FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM JANUARY 2020
HEALTH IS MORE THAN A NUMBER
Find What Makes You Happy
I’ve noticed that going to the gym helps my mental health. When I’m staying physically active and fit, it helps my mental status, too. Having that alone time while I’m exercising allows me to think through things I’m wrestling with. I have time to focus on myself and better myself physically and mentally.Therefore, I make exercise a part of my routine. I try to go to the gym first thing in the morning so I don’t have to try and fit it in later in the day. I don’t have as much energy after work, so going in the morning is a priority. For Beth, it’s all about learning something new. Beth loves to learn, so much so that she’s gone back to school and is taking the prerequisites for nursing school. Right now, she’s learning all about microbiology. When I come home at the end of the day, she’s so excited to share what she studied that day. Bacteria or infections, it doesn’t matter; she’s so excited to learn about everything. For her, it’s a lifelong hobby. I think the key is to find what makes you happy. In addition to going to the gym, I feel relaxed when I’m making stained glass projects (like the Grinch, which turned out to be a tricky one!) and now, guitars. I tune into the project and let everything else fall away. For some people, this calming activity might be woodworking or running. I’ve watched our older kids find activities they love to do that strengthen their minds and serve as stress relief: Evie loves singing and theater; Julianna is teaching herself Japanese and wants to know everything to do with Japanese culture. She also loves drawing. Along with Beth and me, they’re helping guide the younger kids toward finding pastimes they love. It takes time — and sometimes trying out activities that aren’t right for you — to find out what that is for each person. In addition to any resolutions you make toward improving your physical health, I encourage you to make time for activities and exercises that help your mental health. Find what makes you happy, and make time for it. Here’s to a great year! –Dr. Elkins
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe 2020, much less a new decade, is finally here. I’m still reflecting on all the wonderful things that happened in 2019. We had a really great holiday season with our family and friends and felt lucky to have our loved ones close by. Evie couldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving due to all the snow that week, so it was extra nice to have her home for Christmas. Going into a new year, it can feel like there’s pressure to reinvent ourselves. Especially this time of year, there is a lot of emphasis on physical appearance. We tend to equate good health with a certain weight, diet, or exercise routine. As a result, a part of our health often gets overlooked: our mental health. If you’re thinking about changes you can make in the new year, taking care of your mental health is a good place to start. In addition to taking care of your body, it’s important to take care of your mind, and that’s going to look different for everyone. For some, it means talking to a mental health professional; for others, it could mean meditation or mindfulness exercises. Sometimes, physical and mental health go hand in hand.
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CELEBRATE NATIONAL LEGO DAY!
Indulge in the World’s Favorite Brick From giant, colorful building blocks to intricately designed kits, LEGO has been a source of entertainment and delight for people of all ages for
located in the U.S., one in Carlsbad, California, and the other in Winter Haven, Florida. Plus, 13 LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are spread out across the nation. PUTTOGETHER A KIT. If you’re unable to go to LEGOLAND, take a few minutes to visit a local LEGO retail store to pick up a LEGO kit the family can put together or dig a well-loved on out of your attic. Challenge yourself and family members to make the tallest tower before it falls, or get creative by placing the same set of LEGO bricks in different bowls and seeing what everyone creates from the pieces. WATCH A LEGOMOVIE. There are several LEGO movies you can choose from for National LEGO Day. Put in family favorite “The LEGO Movie” and join Emmet and his friends as they fight to save the world. Hit the dojo with Lloyd, who is secretly the Green Ninja, as he and his ninja friends fight Lord Garmadon to protect Ninjago City in both the animated film “The LEGO Ninjago Movie” and the TV series “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.” And let’s not forget Batman and Robin as they fight to save Arkham City in “The LEGO Batman Movie.”
over 80 years.This toy’s popularity is not surprising, as there is endless potential for what you can create with LEGO bricks, but their impact stretches far beyond mere building blocks. LEGO- related video games, movies, and even theme parks have sprung up around the world for people to enjoy. National LEGO Day falls on Jan. 28, giving you an opportunity to delight in what this toy is all about. If you want to celebrate with your family, consider the following activities. PLAN ATRIPTO LEGOLAND. With the new year just getting started, why not plan a family vacation? LEGOLAND is filled with rides, attractions, and amazing LEGO creations, including busts of historical figures and entire cities.There are two LEGOLAND resorts
Amber Brings Her Knowledge and Enthusiasm to Our Team
Helping Patients Stay Healthy and Smiling
Meeting the team made it clear that this is the place for her. “Everyone is super helpful, very welcoming, and very knowledgeable,” Amber says of the Elkins Dental team. “Everything is state of the art, and it’s clear that Dr. Elkins provides the latest and greatest for patients.” Outside of work, Amber spends time with her family exploring Idaho’s great outdoors. They enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, and “anything outdoor related.” Amber also has a food blog, HollisHomestead.com, which serves as her creative outlet. “I enjoy developing recipes and blogging when I can find the time for it — usually in the winter,” Amber says. In the spring and summer, you’ll likely find her gardening or canning some of the produce from her husband’s grandparents’ garden in Middleton. We know you’re going to enjoy getting to know Amber as much as we have! Say hi next time you’re here!
