Welcome to Mountain Valley View Farm and its unique collection of mini-shops within our farm.  Our assortment within our farm includes:

TABLE OF MINI-SHOPS CONTENTS

 FOOD & BEVERAGE ITEMS

1. Local Family Farm of Veggies,  Fruit, and Berries
2. Organic Egg Farm
3. Future WSDA Grade A Goat,  Sheep, and Yak Dairy
4. Artisan Cheese Shop
5. Ice Cream, Gelato, and Frozen Treat Shoppe
6. Artisan Bakery & Pastry Shop
7. Comfort Food Kitchen
8. Homemade Soup Shop
9. Deli & Panini Shop
10. Pizza & Flatbread Shop
11. Jams & Jelly Shop
12. Huckleberry Shop
13. Honey Shop
14. Take & Bake Shop
15. International Food Shop
16. Nut & Spice Shop
17. Vegetarian & Vegan Shop
18. Juice & Beverage Shop
19. Tea & Tasting Room
20. Coffee & Coffee Bean Shop
21. Wine & Micro Brew Shop
22. Catering Service
23. Farm Food Delivery Service

 NON-FOOD & BEVERAGE ITEMS

1. Gift Basket and Floral Shop – Custom Made & Shipped Worldwide
2. Plant Nursery and Greenhouse
3. Arts & Crafts Studio.
4.  Soap & Cosmetic Shop – Handcrafted
5. Candle Shop – Handcrafted
6. Jewelry Shop – Handcrafted
7. Potpourri & Fragrance Shop
8. Personalized Poem & Greeting Card Shop
9. Books & Cookbooks by Karen Jean Matsko Hood – Local Author & Poet & Children’s Author
10. CookingwithKaren.com Cooking Lessons
11. Visiting Artist Gallery and Custom Frame Shop
12. Getaway Studio Classroom
13. Getaway Studio Bed & Breakfast
14. Pet & Farm Animal Food Shop
15. Petting Farm and Nature Learning School
16. Gift & floral Shipping and Delivery Service

Mountain Valley View Farm is a small eco-friendly, self-sustaining, organic, family farm located in Greenacres of the Spokane Valley near the Idaho border of Washington State.  We invite you to shop from our collection of farm mini-shops listed below:

OUR LOCAL FAMILY FARM of VEGGIES, FRUITS, and BERRIES
Our farm raises  vegetables, fruit, berries, grapes, herbs, cut flowers, and wildflowers using organic and eco-friendly farming methods.  We are also working to and organic hydroponics to our farm growing system.

OUR ORGANIC EGG FARM
Our licensed WSDA egg farm provides organic farm-fresh cage-free organic chicken, duck, goose, guinea, quail, pheasant, peafowl, and turkey eggs raised on our farm.  We can also special order emu, ostrich, and rhea eggs with advance notice.

OUR FUTURE WSDA LICENSED GRADE A GOAT, SHEEP, & YAK DAIRY
Our farm dairy will soon provide fresh and pasteurized goat, sheep, yak, and cow milk, cream, butter, along with small hand crafted batch artisan cheese, yogurt, ice cream, gelato, and other delicious dairy products.  We will not sell any of our own dairy products until our WSDA Grade A Dairy License is complete.

OUR ARTISAN CHEESE SHOP
Our cheese shop provides artisan and gourmet cheeses from our own farm, and local area farms, plus, we provide artisan cheese from worldwide sources.  We also offer wonderful products made with cheeses, yogurts, tofu, and vegan cheese found in our local cheese shop.

OUR  ICE CREAM, GELATO, & FROZEN TREAT SHOPPE
Our ice cream shop provides delicious homemade Ice Cream, Gelato, Soft-Serve, Ice Milk, Sherbet, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt, Vegan Frozen Treats, Shaved Ice, Fruit Pops, Fudgesicles, Milk Shakes, Malts, Granitas, Ice Cream Floats, Sodas, Slushies, and Smoothies and other frozen treats and desserts.

OUR ARTISAN BAKERY & PASTRY SHOP
Our small bakery produces artisan breads, rolls, sourdough breads, pretzels, muffins, bagels, pies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, pastries, cream puffs, puff pastries, sour cream twists, donuts, cupcakes, cobblers, huckleberry desserts, cookies, desserts, sticky buns, caramel rolls, poteca, poppy seed rolls, international breads such as teff and naan, and other delicious international baked goods, as well as gluten free baked goods.

