800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com
February 2020
Life With Livingston Dental
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What Will You Do With Your Leap Day?
Irish Traditions and Choosing What’s Important
Since then, leap day is known as Bachelor’s Day in parts of Ireland and Europe, and any man brazen enough to turn down his suitor must make right by gifting her a new gown or pair of gloves (apparently in the Middle Ages, the gloves were to cover up the unmarried woman’s ringless finger). If you’ve seen the movie “Leap Year,” you know the plot calls on this Irish tradition. The lead character, played by Amy Adams, follows her beau to Ireland in the hopes of proposing to him on leap day. Of course, a series of misadventures leads to some unexpected turns. I’ll leave the rest for you to watch if you haven’t yet seen it. There is one part toward the end of the movie where the fire alarm in the lead character’s apartment goes off. Her beau immediately starts grabbing their valuable electronics like laptops, phones, and other equipment. In making that choice, he reveals what’s of value to him, and Amy Adams’ character realizes that he isn’t concerned for her well-being or safety. It makes you think: When time is at a premium, what do you choose? I encourage you to keep this sentiment with you this year on leap day.
birthdays, and they both agreed that they celebrate on Feb. 28 during non-leap years. I can’t imagine having a different birthday date for the majority of your life! All I know is that with Feb. 29 coming only once every four years, they’re going to age much less quickly than the rest of us. In Ireland, there’s an old legend about leap year that comes from a supposed interaction between the country’s patron saints, St. Brigid and St. Patrick. Apparently, the two struck a deal that once every four years, tradition would be turned on its head, and women would propose to men.
Once every four years, we get an extra day at the end of February. You might look at it as a bonus 24 hours to spend doing something you love, and it’s even better this year because it falls on a Saturday. What will you do with your “extra” time? Call your siblings, write a letter, watch a movie, go skiing? How you choose to spend your additional time can reveal what’s important to you. For a leap day baby, the most important question is likely deciding when you celebrate your birthday. Do you celebrate on Feb. 28? How about on March 1? I asked a couple people I know with Feb. 29
1 Livingston Dental
Don’t Let Scammers Get You Down
Protect Yourself and Your Money
According to a recent survey by the American International Group (AIG), a majority of Americans over the age of 65 don’t know much about the myriad financial scams circling the globe. Reports show that ignorance of these scams has proven costly for the 65-plus crowd, who are the most frequently targeted demographic. IS IT LOVE? One common shakedown taking seniors and retirees for a ride is the online romance scam. As part of it, a person poses as a potential date or romantic partner and engages in a fake relationship with the victim. The scam usually starts with an online or web-based dating service and progresses to texting or talking over the phone, but it always stops short of an in-person meeting. Instead, after the scammer has gained the trust of their victim, they’ll claim there’s been some kind of emergency for which they need money fast. The clueless victim usually offers to wire them the money. In many cases, the scammer will continue asking for money for as long as they can get away with it. Then, once the victim figures they’ve been bamboozled and try to retaliate, the scammers vanish — off to find their next target.
You Try It: Using your own spices, have a spice-blending competition. Taste-test the creations and decide which recipes are good enough for a repeat and which ones will go down in family history as lofty experiments. Who knows? You may just discover your family’s next favorite meal. MEXICO: THE LUNCH Diners in Mexico often step away from the hustle and bustle of their busy days to enjoy their largest meal of the day: lunch. Though it may surprise you, this cultural tradition has surprising health benefits. Nutritional experts point to making lunch the largest meal of the day as the healthiest dining option, especially to control weight. More calories at lunch keep hunger at bay, which means less afternoon snacking and fewer daily calories overall, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. You Try It: Short of packing bigger lunches for your kiddos, try out this style of eating during the weekends. Enjoy large, family- style midday meals and smaller dinners with your loved ones on Saturdays and Sundays to reap the nutritional benefits of a large lunch. For more information and tips on how to transform your eating habits, visit DoSomething.org. DID YOU PAY? Another prevalent rip-off is the invoice scam. Again, AIG reports that about 57% of people aged 65-plus aren’t familiar with this sham. In most cases, the victim receives a phone call or email from a representative of a local company, who says they still owe money for a bill or service. For example, the scammer may tell the victim they owe an overdue $50 for their power bill. If the victim says they’ve already paid, the scammer might respond, “Your payment didn’t process correctly.” The crook’s job is to get the victim to relent and pay up. Then, once they’ve been paid, usually via credit card number or wire transfer, the scammer once again vanishes along with a significant portion of someone’s bank account. Scammers want your money, but if you are aware of today’s hustles, you can better protect yourself and your assets. Luckily, AIG also found that nearly 92% of the 65-plus crowd now ignores phone calls, texts, and emails that request personal information, and 89% of these folks say they avoid clicking links from unknown senders. Be vigilant and remember that if someone calls you and demands personal information over the phone or asks you to wire money, there’s a very good chance it’s a scam.
