Teton Family Winter 21/22 Issue No. 36

WINTER

21/22

Ins id

Issue # 36

et

. .. issue s i h

P R E G NA N T MOU N TA IN M A M AS

bond over a pai r of ski pants

HOLIDAY PIES Three local chefs reveal their secrets

FOUR-LEGGED MILESTONES

A story of family adventure told through the lifespan of a pup

KNEE REPLACEMENTS UNDER 50 A firsthand account of a growing trend

51

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

1

24 —

WINTER

21/22 —

Contents

Photos: Shannon Corsi (top); Paulette Phlipot (center); Paulette Phlipot (bottom)

Issue # 36

MOUNTAIN STYLE

Pair local takeout options with homemade recipes for weeknight meals Becoming Jackson Whole brings mindfulness training to community leaders

08

32 FOUR LEGGED

10

TABLE TALK

13

MILESTONES

IN SEASON

16

42 — 36 NEW KNEE UNDER 50

Traveling ski bibs connect mountain-based mothers-to-be in a shared pursuit of their passions Evergreen needles, containing high amounts of vitamins, can be incorporated into wintertime recipes

WELLNESS WIRED Art therapy in the Tetons provides an

22

alternative gateway to personal healing

ON THE FARM

Local farmers grow heritage grains as a nod to a more traditional and healthier way of farming

SLOW HOME

Personalized goodbyes and environmentally-responsible body care options bring a sense of authenticity to end-of-life decisions 2

FEATURES

24 30

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

One family discloses their story of love and adventure, shaped by the span of their beloved pet's life

By Bradly J. Boner

16 —

The firsthand account of a knee replacement outlines the considerations for young people with chronic joint issues

By Christina Shepherd McGuire

42

A PLETHORA OF PIE

Three local chefs unveil their pie secrets for a holiday table masterpiece

By Paulette Phlipot

On the Cover: Kate Hull, of Victor, stayed active throughout her pregnancy with the help of hand-me-down maternity bibs.

Photo by Katie Cooney

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

3

A note from the EDITOR

Autumn in the Tetons always comes as a welcome. Despite summers being consistently too short, they also have this sense of mania as we jockey around the tourists trying to squeeze in max adventure time before the inevitable long winter sets in. With autumn, comes a cozying up on the soccer field sidelines, a peek at the bears harvesting the service berries in my backyard, and a winding down of all the frantic energy, as kids go back to school and a schedule sets the tone for the winter ahead.

I’ve always lived in an area that experiences all four seasons.

But even after 25 years of living here, I’m still surprised by the way summer sometimes skips spring and tacks itself onto the backside of winter. Similarly, winter sometimes skips autumn, making us think it’s still summer, until it’s not. This reminds me to enjoy each season as it presents itself (and not to blink), whether we get a true Indian summer this year, or if we’re hiking The Pass to ski and snowboard in October.

No matter how the season’s transition pans out, the shift always initiates a deep down sense of hope. … Hope that the wildfire smoke will diminish, and the showy aspen leaves will linger through October. … Hope that this year’s snowfall will be plentiful, and the snowpack stable enough for us to enjoy it safely. … And, hope that, after a blanketing white winter, the colorful crocuses we planted this fall will make an early arrival, along with the warming sun.

I want you to find a similar sense of hope in this issue, as we delve into stories that take you on a journey through life’s precious seasons. We start out with a piece about a group of mountain women who pass around a pair of maternity ski bibs, and a family who evolves through the seasons of their furry friend’s life. Then we segue into an account of my midlife knee replacement surgery and tips for those who may be contemplating the same. (It’s much better than getting a sportscar, trust me.) Finally, we wrap things up with a thoughtful way to approach the end of life with the same integrity we’ve used to navigate our time here on earth. In between the lines, we give you pie recipes to liven up your holiday table and foraging tips that allow you to experience our steadfast evergreen trees in a new way.

My hope is that you approach our magazine as I’ve come to approach this winter season—slow and meticulous. Pick it up and read a little, then set it down and come back to it the next time you feel the pull. Try out a recipe, or two, or three (This issue is full of them!), and then head out into the winter woods to fill up your cup. Before you know it—and not too long after you make your way through our recommendations for takeout meal pairings—the promise of spring will surprise you, maybe with a late-season ski tour in the sun, or a springtime rain that forces you inside to sit by your fire. However the shift pans out, don’t be surprised like me, as there’s always something to be learned from living in an area with four distinct seasons, even though it sometimes only feels like there’s two.

Christina

Contributing WRITERS

4

Molly Absolon writes to support her outdoor habit.

She’d rather be hiking, biking, or skiing in the mountains than just about anything else. A former outdoor educator and current mother of a college kid, Molly lives in Victor, Idaho, with her husband.

Bradly J. Boner is the chief photographer at the Jackson Hole News&Guide and photo editor for Jackson Hole Magazine. He lives in Victor, Idaho, with his wife, Jeannette, their kids, Adeline and Will, two grumpy cats, and a red heeler named Rosie.

Britney Magleby lives and works in Jackson as the events director for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce producing festivals and community events. On the weekends she moonlights in the wedding industry using her talents to coordinate festive affairs.

Sue Muncaster is an “adventurepreneur,” business consultant, writer, and activist who lives in Victor, Idaho. Her passion projects include promoting the regenerative tourism @tetonstrong, a project dedicated to supporting a values-driven outdoor lifestyle.

Fresh, real, healing food and recipes continue to connect Paulette Phlipot to her Teton family and friends, no matter how many miles separate them.

She enthusiastically photographs products for brands and inspires wellness worldwide with her FoodAsArt® fine art photography collection.

Tibby Plasse lives at the base of Teton Pass with her son and German wirehaired pointer. She holds an MFA in poetry and translation, as well as a BA in English and political science. Tibby likes discovering answers to all types of questions.

Jenn Rein is a writer and content producer living in Teton Valley. Her works appear in Homestead Magazine, Artists Magazine, and Plein Air Magazine. Jenn’s favorite activities include taking photos of OPD (Other People’s Dogs) and cooking her own food. Read more of her work at jennrein.com.

Samantha Simma migrated west to Wyoming from Wisconsin in the pursuit of grander outdoor adventures.

She’s the social media manager for New Thought Digital, and her writing appears locally in Dishing magazine, Grand Wedding, and Jackson Hole Magazine.

Melissa Snider is an elementary teacher/librarian who wants to know what you’re reading. Her favorite adventure companions are her two daughters and her husband, who also provide the inspiration for her nonfiction writing. Melissa’s happy place is lakeside with a great book.

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Editor photograph by Camrin Dengel

Welcome to

Heal Better.

Live Better.

Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation We focus on your functional independence to help you meet your goals and get you back home. For recovery from stroke, traumatic injuries, hip fractures and more, we specialize in Wyoming and we specialize in you.

For more information: call 307.739.4917 or visit www.stjohns.health/irf

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

5

tetonfamilymagazine.com facebook.com/TetonFamilyMagazine

@tetonfamilymagazine

Publisher Kevin Olson Associate Publisher Adam Meyer Editor Christina Shepherd McGuire christina@tetonfamilymagazine.com Art Director Samantha Nock Copy Editor Cherisé Forno Contributing Photographers Bradly J. Boner Ryan Dorgan Katie Cooney Travis J. Garner Shannon Corsi Julie Millard Paulette Phlipot Advertising Sales Karen Brennan, Tom Hall, Megan LaTorre, Katie Brierley, Tatum Biciolis adsales@tetonmediaworks.com Ad Production Sarah Wilson, Lydia Redzich, Luis F. Ortiz, Heather Haseltine, Chelsea Robinson Distribution Jayann Carlisle, Oscar Garcia-Perez, Candace Whitaker

42 —

Teton Family is published two times a year and distributed at more than seventy-five locations for free throughout the Tetons. To request copies, call (307) 732-5903. Visit tetonfamilymagazine.com for additional content and insightful blogs. © 2021 Teton Media Works, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine’s original contents, whether in whole or in part, requires written permission from the publisher.

detoxified

BEEF

grass-fed

PORK

nutrient dense • non-gmo • no corn • no soy MALAD, IDAHO

PASTURED poultry and eggs

grass-fed

LAMB

6

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

208-766-3474 • maddoxfamilyfarms.com Sign up on our website for deliveries to Victor and Driggs every 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Other pick-up locations: Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Ogden, and Salt Lake City

Ready

Jackson Hole Community School students are ready for success in school and in life.

Our accredited, independent high school focuses on rigorous academic and college preparation within a community environment that values inquiry, critical thinking and extraordinary relationships. Our students move on ready to make meaningful contributions to the world. JOIN US

307.733.5427 • info@jhcschool.org • www.jhcommunityschool.org Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

7

LOCAL TAKEOUT PAIRINGS = GOOD WEEKNIGHT EATS

By Samantha Simma

W

eeknight dinners don’t have to be overwhelming. After a long day at work or playing in the mountains, cut yourself a break by enlisting your favorite local restaurant to do (most of the) work for you. Takeout-friendly options can be made into a multi-course meal with the addition of a homemade recipe that’s quick and easy to execute. We’ve rounded up some of the best pairings around to give you a no-brainer dinner on the fly that’s easy on both your pocketbook and your prep cook’s sanity.

Pica’s Mole Enchiladas with Guacamole and Chips Enchiladas are typically slathered in red sauce, right? Not at Pica’s in Jackson, where they’re shaking things up by including chicken mole in their enchilada repertoire. Their traditional mole poblano sauce originates from Tlaxcala, Mexico. It’s a rich, savory-sweet sauce made from multiple types of chilies, smoky spices, and unsweetened Mexican chocolate. While mole needs no counterpart, you can still whip up our guacamole recipe (complete with a secret ingredient) to enjoy with tortilla chips for a simple side.

CREAMY GUACAMOLE

1.

2.

3.

8

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

3 1 1 1 ½ 3 2 1 1

avocados, peeled, pitted, and mashed lime, juiced teaspoon salt, or more, to taste tablespoon plain Greek yogurt cup red onion, diced tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped Roma tomatoes, diced clove garlic, minced jalapeno chili, stems and seeds removed, minced (optional) Pepper, to taste

Combine lime juice and salt with mashed avocados in a medium bowl. Mix in Greek yogurt.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips or refrigerate minimally in an airtight container.

Cutty’s Philly Cheesesteak with a Side Salad Once you’ve had a Philly cheesesteak from Cutty’s Bar & Grill in Jackson, you’ll have zero doubts that the owners’ Philadelphia roots run deep. There’s no better combination than half-a-pound of shaved steak served on a 12-inch Amoroso roll. Pair it with an at-home twist on a Caesar salad for a guilt-free comfort food meal.

