Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - December, 2014

Compass Chiropractic December, 2014 E-Newsletter

Saturday hours available this winter!

Slip on ice?  Fall down the stairs while bringing presents down the stairs to put under the tree?  Endo on your fatbike?

We've got you covered this winter with Saturday hours available two to three weekends a month from 10:30-1:30.  Additionally, we haven't scheduled any long breaks over the holidays so students and teachers are welcome to take some time during their breaks to get their health back on track!  Call us to check availability.

 

Standard Process Purification Program Sale

Regular readers of this newsletter have read about Dr. Krohse's experience with the Standard Process Purification Program.  In 21 days starting January 1, 2010 it helped him drop 15 pounds and the lessons learned helped him drop 25 in another five weeks and maintain it ever since.  During the 21 days, his year-round environmental allergies disappeared and he no longer needed his daily doses of Zyrtec and nasal steroids.  The program taught him that gluten and wheat were the underlying causes of his body's allergic response.  You can read his blog about his experience here.

With the new year approaching, we know many of you may be looking to get back on track or jumpstart your health improvement in 2015.  Through January, the Standard Process Purification program will be on sale - $50 off of the program ($173 instead of $223).  If you will need more than one kit to have a friend or family member join you please give us a call to make sure we have enough kits in stock.
 

Dr. Krohse October, 2009 before purification and July, 2010 after

The Books We’re Most Thankful For

Thank you to our friends and patients who shared the “books they are most thankful for” during the month of November.  Add some of these books to your presents for family members, add them to your wishlist, or put them on your holiday break reading list!

White Oleander - Beth Grafft
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Water for Elephants
A House in the Sky - Val Leonard
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Martin Chronicles - Shelaine Harabart
The Soul of Sponsorship - Doug Kueck
Lincoln by Gore Vidal - Gary Weis
Anthing Agatha Christie - Pam Voigt
The Bible - Sydney Depew
The Book of Romans - Sarah Seltz
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles - Alana Bothun-Hill
The Art of Racing in the Rain - Noel Nicholas
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Lilly Seltz
Looking for Alaska - Lilly Seltz
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande - Dwight Deason
When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Isn't Enough by Lillian Daniel
The Jan Karon series (At Home In Mitford)
The Tortoise & The Hare by Dr. Seuss - Tony Halsey
1001 Places to See Before You Die - Rich Olson
Where The Red Fern Grows - Tiffany Kowalski
Inside Out by Barry Eisler
You Can Observe a Lot by Watching by Yogi Berra
How to Win Friends & Influence People - Marylou Tyler
The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon
Memories of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Gerald Dishon
The Color of Lightening by Paulette Jiles
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien - Sarah Seltz
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Intensity by Dean Koontz
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Stephanie Majeran
Paper Towns by John Green - Lilly Seltz
This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti
Stephanie Plum series
1984 by George Orwell
The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb - Elaine Imlau
One to Nine - Gary Weis
Dictionary - Sydney Depew
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - Anne Haag
The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway - Anne Haag
The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri - Anne Haag
Restrepo - Jeff Lee

Sandy recommends Pentatonix "That's Christmas to Me" CD

 Since I first heard them perform (and then win) The Sing-Off TV show back in 2011, I've been a fan of Pentatonix, an a capella group.  Three of the band's members are long-time friends who began singing together in high school in Arlington, Texas.  It's been fun to see their gradual rise in popularity.  A capella is difficult and this group of five do it extremely well with much flair and creativity.  Pentatonix recently  released a Christmas CD, That's Christmas to Me,  which I'm really enjoying.  They also performed at the recent tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC and have a concert tour underway for the next several months.  For a taste of just a little different flavor of holiday music, check out their new CD.

Amy recommends Mantraband

"We are on a mission to inspire and empower with positive messages."

I found the company Mantraband on Facebook as a "suggested" page to follow. I've been admiring the Mantraband products for several months now and with the Holiday season upon us I decided to order myself a band as well as my sister-shhh don't tell her! I was pleasantly surprised and excited when the package arrived this week and I have to admit that I'll be ordering again for gifts as well as for myself!

