Teton Family 2024 Issue No. 41

BACKPACKING WITH BABIES

Backcountry travel tips with baby in tow

IDAHO SHAGS

Beloved herders and regional phenomenon

RHUBARB

3 WAYS

Favorite recipes of a one-crop gardener

“People

— Theodore Roosevelt

MOUNTAIN STYLE

Teen summer bucket-list adventures (must-do’s before back-to-school)

Foraged finds adorn DIY wreaths and tablescapes. Here’s how

SLOW HOME

A mudroom makeover, Teton-style, includes ski boots and backpacks, plus all the ways to organize your gear.

IN SEASON

Tamales two ways: salada (savory) and dulce (sweet), plus a localsfavorite campfire version

TABLE TALK

The “busyness epidemic” has made its way to mountain communities, but a self-cure is in reach.

WELLNESS WIRED

Sustainable self-care starts with conscious sourcing. Tips from local pros will get you started.

ON THE FARM

The region’s beneficial garden birds control pests, pollinate crops, and provide a vibrant addition to your backyard.

THE IDAHO SHAG

A mix of three breeds, this regionally coveted herding dog is a cowboy’s dream and a family’s best friend. By Christina Shepherd McGuire

48 BACKPACKING WITH BABIES

Don’t abandon your passions once baby’s on board! A local adventurer lends tips on backcountry travel with baby in tow. By Samantha Nock

FOR THE LOVE OF RHUBARB

A local’s tale of her one-crop garden is full of tradition and lore, and her three yummy summer recipes are the bonus. By

Kate Hull

On the Cover: The Idaho shag combines three breeds (Australian shepherd, border collie, and Airedale terrier) into a gritty working dog or a beloved pet for the right family.

Photo by Natalie Behring

Photos: Karissa Akin (top); Paulette Phlipot (center); Natalie Behring (bottom)

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of R Park this summer!

Attend an event, share a favorite memory, or make a donation that will keep R Park thriving for the next 10 years.

Wishlist:

Fresh, cool water from the Snake River to the ponds

A new accessible trail from the Welcome Pavilion to R Pond

New bridges for safer crossings

A sustaining gift for the future of R Park

Don't miss the R Park Summer Solstice Celebration! Thursday, June 20, 4-7 pm

I entered college wanting to be a biologist. I was captivated by the ocean, the mountains, and their ecosystems. But after attending my first lecturestyle biology class — a class in which I’d earned my first, and only, D — I started having second thoughts. I switched my major to English literature halfway through freshman year, realizing that even though I thought I had it all planned out, I really had no idea what I was going to be when I grew up.

A note from the EDITOR

Straight out of college, I took a job in the snowboard industry. My then-boyfriend (now husband) and I built a business traveling the Rocky Mountains, sleeping on couches and representing international brands. Then, in my 30s, I grew weary of travel and started my own snowboard and bike shop, Habitat, in Victor, Idaho. Next, I had two kids, sold the shop to Grand Targhee, and took my career on a fullcircle spin. I returned to my education and launched a new career as a freelance writer and editor. (It’s fun to contemplate this now that I have a daughter who will be starting college this fall.)

As a teen, I thought I had my life’s path completely figured out, but seasons change, and so do people and interests.

Similarly, I plan each issue of this magazine almost a year ahead of time, complete with overarching themes and timely topics. Some issues flow smoothly, while others encounter bumps along the way, like failing to complete a summer photoshoot before the leaves turn color or

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

Britney Magleby lives and works in Jackson as the operations and communications manager for the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board. In her spare time, she enjoys the great outdoors, either in her Teton backyard or abroad, exploring other destinations.

Samantha Nock traded the Adirondacks for the Tetons and never looked back. She is the art director for Teton Family and Grand Wedding magazines, and a stay-at-home mom. This summer, you’ll find her hiking, biking, and paddling with her two littles, her husband, and her dog.

shifting a topic due to worldly goings-on. At first, these blips throw me off-kilter — kind of like my D in biology. But then, as the plan morphs, I realize that in editorial, just like in life, it all works out for a reason. Sometimes the shifts in fodder create much more relevant content anyway. In this issue, Britney Magleby tackled our article on the “Busyness Epidemic” in the final hours, after the original topic simply didn’t work out. (And I completely connected with this piece!) Our “Teen Bucket List” article, written by my daughter, Olivia McGuire, also came in on the fly, in place of a piece focused on someone who was just too busy to connect. (Be sure to check out the busyness article if this feels like you, too). The previously shot photos for our tamales article came in clutch (Thanks, Reed!), as Rosa and her family were in Mexico when we tried to set up the shoot.

Despite the redirections, in the end, this issue came together just as it was meant to be. And like my shift in majors, it suits today’s landscape even more perfectly. I hope you get the chance this season to backpack with your baby, try out Kate Hull’s rhubarb recipes, and make sure your teens seize the chance to live their very best lives. And why not act like a kid yourself and take a plunge into the frigid waters of Phelps Lake on a hot summer day? We can still pretend, can’t we?

Carpe Diem, Christina

Contributing WRITERS

A Texas native, Kate Hull moved to Teton Valley in 2012. She is the co-publisher and editorin-chief at Powder Mountain Press, publishers of  Teton Valley Magazine  ( tetonvalleymagazine.com ). Kate lives in Victor with her husband and son. She enjoys biking, baking, and exploring her backyard.

Olivia McGuire is a graduating senior at Teton High School in Driggs. She enjoys being on the soccer field above all else, but can also be found downhill mountain biking at Targhee, paddleboarding the Teton River, and making sure her friend group’s summer itinerary is up to par.

Jenn Rein is a writer and content producer living in Teton Valley. Her work appears 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 at jennrein.com.

Kristine Kopperud is a writer, editor, and end-of-life doula in Florida, with a layover of nearly 20 years in local-foods farming in the Midwest. Many issues ago, she was a managing editor of Teton Valley Magazine and is now a contributor for Becoming Jackson Whole. Follow her at kristinekopperud.com.

Lacey McNeff has lived in Southeast Idaho most of her life and was drawn to Teton Valley for its proximity to nature, conscious agriculture, and its amazing community. You can find her wandering the trails, enjoying a good book, or creating backcountry cheeseboards.

Samantha Simma migrated west from Wisconsin in the pursuit of outdoor adventures. She’s the social media manager for New Thought Digital, and her writing appears locally in Grand Wedding and Jackson Hole Magazine. Samantha unplugs by heading into the wilderness with her pup, Timber.

Editor photograph by

Rebecca Vanderhorst

tetonfamilymagazine.com

facebook.com/TetonFamilyMagazine @tetonfamilymagazine

Publisher Adam Meyer

Editor

Christina Shepherd McGuire christina@tetonfamilymagazine.com

Art Director

Samantha Nock

Copy Editor

Deb Barracato

Contributing Photographers

Karissa Akin

Natalie Behring

Ryan Dorgan

Kristin Halsey

Reed Mattison

Julie Millard

Paulette Phlipot

Thomas Stanton

Advertising Sales

Karen Brennan, Tom Hall, Megan LaTorre, Tatum Mentzer, Tim Walker adsales@tetonmediaworks.com

Ad Production

Sarah Wilson, Lydia Redzich, Luis F. Ortiz, Heather Haseltine, Chelsea Robinson

Distribution Jayann Carlisle, Rulinda Roice

Kevin B. Olson, CEO

Teton Family is published annually 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. © 2024 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.

Photograph by

Paulette Phlipot

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SUMMER BUCKET-LIST ADVENTURES

Teen Edition

By Olivia McGuire

The Teton region is filled with endless things to do on both sides of the Pass, attracting people from all over the world during the summertime. Not only do our mountains provide opportunity for fun all summer long, they also offer once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list adventures guaranteed to make your friends at home drool over your experience. (I know you’ll be calling them the second you touch down.)

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (known to locals as “The Village”) is a world-class ski area that sometimes overpowers the town hill of Snow King. However, Snow King’s summer activities, especially the Cowboy

Coaster, can’t be beat! Nearly a mile long, this handcontrolled rollercoaster takes you down the slopes of the ski resort, with the ability to control your speed at the tips of your fingers. The experience will certainly wow you, as you spin and turn down Snow King Mountain, enjoying the outstanding view of the Tetons in the distance.

For a more outdoorsy option — located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park — try cliff jumping at Phelps Lake. This bucket-list attraction (a must on most local teens’ summer to-do lists) is bursting at the seams daily with people taking part in this small adventure.

However, in order to check this off your bucket list, you must take a small hike, and you have two choices: 1. The Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve trail, totaling about 6 miles roundtrip with minimal elevation gain, or 2. The Death Canyon Trail — a more vigorous option. Totaling about 5 miles round trip, the Death Canyon route is much more grueling (and it might be your only option if you can’t find parking), as you gain about 600 feet of elevation in 0.8 miles. Still, you’re guaranteed a good workout. After completing your hike, you will be met with the Phelps Lake jumping rock, a 25-foot drop into crystal clear (and chilly!) water.

Teton Valley, on the west side of the Teton Range, offers other, completely different bucket-list activities. One of the most popular adventures — because you’re almost guaranteed to spot wildlife — is floating the Teton River on the stretch called “Bates to Big Eddy.” (The Bates boat ramp is located about 4 miles west of Driggs.) As you float the flat, winding 5-mile stretch, look down from your designated watercraft to see schools of hundreds of fish swimming against the current and surfacing to eat. Don't be surprised if you are greeted by a moose, and possibly her baby, around any given bend. Moose tend to be harmless when unprovoked, but don’t get too close! This stretch of river is best explored on a paddle board or in a small kayak, as the water gets shallow later in the season. Water vessels can be rented or purchased at a few outfitters in Driggs (Yostmark Mountain Equipment and Teton River

Supply), who offer shuttle rides for a small price, so you don’t have to hassle with transporting the gear in your own car.

