While many Fairfielders devote their leisure hours to golf, others spend their free time in the air. Whether it’s a fascination with aviation, a career or wanderlust, this group of pilots confirms that flying is a viable hobby. People like John Shavinsky view aviation through professional and recreational lenses. A Fairfield resident since 2000, Shavinsky [...]read moreUp, Up, and Away – Flying Fans
When talented people come together, good things happen. Tapping into the expertise in Fairfield and Black Rock, we assembled an army of shop owners, hair, makeup, and fashion stylists, and together we created looks to suit women of all ages. This savvy group proves you don’t have to go far to find a great outfit, [...]read moreGirl Power – style from sisterhood in the neighborhood
Our second annual Fairfield Magazine Readers Choice Awards inspired our readers to get online and vote to tell us the best of Fairfield, Southport, Black Rock, and a little bit of Westport, too. More than 1,200 of you responded (thank you!) and the results are now in. Check out the winners here—over 100 great places [...]read moreFairfield Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards 2019
Missy Brown is a member of the faculty at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA, and president and founder of Deep Play for Kids. She lives in Fairfield and has dedicated her life to teaching and empowering others to help transform children’s lives through a type of yoga that focuses on play and joy. In between her classes and seminars, we got a chance to talk to her. Tell me more about DPK. Deep Play For Kids was created organically [...]read moreTen Minutes With Missy Brown – Founder of Deep Play for Kids
Celebrating its eight year anniversary on July 13, Artisan RESTAURANT, TAVERN & GARDEN located inside the Delamar Southport Hotel opened with rave reviews and has been a local favorite ever since. Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer, a pioneer in the Connecticut farm to table movement, showcases freshly sourced, local, and sustainable ingredients with a global twist [...]read moreCulinary Artistry – Seasonal summer specials
If you’re craving a sweet treat, look no further than The Little Red Waffle Truck. Opened last summer by long time friends Cal Massaro, Chris Kral, and Chris Previti, the truck is available for parties, weddings, and corporate events. The authentic, “Liege” style waffles are made right on the truck, with a professional grade iron [...]read moreWafflemania
After nine years, Norwalk’s popular Blue Cactus Grill has expanded to Fairfield. Serving up classic, American comfort food with a Southwestern twist, the eatery is best known for their burgers and cheesesteaks. “The concept arose from my desire to want to share with the East coast some very original flavors that I came to appreciate [...]read moreBlue Cactus Grill Expands to Fairfield
Lifelong Fairfielder, Lauren Orellana, met husband Byron while working together at a local restaurant, and quickly realized they shared a common goal. “We both had the dream of owning a restaurant, specifically in Fairfield,” Lauren says. “We just love the town, the people, and the buzzing restaurant scene.” When the opportunity to buy Cafe Madeline [...]read moreOwners of Aurora’s Find Their Dream Job
Each day, I woke up feeling like I had run a triathlon the day before. My joints hurt, my muscles burned. I was achy and tired. I experienced chronic pain every single day and every single night. What was going on with my body? Why was it betraying me?
Eleven years ago, I stood on the landing and started to cry because I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get up the six stairs to my bedroom. My husband, who had already tested positive for Lyme urged me to see a specialist. Soon I was on a three-month course of antibiotics, which alleviated some of the worst symptoms. I thought I was cured.
But no. Certain symptoms persisted and new ones cropped up. It became clear that something was very wrong. I consulted a battalion of doctors and specialists, presenting each of them with a neatly typed list of my bizarre and inconclusive symptoms.
I was variously tested for and/or diagnosed with Lyme disease, post Lyme fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, and Sjögren’s syndrome. I became pre-diabetic. Doctors continued to prescribe a cornucopia of drugs. Nothing helped except prednisone, which is an effective but pernicious steroidal drug you cannot take long term because of the awful side effects (eroded bones, hair loss, weakened immune system, a hunchback). I was diagnosed with a “non-specific auto-immune disease.”
The information I was given was contradictory and confusing: eat gluten free, eat dairy free, eat nuts, don’t eat nuts, try low carb/high protein, eat high fiber/low protein, eat a plant-based diet, eat lectin-free foods, avoid nightshades vegetables, eat fruit, don’t eat fruit, take vitamins, don’t take vitamins because they could cause liver toxicity.
One doctor told me that I just needed to accept the fact that I was getting older. Seriously? I had tried everything that conventional medicine had to offer, and it was only making me sicker, so I decided it was time to investigate other options. I believed that someone, somewhere would be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure out how to make me well.
When I first consulted with Dr. John Salerno of the Salerno Wellness Center (salernocenter.com), now located in the Sportsplex (he also has a long-standing practice in New York), I was polite but secretly skeptical. I’d been down this path many times before with other doctors, and gotten nowhere. However, a very small part of me was also hopeful. Maybe this doctor would unravel the enigma of my health woes?
Dr. Salerno is affable, smart, and he really listens. He is a symptom detective who analyzes your medical history and works systematically to find root causes of illness. Over the years, he has treated and cured thousands of patients who have presented with a host of different conditions. He is a whiz at diagnosis. Dr. Salerno predicted what my blood work would reveal, and he was right.
My hormone levels were a disaster—low estrogen, low progesterone, and testosterone so minimal that the lab could barely measure it. Apparently prolonged use of prednisone diminishes hormones. Who knew? My adrenal glands were in distress, and my thyroid levels were sub-optimal. Thanks to the frequent use of antiperspirant, I also had high levels of aluminum in my blood. And arsenic. Arsenic? Apparently rice and wine are to blame. Dr. Salerno encouraged me to adopt a low carb lifestyle and to choose organic wines. My vitamin D, C and B were also deficient.
Dr. Salerno also said possibly the nicest thing any doctor can say to a patient: “It’s not your fault.” I almost wept. I was so grateful not to be judged for my health challenges. He provided me with a list of supplements to take and prescriptions for bio-identical hormones. He tweaked my thyroid meds and customized IV treatments specifically for me (Dr. Salerno has 36 proprietary IVs for every ailment and condition imaginable).
Not everyone believes in using this approach to wellness, but all I can tell you is that I am a convert. Within six weeks of following a plan designed to balance my thyroid function, shore up my vitamin deficiencies, and stabilize my hormones, I felt and looked a lot better. I dropped eight pounds and the chronic muscle pain that plagued me for years diminished by 90 percent. My rosacea has calmed down and food sensitivities have disappeared. I no longer wake up at 3:07 am, unable to fall back asleep. My blood sugar levels are now normal. Am I running marathons? No. I am cycling, swimming, and feeling so much better. Functional medicine may not be for everybody, but it is the right choice for me.
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The scene: Fenway Park, Boston, circa 1955. The Red Sox, featuring the incomparable Ted Williams, are playing an afternoon game. A fan, incensed by a call made by the home-plate umpire, begins to berate the man in blue. The verbal abuse includes words totally unfamiliar to a ten-year-old girl sitting a few box seats away. [...]read moreSafe at Home Base – Memories of a Famous Umpire Grandfather