We’re so excited to welcome our newest hygienist, Amber, to the Elkins Dental team! Amber uses 13 years of experience and her enthusiasm to ensure our patients stay healthy and smiling. She’s a knowledgeable, skilled, friendly hygienist, and we’re so happy to have her here! For Amber, being part of a patient’s health journey is what she loves about her role. “I enjoy the process of seeing patients through
deep cleanings and helping them get healthy,” she says. She also enjoys educating patients on the best ways to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Before joining Elkins Dental, Amber and her husband were living in Meridian but knew they wanted to move to Emmett. After seeing the opening at our office, she “jumped at the opportunity.”
-Kalie and Caryn
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SIMPLE PANCAKES FROM SCRATCH
Inspired by The New York Times
Ingredients
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?” 3. Add some butter or oil to the skillet. If the butter foams or oil shimmers, the temperature is correct. Pour in a pancake of any size, cooking until bubbles form, about 2–4 minutes. 4. Flip and cook other side for 2–4 minutes. Serve warm. • 2 eggs • 1 3/4 cups milk • Un alted butter or canola oil, t gre se skillet
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. Heat a griddl or skillet to medium-low. 2 In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (including sugar if you like a sweeter pancake). In a separate bowl, beat eggs into milk. Gently stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. Mix only until fl ur is moistened. Clumps are fine. Directions • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 tbsp sugar, optional
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 Wynonna & The Big Noise
Idaho Scrapbook Show When: Friday, Jan. 31 – Saturday, Feb. 1 Where: Expo Idaho
When: Wednesday, Jan. 22 Where: Nampa Civic Center
DID YOU KNOW?
8TH ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
YOU HAVE THE BEST LAUGH! It puts an extra pep in your step when someone gives you a compliment, doesn’t it? Jan. 24 is National Compliment Day, and we’re going out of our way to tell people how awesome they are. Here are a few tips for giving a winning compliment. • Be genuine. People can tell when a compliment is forced, so find something you truly value about the other person. • Focus on skills or personality rather than physical attributes. Compliment a coworker’s excellent handwriting, a friend’s impeccable sense of style, or your sister’s ability to know what you’re feeling and when that thoughtful text will turn your day around. • Compliment someone you don’t know. Make someone’s day by letting them know you notice how great they are. Kindness is contagious, so by giving a compliment, you’re contributing to a kinder world. My, aren’t you awesome! You’re Best! th
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our 8th Annual Food Drive! This year was another success, and we cannot wait to make this delivery to the Friendship Coalition in Emmett.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. 2.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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4. Do You Know the History of the Straw?
Dr. Elkins’ Advice for the New Year
Building Memories One Brick at a Time
Simple Pancakes From Scratch
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Meet Our Newest Hygienist, Amber!
Did You Know?
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ELKINS DENTAL!
208-369-4532 Elkinsdental.com
HOW A SUCKY INVENTION CHANGED THE WORLD The History of the Drinking Straw
previous prototypes.Their popularity grew, especially among children and hospital patients who found it challenging to drink directly from a glass. Straws became even more accessible in the 1930s when they were
People don’t often wonder about everyday objects, like the seemingly inconsequential drinking straw, but National Drinking Straw Day falls on Jan. 3 and gives people a chance to scrutinize the growing concern over straws’ contributions to global pollution.
manufactured with the ability to bend. THE STRAW’S CONSEQUENCE
It wasn’t long until the rapidly growing plastic industry saw an opportunity. Not only were plastic straws more durable than their paper counterparts, but they were cheaper to make. Unsurprisingly, the mass production of plastic straws starting in the 1960s contributed to worsening pollution. Today, the National Park Service estimates that Americans use nearly 500 million straws every day. Most of these straws are then discarded, joining millions of tons of plastic materials that wash up across the world’s beaches. To help reduce the amount of plastic in use, people are taking action. Several cities across the U.S., including Seattle, have banned plastic straws in bars and restaurants. Many alternatives have also taken to the market, such as metal or silicone straws that can be used more than once. If you want to help contribute to alternative solutions, most local grocery stores, as well as big manufacturers like Amazon, sell metal or biodegradable straws for less than $10.
THE STRAW’S ORIGIN While the drinking straw has been around for centuries — dating back nearly 5,000 years to ancient Sumerian times — it wasn’t until 1888 that the first drinking straw was patented. Marvin C. Stone, a manufacturer of paper cigarette holders, created a prototype straw by wrapping strips of paper around a pencil, gluing them together, and removing the pencil to create a hollow cylinder from which people could drink. THE STRAW’S INDUSTRIAL BOOM By 1890, Stone Industrial was producing Stone’s paper straw in massive quantities, surpassing the production of cigarette holders. Stone’s straws were effective for glasses or containers that were difficult to drink from, and as a bonus, they didn’t leave any gritty residue like
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