Mantrabands are bracelets that come in silver, gold, and most recently rose gold with inspirational sayings on them. I've always believed in the quote "everything happens for a reason" and now I can wear it on my wrist in the form of a stylish, shiny, silver bracelet and every time that I look down I can read it, take a deep breath and be reminded of that. Mantraband offers a lot of different quotes, sayings, and messages on their bracelets that would warm the heart of anyone on the receiving end of such a thoughtful gift. Words can be so powerful! Some other examples of quotes/messages that they offer are : "she believed she could, so she did", "enjoy the journey", "peace comes from within", "be true, be you, be kind", and "one day at a time". For more information check out their webpage at www.mantraband.com or find them on Facebook!

Anne recommends Apple Cider Vinegar

This may give some the image that I wear bell-bottoms and hang out at outdoor Peter, Paul, & Mary concerts, but I'll take that risk: I'm a big believer in apple cider vinegar.  The unfiltered, unheated, certified organic kind 1... you know, the murky, icky type that, at first smell (and second, and third…) seems repulsive.  Attached to these glass jars full of cloudy ale-like liquid are concentrated claims such as "superfood" and “miracle drink“... so, of course, there is controversy over how apple cider vinegar works or even if it does.  I tend to be skeptical about everything; like many of us, I require evidence to believe.  My evidence with apple cider vinegar (or ACV) is, in particular, experience.

Having been employed in the past years with various health food stores, I’ve had hundreds of intimate exchanges regarding individuals’ health concerns, experiments, and results.  After over a decade of observing the productive outcome of apple cider vinegar in a multitude of lives and then also encountering positive results with ACV in my own, I am confident in its effectiveness for certain complaints, and open to the idea that it may have constructive outcomes concerning other ailments.  For centuries, ACV has been labeled as a cure for diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and much more, but few assertions have been permitted modern scientific studies.  However, there is some recent research that gives backbone to at least a few declarations, such as its benefit for diabetics and for weight loss 2.  I personally have seen skin allergies on animals disappear with intermittent applications of ACV externally, and have known many people who use it medicinally (often diluted) to effectively regulate their digestive processes and to improve their feeling of well being. This could have something to do with the enzymes and probiotics ACV naturally contains, its effect on our pH levels, and the possibility that it cleanses our "lipid profile" via its high concentration of acetic acid.3

For me, ACV has proven to be more than just a folklore remedy. I still take its claims with a grain of salt, but I've also been fortunate to see it work. Not only do I notice that I get somewhat accustomed to its pungent odor the more frequently I utilize it, it is one more inexpensive, convenient product that seems to add hope and health to this world- one I’m willing to plug my nose for.

Interested in trying ACV out?  Sprinkle a “trial amount” over your salad, add a few teaspoons to a full glass of juice before breakfast, or boldly use a full tablespoon or two in your water bottle daily.

1 http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html

2 http://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-diet#1; http://draxe.com/apple-cider-vinegar-tried-and-true-health-help-or-hype/

3 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/02/apple-cider-vinegar-hype.aspx

Dr. Krohse Recommends Knowing Your Health Insurance Out of Pocket Max

Medical bills are the top cause of US bankruptcies

Whether you like it or not, health insurance plans are changing.  Recently we have seen many have to make tough decisions on whether to pay higher premiums each month for better coverage or to pay smaller premiums and then have worse coverage.  With the confusion of trying to compare plans and pick the best, it can be easy to lose focus on the single most important number on the page.  It's the number that will keep your family financially healthy even when your bodies aren't.  That number is the Out of Pocket Maximum.

Your Out of Pocket Maximum (OOP Max) is the most that you or your family have to pay in a single year for your health care.  OOP Max amounts can vary greatly and often range from $2,000 to $10,000.  Imagine your family has a nice low deductible but a high $10,000 OOP Max.  If you have a couple years where you have a new baby, gallbladder removed, pneumonia-related hospital stay, and a cancer scare you'd still be responsible for $20,000 over the two years.  What a nightmare that would be to deal with all the health issues and then have them drag your finances down as well.

So when you're looking at health plans, always look at the Out of Pocket Maximum.  Once you know that number your goal should be to make sure that you have at least one year's amount set aside in an HSA account or savings account so that you're prepared for the worst.

Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - November, 2014

Compass Chiropractic November, 2014 E-Newsletter

Saturday hours available this fall!

Raking injury?  Slip on slick leaves?  Bonk your head and hurt your neck while going through a haunted house?

We've got you covered this fall with Saturday hours available two to three weekends a month from 10:30-1:30.  Call us to check availability.

The Books We're Most Thankful For

In the spirit of the season, we are asking our patients and friends to contribute to our annual list of things we're most thankful for.  This year we again want to know what book or books you're most thankful for!  It might be a favorite novel.  It might be a nonfiction book that changed your life.  It might be a spiritual guide.  It might be your most cherished childhood book, that you now get to read to your children or grandchildren.  Whatever book you're most thankful for, we want to add it to our list!

We'll have clipboards at our office where you can write down your one to three books.  Additionally, you can email them to compasschiro@gmail.com or message them to our office through Facebook.  A list of books will be included in next month's newsletter and I highly recommend you check this out.  Three years ago we did this activity, and the books I have read based on our patients recommendations such as the Power of One and Sarah's Key have been phenomenal.  Below Anne's introduction I've asked our team to share the books we're most thankful for.

Meet Anne

I feel fortunate to work for and with Dr. Krohse and every Compass Chiropractic client because it fulfills me to be part of the integrative, pro-active, and preventative healing process of Chiropractic, and because I admire Dr. Krohse's skill, compassion, and integrity in particular.  I also enjoy being inspired by people- something that naturally happens amidst conversations in any genuine therapeutic environment.

Before and after supporting Dr. Krohse as a Chiropractic & Rehab Assistant, I cherish my moments with my boyfriend, Aaron, and our four felines and two pups; you might hear me refer to them as "our babies".  (Yes, I'm one of those... laugh.)  I also crave personal time to work on art and indulge in music.  Much loved, too, are get-togethers with friends and family, especially at movies, art and performance functions.  It is important to me to contribute to organizations who expand my connection with the world, like Iowa Public Radio, and whose champions are my concerns too, such as local no-kill animal shelters (Furry Friends and Animal Lifeline to name a couple.)  Many people know me to be very choosy about my financial purchases, sustaining companies and commodities that are in line with my ethics, such as certified organic foods.  In fact, it's easy to "put my money where my mouth is" since we have a scrumptious vegan cafe standing tall in downtown Des Moines- New World Cafe!

I tend to perceive things as "healthy" or "destructive" instead of "right" or "wrong", perhaps shaped by my studies in psychology and anthropology at University of Iowa and in Mysore, India, where individual well-being and the diversity of cultures aren't always best explained through a set classification of analysis.  I also experienced my first restorative "encounter" with Chiropractic in my college days.  I'm thankful to be a part of Compass Chiropractic and look forward to bearing witness to all of you feeling "tiptop"!

Sandy's Books

I’ve never outgrown my love for children’s author,  Dr. Seuss.  I especially love his book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!  It’s a great send-off for young adults, a good message for children and, quite honestly, pertinent to people of all ages.   Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with wonderful humor, rhyme and illustrations, while never losing sight of encouraging his readers to find their own success.  His message is timeless and ageless.

Night is Elie Wiesel’s horrific autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. Though difficult to read, this book is inspiring, captivating and emotional as Wiesel draws you into his journey.  It’s a real life story of survival under the most horrific circumstances, well narrated, unassuming and with vivid descriptions.  This book should be required reading for all students as it relates the horrors of the Holocaust.  And as an adult, I like to re-read this from time to time, so as to never forget the horrors of past events of man’s capacity of inhumanity.

Of all of the books I own, none are more treasured than the family cookbooks that I've received as gifts or that have been handed down to me from my mother, grandparents and great-grandparents.  Over the years, I have  acquired quite a collection of old cookbooks and family recipes.  Every holiday gathering will include a recipe or two that was prepared by relatives from years ago.  It's my way of keeping their memory and traditions alive.  I get great joy in cooking from a book that has my grandmother's handwriting in the margins, with pages stained and tattered.  And let's face it, some of those old church fundraising cookbooks are chock-full of delicious tried and true recipes! 

