Eagle Dental November 2018

BIRDSEYE VIEW

NOV 2018

eagleidahodental.com 151 N. StiermanWay, Eagle, ID (208) 939-4111

A YEAR OF PUTTING DOWN ROOTS

What I’m Thankful for in 2018

Growing up on a potato farm, I learned firsthand just howmuch work goes into getting food onto store shelves. Because of this experience, Thanksgiving always has an added layer of meaning for me. Not only is it a chance to share a meal with family and express our gratitude to one another, but it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the bounty of the fall harvest and all the effort it’s taken to produce it. While this aspect of Thanksgiving was definitely a major consideration for our founding fathers, it’s been lost over the centuries. I try to remember the efforts of farmers at every meal, but I always feel it as I sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. As for the meal itself, we’ll be heading to Rexburg to spend Thanksgiving with Meredith’s family. I might be in the minority here, but the dishes I look forward to most are sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. Their lack of popularity is good news for me, as it means I never need to worry about piling my plate too high. I’m basically just eating what would become leftovers anyway. I try to take none of my many blessings for granted, but this year that would be impossible. I have so much to be grateful for this year, and I’d be a fool to not take the time to express that here. If there’s been a theme for my family in 2018, it’s been setting down roots. In September, I celebrated my second anniversary at Eagle Dental Care. As we’ve worked to remodel the office, update our technology, and put a personal stamp on the practice, we’ve created meaningful bonds between our teammembers. I have to admit, when I first started here, I felt like a visitor in my own practice. That’s far from the case now. I owe a tremendous thank-you to our team and patients for everything they’ve done to welcome me over the past two years. It can be hard to switch dentists, especially when you’re coming from one as great as Dr. Courtial, so I would’ve understood if people were nervous or hesitant about my arrival. But I’ve received nothing but warmth and encouragement from patients. I can’t tell you howmuch it means to me, and I’ll probably never be able to adequately express my gratitude.

not be able to function without the contributions of each of our staff members, and on top of that, they’re all just great people. They make coming to work every day a joy. One of those people, Kara, will soon be leaving us to head back toWashington. It’s bittersweet, and Kara will say her own goodbyes within this newsletter. For now, though, let me just say that Kara has been an integral part of our practice and she will be dearly missed, not the least by me. My family has also been setting down our own roots here in Eagle. As I’ve mentioned before, we bought a house earlier this year, and we expect to live there for a very long time. It’s a joy to be a part of the wonderful community here in Eagle and the Treasure Valley, and I can’t see us leaving any time soon. I want to wish everyone reading this a happy Thanksgiving. Here’s to many more holiday seasons spent as your dentist and neighbor. –Dr. Chris Thomason

I’ve received the same type of support from our tireless, amazing team since my first day at Eagle Dental Care. We truly would

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(208) 939-4111

ENJOY THESE 6 AUTUMN ACTIVITIES

FUN FOR THEWHOLE FAMILY!

MOVIE NIGHT Gather your loved ones in the living roomwith popcorn, blankets, and a great film. Make the most of your autumn evenings by cozying up and spending quality time with each other while watching some family holiday favorites, like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or the Thanksgiving comedy-drama “Pieces of April.” HOME-COOKED FOOD When autumn rolls around, pie and warm cider may be high on your list of tasty treats you’re eagerly anticipating. This fall, encourage your family to take part in making annual goodies and sharing themwith your neighbors. Nothing warms the heart more than receiving a loaf of freshly baked pumpkin bread during these increasingly cold days.

Throughout November, everyone is eagerly looking forward to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, but you shouldn’t let the rest of the month slip past you! Enjoy these other fall activities with the whole family. HOMEMADE CARAMEL APPLES Homemade treats are no doubt far better than their store-bought counterparts. Try your hand at making your own caramel apples for the whole family to enjoy. You can also add a number of toppings to liven things up, such as nuts, white or milk chocolate, coconut, sprinkles, or pecans. BACKYARD BONFIRE During these cold months, you may be tempted to stay indoors, but heading outside for a bonfire is a great way to spend time with your family while enjoying the brisk weather. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, now is the perfect time to take advantage of it by bundling up with some hot chocolate and s’mores. AUTUMN ARRANGEMENTS It’s time to get crafty! Creating your own fall arrangements will ensure that your home has the seasonal decorations you want. Making beautiful fall flower arrangements for your kitchen table or wreaths for your front door to greet guests will create the desired autumn vibe you’ve been searching for.

KNITTED SCARVES If you’re handy with knitting needles, now is the season to put them to work. Hand-knitted scarves are great gifts to give throughout the fall and winter, and you can also make

it a family activity! Take some time to teach your kids how to knit and crochet to create scarves of their very own.

KARA’S CORNER This will certainly be the most sentimental edition of “Kara’s Corner,” as it will be my last. My boyfriend, Tony, and I recently made the decision to move back toWashington, where both of us grew up. The draw of our hometowns and families was too much to ignore, but the wonderful people and places in the Treasure Valley made it a tough decision.

Gratitude for a Great Gig

When we moved here, it was with the intention that we’d move back after Tony completed school. That time has come, but it wasn’t the clear-cut breaking point we thought it might be. Over the years, we’ve fallen in love with Idaho, from nights spent in Boise to weekends in McCall and Stanley. The area has been wonderful to us, and though we’re moving across the state border, the Gem State will always be a part of our lives. For me, leaving Eagle Dental Care will be even harder than saying goodbye to Idaho. Dr. Thomason hired me straight out of hygiene school, and I couldn’t imagine a better first practice to work for. I’ve learned so much fromDr. T and the team, and they’ve made coming to work every day a joy. I’ll consider myself lucky to find a practice half as awesome as this one. The kindness and warmth of our team here is something I’ll forever be grateful for.

