Northern Arizona's Mountain Living Magazine | Fall 2021

MOUNTAIN NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

MAGAZINE

FITNESS

for all

New Roots Fitness is making working out fun again

PLUS Red Curry Vegan Kitchen makes eating healthy easy and delicious Improve your health, improve your life

$2.95

Fall 2021

Get moving with our favorite hikes for seeing fall colors Free with Arizona Daily Sun Home Delivery winter19 namlm.com

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2

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

VO OTE OT TE

FOR THE

EST B U RO

TE

66

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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TABLE of CONTENTS

2021

COVER STORY

New Roots

8

Newcomers and longtime athletes alike are equally welcome at New Roots Fitness Co.

DEPARTMENTS MIND & BODY

OUTDOOR LIFE

12 Taking steps to improve your health

24 Head outside this autumn to

could change your life for the better.

Three local health and wellness experts chime in on the most powerful steps you can take.

16 Our annhual health directory

highlights the best in medicine, health and wellness.

BY the BOTTLE 18 Beer expert Adam Harrington

highlights the best fall beers Flagstaff’s microbreweries have to offer this season.

MATTERS of TASTE 20 Red Curry Vegan Kitchen transforms

traditional Thai staples into delicious vegan dishes both meat eaters and plant-based diners will love.

experience Flagstaff’s famous golden, bronze, crimson, amber and auburn leaves. The dramatic explosion of color at these locations are a leafpeepers paradise.

DISTINCTIVE SPACES 28 Transform your home for the fall

season with a few decor additions guaranteed to leave you craving pumpkin spice.

PLAYING FAVORITES 29 Flagstaff local Ash Davidson’s book,

Damnation Spring, is an immersive debut that’s cemented its place as one of the top reads of 2021.

ON THE COVER Together, Jesse and Mandy Coddington operate New Roots in East Flagstaff.

ALSO 6

EDITOR’S NOTES

7 ABOUT TOWN 4

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

30 SPOTLIGHT

Photo by Hannah Rose Gray Photography

NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

MAGAZINE

EDITOR Bree Burkitt bburkitt@azdailysun.com 928-556-2262

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Colleen Brady 928-556-2279

SALES CONTRIBUTORS Zachary Meier Lydia Smith Heather Weisberger

CONTRIBUTORS: Svea Conrad, Christine Maxa, Gail Collins and Adam Harrington.

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is published quarterly at 1751 S. Thompson St. | Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is published by

ISSN: 1534-3804

Copyright ©2021 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and other materials are invited, but will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. Publisher assumes no responsibility for lost materials or the return of unsolicited materials. Publisher assumes no responsibility for any materials, solicited or unsolicited, after six months from date of publication. Cover and entire contents of this publication are fully protected. Reproduction or use without prior written premission from the editor is strictly prohibited. Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is not responsible for scheduled event changes. Any views, opinions or suggestions contained within Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine are not necessarily those of the management or owners.

Transitional care, reimagined.

Aspire Transitional Care (Aspire) welcomes individuals on their healing journey offering a refreshing alternative to traditional short-term care. Here, we believe in a calm and supportive environment that offers beauty and tranquility.

Aspire is newly managed by The Goodman Group, one of the most respected names in senior living and health care nationwide. Individuals benefit from a dedicated, trained and compassionate staff and on-site rehabilitation. Aspire offers private rooms, chef-inspired meals, hospitality services and amenities, and personalized care services.

Call Jason at 928-522-3728 to pre-plan your post-hospital rehabilitation.

1521 N Pine Cliff Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928.440.2350 | aspiretransitionalcare.org

Flagstaff Transitional Care, LLC d/b/a Aspire Transitional Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES Spanish

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-844-674-8457 (TTY: 711).

Navajo

D77 baa ak0 n7n7zin: D77 saad bee y1n7[ti’go Diné Bizaad, saad bee 1k1’1n7da’1wo’d66’, t’11 jiik’eh, 47 n1 h0l=, koj8’ h0d77lnih: 1-844-674-8457 (TTY: 711)

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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EDITOR’S NOTES

‌H

ealth has dominated our lives for the past 18 months.

For so long, the focus was on COVID-19 tests, masks, social distancing, prevention and vaccines. That was all on top of trying

but also your overall life.

to maintain our mental health, adjusting to

you start.

remote work and maintaining a workout routine when the gym wasn’t always an option.

The constant focus on health has left some feeling as though it’s burden.

But good health is so much more than Moderna and Pfizer. The pandemic reduced health to its most basic form when, in fact, it’s much more

New Roots Fitness Co. reminded us that movement is for everyone and every body. Owner Jesse Coddington taught us that staying active to support a health lifestyle is accessible to all and easier than ever — no matter where Getting outside is also a huge benefit for both your mental and physical health. We compiled some of our favorite hikes and destinations to help you get outside to see Flagstaff’s famous fall colors by foot. There’s options for all ages and skill levels.

Balance is also important and sometimes we all need to relax with a cold one. Adam Harrington highlights the best fall beers coming out of Flagstaff’s numerous microbreweries this season.

We hope all these resources serve as a reminder that

than just the necessities. A well-rounded approach to

health is so much more than COVID-19. If and when ill-

health is key, but getting back to these important aspects

ness strikes, our healthcare directory can help you find the

can seem intimidating.

right medcal expert for your unique situation.

That’s where we’re here to help. For this issue, we

We’ll be back in November with our special holiday gift

wanted to focus on all the different health aspects that

issue. Until then, stay healthy and happy!

may have gone ignored over the last year. We spoke

Thanks for reading,

to three Northern Arizona health experts about small

Bree Burkitt bburkitt@azdailysun.com

changes you can make to improve not only your health,

6

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

ABOUT TOWN

Favorites of the season from the area’s art and entertainment offerings

ONGOING WATERSHED Coconino Center for the Arts, 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd. Viola Award-winning artist Bryan David Griffith is back with a new exhibition, “Watershed.” “Watershed” explores the impact of development and climate change on Flagstaff’s land and water.

Designed specifically for the Coconino Center for the Arts, Griffith gathered seasonal plants, dyes, pigments and wood from lands at the edge of Flagstaff’s growth boundary and incorporated them into a series of earthy, ethereal works that combine experimental painting, primitive photography and sculpture. “Watershed” is on display through Nov. 13. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit ccaflagstaff.org for more information.

OCT. 2 OKTOBERFEST Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave. Deutschland returns to downtown Flagstaff for one weekend only with the annual Oktoberfest.

Kick off the autumn season with a day of beer, brats and some good ol’ Bavarian polka.

Lace up your dirndl and throw on those lederhosen for the brat eating contest, yodel off and beer stein holding competitions. For the children, there will be root beer floats, bounce houses and arts and crafts. Tickets can be ‘purchased online at flagstaffoktoberfest. com for $5 and $7 at the gate. Prost!

WINDOW SHAKESPEARE Pioneer Museum, 2340 N Fort Valley Rd.

OCT. 9

For one night only, Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival will present present Window Shakespeare. Patrons will take an autumn walking tour through the grounds of the historic Pioneer Museum to view curated Shakespeare vignettes featuring local professional Arizona actos alongside music by a Shakespeare minstrel. The vignettes highlight some of the most famous scenes from the Bard’s work, including Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Cesar and The Comedy of Errors. Tickets range from $10-$25. For more information and to get tickets, visit flagshakes.org/.

