Almond butter: a rich and delicious alternative to the perhaps more pedestrian peanut butter. Don’t get the wrong idea – I love peanut butter (it’s fairly safe to say that peanut butter was a staple in most of our childhoods, right?). However, as peanut allergies become more commonplace, there is a large variety of peanut butter alternatives available at most grocery stores.
Although they tend to be pricier, alternative nut butters, like almond butter, are often less processed, have a higher nutrient value and taste delicious.

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Join us for our first workshop with Martina Schumann! This informative session will teach you how to make simple, safe, and effective cleaners (with take-home sample and recipes!) and include a discussion about what it means to clean “naturally”.

Space is limited! 

Goji berries (pronounced “go-jee”) are acclaimed as one of the newer superfoods, having gained immense popularity with health enthusiasts over the past few years. They are grown on deciduous perennial plants, vine ripened, and summer harvested in the temperate and subtropic regions of China and the Tibetan Himalayas.

Dried goji berries have a soft, chewy texture and have a pleasant taste that’s just slightly bitter – They share similar flavour characteristics with cranberries, raisins and cherries that pairs well with other foods.

Nutrition
Similar to other berries, gojis are able to deliver high nutritional value along with very few calories. They are a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and fibre. It is important to note that while super foods are indeed a beneficial addition to most diets, they are not a “silver-bullet” and should be eaten in moderation within a balanced diet.

Buying & Storing
Goji berries are typically sold dry in Canada, or as an ingredient in tea, wine, juice, cereal, trail mix, or other health foods. It is a good idea to buy dry organic whole berries and add them yourself to your food. There are pure juices available, but these can be quite pricey. Dried goji berries should be stored like any other dried food in your pantry: away from moisture, in a cool dark place (eg. in a jar in your cupboard).

Preparing
Dried goji berries can be eaten whole like raisins, tossed into hot or cold cereals, sprinkled on salads and soups, brewed with tea, or added to muffin mix. Don’t hesitate to add these to a morning smoothie or your afternoon trail mix snack. The possibilities are almost endless!

Rooibos tea (“roy-boss”) is also referred to as “red bush” tea. Indigenous to South Africa, its traditional uses include infantile colic, allergies, nervous tension and skin conditions. The Rooibos leaves contain unique flavonoids (aspalathin and nothofagin) that act as potent antioxidants. It has a delicate sweet and nutty flavour, and is naturally caffeine free!

There are both traditional Rooibos and green rooibos varieties available. The difference is that traditional (fermented) rooibos is harvested, cut and sprayed with water. The damp leaves are then allowed to ferment for 12 hours before being spread out and dried in the sun. This process gives the distinctive amber hue and characteristic taste. Green (unfermented) Rooibos is harvested, cut, and then dried immediately without the fermentation/chemical oxidation step. Green Rooibos has a lighter colour and milder taste compared to it’s traditional counterpart.

How to brew:
Using freshly boiled water, add 1-2 tsp of Rooibos tea per cup.
Steep 4 – 6 minutes depending on the strength desired.
Enjoy straight, or with milk and honey!

We are a proud sponsor of the International Tea Festival! 

Come and join us on Sunday March 18th for a fun afternoon of tea information and sampling!
All proceeds will be donated to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region!

Location: Victoria Park Pavilion
Time: 11am – 4pm
Cost: $20 (includes free pottery mug to first 150 people!)

Want to purchase tickets?

Visit us at our store or call Anselma House 519 741 9184 ext. 2003

You’ve probably seen various multicoloured tortilla chips around… but have you looked into the nutritional differences between the colours?

The difference in tortilla colour is attributed to the variety of corn used. While the majority of tortillas out there use white and yellow corn, there are definitely benefits to branching out and reaching for the pretty blues!

1. Higher protein content. (About 20% more than white or yellow)

2. Lower glycemic index (We digest blue corn slower, preventing a spike in blood sugar levels after you eat it)

3. Its taste profile is much more exciting. (A littler sweeter and nuttier!)

Here are some of the blue tortillas that we stock. Check them out the next time you’re having nachos!