Adrenalin junkies love downhill mountain biking at Grand Targhee Resort. Targhee offers downhill trails that range from beginner to expert, and on Family Fridays, the Shoshone Lift runs until 7 p.m., with discounted tickets. If you think downhill mountain biking is intimidating, I recommend you stick to the beginner trails. At Targhee, you can rent all the equipment you need for a full day, including knee and elbow pads, a full-face helmet, and a full-suspension bike correctly fitted to your size. Then, you can enjoy yourself out on the “brown pow,” figuring it out as you go. Once you get the hang of it and are gracefully flowing down the mountain, you’ll be hooked, and everyone back home will be jealous. (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort also offers lift-serviced mountain biking with discounted rates on Sundays.)

My must-do ideas are just some of the many fun bucketlist adventures local teens partake of in the summer. Whether you want something outdoorsy, like hiking to Phelps Lake and jumping into the water; something relaxing, like floating the Teton River; or something sure to make your adrenaline pump, like downhill mountain biking or riding the Cowboy Coaster, Jackson Hole and Teton Valley have got you covered. So, if you’re here on vacation, you are destined to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that will definitely earn you bragging rights. tf

Photos: Rebecca Noble (left); Grand Targhee (center); Ryan Dorgan (right)

Creating seasonal décor from nature FORAGED FINDS

By Jenn Rein

For most foragers, a walk in the woods is an exercise in identifying nature’s edible gifts, but it can also be a way to collect botanicals to beautify your home. If you are considering the art of wreath making, or the popular trend of tablescaping (whether it’s for a holiday, a special occasion, or just because), the Teton region is ripe with inspiration.

Wreathmaking for Any Season

Though traditionally associated with Christmas, the ornamental wreath works for other holidays as well. Can you picture an Easter wreath, festooned with miniature eggs and bunnies? Or a Halloween ensemble with tiny bats circling a foundation of wire? Wreaths can celebrate the outdoors, too, with tidbits from the natural world, for a decorative element that is both sustainable and beautiful.

Mountain Roots Education in Teton Valley, Idaho, offers a wreath-making class that’s typically held in early December, in order to capture the holiday spirit. Still, the educators encourage their students to think beyond this yearly celebration. The skills taught at

the workshop can be applied to any season, based on Mother Nature’s offerings.

Hayes Swinney, executive director at Mountain Roots, explains the core approach: “We talk about how to sustainably forage for plants and conduct plant identification. We go outside to seek out the components, and then people go about their creations differently. Every wreath made is unique.”

Swinney says the class itself might be more time-consuming than some might expect, but the amount of information

taught also makes it more fun.

“It’s one of those creative outings that is so unique to the individual, but then we end up sharing things with one another in class,” she says. “We had a student last year who knew how to tie bows, then everyone got a lesson in bow tying, too.”

Building a Foundation

Collecting flexible (and native) dogwoods or willow branches to use as the wreath’s form is encouraged, but Mountain Roots also provides grape vine forms to workshop

Students display their creations from Mountain Roots Education’s wreath making class.

students. Native grasses, pieces of evergreen, seedpods, fresh greenery, and flowers can all be foraged to attach to the foundation. And if the elements found are already dried, the wreath, itself, can go the distance.

“I still have my wreath from last year’s class,” Swinney says. “I chose very little fresh greenery.”

Once you build the wreath’s foundation, you can switch up the elements to accommodate the season. Consider adding wild berries, for instance, or the many wildflowers found throughout the region during the colorful summer season. And remember, drying these pieces adds to the longevity of your wreath. Take care to do research on the best way to dry the botanicals that you are collecting.

“The three things you need to remember [when tablescaping] are color, texture, and dimension …”

—Debbie Graves, MD Nursery

Foraging requires some plant identification skills to avoid bringing poisonous berries into your home or harvesting noxious weeds. Take a plant identification workshop (Mountain Roots Education also offers an edible plant walk each June) to learn about positive identification and sustainable harvesting techniques. If you are going it on your own, take the time to really get to know the plant species in your surroundings. Investing in time outside to learn and harvest from your wild backyard will yield beautiful additions to your indoor environment.

Summer Reading 2024

June 1 - August 5tclib.org/summer

Tackling the Tablescape

Foraged natural items can also be used to assemble a tablescape. This decor trend — amply represented on Pinterest — works great for using items that can’t be easily attached to a wreath form (think large nuts and seeds or dried pieces of fruit).

Construct a base for your scape by scrunching a runner the length of your table to create depth and texture. Within the gentle folds, tuck traditional or battery-operated candles, along with votives, to weigh it down. Forage small branches from a crabapple tree to reflect the season and incorporate small vases of flowers, in lieu of a centerpiece. The number of items in your decorations should be relative to the size of your table. Also, factor in whether or not this is a permanent installation or a seasonal one, when you’re sourcing items that may wilt or become unattractive once they dry.

“The three things you need to remember are color, texture, and dimension. That’s a great way to start,” says Debbie Graves of MD Nursery. “And don’t forget the height of your objects. You don’t want anything blocking diners, if [your creation] is for a special occasion dinner.”

Once your eyes start to recognize nature’s artistic inspiration, an ordinary hike turns into a scavenger hunt. What would a Fourth of July assemblage look like? Yellow balsamroot and blue lupine could accompany small aspen branches, perhaps. Green or yellow aspen leaves (depending on the season) could serve as nature’s confetti, sprinkled here and there on a table.

Bringing the outdoors into your home not only livens up your atmosphere, but it also supports a sense of well-being. Making a fragrant ensemble, or crafting something pleasing to the eye, provides a sense of peace. Studies show that the human connection to plants is so deep that simply being in their presence can improve your mood. With this in mind, it feels worthwhile to acknowledge and celebrate those pieces of the outdoors that make you feel whole. tf

A MUDROOM MAKEOVER

Designing and decluttering your home’s transitional space

By Samantha Simma // Photography by Kristin Halsey

Slow HOME

In this community of outdoor enthusiasts, many families face the challenge of managing and organizing a surplus of gear for all four seasons. Bigger items, such as personal watercraft and bikes, can be relegated to the garage. But all the other essential, merely helpful, or just plain trendy trappings of mountain recreation leave many a mudroom in disarray. When this transitional space serves as your front door, it can be difficult to also accommodate entering guests (at least in a manner that lends a positive first impression). However, you can optimize your entryway to increase both its utility and appearance, while keeping your outdoor clothing and gear close at hand.

A Design That Works

With considered design, mudrooms can stand up to the wear and tear they endure. First, think about what lies underfoot.

“I would suggest using tile [for flooring], whether it’s porcelain or stone, since that’s very durable,” recommends Nida Risto, owner and principal of Nida Risto Interiors. “You can walk on it with your snow gear, and it’s not going to scratch. It

built-in bench with storage underneath

also cleans easily, and you’re not going to experience warping like you would with woods floors.”

Risto also advises against laminate materials in a mudroom, but she does suggest adding throw rugs if softness and warmth matter to you. “Use some sort of indoor-outdoor runner that you can wash quickly and will withstand wear and tear. And absolutely no viscose or natural fibers because they don’t clean well.”

For small spaces, Risto suggests installing a bench that’s open on the underside to store shoes and placing hooks on the wall above the bench for easy access to coats, hats, and backpacks.

“Or you can build a credenza that has closed storage, so things look a bit more organized. On top of the credenza, add artwork, with a lamp or a mirror, which gives the space a more formal approach,” she says.

Risto says many people like to use wallpaper in an entryway, so she recommends homeowners opt for a commercial-grade wallpaper or something equally durable. This way, “when you lean items against the wallpaper, things don’t get wet and ruined.”

Families with a larger space can make good use of cubbies or lockers, ideally creating a dedicated spot for each family member’s stuff. Cubbies and lockers also offer an opportunity to incorporate multi-functional pieces into the space; cubbies can feature a builtin bench with storage space underneath. And, depending on the height of your ceilings, you can also install overhead shelves or smaller cubbies up high for storing outdoor accessories.

If you’re going with a custom design, Risto advises keeping the height of ski boots in mind. “Typically, 18 to 20 inches will work,” she says.

You can protect the ecosystem and your family’s health!

Clean and check your shoes, clothes, packs, gear, pets, vehicles, and yourself before and after exploring and stay on designated trails to prevent the spread of invasive species and tick bites.

HELPS... RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

More common in mudrooms than entryways, lockers have the benefit of hiding clutter behind their doors, but Risto cautions that lockers should have mesh doors to circulate air and prevent odor buildup. Depending on your budget, you can also implement a venting or blowing system, so gear dries faster. Some lockers even contain boot warmers, allowing ski boots to dry out overnight and out of sight.

Do More With Less

To gain the most efficiency from a mudroom, it’s a good idea to periodically take stock of each person’s belongings. Once you home in on items that actually belong, you can relocate them to their proper storage zones. Sam Danahy, founder and CEO of In Place, developed a trick to make this process easier.

“Every once in a while, go into your entryway and relocate every

single person’s [belongings] to their bedroom closets. [Each person] will end up bringing down what they’re actually going to wear. It’s a good way to reset the space.”

Given the Teton region’s distinct climate shifts between seasons, Danahy also recommends switching out gear biannually. “You want everything in this space to be stuff you’re actually using,” she says. “Switching out gear offers a good opportunity to go through everything at the end of each season and make sure you’re not storing things in your house that you don’t use.”

Danahy recommends giving every family member their own designated storage bin or two in the entryway. “And hooks are huge because anyone with a husband knows they don’t hang things on hangers,” she jokes.

Instead of buying a bunch of containers and then trying to work with them, she suggests looking for organizers specific to the items you need to stow. This is especially true when purchasing bins or baskets to corral outdoor accessories.

“If you’re storing wet winter gloves and hats, then get something waterproof; you don’t want to use handmade baskets that

will get wet. Don’t just buy [organizers] you think are pretty and try to make your stuff work into some system. Instead, buy the right system for what you’re storing,” says Danahy.