OCT. 23-24 Museum of Northen Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd. Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead is an ancient holiday celebrating the memories of ancestors. Traditionally, it’s considered the day the souls of the departed return to visit the living. The Museum of Northern Arizona marks this day each year with a lively two-day event known as Celebraciones de la Gente. The historic courtyard is lined with ofrendas, each telling the story of a Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer family. Sweetly-scented flowers line the site, guiding the departed back. This year, the traditional event takes on a special meaning in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nuestras Raices will create a community ofrenda and give visitors a chance to commemorate their own loved ones that have passed with photos or mementos. Plus, there will be mariachi music and dancing, alongside traditional treats. Vist musnaz.org for more information.

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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HANNAH ROSE GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY‌

DIGGING

DEEP New Roots Fitness Co. fosters community health, wellbeing

8

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

SVEA CONRAD

For a first-timer, walking into a gym is akin to culture shock.

Glistening exercise machines churn and heave, arms and legs working like motors to keep each apparatus in motion.

Clanking fills the space as barbells and dumbbells are lowered and raised with a huff, metallic plates shift on weight machines and treadmills hum steadily.

For many, the gym is truly a whole new world. For others, it’s a more familiar realm in which the questions of where to go and what to do are less of a mystery.

New Roots Fitness Co. caters to both.

Newcomers and longtime athletes alike are equally welcome to the local gym located in East Flagstaff, with options for all bodies and skill levels.

“We feel like everyone deserves to be at the gym,” Jesse Coddington, who founded New Roots alongside wife

Mandy, said. “First off we’re just really passionate that our gym is accessible to all, so when someone comes in we don’t assume they know what a barbell is, or that they know how to use a kettlebell or even a jump rope. We just want to celebrate everybody’s victories, and for some that’ll be a really heavy deadlift and for others it’ll be what some people take for granted, like being able to tie their shoe without getting out of breath.”

Fitness for all‌ New Roots operates on a functional fitness platform, offering group classes in addition to one-on-one sessions that work to prepare people for daily life. According to the Mayo Clinic, functional fitness exercises, “train your muscles to help you do everyday activities safely and efficiently.”

The practice is fairly minimal when it comes to equipment, relying on the body’s own weight and resistance (adding weights as people progress) instead of complex and oftentimes inaccessible machinery.

New Roots’ strength and conditioning classes consist of weight training and movements that aim to get heart rates up and bodies in motion. The organization has three main classes, one for people over the age of 60, another for kids ages six to 12 – dubbed Kidz Fitness – and the general Strength and Conditioning course.

Within the latter, New Roots offers three levels, fundamentals, intermediate and advanced. All three use the same movements, but adapt them to each individual.

Coddington’s commitment to accessibility is something that is in many ways closely entwined with his own personal and familial history.

“I am really passionate about exercise because I have seen a lot of family members pass away very early,” he said. “They weren’t hit by cars, they were dying essentially lifestyle deaths, because of things they maybe could control.”

Both sides of his family being predisposed to Type 2 diabetes and weight issues, in addition to other health and nutrition problems and Coddington’s own struggle with body image, would be the genesis for New Roots. That, and he was dared to try out for the football team at his Fort Sumner, New Mexico high school. A former body

builder took the then-13-year-old Coddington under his wing and the rest, as they say, is history.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I really, really enjoyed fitness, then I started helping friends work out whenever I got the opportunity. Later when I graduated college I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to help people and the thing I knew the most about was fitness.”

New Roots began as New Roots Personal Training in 2008 after Coddington quit his job at a corporate gym in Phoenix and moved to Flagstaff. It was Mandy’s hometown and the place they wanted to start a family. Coddington worked nights at W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., using days to train clients until he and Mandy had

saved enough money for the first New Roots building on 7th St. all while the two raised their two kids, 10-year-old Trinity and 8-year-old Justus.

New Roots moved into a new building in October 2020, turning the former location into Old Roots, a gym with 24/7 access for all members.

Back to basics‌ Through each New Roots class – now taught in the spacious 3rd St. location with its crisp white paint and sleek concrete floors – an expert team of fitness instructors gives clients the tools to maneuver through their day-to-day at peak performance, both physically and mentally.

“The idea is to get people ready for all

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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10 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

HANNAH ROSE GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

New Roots owners Jesse and Mandy Coddington with their kids, Trinity and Justus.

“We feel like everyone deserves to be at the gym.”

Jesse Coddington, owner of New Roots

types of movement, so anything you might need to be able to do outside of the gym, we get your body ready for that,” Coddington said. “We really believe that if people get stronger physically and mentally they’ll be better members of the community.”

Coddington deliberately steers away from trendy workout challenges and fast weight loss fads that dominate the messaging of mainstream fitness ad campaigns and chain gyms, and instead returns to the basics in movement, nutrition and lifestyle.

“I was a personal trainer at a big corporate gym in Phoenix and realized I didn’t like that atmosphere so I decided I wanted to open my own space,” he said. “Everything was about the quick diet, or some sort of results-driven weight loss challenge that doesn’t work or make you healthier. The Biggest Loser was really in, and I was like, ‘What is the opposite of all that?’”

Instead, Coddington and team strip away the swanky fitness buzzwords and instead focus on bringing exercise back to its roots, while fostering a strong sense of community in the process.

As was the story for many gyms in the country and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic forced New Roots to shut down temporarily. Classes were moved online, then later outside and New Roots adapted; but many of its members lost jobs or had hours cut and could no longer afford their membership. So, New Roots gave those affected free memberships while other members stepped in, offering to pay for their classmates’ monthly costs.

“It was incredible, the community in that time,” Coddington says. “Large corporate gyms will never have the opportunity to do what we do as far as building community, not saying that they can’t, but one thing is for sure – especially in a town like Flagstaff – we’re able to have a really loyal tight community of people and that is so important to us.”

And that community is about to grow by one as Coddington and Mandy prepare to welcome a third child. The baby girl, who doesn’t have a name quite yet, is due this November.

To learn more about New Roots Fitness Co., visit their website at newrootsfitco.com, their Facebook page, facebook.com/newrootspt or Instagram at @newrootsfitco. The gym is currently offering $50 memberships with no signup fee required.

Fall 2021 namlm.com

11

MIND and BODY

Improve your

HEALTH, improve your

LIFE

I

CHRISTINE MAXA

f you change the way you think, can you change your life?

Sometimes a new perspective on an old issue can make a difference, as can incorporating a new habit. This is especially true when it comes to health. Mountain Living Magazine spoke to three medical professionals who offered important insights that can make a difference in achieving your health goals.

Improve gut health‌ The saying goes the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, but, according to Root Natural Health naturopath Dr. Michael Knapp, it’s also the way to a person’s mind.

Improving gut health can have a positive impact on both body and brain.

The gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system called the enteric nervous system (ENS) that operates independently from the central nervous system. The ENS not only controls the whole digestion process from the swallowing of food to its elimination, but research shows it also influences how you think. This is called gut-brain communication.