February is Heart month, and it might interest you to know that Nitroglycerine, one of the oldest and best known medicines for treating attacks of “angina” was introduced into medicine thanks to homeopathy! Dr. Constantine Hering was a German physician who established homeopathy in the United States in the 1840’s. He conducted the first “proving” of the medicinal properties of this substance in 1847, the same year that Nitroglycerine was discovered and put to use in the manufacture of explosives. The homeopathic remedy made from this special combination of glyerine, nitrogen and oxygen is known as Glonoine, and is used to treat heart affections as well as stroke, headache and other symptoms. It eventually made its way into the hands of conventional physicians but interestingly, it has always been taken in the same manner as homeopathic remedies – as a tablet under the tongue or a spray directly in the mouth.

There are many other homeopathic remedies for heart health, and one that is familiar from the herbal pharmacopeia is Hawthorne, known by its latin name Crategus Oxyacantha. This medicine is a very effective heart tonic, especially when taken in the Gemmotherapy form. This means it has been prepared only from the bud portion of the plant because it contains special plant stem cells that have tremendous healing potential, not unlike human stem cells. The extract is “potentized” by the homeopathic method (diluted and shaken, one part to ten) so it is less likely to produce any sort of unwanted reaction, and it also takes on a slight dynamic effect (meaning that it acts in an energetic as well as chemical way). It should be taken in water, 10-30 drops, one to three times daily. You can take this along with another gemmotherapy remedy called Olea Europa that is effective for keeping blood lipids flowing smoothly and gently removing plaque from artery walls.

Please consult your doctor about any heart supplements you want to take, and have a happy Heart month!

- Tracy

Tracy is available for consultations Wednesday from 11:00 – 7:00PM. Drop in and say hello!

HEMP HEARTS™ are the most concentrated and best balanced source of proteins, essential fats and vitamins in nature.

Tania Heinemann, RNCP, RHN is offering expert advice on how ALL your family can to avoid Colds and Flu in a specially designed 30 minute program and consulation.

“Many people have already experienced the latest cold and flu virus running through our community and know how disruptive being sick is to sleep, well being and using up precious sick days at work.

How do I avoid the cold and flu and how do I reduce the amount of days of illness. Often, the state of our digestive system and immune system will determine the answers to these two questions.

• Learn how to avoid or manage this year’s cold and flu season more effectively (reducing the amount of time you are away from work and daycare!)

• Learn about new Vitamin D requirements, probiotics, homeopathic remedies, vitamin c and other natural and safe treatments.

• What is safe for a baby/toddler/preschool/older child and adult.

• Receive a customized nutritional and supplement protocol for your entire family!

• Get to know which healthy snacks and foods your family will need this winter!”

Phone: 519.220.1519 / contact@yellowood.org / www.yellowood.org to make an appointment.

For just $35.00 you could avoid the misery of Cold and Flu for many Winters to come

…A Path to Wellness

The holiday season can be a time of excess, whether from all the office or neighbourhood parties, over-the-top family meals or just plain overstimulation from all the noise and hype. Here are some pointers for gentle but effective relief:

Too much eggnog? Try Nux-vomica for the alcoholic version and try Pulsatilla for indigestion from rich or creamy food and drink.

Too much office party? Think Nux vomica for anything that looks, talks or walks like a hangover! It’s also great for overindulgence in good food, coffee and dessert. Can be repeated as necessary in case of multiple opportunities for overindulgence!

Too much excitement?  Coffea is great for kids who can’t sleep after a big party or from playing with so much new stuff. Kali-phos 6X is a “cell salt” for nerves on edge or for exhausted parents trying to “get it all in”. Take 4 pills 2-4 times a day as needed. Probably would be good for Santa, too!

Too much family? Ignatia can take the edge off strong emotions that come up at this time of year, whether from enduring long visits with difficult relatives, or missing loved ones who can’t be near.

All these remedies can be taken in the 30C potency by dissolving 2 or 3 pills under the tongue, or by dissolving the pills in half a cup of water and sipping at intervals as needed.

Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!

