It’s time to do a spring cleanse!  After a winter of eating heavier foods and more time sitting around the house, it’s time to lighten things up!  I have a program that is designed to improve digestion, liver and gallbladder function, improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation.  Most people end up losing a few pounds as well.  The two week program involves dietary changes, several dietary supplements and supportive lifestyle measures to enhance detoxification.   The cost is $75.00 and includes a 15 minute telemedicine or phone consult with me to review and adjust the program to your needs, complete written instructions to start the cleanse and one of my favorite liver/gallbladder support supplements.  Contact us for more information or to get signed up! 

Hello Everyone!  Telemedicine visits are now available starting today, Monday 3/22/20.  This is a great way for both of us to stay healthy while being able to talk and see each other.  This is how we are scheduling all visits for the time being unless you do not have access to the internet in which case we can talk on the phone.  You may schedule your own telemedicine visit through my website, or call the office and we will help you.  I am here for you and look forward to talking to you soon!

Now that we are all staying home and may have more time to focus on nutrition and wellness, I have a few simple suggestions to add: 
1.  Focus on warm, cooked foods and warm beverages rather than cold, raw food or cold beverages.  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cold foods require extra energy to warm up so that they can then be digested.  This can have a negative effect on digestion and can also effect the immune system’s ability to fight infection.  This is especially important during Colorado’s springtime which is often cold, rainy, windy or snowy.  Try to sip on warm beverages throughout the day as COVID-19 often starts replicating in the throat and you can wash the virus down into the stomach where it will be destroyed by gastric juices. 
2.  Include ginger and cinnamon in your food or drink teas made from those spices.  Ginger and cinnamon are included in most of the TCM herbal formulas that are being given to COVID-19 patients in China.  The herbs are known to be warming and aid in circulation. They are both anti-inflammatory and cinnamon is antioxidant as well.  Not to mention tasty too!
3.  Experiment with cooking more of your own food.  This is a great time to get back to a simpler and more self-sufficient lifestyle.  The grocery stores may not have all of the items that you normally buy.  Get creative and buy some new ingredients, especially fruits and vegetables.  Tackle a new recipe or make items from scratch that you would normally buy such as pasta or enchilada sauces.  Let me know if you have any great recipes to pass along!  

If you would like to order supplements or refill herbal formulas, please call or email us and we would be happy to get your order ready for you.  If you would like to pick it up at the office, we will put it outside the office door in a bag with your initials on it.  We are also happy to mail your items to you or assist you with ordering supplements from my online store which is accessed through my website.  Some popular immune support items are backordered at this time but we are working hard to keep as many items as we can in stock.  Kiva will be in the office from 10 am to 2 pm today and then from 10 am to 1 pm every other day Monday through Thursday this week and next week to assist you with anything that you need.  

With the Coronavirus and a number of other viruses including the flu circulating, I have been getting a lot of calls from patients wanting tips on how to prevent illness.  In addition to the most basic but most important measures such as frequent hand washing, adequate sleep and a healthy diet, I recommend the following nutrients which are important for helping the body prevent and fight a viral infection.  The following doses are for adults.  Please contact me if you need guidance with children’s dosing. 
Vitamin A:  5,000 IU daily  
Vitamin D3:  2,000 IU daily 
Zinc:  30 to 50 mg daily 
There are a number of antiviral herbs that may be helpful as well.  I carry two combination formulas in my office that I use extensively for this purpose.  A-Biotic is something that I recommend taking daily (1 capsule twice daily) for the prevention of viral infection.  Cold Dx is a wonderful Chinese herbal formula that would be appropriate in the event of exposure to those who are sick or at the first sign of illness.  Please contact us for more information about how to use these!

Just a reminder that I am offering my Health Fair Lab Special through the month of March.  This is a fantastic opportunity to have screening labs done for a very reasonable cost.  Please call our office to schedule your appointment as those early morning time slots are filling up!  Remember to fast for 12 hours prior to your blood draw with water only for the most accurate results.  

Join me tomorrow Tuesday March 10th at 6 pm at Telluride’s Wilkinson Library for the third installment in my health talk series:  “Healthy Bones at Any Age”.  We will discuss the causes of low bone density and how to build bone using both the latest research and ancient nutrition practices.  Please contact the library at 970-728-4519 if you would like to attend so that we have enough seats for everyone!  I look forward to seeing you there.

I will be headed to Mexico again this winter for a short break and therefore will be out of the office between February 14th and March 2nd.  Kiva will be at the front desk February 25th and 26th and March 2nd if you need to refill supplements or schedule appointments.  I will be available by email or patient portal while I am away if something comes up that you need to talk to me about.  I’ll be back in on Tuesday March 3rd at 8:30 am.  Please let us know if you would like to get in before I go away!

I will be presenting the second talk in my series next week in Telluride at the Wilkinson Library.  The event will be held on Tuesday February 11th at 6 pm and the topic is “Taming Inflammation Naturally”.  We will discuss the causes of chronic inflammation and how to prevent and treat them with nutrition and lifestyle strategies.  Please contact the library in advance at 970-728-4519 if you would like to attend.  I look forward to seeing you there!

I’ll be holding my annual Health Fair Lab Special again this year during the month of March for those who may have missed their local health fair.  This is a great time to get screening labs done for a reasonable cost.  Please schedule your blood draw at my office in advance as those early morning time slots fill up fast!  

I am pleased to be able to offer the Wellness Talk Series again this winter in Telluride at Wilkinson Public Library.  Tomorrow, Tuesday January 14th at 6 pm will kick off the first talk in the series “Optimal Digestion”.  Please join us if you are struggling with digestive problems or would simply like to optimize your digestion!  The talk is free but the library requests advance sign up so that they know how many are attending.  Please contact the library at 970-728-4519 to sign up.

I continue to see patients at DCMH Family Medicine in Delta one Friday per month.  My schedule for the next three months is as follows: 
January 17th 9 am to 4 pm 
February 7th 9 am to 4 pm 
March 13th 9 am to 4 pm 
This is a great time for those who live in Delta, Olathe, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Crawford and Grand Junction to see me without having to travel a great distance.  Those days fill up quickly so plan ahead!  Call 970-874-5777 to schedule an appointment.  I look forward to seeing you there!

I am writing a monthly health-related article in the local publication San Juan Silver Stage.  This is a community lifestyles magazine covering arts, events and activities in Western Colorado with a focus on 50+.  Check it out!  

San Juan Silver Stage: Home

I will be taking some time out of the office for the holidays this month from December 24th to January 5th.  We will re-open on January 6th at 8:30 am.  Please let us know if you would like to see me before then or if you need to refill any supplements or custom herbal tinctures.  Keep in mind that you can refill most items through my online store as well.  

Happy Holidays and stay tuned for some new programs and talks coming in January!

The Tranquility product from Mountain Peaks that many of you know and love is back on the shelf in a new improved form!  This product has been incredibly helpful for calming the nervous system to aid with anxiety and sleep disturbance.  Please let us know if you would like to set aside a bottle for you.