Evidence-based research found that the trillions of bacteria that reside in the human gut play a crucial role in gut-brain communication through an influence on neural, immune and endocrine pathways. Significant differences exist in the gut microbiome of patients with mental disorders. Ailments 12 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Dr. Michael Knapp, a Naturopathic Physician at Root Natural Health in Flagstaff. originally thought caused by anxiety and depression, like irritable bowel syndrome, now show they can trigger emotional shifts.

This difference has made the gut microbiome a hot health topic.

“This is a really important area to continue to nurture for good health,” Knapp, who focuses on digestive problems, said. “One part of that is understanding what creates a healthy microbiome and what disrupts it to a state of imbalance.”

Simple sugars and food additives can wreak havoc with the microbiome, as can

ibuprofen, painkillers and antibiotics. These things, along with environmental toxins, can disrupt the gut lining and microbial populations.

“That’s something we see frequently clinically,” Knapp said. “Somebody’s never been right since taking a course of antibiotics or, conversely, never been right since experiencing a digestive infection.”

He added that many digestive problems develop gradually and can go unnoticed.

“We may not notice the heartburn that happens two times a week may actually be indicative of some digestive disturbance that can use some tuning,” Knapp explained. “Or that the irregular bowel movement patterns of alternative constipation and diarrhea can be indicative of poor nutrient absorption and imbalanced microbes in the gut.”

Knapp recommends practicing mindfulness or meditation to help digestion and overall health. Mindfulness focuses your full attention on what you do, which is an invaluable tool to prevent overeating and noticing what foods cause discomfort. Meditation requires a separation from all activity to focus on one thing, such as the breath.

“Both of those change our brain,” Knapp said. “They change the connectivity of our brain and they have been shown, because

Keep it moving‌

of the gut-brain two-way communication, to have an effect on digestive health. Part of that is stress perception and stress response.”

Knapp recommended nourishing your beneficial bacteria by avoiding simple sugars and processed foods, as well as incorporating consuming pre- and probiotic foods or supplements into your diet.

Fuel your body‌ Maintaining a good diet is so much more than just what we eat. It’s also built on your relationship with food.

Most people come to Abby Chan, a registered dietician and co-owner of Evolve Flagstaff, with the goal of losing weight.

But Chan is committed to helping people improveF their relationships with both food and their bodies. As a former competitive dancer, she knows firsthand how diet culture and the pressures of the world can impact ones self image.

“A lot of that springs from our culture of basically unsustainable and unrealistic body norms,” Chan said about why people might choose unhealthy diets, “especially during the last 10 years’ expansion of social media.

Much has been megaphoned into the world that you have to look a certain way, when we’re really negating the relationship to food and our relationship to cultural foods.

Chan refrains from focusing on weight loss in her practice. This is because the body is physiologically meant to survive, not lose weight. Rather, she helps her clients evaluate the role food plays in their lives along with nutritional counseling and meal preparation.

Evolve Flagstaff also focuses on physical therapy and training.

Instead, Chan helps her clients embrace their body and learn fuel themselves to live life to the fullest.

“So much of our body shape and size is based on genetics, our economic situation, history — so many different things that are completely out of our control that we may or may not be able to change our weight,” Chan said. “Given the ideal environment of having access to food, to move or exercise and sleep enough will set you up in the genetic pool where you can actually let your genes express themselves.”

Abby Chan, MS, RDN of Evolve Flagstaff.

However, that doesn’t many people can’t improve their nutritional intake.

According to Chan, many northern Arizonan diets don’t get enough dietary fiber from not eating enough fruits and vegetables. This is even more common recently due to a surge in popuarlity in low-carb and keto diets. However, carbs are critical as they provide a good portion of fiber, nutrients and fuel for the body.

Northern Arizonans also have an inclination for plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diets. Chan said these options are fantastic, but people can become protein deficient without researching how to get enough plant-based protein into their diet or by working with a dietitian. Protein is necessary for muscle, neurochemicals, enzymes and hormones — basically everything.

If health equity and access were not issues, Chan said she wishes everyone could see a dietitian to improve their relationship with food and better understand their bodies. She encouraged people to see a dietian if they constantly feel tired, struggle to recover from physical activity or experiencegastrointestinal issues. Family history can also play a part.

“Genetics are the main indicator for what could be coming down the pipeline for you,” Chan explained. “If everyone in your family had a heart attack, maybe you should start to dive into this when you’re young and healthful to look at preventative things you can do down the road. Genetic history is one indication that people should seek professional help for preventative type of care.”

Well-rounded activity is just as important as a well-rounded diet. Diversity in activity helps build a resilient lifestyle because the body thrives on a range of activities.

Medical guidelines recommend about 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week and strength training three or four times a week.

“Both of those together have been shown in research to reduce the risk of disease, reduce pain, promote healing, improve the resilience and strength of tissues and bones, and enhance mood,” Kameron Harder, a physical therapist at The Physio Shop Clinic, said. “Typically people just live longer and happier lives.”

“We have a saying,” Harder added, “motion is lotion and movement is medicine.

People rapidly start feeling better once they start moving. That’s how our body works.

We respond to stress very well and thrive off making our body move. That’s what we were built for. We’re moving beings. In order to continue to move we have to move.”

Harder noted that people who have significantly high blood pressure, heart issues, breathing issues or chest pain should consult a professional before delving into an exercise regime.

Kameron Harder, physical therapist at The Physio Shop in Flagstaff.

Aspiring athletes should also see a physical therapist if exercising results in pain in the muscles, tissues or joints to determine what’s happening and if it’s safe to proceed.

“If it’s not, “then you need to get something else done before we can continue,” Harder said. “Pain is complicated. It’s not always a muscular-skeletal issue. Sometimes it’s a pathological issue, meaning we Fall 2021 namlm.com

13

MIND and BODY determine that from start and we’re not missing anything important and make sure we’re progressing someone in the safest way possible.”

Excercising can result in immediate gratification. Harder said the activity can immediately help symptoms of pain, stiffness and discomfort. The rub? You only get long-term benefits if you make a habit out of exercising, and forming the habit is the hardest part of any exercise routine.

“The best way to make exercise a habit is to make it fun and different,” Harder suggested. “And pay attention to improvement.

Find community in it. Even myself as a PT, I know how to strength train, but I still utilize my coworkers for a running coach and strength training because everyone needs a little bit of assistance. Someone looking from the outside looking in to see what’s missing and how you can improve.”

If you change the way you think, can you change your life? Sometimes a new perspective on an old issue can make a difference. It sure can when it comes to your health. We spoke to three medical professionals who offered important insights that can make a difference in achieving your health goals.

It’s all in your mind The saying goes the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. It’s also the way to a person’s mind. If you want a healthy life, the best place to start is with your gut.

Your gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system called the enteric nervous system (ENS) that operates independently from your central nervous system. The ENS not only controls the whole digestion process from the swallowing of food to its elimination, but research shows it influences how you think. This is called gut-brain communication.

Evidence-based research found that the trillions of bacteria that reside in the human gut play a crucial role in gut-brain communication through an influence on neural, immune and endocrine pathways. Significant differences exist in the gut microbiome of patients with mental disorders. Ailments originally thought caused by anxiety and depression, like irritable bowel syndrome, now show they can trigger emotional shifts.

