I would like to give a little insight into a few of the comforts and features of the acupuncture experience at Gentle Tiger Acupuncture. I’ve thought about what we do for you and for those of you who are working to decide whether or not acupuncture is right for you, I’d like you to know that receiving acupuncture at Gentle Tiger Acupuncture is just the tip of the iceberg. So check out this list and enjoy… (continue reading…)

That’s right, count ‘em 3 new practitioners in suite 250. I intro’d you to Merv Rawson in the last newsletter (remember, “no charge for awesomeness”?). I’ll be sending out an invite for the intro to Donna Eden Energy Medicine, soon. The other new practitioner in the space will be Stephanie Gifford. She’s an occupational therapist. I’ll also be giving you more info in regard to her soon. And last but not least el tercero! (that’s spanish for “the third”) Martyn Luberti. Martyn is a long time resident of Madison and a body worker.

      Here’s the 411 (information) on their arrivals into the new space: (continue reading…)

Hello faithful website visitors and blog article readers. I have been a little busy as of late with potential new health and wellness practitioners desiring space in suite 250 to practice along side Gentle Tiger Acupuncture. I’ll have all the details hammered out by next week and will let you all know about the changes soon thereafter. Keep your eyes peeled.

In the meantime, I’ve been going on about fermented cod liver oil. Not just cod liver oil, but fermented cod liver oil. I’ve been meaning to post something on the GT Facebook page, but what I found was way to long for a post, so here it is. From me to you, originally read by me on the website – www.westonaprice.org. There’s a link below or click to the left on the website for much more about REAL health and the food that provides it. Read on Gentle Tiger-ites and enjoy. (continue reading…)

A few of my colleagues have had the article in question citing that acupuncture is unsafe brought to their attention by a few of their patients. I figured I’d post this great and sobering article that I believe will point out the real facts about how VERY safe acupuncture is and that there is nothing to fear and everything to enjoy and utilize for not only becoming well, but staying well. Read on!

Clean Needles for Acupuncture Safety

By Michael Jabbour, MS, LAc, William Morris, DAOM, PhD, LAc and Steven Schram, PhD, DC, LAc

A recent article in the British Medical Journal by Woo et al. argues that infection from acupuncture needles is a serious problem.1 Pointing at 50 cases worldwide since 1970, the author implies that acupuncture is dangerous because the risk of infection is high and that acupuncturists are not using sufficient care to prevent infections. (continue reading…)

 Wisconsin is a very progressive and technologically generative state. “Forward On” is a very appropriate state motto. From recombinant DNA experiments, to taking measurements at the South Pole, to creating new chemical compounds, to the controversial subject of stem cell research, Wisconsin leads the way in outside the box thinking. On a social level, Wisconsin is also progressive, the LGBT community has several outlets for their strong voice, the Hispanic community is served by local radio station La Movida and state and private programs encouraging economic growth and prosperity. There are 388 public libraries with 79 branches. The Rosemary Garfoot Library in Cross Plains for example is a LEEDS ”silver” rated green library. The extensive list of recyclable items magnetted to my fridge also speaks to Wisconsin’s progressive attitude toward taking care of all aspects of living and personal accountability. In the spirit of this progressive thinking/living I’m offering you 20 ways to go green/be green/stay green. (continue reading…)

Yes, I understand that it isn’t until the 20th of this month that Spring OFFICIALLY begins. But I’m officially feeling that warmth – I can see my grass again! Well, not ALLLL of it, but my yard is showing it’s face again. I can feel the hum of the push handle on my mower vibrating through all the way up to my elbows…oooooh man! But what about that other thing about spring? The wind that blows all the nooks and crannies clean? Well, that’s good, Nature has its own “spring cleaning”. I’d bet that’s where the phrase came from. So, still keep your scarves, hats and jackets on hand. Well, keep your gloves on hand, too – heh! I did see a young man (in his early 20s) walking down W. Johnson downtown with nothing but a t-shirt and jeans on. While appropriate for wearing in public, I strongly disagree that it’s appropriate for this weather. In this blog I’m going to explain to how Spring should not be underestimated in regard to contracting illness, based on weather alone. I’ll also explain how Chinese Medicine translates to keeping our United States of American bodies healthy and well in this time of rejuvenation, growth and coming out after Winter.   (continue reading…)

Back in January 2010, I was privileged enough to be at Gilda’s Club in Middleton WI talking about the ins and outs of Oriental Medicine – pulses, tongue diagnosis, insurance coverage, Qi, what happens at an acupuncture treatment, the difference between a Medical Acupuncturist and a Licensed Acupuncturist, etc. the turn out was good and a good time was had. I will be returning to Gilda’s on the Ides of March! Yes, that’s right March 15th I will be talking about…well, you’ll just hav to check it out on the Gentle Tiger Events Page. Click on it quick in the upper right hand corner. It’ll tell you everything you need to know…

May it be full of laughter, joy, loved ones, pleasurable food and drink and that all the trials and pain you’ve endured be softened by years end…

Stay on the couch, bundle up with loved ones, two legged and four footed and turn on your favorite holiday movies -

1. A Christmas Story – “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”

2. The Grinch – Animated or Live (if you have little ones, stick with the animated, the live version with Jim Carrey is a LITTLE scary. Some critics panned the live version, but I don’t agree. I think it’s pretty good.