OUR COMFORT FOOD KITCHEN
Our WSDA licensed kitchen makes homemade casseroles, soups, sauces, dips, pesto, hummus, dehydrated foods, beverages, syrups, honey, and candies.  We also make delicious homemade jarred foods such as pickles, vinegars, sauerkraut, and salad dressings, and sauces.

OUR HOMEMADE SOUP SHOP
Our soup shop sells delicious homemade artisan and nutritional soups, chowders, bisques, and chili of all kinds that are quickly frozen to take home and enjoy when you want to have some healthy comfort meal.

OUR DELI & PANINI SHOP
Our deli provides fresh salads, pastas, crepes, wraps, cheeses, mustards, pesto, humus, tapenade, dips, spreads, tapas, fresh sandwiches, panini, gyros, sausages, salami.  You can order your requested special deli order in advance to pick up for your office, picnic, or special event and arrange in advance for pick up.  We also have limited delivery service available, for 55 cents per mile, with a minimum 24 hour advance notice, on a limited basis.

OUR PIZZA & FLATBREAD SHOP
We sell artisan pizza and flatbread on a rotational basis.  We are constantly trying new ingredient combinations for our artisan pizza and flatbread, for your enjoyment.

OUR JAMS & JELLY SHOP
Our jams and jelly shop makes delicious homemade jarred foods such as jams, jellies, preserves,  butters, marmalades, compotes, and curds.  We make all our jams and jellies the old fashioned way, in small batches and never add any artificial chemicals, color, or preservatives.

OUR HUCKLEBERRY SHOP
Our huckleberry shop provides handmade huckleberry products like jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, syrups, ice cream toppings, sauces, salad dressing, pie filling, candies, fudge, and everything huckleberry.  We also provide huckleberry breads, muffins, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, and desserts, on a rotation basis.

OUR HONEY SHOP
Our honey shop sells local honey from local farms, as well as our own honey from Mountain Valley view Farm honeybees.  We love to cook and bake with honey and its delicious health benefits.

OUR TAKE AND BAKE SHOP
Our take and bake shop provides tasty frozen homemade comfort food meals, vegetarian, vegan, and international that are homemade and quickly frozen.  All you need to do is take home and keep in your freezer until you are ready to use for a great home-style comfort dinner for your family and friends.

OUR INTERNATIONAL FOOD SHOP
Our kitchen makes all the traditional ethnic foods of our family heritage that have been made from our family and grandparents.  Try our foods from the old and new countries and regions  of Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Britain, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Korea, India, Ethiopia, Africa, Native American, and African American recipes.

OUR NUT & SPICE SHOP
Our nut and spice ship provides our customers with all the fresh and unique spices and nut combinations for their health and enjoyment to take home.  Enjoy our homemade treats or take them home to make your own.

OUR VEGETARIAN & VEGAN SHOP
Our vegetation and vegan shop makes fresh vegetarian and vegan soups, sandwiches, Panini, pizzas, casseroles, and main dishes.  We have 4 vegetarians in our family and have been cooking and testing vegetarian recipes for many years.

OUR JUICE & BEVERAGE SHOP
Our juice bar serves new fresh ingredients fruits, vegetable, and herbal drinks to add to our menu.  We are creating new health and energy drinks, along with traditional blended drinks.

OUR TEA & TASTING ROOM
Our tea shop provides all kinds of delicious and healthful teas and herbal infusions for your drinking pleasure.  Try our hot or iced tea or hot green, black, white, yellow tea, and herbal teas to drink.  Take your favorites to make at home.  Teas are healthful, delicious, and no calorie drinks, served hot or cold and full of intioxidants.

OUR COFFEE & COFFEE BEAN SHOP
Our coffee shop provides delicious fresh roasted coffees for your tasting and enjoyment.  We sell fresh roasted coffee, plus you can buy your own favorite Mountain Valley View Farm blend of fresh roasted beans to take home or give as a gift.

OUR FUTURE WINE & MICRO-BREW SHOP
We are in the process of obtaining our Washington State liquor license to sell wine and micro-brews to accompany our menu.  In the future, we have dreams of making our own small batches of wine and micro-beers, but we will never sell anything until fully licensed.

OUR CATERING SERVICE
Our Mountain Valley View Farm catering service will arrange to cater our menu foods items for your special occasion, holiday, birthday, wedding, or office event, with advance notice and planning.  Please call us if you need us to provide your special event.