14 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

“The best way to make exercise a habit is to make it fun and different.

And pay attention to improvement. Find community in it.”

-Kameron Harder This difference has made the gut microbiome a hot health topic.

“This is a really important area to continue to nurture for good health,” said Dr. Michael Knapp, a naturopath at Root Natural Health who focuses on digestive problems. “One part of that is understanding what creates a healthy microbiome and what disrupts it to a state of imbalance.”

Studies from academic circles to the National Institutes of Health have elucidated how simple sugars and food additives can wreak havoc with the microbiome . Knapp added ibuprofen and most painkillers to the list of things we ingest that can disrupt the gut lining and microbial populations, along with environmental toxicants, including air quality. Antibiotics can also disrupt microbial populations.

“That’s something we see frequently clinically,” Knapp said. “Somebody’s never been right since taking a course of antibiotics or, conversely, never been right since experiencing a digestive infection.”

Knapp said many digestive problems happen slowly and in such a way that they become a part of a person’s steady state unnoticed.

“So we may not notice the heartburn that happens two times a week may actually be indicative of some digestive disturbance that can use some tuning,” Knapp explained. “Or that the irregular bowel movement patterns of alternative constipation and diarrhea can be indicative of poor nutrient absorption and imbalanced microbes in the gut.”

Knapp recommends mindfulness and meditation or contemplative prayer to help digestion and overall health. Mindfulness focuses your full attention on what you do — an invaluable tool to prevent overeating and noticing what foods cause discomfort. Meditation requires a separation from all activity to focus on one thing, oftentimes the breath.

“Both of those change our brain,” Knapp said. “They change the connectivity of our brain and they have been shown, because of the gut-brain two-way communication, to have an effect on digestive health. Part of that is stress perception and stress response.”

Knapp recommended nourishing your beneficial bacteria by avoiding simple sugars and processed foods in addition to consuming prebiotic foods (healthy foods that don’t totally digest, which your gut bacteria uses for food) and probiotic foods (foods that contain healthful bacteria cultures). Some disease specialists also recommend supplementing with probiotics.

The definition of diet Maintaining a good diet means more than just what you eat. It also involves how you consume the food you choose and why you choose it.

Most people that come to Abby Chan, a registered dietician and co-owner of Evolve Flagstaff, want to lose weight. Chan, a competitive dancer growing up, knows how image and reality can turn into a frustrating dilemma. Just as in any other aesthetic or weight-related sport, the dance world caused Chan to struggle with her own relationship to food.

Chan refrains from focusing on weight loss because the body is physiologically meant to survive, which means not lose weight.

Rather, she helps her clients evaluate the role food plays in their lives along with nutritional counseling and meal preparation.

Evolve Flagstaff also focuses on physical therapy and training.

“A lot of that springs from our culture of basically unsustainable and unrealistic body norms,” Chan said about why people might choose unhealthy diets, “especially during the last 10 years’ expansion of social media.

Much has been megaphoned into the world that you have to look a certain way, when

we’re really negating the relationship to food and our relationship to cultural foods.

“Just like our height and shoe size,” Chan continued, “there is maybe a little bit we can play with. But so much of our body shape and size is based on genetics, our economic situation, history — so many different things that are completely out of our control that we may or may not be able to change our weight. Given the ideal environment of having access to food, to move or exercise and sleep enough will set you up in the genetic pool where you can actually let your genes express themselves.”

Chan said many northern Arizonan diets lack enough dietary fiber due to not eating enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This can also be caused by a reliance on low-carb or ketogenic diets. The diets cause a shortage of carbohydrates, which provide a good portion of fiber and nutrients.

Northern Arizonans also have an inclination for plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diets. Chan said these options are fantastic, but people can become protein deficient without personal research or working with a dietitian. Protein is necessary for muscle, neurochemicals, enzymes and hormones — basically everything.

If health equity and access were not issues, Chan said she wishes everyone could see a dietitian. Chan said some of the signs to see one are feeling tired, feeling like you’re not recovering from physical activity very well or have gastrointestinal issues. Family history can also be a reason.

“Genetics are the main indicator for what could be com-

ing down the pipeline for you,” Chan explained. “If everyone in your family had a heart attack, maybe you should start to dive into this when you’re young and healthful to look at preventative things you can do down the road. Genetic history is one indication that people should seek professional help for preventative type of care.”

Motion is lotion Just as important as a wellrounded diet is well-rounded activity. Diversity in activity helps build a resilient lifestyle because the body thrives on a range of activities. Medical guidelines recommend 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week and strength training three or four times a week.

“Both of those together have been shown in research to reduce the risk of disease, reduce pain, promote healing, improve the resilience and strength of tissues and bones, and enhance mood,” Kameron Harder, a physical therapist at The Physio Shop Clinic, said.

“Typically people just live longer and happier lives.”

“We have a saying,” Harder added, “motion is lotion and movement is medicine. People rapidly start feeling better once they start moving. That’s how our body works. We respond to stress very well and thrive off making our body move. That’s what we were built for. We’re moving beings. In order to continue to move we have to move.”

Harder added the caveat that people who have significantly high blood pressure, heart issues, breathing issues or chest pain should get professional help before delving into an exercise regime.

“It might just be as simple

as going to a PT or physician and making sure that it’s okay to start an exercise routine,” Harder said. “Some people need to very gradually start exercising so they don’t make things worse. The average person doesn’t need to do that.”

Another reason to see a physical therapist is when that exercise starts causing pain in joints, muscles or tissues to figure out what it is, why it’s occurring and if it’s okay to continue.

“If it’s not, “then you need to get something else done before we can continue,” Harder said.

Pain is complicated. It’s not always a muscular-skeletal issue.

Sometimes it’s a pathological issue, meaning we determine that from start and we’re not missing anything important and make sure we’re progressing someone in the safest way

possible.”

Once you start exercising, you get immediate gratification.

Harder said the activity can immediately help symptoms of pain, stiffness and discomfort.

The rub? You only get longterm benefits if you make a habit out of exercising, and forming the habit is the hardest part of any exercise routine.

“The best way to make exercise a habit is to make it fun and different,” Harder suggested.

“And pay attention to improvement. Find community in it.

Even myself as a PT, I know how to strength train, but I still utilize my coworkers for a running coach and strength training because everyone needs a little bit of assistance. Someone looking from the outside looking in to see what’s missing and how you can improve.”

INTRODUCING Dr. HOWE DACM, MSTCM, LAc

Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

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BY the BOTTLE With the end of summer in sight, beer drinkers can celebrate the promise of Wet Hop beers, Festbiers and the ever-debated pumpkin brews.

FALL BREWS ADAM HARRINGTON

W

ith the end of summer in sight, beer drinkers can celebrate the promise of Wet Hop beers, Festbiers and the ever-debated pumpkin brews.

Each Flagstaff brewery has its own interpretation of what these fall styles can be or may even have something else special up its sleeves.

Before getting into what each brewery is cranking out let’s first discuss Oktoberfest beers. Oktoberfest is a traditionally German celebration of a royal wedding. It typically begins in late September and rolls into October, ending the first Sunday of the month.

Oktoberfest beers are commonplace now to the American drinker but what defines the style?