Tracy

It’s really important to be sure you have total darkness for sleeping – black out your windows and make sure to remove lighted clocks. Your pineal gland supplies melatonin to make you sleep, but it only knows about light and dark so give it a hand! Take away anything that emits an electrical signal such as a cordless phone and clock radio, TV, or computer. Don’t drink anything with caffeine (even green tea!) after 6:00, and try to eat your evening meal by that hour too if possible. Experiment with the time of day you exercise – some people find it helps sleep to exercise in the evening, while others find it too energizing. Once those things have been tried, you can consider some homeopathic remedies:

COFFEA 30C is the main remedy for being unable to fall asleep because of too much thinking or from excitement.

NUV VOMICA 30C suits someone who has a lot of business cares, takes a lot of coffee, tea or wine during high-pressure lunches and can’t keep from bringing the office home at night.

CYPRIPEDIUM 6C is for children who wake up in the middle of the night wide absolutely cheerful and ready to play!

You can put a few pellets of any of the above remedies in half a cup of water and take a sip every 5 or 10 minutes until you drift off.

There are also some combination remedies that are available off the shelf here at the store that many people find handy to keep around for occasional sleeplessness;

Hyland’s “Calms”, and “Calms Forte” – the latter having added tissue salts directed at calming the nervous system. Safe for children, can be repeated as needed.

Hyland’s “Insomnia” which suits a restless insomnia, perhaps with a wound up nerves from emotional stress or overwork.

Rescue Sleep is part of the Bach Rescue Remedy family and comes in a spray bottle. This can also be repeated as needed.

All of these medicines are safe for all ages, but if over the counter remedies don’t help within 3 nights, please consider asking for professional help to choose the best-suited medicine for your particular situation.

Bio-K+^® is a liquid and looks like a yogurt but it’s far more potent and so far more effective than regular yogurts. This is the only product containing the live probiotic L. acidophilus CL1285^® + L. casei LBC80R which has been clinically tested and is commercially available.  It has 50 billion live, active, beneficial bacteria and it starts working the moment it enters the mouth and continues its work through your entire digestive tract. It is the only certified gluten-free probiotic, available in various fermented substrates: dairy, soy and germinated brown rice so it is excellent for the elderly and people with food sensitivities. Fermented products are easier to digest. It is available in natural or various fruit flavours and a pack of 6 x 98g bottles $20.99-$21.99. A healthy gut leads to a healthy immune system and this will help protect your Mom from the coming flu season.

Wish her well from me,

Lisa

A Story of a Farmer Ahead of His Time

A Long long time ago, long before the word “green energy” or “organic” were commonplace in our society there was a few farmers who were in the midst of taking over the family farm.  This one farmer in particular was also considering having children, and started to become aware of what impact his farming practice would have on those that consume his wares. So in 1984 he embarked upon the process to certify his land as “organic”, in 1987 he was fully certified!  This farmer is Dennis Baer of Vibrant Farms.

His journey continued however and he soon came to learn that there is so much more to farming than just NOT putting chemicals on the land, that the soil has to be cared for, so that the animals can have nutrient dense foods, that the nutrients be replenished so that future generations of children will be able to enjoy the same GREAT food we are enjoying, that the health of the animals is particularly important to the health of those that consume it. Again it wasn’t good enough to have cows that just didn’t show signs of illness, he wanted happy healthy VIBRANT cows, this, he realized happens through the food you feed them – he veered away from corn when he noticed that corn creates an acidic environment and thus unhealthy cows. He noticed that when the animals were getting all the nutrients they needed they didn’t get sick, they calved better, produced healthier more robust calves and grew big and strong faster.  So he made sure that all his calves were born on the farm so he could watch them and care for them as they grew, he didn’t want to bring in outside herds and introduce steers into the herd for the last few months as many beef farmers do.

Vibrant Farms was born when one of his daughters went off to University for Business and realized that as many had said “you can take the girl off the farm, but you cant take the farm out of the girl”, so she came back with an eager soul and organic farming in her blood, and started the process to make getting grass fed organic beef more readily available, and make it sustainable from the soil to the shelf, and all that’s required to make that happen!!!