If your family wears a lot of hats — literally — there are two main approaches for storage: Stiff caps can be lined up baseball-style on a shelf. Or use hooks to maximize wall space. A wool beret, a wide-brimmed sun hat, a felt fedora, or a classic cowboy hat can become a decorative element when strategically displayed.

Finally, determine a central drop zone for keys, wallets, and small accessories. Danahy suggests designating a tray for wallets and hooks for keys to get family members into the habit of putting these items there when they come into the house. (Because sometimes a small victory, such as leaving the house without having to search for your keys, can make a world of difference.)

The splendor of the outdoors has a way of morphing into chaos when family members come back inside. But with a bit of strategy and ingenuity, you can make your entryway a functional and welcoming transition to your home. tf

4-H livestock shows and sale, pig wranglin', figure 8 races, the 19th annual horse pull, open class exhibits, and rodeo. Teton Valley fair draws competitors and spectators from all demographics and locations and it is always our goal to produce an exceptional and memorable experience for everyone!

By Lacey McNeff

by Reed Mattison

During my first moments in the bustling center plaza of Cusco, Peru, I encountered a vendor selling tamales made from a 100-yearold recipe. I immediately ordered one of each kind: salada (savory) and dulce (sweet). Both had a rich filling and that typical light and fluffy outer texture. The sweet tamale was like nothing I had ever tasted before — hints of anise and morsels of warm raisins made each bite a treat.

Traditionally called “tamal,” these distinctive pockets of deliciousness have been feeding the masses for centuries. There is evidence of tamales being enjoyed as early as 7000 BC (according to latinbayarea.com). The Aztec, Mayan, and Incan cultures, as well as the Olmec and Toltec before them, used tamales as portable food for hunting trips and for nourishing their traveling armies. They were also made for celebrations and offered as gifts to the gods.

Tamales are still a deeply loved food, especially in Latin American circles, and they’re still made for celebrations, such as holidays, weddings, and other special occasions. Juan Morales, of Rosa’s Tamales in Victor, Idaho, says it best: “Tamales bring joy to everyone.” Whether you buy tamales from a local vendor or chef up some of your own, they make a fitting tribute to the splendor of our Teton summers. tf

Photography

Juan Morales suggests making tamales, “meaty and saucy with a thin layer of dough.” More meat is the secret to his family’s delicious tamales.

TRADITIONAL TAMALES RECIPE

Makes approximately 25 tamales

Making tamales involves many steps, but the work can be done over the course of a couple of days. Slow cook the filling the day before you assemble them to spread out the tasks.

*

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FOR THE FILLING:

2.5 ounces guajillo chiles, stemmed, seeded, and rinsed

2 ounces ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and rinsed

1 to 3 cups water (as needed)

1 to 2 teaspoons garlic cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (we used one from Late Bloomer Ranch)

1 bay leaf

26 to 30 corn husks

1 1/2 cups lard

FOR THE DOUGH:

2 teaspoons baking powder

4 cups masa harina

3 to 4 cups warm broth or water

1 1/4 tablespoons kosher salt

DAY ONE:

1. Put the chiles in a medium pot with water to cover. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and let the chiles soften for 10 minutes.

2. Transfer the softened chiles to a large blender. Add 1 cup of the chile water and 1 cup of fresh water, garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and ground cumin. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed, a tablespoon at a time; you

4. Transfer the meat, chile sauce, and bay leaf to a slow cooker.

5. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender. Let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight.

DAY TWO:

1. Soak the corn husks in hot water for at least 10 minutes, while you make the masa dough.

2. With a stand or hand mixer, whip lard on high until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes (it should be the texture of cake frosting).

3. Add baking powder, then slowly add masa harina, one cup at a time. Mix ingredients together.

4. Slowly add 3 cups of the warm broth or water, mixing to form a dough. Reserve the remaining broth to adjust the moisture as needed. The masa dough should be easy to spread.

5. Add salt to the masa to taste, a 1/2 teaspoon at a time, whipping to incorporate. (You may not need to add salt if you used salted broth.)

6. Gently wring out the corn husks and pat them dry.

7. Arrange the husks with the wide end closest to you and the smooth side facing up. Spread a thin, even layer of masa from side to side (approximately 3 to 5 tablespoons), leaving the narrow end uncovered.

8. Add approximately 1 to 3 tablespoons of the meat filling to the center of the masa.

9. Fold one side of the corn husk in, and then the other. Fold the bottom toward the top. Tie a strip of husk around the fold to ensure closure.

10. Repeat using all the husks and filling.

11. Fill the bottom of a tamale steamer (or pot with a steamer basket) with water.

12. Place the tamales with the open ends upright in the basket and steam covered for 75 to 90 minutes at medium-high heat.

SWEET AND CREAMY TAMALES

Makes approximately 25 tamales

A Peruvian-inspired sweet tamale, this recipe uses banana leaves instead of corn husks. Banana leaves give the tamale a slightly sweet flavor when steamed. (Feel free to use corn husks if you prefer.)

1 16-ounce package banana leaves (purchase at a Mexican tienda like Juanita’s Market in Victor)

1 1/2 cups lard

2 teaspoons baking powder

4 cups masa harina

3 cups warm water

2/3 cup (or less) granulated sugar

1 cup golden raisins

1 1/4 teaspoons ground anise seed

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 8-ounce containers crème fraîche

1. Rinse the banana leaves under cool water and remove the hard spine in the center. Cut into 10-inch squares and pat dry with a dish towel. Stack banana leaves and cover with a towel until ready to use. Extra pieces can be cut into strips and used for tying.

2. With a stand or hand mixer, whip lard on high until light and fluffy (approximately 5 minutes; it should be the texture of cake frosting).

3. Add baking powder, then slowly add masa harina, one cup at a time. Mix ingredients together.

4. Slowly add 2 cups of warm water, mixing to form a dough. Reserve the remaining water to adjust the moisture as needed. The masa dough should be easy to spread.

5. Whip in 1/3 cup sugar and then taste the masa. Continue to add remaining sugar, a little at a time, to your desired sweetness.

6. Gently stir in the raisins and anise seeds.

7. Taste the masa and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt at a time, to your preference, whipping to incorporate.

8. Hold one banana leaf over an oven burner to warm it up before spreading the masa mixture. (Heating the leaves will increase pliability.)

9. Spread 3 to 5 tablespoons of masa on one banana leaf in an even layer, covering an approximately 3-by-3-inch area of the banana leaf.

10. Add 1 tablespoon of crème fraîche to the center of the masa and smooth out the dollop.

11. Fold one side of the banana leaf in, and then the other. Fold the bottom toward the top and the top toward the bottom. Tie a strip of banana leaf around the fold to ensure it stays intact.

12. Repeat using all the banana leaves and filling.

13. Fill the bottom of a tamale steamer (or pot with a steamer basket) with water.

14. Line the bottom of the steamer with scrap banana leaves.

15. Place your tamales, seam-side down in concentric circles, in the basket. For the second layer, fill in any gaps. Steam for 60 to 70 minutes.

16. Check for doneness by peeling back a corner of the banana leaf; it should easily pull away from the masa.

17. Remove tamales from the heat and let them rest, covered with a dish towel, for approximately 15 minutes. Enjoy!

ROSA’S CAMPFIRE TAMALES

This local recipe from Rosa’s Tamales in Victor uses prepared tamales — the perfect food for your summer adventures. Cook them over a campfire for an elevated experience.

WITH A GRIDDLE:

1. Let your campfire burn down to glowing coals. Set a grill on logs or rocks to position it above the coals and set the griddle on top of it.

2. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan.

3. Carefully unwrap tamales and place the masa pockets in the pan (leave about 2 inches of space between them). Discard husks.

4. Slightly fry the tamales until golden brown, and then flip them and fry the other side.

5. Add a fried egg, and top with crema, salsa, microgreens, and sauerkraut.

* This can also be done on a camp stove or the stovetop at home.

WITHOUT A GRIDDLE:

1. Place tamales, still in their husks, next to or on top of campfire coals. (Do not place tamales on actively burning wood.)

2. Turn every few minutes with tongs.

3. Carefully pull tamales out of fire after approximately 10 minutes or until they are warmed through.

4. Top them in the same manner as above and enjoy!

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BUSYNESS EPIDEMIC

How to Buck the Family Trend

By Britney Magleby // Illustrations by Julie Millard

Honestly, I thought this article would be easy to write. After all, when I look around me, I see busy mountain families trying to strike a balance.

So, I reached out to hockey moms, business owners, and working dads to ask how the “busyness epidemic” affects them — and I hit dead end after dead end. Five contacts turned down my requests for interviews with responses like, “Sorry, I can’t this week,” and “Too busy, can we connect later?” The irony wasn’t lost on me — they were all too busy to talk about how busy they are. I realized this epidemic might be more widespread than I thought.

I finally reached a friend, a Jackson mother of three, who described a time in her life when busyness ruled her schedule.

She would get up at 5 a.m., the day’s to-do list already running through her head. Walking downstairs, she would take inventory of the kids’ before-and-after-school activities, her own deadlines at work, her husband’s doctor’s appointment, even the dog’s walk schedule. Two hours, one workout, and two meetings later, she would drop the kids off at school and barely return their “goodbyes” as she answered emails from her phone.

This overloaded schedule created a relentless feeling of overwhelm for my friend, resulting in a constant flurry of activity, a quick temper, and a dismissive attitude toward her loved ones. In the summer of 2023, her chronic stress manifested in physical ailments.

“In today’s world, women are stressed to the gills because we feel like we need to be ‘super women’ and do it all.”

—Tanya Mark, health and wellness coach

“I developed high blood pressure, suffered regular headaches, and gained a lot of weight,” she says. “My doctor said it was likely from a high-stress environment.”