OUR FARM FOOD LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE
We try to please our customers, so we have a limited local delivery service to deliver our farm foods for 55 cents per mile, from one of our locations below, with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice.  Call to check on delivery availability.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW FARM NON FOOD ITEMS:

OUR GIFT BASKET & FLORAL SHOP – CUSTOM MADE & SHIPPED WORLDWIDE:
We will design your custom gift basket to fit your request.  We can take any of our items and custom-make a gift basket for you year ’round gift giving.  We also offer seasonal live plants, herbs, container gardens, terrariums, cut flowers, and wildflowers on a seasonal basis.

PLANT NURSERY & GREENHOUSE
Our farm plant nursery, greenhouse, and hydroponic gardens sell live house plants, trees, shrubs, vines, air plants, bromeliads, annuals, perennials, seeds, orchids, bulbs, herbs, wildflowers, cut flowers, and gift baskets.

OUR ARTS AND CRAFTS STUDIO
Our small farm arts  and crafts studio makes arts, crafts, fiber yarn products spun from our farm animals, ornaments, jewelry, cookbooks, farm books, greeting cards, soaps, candles, clothing, t-shirts, scarves, aprons, and potpourri. All are hand-crafted in small batches, right here, on our local family farm.

OUR SOAP & COSMETIC SHOP (Handcrafted)
Our soap and cosmetic ship makes handcrafted artisan soap from our goat and sheep milk in a variety of soap shapes and forms.  We also make other products using only the freshest ingredients available.  As always, we never add any artificial chemicals, preservative, or colors.

OUR CANDLE SHOP (Handcrafted)
Our candle shop makes handcrafted artisan candles from wax, beeswax, and soy in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and natural fragrances.  We can custom-make your special order candles.

OUR JEWELRY SHOP (Handcrafted)
Our jewelry shop makes handcrafted artisan jewelry from local area products, plus unique glass beads and stones collected from all over the world.

OUR POTPOURRI & FRAGRANCE SHOP
Our farm makes and blends our own potpourri, wreaths, sachets, and fragrance gifts, using fragrances made from natural ingredients.

OUR PERSONALIZED POEM & GREETING CARD SHOP
Our farm owner and author writes and designs greeting cards and personalized poems for that special or sentimental gift you want to send.

OUR BOOKS & COOKBOOKS by Karen Jean Matsko Hood – Local Author & Poet
Our farm owner and author, Karen Jean Matsko Hood, has published books, cookbooks, poetry, and children’s books.  We offer these for sale, autographed and personalized for your gift giving.  NOTE:  She needs a minimum of 24 hours notice to complete your unique notes.

OUR Cookingwithkaren.com COOKING LESSONS
Our farm owner and cookbook author, Karen Jean Matsko Hood, who happens to be the owner and operator of Mountain Valley View Farm and provides cooling lessons and demonstrations on an occasional basis.
Have fun and schedule some classes with Cookingwithkaren.com.

OUR VISITING ARTIST GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAME SHOP
Our small local art gallery and frame shop welcomes local artists and are happy to display and feature artists on a rotational basis.  You can purchase the artist’s work of your choice through our shop and we even provide custom framing for your choice, if desired!  We also ship custom art framed or unframed for your convenience.

OUR GETAWAY STUDIO CLASSROOM
Our Getaway Studio classroom provides cooking classes, food, wine and cheese tasting classes, farm workshops, seminars, writing workshops for authors, and nature classes, by advance appointment only.

OUR GETAWAY STUDIO BED AND BREAKFAST
Our Getaway Studio Bed and Breakfast provides one single room king sized bed and breakfast unit, by advance appointment only.

OUR PET AND FARM ANIMALS FOOD SHOP
Our pet food shop makes small batch custom treats for your dogs, pets, and farm animals.  We sell only pet foods that we are licensed to make.

OUR PETTING FARM AND NATURE LEARNING SCHOOL:
We have over 300 farm animals to come and visit and learn about at our Learning School, by advance appointment only.  Our farm is also a wildlife sanctuary so you will be able to see many birds and local, protected wildlife on our farm.  All classes must be pre-arranged by advance appointment only.

ABOUT OUR GIFT & FLORAL SHIPPING AND DELIVERY SERVICE:
We ship our products, gifts, and personalized gift baskets worldwide.  We can also arrange local delivery for a standard 55 cent mileage fee, with a minimum 24 hour notice, from our farm address to yours, as a convenience to our customers! You can shop or re-order products at our farm store online at :

www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com or call us at (509)928-1800.

Come and visit us at the farm by advance  appointment only (509) 928-1800. However, you can also visit us year ‘round at the downtown booth at the Spokane Public Market every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00pm anytime during those hours!

We look forward to seeing you there soon!

You can also find us at the local seasonal farmer’s markets and the local fairs.

