February is a red month. Red cheeks from the cold, red Valentine's floating all around, red envelopes for Chinese New Year and red for heart health month.
When I think of red I think of hugs that make your heart feel redder with the warmth of the embrace. Sure it's nice to celebrate special occasions like Valentine's Day, but I think sweetness, respect and gratitude should be practiced all year round. One of my teachers, Dennis Anderson, says that if you're craving sweets what you really need is a hug. And don't wait for someone to give you a hug if you need one - give one to get one.
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Warm Up Your Toes
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 We all know that a cup of tea made from chopped fresh ginger will warm up our insides, but what to do about cold toes when one is out and about in this chilly weather? Kate Gilday of Woodland Essence recommends a sprinkle of ginger powder in your shoes and boots to keep your toes warm. Be sure to have a layer of socks between your toes and the ginger. Ginger is a very heating/hot herb, and it can burn if applied directly to the skin.
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Allergy Season Prevention - Start Now!
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 Now is the time of year to start strengthening your body against allergens. A combination of acupuncture, herbs and a few dietary/lifestyle changes can eliminate your watery itchy eyes and fatigue, allowing you to be able to put away those facial tissues once and for all. You'll enjoy the seasonal weather changes with a smile on your face instead of a tear in your eye!
Check out what a Minneapolis man has to say about his experience eliminating allergies using acupuncture.
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Upcoming Classes in March
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 I am excited to be teaching two classes at the Seward Co-op's lovely new classroom space. The first class coming up on Wednesday, March 10th from 6:30-8:30 pm is one of my favorite classes to teach: It's Not Just What You Eat, But What You Digest! If you would like to eliminate bloating, acid reflux and flatulence or simply optimize your health, then this is the class for you. The average adult has 25 feet of intestines (absolutely amazing!), and you'll learn how to maximize the power of all that square footage, the Top Ten Tips to improve your digestion and much more.
 On Wednesday, March 24th from 6:30-8:30 pm I'll be teaching Choosing Breast Health Over Breast Cancer. Have you heard the saying, "If you ignore your teeth, they'll go away?" The same can be said for your breasts. There are far too many women receiving the diagnosis of breast cancer and not near enough education focusing on promoting breast health. You'll learn to identify things that adversely affect breast health as well as the many, many things you can do to promote breast health.
Pre-registration is required through the Seward Co-op - call 612 338 2465 or stop in at their Customer Service Desk. Register early to guarantee your spot in the class. Each class is $20 and well worth it.
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Drinking Dandelions
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 Last month's newsletter focused on eating more healthily. Now we will focus on drinking to our health. Many of you have heard me say that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is like subjecting your liver to a tsunami of toxins. Then your liver has to spend the rest of the day detoxifying the coffee when its time could be better spent detoxifying everything else that we're exposed to on a daily basis.
Now I don't recommend that you give up coffee - you'll just think about it incessantly if you do. Just remember that you have a choice about what you drink. You can choose to drink something that will benefit your health rather than distract your liver from its important work. Western medicine has identified hundreds of functions for the incredibly metabolically-active liver, but Chinese medicine states it a bit more simply: the Liver organ regulates our qi.
I like to drink a cup of roasted dandelion root when I feel the need for a cup of hot, rich, dark and delicious brew. Roasted dandelion root is available in bulk at most co-ops. Brew one teaspoon of roasted dandelion root with eight ounces of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, strain, sip and enjoy.
There is also a commercial beverage called Dandy Blend made from roasted dandelion, chicory, sugar beet, barley and rye. Dandy Blend is quick and easy because it dissolves easily in both hot and cold water. Dandy Blend is available at Traditional Foods Minnesota.
Drinking dandelion brew will satisfy your desire for something dark and delicious as well as give your liver the good stuff it needs to its job.
A cup of dandelion brew is the perfect accompaniment to my featured recipe of the month: coconut macaroons.
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Recipe of the Month
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Coconut Macaroons
 Coconut macaroons contain one of my favorite kitchen thrills: beaten egg whites. I just love the transformation of the egg whites from their jiggly state to foamy to the voluptuousness of egg whites beaten to a soft peak. Daverick Leggett in Recipes for Self Healing combines the beaten egg whites with coconut in this simple recipe for coconut macaroons.
Daverick describes coconut macaroons as "a very sexy food." Energetically speaking coconut tends to warm and nourish the Heart and this sweet treat will uplift the spirit.
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Sometimes we forget that we are just as much a part of nature as the plants, trees, and rocks are. This cherry tree (photographed by my husband) looks like it is embracing the winter wonderland. Embrace the wonder of the season.
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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If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J.R.R. Tolkien
1892-1973
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Newsletter Archive
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There's a wealth of health-inducing information contained in past issues of my newsletter.
Newsletter Archive
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Gift Certificates Are Available
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Give the gift of good health to your friends and family.
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