The Epidemic

“The culture of busyness refers to the pressure society places on individuals to constantly be active and productive, frequently at the price of their relationships and personal well-being,” explains Vidhi Kapoor in the article “The Culture of Busyness” published by Robert Kennedy College.

“Busyness is the new status symbol,” writes Adam Waytz in “Beware a Culture of Busyness,” an article published in the Harvard Business Journal. “Such thinking is misguided.”

Tanya Mark, a local board-certified health and

wellness coach, and owner of Tanya Mark Mind Body Health, has observed this global culture shift through her work in Teton County.

“Lately, I’ve noticed a new epidemic happening for women,” she says. “They are experiencing a laundry list of symptoms: fatigue, forgetfulness, brain-fog, mood swings, insomnia, and so on. Basically, they’re feeling incredibly overwhelmed.”

The Cause

Children in the Tetons often practice more than one sport each season, pile on additional hobbies and clubs, and prioritize time with large friend groups — all on top of going to school. As if managing these hectic schedules isn’t enough, parents also have their own jam-packed calendars. Many take on freelance work or side hustles to afford the high cost of living, in addition to working full-time or running a business. Then, they add their own self-care — medical appointments, exercise, and relationship building — and often responsibility for pets.

Technological advancements have further accelerated the pace of life and have forced constant connection, while cultural shifts, like the rise of “hustle culture” and the gig economy, glorify being busy. Today, it’s more common than not to equate busyness with productivity and success, regardless of its actual results. A study by psychologist Jared Celniker found that people who exert high effort, regardless of output, are perceived to be “morally admirable.”

For adults, “It’s partly human nature: The harder we work to achieve something, the more we value it,” writes Waytz. Employees want to be considered for promotions and pay raises, so they fill their schedules with meetings and tasks,

forgetting to pause and evaluate if the quantity of work is generating more results or contributing to a higher quality of life.

For kids, parents say “yes” to multiple hobbies and sports in an effort to give their children every opportunity, not realizing that granting more may rob the child of the ability to focus on and prioritize just a few fulfilling pursuits.

continued on page 28

The Symptoms

It’s no secret that overcrowded schedules can cause irritability, frustration, and anxiety, but this prolonged stress can also lead to adrenal fatigue, depression, ADD and ADHD, stomach problems, and other mental and physical ailments.

“[Busyness] can lead to burnout and chronic stress, which can have severe physical and mental health implications,” writes Kapoor.

Beyond self, the busyness epidemic has negative impacts on families, communities, and entire societies. “It can also make forming meaningful relationships or engaging in hobbies … challenging,” she continues.

Societies with higher levels of mental health problems created by a perceived need for busyness are less productive, less connected, and offer fewer resources for community members. “The culture of busyness can lead to a sense of superficiality and dissatisfaction.”

The Cure

At first glance, the cure for busyness is simple: Just do less by focusing on what’s most important, right?

While it’s true that cutting responsibilities and prioritizing soul-filling activities is the ultimate

c ure, it is, in practice, difficult to do. The process of cutting out activities you love or work you feel passionate about is introspective, potentially uncomfortable, and may require sacrifice.

My friend, for example, spent three months working with her therapist to re-design her schedule, and another month working with her doctor to get her physical symptoms under control. She then spent four months focusing on the family, asking each child to prioritize one sport and one hobby, and recruiting the help of her partner to keep the family’s schedule on track.

“There were tears,” she says, reflecting on the time. “We’re still working on it, but the positive changes are noticeable in everyone.”

“In today’s world, women are stressed to the gills because we feel like we need to be ‘super women’ and do it all,” explains Mark.

She recommends taking a few immediate actions to jumpstart the process of gaining control over your busy schedule. “Micro-resilience” practices — little thoughtful moments incorporated throughout the day —

can reduce stress build-up and deter the need “to take serious downtime to recover.” Her examples include a fiveto 10-minute walk outside, diffusing calming essential oils, and eating lunch without distraction.

“When I start working with clients who are experiencing this epidemic of overwhelm, I have them examine their weekly calendars,” says Mark. Removing tasks that aren’t serving you, and refusing to feel guilty about it, can make a huge impact.

Mark suggests working with a fivestep system to create lasting results:

1. Identify your stressors.

2. Develop a support system.

3. Create a relaxation practice.

4. Make conscious decisions.

5. Make lifestyle changes.

“We can be super women without being Superwoman,” she says.

When I sat down with my notably healthier and contagiously joyful friend recently, she made the time to be fully present with me. She said, with a soulful smile I hadn’t seen her wear in years, “My schedule is emptier, but my life feels so much fuller.” tf

SUSTAINABLE SELF-CARE

By Molly Absolon

When I recently emptied the trash in my bathroom, I was appalled by the amount of plastic in the bin. There was an empty face-cream container with a plastic pump attached and a handful of single-use contact lens vials, also plastic. I saw the paperboard box my new face cream came packaged in, and the plastic wrapper that sealed the box closed. I found an empty plastic floss container, an empty plastic ibuprofen bottle, and the plastic sheath that came on my new electric toothbrush head.

According to the international beauty company Sephora, the beauty and wellness industries produce 120 billion packages every year, most of which are not accepted at local recycling centers. That’s a lot of garbage going into our landfills.

It’s daunting to consider ways to limit the waste generated by your self-care routine, especially when everything seems to come encased in plastic. But now, a number of companies are attempting to be more sustainable, and with a little research, consumers no longer need to sacrifice their beauty routine to appease their conscious and lessen their environmental impact.

“I go for packaging first when I am looking for sustainable selfcare products,” says Stacey Oldham. She has been on the board of directors of Teton Valley Community Recycling (TVCR) for the last four years and is committed to being a mindful consumer.

“I started with dental care after I realized that every single toothbrush that has ever been used is still on the planet somewhere,” she says. “Or else they were burned, and the toxins are in the air we breathe.”

Oldham switched to bamboo toothbrushes for her family and tried toothpaste dots to rid her house of empty toothpaste tubes.

“My husband didn’t like the first toothpaste dots I bought,” she says. “But we’ve found a brand that works for all of us, and my dentist says my teeth look great.”

Oldham also uses lip balm that comes in cardboard tubes and shampoo bars for her hair. She has found skin-care products in glass or tin containers that can be recycled and opts for solid detergents and soaps that don’t need to be packaged in plastic jugs. And yet, her 12-year-old daughter is begging for a non-sustainable skin care product so she can fit in with her peers in middle school. Oldham

says she plans to get it for her, despite the fact that it doesn’t exactly jive with her responsible mission. She doesn’t believe we have to go to extremes.

“It takes lots of people doing this imperfectly to make a difference,” she says. “We all have to make choices about what works for us.”

Both Oldham, and Kelley Romines, the executive director of TVCR, research the internet to find products that fit their needs. Following their lead, I did a quick web search for “sustainable self-care products.” My search brought up 161 million results — page after page of websites for companies claiming to bring you the luxury you seek in your beauty routine without waste and chemicals. The options were so endless, it felt impossible to even know where to begin.

Romines says she seeks out reviews for products to help make decisions on what to purchase. She says some local stores — Barrels and Bins in Driggs and Whole Foods in Jackson, as well as a few smaller specialty shops — carry a decent selection of sustainable self-care products, allowing you to smell different scents and feel the textures of creams and lotions to see what you like. But she’s made some mistakes before.

“I bought this one cream, and my husband couldn’t stand the smell,” Romines says. “So, I put it on the Teton Valley Free Swap Facebook page, and it was gone in a day.”

Smells and textures are highly personal, and Oldham notes that when you order things online, you can end up stuck with something you don’t like. She follows influencers who test products and offer reviews. So far, she’s mostly been happy with her selections, although she’s definitely made a few mistakes, including a shampoo bar that didn’t produce suds and left her hair feeling dull and lifeless.

I asked Oldham and Romines if sustainability was becoming a marketing label like the word “natural,” which is meaningless in terms of defining what is really being sold under that moniker.

“Green-washing is definitely an issue,” Romines says. “So, you have to read the fine print. What is easiest to control is the packaging. It helps to think about where things end up in your community. Here [in Teton Valley], glass is crushed and used for road base. So, it’s a useful byproduct. Number 1 and 2 plastics are recyclable here, but where do they end up?

“Every community is different in terms of recycling. I look for products in containers that can be reused or recycled locally,” she says.

In Jackson, JoJo Denmark is the waste diversion outreach specialist for Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling. She’s about to embark on the development of a strategic plan to help the community reach its goal of diverting 60 percent of its waste away from the landfill. Jackson has been diverting 30 percent of its waste for more than a decade. But the easy diversions have been done, and meeting the next 30 percent will be more challenging, according to Denmark.

She wants people to focus on the reduce and reuse part of the “reduce, reuse, recycle mantra” when they are shopping for their self-care products. Plus, she likes to add the word “refuse” to the list.

“I throw in that word because it’s a dramatic way of reminding people to think about what they really need. You don’t have to buy everything ”

Denmark appreciates those who consider packaging when choosing self-care products, but she worries that the cost of more sustainable options makes them inaccessible to many people. Most, she says, accept plastic packaging because it accompanies products that are available and affordable in grocery stores.

Some local companies are working to make it easier for consumers to walk

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Look for

• Sustainable beauty brands that prioritize zero waste and avoid plastic packaging by using biodegradable or recyclable materials.

• Ethical brands that are transparent about the sourcing of their materials and ingredients and prioritize fair trade and organic products that support local communities and the environment.

• Certifications and labels that indicate a company’s commitment to sustainability. These include labels such as “Certified Organic,” “Cruelty Free,” and “Fair Trade.”

Sourcing Tips

• Research the brand’s sustainability initiatives. Sustainable brands often share details about their ingredient sourcing, packaging practices, and other initiatives.

• Read reviews and recommendations from other users to find the best sustainable beauty products. Online communities and beauty blogs often provide insights into the quality and sustainability of different products.

