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FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM
JULY 2025
The Job I Wasn’t Built For And the Work Ethic It Built in Me
Summer always gets me thinking about my very first summer job, and what a job it was. I was 16 years old, heading into my junior year, and living in Fallon, Nevada. If you’ve never heard of Fallon, just picture a ton of farms! Most of my friends grew up on those farms and woke up before the sun to feed cows and drive tractors like it was second nature. I, however, was a military brat. I didn’t grow up on a farm. But my friends knew I was a hard worker, so they talked to the owner of a local dairy and helped me get a job. I was excited, and maybe a little naive, about what I was walking into. Every morning, I had to be up at 3 a.m. to start milking cows, and let me tell you, it was rough. After hours of milking, I’d hop on a tractor and head out to feed all the cows. Having never worked on a farm before, every part of the job was totally new to me. It took a lot of patience from the folks around me, especially the owner, to teach me how to do things correctly.
angry. And not the quiet kind of mad; he was ready to go down there and give the owner a piece of his mind. And he did! I stood off to the side while my dad calmly but firmly explained why he thought firing me was a mistake. Back then, I was embarrassed. But now, after owning my own business and managing employees, I get it. My dad saw that I was working hard, willing to learn, and not afraid of doing the tough stuff. And those are the kind of people you want to keep, even if they mess up here and there. Looking back, I’m actually grateful it didn’t work out. That job wasn’t the right fit for me, but it taught me a ton about hard work, humility, and how to treat people who are giving their all. And now, when I see someone doing their best and learning along the way, I always remember that summer in Fallon, milking cows at 3 a.m.
The owner told me kindly but firmly that it just wasn’t a good fit, and I was crushed.
I was doing my best, but it definitely didn’t come naturally. I stuck it out for about a month. Then one day, I was driving a tractor and forgot to lower the loader before pulling into the barn. I hit the top beam and did some real damage. The owner told me kindly but firmly that it wasn’t a good fit, and I was crushed. Getting fired from my first job at 16 — that hit hard. I came home that morning around 8 or 9, completely deflated. A few days earlier, I’d come home from work and fallen asleep on the living room floor in front of the TV — I was so tired. My family saw how hard I was working. So, when I told my dad what happened, he got
–Dr. Elkins
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EASILY ENJOY A PERFECT HOME HOLIDAY Your Staycation, Your Rules
Sometimes, the best escape is right under your nose. Planning a staycation in your local area can save you the hassle of long travel days and large expenses but also reveals hidden gems in your own backyard. Here are six ways you can turn your town into a fun staycation! Set your intentions. Start by deciding what kind of staycation vibes you’re aiming for. Is it relaxation with spa-like peace and quiet, or are you looking for adventure and exploration? Setting your intentions will help guide your activities and tailor your staycation to your desires. Treat yourself. Part of the joy of vacationing comes from stepping out of your routine and indulging a bit. Why should a staycation be any different?
Book a massage at a local spa, order takeout from that high-end restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or splurge on a fancy "hotel- style" breakfast in bed. Remember, it’s all about treating yourself! Visit a new place each day. Challenge yourself to visit new spots in your area. It could be a park you’ve never strolled through, a museum you’ve skipped, or an interesting shop you’ve passed but never entered. It’s fun to see how much you discover in places you can visit every day. Don’t judge yourself for not doing anything. If your most adventurous activity for a day is moving from your bed to your couch or hammock, that’s perfectly fine. Not every staycation day needs to be filled with
activities. After all, the best memories can come from hanging out and enjoying the peace of your own space. Be a tourist for the day. Grab a camera and see your city through the eyes of a tourist.You might discover typical tourist activities you’ve never done because you live there. It’s a fun way to engage with your surroundings differently. Remember, it’s your staycation. The best part of a staycation is that there are no rules. Sleep in, stay up late, eat dessert for breakfast, or wear pajamas all day. Do what makes you happy because, after all, isn’t that what any great vacation is about?
A WORD FROM ASHLEE Whiten Your Teeth Naturally With Ingredients You Already Have
We all want a whiter, brighter smile. But not everyone wants to shell out big bucks for professional treatments or use harsh chemical strips that leave their teeth feeling sensitive. The good news is that there are plenty of natural ways to gently whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home. They won’t give you noticeable results overnight, but they can make a big difference with consistency and care. Brush with baking soda. Baking soda has been a go-to for generations. It’s mildly abrasive, which helps scrub away surface stains. It also creates an alkaline environment in your mouth that bacteria don’t love. Mix a tiny bit of baking soda with water to form a paste, then gently brush. Repeat this a few times a week. Try oil pulling with coconut oil. This practice has been around for centuries, and for good reason. Swishing a tablespoon of high-quality coconut oil in your mouth for about 10–15 minutes a day helps reduce harmful bacteria, freshen your breath, and gently lift surface stains from your teeth. Coconut oil has natural antimicrobial properties, which means it not only promotes oral hygiene but also contributes to a healthier, brighter smile. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables. Apples, carrots, celery, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables can act as a natural toothbrush and work to scrub your teeth while you chew. They also stimulate saliva production to help wash away food particles
and bacteria. As a bonus, they're good for your overall health.