TWISTED CAESAR SIDE SALAD

Pizzeria Alpino’s Buttermilk Polenta Calamari with Bruschetta The menu at Pizzeria Alpino in Driggs, Idaho, brims with traditionally prepared Italian fare—with a twist.

Their buttermilk polenta calamari is a spin-off on the customary preparation, with the addition of artichokes and pepperoncini, as well as two dipping sauces—a classic marinara and a sundried tomato aioli. Pair it with homemade bruschetta (perhaps made with Vertical Harvest’s tomatoes) for an Italian night made easy.

1.

2.

3.

2 tablespoons Caesar dressing, bottled 1 tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette, bottled 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped ½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half ½ cup cucumber, peeled and sliced 2 tablespoons pecans, halved Salt and pepper, to taste Slivered parmesan Whisk together the two dressings until fully combined.

Toss together the salad ingredients.

Dress the salad and top with parmesan.

CLASSIC BRUSCHETTA

1 460 Bread baguette 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for baguette toasting 1 ½ cups tomatoes, diced 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup basil, minced 1 tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette Salt and pepper to taste

1.

Slice baguette and brush the slices with olive oil. Grill or broil the slices until toasted on both sides.

2. In a medium bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients.

3. Top each slice of bread with tomato mixture and serve. *Optional: Garnish with additional basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Chiang Mai Kitchen’s Khao Man Gai with Mango Sticky Rice When it comes to Thai takeout, Chiang Mai Kitchen’s delicious Khao Man Gai is a local’s favorite.

Combining elements of traditional Thai spices and crispy fried chicken, this dish is a family pleaser.

Serve it alongside mango sticky rice for a meal that’s sure to be a hit with the kids. tf

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

MANGO STICKY RICE 1 cup glutinous (sweet) rice

½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups water

½ cup coconut cream 1 ¼ cups unsweetened coconut milk 1 or 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, ½ cup granulated or raw sugar and cut into thin slices Rinse rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Then, soak it in cold water for 30 minutes or longer (up to 24 hours).

Drain the rice, then add the water and simmer for 30 minutes, or until tender.

While the rice cooks, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

Transfer rice to a serving bowl and fluff with a fork. Pour coconut milk mixture over the rice and stir well.

Allow rice to absorb the mixture for 10 to 30 minutes. Then, stir in the coconut cream.

Serve warm or at room temperature topped with mango slices.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

9

MINDFULNESS IN THE MOUNTAINS

By Britney Magleby // Photography by Travis J. Garner

B

orn from a mission to aware of where we are and stimulate community what we’re doing, and not PAUSE. Breathe in slowly. Breathe out slowly. mindfulness, the nonprofit overly reactive or overwhelmed Observe what you notice.

Becoming Jackson Whole by what’s going on around us. was founded in January Mindfulness-based training, 2020 after two years of assessments, site visits, and research. the motivation of Becoming Jackson Whole and many other With founder, Sara Flitner, and Chief Science Advisor, Dr. mindfulness movements across the world, teach the brain to Amishi Jha, powering the initiative, Becoming Jackson find focus and calm in stressful environments. The benefits Whole has quickly made a meaningful impact on the local are wide-reaching. community. About 125 people have completed their trainings, Jha noted in a piece she wrote for Scientific American Mind and over 3,000 people have taken advantage of their daily that, “Hundreds of articles lay out evidence showing that practices, multi-day challenges, or one-day programs in the training to become more mindful reduces psychological past 20 months. stress and improves both mental and physical health. … My But to take on the incredible task of creating a mindful colleagues and I have connected mindfulness training to both community, we must first understand mindfulness and its purpose. a sharpening of focus and improved mood.”

What is mindfulness and what are the benefits?

These effects on individuals are astounding, but an even One definition of “mindfulness” means to be fully present, 10

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

greater triumph comes when mindfulness extends beyond

the person to affect the community-at-large. Becoming Jackson Whole provides our community leaders—in government, business, medical fields, and non-profits—with mindfulness trainings and tools. Leaders work with Becoming Jackson Whole to receive resources that spread compassion, patience, and resilience across Jackson and beyond.

MINDFUL OFFERINGS From trainings that span from 21 seconds to 21 days, Becoming Jackson Whole hosts a wide range of programs that provide an approachable look at mindfulness and its benefits (becomingjacksonwhole.org):

Celebrate WINTER in DRIGGS 10th Annual Driggs Snowscapes presented by Teton Valley Resort

January 18 - 22, 2022 at Driggs Plaza

• Pocket Practices (less than 5 minutes): These simple, timeminimal practices are designed to be used throughout the day to calm and focus the mind. “We [provide] exercises that are achievable enough to actually be done at a stop sign while driving,” says Becoming Jackson Whole program attendee, Elisabeth Rohrbach.

“Community leaders work with Becoming Jackson Whole to receive resources that spread compassion, patience, and resilience across Jackson and beyond.”

• Guided Meditation (5 to 15 minutes): Entirely free to the Jackson community, Becoming Jackson Whole offers guided meditations on their website that can be practiced individually, on your own time, or with a group, in realtime via Zoom.

• Events (2 to 12 hours): From mindfulness conferences to their first TRYathalon in August of 2021, Becoming Jackson Whole continues to host events that grow mindful awareness and stimulate comradery. Visit the “event and initiatives” tab on their website to see what’s next.

• Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (4 weeks): This in-depth program combines an eight-hour MindfulnessBased Attention Training (MBAT) with four weeks of mindfulness practice. A first-of-its-kind study launched

by Becoming Jackson Whole resulted in “100 percent of participants [showing] statistically significant improvement in the professional, emotional, and cognitive domains. …

Trainees had better memory recall, higher mood quality, and less relationship conflict. It’s important because [these statistics] meant higher workplace performance and satisfaction, better relationship quality, and overall less distraction,” says Flitner.

Details at www.downtowndriggs.org Visit Driggs to celebrate winter.

Stay to enjoy the culture, shopping & amenities.

�nriching �ur �ommunity �rough �rts & �ulture

Simple acts equal incredible results. We can build a mindful community, and a mindful community is capable of so much more.

So PAUSE. Breathe in slowly. Breathe out slowly. REPEAT. tf Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

11

History of helping to build futures

(307) 732-6652 • jsingletonfinancial.com 170 East Broadway, Suite 100D • PO Box 508 • Jackson, WY 83001 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/ SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. J Singleton Financial is not a registered broker/ dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

12

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Table TALK

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING SKI PANTS

By Melissa Snider // Photography by Katie Cooney

B

ecoming a mom requires a growth mindset ... quite literally.

If you’re like a lot of pregnant women who love to be active outside, you may also find yourself frustrated by ill-fitting gear that holds you back from your normal pursuits. This challenge inspired Tahoe-based freelance writer, Megan Michelson, to find a solution for a still-growing group of mamas-to-be who ski and want to continue doing so throughout their pregnancies.

Birth of a Sisterhood Tahoe, CA (circa 2014) When a friend of Michelson’s struggled to find ski pants that fit comfortably during pregnancy, Michelson had an idea. She asked her husband, Dan Abrams, co-founder of the outdoor gear company Flylow, to offer up a pair of their classic men’s Baker Bibs. The pants fit, and her friend was able to ski more comfortably that season.

“After that, it naturally evolved into someone else being in the same boat,” says Michelson. “It started taking this ‘sisterhood of the traveling pants’ kind of route.”

Over the years, about three to four pairs of bibs have been pulled out of Flylow’s inventory and worn by an expecting mountain mama. Michelson guesses that at least ten women have worn the donated outerwear pieces—some of them more than once.

“If you bought a pair of pants that you wore for just three months, it would feel wasteful,” says Michelson. “The fact that [the bibs] are getting a lot of use from different people is the nice part of it.”

Kate Hull and husband, Kenny

While Michelson sometimes Heiden-Reich, enjoy a cross-country requests the bibs be returned to ski together before baby. her so she can pass them along, the recipients often send them to someone they know who will need them next. Some of the parents have passed along personalized notes, photos, and well-wishes to subsequent families. The bibs have made the rounds in several western mountain towns, including Tahoe, Jackson Hole, Portland, Bozeman, Park City, and Salt Lake City, and have been worn while skiing everything from groomers to powder in the backcountry.

Snapshots from the Journey …

Portland, Oregon (circa 2016) Avid biker, runner, and skier, Kristen Minarik, received her pair of makeshift maternity bibs after reaching out to Megan while planning a backcountry trip to British Columbia. Six-anda-half months pregnant with her second daughter, she realized she didn’t have ski pants that fit.

“It felt so empowering to be in that state of pregnancy but to also have the gear [to provide] an aspect of normal,” says Minarik.

“Don’t be afraid!

You can trust your body and know your lim its.”

- Kristen Minarik

She remembers that seven-day hut trip as “an incredible experience—way out there and very pregnant—with a bunch of friends skinning and skiing full days in lovely weather and safe conditions.”

When Minarik heard from Michelson that another mom was Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

13

“You get a confidence boost knowing you can stay active,” she says. “And you carry that over into motherhood. You can still get out and do the things you love, it just morphs and changes in the different stages between pregnancy and motherhood.”

Tahoe, California (circa 2017 and 2019) Former competitive, big mountain freeskier and coach, Allie Donovan, wore a different pair of Flylow bibs during both of her pregnancies. Reflecting on her experiences, Donovan feels that exercising at elevation while pregnant helped t ou her get back to her activities et “Just g e ’r u yo more easily postpartum. e; ther

okay.” going to be an ov - Allie Don

Her first pair of bibs accommodated her well.

“They had a zipper on either side, so as I got bigger, it was just a little adjustment down,” she explains.

Her second pair only had one side zipper, but still allowed her the room she needed to ski more comfortably. “Plain and simple,” she says, “there wasn’t anything [restricting] my belly, and it felt good.”

Donovan sent her first pair of bibs to Emily Wolfe in Montana

with a note; her second pair was sent to another mountain-based mom in need, with a note and a photo from her husband. Sharing in this sisterhood validated Donovan’s own experience of being a lifelong athlete who was unsure how pregnancy would affect her ability to be active.

“My first time being pregnant was scary,” says Donovan. “The fact that the bibs have traveled around to other athletic women, and they were out there enjoying themselves, too—I just held that with me.”

“Stay away from crowded trails and go powder skiing.”

– Emily Wolfe

Bozeman, Montana (circa 2019) Emily Wolfe, a journalist and business consultant who loves to ski and climb, broke her leg in a bouldering accident during her first pregnancy. She was unsure whether she’d ever ski again.

