Author: Valley Natural

By Eileen Johnson We are living in a time when massive paradigm shifts are creating both fear and anguish all over the globe. The heart and the heart chakra are particularly vulnerable during this time but there are simple things keep it strong and happy. Anatomy of the Spirit Caroline Myss, in her book “Anatomy of the Spirit” speaks of the strong connection between emotions and the physical body. The fourth Chakra, that includes the heart, breasts and lungs, are particularly affected by emotions such as love and hatred, resentment and bitterness, grief and anger, loneliness, forgiveness and compassion, hope and trust. She leads the reader through a healing process for this chakra that includes letting go of past wounds, understanding the power of love and forgiveness, and how to find strength in ourselves. Community Support My own parents and faith community taught me from

By Eileen Johnson As challenging as it may be to come to terms with a diagnosis of hypertension, high blood pressure can actually give us many clues as to what our body might need in order to function in a healthier manner. This can vary from person to person – What do you think your body needs? I need more fruits and vegetables! High in antioxidants protective of the heart and blood vessels, rich in fiber known for its cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties, vegetables and fruits should make up the most prominent part of each meal. Five to ten servings are recommended each day. I need more potassium. Potassium plays a vital role in balancing the mineral sodium, used by the kidneys to retain fluid in the tissues. Although the body occasionally retains fluids for good reasons during short periods when the body

By Eileen Johnson The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that sits in the front of the neck. Often called a “master gland”, the thyroid supports the function of almost every organ system in the body. It influences how the body uses the food we eat and plays a crucial role in creating energy from that food. Chronically cold hands and feet can be a red flag for an underactive thyroid. Other symptoms might include depression and fatigue, hair loss, constipation, dry skin, menstrual irregularities and infertility. Here are 7 interesting ways in which you can support thyroid function: Rebalance gut bacteria. Very surprisingly, a good share of the thyroid hormone released becomes active only in the presence of healthy gut bacteria! Healthy bacteria can be found in fermented foods like kefir, yogurt and sauerkraut. A healthy digestive wall thrives on high fiber foods

by Susan Budig By common consensus, a cookie is a small, round, flat, sweet baked product. But what if you’ve bitten into a cookie that’s square as a box? You might be tempted to exclaim, “This isn’t a cookie, it’s a heavenly hunk,” which is exactly what Ellen Redmond’s nephew said upon devouring one of Redmond’s homemade cookies.   Not only are the contours of the cookie unique, but its ingredients boost the bar-like cookie to another level of deliciousness. “The secret batter is the foundation for the cookie, but its shape is something different,” says Redmond. Its square shape holds in the moisture so that everything stays soft and chewy. Redmond and her nephew, Casey Webber, co-own Ella’s Heavenly Hunks and produce these biscuits in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For thirty years, Redmond kept her recipe hushhush. She made them for family gatherings where they were always popular. When Webber attended college, she’d stir up a batch and mail them to him. Her parcels

Last week we focused on 5 basic training tips to get you on the right path for our Run for Hope 5K on May 2, 2015 and now we are on to nutrition tips that will keep your body healthy! Be sure to register for the Run for Hope 5K at www.runforhope5k.com by February 28 and save! Click here to learn more about the race and our race beneficiary. 1. Drink up. We all know that drinking enough fluids daily is important to stay hydrated and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It becomes even more crucial when preparing for a 5K race. However, how much should you drink daily? It’s important to drink half your weight in ounces daily and drinking water provides the best hydration without the unnecessary sugar and chemicals that some sports drinks have. If you find water boring

Okay, we want you to feel encouraged and excited to participate in our Run for Hope 5K at Valley Natural Foods on May 2, 2015 at 8:00 a.m.! You should feel pumped up as not only are you making a great decision for your health, but proceeds from registration costs go toward improving the health of our next generation! Yes, all the proceeds from the Run for Hope 5K will be donated to The Foundation for Early Childhood Family Services (ECFS), helping support Dakota County LANA (Learning About Nutrition through Activities) curriculum and the construction of a playground for children attending classes at the Dakota Valley Learning Center. However, what if you’ve never participated in a 5K before and you don’t know where to start? The important thing that to remember is that you don’t have to be a runner to participate!

Give yourself an antioxidant tea boost. Green and white teas are very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help the liver and cells of the body clear toxins from the environment and those toxins created by normal body metabolism. The removal of toxins helps boost the immune system. Fruity teas that contain blueberry, rooibos, lemon and orange are pleasant tasting and full of antioxidants. Better digestion ahead. Drinking tea can help more than just building a healthy immune system. Tea can ease digestion issues. Teas for improving digestion might include ginger, peppermint, fennel, slippery elm and papaya. Trouble catching z’s? The warmth of tea along with soothing ingredients can make you sleep better. Tulsi teas that are Holy Basil based and those teas that contain chamomile, lavender and hibiscus can be calming and may promote a sleepy feeling. Detox your body with tea. Teas that might be used

Are you shaking up your diet in the New Year? Valley Natural Foods wants to help your diet get off to the right start. However, you may be wondering why you should even consider including protein powder in your diet.  Protein powders are a great way to fuel up and provide energy pre or post workout such as when running a 5K, in addition to helping boost energy, burn fat and balance blood sugar. Protein powders can also help promote weight loss because Raw Fit, for example, has soluble and insoluble fiber from certified organic grains, seeds, legumes and fruits, which makes one feel full, satisfying hunger, suppressing one's appetite for longer periods of time. Also, if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet that lacks protein-rich foods, a plant-based protein powder mixed in smoothies, a blender bottle, or other foods may be

by Susan Budig Think of the beehive as a singular animal, Dustin Vanasse co-owner with his spouse, Grace Vanasse, of Bare Honey tells me. The individual bee is like a cell of the body programmed to work its own specific task. As the bee ages, which is measured in days rather than years, its duty changes. The beehive is a complex, highly developed, social animal that brings us a wide variety of consumable honey, as well as pollen, beeswax, propolis and more. Bare Honey bees enjoy the luxury of the craftsmanship of a Warré hive, a stable habitat, and chemical-free living both in their food sources and living environment. These three features form the basis of Bare Honey’s distinctively nutritious product. Winnie-the-Pooh Hive Bare Honey bees live in a hive designed over a hundred years ago by French apiarist, Abbé Émile Warré. The hive mimics  a hollowed out tree, a common location for a beehive in nature. Vanasse likens its style

Save 20% on select  digestive enzymes on November 13! The holidays are synonymous with lots of entertaining which often involves cooking and eating a lot of food! However, sometimes all that extra food doesn't make us feel so well. That's where digestive enzymes can help! So when you are stocking up on groceries for your Thanksgiving dinner on November 13, don't forget the digestive enzymes as select enzymes from brands, including Enzymedica, Garden of Life, Mega Food, Source Naturals (gluten and lactose enzymes), and Country  Life will be 20% off! If you don't know which one would be right for you, our wellness department staff would love to help you out so don't be afraid to ask! Why take digestive enzymes? Longtime wellness department employee, Naomi Lundberg, provides some important reasons why: Digestive enzymes are important for a variety of reasons. They are key components of the digestive process as