A Festbier, as it is commonly referred to in Germany, is a golden lager that is slightly malty with a focus on doughy, lightly toasted malt characters, a soft sweetness, medium hop bitterness and a floral hop character.

Märzen, Festibier’s older cousin, is very

18 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

similar to the modern Festbier with a few major differences. Namely, the color is deeper (amber-orange to deep red), the bitterness is moderate and the hop flavor tends to be less. Older German Oktoberfest beers were more close to a Marzen and are what most American examples of Oktoberfest beer look like.

But, with both styles tasting good and making us feel like wearing lederhosen, let’s talk about what our Flagstaff brewers are making this month Lumberyard Brewing Company has their seasonal Oktoberfest Marzen available in 16-ounce cans (new this year from last year’s 12-ounce version) and also on tap. If a malty lager is not up your alley then a good ol’ pint of Rail Head Red Ale is a great patio companion for drinkers craving a bit more hop bite.

Historic Brewing Company will be releasing their seasonal take on their cherry pie-inspired beer with the seasonal Pumpkin Pie Hole Porter. It’s a nod to the ever-popular style of pumpkin spice-themed anything with a twist. They will also release

an Oktoberfest-style beer called Mission to Marzen.

Dark Sky Brewing is working on a handful of fun lagers including a Marzen and a Festbier. What I am most excited about from these folks is a quartet of Single Varietal Wet Hop IPAs. Briefly, Wet Hop beers are brewed with hops that have been harvested within 48 hours – the fresher the better. Normally hops are dried and most are turned into pellets for better storage over time. When they are dried they tend to lose some of their delicate aromatics and Wet Hop beers really allow those characters to shine.

Beaver Street Brewing will be releasing a hybrid Oktoberfest Marzen that should highlight the best of both styles. Craving something darker? Their R&R Oatmeal Stout is one of my favorite Flagstaff beers and drinks well on a late summer evening.

Don’t forget about Beaver Street’s hidden friend, Brews and Cues, attached to the brewpub where a game of pool is only a short walk away.

Grand Canyon Brewing will be brewing up a Festbier-themed lager. No details yet at

the time of writing, but keep your thirsty eyes peeled for that to be released in September. If a pumpkin beer is on your mind, then look no further than Grand Canyon’s Pumpkin Porter. It’s malty and spicy, a touch of sweet and biscuit, this beer will quench those pumpkin cravings.

Flagstaff Brewing Company is re-brewing their “one-off” West Coast IPA called Dapper Dre IPA. This Cali-inspired draught was brewed to help raise funds for one of Flagstaff’s downtown personas, Andres Adauto – better known as Dapper Dre due to his outstanding fashion sense. Dre and several other members of the Flag Bike Party were struck by a tow truck in May. One dollar from each pint sold of this IPA will be donated to a fund dedicated to those impacted.

Wanderlust Brewing Co. has grand plans for an Imperial Saison. No name has been chosen as of now for this monster farmhouse ale, but I am excited for this brew as it’s a style we don’t see too often. Wanderlust, along with many other breweries in Flagstaff, will be brewing a Hazy IPA called

character and a gentle bitterness that balances this beer out nicely.

Mother Road Brewing will also be releasing its take on the 1-800-273-8255 Suicide Prevention Hotline Hazy IPA. Each brewery can play with this beer recipe and I encourage you to try a few different ones and compare them to one another. Roy’s Irish Red Ale is a fresh brew that should be released in October.

The brewers plan to add an American spin on the style by dry-hopping the brew with Amarillo hops that should add a touch of ruby red grapefruit and a bit of pine character to a generally restrained and malt-forward ale.

The last weeks of summer and the start of BENJI SHANAHAN, ARIZONA DAILY SU the fall season are one of my favorite times to A bartender pours beer during the 2017 Oktoberfest at Wheeler Park. be a beer drinker in Flagstaff. Patio weather is perfect, be it in shorts and a t-shirt during 1-800-273-8255 Suicide Hotline Awareness. the day or wrapped up in a light jacket after This beer intends to bring attention to this sundown. You may find me nursing a cold hotline and encourage people to reach out one on a patio somewhere soon. to friends, family and anyone else who may be struggling. Their take on this beer is very Adam Harrington is the owner and operator of hops-forward with Citra hops as the main High Altitude Home Brew Supply and Bottle Shop located in east Flagstaff. contender but there is a dank, almost pine

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MATTERS of TASTE

Garden of

delights GAIL G. COLLINS

The Tokyo rolls alongisde the kale chips with wontons and veggie rolls at Red Curry Vegan Kitchen.

Red Curry brings vegan Thai favorites to Flagstaff

I

GAIL G. COLLINS

n Thai culture, meals are a social occasion, and dishes are enjoyed family style — the more, the merrier. There aren’t courses, but choices from many categories served together. These include a variety of colorful stir fries and fragrant curries, plus soup and pineapple or mango for dessert. A mix of sweet, salty, sour and spicy elements creates a satisfying supper.

Each October in Thailand, a vegetarian festival takes place over 10

20 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

days in tribute of Taoist belief barring meat consumption or harming animals in order to refine minds and bodies. The event fosters rich traditions and spiritual practices, but also challenges celebrants, clad in white for purity, to free the soul of wrong and cleanse the body as acts of devotion.

Memory of this joyful celebration pushed Chada Tirakul to fulfill her dream and open Red Curry Vegan Kitchen, her second Thai restaurant in Flagstaff.

“This was a beautiful time in Phuket, and personally, I eat vegan two to three times a week, but in September and October, I am a solid vegan,” she said.

The earnest business graduate grew up cooking with her father for family gatherings and worked as a student in a Thai restaurant, knowing down deep that one day she would open a restaurant of her own.

Tirakul ran herself ragged in the early years to make a success of Dara Thai before she trained up the next

generation to take over the reins.

After ventures in Taos and Santa Fe, her committed partner, Sasiya Stoneburger, joined her in launching Red Curry in early 2014, the first vegan eatery in Flagstaff. The aim of bringing authentic Thai food as vibrant, vegan fare “… whisk(s) you away to the streets and markets of Phuket,” just as Tirakul hoped.

The space on San Francisco Street is compact, and the kitchen is cozier.

This turns market items over quickly, keeping it fresh.

Sauces are scratch made, produce is local and processed foods are avoided.

Royal purple banquettes remind guests that these ladies hail from a kingdom with a reigning monarchy, and a picture of the royal couple hangs on the wall. Wood accents, cheap chic glitz in the chandeliers and art for sale keep the style straightforward, like its hardworking owners.

Start your meal with kale chips, baked as light, crisp greens to liven with sweet and sour sauce, laced with chili flakes or crushed peanuts.

Add wontons of potato and onion with Indian influence in masala spices, veggie rolls stuffed with transparent rice noodles, shitake mushrooms, cabbage and carrot, plus fluffy tofu triangles are all perfect for dipping.

The Tokyo Roll is a nod to traditional sushi, wrapping nori around brown rice, cucumber, carrot, avocado and sunflower sprouts in Vegenaise and topped with soy-ginger ponzu-sauced quinoa “roe,” adding citrus and savory flavor.