Helpful Resources

• Environmental Working Group offers a Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database that rates self-care products on safety of ingredients, manufacturing practices, and overall company transparency. ewg.org/skindeep

• Going Zero Waste is a lifestyle website dedicated to helping others live healthier and more sustainably. goingzerowaste.com

• EarthHero is an online marketplace that offers sustainable goods. earthhero.com

• Sephora’s Beauty (Re)Purposed Program: sephora.com/beauty/pact-collective-recycling-program

their talk. Trilipiderm, a skin-care company that started in Jackson in 2010, has made a commitment to environmental stewardship part of its mission.

“At Trilipiderm, our commitment to sustainability extends to our packaging choices, and we prioritize using recyclable materials such as glass and bamboo and responsibly sourced post-consumer resin plastics,” says Kim Peterson, Trilipiderm’s chief operating officer. “We are also continuously exploring innovative packaging solutions to reduce our environmental impact.”

Sephora has created what it calls the Beauty (Re)Purposed program with Pact Collective that allows consumers to drop off their clean empties at a Sephora store. The program accepts everything from lipstick and mascara tubes, to pumps, plastic dispensers, dental floss containers, and toothpaste tubes. According to Sephora’s website, the empties don’t have to come from products purchased at Sephora, either.

It's heartening to hear about companies making an effort to minimize their packaging but disheartening to then walk down the self-care aisle at a grocery store and see rows and rows of beauty products in plastic. Still, embracing sustainable self-care is one environmentally conscious choice that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, can help reduce environmental degradation and resource depletion. It’s one small step that can add up to a big difference in the effort to preserve our planet.

The TYFS

Continuum of Care

We always start with the least restrictive care and, if necessary, move on to more involved interventions.

Think of your bike.

The gear, chain, and shifters all work together to power you ahead down the trail, spinning and gliding, moving together seamlessly.

But remove a spoke or gear, remove a piece from the finely tuned mechanism, and suddenly, too much force is put into parts that can’t handle the strain. Pieces break, and oftentimes, the bike stops rolling altogether.

Strong and healthy communities are like your bike, with different elements and resources combining to create something efficient, individualized, and forward-moving — a tool so that people can have their smoothest rides and choose their own paths through the mountains.

But what is a continuum of care?

We work directly with families and our many community partners to provide the right kind and amount of mental and behavioral care and resources needed to keep children moving forward toward hope and well-being, no matter where they are on their bike ride through life.

Our services operate on a continuum, as its own system with moving parts – like a drivetrain – each piece serving its efficient, vital role.

We always begin with or return to preventive and community-based care whenever possible. At Teton Youth & Family Services, we know how important it is to learn and recover together as a family, and how much stronger the pieces are if we mend them as a loving unit.

The Hirschfield Center offers a full spectrum of preventive services so that children can receive the support they need with their families. From child

abuse or neglect to forensic interviews and court diversion programming, these integral resources strive to resolve conflicts from within the home environment.

The next level of care on our continuum – the Van Vleck House, a residential program – still operates as preventive and community-based healing as the child receives care immediately, close to their home environment and schools, keeping them within the community and connected with their family and friends. 80% of youth who receive treatment and support through the TYFS residential programs find the help they need and will not require higher levels of care.

The final gears on this mental health mechanism are our institutionalized services through Red Top Meadows Residential Treatment Center, where male youth receive support away from their home and community through our Residential and Wilderness Therapy services. Boys may spend up to a year in supervised care with the licensed and qualified Red Top counselors and staff, creating a new path forward to return to their homes.

Our Residential Treatment Center is the final stage on the continuum before youth are required to seek a higher level of care beyond TYFS in hardware secure facilities, where they remain until their institutionalization is determined no longer medically needed or the courts order a release. These secured detention centers require a much more substantial amount of resources and support a significantly smaller population. Finding ways to prevent this extreme level of care, like TYFS’s crucial services and centers, saves the state money that could be strategically re-invested into

the system, and also means that youth who have experienced a childhood of hardship can receive the proper, trauma-informed help they really need.

Each of these stages, the parts that make up Teton Youth & Family Services, work together to create a fluid system where a child can discover a new path to wellness and hope. Our goal is to keep them moving toward their dreams and to give them the repair manual and kit to mend anything along the way. There will be rocks on the trail and bumps in the road, but with the right support our youth can ride forward into brighter futures.

Group Home

Shelter

Van Vleck House

Red Top Meadows

Hirschfield Center

ALLIES ON THE WINGS

Backyard birds snap up much more than seeds

By Kristine Kopperud // Photography by Thomas Stanton

You know the scene: Soft summer night. Perfect temps. Time to fire up the grill. Kids are just rolling in from afternoon activities when zing! the first Teton mosquito of the evening dive-bombs the back of your neck.

(Insert expletive)

If summer’s most notorious foes — mosquitos, ants, flies, and wasps — send you muttering back behind screen-enclosed lines to grab a long-sleeved layer or a fogger of repellant, consider this: the greenest, cleanest, and most effective solution may be perched on a fence or branch nearby. That’s right.

Many feathered garden visitors make mincemeat of pesky insects, eating many times their weight in bugs each day.

From hummingbirds the length of a finger to great horned owls taller than your trail pack, birds perform an essential service. This is especially true in spring and summer, when their hungry nestlings need lots of protein in the form of flying, crawling, and burrowing insects. Learning how birds prefer to nest, what they eat, and how they hunt can help you make your yard, garden, or farmstead more welcoming for your avian allies and strengthen your defenses against invading insects.

Birds are classified not only by their size and range (where they live or migrate), but also by what they eat and how they catch their prey, according to the Wild Farm Alliance, publisher of the free eBook, “Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds.” As with other members of the food chain, birds range from omnivores (eating both plants and live prey), to insectivores (eating primarily insects), carnivores (eating, well, meat), or granivores (eating primarily seeds and grains). Those that hunt (insects, rodents, other birds, etc.) find their prey by:

• Ground foraging

• Stalking

• Foliage gleaning – skimming food from leaves

• Bark foraging – drilling holes in or scaling off bark

• Hovering

• Flycatching – waiting for an insect to fly by, then pursuing it in the air

• Air foraging – flying after prey and capturing it, either in the air or on the ground

• Aerial diving – diving for prey on the ground

• Soaring – gliding while scanning for prey

To get started in your own yard, the book (noted above) says to first designate a “sit spot.” This is a comfortable area in which you can sit quietly and observe the birds already present. Keep brief notes about what you observe

THE LITTLES

Measuring around 7 inches and weighing 1 ounce, the Mountain Bluebird is a ravenous insectivore that specializes in scanning the ground for insects. It swoops distinctively down to catch them, sometimes hovering before pouncing. This species needs up to 23 calories a day when raising young — the equivalent of 55,000 calories a day for a 150-pound human.

the birds eating, where they’re taking cover or nesting, and any other behaviors.

Avid birder and Teton-based wildlife photographer Tom Stanton agrees. “The more frequently you sit in the same place, the more you notice what’s new or different, especially as the seasons change,” he explains. "You would be surprised by how many different birds are flying in and out of your shrubs and trees that don't stop at your seed feeder.”

To hear call recordings of the various species listed, visit allaboutbirds.org.

And don’t worry, if at first you don’t know what you’re hearing or seeing. Try the free Merlin Bird ID App, in partnership with CornellLab, which helps identify a bird by answering simple questions about its size, color, and location. Additional free Sound ID and Photo ID functions allow you to upload a recording of birdsong, or a photo of a sighting, to find a likely match, based on geographic location.

“It’s pretty easy to get slightly obsessed,” Stanton explains. “Even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘birder,’ or maybe you’ve even made fun of birding in the past. You’d be surprised how exciting it can be to recognize and understand bird behavior in the wild.”

The tiny Rufous Hummingbird (rufous means “reddish” and appears in the name of many bird species) migrates more than 3,000 miles, showing up locally when high meadows are flowering. Measuring 3.5 inches or smaller, and weighing under 5 grams, this species catches gnats, midges, and flies in midair and eats aphids off plants. Known for its vast memory (largest brain volume of any bird species studied) and aerial prowess, this hummingbird can also lift spiders from their web, and consume up to 12 times its body weight in nectar and insects each day.

Just a mite bigger, the common Black-Capped Chickadee is one of the most effective pest exterminators in an orchard or forest. Frequently found near feeders in the winter, chickadees are also voracious foragers of the eggs, larvae, and pupae of weevils, lice, sawflies, and other insects. This species also slays centipedes, snails, slugs, and spiders.

Chickadees are super social, so where you find one, you’ll have many. Like squirrels, the chickadee stashes food reserves in protected areas, returning to eat its fill when the coast is clear. With its recognizable chick-a-dee-dee-dee call, this bird can also train your ear to listen for predators, such as hawks. The more “dee-dee-dees” in a pattern, the greater the threat. When a whole flock goes silent, something’s definitely up; the deathly quiet alerts other species to danger.

Measuring about the size of your palm, the Yellow Warbler is a voracious migratory insectivore, hopping among low branches and shrubs to glean midges, beetles, leafhoppers, and other bugs, as well as wasps. More than two-thirds of its diet is made up of caterpillars. This bird is recognizable by its yolk-yellow plumage (brighter in males) and habit of foraging at woodland edges and in riparian areas, particularly in willows.

WHY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT

UNDERAGE DRINKING

Conversations about underage drinking with your children require the same sensitivity and care as discussing any important issue. By prioritizing open communication parents and guardians can collectively create a positive impact and help children make responsible choices. For more information go to wywetalk.org

0. ZERO DRINKS IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 21

0. Zero drinks if you are driving - 0 DUIs

1. One drink per hour with water in between

3. No more than 3 drinks per event, night out, occasion...

Local Prevention & Recovery Services: Call Mental Health & Recovery Services for help at (307) 733-2046 or to make an appointment.