But once the hardware was removed from her leg, Wolfe felt ready to buckle on her ski boots again—this time, pregnant with her second child.

She recounts her experience after receiving the bibs from Donovan: “I felt like I was skiing with all of these other people.

When everyone is telling you not to go skiing, it’s like, ‘You know what? We’re all going to do what we need to do for ourselves and for our babies.’ The pants represented that connection.”

TETONVALLEYCABINS.COM (866) 687 1522

WILLIAM ANDREW “DREW” LIGHTHART, M.D.

Casual, comfortable atmosphere Covered porch entry • Complimentary WiFi Kitchenettes • Family Reunions

• Joint Replacement and Revision • Hip and Knee • Total and Partial Knee Replacement • Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement • Board Certified • Fellowship Trained World-Class Specialist in Orthopaedic Care To Schedule an appointment please call 307-733-3900

Located at 555 E. Broadway in Jackson | TetonOrtho.com 14

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Photos provided

due for the bibs, she sent them with a note encouraging the next recipient to continue the adventure. While Minarik acknowledges the accommodations that need to be made when exercising during pregnancy, she believes it’s important for moms to still get out there.

“Listen to your bo dy and do what feels good, but let yourself ke ep doing what you lov e!”

- Kate Hull

Throughout her pregnancy, Wolfe skied often at Bridger Bowl Ski Area and Big Sky Resort, where she worked as a freelancer writing blog entries. This job often entailed skiing off the tram and all over the mountain, conducting interviews.

“It felt so amazing to be doing my thing,” says Wolfe. “I didn’t feel like I was a pregnant lady. I was just myself—a skier.”

Wolfe encourages other expecting moms to do what makes them feel good. “The sports we do are dangerous,” she says. “It’s a risk you’re taking. For me, it’s also just who I am.”

Victor, Idaho (circa 2021) Kate Hull, owner of Powder Mountain Press and a first-time mom, loves to cross-country ski with her husband and dogs, taking exploratory off-trail trips throughout the winter. She was about 20 weeks into her pregnancy last winter when she started wearing the hand-me-down Flylow bibs.

“It was this really cool moment of feeling connected to other moms in the region,” she says. “And to also be outside with my partner, getting to explore and do the things I love, while comfortable.

That’s a really tricky thing to do when you’re pregnant.”

Hull, especially, appreciated having dedicated time together with her husband, preparing for their future as parents. “I had no idea how important it would be for me to stay active and be outside. Cross-country skiing, really, was the key to feeling good and grounded,” she says.

Hull looks forward to passing the bibs along to friends when the time comes. For her, it’s “a fun way to connect with someone else who is just starting their own chapter.”

RINK OPEN

NOVEMBER - MARCH

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SCHEDULES AND PROGRAMS

PLAY HOCKEY UNDER THE BIG HOLES !

Visit for tournaments and stay overnight to enjoy everything Teton Valley has to offer!

Youth/Adult Programs & Tournaments Something for everyone!

Visit our website for Covid-19 safety precautions & procedures

tetonvalleyfoundation.org

It’s these personal connections that fill Michelson’s cup, as the evolution of the traveling ski pants continues …

“Being pregnant can feel a little bit isolating and scary,” she says.

“Having this box arrive, not only with a piece of clothing that will enable you to get outside and enjoy the mountains, but also with a handwritten note or photo letting you know that you’re not alone in this journey—that was the nicest part.”

Michelson says she notices an increased representation of pregnant female athletes participating in their sports. To her, this proves that being active during pregnancy is the key to your overall well-being.

“I think we’re all understanding that our mental health is as important as our physical health,” says Michelson. “If getting out there gives you peace and happiness, then there are ways you can do it safely.” tf Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

15

In

SEASON

FESTIVE AND FORAGED Cooking with pine, fir, and spruce tips

Written + Photographed by Paulette Phlipot

J

ust by looking out the window, there’s a good chance you will spot an evergreen tree belonging to the pinaceae family. Standing tall, these lighthouses of the forest include conifers like spruce, fir, and pine, which seem to be most celebrated in our culture for their use as Christmas trees. However, the spiny needles that account for their leaves have a long history of culinary and medicinal use, as well, providing endless opportunities for us to enjoy the benefits of these trees year-round.

Certain species of pine needles contain high amounts of Vitamins A and C. In fact, drinking pine needle tea was a known treatment for scurvy in the 18th century, as the amount of Vitamin C in one cup of tea can provide up to four times the amount obtained from a glass of freshlysqueezed orange juice. Sailors put pine needles in their rum barrels to increase their Vitamin C intake when they ran out of lemons and limes.

And, indigenous populations have historically used pine needles to heal wounds and conditions of the respiratory system.

But, before you start munching on your Christmas tree, it’s important to identify it first, and make sure it’s safe for consumption.

16

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Be sure to a void harvesting from trees that may h ave been sprayed wit h pesticide s or insecticid es, such as those grow ing next to a roadwa y.

PINE, POPPY, AND LEMON SHORTBREAD —

Douglas fir needles are the suggested ingredient in these cookies, although pine, spruce, or fir needles will all add a foresty taste to this festive dessert.

—

1 cup butter, room temperature

½ cup coconut sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

zest and juice from one lemon

¼ cup edible conifer needles and/or tips 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup arrowroot powder

1 tablespoon poppy seeds ¼ or ½ teaspoon salt 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Rinse and dry the needles; pulse them in a food processor or spice grinder, or chop very finely.

In a mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice and zest until mixed well.

Add the conifer needles, flour, arrowroot, poppy seeds, and salt. Mix to combine.

Place dough on a flour dusted surface and form two logs. Place each log in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 350° F. Unwrap the dough and cut into ¼-inch cookie rounds. (Alternatively, you can flatten the dough into a disk and refrigerate, then roll the disc to ¼-inch thickness and use cookie cutters.)

Place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

17

If you’re p regnant, planning to becom pregnant e , or breas tfeeding, avoid con suming n eedles. ~ If you are taking a prescript ion medic ation, check wit h your do ctor before co nsumptio n, as well.

18

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

What kind of tree is it?

Slowing down and connecting with nature has its obvious benefits, and learning how to correctly identify plants and trees is part of the fun of foraging. Not all conifer trees are edible—some are even poisonous, like Yew, Lodgepole, and Norfolk pine. So, it’s important to identify them correctly before consumption. Observe the number of needles in the branch’s cluster, the length of the needles, and the color of the tree’s bark. Notice if the tree has pinecones, and consider its height and shape.

The golden rule of foraging is: Never eat a plant until it’s properly identified, and make sure to reference multiple trusted sources, including professional expert guidance. Use an app like PictureThis as your first point of reference, and then back it up with a book or a trusted naturalist.

How do the needles taste?

Once you’ve correctly identified a tree, start nibbling as you walk or ski, as the flavor of the needles varies between individual trees and throughout the seasons. You can just taste the difference. Be patient and observe the smells and tastes that jive with your specific palate. The spring needle tips of pine’s cousins, spruce and fir, are a known delicacy—they taste citrusy, and the fresher, the better. But, don’t eat them by the handful! Conifer needles contain a small amount of turpentine (as do all members of the pinaceae family), so don’t overdo it or you may get sick.

Parental Resilience Be Strong Even When You Are Stressed!

Resilience is the process of managing stress and functioning well even when things are difficult.

Being resilient as a parent means: Taking care of yourself and asking for help when you need it.

Feeling good about yourself and hopeful about your future.

Planning for the future and for what you will do in situations that you know are challenging for you.

Not allowing stress to get in the way of providing loving care for your child.

Taking time to really enjoy your child and what you like about parenting.

Parental Resilience Tune-Up Tips: Write down all the things you love to do with your child and think of ways you are going to make more time to do them.

Identify your most challenging parenting moments and make a plan for what you will do when these moments come up.

What helps you feel less stressed? Create a list of stress-buster activities to use on those difficult days Make time each day to do one thing you are good at.

For help finding resources as a parent or for your child call the Hirschfield Center for Children at 307-733-7946. Paid for by the Teton County Child Protection Team, dedicated to strengthening families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect

EAT WELL PLAY HARD

SIMPLE PINE TISANE —

White pine is a favorite to use in this tea. It’s high in Vitamin C (great for fighting off colds), and helpful as an expectorant. When cooled, it can be used as an antiseptic wash, as well.

—

1 to 2

1

1.

2.

3.

4.

tablespoons pine needles, chopped and bruised cup water honey, to taste

Rinse and dry pine needles, chop them into small pieces and mash them a bit, then place them in a teapot.

Pour just boiled water over the pine needles.

Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes.

Strain and enjoy. Add honey to taste.

Note: If you like a delicate tasting tisane, look for bright green, young needles.

Organic Produce Artisan Bread Juice & Smoothie Bar Hot Soup Made Fresh Daily Coffee • Beer • Wine

Curbside & Home Delivery

Open Daily 8am-7pm • Juice Bar 9:30am-1:30pm • (208)354-2307 36 S. Main Street, Driggs, ID • www.barrelsandbins.market Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

19

Look for these trees in the T etons: blue spruce, Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and Western whit e pine (aka, Idaho w hite pine).

20

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

INFUSED FOREST HONEY —

As a remedy, this infusion is helpful for easing a bad cough, soothing a sore throat, and calming lung irritation. As a culinary treat, enjoy it drizzled over cheese, like brie, or stirred into your favorite tea. Young, fresh tips work best.

—

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

¹⁄³ cup edible evergreen needles 1 cup raw honey Pull the needles from the branches, rinse and dry.

Bruise the needles by placing them on a cutting board and pounding or pressing with a glass jar.

Gently heat the honey in a small saucepan over low heat, just enough to make it easier to incorporate the needles. (Don’t heat the honey more than needed, in an effort to keep the benefits of the raw honey intact.)

Pour the honey into a jar and stir in the needles. Put on the lid; label and date; store in a cool, dark place.

Flip the jar occasionally to keep the needles covered. Taste it often. Within 4 to 6 weeks, the honey should be well-seasoned.

How much should I harvest?

• Never cut off the tip of the tree, as this can stunt its growth.

Obstetrics & Gynecology Family Care, Men’s Health & Pediatrics S. Douglas George, M.D.

Giovannina M. Anthony, M.D.

Laura M. Vignaroli, M.D.

Kathryn Noyes, M.D.