The aromatic yellow curry

blends tomato, onion, bell pepper and carrot in coconut milk with a choice of red or black beans or tofu as a protein boost. Scale your spice from one to five for creamy heat. A signature stir fry,

nicknamed PET, combines pumpkin, eggplant and tofu with carrot, bell pepper and basil in a lively sauté. A side of mixed brown and red rice provides a healthy, hearty foundation.

Tom Ka is the benchmark of

LEFT: The PET stir fry at Red Curry Vegan Kitchen.

BELOW: Red Curry Owners Sasiya Stoneburger and Chada Tirakul.

GAIL G. COLLINS PHOTOS

winter19 namlm.com

quality in Thai soups. A variety of vegetables, shitake mushrooms and tofu with lemongrass, galangal and lime leaves swim in coconut milk broth delivering health by the spoonful.

With new projects in Page — Nemo’s Fish & Chips and Dara Thai Express — Tirakul moves forward ambitiously. Still, it’s impossible to forget those who offered help generously along the way. In the early days, one fellow lunched regularly at Red Curry, bringing his computer and aiding in the tech side of things.

“People came in each day and became friends,” she remembered.

Initially, a close friend didn’t think Red Curry would make it, but Tirakul thought the appeal was there.

“I love Flagstaff,” she said. “People like to eat healthy, clean food and see the value in it.”

Even those who don’t live a vegan lifestyle delight in the fresh and vivid flavors.

Tirukal loves to cook and entertain, so her next plan involves hosting dinner parties with donations to charity.

She teared up, adding, “People are so kind, and so many helped along the way — I want them to be my guest and to give back to honor them.”

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1020 N. San Francisco Street Suite #200, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

The yellow curry at Red Curry Vegan Kitchen.

The Tom Ka soup and the PET stir fry at Red Curry Vegan Kitchen.

GAIL G. COLLINS‌PHOTOS

Of Storms & Clear Skies NAU TheATre SeASoN 2021-22

The last year has changed us as citizens of the world and makers of art.

Our collective longing for community, connection, and for life in some form of normalcy is overwhelming. In the final act of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Emily asks, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it, every, every minute?” This is a visceral and passionate response to a transformation that perhaps many of us have undergone in our year of isolation. While we created a hybrid form of storytelling, we missed you, our audience, an essential part of human communication in theatre. We invite you to return to our stage, albeit most likely in smaller numbers, but in person as we conjure the magic from stories old and new, seen through the lens of our stormy year, as we look toward future clear skies.

The Tempest

Devised Theatre

Luna

Our Town

William Shakespeare’s The Tempest Directed by Christina Gutierrez-Dennehy

A Devised Project: Yet to be named Directed by Nathanael Johnson

Ramón Esquivel’s Luna Directed by Rebecca Whitehurst

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town Directed by Kathleen M. McGeever

The Clifford E. White Theater October 14, 15, 16 at 7:30pm October 16 and 17 at 2:00pm

The Studio Theater November 18, 19, 20 at 7:30pm November 20 and 21 at 2:00pm

The Studio Theater February 24, 25, 26 at 7:30pm February 27 at 2:00pm

The Clifford E. White Theater April 21, 22, 23 at 7:30pm April 23 and 24 at 2:00pm

A furious and tempestuous storm literally launches our season with the mysterious comedy, The Tempest. Shakespeare spotlights both the marvelous and the sinister traits of magic in a tale of love and betrayal set on a faraway island. As the island’s foreign interlopers engage in petty squabbles and drunken antics, its indigenous community demonstrates the elemental power of nature to conjure moments of true beauty. Welcome back to the theatre, as we share Prospero’s wish in his final prologue, “Now I want, Spirits to enforce, art to enchant.”

We invite you to experience a new theatrical endeavor, Devised Theatre, where the story is formed through the collective. Created by a community of artists from the NAU Theatre Ensemble, the Devised Project will form organically around shared ideas, themes, stories or prompts and focus the lens on the past, the present and the future as we are reunited in the physical spaces of rehearsal hall and theater. After the storm has passed, the birth of a new story is welcomed because as Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

A play for all ages, Luna tells the enchanting story of Soledad, the lonely, friendless daughter of migrant workers who finds courage and friendship in her constant companion, the moon. Soledad and Luna forge a joyful bond which ultimately leads Soledad to reach out to those around her. Luna encourages Soleded by saying, “Taking risks is hard to do, but taking risks builds courage. too.” The magical relationship of girl and her moon and the insight and strength Soledad gains on her journey echo Ramón Esquivel’s purpose, “I hope my stories inspire empathy, connection, and wisdom - and that they make audiences laugh along the way.” Just what we need in these post-pandemic times!

Join us in Grover’s Corners for Our Town, the American Classic that 83 years after its Broadway debut, continues to work its magic on audiences aroud the world. The deceptively simple story lays bare the smaller moments in life, leaving audiences in awe of the timelessness of human existence. Our Town captivates our hearts by exposing humanity’s indispensable shared truths. This play grows in relevance with each year, but the meanings explode in the post-pandemic world. As the lights fade and the twinkling stars rise in the sky of Grover’s Corners, we end our season with the promise of clear skies and possibilities.

Tickets

General Admission - $20.00 Senior/Staff - $15.00 Student/Child - $10.00

Tickets at NAU Central Ticket Office in the University Union nau.edu/cto | (928) 523-5661

Prices listed might not include all applicable convenience, service, or facility fees, which may affect the final purchase price.

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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OUTDOOR life

FALL

BY FOOT A

BREE BURKITT

utumn in Flagstaff is a magical sight. It’s truly one of Arizona’s best places to experience stunning fall colors. The cool mountain air, bright skies, seemingly untouched forested meadows and lush patches of aspens make leaf-peeping a top seasonal attraction for both locals and visitors alike starting in mid-September in the higher elevations and lasting well through November in lower spots.

Because Flagstaff ’s autumnal beauty is so unmatchable, many of these magical places can become

24 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

overcrowded with long lines of cars and swarms of people all attempting to see the gold, red and orange hues.

Some, like the ever-popular Lockett Meadow and West Fork in Oak Creek, can quickly turn into a nightmare by enticing hundreds of people each day.

But these aren’t the only options.

Numerous other spots that can be accessed easily and by foot, allowing leaf peepers to skip the long waits and bask in the fall colors without the crowds.

Not only can hiking provide a better experience, but research shows just a 30-minute walk can cause improve-

Get moving this autumn with our favorite hikes to see fall foliage

ments to both your mental and physical health. Remember to wear light layers to ensure comfort throughout the day as temperatures can change drastically. Don’t forget to pack water, snacks and a camera!

Explore these trails and destinations for an enchanting glimpse of fall colors:

Abineau -Bear Jaw Loop Plan a full day for this one, but it’s well worth it. This 7.2-mile loop along the north face of the San Francisco Peaks is one of the best options for avoiding crowds. The hike climbs up

the aspen-covered Bear Jaw Canyon, then along the 2-mile Waterline Road to connect to the lush, spruce-fir oasis of Abineau Canyon.

The elevation ranges from 8,500 to 10,300 feet, guaranteeing a feast of red and yellow leaves. Those feeling especially motivated can opt to head to the popular Lockett Meadow by continuing on the Waterline Road until they reach the Inner Basin Trail. Be mindful though as that will be a significantly longer hike.