THE MIDS

Part of the flycatcher family, the Western Kingbird eats mainly insects, catching flies, bees, wasps, moths, and butterflies in midair, and swooping from woodland perches to nab grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, caterpillars, flies, and spiders on the ground. It often returns to its perch with multiple insects in its beak, shaking them or beating them against the tree to stun them. Because kingbirds prefer woodland areas for nesting and open areas for foraging, they’re common in both the urban and rural areas of our Teton communities.

Members of the falcon family, American Kestrels eat mostly insects and other invertebrates, including grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles, dragonflies, spiders, butterflies, and moths. On the meat side, this species hunts voles, mice, shrews, bats, small songbirds, and sometimes small snakes, lizards, and frogs. Like all raptors, the kestrel relies on its keen eyesight to spot prey from a lofty perch, such as a fence post or telephone pole, and it prefers open hunting areas that contain a few trees or other cover for prey to hide.

Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers drill into the bark of trees to uncover larvae or egg sacks or to snatch up burrowing pine beetles. These two species are found together in our mountain woodlots, forests, and parks, although the smaller, lighter downy woodpecker prefers small tree branches, while the hairy woodpecker spends more time on trunks and main limbs. Woodpeckers favor standingdead trees for nesting, and the holes they excavate are sometimes used later on by cavity-dwelling species that cannot drill into wood themselves, such as kestrels, bluebirds, and wrens.

Larger species, including carnivorous owls, also eat insects, especially when meatier prey or water is scarce. If your yard is home to domestic chickens, don’t overlook the number of crickets, flies, spiders, ticks, caterpillars, grasshoppers, grubs, beetles, and cockroaches they forage from the ground and in leaf litter around trees.

Whatever your familiarity with the birds on your farm, or in your yard or garden, there’s always more to see and learn. If your “sit spot” notes start to require professional interpretation, check out the programming at the Teton Raptor Center (tetonraptorcenter.org) in Wilson or the Jackson Hole Bird & Nature Club (jhbirds.org). On the Idaho side, follow the Idaho Birding Trail (idfg.idaho.gov/ibt/southeast). Grand Teton National Park and the National Audubon Society maintain species counts and viewing guides, as well. tf

BUILD A BIRD MECCA

Habitat is key, according to the Wild Farm Alliance. If possible, maintain diverse native trees, shrubs, or grasses near your farm or yard so birds have a place to nest and rest. Native woodland and riparian biodiversity support more food sources for insects and, in turn, for birds. Visit the National Audubon Society’s database of native plant resources for more information (audubon.org/native-plants).

Maintain a bird bath, livestock waterer, or other water feature. Ample access to water is critical during spring and summer nesting seasons because baby birds get moisture from the juiciness of their food. More water equals fatter larvae or caterpillars, which equals more protein and water for baby birds. Bird bathing is also important to keep birds’ feathers clean, remove parasites, and keep their feathers and skin

optimized for winter insulation.

Limit the use of insecticides and rodent bait. The chemical removal of “pests” artificially alters the food supply for desirable birds, causing them to flock to more organic environs. Spraying for bugs and baiting rodents may also expose birds to residual toxins when they eat dead or dying prey.

Put out a feeder for avian omnivores (those that eat both plants and live prey) and granivores (those that eat seeds in addition to prey). Seed feeders and suet feeders (in colder months) can help supplement the diet of species that prefer other foods most of the year but pivot to insect-eating when the supply is plentiful. (Note: The use of bird feeders in the summer is discouraged for residences sharing habitat with bears.)

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The Idaho Shag: a beloved herder and regional phenomenon

By Christina Shepherd McGuire // Photography by Natalie Behring

It’s 6:30 a.m. Oreo and Bingo stand poised at my back door, ready to work. I open the door and give the command: “Go check the chickens.”

The dogs dart over to the chicken coop, located on my property’s perimeter bordering the forest, and start sniffing for evidence of foxes, long-tailed weasels, and raccoons. After a few inspection laps — and the occasional bark, noting the scent of a recent predator — the dogs bound back to the door, ready for breakfast.

Oreo was born in the back of a pickup truck on the late Rex Hansen’s ranch at Hatches Corner in Tetonia, Idaho. (Rex was the beloved former Teton Valley Idaho rodeo announcer.)

A tricolor mix, she was one of a litter of eight that Rex’s working dog Dot birthed in June of 2014. And ever since Yellow Dog, our 14-year-old lab mix, passed, the kids had been begging for another dog.

We don’t own a ranch, and I had never owned a herding dog before. This dog seemed nervous compared to the typical Labrador mixes I was used to (and definitely a little more protective), but she quickly picked up on several commands and seemed eager to please. It became apparent that Oreo — named by the kids for her black, white, and brown layered fur — chose me as her person, sticking by my side except for when it was time for her to protect the freeranging chickens and check the property’s perimeter for animals. She also knew it was time to relax when I sat down at my computer to work.

Years later we learned that Oreo’s mixed breed — Australian shepherd, border collie, and Airedale terrier — was no accident. The coined “Idaho shag dog” is coveted by regional cowboys, as the combination of the three breeds makes for a gritty dog with a ton of stamina that works cattle like none other.

Tanner Fuchs takes his shags on a mission to tag calves near Ashton, Idaho.

A MOTTLED HISTORY

According to an article written by Dianna Troyer for the Idaho Senior Independent in 2018, “The Idaho Shag, or fuzzy dog, originated in the eastern side of the Panhandle State, although its exact origins are blurry …” Another blog post says the breed began in the Pahsimeroi Valley in the early 20th century “to help [ranchers] with daily tasks, such as herding livestock and guarding their property.” These dogs were originally called “Pahsimeroi Fuzzys” for their Muppet-like appearance.

Still, shag breeder Rick Ellis of Ellis Livestock and Double S Livestock in Howell, Utah, says families in the Dubois/ Medicine Lodge region were the first ranchers to breed and use these curious creatures, and he sought them out when he heard rumors of this mixed breed.

“We were looking to make a change from border collies and Australian shepherds,” he says. “The Hogans and the Smalls [of Dubois] had shags on their family ranches … They were the most amazing dogs we had ever seen!

“Over the hill [in the Pahsimeroi Valley between the Lemhi and Lost River Mountain ranges], they will tell you that the ‘Pahsimeroi Fuzzys’ were the first shag dog. The Pahsimeroi people get kinda emotional about it, but no one else seems to care … There are also ‘Nevada Fuzzys,’” Ellis explains, noting

the Pahsimeroi dogs are bred with Old English sheepdog, making them a little nicer, and not as tough, in his opinion.

The Idaho shag is not an AKC registered breed. Still, similar to the American quarter horse, a registered breed of horse that was once considered a mixed-breed, shags were thoughtfully developed for a certain task.

“It started out with some guys breeding a combination of dogs for the job at hand,” Ellis says.

A COWBOY ’ S DREAM

Ellis’ shags come in handy when he’s working his 1,400 head of cattle, which summer near Stone, Idaho, and winter south of Snowville, Utah. He’s been breeding Idaho shags for 25 years and appreciates that this mixed breed doesn’t come with the diseases and joint issues of pure-bred dogs.

While his dogs are primarily border collie, Australian shepherd, and Airedale terrier, he also works in a little Wheaton terrier and bull terrier. He says it’s the Airedale that gives the dogs their grit and hardheadedness, and it also makes them better family dogs. But it’s the Wheaton and bull terrier that make them tough, as he notes his past collies and shepherds grew lazy after a spell.

Ellis recognizes the uncompromised natural abilities of his dogs — they are very athletic.

“I have dogs that jump over the side of the pickup to get in when the tailgate’s up,” he says. “They have a lot of stamina. I may ride 20 to 25 miles in a day, and my dog is there [waiting] for more.”

One of Ellis’ young dogs, Tig, came from Molly, a shag famous for her lineage. A working day for Tig consists of loading up in the pickup and traveling into the desert to the BLM land where Ellis grazes cattle. The team rides a total of 23 miles to gather the herd to a place where they can sort them. At the end of the day, when Ellis’ wife shows up in her side-by-side, Tig won’t get in.

“He has a tremendous work ethic,” says Ellis. “He loves to ride.”

Four-year-old Rip is the half-shag, half-border collie of Alexie and Dustin Hulme of Arrow E Ranch in Tetonia. They breed Corriente cattle (a small cow with horns) for team roping, as Dustin is the “heeler” on a roping team. The family typically has 15 to 20 cattle on their ranch at a time and has always been a border collie family (they’ve owned six).

“Rip was kind of a COVID dog,” says Alexie. “We have friends who own a huge ranch with 500 head of cattle in Randolph, Utah. They use shag dogs, and say they are great cow dogs ... When they had puppies, Rip just kinda fell into our lap.”

Rip and his sister Beth, a 3-year-old pure-bred border collie, start their summer days around 7:30 a.m. helping the Hulme’s kids, Adri (age 10) and Alaina (age 6), with their 4H animals. They go out to feed the pigs and turkeys, and then they play in the creek. Around 10 a.m., it’s time to round up the cows and herd them into the arena so they’re off grass and ready to rope that evening. When it’s time to get ready for the rodeo (Dustin competes in the Driggs, Rexburg, and Jackson rodeos), the dogs load the cows into the shoots to get their horns wrapped, and off they go. Once the day is done, around 7 or 8 p.m., the dogs help turn the cows out to pasture, and then go off to bed, which is usually inside the house, unless it’s spring or fall and they’re muddy.

Bottom left: Ten-year-old Adri Hulme (of Tetonia, Idaho), Shorty, her horse, and Rip, her shag, get ready to gather their roping steers. Upper right: Fuchs and his shag dog near Ashton, Idaho. Bottom right: Rip, who is better at listening than his border collie sister, Beth, rustles up cattle on the Hulme’s ranch.

Alexie says her dogs are quite different, despite the similarities in their breeds. Rip listens better than Beth, who’s all “go, go, go.” Alexie says Rip’s more eager to please, as well, whereas Beth is more strongheaded. And Beth always knows just what to do, whereas Rip waits and asks, looking at them like, “What do you want next?”