Amy's Books

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton :  I first read this book in JR High and it has been one of my favorites ever since! I also had to read it in HS for one of my English classes and it was fun to read again and I have read it several times since. It was also made into a movie in 1983 which was the beginning of great acting careers for many “big name” actors such as Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane, C. Thomas Howell, Leif Garrett- just to name a few.

S. E. Hinton was 16 at the time she created this story. Everything flows smoothly, and with so much detail. You get to know the characters so well it’s hard to believe the story just covers one week of their lives. This book is extremely hard to put down.

The Outsiders is about a gang of “greasers,” or underprivileged teenagers, living on the east side of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are constantly under attack from the rich west-side Socs, and have parties and rumbles all the time. The narrator, the orphan Ponyboy Curtis, pretty much knows what to expect from his day - school, track, homework, football at the lot - until one of his friends takes the greaser-Soc battle too far. From that point, Ponyboy can barely keep track of what is happening. He goes from hopping a train to escape a crime scene to being in the newspaper as a juvenile delinquent hero. Everything seems to move too fast to handle. To find out the whole story, read the book! If you like symbolism, this novel has plenty, but the main one is to “stay gold.” The book has a strong message of staying young and innocent. It teaches us not to create a shell to block emotions and the importance of friendship. This is one book you definitely will not want to skip.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom: I read this book in my college years and it really touched me emotionally. With all of the ALS ice bucket challenges that have been spreading like wildfire lately this book seems appropriate for the times. In this book newspaper sports columnist Mitch Albom recounts the time spent with his 78-year-old sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz, at Brandeis University, who was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Albom, a former student of Schwartz, had not corresponded with him since attending his college classes 16 years earlier. The book is all about Mitch and Morrie’s visitis together every Tuesday where Mitch to listens to Morrie's lessons on "The Meaning of Life." Their rekindled relationship turned into one final class: lessons in how to live. This is a chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.

Anne's Book

One book I have great appreciation for is Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937).  It is an intimate tale of transcendence, an expressive exploration of identity in which Hurston's character Janie Crawford, a young black woman, emerges into adult experience and individuality.  Their Eyes is introspective, instinctive, and descriptively sultry, like the disclosure of a deep-rooted secret.   It is also innovative, especially for its time- an intricate and supple depiction of Janie's emotional self.  "Janie stood where he left her," Hurston wrote, "for an unmeasured time and thought.  She stood there until something fell off the shelf inside her."  A remarkable writer and personal hero of mine, Hurston (1891-1960) was also an anthropologist, playwright, and activist, intrinsic to the socio-political and artistic movement of the Harlem Renaissance.

Dr. Krohse's Books

A couple books come to mind when I think "what book am I most thankful for?"  The first is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  For years, I've appreciated Gary's simple concepts of the ways you can show and receive love.  According to Gary, there are five main ways love is shown and received.  The five "languages" are physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gift giving, and acts of service.  Most people have certain languages that are more important for them to feel loved.  Further, most people have main languages that they use to show love to others.  Problems will inevitably arise if a person finds his or herself in a relationship where the most important languages are not being shown.
 
One of the reasons I've appreciated the Five Love Languages so much is because the concepts have been so helpful in my relationship with my girlfriend, Val.  Though we connected instantly when we met three years ago, we have very different love languages.  Her most important language is gift giving while mine is quality time.  The Five Love Languages has given us understanding in how to best love each other, and for that I'm incredibly thankful.

While romantic relationships may be the first place to apply the ideas of this book, I have found that it can apply to all important relationships from family to friends to business associates to patients.  I even make it required reading for all of our team so that the ideas can help us create a positive, appreciative healing environment for all who come to Compass Chiropractic.

The second book I'm most thankful for is actually not a full book.  It's just a simple booklet that changed my life.  It's the Standard Process Purification Program booklet.  At the end of 2009 I was about 30 pounds heavier than I am currently.  Like so many, I tried to out exercise the Standard American Diet but never seemed to make any progress.  Additionally, I was having severe year-round allergies that would cause me to have puffy eyes, itchy throat, constant nasal congestion, and bouts of 20 plus sneezes in a row.  I had decided I must be allergic to both dust and mold since they never let up.  At the time I was just thankful that daily doses of Zyrtec and nasal steroids would keep the symptoms from taking over my life.