Vibrant Farms is a group of VERY committed farmers, farmers that have been farming this way for much longer than organics has been mainstream, and they used to ship their animals to the stock yards to be combined with all the other steers (so you know they’re not in it for the money). They have a huge commitment to their health and the health of their families and their global families (you will know the instant you get them talking…they usually cant stop!)

To place an order or have any questions please contact Melissa (The Farmers Daughter)

226 808 2237
orders@vibrantfarms.com

Follow The Farmers Daughter on Facebookfind “afarmdaughter” on Twitter its a virtual connection to the farm, all the happenings, new births, and exciting events

On Friday October 21, there was an exciting event for natural health enthusiasts in Toronto. The Canadian Homeopathic Conference hosted a free public event to kick off the first ever professional conference of Oct 22/23 uniting 175 homeopathic practitioners from across the country. Attendees were treated to short presentations by special guests Drs. Banerji  (famed Banerji Protocols) of India, Dr. Gustavo Bracho of Cuba and Dr, Lionel Milgrom of Great Britain. They gave brief highlights of the best in current scientific research as well as spectacular successes in the treatment of cancer and prevention of epidemic disease with homeopathic medicine. There was a Q&A session, and comments from the floor focused on the topic of patient choice in Canada and how that differs from India and England where homeopathic medicine is fully integrated into the health care system. If this subject is important to you, be sure to let your member of parliament know how you feel! The organizers of this event are already at work planning a public session for next year’s conference, so if you missed this one please join us next time!

If this subject is important to you, consider joining the Canadian Consumers Centre for Homeopathy, a brand new advocacy group aimed at promoting homeopathy and supporting consumers in the use of this amazing, gentle, effective medicine at home. Visit them at www.homeocentre.ca

Tracy Poizner, HD

According to an article in the March 2011 issue of the peer-reviewed medical journal Canadian Family Physician, “…there are no effective medications to either cure or relieve the symptoms of acute cough in children.” Of course this doesn’t mean that you should never seek medical attention for a cough – the article goes on to say that the family doctor should rule out rare or serious conditions for which drug therapy might be effective.

“Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections; indeed they might cause side effects that are more distressing than the cough.” Many family doctors feel pressured by worried parents to prescribe medicine to deliver fast relief – make sure your doctor knows that you are satisfied to have ruled out a serious underlying condition, and then turn your attention to natural medicines which can be very effective in relieving a cough to help everyone get a good sleep. There are several homeopathic and herbal cough syrups that do a good job of helping sticky mucus to be expelled and to quiet the tickle in throat or chest that causes dry coughing. These do not contain harmful alcohol or cough suppressants that can prolong the illness instead of helping to get over it!

Homeopathic remedies Phosphorus, Antimonium Tart, Ipecac and Drosera are all excellent for different types of coughing and can reduce the number of night-time disturbances for Mom and Dad too. If you need help to understand how to choose and/or take these natural medicines, contact me by email or phone, or drop in on a Wednesday between 11 and 7.

There are so many easy things you can do to protect yourself from losing days of work (or worse, holidays!). Vitamin D has been proven to do more to prevent viral illnesses than almost anything else. The recommendations have recently been changed – adults can now safely take 4000-5000 mg. daily and children over 5 can take 1000mg. Drops are easy to take right from a spoon, with no bad taste. Of course, Cod Liver Oil contains lots of Vitamin D, and you can get your essential fatty acids that way too. The new ones are lemony tasting and go down pretty easily.

The number one over-the-counter flu medicine in France is a homeopathic remedy called “Oscillococcinum” – you may have seen it advertised on TV in the ‘spelling bee’ commercial. You can take some of this for prevention any time you are feeling especially run down or you know you have been in contact with someone who is sick. The little sugary granules dissolve under your tongue and crunch between your teeth – kids love them! Safe for all ages, and you can pick up the specially marked kids box if you like, although the product is the same inside. If you carry one tube around in your purse or coat pocket, you will be ready to take it at the very first sign of fluish symptoms. This is where “Oscillo” does its best work, you’ll be amazed at how well it can cut off a flu in the first hours and stop the whole disease in its tracks! By the way, “FluBuster” is the same product sold under another name, both are great.