For more information, visit https:// www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/ recarea/?recid=55058.

Getting there: From Flagstaff, head north on U.S. 180 to mile marker 235 and turn right on Forest Road (FR) 151. Continue 1.6 miles on FR 151 and connect to FR 418. From there, drive 3.1 miles on FR 418 to FR 9123J, which should be signed for Abineau-Bear Jaw. Then, turn right and travel an additional half mile to the trailhead. The road isn’t maintained and is rutted in some areas.

However, most vehicles should be able to access the trailhead if driven carefully.

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

The aspen grove at Aspen Corner on the Snowbowl Road is at it’s peak of the turn.

Aspen Corner‌ Aspen’s produce some of the most gorgeous fall colors. The golden yellows complement the tree’s white tree trunk beautifully. As the name suggests, Aspen Corner is full of dense patches of this unmistakable tree. This hotbed of color sits right off Snowbowl Road and shouldn’t be missed. Park off the road – safely, of course – and wander through the golden aspens. Take care to park completely off the road, and watch for passing cars while crossing. The through-hike measures at about 7 miles long. Some opt to meander through the connecting trails to see the jaw-dropping views before heading back.

Getting there: The trail is about 11 miles from downtown Flagstaff. Take US-180/Fort Valley Road for about 7 miles, then turn onto Snowbowl Road. Aspen Corner sits about 5.5 miles up Snowbowl Road. Find the parking area on the left side of the

road headed towards the ski area.

Flagstaff Arboretum‌ Leaf-peeping is accessible for the whole family at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. The Arboretum is open six days a week and offers an abundant

Fall 2021 namlm.com

25

sampling of some of Northern Arizona’s most colorful high-elevation plants, including a bounty of fall colors. The paths through the Arboretum’s grounds are easily accesible by both strollers and walkers.Pack a picnic, take a stroll and enjoy an afternoon in the crisp morning air with stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks. Admission is $10, $7 for seniors, $5 for youth and $3 for dogs. For more information, visit https://thearb.org/ Getting there: From Flagstaff, take Route 66 to Woody Mountain Road. Then, travel four miles until you reach the Arboretum.

Kachina Trail Want a workout with your fall color? Then Kachina Trail is the one for you. Kachina Trail is located almost entirely within the Kachina Wilderness off of Arizona Snowbowl. The trail is significantly less popular than other leaf-peeping

hotspots, but still offers a feast of fall colors in the high altitude.

Traipse through open patches of Aspens, luscious neck-high ferns, pine trees, Douglas firs, rich meadows and volcanic boulders. During the fall, hikers often hear the sounds of bull elk as it’s their mating season. Plus, this trail offers numerous stunning views overlooking Flagstaff. The out-and-back trail is 10.4-miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of approximately 1,500 feet. Be mindful of this when planning to visit and remember to hydrate frequently. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda. gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55112.

Getting there: From Flagstaff, head 7.5 miles north on U.S. 180/ Fort Valley Road to Snowbowl Road.

Turn right and drive 6.6 miles along the paved road to the signed turnoff for the trailhead and a large parking area on the right.

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Arizona Nordic Village The Arizona Nordic Village isn’t just for winter. No, this Flagstaff retreat is still a sight even when there’s no snow on the ground. Rent a yurt for a night for a “glamping” experience. Wake up among the aspens in their full autumn glory and then head out for a jaunt down the Tornado Trail to the Aspen Tunnel or one of the numerous other well-maintained trails before returning to the yurt to heat up by the wood-burning stove. The Nordic Village offers great opportunities for hiking, biking and even horseback riding – all with fantastic views and fall colors galore. Save this one for October for the best colors. Visit https://arizonanordicvillage.com/ for more information.

Getting there: Drive about 16 miles north from Flagstaff on U.S. 180/Fort Valley Road. Watch for signs for the Arizona Nordic Village at mile marker 232.

Aspen trees in full fall foliage spray the sky above Hart Prairie in shades of gold Wednesday afternoon.

The annual turn will last at least another week.

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

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humanity and the

environment Flagstaff’s Ash Davidson publishes immersive debut, Damnation Spring

T

BREE BURKITT

o read Damnation Spring is to enter the lush forest of northern California — a majestic woodland world full of both wonder and terror, alongside life and death.

It’s a world where the Gundersen family and their small, close-knit logging community reside. Their reality is rapdily changing around them in the late 1970s as the United States moves aggressively toward addressing the industrial horrors that ravaged the country. But that very change is a threat to those who live and work in these oldgrowth forests, their lives so intertwined with a rapidly fading way of life.

For generations, Rich Gundersen’s family made their livelihood chopping out of the redwood forest along California’s rugged coast. Rich and his wife, Colleen, are raising their own son near a swath of ancient redwoods named Damnation Grove. Rich seizes an opportunity to buy 24-7 Ridge in hopes of a better life for his wife and young son, Chub. The 28 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

purchase exhausts the money they squirreled away for their growing family, unbeknownst to Colleen. But their family isn’t growing as Colleen has lost pregnancy after pregnancy — as have numerous other women in their community.

Colleen has seen the devastation firsthand as a midwife and can’t help but wonder whether there’s something more behind the repeat losses.

As an old face returns to town, many of the community members are forced to reckon with the thought that the herbicides used by the logging company aren’t as harmless as promised. As mudslides take out clear-cut hillsides and salmon vanish from creeks, Colleen’s search for answers threatens to unravel not just Rich’s plans for the 247, but also their marriage and their town.

CAROL B. HAGAN‌

Flagstaff resident Ash Davidson is the author of the novel Damnation Spring.

What results is a beautifully immersive debut. At more than 400 pages, the epic of a novel swallows you whole, immersing the reader in the lush forests as

told from the varying perspectives of Rich, Colleen and Chub. It’s a compassionate portrayal of a family and community reckoning with their new reality and clinging to the past as the environmental degradation becomes impossible to ignore.

For Flagstaff’s Ash Davidson, it was surreal to let the Gundersen family meet the world when the book published in August. She spent years working on the novel, watching the lives and fates of the Gundersen family shift along the way.

“It’s such a strange and mag-

ical experience to realize that these characters have been in my laptop for a decade and suddenly other people are going to know them too,” Davidson said.

“It’s wonderful, and it’s also deeply strange.”

The novel spans the course of a year and less than 100 days are actually in the book. Yet Davidson wrote all 365 days. She’s still having a hard time letting go of the family she spent so long writing and rewriting and writing again.

But Damnation Spring is well-deserving of the praise.

It’s a sweeping, immersive debut chronicling a deeply human story. The novel builds gradually, letting Rich and Colleen’s experiences draw the reader in more and more with each page.

Davidson’s family lived in the town of Klamath, California where the book is set. They relocated to Flagstaff when she was in middle school. Now, Davidson works as the communications director for the nonprofit Grand Canyon Trust.

She’s not blind to the juxtaposition of a self-described “tree hugger” penning a novel that so delicately details the struggle between preserving and profiting off the land.

While the struggle does parallel the current climate crisis, Davidson noted that there are no winners and losers in a situation like this. She’s gained respect for those who work on the forest and those who have devoted their lives to preserving it.