“We were looking to make a change from border collies and Australian shepherds, ” says rancher Rick Ellis, “ The Hogans and Smalls [ of Dubois, Idaho] had shags … They were the most amazing dogs we had ever seen!

A FAMILY ’ S BEST FRIEND

“Shag dogs are the ‘funnest’ dogs you’ll ever want to be around,” says Ellis. “There could be six dogs laying on the hardwood floor in the kitchen with my wife, but once they’re outside, they are all about it [tending cattle].”

While he breeds dogs specifically for ranchers who want to work them, if he notices a pup seems timid, he gives it away as a pet.

“We have people come to us for a hiking buddy or a house pet,” he says. “I don’t let people pick pups until they are 6 to 8 weeks old. In fact, I usually pick them for them. I don’t want an aggressive dog going where he shouldn’t go. Typically, I have three pups out of a litter that are better suited for companion dogs.”

Patrick Solomon and Elizabeth King of Victor both worked on a ranch and were looking for a herding dog that could be easily trained by their older dog. The couple owns horses and Solomon works part-time, seasonally, as a cowboy, but, ultimately, they were looking for a pet. They learned about Idaho shags in a ranch classifieds ad, did a little more research, and realized this mixed breed would work great for their lifestyle.

They found Clover, now age 5, at a breeder in St. Anthony, Idaho, who, at the time, had 11 puppies — two litters from two different moms. Later, Solomon and King acquired Tiffany (now age 2), also a shag, after realizing how much they liked the mixed breed.

“Dogs that aren’t hardwired to pay attention to their person are challenging for me,” says Solomon. “With a herding dog, half the training is already done. It’s kind of innate.”

He goes on to say that while the dogs are super smart, there’s also a downside to having them around as pets — they get into trouble if they are bored. However, “they always want to be with their person, unless they have a job to do,” he says.

Solomon and King take their shags on lots of adventures. The dogs love skiing on Teton Pass, but Solomon notes that his dogs are not as efficient in the snow as their friend’s Lab mixes. “They tend to trench instead of bound.” So, the couple only skis with them when the conditions are right, and there’s a bottom for them to push off.

“We jokingly refer to it as ‘extreme dog walking,’” says Solomon.

Solomon shares Ellis’ sentiment about shags being fun — and sometimes even “funny.” He says when his dogs realize they are not coming along on an outing, they roll over and go limp “like none of the muscles in their bodies work.” Similarly, they tend to sleep on their backs with all four feet up in the air (something I’ve noticed my shags do, too).

And while some shags make great family dogs, Solomon notes the mixed breed is not for everyone.

“I put them in the same boat as a border collie,” he says. “People need to know there is a responsibility to work with them like they are a herding dog, because that’s how they view the world … It helps to be active.”

Bingo, age 2 (left), and Oreo, age 9 (right), patiently await their next adventure on the tailgate of their dad’s pickup truck.

Alexie agrees, saying, “I think [shags] are great family dogs, but they need some space … They don’t necessarily need to work cattle, they just need the space to run around and get their yayas out.”

As for my family — once we realized that Oreo’s mix was actually a thing, we decided she needed a sibling. So, I joined the “Idaho Shag Facebook Group” looking for another puppy. I stumbled upon Bingo in a listing out of Tooele, Utah. He was the last one left in the litter because he was born with only three toes on one of his back paws, making him a bit clumsy and not suitable for a rancher. He was also a little dopey and not as frisky as the sought-after females in his litter. We knew it was meant to be when, coincidentally, a neighbor said he was headed to Salt Lake City to pick up a large piece of equipment for his cabinet shop and would be happy to meet the breeder for a pickup.

Since then, Oreo and Bingo have been spending their time clearing our property of predators, chasing ground squirrels, cross-country skiing with me in the winter, and swimming in the fire ponds on North Leigh Creek (in Tetonia) in the summer. As a freelance editor and writer, I work from home, so they are rarely alone for long stretches. Still, even with their high-strung herding gene, both dogs enjoy lounging at my feet for hours (even as I write this article).

We lovingly refer to Oreo as our “house kitten”; in her older age, she often prefers a place on the couch in lieu of the cold and snowy winters outdoors. Bingo, on the other hand, sits for hours outside, hypnotized by the snow in the winter, and the rustling aspen leaves in the summer — making sure the forest is perfectly as it needs to be. I often wonder how their lives would be different if they lived on a ranch and worked cattle. But I’m a firm believer that animals find their humans, rather than humans finding their animals. tf

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Did you know

that in 2023, Teton Valley Aquatics provided over 2,175 swim lessons to local children and welcomed 481 adults to participate in pool activities?

We couldn’t have achieved this without the generous support of our community!

Your donations make a splash by helping us keep our summer swim program going strong. Every contribution ensures that children and adults alike can access vital swim education and water safety programs right here in our community.

Your support helps us to continue offering this vital program! To learn more about how you can support Teton Valley Aquatics, visit our website, tetonvalleyaquatics.org Together, let’s make a splash!

Despite a left back foot with only three toes, Bingo launches into the fire pond on North Leigh Creek in Tetonia to retrieve his stick.

Into the Woods … baby in tow

By Samantha Nock

Photography by Karissa Akin

BBackpacking with your baby might sound daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding for both parents and children. From exploring nature’s wonders to fostering a love for the great outdoors, backpacking offers an opportunity to bond and create lasting memories.

The key to any trip with a little one is to start small. Typically, you’ll want to stay close to home, don’t overdo it on the mileage, and spend only one or two nights away. I like to hike during naptime, and then make frequent stops to take my baby out of her carrier. I allow time for diaper changes, snacks, and playtime. Your baby’s first backpacking trip should be entirely about them. Make it a time for her to experience the enjoyment in the journey and establish a love for the great outdoors.

Also, don’t be afraid to change your plans, whether it’s before or during the trip. Flexibility is crucial in the outdoors, especially when babies are involved. After a few successful car-camping trips with our daughter, my husband and I took her on an overnight canoe trip on Leigh Lake when she was 11 months old. Next, we decided it was time for our first actual backpacking trip in the Bechler region of Yellowstone. Originally, our plans included a car drop-off and a one-way trip with two nights of camping. Instead — realizing we were biting off more than we should — we opted to park at the exit, do an out-andback hike, and stay only one night.

A lot of people are amazed that my husband and I continue to adventure, even with a little one in tow, but I am so glad we’re making the effort. If this seems like a fun endeavor for your family, too, here are some tips to keep the journey relatively painless (aside from your aching back).

Gear Essentials

Preparation is key. In addition to your own equipment, any trip into the wilderness with a baby or toddler comes with its own list of essentials. (Use this as a starting point, adjusting and adding to it according to your family’s needs.)

• Child Carrier: A sturdy and comfortable childcarrier backpack provides ample support for both the parent and the baby. Look for an adjustable one. I use the Osprey Poco (Teton Mountaineering; tetonmtn.com), which adjusts to fit my 5-foot, 4-inch frame, as well as my husband’s, who is a foot taller than me. This pack includes a secure harness system for the child’s safety and comfort during long hikes. Another great option for toddlers — who want to get down and walk on their own, then later be carried — is the Trail Magik Kid Carrier (trailmagik.com).

• Clothing: Baby clothing should be lightweight, fastdrying, and offer sun protection. I use Iksplor’s merino wool base layers (iksplor.com). The natural fibers keep little ones warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. The base layers also have a natural UPF of 50, and they’re moisture-wicking and antimicrobial. When it’s time to head to bed, just add wool socks and a merino beanie.

• Sun Protection: Shade is crucial for babies, as the sun can be brutal at elevation. So, in addition to having the sunshade up on our baby carrier, we make sure our daughter wears a hat and mineral-based sunscreen. She usually doesn’t keep her sunglasses on, so we opt for a hat with a wide brim (JD High Country Outfitters; jdhcoutfitters.com).

• Bug Protection: To keep bugs at bay, I use NATPAT Buzz Patch Mosquito Patches (natpat.com). Simply stick one on your baby’s hat and back, and on your backpack. Just make sure it’s out of reach, so she can’t put it in her mouth. I sometimes opt for the baby bug shirt we found at Headwall Sports (headwallsports.com). It makes her look like a little beekeeper and keeps the bugs at bay all day!

• Food and Hydration: I always advise bringing a backup water source, like the Katadyn BeFree water filter (Skinny Skis; skinnyskis.com). On my baby’s first trip, our water filter broke. Normally this would have been devastating, but we had a backup filter. Additionally, snacks are king on the trail. Whenever stops are needed, just break out your little one’s favorite snacks to keep them occupied.

Photo

Diapers in the Backcountry

You forgot about this part, right? Here are a few tips to make carrying dirty diapers more manageable:

• Estimate how many diapers a day your baby will need, then pack a few extras. I also bring a half-full pack of wipes and a cloth diaper as a backup.

• Pack clean diapers in a waterproof bag. (I use a dry bag.) If a diaper becomes wet, it’s useless.

• Leave room in your pack for dirty diapers! Remember, unused diapers take up less room than dirty diapers, so plan the space accordingly.

• The weight of full diapers can really add up. To lessen it, open wet diapers and leave them in the sun to dry out, but make sure not to leave them unattended to attract wildlife.

• Use odor-proof bags or reuse your dehydrated meals bag (this is what I do), to contain the smell of dirty diapers. You can also bury poop in a cathole.

• Be sure to change your baby into a new diaper at the trailhead. That’s one less dirty diaper to carry!

• Use diaper rash cream to protect your baby’s bum between changings.

Sleep Safety

When camping, it is important to remember the American Academy of Pediatrics’ general guidelines for safe infant sleep. This includes placing your baby on her back to sleep, making sure her sleeping bag fits well, and dressing her appropriately for the weather.