Have you been wondering how to go about doing a “cleanse”? Traditionally, spring and fall are the best times of year to rid your body of seasonal excesses. Join Tracy for a group effort to help support your resolve and to provide you with tips for success. Drop in Wednesdays during September between 12-2 to sign up and get a sheet of menu suggestions and advice about various “cleanse” products available and how to use them. Of course, you can do this on your own as well.  Tracy suggests a 2-week cleanse preparation with the Gemmotherapy remedy called “Juniperis Communis” to drain your liver and kidney and prepare them to escort the unwanted backlog of toxins out of your body. Take 20 drops (2 pumps) in water, twice daily. After that, take 10 days to just stop eating or drinking anything that is difficult to digest or assimilate – you can follow this rhyming guide: “NO DAIRY NO WHEAT, NO SUGAR NO MEAT” – easy! Most importantly drink plenty of pure water – you wouldn’t think of cleaning the outside of yourself without a good rinse, would you? Be sure to drink a good 2-3 litres a day while on this regime, to flush those toxins out the door. You can also take another Gemmotherapy remedy called “Vaccinum Vitis Idea” which regulates motility of the colon and repairs the mucous membrane (2 pumps in water, twice a day for 3-4 weeks).

Both remedies are available at the store and if you are a patient of Tracy’s you are eligible to 10% off the retail price.

–
“Aude Sapere”

We have a new member of our team at Healthy Foods & More.

Introducing Sommer.

Sommer has worked in the Natural Food & Supplement industry for 10 years. She is the picture of health herself and with a massive amount of energy. Whoosh… there goes Sommer. A pretty good endorsement to her expertise in healthy living we’d say. Sommer has joined the team as our key supplement and cosmetics buyer and she has already overhauled our supplements section. Sommer is convinced that the integrity of the sources of raw ingredients goes a long way towards making sure the body absorbs the nutrients you are taking. “Lesser quality ‘Grocery Store’ supplements often simply get wasted through body elimination. The body finds it hard to absorb synthetically produced vitamins and minerals so although these products may be cheaper, by being less effective your money is wasted and frustrating lack of results soon discourages and results in cupboards full of unused supplements”. Sommer is introducing a new line of organically sourced supplements: Megafood, www.megafood.com and New Chapter www.newchapter.com and removing any less effective products from our shelves. Sommer is also excited about introducing a new line of organic facial care and make-up: Zuii is an organic, mineral and flower based make-up line and Suki is an organic, chemical free cosmetic line. Check them out at www.zuiiorganic.com and www.sukipure.com. Come down to the store and chat with Sommer about your nutritional needs and she’ll be happy to consider any requests you may have.

Our store is packed full of healthy options to put in your kids lunch box or bag. The integrity of the packaged products we carry, are checked by our staff and registered nutritionist before they reach our shelves.

Now that you have the school run plus piano, hockey, swimming lessons…, we read the labels for you.We’ve introduced a new shelf label system to our store to help you identify foods designed for kids with sensitivities or allergies. You can quickly select delicious and safe allergen free and nut free options. Come and look for these signs around the store for great lunch items.

Our staff wanted me to include a few suggestions for your little angels and of course we also hold a large variety of delicious low sugar juices and Stevia sweetened pops, Krista and Zevia.

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Tracy Poizner,  our resident homeopathic practitioner is now offering computerized bioenergetic health testing. NES ProVision, the first system of its kind in Waterloo Region, is an amazingly comprehensive bioenergetic scanning software that offers a look at possible energetic links to a range of health issues. It is a quick, non-invasive test that involves resting your hand on a device that looks pretty much like a computer mouse for 20-30 seconds. The results are displayed in detailed colour images showing the energetic state of many organs and systems of the body, as well as your own body’s preferred order of treatment. Like layers of an onion, various health issues can be dealt with in the appropriate sequence through the use of NES Infoceuticals, proprietary medicines that supply the correct “information” to allow your body to regain balance and the ability to repair its own functions. Of course, you may also choose to use the information from the scan to direct your choice of nutritional supplements and homeopathic remedies.

