Below is the article about our clinic that was published in the St. Paul Voice newspaper in January 2010.

My patients love the food therapy recommendations I make in conjunction with their acupuncture treatments. But when I talk about soy foods, people are often concerned with the confusing information that they’ve heard in the media about soy’s estrogenic effects (which means the effects soy has on the body that mimics what estrogen does). So I did some research on the National Institute of Health website. Mostly because I totally love my Silk soymilk and also because people with Yin Deficiency and especially Stomach Yin Deficiency can really benefit from soymilk.

The main concern I hear from men is that soy has been said to cause gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), negative effects on sperm and semen, and erectile dysfunction. The clinical studies do NOT find a correlation between soy and these problems. They do, however, find that soy can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Women worry that since soy’s estrogenic effects mimic the body’s estrogen, it might increase the risk of cancer. But that hypothesis has not been supported in the clinical studies. What the studies do show is that soy reduces menopausal vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) and reduces the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  It also increases bone density to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It can potentially have positive effects on memory, but has been difficult to show in studies. However, it does appear that the earlier a postmenopausal woman includes soy in her diet, the more cognitive benefits it will have.

For both women and men, soy lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol, increases HDL “good” cholesterol, and reduces blood triglycerides. These things together reduce the risks of coronary heart disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378106

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12638461

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21685820

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21765045

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21730216

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21790611

I also found an interesting website that cites some research on soy. It is not as reliable a source as the ones above, but is easy to read and does have lots of good information.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/soy_harm

While some of the evidence is still inconclusive, the benefits have been demonstrated in some studies and overall the concerns that were raised were dispelled. So I will continue to love my soymilk!

We are offering a new referral bonus for the months of August and September.  When you give our name out to a new patient and they come in for their first treatment between August 1st and September 30th, 2011, you will receive $10 off your next treatment and they will receive $10 off their first treatment.  Since we know you love us and are telling people about us already, we figured you could use a small gift as a thank you for helping others feel better and helping our business grow.

Print this message and give it to a friend who would benefit from Beautiful Ama’s acupuncture treatments.  You will each receive $10 off a treatment, subject to the guidelines above.  And tell them they can save even more by using pre-tax dollars since acupuncture is a covered expense when they use their Flex Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) benefits account!

Pressure canning is a little more complicated than hot water bath canning, but it’s not as hard as people might think. The biggest difference is that you need a special pressure canner, which usually costs under $100. I have the 23 quart Presto and I love it! The greatest part is that you can use it on meats and vegetables packed in water (carrots, green beans, and venison are commonly done with a pressure canner). So it gives you a lot more options for preserving foods that can’t be done with hot water bath canning.

Pressure Canning

1. Boil jars, lids, and rings in water.  Never re-use lids as the seal may be compromised.
2. Put food in jars, leaving ½“ headspace (only fill to where neck gets narrower).
3. Pour all ingredients for brine/sauce in separate pot and heat until boiling.
4. Pour brine/sauce into jars, leaving ½” of headspace.
5. Run knife around edge of jar to get out air bubbles.
6. Wipe off tops of jars with damp cloth.  Put lids and tops on jars tightly, sealing jars.
7. Put rack in bottom of pressure canning pot.  Fill bottom of pot to line marked inside pot.
8. Put filled jars in pressure canner.  Lock lid into place.  Put cap over pressure release valve.
9. Heat on high up to pressure specified in recipe.  Start timer when reaches correct pressure.
10. Turn heat down to maintain that pressure, checking on it occasionally.  Heat for time specified.
11. Turn heat off.  Let pressure canning pot cool down completely on its own.  DO NOT REMOVE LID.
12. Remove from canner.  Place upright on clean towel for 12-24 hours.  Do not re-tighten bands.
13. To ensure lids are sealed, remove bands and try to lift lids off with fingertips.
14. Screw bands back on.  Store in cool, dry place.

My patients know how much I love food therapy and therefore grow most of my own vegetables and preserve them through canning. So I frequently am asked to explain how to do hot water bath canning. This method can be used for anything acidic (vinegar, tomatoes, citrus, etc.), but should not be used for vegetables packed in water or meats or anything that is likely to spoil. Please find out whether this method is safe before using it on a new recipe.

Hot Water Bath Canning

1. Boil jars, lids, and rings in water.  Never re-use lids as the seal may be compromised.
2. Put food in jars, leaving ½“ headspace (only fill to where neck gets narrower).
3. Pour all ingredients for brine/sauce in separate pot and heat until boiling.
4. Pour brine/sauce into jars, leaving ½” of headspace.
5. Run knife around edge of jar to get out air bubbles.
6. Wipe off tops of jars with damp cloth.  Put lids and tops on jars tightly, sealing jars.
7. Put filled jars back in pot of boiling water.
8. Start timer when comes back up to rolling boil.  Let boil for time specified in recipe.
9. Remove from pot.  Place upright on clean towel for 12-24 hours.  Do not re-tighten bands.
10. To ensure lids are sealed, remove bands and try to lift lids off with fingertips.
11. Screw bands back on.  Store in cool, dry place.

The Pioneer Press article featuring our business came out this past Sunday and we’ve been so busy that we haven’t had a chance to post a link. So if you didn’t get to see our article in the newspaper, check it out online now! The response has been amazing and we’re really enjoying getting to know the steady stream of new patients coming into our clinic.