Obstetrics & Gynecology, Board Certified Family Medicine, Board Certified

Obstetrics & Gynecology, Board Certified Family Medicine, Board Certified

Adair Flynt, CNM FNP

Certified Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner

Please call 734-1313 for an appointment 555 E. Broadway, Suite 108 whfcjackson.com

Literacy skills, K-12, are emphasized at Teton School District #401.

• Be mindful to not harvest too many of the tree’s new tips. (My rule of thumb is: take a little, leave a little).

• You don’t have to be as conservative when picking mature needles, but don’t overharvest any one tree, especially since you need very few needles for homemade concoctions, anyway.

The easiest way to start implementing conifer needles into your kitchen routine is by making a simple tea (tisane). Needles can also be dried and used later, or infused in oil, vinegar, or honey. Infusing needles in olive oil makes a great base for a festive salad dressing. Including them in a meat or poultry glaze is another way to bring the forest to the table. The adventure of collecting needles and serving them at home, is a great conversation starter, too, as you gather around a warm winter fire. tf

Photo by Mary Madsen

Third-grade students at Tetonia Elementary School practice their writing skills and edit the work of their peers.

A safe and exceptional learning environment where career and college readiness are the cornerstones of a relevant and progressive education.

TSD401.ORG Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

21

Wellness WIRED

Emotional Digestion ... through art as therapy

By Tibby Plasse // Illustrations by Julie Millard

T

he French monk and social activist, Thomas Merton, once wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” He might not have been addressing mental health or therapeutic practices, specifically, but art can be a means of self-care.

art therapist,” explains Leann Dzemske, MSW, LCSW, executive and clinical director for Teton Behavior Therapy. “We are accredited professionals trained to make observations in multiple modalities, such as painting, drawing, pottery, fabric [arts], and abstract practices.”

Not long ago, there was a post on the Teton Valley Community Facebook page from a woman asking for a space to craft, claiming it was a necessary practice for her mental health. In the post, she mentioned simply needing more room than what she had available to her. But for me, there was a clear takeaway—the act of creating was this person’s means of self-preservation, and by crafting art, we can all find the gateway to personal healing.

Dzemske works locally in both Teton County, Wyoming, and Idaho, with anywhere between 20 to 40 patients a month, across the age spectrum. She uses the seminal text, The Expressive Therapies Continuum: A Framework for Using Art in Therapy by Dr. Lisa Hinz, as a reference for her work. The book shows how different

Something to (Not) Talk About For those with an introverted personality, traditional talk therapy is not always an easy way to retrieve, revisit, and digest trauma or anxiety. Talk therapy can seem like an obstacle that creates more stress for an individual that struggles to articulate herself, or for someone who’s uncomfortable revealing his struggles at a regularly scheduled office appointment.

In this instance, drawing, singing, playing music, and even grooming a horse can be just as therapeutic as talking through problems. Therapists who receive art training also learn to become observant facilitators of art practices, body language, and the transition from creating art to verbal communication.

“Not just anyone can call themselves an 22

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

levels of visual experience, and the application of art media, is used to process information from the brain.

Hinz explains in her book, “Images provide a vehicle for the metaphorical language that appeals to so many. Images help clients understand, express, contain, and soothe emotions. Images can also be used behaviorally or cognitively, and they can aid in tracking client growth and progress in therapy.”

The act of creating allows for multilevel sensory work, including information processing and problem solving, and it happens on both a perceptual and emotional level. This modality also acts as a form of

expression, where imaginative involvement exists simply on the merits and joys of creating. This type of autonomy can provide emotional relief, while also improving self-esteem through self-discovery.

“Art is a nonverbal way of communication that bridges a gap between the therapist and patient when trauma, experiences, and emotions cannot be verbalized,” said Dzemske. “When making art, the subconscious has the opportunity to access things that might be dormant or difficult to talk about.”

Sara McKeown White, a trained trauma therapist and director of the Teton Mental Health Coalition in Teton County, Idaho, explains how trauma works. “[Trauma] is stored in our bodies, and essentially we need to feel it to heal it. [Professionals] often refer to a wellness wheel when relaying how to take account of our full health,” she says.

The wheel White is referring to represents a circle of seven categories: emotional health, relational health, mental and intellectual health, physical health, spiritual health, vocational and professional health, and environmental health.

“When we’re attending to all the parts [of the wheel]—that’s when we achieve health and wellness. But it’s also important how we attend to each aspect,” she explains.

You can’t ski or snowboard your trauma away. It needs to be recognized and tended to with practices that encourage emotional digestion, not divergence. White says there’s a range of artful practices to choose from.

“Maybe, [for you], it’s journal therapy, or meditation; maybe it’s yoga or going to Makerspace,” she says. “We need to find connection with others, and we need to have [wellness] practices that are not just endurance sports.”

With the data in place, and as the Teton Valley Mental Health Coalition moves into their new space in Driggs, White explains, “We’re going to have all this room for practitioners and community members of any age to have somewhere to check in to, and to host programming. The assessment will allow us to be more poignant about what programs we choose to initiate based on the outcome.”

“The coalition is in a massive growth stage, and we want to expand our offerings to see that everyone in Teton Valley is not just well, but thriving,” says White.

The Merits of Creativity Despite the limited number of local health practitioners available for one-on-one counseling, groups, and classes, a cadre of untraditional therapy options, in the form of public programs, provide both a connection to the community and a channel for managing trauma.

Tribe JH, the Art Association of Jackson Hole, Teton Arts Council, and the Local Galleria in Driggs all offer community art classes.

Valley of the Tetons Library and Jackson Hole Writers Conference host writing workshops and regular writing groups. And, Makerspace at the Driggs library provides endless supplies for crafting and creating in an informal group setting. Then, there are also national and international online classes and group programs—like the weekly art and poetry classes offered by the Metropolitan Museum of Art that address life pre- and post-pandemic.

HAPI Trails and Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association also offer programs for all ages that range in focus from on-ground horse care to riding lessons. Horses interact and respond to a rider’s nonverbal communication, allowing the rider to gain trust and confidence with a large animal, while helping to form healthy boundaries for themselves.

Rising to the Challenge The Teton Valley Mental Health Coalition is doing what it can to bridge the gap between “feeling” and “healing” by taking out the financial commitment to one’s well-being and underwriting six sessions for any community individual in need. They are also partnering with Teton Valley Hospital’s upcoming assessment on community mental health.

Teton Valley Hospital’s outpatient programs and Teton Behavior Therapy’s ongoing programming is regularly adjusted to fit the needs of the local community. Gnagey says the first step towards care is to make an appointment with your family practitioner, especially if you’re not sure what modality would be a good fit, or even how to articulate your feelings in the first place.

“It’s very hard to say what is just mental health because depression has many causes,” explains Keith Gnagey, the CEO of Teton Valley Hospital. The hospital is working with Quorum Consultants to conduct interviews and aggregate data collected from 2021, and then present this to the community before the year is over. Next, the hospital will analyze this data in an effort to better assess their own capacity to meet the needs of the community.

From organizations and healthcare providers to volunteering and taking art classes, there are options outside of traditional talk therapy that we can all utilize to answer the needs of our emotional barometers. The effect of drawing, singing, and working with animals may seem intangible, but art therapy and other nonverbal therapies, are much like a multivitamin for your wellness—it’s something that’s easily accessible, affordable, and preventative. tf Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

23

REDISCOVERING HERITAGE GRAINS

By Molly Absolon // Photography by Shannon Corsi

24

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

On the

FARM

T

he first time I heard about the concept of “heritage grains” was when I sat with Nathan Ashcroft beside a green field near Sugar City, Idaho. The field was full of a lush grass-like plant—spelt—that stood waisthigh in July. Plants like spelt, together with einkorn, emmer, Khorasan wheat, quinoa, Black Nile barley, and amaranth, have existed for thousands of years. After falling out of fashion, these grains are now making a comeback as people seek an alternative to modern, genetically modified wheat.

“I’m the fourth generation on this farm,” Ashcroft says.

“My family has always run a traditional Idaho farm. The ancient grains came about when my brother started to have health issues.”

“One of the reasons why people are interested in ancient grains include the health benefits,” he says. “Modern wheat is harder to digest. It can cause bloating. People with celiac [disease] still can’t eat most ancient grains, but those with gluten sensitivities can eat them and feel good.”

Ashcroft is not alone in citing the health benefits of ancient grains. Many people claim heritage grains contain higher levels of antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats, as well as less gluten—a protein blamed for causing non-celiac gluten sensitivities. The science, however, isn’t entirely clear as to whether these health issues are, in fact, due to gluten. Some research indicates digestive challenges like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea could have more to do with the processing of the grain, the size of the serving consumed, or the way the grain is raised. Also, most store-bought white flour is refined to extend shelf life, and only a part of the wheat kernel—the endosperm—is contained. The endosperm provides energy and carbohydrates, but the other parts of the kernel that are removed—the germ and bran—are critical for their nutrients, and arguably contribute to the grain’s digestibility, as well. Some of the health benefits attributed to ancient grains could be said for modern wheat, as well, if whole grains were used. Still, the fact that people say they feel better when they eat ancient grains is enough to convince others to try them.

Health benefits aside, ancient grains are grown the same way today as they were by our ancestors thousands of years ago. Modern production methods don’t work with heritage grains due to challenges with the plants’ height and delicate seed heads. That means fewer chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are used in growing, as well as less mechanization and water, creating a smaller carbon footprint—all of which contribute to a healthier planet and a more sustainable food system.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

25

Get Back to what you love...

Swing Bed Transitional Care helps you recover close to home when released from the hospital following a procedure or illness.

For more information about Swing Bed Transitional Care visit tvhcare.org/swing-bed

That said, growing ancient grains is a challenge.

Nathan Ashcroft’s “farming experiment” includes growing and harvesting einkorn, spelt, and Khorasan wheat.

Ashcroft says it took him almost three years to even find the seeds to begin his farming experiment. Einkorn, spelt, and Khorasan wheat now represent around 8 percent of the crops he raises on his farm, but he barely breaks even on them. He notes that heritage grains fell out of use for a reason: Their yield is substantially lower and production more labor intensive than modern wheat varieties, making it hard to make a profit on the grain alone. So, together with his wife and four sons, Ashcroft also raises potatoes, seed peas, alfalfa, milling wheat, forage wheat, as well as steers, and other vegetables. The family sells their produce at local farmers’ markets, from a self-service food stand in their front yard in Sugar City, and online at highstakes-spelt.com.

Helpful books for all stages of

parenting AT THE

26

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Einkorn is the most primitive ancient wheat. Made from crossbreeding wild grasses, einkorn first appeared more than 7,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region in the Middle East, along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It showed up roughly 4,000 years later in the digestive tract of Otzi, the Ice Man, whose mummy was discovered in the mountains between Austria and Italy in 1991, 3,000 years after his death.