Beautiful smiles and straight teeth may be the end result but, during the process of teeth movement, cleaning the teeth is more of a challenge.

Healthy teeth and gums are important for everyone and good brushing and flossing with well-defined patterns of cleaning can be the difference between disease and health.  Frequently, good brushers and flossers are best trained while in braces.  The brackets, bands, wires, rubber bands, and general hardware make it more difficult to reach and clean all the nooks and crannies.  If a patient is able to clean teeth well, while in braces, he/she will probably have developed the proper oral care to do a good job for life.

However, because of the areas created by this orthodontic hardware, which are more difficult to reach with brushes and floss, such effort becomes more even critical.  Plaque is bacteria with all the sticky toxins and waste products it produces while residing on one’s teeth and gums.  In orthodontic treatment, reaching all the hidden areas while cleaning becomes a seemingly never-ending challenge.  Acids, a waste product that may be left on enamel for longer than 24 hours, begin to etch or demineralize (decalcify) teeth producing, if left unchecked, chalky surfaces or decay on teeth.

Proper brushing and flossing cannot be replaced, but…fluoride can be topically applied to the surface of teeth to recalcify or remineralize tooth enamel.  Fluoride treatments, with various formulas, can be prescribed by your dentist or orthodontist to make your teeth “super teeth” and drastically more resistant to tooth decay.  Again, just as with brushing and flossing – Repetition is the mother of skill – the more you brush and floss, the more proficient you become.  Likewise, the more you apply fluoride to the surfaces of your teeth, the more skilled (if enamel can have skill) your teeth become at resisting decay.  Voila! – super teeth!

The results of people who have worn braces without proper oral care is readily evident on teeth with chalky or decayed areas at the gum line (below brackets holding orthodontic wires) once braces are removed.

Dentists can, at the non-brushers’ expense, restore these teeth, but isn’t diligent care while in braces a good investment?

Keep brushing and flossing,

Dr. James G. Hood

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Please join us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/drjameshood

and visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/drjameshood

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

A couple of the most common autoimmune diseases are diabetes (Type 1), rheumatoid arthritis, and allergies.  Many autoimmune diseases also may have a genetic or traumatic component.

Here is a short additional list of autoimmune diseases and more are being discovered all the time.  All of these diseases should have the autoimmune prefix:

Autoimmune Disease Causes:  The immune system is also thought to be suppressed by multiple factors, including abuse of:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• tobacco
• sugar (this cannot be over-emphasized)
• drugs
• food (poor diet or contaminated with herbicides, hormones, etc.)
• sleep (lack of)

As well as exposure to environmental pollution, including:

• automobile exhaust
• chemical fertilizers
• cigarette smoke
• heavy metal
• herbicides
• industrial waste
• pesticides
• stress

So, what has autoimmune diseases and oral disease (periodontal disease and tooth decay) have in common?  Well, much more than one might think:  Plaque and calculus left on teeth cause inflammation, initially gingivitis, followed often by periodontal disease (which we used to refer to as periodontitis).  Any time you see –itis on the end of a word, it is screaming inflammation.  Remember:  it is always means it is inflammation.  Chronic inflammation causes destruction of tissue.  Periodontal disease causes destruction of all periodontal tissues, gum, bone, and periodontal ligament, causing loss of teeth.  Tooth decay causes loss of tooth structure.  Since periodontal tissues are all tissues supporting teeth in the mouth, without them – no teeth.How periodontal disease (inflammation of all periodontal tissues) leads to loss at of oral tissues, including teeth, is a simple model demonstration for what happens to a body with autoimmune diseases.Anything that a patient can do to minimize or eliminate inflammation will lessen the effects of the disease.  A few of the things a patient can do to lessen the effects of many of these diseases are to avoid abuse of/or exposure to the above mentioned factors.  Also, as always, eat lots of antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables.  Include vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea extract, beta-carotene, grape seed-skin extract, coenzyme Q-10 (coQ10) and selenium in your diet.Also, talk to your dental and medical professionals on current treatments.  Find support groups, ask others with your particular autoimmune disease how they cope.Good luck…keep brushing and flossing,Dr. James G. Hood* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.comWebsites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Support can come in lots of ways for people who have adopted children who have special needs. Talking to someone who “gets it” is one of the best things that we as adoptive parents can do to normalize our experience and feel like we are not alone. However, some types of support just aren’t possibilities for us during our most trying of days.

Here are some reasons why “real life” as opposed to virtual, online support aren’t possible for adoptive parents:

1) Traditional support groups require us to leave our homes. This requires child care. Many adoption support groups do not provide child care.