Finding a baby sleeping bag that is safe and warm can be tricky. My go-to is the Morrison Outdoors Little Mo Sleeping Bag (morrisonoutdoors.com). This bag has arms, and zips around the child’s neck, reducing the risk of suffocation. It’s made from breathable materials, so your little one won’t be in danger of overheating. The Little Mo also has a zipper that opens from the bottom, allowing quick and easy access for diaper changes.

Make sure to choose a closed-cell foam sleeping pad for your baby, instead of an inflatable one, to reduce the risk of suffocation or entrapment. My husband and I each sleep on inflatable pads, with my baby next to me on her closed-cell foam pad.

In Case of Emergency

Outdoor adventures come with risk, but you can minimize it with some preparation. Pack a full first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate clothing to protect everyone from the elements. Also, pack baby Tylenol. (When you don’t bring it, you’ll end up needing it.)

I recommend toting along some sort of satellite communication (just in case). We use the Garmin InReach Mini (Teton Mountaineering; tetonmtn.com). This is one category where cutting weight is not a priority. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to backpacking with babies; you want to be prepared for anything.

Learning is in our nature

At Mountain Academy, education is not just a path but a natural journey of discovery and growth. Mountain Academy is committed to enriching the lives of children, nurturing life-long learners, and positively impacting our communities.

CAMPUSES IN JACKSON AND TETON VALLEY

Vital Accessories

I recommend packing something that helps your baby feel more comfortable sleeping in a new place. At home, we use a sound machine in our baby’s room — the FridaBaby Portable Sound Machine ( frida.com) — and we also take it camping. And a binky is a must (if your baby uses one) for soothing your little one on the trail and helping them fall asleep at night.

Backpacking with babies can be rewarding and memorable for families s eeking adventure in the g reat o utdoors. It’s all about enjoying the journey, making memories, and growing together. This summer you’ll find us backpacking with a toddler, AND A BABY, in tow.

Happy trails! tf

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For the Love of

Rhubarb

Tales of a gardenone-crop …

RBy Kate Hull // Photography by Paulette Phlipot

hubarb, a vegetable (yes, it’s a vegetable typically used like fruit), is steeped in nostalgia for me. The colorful, hearty stalks are a staple in my kitchen each spring. Most often, I harvest them from the abundant plant in my yard that returns year after year, a harbinger of the summer season ahead. But sometimes, I grab extra bundles at the farmers market just to prove that rhubarb is so much more than its “pie plant” reputation.

So, why do I fuss about rhubarb?

Our Teton summers provide a bounty of incredible produce with abundant gardens and greenhouses stocked with hearty root vegetables, beautiful blooms, and even a variety of ripe tomatoes and peppers. But I confess, I am no gardener. I will be the first in line at the farmers market to support our local growers and cheer them on in their endeavors. Still, you will find nothing but failed garden beds at my abode, sans the robust stocks of rhubarb sprouting nearby, a welcomed consolation prize.

Rhubarb Mocktail

The perfect refreshing mocktail for a hot summer day. I opt for a sugar-based syrup because of rhubarb’s tart flavor profile, but the sugar in this recipe can also be subbed with honey.

FOR THE SIMPLE SYRUP:

3 cups chopped rhubarb

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Squeeze of lemon juice

Chopped ginger or basil (optional)

FOR THE MOCKTAIL:

2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup

2 large or 4 small muddled strawberries (optional)

6 to 8 ounces sparkling water of choice (I love Topo Chico) ice cubes

1 sprig fresh mint

1. Combine the rhubarb, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. If you’re including ginger or basil, add it now.

2. Stir and bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the rhubarb breaks down, around 15 or 20 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and let cool.

5. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a wide-mouth Mason jar. The color should be a beautiful pink.

6. Pour approximately 3 tablespoons of the syrup into a short cocktail glass. Muddle the strawberries into the syrup (if using). Add ice cubes, fresh mint, and top with sparkling water and stir.

Best enjoyed on the porch. 

* Simple syrup can be stored in the fridge in a Mason jar for up to two weeks; recipe can be cut in half.

When my husband, Kenny, and I were married in 2016, we were gifted a rhubarb plant, said to be a good omen for a happy union. We have transferred it three times since — once to our new home and two additional times to find its perfect spot on our acreage. Now, eight years later, it thrives, yielding multiple harvests year after year for my favorite savory and sweet kitchen endeavors.

And you know how a recipe can beckon memories or a smell can take you back in time? Using this vibrant veggie sends me back to cherished moments with my late, dear Aunt Randy, who enjoyed rhubarb as the star ingredient in a pie, just like her dad, my grandpa, once did. Come Christmas, it’s now a staple on our dessert table and a reminder of Aunt Randy’s big laugh and infectious personality. Sweet and bold, like rhubarb.

And while it may seem like a one-hit-wonder, rhubarb has been used for its medicinal qualities for centuries.

Tradition, legend, and lore

Native to Siberia, rhubarb is a perennial herb whose stalks, which can vary in hue from a deep red to a vibrant green, can grow to nearly 3 feet tall. This hardy plant thrives in cold climates with direct sunlight — making Teton Valley prime habitat to nurture a rhubarb garden.

According to the White Rabbit Institute for Healing, rhubarb was one of the first Chinese medicines to be imported to the West. Early documents first associated rhubarb with its ability to aid in digestion by alleviating constipation. It is also rich in vitamin K and fiber, linking the colorful stalks to bone health. Its medicinal properties run the gamut from relieving inflammation and menstruation symptoms to aiding in gut health.

While the stalks have a variety of uses, the leaves are toxic, thanks to the oxalic acid found in them. Some people worry the toxins can seep into the stalks, so it’s best to immediately remove the leaves after harvest

This lush plant has also cropped up in folklore as a symbol of renewal, prosperity, and resilience. It’s no wonder. After the spring thaw — during those particularly rough mud-season months when we start to wonder if spring will ever appear — rhubarb is one of the first to break through the ground, reassuring us that it will come.

How does your garden grow?

Rhubarb is a one-crop gardener’s dream. Once established, it requires very little — and I mean little to no yet produces bountiful yields. How little maintenance? Well, after I transplanted my beloved plant to its new home in our backyard, my husband accidentally mowed it down, not once but twice, in the early days of using his new riding lawnmower. But low and behold, that good omen of a happy union returned that season and our marriage continued to thrive right alongside our healthy plant.

Giving Season

Not-Your-Typical Rhubarb Cobbler

I know, I know. Rhubarb’s other name is “the pie plant.” And most home chefs use strawberries in their pie. I, however, am a purest. So, here is my go-to cobbler recipe; the almond flavor blends perfectly with the tartness of the rhubarb.

FOR THE FILLING:

4  cups chopped rhubarb

1  cup sugar

1/4  teaspoon salt

2  tablespoons lemon juice

1  teaspoon almond extract

FOR THE CRUMB:

2  cups all-purpose flour

2  tablespoons sugar

1/4  teaspoon salt

1  tablespoon baking powder

1/2  cup chilled butter, cut into ½-inch pieces

1/2  cup whole milk

1  large egg

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. For the filling, combine rhubarb, sugar, salt, lemon juice, and almond extract in a bowl. Stir and set aside.

3. In a second bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir together. Incorporate butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until dispersed and crumbly.

4. Beat the egg and milk together in a third bowl. Pour it into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until evenly moistened.

5. Pour the rhubarb filling into a buttered 9-inch baking dish.

6. Drop spoonfuls of dough on top of the rhubarb. You don’t have to cover every nook and cranny but use up all the dough. (This isn’t your typical crumble-type cobbler recipe. Think biscuit consistency, here.) Sprinkle additional sugar over the top, if desired.

7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

8. Serve with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

(If you’d like to try this in pie form, simply pour the rhubarb filling into your favorite pie crust, top with a gorgeous lattice design, and bake.)

* Recipe adapted from thepioneerwoman.com.

Simple Rhubarb Sauce

This sauce is inspired by the team at Pizzeria Alpino in Driggs. Last summer, Becky Koenig whipped up a rhubarb sauce to adorn her husband, and chef, John Koenig’s cheesecake.

2 large or 3 medium stalks of rhubarb

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon lemon zest

3 tablespoons sugar or honey

1. Cut the dried ends of your rhubarb, but do not cut all the way through the stalk. Grab the soon-to-be-discarded end and pull upwards, thus peeling off most of the stalky, rigid part. Repeat on the other end.

2. Chop the rhubarb into half-inch pieces to yield 1½ cups.

3. Place the chopped rhubarb, water, lemon zest, and honey or sugar in a saucepan.

4. Cook on low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb breaks down into a lumpy sauce-like texture (approximately 20 minutes).

5. Leave as is! Or, for a smoother consistency, blend with an immersion blender.

6. Store in a Mason jar in the refrigerator and serve over desserts, savory meats, or whatever your heart desires.

* Recipe adapted from masalaherb.com.

Rhubarb grows best in full sun planted in lightly moist soil. The plant is frost tolerant, so any late June freeze won’t send it cowering. In fact, cold temperatures during its dormant months are key for a prosperous spring and summer growing season.

Rhubarb is susceptible to root rot, so it needs to find a home in soil with good drainage. (Adding compost to your soil can improve its overall drainage abilities.)

It’s also the perfect community-minded garden staple. Rhubarb is meant to be cultivated and shared, again and again. To share your plant, it is best to dig it

up either in the spring or the fall when it’s dormant. Dig up the entire root system of the plant. Then, divide the root ball into however many sections you need, ensuring that each section has at least one healthy bud with roots. Then, replant your rhubarb and share with those you love!

I love knowing my rhubarb plants have come from a variety of places: the first as a wedding gift, another from a friend’s backyard, and one split amongst friends from a mother plant nearly a decade old. Just like the pie you whip up for that potluck, or the mocktail you serve at your backyard party, sharing the bounty is built into the very essence of rhubarb.

Executive Chef Nick Phillips of Sweet Cheeks Meats