Although the actual NES scan takes only a few seconds, it is preceded by an interview to establish your full health history and main areas of concern.  Reviewing the results of the scan with you can take up to an hour, so this service is offered by appointment only.

www.tpoiznerhomeopath.com

A: A paste of salt (or baking soda) and water, or apple cider vinegar directly on the bite helps a lot to stop the itchy swelling from developing if used right away. The homeopathic remedy called Ledum is perfect for bites and stings of all kinds. It takes away the stinging pain and reduces the swelling. Take 2 pellets right away under the tongue (kids can chew them too if they like) and put 2 more in half a cup or so of water to sip every 15 minutes or so, as needed.

The Gemmotherapy remedy called Ribes Nigrum is an excellent anti-inflammatory that stimulates the adrenal glands and produces an effect similar to cortisone. You can put 25-50 drops in water and drink it all at once or sip on it slowly, repeating 3 times a day as needed. You can also apply a few drops externally on the bite to control itching and swelling as needed.

If there is a great deal of swelling, try Apis Mellifica 30C, which is made from honeybees! Apis is a good bet to keep on hand for use in case of real allergies to insect bites while waiting for medical attention. Homeopathic remedies can be used alongside conventional medicines, so don’t forget to use Epi-Pen as well if you have one, and treat all extreme reactions to stings as a medical emergency.

A: Many natural products should not be taken alongside prescription medicines. For this reason it is a good idea to consult a natural health specialist before taking natural remedies if you also take pharmaceutical medicines prescribed by your doctor. This is particularly true for herbal medicines which are still act like a “drug” on the organs and tissues of the body, even if in a healthy way.  Don’t forget that herbs are found in many kinds of supplements and teas, so you need to read the labels and talk to someone knowledgeable before reaching for help from the health food store shelf.

An exception to this rule is homeopathic remedies. As part of the manufacturing process,  they are diluted and shaken up many times until they no longer contain any of the original “active ingredient”. They work strictly on an energetic level so they don’t interact with other medicines the way herbal remedies do. For short term use, homeopathic remedies are a safe bet to treat acute ailments no matter what other prescription medicines you are taking. Homeopathy has no side-effects when used as directed, so it is the safest choice for treating problems of pregnancy, nursing and for infants. There are many books and websites with rules for home prescribing that you can consult to know when to repeat, reduce or stop the remedy to get maximum benefit. It is not appropriate to treat yourself for chronic complaints because such problems generally take longer to resolve and require specialized knowledge to manage care over time. Sometimes homeopathic treatment can work so well that other  medications can be gradually reduced or eliminated under doctor’s supervision!

RxBalanceTM Platinum Aller-Plex combines three of the best available ingredients aimed at allergic rhinitis, other forms of rhinitis as well as sinusitis. Overall, the formula has anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory and tissue repair effects.

This product does not contain dairy, egg, gluten, shellfish, soy, sulfites, animal derivatives or artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. It does contain:

Nettle. Nettle aerial parts have been traditionally used for the relief of seasonal allergy symptoms. There is evidence that nettle above-ground parts improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. In one study, starting nettle at the first sign of symptoms provided subjective improvement. The leaves also contain beta-sitosterol and the flavonoids quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, among others. The aerial parts of nettle have a variety of pharmacological effects, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic, hemostatic antibacterial, and antiviral.

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A: Both are good, especially taken together! Anything you put on your skin is absorbed into your system so in a sense they work the same way. The cream, oil or gel allows you to especially target injured or painful areas, and the massage element helps too. Taking the remedy by mouth will direct increased healing capacity to any part of your body under stress from trauma, strain or other injury. Arnica is even good for the flu if it makes you feel beaten up all over.

Reminder – don’t apply Arnica to broken skin, such as scraped knees, it stings! Calendula cream is a better choice for scrapes or burns.