Stick a Fork in It
Healthy Eating Habits From Around the World
In the U.S., there’s nothing we love more than our large meat-and- potatoes dinners, but, according to nutritional experts, American- style meals are expanding our waistlines and leading to chronic medical conditions. Push back against these unhealthy habits by checking out these healthier food traditions from around the globe that your whole family will enjoy. JAPAN: THE APPEARANCE In Japanese culture, an emphasis is placed on the look and color of the meal instead of the portion size. Japanese chefs opt for smaller portions of colorful fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish to create gorgeous, nutrient-packed meals. The result is a dish that is as beautiful as it is nutritious. You Try It: Learn the art of making sushi and other Japanese meals with your family. See what creative combinations your family can create, and vote for the best one! As an added bonus, since portions are small, meals are easily transportable to school and work. INDIA: THE SPICE Delicious spices comprise the bold flavors in traditional Indian dishes, and many even boast health benefits. Common ingredients like ginger and turmeric can decrease inflammation in the body while curry powder can aid in digestion and strengthen your bones and heart.
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How Dental Care Can Change a Life
The Best Care for Each Patient
saw that while the patient did have a few cavities, we could find a treatment that would be better for him than crowns.
When people make unkind comments about someone’s appearance, it can do lasting damage. For folks who get made fun of for their smile, it can be especially hurtful. Our smiles are meant to bring joy to ourselves and to others. When we’re not comfortable with them, it takes a toll on our confidence.
Instead of a generalized treatment plan, we had a conversation about what would be best for the patient. To start, Dr. Livingston turned the focus to home care, sharing what the patient and his family could do to protect his enamel and prevent cavities. Since these were baby teeth, one of the best services we could provide our patient and his parents was education on how to care for his teeth every day. Stories like this illustrate the focus Livingston Dental puts on finding treatment plans that are in the best interests of our patients. For us, an exam doesn’t just mean telling you what to do with your teeth. It means answering your questions and inquiring about your priorities. We seek to understand your unique situation. Patients need to be heard, and we are here to listen. Call Livingston Dental today to schedule your appointment and experience the difference of dental care providers who truly care.
In our line of work, we’re lucky enough to give people reasons to smile. We give patients the dental care they need to feel good about their teeth. Sometimes it’s as simple as giving a patient the
tools and resources to help them maintain their smile and prevent issues.
When a new family recently came to our clinic, for example, rather than prescribing them costly treatments, we saw an opportunity for education and hope.
The family had been told by a previous dentist that due to enamel loss, their 6-year-old would need to have crowns put on all his teeth. Dr. Livingston looked over his teeth and
Puzzle Time!
Easy Shrimp Scampi Ingredients
Inspired by The Blond Cook
• 1/2 tsp oregano • 1/2 cup dry white wine • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 8 oz cooked linguine • 1/4 cup parsley
• 4 tbsp butter • 4 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp minced garlic • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Directions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 2. Add shrimp and oregano, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp from skillet. 3. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. Stir in remaining butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted. 5. Add cooked shrimp to skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. 6. In a serving bowl, top cooked linguine with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve.
ROSES SKIING SNOWBANK SUGAR VALENTINE
GROUNDHOG LOVE PISCES PRESIDENTS ROMANCE
AQUARIUS ASH CHOCOLATE CUPID DONOR
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
on being named Top Dentist of Wyoming 2018!
800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com
Inside
Leap Day Legends
Don’t Let These Scammers Steal Your Money International Eating Habits Every Family Will Enjoy!
How Dental Care Can Change a Life Easy Shrimp Scampi
Laramie County’s Newest State Historic Site
A Remnant of the Cold War in Laramie County
Today, in the time since tensions have de-escalated and the Cold War has ended, Quebec 01 remains the only accessible Peacekeeper missile alert facility left in the world. Having been given to the state of Wyoming, you can now go on self-guided tours of the facility and get a sense of the state of alertness and preparation that went into defending our country in the threat of nuclear attack. You’ll notice a small room with a bed and microwave, where missileers rested between their shifts. Warning signs, codes, and escape hatches might sound like they’re straight out of an episode of “Lost,” but they were all very real and functioning features of Quebec 01 at one point in history. With a mission to preserve and interpret Cold War history, Quebec 01 makes for a fascinating day trip — and time trip — through our state’s and nation’s lesser-known history. The facility is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with closures on some holidays. Visit WyoParks.wyo.gov to learn more.
Just north of Cheyenne, several innocuous buildings belie their more nefarious nature as the control center for one of the deadliest weapons the United States has ever built. Flash back to the Cold War era: As tensions rose between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, both sides scrambled to outdo each other in military power. Enter Minuteman missiles. Unlike their cumbersome, time-consuming predecessors, these missiles could be ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Almost 20 years later, these were upgraded again to Peacekeeper missiles. Whereas a Minuteman carried one missile, a Peacekeeper carried 10. At the Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility in Wyoming, missileers were on duty day and night, ready to launch the Minuteman, and later the Peacekeeper, should the need arise. A former U.S. Air Force launch site and home to the folks who worked there, Quebec 01 is often referred to as a military facility “hidden in plain sight.”
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