Spring Cleaning

Welcome Spring with a Detox! 
 By: Kitt Guaraldi, ND

     Though the snowy fields and slant stark light would suggest that winter has nestled in to stay indefinitely, the birds and buds, running sap and longer daylight hours say otherwise. What better way to welcome the spring than with a discussion about detoxes?

     There are many ways to cleanse and detoxify the body. Many companies advertise pill-based detoxes, and juice fasting and water fasting have had their heydays. However, my favorite form of detox (particularly considering that most people have hectic, stressful lives that make it difficult to restrict calories) is a food-based detox.  There are so many foods that support the ability of the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin to export toxins and purify the cells – leafy greens, lemons, and blueberries just to name a few. We can still feel satiated while focusing on delicious foods rich in vitamins, nutrients, anti-inflammatory fats and proteins and fiber. A month-long detox is a fun way to experiment with new recipes and new foods; most people end up adding some of the recipes to their food repertoire after the detox is over.

     I love offering detoxes in the springtime. The earth, too, is turning over nutrients and investing energy into creating those first green shoots, which are so cleansing for humans and earth alike. We cast off the sleepy cloak of winter, welcome the lighter fare of spring and summer, and breathe in the fresh springtime air.  We connect with our natural environment through eating with the seasons, and feel rooted to our innate rhythms and local community.

     I have led both individual and group-based detoxes – and I’m eager to have a group detox this spring if folks are interested! Email or call the office if you’d like to participate or want more details.

     I’ve been with SNFW for a year now, and will be full-time with SNFW starting in May.  Both Angela and I welcome the growth of the practice as it enables us to bring the benefits of naturopathic medicine to the greater Stowe community. Feel free to spread the word!  There is no better way to help others learn about our practice than from the experience and expertise of our patients. Thank you!


Detox Introduction Class:  either Saturday 4/13, 11-1230 pm or Thursday  4/11 from 6-730pm. 
Detox Wrap Up Class Thursday May 9th or Saturday May 11th depending on the size of the group interested.

Cost: $25.00/person or by donation!

 Please contact us by Monday April 8th to put your name on the list! We will contact the group that collects via email for details of when the classes will be held. 


Clinic Updates:
     Over the last few months, we here at SNFW have been busily getting our clinic prepared to transition to become a medical home! It has been alot of hard work, but we are nearing completion in April. This is very exciting for many reasons. 

     First of all, SNFW will definitely be the first naturopathic medical clinic in Vermont to become a medical home (maybe in the whole U.S.!!) This is a huge step on the path to federal recognition, which will eventually allow for greater access for people to "alternative" healthcare.  It also places the clinic in a good position with insurance companies if the transition to a single-payor system becomes reality. We will be able to smoothly make that switch without a hitch. 
     Secondly, this will enable greater access for our patients to community health resources that are within the "medical home". This means that if someone needs help with a non-medical related concern, whether it is housing, dental services, or employment, we will have someone who will be on stand-by to assist those in need, free of charge, since we are a designated medical home. Of course, all of those aspects of life greatly impact our health, so we are excited to get support in helping those who have those unique needs. We are all very excited to bring this project to completion and be able to offer a higher level of service to our community.

In other news:

    4 months ago, I applied to Copley Hospital for affiliate membership. I have since that time, received numerous phone calls from Copley asking why I am interested in membership and who I am!! 

     In response to those questions, I told them that about a year ago, I had referred a patient in for physical therapy. Well, they denied my referral because I am not an MD. I couldn't believe this was allowable and had been searching for a way to ensure that this never happens again, short of calling the PT department and making a complaint. I wanted to, instead, build stronger ties with the greater healthcare community, and seek a more positive way to ensure my patients always have access to the same services that MD patients have. As an affiliate member, I will be able to refer a patient in for any specialty services within the hospital without a hitch. 

     I am also scheduled to present to the Copley medical staff this month on what naturopathic medicine is, our education, and scope of practice. I am very excited to have the opportunity to educate my colleagues about the breadth of naturopathic medicine and that yes! we are physicians, but we have a very different approach to healthcare. I personally believe that somewhere in the middle ground between the NDs and the MDs, we will find an amazing, integrated, high-quality system of healthcare that will benefit the patient the most. We just need to understand each other and foster collegial respect so that the best of what we do can support and enhance the best of what they do. My hope is that as an affiliate member, I can begin to pave the road to this middle ground.

So, there is our update! Phew!! Lot's going on in this spring season! Here's to longer days and warmer sun!! 

In Health,

SNFW