We have been using Chinese herbs and acupuncture in our practice to significantly improve follicle growth and ovulation for many years, so this study comes as no surprise. Though this particular study was conducted on rats, our clinical experience echoes that the correct herbal formulas and the correct acupuncture protocols can have significant positive effects on the growth of follicles and on ovulation.
 
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007 Nov;5(6):665-9. Effects of Erxian Decoction and its separate prescriptions on the levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in anterior pituitary cells from female rats.

Substances in legumes and soybeans (soyasaponins) were shown to induce cell death (apoptosis) in an aggressive Cervical Cancer cell line (Hela).  

Xiao JX, et al. Toxicol In Vitro. 2007 Aug;21(5):820-6. Epub 2007 Feb 9. Morphological study on apoptosis Hela cells induced by soyasaponins.
 
Xiao JX, et al. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2007 Sep;59(1):35-42. Epub 2007 Jun 20. Soyasaponins inhibit the proliferation of Hela cells by inducing apoptosis.

The list is taken from cnet.com and is updated regularly. Here are the current winners/losers…note that the numbers next to the phones are the SAR (specific absorption rate)…the higher it is the more radiation:
 
Ten lowest-radiation cell phones
 
Manufacturer and model SAR level
(digital)
1. LG KG800 0.135
2. Motorola Razr V3x 0.14
3. Nokia 9300 0.21
4. Nokia N90 0.22
5. Samsung Sync SGH-A707 0.236
6. Nokia 7390 0.26
7a. Samsung SGH-T809 0.32
7b. Motorola Razr2 V9 0.32
8. Bang & Olufsen Serene (Samsung SGH-E910) 0.33
9. LG VX8350 0.348
  
Ten highest radiation cell phones:
 
1. Motorola V195s 1.6
2. Motorola Slvr L6 1.58
3a. Motorola Slvr L2 1.54
3b. Motorola W385 1.54
4a. Motorola Deluxe ic902 1.53
4b. T-Mobile Shadow (HTC) 1.53
5a. Samsung Sync SGH-C417 1.51
5b. Motorola V365 1.51
5c. RIM BlackBerry Curve (AT&T) 1.51
6. Sanyo S1 1.48
 
cnet.com reviews

Years ago I wanted to have an afternoon tea-themed bridal shower for my sister so I tried about 5 different scone recipes and all of them were just awful. Even my idol Martha Stewart had a crappy scone recipe. They all turned out like small hard blocks that you could throw at someone to knock them out. Finally Steve shared his own recipe with me and it was the best yet. I had stuck to this recipe for a really long time and it wasn’t until recently that I finally modified it because I was too lazy to run out to the store so I just used what I had in my fridge. These scones are great and my office staff usually devours them if Brandon doesn’t get to them first, with or without lemon or passion fruit curd.
 

 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift all dry ingredients together in large mixing bowl. Cut the butter into small chunks and incorporate into the dry mixture either with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you can only see small pebbles of butter. Add the half and half and very gently combine with the dry ingredients until incorporated and knead no more than 3-4 times. Now stop and let it sit and rest for five minutes. Divide the mixture into whatever size you’d like your scones to be and very gently shape them. Don’t mess with the dough too much or else it will come out like dense bricks. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 14 minutes or until golden brown.

This amazing recipe was shared by one of our dear patients who took a class with Hip Cooks and it’s the perfect recipe for those who want a little bit of sweet and are avoiding wheat (like me). As usual, I’ve modified it a little bit because I don’t like much sugar in my baked goods.
 

 
Wash and scrub the oranges. In a pot, cover in enough water so that they are fully immersed. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour until they are completely soft. Once tangerines, Meiwa kumquats and blood oranges come into season in the winter, imagine how tasty this recipe must be. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour until completely soft. Allow this to cool and remove the seeds. Put in food processor and blend to a puree.
 
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees; butter a 9 inch round baking tin, ideally a springform tin. Beat the eggs with the sugar until they are well mixed, then fold in the baking powder, ground almonds and oranges until evenly combined. Pour mixture into tin and bake for about an hour until firm to the touch. If the cake seems too moist, cook for a little longer.

Whole Paycheck/Foods has really gone over the top. The new Whole Paycheck/Foods Market just opened today on the Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena, just a few minutes North of our office off the 110 freeway. Brandon and I went today after work and this place really takes the cake. I heard someone say that it is the largest Whole Foods in the country and I’m not surprised. It’s truly a dizzying 76,770 square foot spectacle with underground parking, 2 levels of shopping and a few features I’ve never seen at any other Whole Foods including a roasted nut bar, chutney counter, wine and tapas bar with a lounge, custom flavored butter counter, croissant bar, an incredibly organized cheese section with more goat and sheep cheeses than I’ve seen at other locations, a chocolate bar, etc.
 
I must admit that I’m becoming less and less upset with Whole Foods. They’re really making a concerted effort to meet the demands of their consumers. There’s a lot more 100% grass-fed beef and local produce than I’ve noticed before. Although we’re still going to go to the Hollywood farmers market every week, it’s nice to have this local option within walking distance from where we live. This location is also very convenient to the Gold Line.
 
So for all of you patients who ask where to eat lunch in the area, where you can buy spelt bread and other specialty items that you can’t find anywhere else, here’s your answer!