In the thousands of years of agricultural development that came between einkorn’s arrival on the scene and modern-day ag, farmers cultivated a wide variety of grains and seeds to feed the world’s growing population. For centuries, those grains were adequate.

But as the number of humans increased, concern over our ability to feed everyone grew, and scientists began experimenting with modifying crops to increase yields. Norman Borlaug is widely credited with instigating what’s known as the Green Revolution in the 1960s. Using genetic modifications, hybridization, an increased

use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as intensive irrigation, Borlaug developed the strain of wheat that now dominates world markets. A dwarf plant with a large seed head and a complex chromosomal makeup, modern wheat produces as much as 44 percent more than its ancient predecessors per acre.

The Green Revolution is credited with saving billions of people from starvation, and Borlaug was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. World grain production grew by 160 percent following Borlaug’s innovations, according to the 1994 study, Constraints on the Expansion of the Global Food Supply, by Henry Kendall and David Pimentel. But that increase was not without consequence. Today many people question the nutritional quality of modern wheat and the farming practices necessary to grow it.

Jade Koyle, who owns and operates Grand Teton Farm and Mill in Teton, Idaho, first heard about ancient grains from a friend. He’d bought a 200-acre farm near Teton and wanted to go

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

27

Einkorn is the most primative ancient wheat, made from cross-breading wild grasses.

taught a lot of people how to bake now.”

organic. He found einkorn seeds at a seed bank in Germany and planted his first crop in 2009. Now he, together with his wife, Julie, and brother, Jackson, raise a variety of heritage grains, which they sell through their websites—ancientgrains.com and einkorn.com— as well as to commercial buyers.

“The whole thing is a labor of love,” Koyle says. “Modern wheat is definitely more profitable to grow, and white flour is easier to work with. But I think ancient grains are important and have health benefits.

Someone needs to work to preserve them.”

That said, baking with flour made 28

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

from ancient grains can be challenging, according to Nathan Ashcroft’s wife, Jamie.

“If you are making bread for the first time—with spelt or any other ancient grain—you will really notice a difference,” she says. “You have to be careful not to overmix it. Spelt is a little heavier and crumblier. It makes great sourdough [bread]. Khorasan is chewier and lighter.

My favorite is to mix the two together, so they balance each other out.

“It took me a while to figure things out,” Jamie adds. “So many factors affect baking: texture, feel, altitude, humidity, temperature of your kitchen. … It’s such an art. I’ve

Quinoa, an ancient non-wheat grain, is also seeing a comeback worldwide.

Originally a mainstay of the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec peoples of Central and South America, quinoa is considered a superfood, as it contains all nine essential amino acids.

Still, it almost disappeared after the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Health concerns have generated a comeback and Eastern Idaho, with its elevation and climate, is turning out to be a good place for quinoa producers, ranking as the number one quinoa-growing area in North America.

Wyatt Penfold, of Penfold Farms and Teton Mills, is leading the quinoa charge in Teton Valley from his farm near Darby Canyon.

“Quinoa is a great crop for cooler climates,” Penfold told the Idaho State Journal in 2019. “We’re just trying to support it because it’s a great opportunity for people in our part of the world to have another crop to grow.”

For Eastern Idaho, the growing popularity of ancient grains gives farmers a chance to diversify, adapt to climate change, sell produce closer to home, and meet the changing demands of American consumers. tf

Home Goods Gifts | Jewelry Seasonal Decor

Get back to what you love.

St. John’s Health Joint & Spine Whether you're biking, fishing, or ranching, our expert orthopedic care gets you back to the activities and lifestyle you love.

Leading joint and spine care is just one of the ways we're specializing in Wyoming.

Learn more at: www.stjohns.health/joints

Fun for the entire family !

FREE Admission for Children Four and Under

2389 ID-23 Scenic, Driggs, ID 83422 (208) 354-8816 | mdlandscaping.com Open Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 6:00 pm .

wildlifeart org

· 307-733-5771 · @wildlifeart Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

29

Slow HOME

NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S GOODBYE Dying on a smaller footprint

By Sue Muncaster // Photography by Ryan Dorgan

H

“Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful

ere in the Tetons, we reflecting the belief in blendings and communions of death and life … and they will pride ourselves on a future resurrection. In learn that death is stingless indeed and as beautiful as life” living life to the fullest, the Tibetan Buddhism - John Muir while also protecting the tradition, once the spirit environment that sustains leaves the body after death, us. But what happens when we die? While the traditional funeral the body becomes an empty vessel and the living are encouraged is one of humanity’s oldest rituals, modern funeral practices are to focus their ceremonies on helping the dead transition into their next karmic life. Muslims believe that the dead should be not exempt from adaptation and change. Today, many families buried as soon as possible, funerals should be simple, and graves seek a more hands-on approach to caring for their loved ones after commemorating the dead should not attract attention. Many nondeath, as well as more environmentally-responsible body care and religious people believe that death is not a transition, but rather disposition options. the only life we have, and that a soul lives on only in the memories Identifying Your Beliefs of friends and family.

When considering a funeral and options for body care of a deceased Saying Your Goodbyes loved one, David Shlim, MD, a Jackson-based physician who The most common first step at the time of death is to call the local teaches Tibetan Buddhism, points out that it’s important to first funeral director to retrieve the body. These professionals are trained identify your beliefs about what happens at the time of death. to counsel families on the mind-boggling range of post-life options “Does consciousness continue, and if so, where does it go?” he asks. that respect the family’s beliefs and traditions. Locally, Valley There is no right or wrong answer. Shlim simply encourages an Mortuary in both Jackson and Driggs serves this role, and Schwab awareness of the decisions made. Think about what decisions are Mortuary and Crematory provides services for Star Valley. According made for the benefit of the deceased, and which are made for the to Wyoming state law, once a funeral director takes possession of a benefit of the living. body, they have 36 hours to freeze, embalm, or cremate it.

For example, traditional Christian and Jewish practices might involve a public viewing, an elaborate casket, and a headstone 30

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

This brings us to some big decisions: The first is embalming.

Embalming is required if the family intends to offer a public

viewing or when there’s a public health risk due to an infectious disease. Forgoing embalming, however, is one of the top ways to reduce your environmental footprint, due to the toxicity of the formaldehyde used in the process. There are now several formaldehyde-free, biodegradable embalming fluids (usually made from essential oils) that will adequately preserve the body for up to several weeks.

The second consideration is a home funeral. Home funerals represent a minimalistic and non-invasive way to care for your loved one’s body between death and disposition. Home funerals were standard in the United States up until the 1930s. According to the Home Funeral Alliance (homefuneralalliance.org), bringing a loved one home after death is legal in every state. Every state recognizes the next-of-kin’s custody and control of the body in a way that supports a home vigil.

“Being at home, you are able to take your time, and to revisit as many times as you need,” says Rhonda LoPresti, a Buddhist endof-life coach based in California. “To have this spaciousness in time allows for a graceful letting go, for an emerging acceptance, for an unrushed goodbye, and … it invites us to mingle with the sacred.”

Home burials, also an option, are more intimate, economical, and environmentally friendly. Home burials are legal in Idaho and Wyoming, and many private plots already exist in small family cemeteries. Burial in a family cemetery on private property is usually limited to family members and is subject to local county restrictions and permitting regulations.

Considering Green Options In light of the climate crisis, people around the world are feeling morally compelled to reconsider common burial practices in favor of eco-friendly ones. The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil. org) defines a mindful burial as “a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.”

Today’s typical standard burial and cremation practices are not environmentally friendly when you consider the trees cut to make coffins, tons of steel and concrete used for vaults and headstones, and embalming fluid that shields the body from degrading in the dirt surrounding it. Cemeteries take up vast amounts of land and require pesticides in their upkeep. In fact, a single cremation requires two SUVs-worth of fuel to reach up to 1,800° Fahrenheit.

The process also releases dioxin, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Tyson Clemons, the funeral director and mortician at Valley Mortuary, notes his local clienteles’ booming “green burial” demands, recognizing there’s no correct answer to the “cremation versus burial” dilemma. That being said, 85 percent of people who die in Teton County, Wyoming, are cremated. Contributing to this is the transient nature of the people who die here (some may be visiting or don’t have family ties in the Tetons and need to be transported), the lower cost of cremation, and the general trend toward secularism in our society.

If you choose a traditional burial, forgoing the embalming process, replacing toxic burial containers, and eliminating the use of concrete vaults are all eco-conscious alternatives. Instead of purchasing an expensive wood casket, choose a biodegradable casket made of cardboard, willows, or wood, with no coatings or metal. These type

of products allow the body to decompose over time and become part of the local ecosystem. (Vaults, on the other hand, create a barrier between the casket and the earth, preventing decomposition.)

Valley Mortuary offers products from Passages, a company whose product offerings are made from sustainable The hope with this article is to or renewable resources, urge people to talk about these are biodegradable or complex issues before it’s too late. recyclable, and are fair While local clergy and funeral trade certified or made directors provide a great start, in the United States. death doulas (also known as “endChoosing where to of-life coaches”) work alongside bury your loved one is professionals, like doctors, nurses, the next decision. The and hospice workers, offering Town of Jackson’s public time-proven emotional and cemetery, Aspen Hill, spiritual support to individuals carved out of the hillside and families. At the time of this on Snow King Mountain, writing, there were no death is considered a “natural” doulas practicing in the Teton cemetery. Here, families area, but with the advent of Zoom, are responsible for plots, you can find and connect with and no water-gulping practitioners at deathmidwife.org. landscaping is provided.

The town maintains the right of ways, but otherwise, the plots are allowed to revert back to their natural state. In other “green” cemeteries around the country, bodies are buried shrouded or placed in biodegradable caskets with no headstones. Sometimes trees are planted in honor of the dead.

While there are no certified “green” cemeteries in the Teton region, Aspen Hill’s cemetery manager Al Zuckerman says, “The cemetery has plenty of room, with a whole section set aside that hasn’t even been surveyed yet.”

The funeral industry now provides creative ways to handle cremation, too, with urns that contain seeds, so you can plant a tree when you bury your loved one. Other options include floating biodegradable containers, like gourds, containers made of cornstarch that dissolve in a body of water, and “eternal reefs,” an urn made of environmentally-safe cast concrete that can be placed underwater, becoming part of an artificial reef.