“I think we often blame people who work in extractive industries [logging, fracking, coal mining] as if they’re complicit in the environmental damage and therefore deserve any suffering it brings them, but we

have to empathize that this is how a family is keeping their lights on and keeping food on the table,” Davidson said.

That competing understanding is what makes Damnation Spring work so well. It provides the rare opportunity to empathize with all sides in a usually polarizing conversation, proving that their are no winners or losers here.

Interviewing people on both sides of the issue made Davidson reevaluate her own preconceived notions and helped her write the book coming from a place of non-judgment. In one scene, Davidson details a public meeting where a board must decide whether to allow the logging of Damnation Grove.

Those in opposition call out the proposal for destroying the ancient redwoods, while those of the community of Klamath speak of how much they value the land beyond something to look at before returning home.

“People who work in industries that can be destructive to the environment often have a great attachment to the outdoors,” Davidson said. “I come in and work in an office every day, but a logger goes out and works in the woods every day and spends their free time there, too. They’re very attached to the woods and they love the woods.”

Davidson took inspiration for this scene from her own time in public meetings on the topics of forest thinning or uranium mining. She dug through newspaper archives detailing public meetings from decades ago similar to that in the book.

Much of the language and jargon is directly inspired by those nearly 50-year-old articles. She returned to Klamath for interviews and to get the details of

such a specific place right. At first, people hesitated to speak with her as she was an outsider.

Then someone recognized her mother in a local diner and she was soon introduced to a logger.

They stepped outside and spoke for two hours, leaning against the side of his truck as the rain pounded down around them.

The next time she saw him, he brought an old photo album showing his crew cutting the massive redwoods decades before. Eventually, she mustered up the courage to ask him about the herbicides and he confirmed that he had been sprayed and how it impacted him.

It’s clear these authentic, firsthand conversations paid off. Davidson is gifted at describing the intricacies of the logging industry, alongside the personal conflict felt within

the community. She skillfully describes the intricacies of the logging industry in an accesible way, alongside the struggle within the community and the beauty of the ancient redwoods.

Two epigraphs mark the start of the novel. One is the quote, “they are not like any trees we know,” from author John Steinbeck. Steinbeck goes on to say no one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood. Davidson found herself enchanted with the redwood, but found herself facing the same problem, struggling to help readers understand their majesty and what it’s like to feel so small to something so big. The Steinbeck quote was the most honest way, she said.

“I hope people will be curious enough to look them up and see for themselves,” she said.

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29

SPOTLIGHT

DR. JACK QUIGLEY AND DR. ADAM BOETTCHER Surgeons, Plastic Surgery of Northern Arizona Dr. Jack Quigley and Dr. Adam Boettcher of Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona have performed virtually all the breast cancer reconstruction surgeries at both the Flagstaff Medical Center and the Verde Valley Medical Center.

Quigley founded Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona in 1991 alongside Dr. Steve Lex. Together, they committed to making the highest-quality cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery available to all residents of Northern Arizona. They pride themselves on using the latest tools and technology, leading to the construction of the 11,000-square-foot Northern Arizona SurgiCenter in 1996. They have been providing state-of-the-art care at both their clinic and ambulatory surgery center since.

Boettcher joined them in 2012 after completing his residency at Michigan State University’s prestigious combined plastic surgery program.

Boettcher, like his partners, loves having a diverse, general practice where they can provide everything from facelifts and breast augmentations to cancer reconstruction and facial and hand trauma surgery.

But, for both Quigley and Boettcher, helping breast cancer survivors reclaim their bodies following a mastectomy and move forward with their lives in a positive way is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of their practice.

Mountain Living Magazine sat down with the pair to discuss just how much this crucial surgery can positively impact a patient’s life, their love for the Flagstaff community and more.

30 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Dr. Jack Quigley and Dr. Adam Boettcher of Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona.

What is BRA Day? Breast reconstruction surgery is an important party of the recovery journey for survivors of breast cancer. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons designates one day each October, which is Breast Cancer Survivor Month, as Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day. BRA Day, which falls on Oct. 20 this year, is intended to raise awareness and promte education about breast reconstruction for breast cancer survivors following a mastectomy. Many survivors aren’t aware that there is likely a reconstruction option suitable for their unique situation, desires and goals. BRA Day was conceived to help breast cancer patients and their families realize that survivors can reclaim their body again.

Why is breast reconstruction surgery so important for patients following a mastectomy?

For many survivors, a mastectomy – even though it’s an important step for many in the battle against cancer – can leave them feeling as though the cancer took a part of themselves.

Breast reconstruction can help them feel whole once more, as well as contributing to their wellbeing and self-esteem following a mastectomy.

How is breast reconstruction accomplished?

The most common approach is done through a combination of tissue expanders and breast implants. There are other options involving the use of the patient’s own tissue, but device-based reconstruction is the best option in most cases as it is the least-invasive way to get the best and most natural results.

When is a breast reconstruction typically performed following a mastectomy?

A breast reconstruction can be done immediately following a mastectomy, after some time has passed or even long after the mastectomy.

There’s no time restrictions – provided the patient is healthy enough to undergo the surgery.

Does health insurance cover the cost of breast reconstruction?

In 1998, Congress passed the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act. This important piece of legislation requires that all health insurance plans that pay for a mastectomy must also cover the costs of breast reconstruction.

This coverage includes additional procedures that may be needed over time to refine the reconstructed breasts or correct asymmetry between the two.

What brought you both to Flagstaff?

AB: It’s a beautiful location with a small town feel. I was also drawn to the breadth and diversity of the practice, alongside the very strong reputations of my partners, Jack Quigley and Steve Lex. JQ: I trained in Ohio with my partner, Steve Lex, who loved Flagstaff. He encouraged me to come out to visit and I loved it so much that I decided to join him in practice here.

What do you like to do when you’re not working with patients?

AB: In my spare time, I like to mountain bike on Flagstaff’s wonderful trails, ski or play the guitar.

JQ: Personally, I really enjoy road biking around Northern Arizona.

N O R T H E R N A R I ZO N A H E A LT H C A R E

CHOOSE E XC E L L E N C E I N O R T H O P E D I C S CLOSE TO HOME

Choose the comprehensive Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Northern Arizona Healthcare and consult with renown providers, like Dr. Adam Norwood. He specializes in partial and total knee and hip replacement. Dr. Norwood is one of the state’s leading surgeons in the use of the MAKO smart robotics joint replacement system.

That means his experience allows patients to spend less time in the hospital, recover more quickly, and return to their lives sooner.

The Orthopedic and Spine Institute is the only place in Northern Arizona where advanced robotics, research, education, and a team approach lead to exceptional care and better outcomes for patients like you. Choose us for your orthopedic care and you’ll find some of the state’s finest specialists, without having to leave our community.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. NORWOOD, WATCH HIS VIDEO AT NAH.COM/NORWOOD. TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION, CALL 800-656-7880.

NORTHERN ARIZONA HEALTHCARE MEDICAL GROUP - FLAGSTAFF 107 E. Oak Ave, Ste. 101 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 NAHEALTH.COM/ORTHOPEDICS

Fall 2021 namlm.com

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