embark by boat to Italy, British soldiers wouldn’t let Wojtek on board because he wasn’t a soldier. So naturally, the Polish soldiers gave Wojtek a service number, and he officially became a private in their company, complete with a rank and a paybook.

Private Wojtek’s moment of fame came when his company fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The bear saw his human counterparts carrying crates of artillery shells, and he began mirroring their actions. Throughout the entire battle, he calmly carried crates of ammo, which would have required four men to lift, to his comrades. In honor of Wojtek’s service during the battle, the company changed its emblem to an image of a bear carrying an artillery shell, and Wojtek was promoted to the rank of corporal. After the war, Wojtek was moved to a zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he lived until he was 21 years old. There is now a bronze statue of Wojtek in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens, ensuring that this brave bear will not be forgotten.

Wojtek first joined the Polish soldiers as a cub. A young Iranian boy found him after a hunter most likely shot his mother. Then, when a group of Polish prisoners of war, recently released from Soviet gulags to join the Allied forces, passed through the town where the boy and the bear cub lived, they traded some of their rations for the cub and took him with them. The soldiers loved the cub and named him Wojtek, which means “happy warrior” in Polish. They nursed him with condensed milk from a vodka bottle and fed him some of their limited rations. Over time, the bear grew to be 6 feet tall and over 400 pounds, but because he had grown up around humans, he was a gentle giant. He learned several mannerisms from his human friends and even took a liking to beer and cigarettes. For the many soldiers who had lost or were separated from their families, Wojtek was a welcome boost to morale.

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Establishing Good Dental Hygiene

3 Ways to Get Kids to Brush Their Pearly Whites

sticker, letting them pick out a favorite bedtime story, or even a hug or high five are all great options. Whatever motivates your child, use it to get them brushing twice daily. Just don’t incentivize them with sweets. That would kind of defeat the purpose! BRUSH ALONGSIDE THEM Your kids will emulate your behavior more than anyone else’s. So, when it comes to good dental hygiene, you should practice what you preach. If you brush and floss alongside your kids, they’ll want to do it too, if only because you’re doing it. You can even make a game out of that time by challenging your kids to mirror every move you make. Have some fun with it! Aside from brushing and flossing daily, you should also remember to bring your kids to Livingston Dental twice a year for a checkup. If they’ve been brushing and flossing regularly, then they’ll have nothing to worry about. And, we’ll be sure to give them a fun, new toothbrush and toothpaste and plenty of praise for remembering to take care of their teeth!

Even if they don’t understand why it’s important, you should make sure that your kids develop good habits with their dental hygiene from an early age. Those habits include brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can get your kids to brush their pearly whites long before they know about cavities and tooth decay. TREAT THEM TO A NEW TOOTHBRUSH There are several toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market that come in all sorts of colors and flavors. Some toothbrushes might even have your kiddo’s favorite cartoon characters on them. Take your child to the store and have them pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste. That way, brushing will feel more like their own decision, and they’ll have more reasons to look forward to brushing away germs every morning and night. REWARD THEM FOR GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE Avoiding tooth decay is unlikely to incentivize your little ones to brush their teeth, so think up some little rewards that you can give them after brushing. Those rewards don’t have to be extravagant — a fun

Puzzle Time! Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad Ingredients

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

• 2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup corn • 6 cups arugula, packed

• 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

RAFTING SCHOOL SUNDAE THUNDERSTORM VIRGO WATERMELON

CAMPING FAIR FIREPIT FRIENDSHIP PERIDOT POPPY

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on being named Top Dentist of Wyoming 2018!

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

Inside Lessons Learned From Hiking

The Protein That Holds Us Together Private Wojtek, Heroic Brown Bear of WWII

3 Ways to Get Kids to Brush Their Pearly Whites Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad

Adventure to Table Mountain

Hiking at Table Mountain A Stunning Outdoor Experience in the Tetons

Plan to be out for about half the day on the hike, depending on your pace. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring layers of clothes since it can get cold on the mountaintop. Bring along plenty of food, water, and sunscreen to make sure you stay hydrated, energized, and sunburn free. Because summer storms can roll in in the afternoon and pose a risk to hikers who find themselves summiting the mountain at that time, it’s wise to start this hike early. This is a stunning part of Grand Teton National Park and a memorable experience. The challenge and the views are what make it one of Dr. Livingston’s favorite hikes. If you need recommendations for when and where to go, ask him next time you’re in the office!

When you’re looking for an outdoor weekend adventure to round out the summer, head to Table Mountain. Nestled on the west side of the stunning wilderness that is Grand Teton National Park, this beautiful hike gives unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains, including the Tetons and Battleship Mountain. Being only a couple of hours away from Star Valley, this is a feasible daytrip or a weekend getaway. On the hike, you can appreciate the amazing views, as well as the wildflowers and wildlife you might encounter. You can opt to take a less steep route up the mountain and hike Huckleberry Trail, though it does add about 2 miles to your hike. Even if you decide to do just part of the hike, you’ll still be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. At about 10-and-a-half miles long, and with a 4,000-foot elevation gain, hiking Table Mountain’s Face Trail can be a challenging hike, so it’s best to come prepared.

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