2) Traditional support groups that meet in person sometimes offer child care. However, sometimes our children simply cannot function in that setting — even if it is geared to special needs children.

3) Sometimes we are simply to exhausted to make ourselves look presentable. Even if we want to get out and go to a group, it would require having time for a shower and ttime to find clothes that match and don’t have holes in them, perhaps makeup or perfume… you get the idea. Sometimes we’re just too tired at the end of the day to get there.

4) If we can’t meet in person, phone calls are the next best thing. However, it is quite embarrassing to be talking to someone with the noise of a kid raging in the background or while being called a variety of interesting and colorful names by an angry teenager. After we’ve said, “wait, hold on a second” five or six times it just gets too frustrating to try any longer.

5) Having visitors would be another natural way to connect with others, but I know you can think of 30 reasons why THAT isn’t going to happen. At least I can.

6) Meeting another adoptive parent for coffee or lunch is a great idea IF all the kids are in school and IF the school isn’t calling to interrupt the lunch or coffee time to say that we have to come to the school to intervene, give advice, or bring them home.

So, naturally, those of us who have interesting children at home often can’t find support by going to a “real life” support group. We can’t have people over, go out to meet someone, or talk on the phone. Fortunately, there is the internet and now even those of us in the midst of the battle in the trenches can participate in an online group.

So obviously, after reading the paragraphs above, you should already be able to articulate these reasons why online support has been my favorite type in my fifteen years as a foster and adoptive parent:

I don’t have to get dressed up. In fact I don’t have to get dressed at all. I don’t have to go anywhere. I can do it any time of day or night, it doesn’t matter if everyone is awake, or nobody is. Nobody can hear the noise and chaos in the background.

I also find that the ability to write down what I am feeling (which often is required for online support) helps me understand myself more.

So if you are finding a need to “talk” to “someone who gets it” during the next weeks, why not check out online support options? List servs, message boards, blogs, and other avenues of online connections can be just what you are looking for.

If you have not heard, Adopt America has an online support group via Facebook. You can check us out by searching for Adopt America Network’s Support Group on facebook and asking to join. We’d love to have you be a part of our group. And remember … we couldn’t care less what you look like right now, or what your kids are doing or saying in the background, or if you have lots of energy or very little. We are definitely a “come as you are” group. “See” you soon!

I had an amazing time in Rome. We had opening tour there from Thursday thru Sunday with roughly 130 new semester students on 3 buses. The first day we got there we toured the Vatican Museum and St. Peters Basilica. Thousands of sculptures and fresco paintings on every ceiling. We went through the Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo and the Vatican garden. There is so much hidden knowledge within these places. In each pillar holding up the dome of St. Peters is a small chapel holding various relics. One contains the spear they believe pierced Jesus on the cross. They also showed us a small opening in the floor where all past popes were buried below.

That night we had a group dinner at ristorante canova which we walked to under a 1.2 mile lit up flag (seen on fb).They had a older guy as dj and pianist who had a great voice. They served unlimited wine throughout. We went to a pub after where they sang irish music. They celebrate the epiphany on january 6th and the day after is like black friday. The streets were incredibly packed with thousands of people for the time we were there.

The second day we visited Villa Borghese which had another amazing museum. The sculptures were incredible with amazing detail such as the indent of a mans hand graping a girls leg just how it would look in real life. The surrounding area had umbrella pines which looked like they were imported from Africa. Funny enough, we ate at Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. It was interesting to see all the Europeans come into the back area where we were eating and taking pictures of guitars and other famous pieces from American musicians that were displayed all over the walls. Trophies that we didnt think twice about capturing on camera. That night we had a tour of Rome. We walked by the national monument, the place where Caesar was killed, the trevi fountain, a large area of ancient Roman ruins, with the colosseum lit up in the distance. Near the monument they had angels lit up going up the stairs. It was a great night tour and my group had a hilarious tour guide.

The third day we had more flexibility in schedule. Some friends and I decided to go to mass at the Church of St. Ignatius. We saw the tomb where St. Aloysius Gonzaga was buried. Afterwards we headed to the colosseum. Men and women lined the streets selling the same types of objects. We were told it was illegal to buy from them and could be fined a few thousand euros if purchasing from them. We saw people selling those balls that splat and then reform everywhere as well as camera stands and glass blocks right next to eachother. The colosseum was enormous, it was crazy to imagine more people died here per area in the world in these fights. I never knew before going about the underground area below the battle area that they used to transport people as well as animals. That night we climbed to the top of the Spanish steps and looked out at some of the streets lined with lights and the many people waiting in lines extending outside stores for some of the biggest brands like gucchi and prada.