Alternatives to standard cremation are not available locally but are becoming popular in larger metropolitan areas. Resomation (also known as “bio-cremation”) uses 90 percent less energy than a traditional cremation. The process involves the body being placed in a tank with a high pH material, similar to lye, where high pressure and 365° Fahrenheit heat reduces the body to a sludge that can be disposed of like fertilizer. Another option, promession, involves freeze-drying a corpse with liquid nitrogen, and then breaking the body apart. The powdered remains are buried in a shallow grave and act like compost.

Preserving and protecting our environment for the next generation is our responsibility, both in life and death.

Ethical and compassionate death practices should nourish the relationship between the living and the dead and also between us, as human beings, and the planet we live on. It’s a final act to which we can all aspire. tf Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

31

Four-Legged Milestones Written + Photographed by Bradly J. Boner

W

e turned off Wyoming Highway 191 and headed south on a dusty road about five miles west of Pinedale. It was dusk; the sun had already dipped behind the Wyoming Range, and the sky was still bright enough to create a stark contrast with the dark, high desert landscape that stretched out all around us. To our right, the Green River reflected the alpenglow in the beginning of its long meander toward its confluence with the Mighty Colorado, in Utah.

Coming over a slight rise, a ranch house came into view, its porch light illuminating a small section of the driveway. My girlfriend, Jeannette, had talked me into coming with her this evening, as earlier that week, the rancher who lived here told her that his cattle dog—a blue heeler—recently had a litter of puppies.

32

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Jackass Pass, Wind River Mountains, (September 2013)

Top: First day outside with Sadie.

(Pinedale, Wyoming, September 2004)

“Let’s just go look at them,” Jeannette said over the phone from her apartment in Pinedale. She had relocated to Wyoming from Pittsburgh for a job at the town’s weekly newspaper, drawn by the allure of the American West. When we met nine months prior I was working as a photojournalist across the state in Gillette, but soon after, landed a job at the Jackson Hole News&Guide, another weekly, about 70 miles northwest of Pinedale.

and liked our future prospects. Plus, she put me at ease by saying we didn’t actually need to come home with a dog.

We spent weekends hiking in the Tetons north of Jackson and exploring the Wind River Mountains outside of Pinedale, but Jeannette said she wanted a companion for the times when she would head into the mountains alone. She loved the look of the cattle dogs she often saw gleefully riding around in the beds of pickup trucks, and was excited when she heard about this litter.

It was almost fully dark on the drive back to Pinedale, and the lights from other ranch houses dotted the landscape as our conversation circled around what to name our new companion. After going back and forth over a few names, I said, “How about Sadie?”

Bottom: Brad, and his wife Jeanette, their blue heeler, Sadie, and their 1978 Volkswagen Bus on the couple's wedding day. (Chapel of the Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park, September 2005)

Playfulness Admittedly, I was skeptical of the prospect of adopting a dog, especially a puppy. It was the fall of 2004, and, at 27, I was still averse to having too much responsibility. I didn’t even have a houseplant. Adopting a dog with my girlfriend definitely would be an escalation of our relationship—a shared endeavor with someone I’d been dating only a few months. But, I was really into this girl

The rancher met us at the door to his mudroom where the puppies were scampering around on the floor. There were five in the litter, but two were already gone; two more already spoken for, leaving just one pup left—a female. Jeannette picked her up and snuggled her, gushing over her cuteness, before passing her over to me. I pulled the little dog close and she licked my chin, then nuzzled her way into my lap as if I wasn’t a stranger at all, and she belonged there. At that moment, my hesitation about adopting a dog vanished.

“Let’s take this one home,” I said.

“Sadie’s a good name,” Jeannette said. “Sadie dog.”

It was a good name.

Vitality The next day, Sadie plodded at our heels as we walked through the autumn aspens—we spent the day getting to know her. We’d trade off taking her to work, where she would sit under Jeannette’s desk or greet my coworkers at the office, while tied under a shady tree. That winter, she trudged through the snow with Jeannette, as she and a Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

33

friend harvested a Christmas tree. By the following summer, she was almost full grown and spent her time bounding through the weeds and into creeks during our Sadie’s family adventures hikes and camping trips in the mountains. (from top to bottom): That September—just shy of a year after Mt. Glory, 2008, Labyrinth we brought her home—Sadie was posing Canyon, Utah, 2010, Table for photos with us on our wedding day Mountain, 2016, and Wade in Grand Teton National Park. Over the Lake, Montana, 2018. years, Sadie was the welcomed third wheel in each new adventure we had as a married couple. Peak-bagging in the mountains; backcountry skiing on Teton Pass; road trips all over the West in our old Volkswagen bus; canoeing down the Green River in Utah … she was crammed into a small, one-room cabin with us as we saved money for a house, and then played freely in the backyard when we finally bought one.

She lounged with us in the grass as our daughter, Adeline, crawled nearby. And, a couple years later, gobbled food off the floor that our son Will dropped for her, as he giggled from his high chair.

The shared experiences of daily life brought us all closer together.

Benevolence As the years stretched on, Sadie slowed down. At age eight, a stroke in her spine temporarily paralyzed her back legs, and even though she recovered enough to go back to hiking, she never went backcountry skiing with me again. She still showed interest in the tennis ball at age 13, but we decided to retire the game of fetch to spare her ailing hips. Sadie remained weary, even after short cross-country ski trips, and was content to trade them for long walks around the neighborhood with Jeannette (which gradually transitioned into shorter walks with our kids).

Even though she was slow, she was still up for the outing.

By the fall of 2019, Sadie could barely hear, even if we called to her, as she sat sniffing the breeze only a few feet away on our back porch. She sometimes struggled to get up the stairs, and soon began to have trouble standing up at all. We knew the sunset of her life had begun; we just didn’t know how long it would last.

Wisdom Then, one day in early June 2020—about six weeks before her sixteenth birthday—I came home from work and went into the backyard, where the kids were playing on the trampoline and Jeannette was working in the garden. “The dog’s acting strange,” Jeannette said, and pointed to a corner of the yard where she was sleeping next to the fence. Sadie was a creature of habit, with her favorite spots to snooze in the shade, but this was an unusual place for her to rest. It’s almost as if she’d become so tired so quickly, and she just laid down where she was and fell asleep.

That evening, Sadie was restless and seemed uncomfortable, so I slept next to her bed on the floor. In the morning she woke but wouldn’t get up for breakfast. Jeannette called the vet.

“I just want her to be comfortable,” Jeannette replied. “I don’t want her to be in any pain.”

We had to carry Sadie to the car to take her to the Driggs Veterinary Clinic. She was still and quiet as our kids chit chatted with each other. Jeannette and I didn’t talk. I tried to prepare myself, but only when Dr. Betts came out to our car (where Jeannette and I sat with Sadie) and injected her with a lethal cocktail that would humanely end her life, did it seem real that her time with us was over.

Sadie’s life with Jeannette and I ended as it began, in our 34

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

arms, with the three of us close together. I can count on one hand the number of times I have cried in my adult life, and this was one of them. I wept as we gently stroked Sadie’s soft fur, telling her we loved her, she was such a good dog, and that everything was okay. Adeline, then six, watched silently over the back seat knowing something heavy was happening. Will, only four at the time, obliviously played on a buck rail fence nearby. Sadie’s breathing gradually slowed; she took two or three

deep, final breaths, and then she was gone.

As we held Sadie in the final moments of her long life, every single experience with her seemed to flicker through my mind. Our countless hikes in the mountains, scratching her head as she sat between us on dozens of road trips, evening walks, while tossing a ball or a stick—all of them brought the three of us closer together. Her life spanned an arc that included some of the most poignant moments that define a married couple: our wedding day, our fights, and our make-ups. Buying a Top: Jeanette, Brad, and Sadie house, and then selling the day before Sadie left the it ten years later and world. (June 2020) moving into a new Bottom: Will and Adeline with one. The births of our the family's new red heeler, kids. The deaths of Rosie. (December 2020) my parents. The last years of our twenties.

The dawn of our forties, and a decade somewhere in between. Sadie was there for all of them.

Hope Our house seemed quiet in the following months.

The kids weren’t calling out to Sadie as they played in the yard, and we missed her at our side. Jeannette and I sat on our swing on the back porch after the kids went to bed, noticing our third wheel was gone.

I thought about how, late in life, Sadie’s eyes still flickered at the sight of a tennis ball, but she couldn’t muster the strength to play. Even though I was desperately heartbroken she was gone, I knew Sadie was free of the weight of age and the bounds of her old, tired body, and was, somewhere, a puppy again. I closed my eyes and imagined her bounding through the creeks and tall grasses of the afterlife with boundless energy just as she had in her youth.

Her life with us stretched so far back—spanning all but a sliver of our 17 years together—that thinking of Sadie as a pup made me feel young again, too.

Then, one day last fall Jeannette called while I was at work. She saw a litter of heeler puppies available for adoption on Facebook. They were located on a ranch in southern Idaho. “It will make a fun trip with the kids,” she said (a way to get out of town after being cooped up for months during the global pandemic). I was hesitant—again— but Jeannette said we didn’t need to come home with a puppy.

“We’ll just go look at them,” she said. tf

Where to find a furry friend of your own …

• Animal Adoption Center, Jackson, Wyoming, animaladoptioncenter.org • Animal Humane Association of Star Valley, Thayne, Wyoming, luckys.place • Aska’s Animals, Victor, Idaho, askasanimals.org • Teton County Animal Shelter, Jackson, Wyoming, facebook.com/JTCAnimalShelter • Teton Valley Community Animal Shelter, Driggs, Idaho, tvshelter.org

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

35

New

Knee Under

I

50

By Christina Shepherd McGuire // Photography by Shannon Corsi

t began with a high school tumbling accident. At camp one summer, I landed a roundoff back handspring with one foot planted firmly on the seam between the grass and the concrete sidewalk. With a twist of the ankle, my knee gave out and I heard that infamous pop. What followed was a half-baked recovery in which I continued to compete on the loose knee until it was apparent something was really wrong.

I went to the doctor and was admitted for what now seems like an antiquated surgery, complete with a primitive ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) repair and meniscus removal.

36

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Fast forward 15 years—after summiting mountaintops and skiing and snowboarding all over North America—and my compromised knee was in shambles. An MRI and subsequent “clean-out” confirmed, as suspected, I had been bone-on-bone for quite a while and early-onset osteoarthritis had set in. Still, I healed from this second surgery and went right back at it, to the tune of tearing my other ACL and succumbing to several steroidal and non-steroidal injections in my old injury site. I religiously practiced yoga, in an attempt to stay limber and mitigate the discomfort, and received acupuncture on the regular, all while knowing that, someday, I

Knee extenstion and flexion are the first tasks on the PT list after a TKA.

procedures and possible outcomes of a total knee arthroplasty, I signed myself up for a robotic-assisted surgery last February.

