It's hard to believe that the final month of 2009 is already here! I can just hear the skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers singing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. . ." As always, please wear a hat, scarf and mittens or gloves when venturing outside.
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Self-Care with Flexible Medicine Spending
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 Many of you have taken advantage of the Flexible Medical Account programs offered through your employers. Flex plans are a great way to save money on taxes and take care of yourself at the same time.
Acupuncture is reimbursable through Flexible Medical Accounts, and what better way to relieve a little stress and feel your best for the busy holiday season ahead of us.
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Ode. . .for Intelligent Optimists
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 Ode Magazine is one of my favorite magazines. I first learned about the magazine through the Organic Consumers Association. The OCA highly recommended it, and I can see why. Ode is an international magazine focusing on the welfare of our world, and it does so with a very positive flair. Ode's tag line is "For Intelligent Optimists."
The November/December 2009 issue features a great article on health care as seen here on their cover, "Get Well Soon - How integrative medicine can help fix the health care system."
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Heavenly Flowers
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 Ahh. . .winter in Minnesota with plenty of snowflakes to blow about in the wind. In Mandarin Chinese snowflakes are known as tian hua or heavenly flowers. Heavenly flowers make the snow seem more like a blessing than burden.
Of course many inches of heavenly flowers can place a burden on your back when shoveling, so a few shoveling tips are in order.
The American Physical Therapy Association, National Safety Council, and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association offer up these tips to avoid injuries from snow shoveling:
- Before you start shoveling, move and stretch your muscles to warm them up.
- Do not shovel right after eating or while smoking.
- Use
a shovel with a handle that is long enough to let you keep your back
just about straight when lifting. An ergonomic shovel with a bent
handle is better than one with straight handle. A plastic shovel is
lighter than a metal one and less strain on your back.
- Take it slow! Shoveling can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically.
- Push the snow whenever possible rather than lifting it.
- Lift smaller loads of snow. Don't overload your shovel.
- Lift with your legs bent and your back as straight as possible so you are lifting with your legs rather than your back.
- Step in the direction you are throwing the snow. This will help to avoid twisting your lower back.
- Take
frequent breaks. To reverse the excessive bending and extend your back,
stand straight and walk around. Place your hands toward the back of
your hips and bend backward slightly for several seconds.
- Don's shovel to the point of exhaustion. If you are out of breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.
If
you have any health problems or are in poor shape, don't consider
shoveling. Arrange for someone else to shovel your driveway and
sidewalks.
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The Virtues of Vinegar
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 Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a true medicinal marvel. Raw apple cider vinegar was once considered an old home remedy, but rather than being outdated, it is extremely relevant for today's digestive maladies.
Take acid reflux - from a holistic sense, one does not have enough hydrochloric acid in their digestive tract to adequately digest one's food. The little bit of acid that is present is churning around trying to get the job done and splashes upwards to cause that uncomfortable burning sensation. A great way to remedy this is to consume one tablespoon (or a "shot") of raw apple cider vinegar before meals. It's important to take the raw ACV right before eating because you want the extra acidity right when you're eating. Raw ACV contains zinc, and zinc is required for your body to produce hydrochloric acid. Therefore it is a great rehabilitative tool if you have been on medications such as Prilosec that block acid production.
If you experience frequent gas and bloating (signs of undigested food that is beginning to ferment), taking a shot of raw ACV before meals can help alleviate the discomfort. Or if you simply would like to optimize your digestion and strengthen your immune system, a shot before each meal would be beneficial.
Note: It's important that the apple cider vinegar is raw (or unpasteurized). If the ACV has been pasteurized, there is little benefit to be obtained. Eden Brand Organics and Bragg's both make lovely apple cider vinegars.
For more information on the additional health benefits of raw ACV, please read "A Healthy Glow with Apple Cider Vinegar" by Kelly Joyce Neff.
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Recipe of the Month
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Brussel Sprouts with Horseradish
 Brussel sprouts don't get the attention they deserve. These tiny cabbages, when prepared correctly, are quite delicious and fun to eat. They belong to the cruciferous family of vegetables (along with kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, bok choy to name a few), and they have much to offer to promote one's health.
Pictured here is the whole brussel sprout plant. It certainly is one of the coolest looking plants to grace a garden bed.
Daverick Leggett once again offers up a tasty dish from Recipes for Self Healing with Brussel Sprouts with Horseradish.
I also have to include one more brussel sprout recipe. Dan made this dish for Thanksgiving, and it was voted in as a keeper for future Thanksgiving feasts.
 Bon Appetit says that Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios is "a dish to convert all
the Brussels sprout haters. By cooking
the sprouts only briefly, you preserve
their great nutty flavor. " Besides being tasty, this dish is also quite beautiful.
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 Wishing you a season full of joy, wonder and delightful surprises.
Warmly yours,
Katherine Krumwiede, L.Ac.
Diamond Stone
Oriental Medicine, Inc.
612 872 9133
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Quote of
the Month
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Forests, lakes and rivers, clouds and wind, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate and inanimate existence leaves its impression upon the soul of man.
Orison Swett Marden
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Gift Certificates Are Available
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Give the gift of good health to your friends and family this holiday season.
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