Presentation today at 6.30pm at

Playfit Kids

366 Hespeler Road Cambridge, Ontario N1R 6J6

519-623-KIDS (5437)

The cost is just $20 and clients will learn:

- New research about food allergies

- The most common food allergens

- Infants and food sensitivities (breastfeeding and formula)

- Protocols for supporting little immune and digestive systems to get past allergy / sensitivity stage!

The Working Centre is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer inspired venture that seeks to give individuals and groups access to tools and opportunities to become involved in the building of community projects in Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas.

The Grow Herbal Gardens project has four main components – Microgreens, Seedlings, Community Gardens, and Herbal Products (soaps, teas, salves, fresh herbs.)

Three community gardens are sponsored by The Working Centre –  Lancaster House (the site of their greenhouse and herbal gardens – a shared community plot), Queens Greens (the most successful garden – across from Joseph Schneider Haus on Queen St.), and the May Place Community Garden.

As a local food initiative Healthy Foods & More are strong supporters of the new Microgreens Project and we aim to stock a regular assortment of fresh greens such as arugula, cress, broccoli, fennel, and radish if customers demand grows.

The hydroponic system they use is great way of providing local, fresh greens year round and grown in KW, fresh really means fresh. Microgreens are nutrient-rich, flavourful greens that are harvested in early stages of a plant’s development. Unlike sprouts, microgreens shoots are harvested without the root system and between their first and second set of leaves develop, the ‘true’ leaves. They are stuffed full of all the same good bits you find in sprouts but are more familiar in taste and texture to traditional salad greens and low in calories. They would actually rate in the top ten of super-foods if only more people knew about them.

Situated in the GROW Gardens greenhouse, the microgreen’s hydroponic system has been providing fresh greens to Maurita’s Kitchen and Queen Street Commons Café for a while now. These greens are a colourful and zesty addition to many salads.

The volunteers at The Working Centre have also grown about 1000 seedlings (vegetables mostly), which they sell at several seedling sales and at Worth A Second Look. Although at the tail end of the tomato planting time, they are going to keep producing herbs and fall greens for sale throughout the summer.

The herbal products are just getting off the ground – they’ve made some soaps and are going to work on some teas soon. These can be bought at the Queen Street Commons Café (and maybe Healthy Foods and More – watch this space).

Do babies and children need probiotics?

Probiotic means good bacteria or the literal translation is “for life”. Antibiotic means “against bacteria” or to eradicate life.

When it comes right down to it, probiotics are really just a way to help the digestive tract do what it is supposed to do. This is no less true with infants than it is with older children or with adults. In fact, probiotic use in infants may not only help your infant’s digestive tract, it may provide a variety of other health related benefits.

Probiotics are actually live bacteria. The bacteria in probiotics are the same types of bacteria that normally live in the digestive tract. These bacteria make up what is known as the “gut flora,” which is just a phrase that describes the environment of bacteria and other organisms that exist in the digestive tract. The bacteria in probiotics are not the sort that cause infections and are harmful to us. Rather, these are beneficial bacteria. These bacteria aid the gut flora in doing its job. They help with digestion. They help to absorb minerals and other sorts of nutrients. They help to synthesize vitamins. They even help to provide something of a barrier against harmful substances. Read more »

Homeopathy is a completely natural form of medicine in use around the world for 200 years which relies on small doses of individual substances found in nature and matches them to the unique set of symptoms presented by each client. The medicines are absolutely non-toxic, making them an ideal treatment for pregnant or nursing women, babies and children, and anyone wanting to avoid the side-effects of common pharmaceutical medicines. Homeopathy is now a regulated health profession in Ontario, and all homeopathic remedies available for sale are approved by Health Canada.

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To promote good nutrition in your family, start early. This means setting a good example for kids as soon as possible; their food habits start in infanthood and the toddler years! Your little ones always pay close attention to what you and your partner eat and how you eat, so it’s important to make good choices.

Breastfeeding promotes optimal nutrition for infants and can have lasting, positive effects for general health that can stretch into adulthood. For example, a child who is breastfed has a lower risk of intestinal disease and allergies.

If you choose not to breastfeed, talk to us about other ways of boosting baby’s system: probiotics, homeopathic and hypoallergenic homemade options exist!

Read more »