Wait—48 is the new 65?

Now, when you think about joint replacements, most people immediately picture elderly individuals—often sporting a cane— who are in chronic pain and have a whole host of other medical conditions. How could I, at age 48, have x-rays that revealed the knee of a 75-year-old, advanced arthritis, bone spurs, and all?

Three weeks post-op after total knee arthroplasty.

would be a candidate for one of those newfangled robotic knees.

The day finally came last winter when, 30 years after my original injury and at age 48, I could no longer ride my snowboard for more than a few smooth, powdery runs; my knee swelled while doing daily tasks like the dishes, and I couldn’t walk across the soccer field to give my kid a water bottle without limping in pain. One of my orthopedic doctors once told me: “You know you’re ready when, 1. The pain keeps you up at night, 2. You can no longer engage in the activities you love, and 3. The swelling is chronic.” I was at the point where I checked all three boxes. So, after visiting with Dr. Kevin Lee, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Upper Valley Orthopedics in Rexburg, receiving my x-ray results, thoroughly researching all the

According to William Andrew Lighthart M.D., orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee specialist at Teton Orthopaedics in Jackson, “When we talk about [joint replacements] at national meetings, the average age of hips and knees keeps inching lower.”

He attributes this to the fact that surgeries are more reliable and people are less willing to put up with a bad hip or knee, noting that most patients considering the procedure are suffering from posttraumatic arthritis due to a prior ACL or meniscus tear.

Dr. Lee concurs, especially when considering the demographic in our region. “People have a high level of activity [in our area],” he says.

“They don't want to slow down and they are not willing to sacrifice activity because they have a sore knee. So, if something can restore their level of activity, they go for it, even though there is some risk.”

Dr. Lighthart mentions that, technically, knee replacements are only FDA approved for people over the age of 65, those who weigh 180 pounds or less, and those not suffering from autoimmune conditions, like inflammatory (rheumatoid) arthritis. While these Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

37

recommendations have not been revised since the 1970s, even with advances in both the surgical procedures and prosthesis technology, he says that 50 percent of the surgeries he performs are “off label.”

I certainly fell into this category.

Put the Pre- Before the Re[Hab]

In the month preceding my surgery, I started a rigorous pre-hab program. I attended a weekly hot yoga class, rode my stationary bike like it was my job, and performed exercises that my physical therapist, Mike Bleffert, of Eagle Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy in Driggs, lined me out on. For me, the concentration was less about “getting strong” (I was already there) and more about range of motion, as my injured knee’s flexion had been compromised ever since my original surgery in 1989.

Bleffert praises the merits of pre-habilitation. “Clinically, I feel like when we get people in before surgery to work on range of motion and introduce exercises, then, after surgery, they are familiar with what they have to do,” he says. “Also, it allows us to form a relationship with the patient [before surgery], so they develop a sense of trust in us.”

My surgery day came on February 1, 2021.

“It was worse than we thought,” said Dr. Lee, as he sat at my bedside post-op. “You had no ACL left, only 50 percent of a frayed PCL [posterior cruciate ligament], and some of the worst bone spurs I’ve seen.”

I left the hospital with a level of pain that—even after experiencing all of my surgeries and delivering two children naturally—I had not yet faced in my life. I slept on the couch hooked up to my ice machine round-the-clock, blood pressure plummeting every time I took a pain pill. And I cried nearly every day for a month, wondering what I signed myself up for. Time stood still, as I abandoned my role as mother and wife to concentrate on healing.

My doctor confirmed the validity of my post-operative pain threshold. “Younger people tend to have a more acute pain sensation,” says Dr. Lee. “Older people definitely have an internal modulation system where the dial is turned down. So, while an older patient’s health may not be as good, their pain may be less severe.”

For the weeks following, Mike and I worked diligently to break down scar tissue, in an effort and regain as much knee flexion as possible. This often involved soft tissue manipulation, with a butter knife-like tool, as well as a whole host of range-of-motion exercises, like heel slides and, later, hamstring curls. Every day, despite the pain, I would wake up and do a gentle, floor-based yoga Christina uses a routine to stretch my hamstrings and my hips and wedge to stretch to ease the tight muscles in my body due to lack her calf and regain of sleep. Dedicated to the cause, I was progressing knee extension. quickly—quicker than most—and by the end of the first month post-op, my morning yoga routine included standing poses.

I begged Mike daily for a chance to get on the bike.

That day finally came and I haven’t left the saddle since. I rode my first singletrack in Horseshoe Canyon with flat pedals at the end of May. And, today, I have more flexion in my bionic knee (about 140 to 145 degrees) than I ever did in my injured knee pre-op. My valgus leg deformity—that developed over years of compensation—is now gone.

And, despite the six-inch scar down the center, my knee looks more like a real knee than it has in 20 years. While I still have a long way to go (they say full recovery takes one year), I consider myself a success story.

38

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Mike Bleffert of Eagle PT measures Christina's knee flexion at three weeks post-op.

A compression-ice machine is the key to post-op pain mitigation.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Not everyone is a candidate for knee replacement surgery, even if frequent discomfort is felt in the joint. Dr. Norene Christensen, PT, of Four Pines Physical Therapy in Jackson, urges younger people contemplating a total knee arthroplasty to keep their original parts as long as they can and to try cortisone injections or alternative healing modalities, like platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) or stem cell injections, first. She recommends having an internal conversation with yourself. “Be realistic and know that, at 60 or 65, you may need some sort of revision,” she says. “Manmade parts don't last as long, and, fortunately, materials and surgical techniques will only improve over time.”

Dr. Lighthart agrees. “Consideration Number 1, 2, and 3 is the longevity of parts. The minute you put them in, you start the clock,” he says.

And Dr. Lee recommends trying everything else before getting a joint replacement, as it should be a last resort

Firsthand knee replacement recovery advice (aka, what worked for me): • Hit the gym and do yoga before surgery. (I attribute my speedy and full recovery more to my pre-surgery flexibility than to my muscle development and fitness level.)

• Make physical therapy your job. Do your exercises at home, even when it hurts, and use all my other recommendations to reduce the pain and swelling after.

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet pre- and post-op. Or, at least cut out alcohol, wheat, dairy, and processed food.

• Integrate massage and acupuncture pre- and post-op. (Some doctors even prescribe this regimen.)

• Rent the fancy ice machine! I used the Nice 1 compression and ice machine (and, it doesn’t require ice!) available in Jackson from the MedCom Group.

• Get deep laser therapy treatments, available from Dr. Jim Davis or Dr. Eric Kunz in Driggs. (If it’s good for the NBA and the NFL, why not try it?)

• Take supplements, only after consulting your doctor. I took collagen, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, fermented cod liver oil (after discontinuing blood thinners), and proteolytic enzymes. My swelling was minimal.

• Stretch, even when you can’t really move.

• Bike your heart out, only after you get the clearance.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

39

“

considered only when other measures have failed to provide relief, and only after educating yourself of the complications (while rare) that can happen after surgery, like blood clots or infection.

Still, he applauds the merits of a good outcome.

recovery—being committed and consistent, and doing the work at home—is crucial, especially during the first three months [post-op]. We usually train people past that because many of them want to go back to skiing and need a higher level of performance.”

“I've done replacements on People have a high level of activity [in our area]. people in their 60s, and they Christensen acknowledges they don't want to slow down and they are not willing are coming back—now in the importance of retraining to sacrifice activity because they have a sore knee. so, their 80s—their [prosthetic] your brain, too, after surgery. if something can restore their level of activity, knee is still fine,” he adds, “Your brain is very pliable,” she they go for it, even though there is some risk.” praising the new technology. says. “So, if you've been walking “I think the 30-year knee funny for five years because — Dr. Kevin lee, upper valley orthopedics is attainable, it's not just a it's ingrained in your motor sales pitch. … Maintaining patterns, you need to make sure activity is so important that if your x-rays meet the need, your surgical knee isn’t just going along for the ride.” there’s no question it's the right thing to do.”

My advice: Make sure this surgery is really what you want for

Check Yourself at the Door

If you tried everything and still wind up in the operating room— at St. John’s Hospital with Dr. Lighthart, Teton Valley Hospital with Dr. Mo Brown and Dr. Lee, or Madison Memorial Hospital, like I did, with Dr. Lee and a trusty robot—to receive a new knee, know it’s up to you to commit to and solidify your full recovery.

“It’s very important to have a good surgery that goes smoothly with no complications,” Bleffert says. “But your dedication to

40

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

yourself, as it’s no small feat. Then, find a doctor and physical therapist that specifically aligns with both your desired outcome and, equally important, your personality. It’s imperative to find skilled practitioners that you trust, especially if you want to continue to achieve a high level of activity. But, it’s also important to trust yourself, your instincts, and your ability to heal. Visualizing a pain-free and fully-functioning knee is the only way to get back to the sports you love—and with a whole new lease on life—whether you’re in your late 40s, like me, or well into your golden years. tf

A BETTER APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE Superior Care - Lower Cost

UNLIMITED Primary Care

All office visits, phone and electronic messaging, telemedicine appointments, and certain in-office procedures are included at no additional charge!

Affordable Fixed Fee Quality Care

Injury Treatment Urgent Care Visits Annual Exams

Chronic Conditions All Ages Pre-Existing Conditions

For a complete list of services included, please visit www.tvhcare.org/dpc

Individual Child $35/month autopay ($399/year, 5% discount) Individual Adult $75/month autopay ($855/year, 5% discount) Family $150/month autopay ($1710/year, 5% discount) For more information about Direct Primary Care visit tvhcare.org/dpc or call (208) 354-6324 Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

41

A

Plethora

Pie

of

By Jenn Rein // Photography by Paulette Phlipot

C

Choosing a seasonal confection that best suits your palate and dietary needs, as well as those of your holiday guests, can be overwhelming. When focusing solely on pie, it becomes a question of varieties in filling … and then there’s the crust. The innumerable ways to lay the foundation for pie might include alternatives like graham crackers, nuts, oats, cookie crumbs, phyllo dough, and even saltines. Still, if you choose a traditional route, you must ask yourself a separate set of questions. For instance—to lard or not to lard?

After gathering input from a handful of trusted local chefs, I’m unveiling my lesson in pie versatility. Three dessert crafters outlined the tips and tricks that took me on a journey of delicious discovery. After implementing their advice, those who indulge in your sweet triumph will be singing your praises for many holidays to come.