On Sunday we waited in St. Peters Square for the popes weekly blessing. He showed himself out his window and climbed a ladder so people could see him. He did his blessing in a few different languages and a few different countries waved their flags. Who knew the Vatican had its own channel on tv which showed him give the blessing at that time. Afterwards we ate paninis with pesto and headed back to Florence.

Now Im back at Florence and started my second day of classes. So far great classes with english, philosophy, and italian. Have two night classes this week for religion and drawing. I might do an internship in the florence high school teaching biology to italian students in english, its kind of intimidating. Also Im hoping to do english for pasta where I meet with an italian family one night a week playing with their kids and eating dinner with them, or another volunteer opportunity such as a halfway house or elderly home. We’ll see.

Ciao!
Kelsey

- Lifestyle (smoking, chewing tobacco, mouth breathing)

- Dehydration

- Chemotherapy

- Nerve damage (to head and neck)

- Medications used as, or to treat:

And certain diseases such as:

- Alzheimer’s Disease

- Cystic Fibrosis

- Diabetes

- HIV/AIDS

- Hypertension

- Mumps

- Parkinson’s Disease

- Rheumatoid Arthritis

- Sjögren’s – a disease which I also am affected with

- Stroke

SJÖGREN’S DISEASE

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks the exocrine glands of the human body. The most common first symptom of the disease is DRY MOUTH and dry eyes. Because of the gradual onset of the disease, most patients are affected by the disease for five to seven years before a diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease is made.

Your dentist is often the medical professional to first recognize the symptoms of this chronic disease. Your dentist is also a most significant professional to have to support you if you are diagnosed with Sjögren’s or any of the above listed maladies, which result in DRY MOUTH.

People with dry mouth should carry water with them where ever they go, have it readily available at work, in the car, and next to their bed. The simplest solutions to a problem often offer the most immediate benefit.

Dry mouth leaves teeth without the protective enzymes found in saliva, making teeth much more prone to rampant decay. We, as dentists, can fluoridate teeth in various ways, to remineralize teeth and make them more resistant to tooth decay.

Anyone with Sjögren’s disease needs a dentist as part of their support group, to advise and treat the results of this disease. Anyone with dry mouth, for any reason, would benefit with a support dentist.

Always here for your support,

Dr. James G. Hood

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Mountain Valley View Farm is selling out fast on all of our delicious, farm fresh organic eggs! Come see us this week at the Spokane Public Market, where you can purchase chicken eggs for just $5.00/dozen. We have over 60 different types of chicken that lay an amazing variety of brown, white, speckled, and colored eggs, including rare Aracauna eggs that have blue and turquoise shells. We also have 12 breeds of duck and 13 breeds of goose that lay eggs for us, and we are planning to add emus, guineas, and turkeys to our flock soon. All of our birds are free range, hormone and antibiotic free, and fed a fresh grain feed that contains no soy or animal bi-products so that you can always be sure you are getting the best quality organic eggs. Come see us at the market!

Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thurs – Sat

Benefits of Organic Eggs

Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.

Benefits of Duck & Goose Eggs

Duck eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs, and goose eggs are larger still. One goose egg, when cooked, will be roughly equivalent to four chicken eggs, and both duck and goose eggs also have more yolk than the average chicken egg. Thicker shells lend themselves toward a longer shelf life (at least 6 weeks in the refrigerator), and goose eggshells are so thick that they are perfect for the delicate art of carving and embossing beautiful designs directly onto the shell. Both duck eggs and goose eggs are slightly higher in protein content, as well as containing greater concentrations of other nutrients like iron, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.

Duck and goose eggs have their own unique flavors as well. Duck eggs have a noticeably stronger flavor than chicken eggs, and although not everyone may care for this taste when eaten plain, nearly everyone agrees that duck eggs are unparalleled when used for baking. Their richness produces moister, fluffier baked goods–absolutely incredible cakes and cookies. Goose eggs taste similar to chicken eggs, but seem a bit drier. They are also thicker than chicken eggs and have a custard-like yolk. They are also wonderful in cooking and are best in sweet confections and omelets.

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Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.

Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900

Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.

From I-90 East or West

Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road

Before I describe this technique let me review a few flossing basics:

1. The best floss is the one you use most frequently.

2. It is estimated that 30-40% of the surfaces of teeth are between teeth where only flossing not brushing can reach.

3. The closer you hold your hands together when flossing the tighter the floss, and the better the floss removes plaque (bacteria and the waste products it produces).