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_18485917

Are you curious about what the new patients come in for? The main things we’ve been treating are insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches, tobacco cessation, stress and PTSD related to grief and loss, back pain, neck pain, and weight loss. It has already been a really full week and there are many more fun weeks to come! So if you’ve been thinking about acupuncture for awhile and wondering if it might help you, give us a call!

Did you know that choosing your dentist is just as important as choosing your acupuncturist? I see a dentist who believes in the same holistic principles as the acupuncture community, which is why I will not even consider switching dentists. The funny thing is that I found him by accident and had no idea how great he was until I went in. He has all the latest tools and treats the mouth as part of the whole body. He explained to me at my first appointment that flossing is not only important to prevent gingivitis, but also because the bacteria between the teeth can get into your bloodstream and that means your body has to constantly deal with the influx of bacteria that can be completely prevented by flossing daily. And with that knowledge, I came home with a renewed commitment to flossing.

Another thing that I loved about this dentist is that he doesn’t believe in metal fillings. While the acupuncture community has known for a long time that even trace amounts of heavy metals in the body compromise its optimal functioning, the dental community took awhile to catch up. Not my dentist – he hasn’t used metal fillings for over a decade! Since I had 3 cavities at my first visit (I hadn’t been to the dentist in many years), I had to get them filled. I’m not thrilled about using novacaine and when I had my only other cavity many years before, I had my previous dentist drill with no anesthesia and then fought to have them use white filling material, which I had to pay for as a “cosmetic” choice. My holistic dentist told me right away that he wouldn’t have to use novacaine because my cavities were on the surface and he would be using air abrasion (a sandblasting technique) that is not painful and is more natural. I was super happy. And I became a patient for life!

I had an appointment for another cleaning today. I have been nervous for weeks because my wisdom teeth are finally coming in. Yes, I know they are about 15 years later than what’s usually considered normal, but I figure my body knows what it’s doing. So I’ve been really worried that my dentist would tell me that I have to finally get my wisdom teeth taken out because I’ve been told my whole life that they have to come out due to issues with crowding, cysts developing, and cavities that can’t be filled when they develop. Guess what? That’s totally not true! He explained that the wisdom teeth do not crowd the other teeth (so my previous orthodontic work will not be compromised). He said that the mouth typically has plenty of room for the wisdom teeth, so there’s no need to take them out. And it turns out that only about 1 in 10,000 teeth develops a cyst that requires removal, so as long as it’s being monitored, there’s no need to take it out unless a cyst develops. And finally, he explained that he is proficient at filling cavities in the wisdom teeth, so that’s also not an issue. Wow! I was so thrilled!

I have always been told by the dental community that annual x-rays are necessary and not much of a risk. So I have always had to fight with my dentists to allow me to only have the x-rays every 2 years. When I explained that to my hygienist today and told him that my mom had 3 types of cancer and I always try to limit my exposure to radiation, he said that I am in charge of my body. Then he told me that since I am considered a high-risk patient in regard to x-rays, he would put me on their program of x-rays every 2 years. No harassment. Just notes in my chart so I never have to fight this again. I was amazed.

By the time I left, I was just about skipping out the door. At 33 years old, I am teething alongside my 6-month-old twin nephews, and I’ve never been happier! I swear I’m going to floss every single day.

If you are interested in seeing my dentist, he charges really affordable rates (only $75 for a cleaning). So check him out and go see a dentist who treats your mouth as a holistic part of your body and really cares about your wellbeing.

Advance Family Dental

Dr. Paul Zollinger

651.482.1122

925 E. County Road E, Suite 185

Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

www.advancefamilydental.net

Our clinic is going to be featured in the business section of the Pioneer Press on Sunday, July 17th!  The article is called Open For Business and
it is a followup to the original feature that was run in January of last year.  This time they are giving an update on how our clinic is doing and will include color photographs.  We’re very excited and it is only a week away.  So check it out!

Last week I had the honor of performing free ear treatments for Acupuncturists Without Borders for victims of the May 22nd tornado in Minneapolis. Many of the people who came when I was there had been there earlier in the week and found so much relief from their treatment that they returned for more. They reported reduced stress levels, improved sleep, better moods, and less anxiety overall. We had a great time giving back to the community.

Last week we were also featured on the channel 9 news, so check out this clip!

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/health/tornado-victims-get-free-acupuncture-jun-12-2011

Sarah giving free ear acupuncture for Minneapolis tornado victims

Free acupuncture treatments are being offered this week through Acupuncturists Without Borders to help our community recover from the May 22nd tornado. Everyone is welcome to receive free acupuncture to help with stress, sadness, anxiety, fear, and fatigue associated with the trauma from this disaster. I will be volunteering my time to provide free acupuncture treatments on Thursday at the Center for Families and possibly some other days.

Location: The Center for Families, 3333 North 4th Street in Minneapolis

Mon 6/6 at 12:00-7:00 pm

Tues 6/7 at 12:00-7:00 pm

Wed 6/8 at 12:00-7:00 pm

Thurs 6/9 at 12:00-7:00 pm

Fri 6/10 at 12:00-4:00 pm

Acupuncture will be provided in a community-style setting, with participants sitting in chairs, fully clothed. Sterile needles are placed in the ears only. All treatments are performed by licensed acupuncturists. Please come for a free acupuncture treatment at the Center for Families. No appointment is necessary.