Speaking of thankfulness, I want to close by expressing my sincerest appreciation to the patients I’ve gotten to know during my time here. Spending time with you and learning about your lives has been the most rewarding aspect of my job. I hope that I’ve given you a reason to smile, because I know you’ve given me so many. I want to wish all of our teammembers and patients the best in the future. When Tony and I return to Idaho for a visit, you can bet I’ll stop by the practice. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, for everything.

eagleidahodental.com

Don’t leaf your benefits behind

Y our dental benefits expire at the end of the year! Now is the time to schedule an appointment, because once your benefits are gone, they’re gone for good. Remember all the money you paid to your insurance premiums this year? Failing to use your dental benefits means all that money goes to waste. You paid for it, now use it! Call us to schedule your appointment today! This time of year, appointments fill up fast. Reserve your spot before it’s too late. The longer you wait, the more you’ll risk having to spend time away from the things you love most this holiday season. You can even call us after hours. Leave a message, and we’ll take care of you. Take advantage of your dental benefits today. If you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em!

151 N. Stierman Way, Eagle, ID | www.eagleidahodental.com | (208) 939-4111

B y scheduling today, you will be ready for holiday parties and the photo opportunities that come with them. If that’s not enough incentive, here are a few of our top reasons to smile: • It’s still football season (Woot! Woot!) • Zombies have not yet taken over Earth • Fluffy, wiggly, silly little puppies — need I say more? • Did I mention it was football season? • All your favorite holiday flavors at your local coffee shop • Your dental benefits haven’t expired yet (but they will soon!) and our appointments are filling up fast. Call today!

Don’t forget your benefits expire on December 31st. It will be here before you know it!

SHOULD PARENTS HELP PULL LOOSE BABY TEETH?

Losing baby teeth is a rite of passage for children. It’s a sign that they are growing up! Many parents are excited to be part of this experience and re-enact the traditions of their childhood. Howmany of you remember a parent tying one end of a string to your tooth and the other to a doorknob, helping the tooth come out with a single slam? This “trick” for getting out a loose tooth is a time-honored tradition — and it’s also one of the worst ways to handle a loose baby tooth! You should never force a tooth to come out before it’s ready. If a tooth is yanked out before the root is fully dissolved, the root can break and cause a great deal of pain. Forcing a tooth out can also damage gum tissue or the surrounding teeth, leading to infection. Some parents want to get loose teeth out of their child’s mouth as soon as possible because they’re worried the tooth will get swallowed by accident. If this happens, you don’t have to be alarmed. A baby tooth is not a choking hazard and a swallowed tooth will pass through your child’s body without any trouble. At most, you may have to help your child write a letter to the tooth fairy explaining what happened. If your child is begging you to take out their loose tooth, don’t go searching for the string. Instead, take a tissue and gently apply pressure on the tooth with two fingers. The tooth should pop right out. However, if the tooth resists or your child complains about any pain, leave the tooth alone a little longer.

The best way to deal with a loose tooth is to have patience and let your child wiggle their tooth until it falls out on its own. Loose teeth will fall out when the time is right.

A SIMPLE BRINE FOR SUCCULENT TURKEY

LAUGHING GAS

INGREDIENTS

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2 large sprigs thyme

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3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt

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2 bay leaves

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3/4 cup sugar

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1 tablespoon black peppercorns

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1 carrot, peeled and diced

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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

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1 large onion, peeled and diced

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1/4 cup celery, diced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large stock pot, bring salt, sugar, and 4 cups water to a boil. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved. 2. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Place brine in the fridge, uncovered, until cold. 3. Add 6 quarts cold water to brine. Add turkey and submerge completely. Brine chilled for up to 72 hours.

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

(208) 939-4111

eagleidahodental.com (208) 939-4111

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

151 N. StiermanWay Eagle, ID 83616

INSIDE

page 1 page 2 page 2 page 3

A Time to Give Thanks

Caramel Apples, Knitting, and Bonfires

Kara Bids Farewell to Idaho

The Right Way to Handle Loose Baby Teeth

page 3 page 4

A Simple Brine for Succulent Turkey

3 Movie Locations to Captivate Your Eyes

3 FAMOUS MOVIE LOCATIONS YOU NEED TO VISIT Why Watch the Film When You Can See It With Your Own Eyes?

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Harry Potter captured the imagination of the world. There are multiple sites across the United Kingdomwhere you can get lost in the adventure that shaped a generation, but there is one spot at the top of almost every fan’s list. Hogwarts is a magic castle in J.K. Rowling’s books, but in real life, its film location is a functioning cathedral in Oxford. Take one step onto the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, and you might begin to wonder when the next Quidditch match will begin.

Movies captivate audiences partially because of their ability to transport you to a different place. The heart yearns to be taken places, and cinema facilitates that journey. But what if you could immerse yourself in those fantastical worlds by visiting the destinations that you’ve seen on the big screen? Here are three places that are worth the trip. HOBBITON The only aspect of “The Lord of the Rings” that is more compelling than the fantastical journey of Frodo is the alluring, untamed countryside and quaint towns that make up Middle Earth. The Green Dragon Inn, Bilbo’s house, and the rolling hills of New Zealand make for a backdrop that will transport you straight into the life of Middle Earth’s smallest people — only these houses aren’t small at all. And you don’t need large, hairy feet to enjoy them.

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK When George Lucas witnessed a poster of this famous

archeological site, he didn’t see an ancient culture — he saw Yavin IV, the perfect location for the Massassi Outpost, a rebel haven found in the first film of Star Wars. Though the movie paints a futuristic look at the region, walk through Tikal National Park, and you’ll experience it as a trip through history.