4. The bigger the spaces between teeth the thicker the floss which should be used (embroidery thread (as floss), can be specifically gauged, for individuals with periodontal disease)

5. Never floss haphazardly. As with brushing develop a pattern to insure that all tooth surfaces are thoroughly flossed daily.

6. Toothpaste when smeared on teeth before flossing can add an abrasive that supplements the action of the floss as well as increasing the exposure of fluoride on the tooth surfaces between teeth.

A few areas of the mouth are difficult to clean and more prone to calculus build-up. To explain why let me first give a marine biology analogy.

Having taught marine biology for two years before attending dental school I had first-hand experience exploring coral reefs. Coral are tiny multi-cellular marine organisms which live in coastal waters and attach to rocks, shells, even sunken boats. During the life of coral they extract calcium from sea water and incorporate the calcium in to their system which remains when they die. Then all their coral relatives live and die on their back and they also incorporate and deposit calcium. After hundreds, even thousands, of coral generations a coral reef remains. The Great Barrier Reef, a large structure of coral skeletons off the east coast of Australia, can even be seen from the surface of the moon. Wow! But I digress.

In a similar fashion, in the human mouth bacteria live on our teeth, certain salivary glands have more calcium salts dissolved in them. These glands have ducts which empty on the teeth in certain areas. The submandibular salivary gland empties under the tongue (you may have gleeked someone with this gland). Single-celled bacteria on the tongue surface of the lower front teeth incorporate the calcium found in the saliva from these salivary glands much like coral in the ocean. Voila! This is the most common area of the mouth for calculus to form. Calculus forms as generations of bacteria die and leave their skeletons of calcium on the teeth. The parotid glands in each cheek empty next to the outside surface of upper molars. This is the second most common area in the mouth for calculus to build up.

Finally, we arrive at our criss-cross, let’s floss technique. When using floss on the lower front teeth, wrap the floss from the front side of one incisor around the tongue side to the back side of the same tooth. With the floss drawn taut around the tooth now one can shoe-shine back and forth with hands in front of the mouth to polish the tongue side of the tooth. Additionally, when you now criss-cross the floss in front of the tooth you may use the hand with the strip of floss on the top to guide the floss down into the gum. Likewise, the hand with the floss below being shoe-shined back up on the tooth until the tongue side and the front of the tooth is polished. As the flosser gets proficient with this criss-cross technique the tongue can be coordinated to keep the floss from popping off the top of the tooth when shoe-shining up on the tooth.

Now with this criss-cross technique one may not remove reefs of calculus, but once your teeth are professionally cleaned this will keep your teeth clean and slick.

Criss-cross, let’s floss.

Thanks for reading and blogging!

Dr. James G. Hood

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Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Frequently, I am asked what is the best toothbrush and toothpaste. As with many things in life, the answer is not so simple. But there are a few guidelines.

Definitely, I would never recommend any hard-bristled or medium-bristled toothbrush, only soft-bristled toothbrushes for human teeth. Hamster cages and boots can be cleaned with hard or medium bristled toothbrushes, but not teeth. Also, the bristles should be rounded on the end, not sharp or ragged. Gums can be lacerated easily with a sharp bristled toothbrush.

SOFT: Soft nylon will prevent teeth and gums from being scratched. Tooth- brushes with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance (ADA Seal) should be your only reasonable choice for toothbrushes (and tooth- paste) for that matter.

RIGHT SIZE: The size and shape of the brush should also be user appropriate. Children need smaller brush heads and handles. Your brush should feel comfortable in your hand. Smaller brush heads in adults is usually better. Ask your dentist or hygienist if you have a question about your brush or brushing.

MAINTAIN: Replace your worn or frayed brush at least every 3-4 months. Frayed bristles can damage teeth and gums and harbor bacteria.

ELECTRIC: And, if you need (children and handicapped patients) electric toothbrushes work as well as manual brushes. So…if you’ve followed the above guidelines, the best brush is the one you like to use at least twice daily.

The average person brushes for about 37 seconds. However, to do a proper job it takes two to three minutes to sufficiently remove plaque when brushing. A three minute egg timer is a good reminder for children’s brushing. Aim the bristles at a 45o angle to the long axis of the teeth and with gentle circular motions, brush all exposed surfaces.

DEVELOP A BRUSHING PATTERN: Brush in a pattern that covers all the surfaces of all teeth each time you brush. For example, brush from right to left on the outside of upper teeth, then left to right inside surface of upper teeth, then outside right to left lower teeth and then inside left to right lower teeth and then lower biting surfaces left to right and upper biting surface right to left.