After seeing a peer who had experienced a body transformation from pudgy to lean and mean I read the Standard Process Purification booklet and decided to give the 21 day program a try.  I lost 15 pounds in those 21 days and my allergies disappeared!  By the end of it I needed new, smaller pants and could breathe through my nostrils without medicine for the first time in years.  Over the next five weeks I added just cottage cheese and eggs to the Standard Process program's recommendations and dropped another 10 pounds.  From March, 2010 on I've maintained that weight or less with the knowledge I gained.  Quite simply, the program showed me that personally I need a lower carbohydrate, higher vegetable diet in order to be healthy.  Prior to the purification program, I had never been able to run over 10 miles a week.  Dropping weight enabled me to take my running, cycling, and triathlon activities to the next level, with numerous accomplishments such as qualifying for the Boston Marathon, high finishes at HyVee, and winning numerous Strava King of the Mountains resulting.  Additionally, I discovered my chronic allergies were directly caused by gluten.  As long as I don't have too much gluten, I don't have to take any allergy medicine.  I am so thankful that I read the booklet and tried this program!
                                                                         
Here's a link to the booklet or we do have hard copies available for free at our office if you'd like to learn more.  You can read my blog posts about my experience here.
 

Dr. Krohse's dog, George, & the Headless Dogpumpkin

Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - September 2014

Compass Chiropractic September, 2014 E-Newsletter

Now I Need your Help to Find the Right Part-Time Team Member!

I'm excited to introduce Amy as a new member of our team.  You can learn about her below!   She'll be teaching exercises, assisting with therapies, and helping patients schedule care during our morning hours from Monday through Thursday.

Now I need to find the perfect person for our afternoon/early evening hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (2:30-6:15) and from 7-3 on Fridays.  The current description of the position is below.   Thanks for sharing this if you know the right person looking for a rewarding position on a part-time basis.

Family & sports chiropractic clinic hiring enthusiastic, energetic, and dependable Chiropractic & Rehab Assistant. This exciting position will challenge and reward the right candidate. You'll get to assist with all aspects of managing a front desk such as answering phones, scheduling, and collecting money from patients. You'll become certified as a chiropractic rehab assistant so that you can assist with our physiotherapy and rehab procedures such as setting patients up with muscle stim, performing therapeutic ultrasound, and teaching patients exercises. Additionally, you'll learn how insurance works in the medical world. You will gain a wealth of experience and work in a fun environment where you are actively helping improve our patients' lives. Outstanding communication and multitasking skills are a must for this position. Position involves some daily bookkeeping, and computer knowledge will be required. Candidate must be very friendly, super on the telephone, detail oriented, and excellent at multitasking. We need someone who is interested in health.

Hours needed: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:30-6:15 and Fridays 7:00-3:00.  For the right candidate I could possibly modify that schedule.  Some Saturday hours will be available occasionally but not required.

If possible, drop off resume and cover letter in person during hours listed above at Compass Chiropractic -- 7405 University Ave, Clive. I'll try to take the time to meet you briefly. If you can't drop your resume and cover letter off in person please email to compasschiro@gmail.com.

Introducing Amy!
 
Background: Hi everyone! I’m excited to have joined the team at Compass Chiropractic. I started out as a patient of Dr. Krohse back in 2008 and have been a loyal patient because of his great patient care. I’m a graduate of the University of Iowa with a BS in Health, Leisure, and Sport Studies with an emphasis in Health Promotion as well as being an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health and Fitness Specialist- otherwise know as a personal trainer to most of you! Growing up I participated in many sports including gymnastics, martial arts, softball, and cheerleading to name a few and so sports and fitness has always been a huge part of my life. I was an All- Star Cheerleading and Tumbling coach here in the Des Moines area for over 10 years before my husband Joe and I recently had our baby girl Hattie in February of this year. We also have a “fur baby” Boxer named Reece.

Favorite aspect of working at Compass Chiropractic: I’m very excited to work with Dr. Krohse utilizing my education and passion for helping others live a healthy lifestyle and to get those in need back to feeling great!