Rinse with diluted hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that kills bacteria in your mouth.You can dilute it with water (equal parts) and swish it a few times a week. Just be sure not to swallow it and avoid using it too often, as it can irritate your gums. Use strawberries. Mash up a ripe strawberry and mix it with baking soda for a quick DIY whitening paste. Strawberries contain malic acid, which can help break down surface stains. But don’t go overboard — because strawberries also contain sugar and acid, make sure to rinse and brush afterward. Natural remedies can be a fun and affordable way to keep your smile looking great. Just remember, they work best on surface stains, not deep discoloration, and should never replace brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups!
–Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienist
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Inspired by CooktopCove.com
This recipe is quick, easy, and promises a restaurant-quality meal from your own kitchen. It’s perfect over pasta or a green salad. Impress guests or indulge yourself on a weeknight!
Ingredients
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
Directions
GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
JOKES DAD What do you get when you cross an elephant and a fish? Swimming trunks.
Why do bananas wear sunscreen? Because they peel.
Have you ever been camping? It’s in tents.
Fun Tooth Facts More Pressure, More Problems THE TRUTH ABOUT OVER-BRUSHING
DID YOU KNOW? This Is Udderly Impressive!
While it may feel like giving your teeth a good, hard scrub should leave them sparkling clean, more pressure doesn’t mean more polish when it comes to brushing. In fact, brushing too hard can actually damage your teeth and gums.
Your enamel, the outer shell of your teeth, is strong, but it’s not indestructible. Brushing too aggressively can wear it down over time, making your teeth more sensitive and prone to cavities. Don’t forget about your gums! Brushing too aggressively can cause them to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth and opening the door to all kinds of issues. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, gentle pressure, and aim for two minutes of brushing, twice a day. Let the bristles and your toothpaste do the work!
Did you know the average dairy cow produces about 6–7 gallons of milk per day? That adds up to more than 2,500 gallons of milk every year, from just one cow! According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, there are over 9 million dairy cows in the United States, and in 2020, those cows produced 223.2 billion gallons of milk! Milking is often done twice daily, although some high-producing cows are milked three times a day. Today, modern dairy farms use machines that gently and efficiently extract milk in a process that takes about 5–7 minutes per cow.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. The Summer I Learned That Effort Matters More Than Perfection 2. Creating a Vacation Vibe at Home A Word From Ashlee
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
3. Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
4.
Company
Enlists Goats to Reduce Risk of Wildfires
Tooth Facts
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Did You Know?
THE OFFICE IS CLOSED JUNE 30 – JULY 6 TO OBSERVE THE HOLIDAY
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
HOOVED HELPERS WARD OFF WILDFIRES Goats on the Job in Colorado
When a Colorado wildfire threatened one of Lockheed Martin’s plants last summer, the big defense contractor decided they needed better fire protection measures. So, the company called in an unlikely emergency workforce — a battalion of 1,200 grazing goats. Lockheed contracted Goat Green, a local Colorado company, to put its herd of hungry Cashmere goats to work clearing 98 acres of wilderness terrain near the company’s worksite, which includes a $350 million satellite-manufacturing facility. The terrain is too steep and hazardous for machine clearing or human crews, but it posed little challenge to the goats. Their mission: to eliminate fuel for future fires and clear paths for firefighters, if needed. The goats could mow down an acre of land dense with plants and underbrush
in a day, eliminating invasive vegetation and reducing the terrain to a nearly level, trimmed surface. The goats’work also prevents overgrowth near powerlines, where fires often start. Lockheed embraced this unusual fire- protection strategy after last year’s 580-acre Quarry Fire came within a mile of the company’s Waterton aerospace facility near Littleton. Five firefighters were injured battling the blaze, which forced the evacuation of 600 homes and put thousands of Colorado residents on edge. Goat Green has contracted with parks, government agencies, municipalities, farms, ranches, and private land owners across 15 states to provide low-tech clearing services. The company’s workforce consists of 1,500 Cashmere goats native to the Himalayas and comfortable in cold, dry temperatures.
Unlike most domestic goats destined for the slaughterhouse early in life, Goat Green’s employees work for about 12 years for as many as 265 days a year. Kids are born on the worksites and learn to eat a wide range of weeds and forage as adolescents. These goats even have a retirement plan: After losing their teeth, they live out their final days in peace on a ranch. After a dozen wildfires in the last 10 years in the Littleton area, residents are bracing for another wildfire season. The area is a little bit safer this year, however, thanks to the goats. As one regional fire-protection official said on Facebook,“These goats are a wonderful partner to us.”
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