TOOTHPASTE: Tooth paste not only polishes teeth, it also helps remove plaque (bacteria and its waste products) from teeth. Daily removal of plaque from teeth helps keep teeth and gums healthy and breath fresh.

AMERICAN MADE: This is one place where the American Dental Association (ADA) seal is particularly important. Never use toothpaste from China.

WHITENING TOOTHPASTES: Teeth whitening toothpastes don’t really work to whiten teeth. They may rid you mouth of stains. However, they often cause sensitivity.

DESENSITIZING TOOTH PASTES: These toothpastes are valuable in blocking irritants from getting to nerve ending. Potassium nitrate (salt peter) is the most effective desensitizing agent in desensitizing toothpastes (potassium nitrate is also used to cure and maintain red color in corned beef).

FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE: Fluoride is the most significant chemical element which can be easily added to tooth paste to improve dental health. Fluoride remineralizes and strengthens teeth as well as desensitized teeth. Children, especially through teen years, and senior citizens can benefit from fluoride in toothpastes and other forms of topical fluoride, especially in areas (there are still a few) without the benefit of community water fluoridation.

Keep smiling!
Dr. James G. Hood

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Mountain Valley View Farm has a number of things for sale this wonderful holiday season Enjoy yummy treats this holiday season. They make wonderful gifts for the food lovers in your family! We are featuring our especially moist zucchini bread and our wonderfully tangy mustard in a variety of flavors—Tangy Mustard with Garlic, Cranberry Mustard, Sweet Whole-Grain Mustard with Beer.

Free Samples at the Spokane Public Market this week are:

Zucchini Bread
Classic Granola
Tangy Mustard with Garlic
Old-Fashioned Apple Butter

Come try us out before they are all gone!

Other products you will find at the Mountain Valley View Farm booth include gift baskets, cookbooks, homemade potpourri, cookbooks, and more.

HOLIDAY COOKBOOK SPOTLIGHT!

Christmas Delights Cookbook
A Collection of Christmas Recipes

For this very merry time of year, author Karen Jean Matsko Hood presents a unique cookbook that is full of tasty and satisfying recipes designed around the themes, colors, and traditions of Christmas.  Inside are page after page of mouth-watering recipes that, when prepared, will certainly be a hit with both family and guests alike during this special season.  Written for the novice and the experienced cook alike, Christmas Delights Cookbook, Volume I is a valuable addition to your kitchen library, and it makes the perfect gift for the chef on your giving list.

As a poet, I found it enjoyable to color this cookbook with poetry so that readers could savor the metaphorical richness of Christmas as well as the literal flavors of the holiday recipes.  Do enjoy your reading about Christmas, but most importantly, have fun with those you care about while you are cooking.  Inside you will find Christmas-themed recipes, Christmas history, facts and folklore, and poetry by the author.

Christmas Delights, Vol. I – Paperback, $19.95

Rhubarb Delights Cookbook
A Collection of Rhubarb Recipes

Rhubarb is an all-time favorite vegetable that once was used for medicinal purposes, but has always tasted delicious in Mom’s homemade pie.  In this cookbook, you’ll find more than just pie recipes to spark your imagination in cooking with rhubarb.

Living in the heart of Washington brings great appreciation for the rhubarb season.  Washington State has the ideal climate for growing fresh rhubarb, and is the leading rhubarb producer in the United States, boasting 824 acres of farm land dedicated exclusively to growing rhubarb.

Most people wonder whether rhubarb is a vegetable or a fruit.  Rhubarb is often mistaken to be a fruit, but it is actually a close relative of garden sorrel and is a member of the vegetable family.  Rhubarb has a unique taste that makes it a favorite in many pies and desserts.

Rhubarb has an interesting history of facts and folklore.  Some of this folklore is included in this book.  As a poet, I found it enjoyable to color this cookbook with poetry so that readers could savor the metaphorical richness of rhubarb as well as its literal flavor.  Also included in this Rhubarb Delights Cookbook are some articles on history, cultivation, and botanical information, along with some interesting trivia and tidbits.

The cookbook is organized in convenient alphabetical sections to assist you in finding recipes related to the type of cooking you need: appetizers and dips; beverages; breads and rolls; breakfasts; cakes; candies; cookies; desserts; dressings, sauces, and condiments; jams, jellies, and syrups; main dishes; pies; preserving; salads; side dishes; soups; and wines and spirits.

Rhubarb Delights Cookbook

Bindings

Paperback $19.95 USD Hardcover $29.95 USD

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Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon;  1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.

Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900

Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.

From I-90 East or West

Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road