What I enjoy outside of work: Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends as much as I can. I really enjoy traveling. With my love for fitness you can find me at the gym or out for a run quite often too.

How I give back to my community: I have done several runs that donate to local charities and community organizations and continue to do so. There’s nothing better than getting a good run in while helping out a charity/organization.

Words to live by: “Everything happens for a reason.” “Do what you love, love what you do."

Favorite local restaurant: This is a hard one…my husband Joe and I enjoy so many of the local restaurants, but lately you can find us at Jethro’s BBQ.

Something most patients don’t know about me: I lived in NYC for a semester in college for my internship at Equinox Fitness Clubs.

Congratulations to Garrett!

Garrett won $100 by getting the most patient votes in our "Compass Kids Silly, Goofy, Funky Face Contest."  While we had so many stellar silly faces for people to vote on, Garrett's silly face pulled ahead for the win.  Garrett's mom was excited to surprise him with a  Cars comforter and bed set he's been dying to have.  :)

Keep an eye out for this contest again next year as we had a blast taking pics and hearing patients chuckle at all the silly faces.

Sandy Recommends Microwaving Corn on the Cob in the Husks

I'm picky about my fresh sweet corn -- and don't especially like shucking the husks nor picking the silks off of the corn.  I was thrilled last year to learn that simply microwaving the unshucked ear of corn, then cutting an inch off the bottom -- will result in the ear of corn sliding right out -- free of husks and silks.  Below are a couple of links that demonstrate how best to accomplish this.  Adjustments in cooking time may be needed depending on the wattage of your microwave.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-never-shuck-corn-again/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U10MkdbzS54

Sheri Recommends Discovering Des Moines Bike Trails & Confluence Brewing Company

Years ago in my twenties, a bike was my only means of transportation.  I rode it to & from work, to the downtown bars in Lincoln, NE, & to friends houses.  Back then having a mountain bike was all the rage & my black Mt. Shasta was my pride & joy...until it was stolen.

I replaced it with a red Specialized Hard Rock that even through life changes and several moves, has always moved with me.  (Even though I had stopped riding.)  After 20 years, I took it out of the garage, dusted it off & took it in for maintenance care.

Now slowly over this past year I have been getting out and riding again.  Discovering the great bike trails of Des Moines has been part of the fun, but the real allure is the incredible joy & freedom I feel while on the bike.  A feeling I had forgotten for far too long!  I am sure many of you who ride know what I am talking about.  I imagine it is similar to the feeling people who ride motorcycles feel.

Anyway, my most recent ride took me for a short 10 mile round trip from Water Works Park to Mullets, to Confluence Brewing Company and around Gray’s Lake.  Of course there was pizza & beer involved at Mullets!  Confluence Brewing Company I spotted en route to Mullets and knew that a stop was going to have to be made on the way back to Water Works.  What a wonderful find they ended up being!  I went with their 4 pack sampler for $6.50.  Trying the Black IPA Thomas Beck, South Side Citra Blonde, East Side Attitude Red Lager, & Barley & Me Pale Ale.  They were all wonderful hand-crafted beers with their own individual distinctive tastes.  My favorite was the East Side Attitude Red Lager, I am a bit partial to red lagers.  Barley & Me was also great and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Iowa ARL.  I cannot believe they have been there for a year now and I never knew!  Many restaurants and bars in town serve their beers, as well as several Hy-Vee stores selling it.  You can go to their website to see the list.

So get out there in this beautiful weather on a bike, feel the breeze in your hair and discover some great secrets of Des Moines!

Dr. Krohse Recommends Agri-Cultured Fermented Foods

Kombucha.  Kimchi.  Colony.  Flora.

Have you heard these weird words from the crowd down at the Farmers Market this summer?   Well they must have found their way to the Agri-Cultured Fermented Foods booth.  You should make your way to their booth in the next couple weeks.
 

There you'll be able to try these great locally-made fermented foods in exciting flavors like "Raspberry Ginger Hibiscus Kombucha" and "Blueberry Passion Kombucha".

To learn more about all the reasons fermented food can be beneficial for your health read through some of these articles over at Mark's Daily Apple!

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fermented-foods-health/#axzz3DX1SURWh