3. A Muppet Christmas Carol – Oh, it’s just classic Jim Henson with Kermie, Piggy, Fozzy, Rizzo, Gonzo, et. al. Michael Caine makes a great Scrooge – both before and after his inner transformation from cold hearted, iron hearted butthead to generous loving human being.

 I’m sure you have your own favorites, please share them with me. I understand that we can’t all stay home in inclement weather, so if you MUST go out, let’s get some things in check here. I’ve included a top 10 list of important items to have on hand or have ready in case of travel in inclement weather. (continue reading…)

Hello All -

I received confirmation this last week that the person Will and I hoped would accept the offer to be in the Quarry Arts building along side Gentle Tiger Acupuncture and WillPowerFlower  Massage and Energy Therapy HAS accepted. The references have come back with glowing praise! I am excited. I am also not going to reveal anything about this new person until either next week or the week after. I’ll have to play it by ear and see how it turns out… Stay Tuned!

p.s. The pic of Grover and a young President Barack Obama (just kidding about the Obama part, it’s not him) is because they’re both cute and I couldn’t very well put a pic of the new practitioner.

Oh a newsletter, a newsletter! I am very remiss and upset about not getting a newsletter out to the faithful Gentle Tiger Acupuncture Newsletter readers. My deepest apologies. Life is moving very quickly and I am working hard. I DO need to pick up this ball and run with it. I believe that I will shorten the content matter in each newsletter until I can streamline the process, which is still what takes me so long. No worries, the quality of the content will not suffer one iota. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if that happened….update – since the beginning of this post I am very close to being done with the newsletter for November/December. So watch out!

My main man Will Power (a.k.a. William F. Hayes) is STILL offering his buy one massage get one free (that’s 2 – 6o minute massages for the price of 1) If you haven’t take advantage of this offer, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON?! LOL! I don’t know how long he’ll be offering this deal. I keep forgetting to ask…so get on it! How many people would not like a massage as a gift? I’m sure there are a few, but we’re not talking about them. We’re talking about the millions of people (I’m not making that up – MILLIONS do get massage on a yearly basis)…okay here’s the facts on that piece of info…

Approximately 47 million American adults received a massage in the last year (the “last year” mentioned here being 2004) – an increase of two million more people than in the previous year. Source: AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) 2005 Consumer Survey…

okay, millions of people DO get massage, soooo here’s the opportunity for you to get one for you and someone else (saaaaayyyyy for Christmas?), for a GREAT deal! You could also just keep the second one for yourself and even combine it into a 2 hour massage. Call Will – Willpowerflower Massage and Energy Therapy 608-238-1622

A little note here for you – Dandy Blend is now in the office. Dandy Blend? What’s that? I’ll give you the scoop on that in the upcoming newsletter. Keep your eyes peeled.

One more thing, please notice the link at the bottom of the home page to www.balancepersonaltraining.com. My friend Eric Foxman is the owner of Balance Personal Training and his website has a nice blend of healthy recipes, videos, tips and other information that are useful. Eric believes that safety, fun, and results are what personal training with him is all about. And right now he has a butternut squash dip recipe that looks phenomenal!

And lastly, here is my much coveted recipe for FANTASTIC Chai! My friend Leesa Walters, passed it on to me many moons ago and I’ve given a few people this recipe, but I’m ready to unleash it on the world and you! It’s also starting to get cold on a regular basis and this is a great warm up drink with health benefits. My only reservations with the actual recipe will be cleared up RIGHT HERE – I do not recommend soy, rice or almond milk. I do recommend cow milk, preferably raw, but if you can’t get it (call me if interested) make sure your organic milk is ONLY pasteurized and NOT homogenized. I will speak more about raw milk in the upcoming newsletter. woo hoo! Enjoy! 

1 quart cow, soy, almond milk

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon dry ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

2 tablespoons to 1/2 cup sweetener (brown rice syrup, sucanat or honey)

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and add peppermint tea in a tea ball. Remove from heat

and steep 20 minutes. Remove tea ball or tea bags. Add milk, spices and sweetener (unless you are

using honey, in which case wait until the chai is finished to stir it in). Heat and steep on low heat for

an additional 30 minutes.

Comments: Kapha is best off using soy milk and the minimum of sweetener, preferably honey.

serves 6

prep time: 50 minutes

 Thank you avid Gentle Tiger visitors and your comments/feedback are truly welcome. – Miguel