Brain Healthy I’m never one to decry the use of butter. As a matter of fact, I encourage overuse. And that is where a pie-making medical professional could really help me out. If you are an M.D., a brain-health advocate, and new cookbook author, like Jackson’s Annie Fenn, your pie mission may include conjuring up healthy substitutions for the richest of ingredients, like she does in her Apple Tahini Tart recipe below.

“This is such a fun recipe because the pie pushes all the feel-good apple pie nostalgic buttons, while also being hearty and filling,” says Fenn. “Because there's very little sugar, the flavors of the apple and cinnamon really shine. Plus, it is packed with fiber from the apples, dates, oats, and nuts, so one slice really satisfies.”

Her tips for success are very specific: • “The crust is super easy to make, but don't skip the step about pressing it firmly into the pan. I like to use the flat bottom of a jelly glass.”

• “If you don't have time to soak the cashews for the cream, boil them in a pot of water for 15 minutes, instead.”

• “A powerful blender works best for prep, but if you don't have one, just blend for a few extra minutes until you have the consistency of whipped cream.”

42

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Apple Tahini Tart with Maple Oat Crust Makes one 9-inch tart

— When Fenn, was seeking a healthy replacement for frangipane–a butter-laden pastry cream that includes creamed sugar and almond paste–she discovered that cashew cream, combined with tahini, yields the same rich flavor and texture.

1.

2.

3.

4.

1½ ½ ¼ ¼ ¼ 1

FOR THE CRUST: cups old-fashioned rolled oats cup almond flour cup extra virgin olive oil cup pure maple syrup teaspoon kosher salt large Medjool date, pitted

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until evenly combined.

Pour the dough onto a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Cover the dough with wax or parchment paper and, using your hands, press to form an even layer on the bottom and sides of the pan. Next, use the flat bottom of a glass cup to press the crust flat. Prick all over with a fork, and place on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until it is set in the middle and light brown. Set aside to cool.

—

FOR THE APPLES:

2 large apples (Gala or Pink Lady), halved, cored, and cut into ¼-inch slices

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoon coconut palm sugar 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Pour the cashew cream onto the center of the tart shell and smooth it over the surface using a spatula or a spoon.

Arrange the apple slices in a circle, starting at the outside of the tart and working to the center. Press the slices gently into the cream.

Stir the cinnamon and coconut palm sugar together in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly on the surface of the apples.

Return the tart to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the edges of the apples are browned and the crust is golden brown.

Let the tart cool for about 30 minutes.

FOR THE CASHEW CREAM:

FOR THE DRIZZLE AND TOPPING:

1 ½ cups raw, unsalted cashews,

soaked in water for at least 2 hours

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon tahini

½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 ¼ cups cold water

1 tablespoon tahini

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon white sesame seeds (optional)

½ teaspoon black sesame seeds (optional)

1.

1.

2.

3.

Drain the soaked cashews and place them in a blender with the maple syrup, tahini, and salt.

Add half the water and turn the blender on medium to combine. Then, turn it up to high and blend to a whipped cream consistency. (Add water by the spoonful until the consistency is just right.)

Measure 2 cups for the tart and store any extra in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

2.

3.

In a small bowl, stir together the tahini, maple syrup, and just enough water to form a pourable glaze (starting with one teaspoon of water, adding more, if needed).

Drizzle in a concentric circle over the surface of the cooled tart, then sprinkle the sesame seeds overtop, if using.

Carefully lift the bottom of the tart pan away from its side. Cut and serve.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

43

44

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Berry Pie with an All-Butter Crust Makes 2 pies with a top and bottom crust for each

—

Amy Oldis loves a traditional butter crust.

Here, she offers a berry version, just in time for the holidays. The traditional crust freezes well if you follow Amy’s tip to roll the dough into circles prior to freezing.

—

FOR THE CRUST:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

5 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons sugar 1 pound butter, cold and cubed 1 cup cold water 3 teaspoons vinegar Combine all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl or a blender or food processor with a dough blade.

Cut butter into the dry ingredients and incorporate to a fine crumb size.

Combine the water and vinegar in a separate bowl; add it sparingly to the dry mixture.

Portion dough into 4 balls and knead them lightly into discs.

Refrigerate the discs until cold, but still malleable.

Roll chilled discs into pie-tin shaped circles, then freeze until needed.

FOR THE BERRY FILLING:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

¾ cup sugar ¼ cup cornstarch ½ lemon, zested ½ lemon, juiced 3 pounds blackberries or blueberries ¼ teaspoon salt 4 pie crusts 2 egg whites, beaten Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add berries, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.

Halve the filling, placing each half into a crust-lined pie shell.

Use egg whites to wash the edges of the bottom crust.

Affix a solid pie crust to the top, crimping well and slicing a vent in the center. Or, cut top crust into strips to create a lattice design. Wash with egg whites.

Bake for one hour, or until the crust is golden brown and the middle is bubbling. (Cover edges—or the whole pie—with foil later in the baking process, if it browns too fast.)

Big Batch Traditional Amy Oldis has been making pie for Café Genevieve for over eight years. (She also makes desserts for Orsetto Italian Bar in Jackson.)

With a culinary resume that includes the Snake River Grill and Shooting Star, she has had ample opportunities to understand the chemistry of crafting a traditional pie crust.

Oldis makes crust in large volume, and the recipe she offers here yields four pie crusts, when doubled. Making multiple crusts lends the opportunity to create lattice work, and to also increase your chances of being declared a “holiday pie hero.”

I was delighted to find that she lives in the “all butter” crust camp, but also that her crust tips will aid in both flavor and execution. For example, adding a little bit of vinegar helps to make the bite more tender.

With an inherent tendency to modify for flavor, Oldis describes her approach to a “traditional” apple pie: “I like to make an apple pie with cheese, and substitute in bacon fat for a little bit of the butter. It tastes amazing.”

I believe her.

She also wants your butter tactics to succeed. “If you put a prepped butter crust in the fridge too long, it will become hard,” she says. “What I like to do is roll it out into a disc, and then freeze it. It will only take about 30 minutes to thaw.”

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

45

Paleo Friendly Lisa Hanley, of Teton Valley’s Forage Bistro & Lounge, has access to a pie guru in the form of her mother-inlaw, Dawn Hanley-West. Ironically, however, Lisa’s husband Christian doesn’t eat flour or refined sugar, so she just rolls with it.

Hanley’s gluten-free Chocolate Cream Pie should be easily recognized by Forage fans, as the restaurant offers it regularly on the menu. Her tip for ensuring this dessert presents properly? Gelatin.

“Sometimes, depending on the size of the eggs and the consistency of the heavy cream, [the filling] won’t set properly. I started adding gelatin—just a little bit—and that helps firm it up,” explains Hanley.

“The fridge time is important, too.

You really need to give it a good 24 hours to set.”

Her input on crust success: “When you’re making the crust, be sure you grind up the nuts first, and then add the dates slowly. When you add the maple syrup and vanilla, do the same. If you do it too fast, you’ll get wetness. You don’t want that; you want a dry crumble.” tf 46

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Chocolate Cream Pie Makes one 9-inch pie

— Lisa Hanley’s chocolate cream pie sees frequent rotation on the menu at Forage Bistro & Lounge. The chocolate custard filling is a smooth delivery that rests atop a satisfying gluten-free date-nut crust.

ALCOHOL

is the most commonly abused substance among teens and young adults.

— FOR THE CRUST: 2 ½

½

1

½

1.

2.

3.

4.

cups mixed nuts (cashew, hazelnut, pistachio) cup pitted dates, soaked teaspoon maple syrup teaspoon vanilla extract Salt

Using cooking spray, generously grease a 9-inch springform pan.

In a food processor, grind equal parts mixed nuts. Add the dates slowly. Then, add the maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Process until blended. (The crumb should stick together. If it doesn’t, add another date or two.)

Once blended, press crumb mixture into the bottom of the springform pan.

Chill the crust while preparing the custard.

FOR THE CUSTARD:

12 egg yolks, whisked

1 quart heavy cream

1 cup dark chocolate chips

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon hazelnut extract

1 teaspoon espresso powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon gelatin Chocolate shavings, crushed hazelnuts,

whipped cream (to top) * Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter for a

chocolate-peanut butter version.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Add heavy cream and sugar to a large saucepan over medium-high heat; whisk together.

When the mixture is hot, add chocolate chips, vanilla, hazelnut, espresso powder, salt, and gelatin. Continue to whisk all ingredients to combine.

Little by little, add 1/8 of the mixture into the bowl with the whisked egg yolks, while whisking (to temper eggs).

Pour tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan.

Whisk until simmering (about 90 seconds). The consistency should be like a thin pudding. (Do not overcook!)

Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes; then whisk one last time and pour into the cooled crust pan.

Place in the refrigerator and chill for 24 hours.

Top with chocolate shavings, crushed hazelnuts, and serve with whipped cream.

The average 1st use of alcohol is 12 years old.

Average age of 1st smoking tobacco is 12 years old.

Average 1st use of marijuana is 13 years old.

IT’S TIME TO TALK. Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision about drinking. It is important to start talking to your children about alcohol and other drugs before they are exposed to them.

Call us if you need help knowing how, and when, to begin the conversation.

Call Curran Seeley at 307-733-3908 for a free confidential consultation.

This message is brought to you in partnership with Curran Seeley Foundation and the Teton County Prevention Coalition.

Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

47

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Have you thanked your neighbor lately?

During this time of year, we find it appropriate to thank ours. So thank you, Teton community for helping us spread the #tetonslowliving vibe.

48

@letsgoiksplor

@jhcommunityschool

@jhnewsandguide

@jacksonhole

@tetonfamilymagazine

@tetonarts

@tetonslowfood

@familysafetynetwork @tetonvalleyhealth

@grandtargheeresort

@maddoxfamilyfarms

@bigholebbqvictor

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22

Peak adventure.

Discover the all-new 2022 Subaru Outback® Wilderness.™

This is the Subaru for the paths not yet taken, with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive + 9.5 inches of ground clearance. Plus the climbing power of a 260-horsepower turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engine. Welcome to adventure, elevated.

Learn more at www.tetonmotorssubaru.com

307-733-6600 • 405 Powderhorn Lane Winter 2021/22 ¤ Teton Family

49

BOBCATS & BIG CATS Get ready for another winter with Bobcats and Big Cats multi-week ski and snowboard programs; designed to foster the love for winter sports while building balance, coordination, and confidence! Bobcats & Big Cats is a great way to make new friends and enjoy winter!

GRANDTARGHEE.COM • 800.TARGHEE • ALTA, WY 50

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2021/22