When I was a student at Southwest Acu-puncture College in the late 80's, one of my teachers, who practiced acupuncture at a local hospital shared a story that I’ll never forget. He told his wide eyed students that the incidence of appendectomies the day AFTER Thanksgiving was higher than any other day of the year. The majority of these “emergency” appen-dectomies, it turns out, were serious cases of what is referred to in Oriental Medicine as acute food stagnation, a condition resulting from overeating to the point of extreme pain in the lower abdo-men. The appendix, for the majority of people, is located on the right side of the lower abdomen where the colon ascends and where food is more likely to struggle on its way up.

A ruptured or inflammed appendix is a very serious health con-dition and can be very difficult to diagnose. Antibiotics followed by surgery is the usual course of action. If overeating is the suspected cause, specific herbs and acupuncture points can help relieve the discomfort and move that turkey, dressing, mashed potato, gravy and pumpkin pie conglomerate to the other end.

The moral of this story is: Chew your food well, eat slowly and moderately and try to not end up in an emergency room the day after Thanksgiving. Your chances of survival might be higher at the shopping malls on the busiest shopping day of the year.

There is a movement afoot in Austin by several acu-puncturists to offer Com-munity Style Acupuncture in our clinics, making this profound medicine acces-sible to a wider variety of people who would like this choice of health care. Begin-ning Dec. 6th, Dr. Pea's will offer Community Acupunc-ture on Wednesdays from 9:30 - noon and 4 - 6:30 pm. Participants will be treated in a group setting, sitting in comfy chairs and pay anywhere between $20 - $45 a visit (initial paperwork fee of $10) These sessions are by appointment and walk-ins are welcome on a space available basis.

(Note:There will not be a clinic on Wed. Dec. 27).

So, why Community Acupuncture?

#1. Many people want alternatives to drugs and surgery but can-not afford the typical costs or frequency of treatments often need-ed to correct the root cause of a health problem. Whether it’s your high health insurance premiums, the expense of putting your child through college, a temporary setback, or is simply beyond your means, Dr. Pea's is committed to offering affordable and effective health care to people in need.

#2. Participants and society at large stand to benefit by reducing reliance on expensive drugs, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures and doctor’s visits. Seton Hospital in Austin, Tx, is one of several hospitals in the U.S. that has “decided that for many patients with chronic diseases, it would be cheaper to provide free preventive care than to absorb the high cost of repeated emergencies.” (Hospitals Try Free Basic Care for Uninsured. by Eric Eckholm. New York Times. October 25, 2006)

#3. You don’t need to be sick or in pain to benefit from acupunc-ture. Waiting until symptoms appear is like waiting for the oil light to show up on the instrument panel in your car. A problem has been brewing for some time. Acupuncture can greatly improve the functioning of your organs and regulates the flow of blood and energy in your body. Disease and physical symptoms are less likely to appear when the body is supported and functioning the way it’s designed to.

#4. Finally, there is a group healing effect, a magnification of ener-gies that can occur when two or more people in relative proximity hold an intention to heal and be well.

So call Dr. Pea's to schedule your appointment today!

This column offers "knowledge" (with a slight bias) from a variety of sources not commonly available through our popular news media; knowledge related to choices we make that impact us personally and globally.

THAT: Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods. (A.R.E.C. Research Operations, William P. Kopp)

THAT: In 1996, 100 bunches of spinach equaled the nutritional value of one bunch of spinach in 1954. (U.S. Senate Special Com-mittee on Nutrition).

THAT: Cancer cells become dormant when the pH of the body is 7.4 (alkaline). Cancer cells will die while healthy cells live when the pH is 8.5.

THAT: Chicken McNuggets contain several completely synthetic and quasiedible ingredients that keep the organic materials in them from going bad or looking strange. The McNuggets are sprayed with tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), an antioxidant derived from petroleum. Dimethylpolysiloxene, an antifoaming agent, is added to the cooking oil and is a suspected carcinogen, mutagen, and tumorigen. (Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan, Penguin Press. pg. 113)

THAT: 20% of Americans were overweight in 1935, compared to 80% in 2005.

When I talk to my patients about better choices for breakfast, esp. in winter months, many of them can’t imagine having miso soup for break-fast. Some surprise me, however, when they try it and really enjoy it for breakfast. I can’t imagine a bet-ter way to get minerals (seaweed), a variety of vegetables (kale, napa cabbage, turnip greens, carrots, ka-bocha squash, daikon), fiber (brown rice), protein (soy, barley, aduki beans, fish), warmth and Kidney support, as well as a very alkalizing meal into your belly.

So, instead of sending you scurrying back into the early archives of Dr. Pea’s Journal for the recipe, here is Mom’s Miso Soup with my personal twist. Enjoy.

In a 3 quart saucepan, add ~ 2 quarts of filtered water. Bring water to a low boil. Add cubed tofu, turnips, squash, carrots or other root vegetables and cook until root veggies are slightly ten-der. Add wakame, sliced onion, daikon, and shiitake mushrooms and simmer on low for a few minutes. Add greens and miso for the last minute of cooking on low simmer. DO NOT BOIL as this will greatly negate the beneficial bacteria in miso.

Ingredients:
1 cup tofu cut into 1" cubes
1 cup turnip, winter squash (eg. acorn, kabocha, butternut, etc.)
1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced
1/2 cup of wakame (dried seaweed)
1/2 cup onion (thinly sliced)
1 tsp ginger root (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup daikon root (thinly sliced)
1/4 cup shiitake mushrooms (remove stem and slice)
1 1/2 cup greens and/or snow peas (mustard, dandelion, beet, kale, turnip, cabbage, watercress, etc.)
4-6 TB miso paste (South River Miso is my favorite)

Variations:

Add cooked brown rice or noodles.
Top with 3-6 oz of broiled salmon, shrimp or other fish.
Beat one egg ~30 seconds; drop thru a fork into soup before adding miso and greens.
Add juice of one freshly squeezed lime.

The winter months are associated with the element Water and your Kidney and Urinary Bladder. Do you have dark circles under your eyes, a tight back, feel fatigued, wake up at night to urinate, get cold easily, or have a low libido? If any of these are present, your Kidneys and Bladder are not functioning as well as they should be.

In January, I will be offering a 10 week Chi Gong class that will be open to beginners and experienced students. Chi Gong consists of simple movements designed to improve energy circulation, overall health and promote relaxation. This class will focus on particular exercises that support your Kidneys and Bladder.

WHEN: Ten Mondays (Jan - Mar) 7:00 - 8:15 pm
WHERE: Kerbey Studio 3400 Kerbey Lane (white bldg w/ blue trim)
HOW TO SAVE $: Preregister by Jan. 2 $150; or $175 after.
CALL: Dr. Pea's @ 478-4732 for more info or to register.

Whether you have a health issue or would like an assessment of your organs and health before the end of 2006, take advantage of this limited offer to consult with Paddy Tawada, a practitioner of Oriental Medicine for 16 years. (*Note: this does not include physical exam or treatment.)