
Whole Foods Makes Stunning Announcement About GMOs – Food Revolution Network Blog.
Posted in Action Alerts & Activism, Acupuncturists, Alternative Education, Chiropractors, Family Doctors, Food and Nutrition, Health and Safety, Health Food Stores, Homeopaths/Herbalists, Natural Baby Care, Natural Pregnancy, Natural Products, OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, Spirituality, Uncategorized, tagged alternative medicine, anti-oxidants, black cohosh, bleeding time, blood pressure, breast cancer, complementary and alternative medicine, complementary medicine, dietary supplements, hemorrhage, herbal supplements, herbs, licorice, menopause, minerals, natural medicine, natural supplements, ovarian cancer, radiation treatment, vitamins on September 15, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Do you use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? Do you tell your doctor what you are using? If not, you could be at risk for dangerous interactions!
What exactly is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?
Complementary is defined as a treatment used in addition to conventional medicine.
Alternative is defined as a treatment used instead of conventional medicine.
What are some examples of CAM?
Multiple studies have shown that the most common types of CAM used in the United States involve taking a vitamin, dietary supplement, or an herb (Cheung, Wyman, Halcon, 2007, p. 1003).
Who uses CAM?!
Lots of people! Some studies have indicated that as many as 75% of people have used some form of CAM over the last year.
What’s the big deal? If this is all natural stuff, how could this hurt me?
Great question! Natural supplements and medicines definitely have their place in keeping us healthy and treating our ailments. BUT many patients don’t realize that their CAM use is significant to their conventional treatment they receive from their doctor, and unfortunately many doctors don’t think to ask what non-prescription items their patients are taking (Cheung, Wyman, & Halcon, 2007, p. 115).
Here are just a few examples of how taking natural products in conjunction with prescription treatment can hurt you:
How can I find out if the medicines I take can be taken with my natural supplements, vitamins, herbs, and treatments? 
Talk to your doctor! Every time you go to your doctor, you should update him/her on the substances that you are taking into your body (including what you rub onto your skin!). Unfortunately not all conventional doctors are aware of possible interactions, so you should also tell your pharmacist when you go to fill a prescription.

You can also do some homework yourself. Check out these great (and reputable!) sources of information about natural medicine alternatives and potential interactions with conventional drugs:
Stay safe! Talk to your doctor and pharmacist and do your homework!
References
Cheung, C., Wyman, J., & Halcon, L. (2007, November). Use of complementary and alternative therapies in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 13(9), 997-1006. Retrieved May 18, 2009, doi:10.1089/acm.2007.0527
Jonas, W. (2001, September). Advising patients on the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, 26(3), 205-214. Retrieved June 1, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.
Lindquist, R., Tracy, M., Savik, K., & Watanuki, S. (2005, April). Regional use of complementary and alternative therapies by critical care nurses. Critical Care Nurse, 25(2), 63-75. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition database.
Vapiwala, N., Mick, R., Hampshire, M., Metz, J., & Denittis, A. (2006, November). Patient initation of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) following cancer diagnosis. Cancer Journal, 12 (6), 467-474. Retrieved May 14, 2009, from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition database.
Posted in Deals Around Town, Food and Nutrition, Fun Stuff for Kids, Health Food Stores, Uncategorized, tagged Customer Appreciation, Economy Health Foods, Essential Health, health food, Supplements on May 1, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Essential Health Market (formally known as Economy Health) will be hosting its annual Customer Appreciation Days on Sunday, May 3rd and Monday, May 4th from 11 am – 5pm. There will be food samples and giveaways. They will also be offering blood pressure, blood analysis, glucose and cholesterol tests. All supplements are 10% off during this event! Essential Health can be found at
1035 Academy Drive
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
407-869-0000
Posted in Food and Nutrition, Health Food Stores, tagged Food and Nutrition, green products, Health Food Stores, organic foods on February 13, 2009 | 5 Comments »
More than a few of my neighbors in the Altamonte Springs area often whine about the lack of a larger health food market in our area. Yet, these residents of North Orange and West Seminole counties have a gem of a healthy market, tucked just off Highway 436 near its intersection with Highway 434. Hoover’s Essential Health Market, located at 1035 Academy Drive offers much that the larger organic markets do, on a smaller scale and with a personal touch.
With an easy “in and out” at a traffic light, a freshly made, organic sandwich or wrap for lunch is only a few minutes’ stop at Hoover’s. While they make your sandwich, you’ll have a minute to pick up a beverage from their large selection, and add a piece of fruit, bag of snacks, nuts or other goodies to round out your day’s healthy energy sources. Herein lies the most unique offering of this hometown market.
Hoover’s Offers Fresh Organic
Sandwiches and Wraps
© copyright Carrie Boyko
As a grocer, Hoover’s selection offers most of what I need to feed my family. While they do not carry fresh meats, their generously sized cooler and freezer sections stock natural hot dogs and sandwich meats, frozen fish options, along with plenty of vegetarian and vegan main dish choices. There is a noticeably wide assortment of frozen entrees for quick dinners or a hot lunch at the office.
Add a fresh salad from their plentiful produce section and fresh bread from their bakery aisle and dinner’s ready soon after you arrive home. Local produce is clearly a priority, as it is always marked with a large tag, and greens are plentiful. Basic fruits are also available, mostly in-season, and often locally grown, such as apples, citrus fruits, lemons, and berries. Bananas are generally available, as well.
A wide selection of frozen fruits and vegetables for cooking are available in the freezer section, which I’ve noticed is always well stocked. The store focuses on vitamins, health and personal care products, along with healthy food options such as fresh and frozen produce, a wide selection of dry and canned goods covering all the various food specialties such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, to name just a few. Pet and household products also have a fairly strong presence, which I find quite helpful.
You may be asking what else sets Hoover’s apart from its neighbor, Chamberlain’s. Aside from the deli, which is a big offering, their location is convenient for those who often travel Highway 436 to and from work. Special events such as blood testing, guest speakers, and new product sampling are frequent events, which add to their charm and encourage return visits. They do a good job of advertising upcoming events with signs and ads in their flyers, which most certainly enhances their business. As I arrived to take photos, a line had formed for entry into their meeting area, as a speaker was about to begin. Clearly, Hoover’s is communicating well with their target market.
While their hours of operation are a bit unconventional, I have not found this to be a problem. Saturdays are for family, and I often avoid the grocers due to overcrowding. While Hoover’s is closed on Saturdays, they make up for this by being open Mondays-Thursdays 8 to 8, Fridays 8-5:00 p.m. (sunset), and Sundays 8 to 7, easily allowing for most customers to visit during their off-work hours. Thinking about this, it occurred to me, what a nice perk it must be to work in retail and have every Saturday off. Their employees are lucky, as are their customers who have discovered this gem.

Carrie is a long time resident of Central Florida who enjoys dog activities, water sports, and writing about all things green and organic at her blog, Organic Journey Online. Married for 31 years, she has 3 grown children. She is also passionate about saving our dog parks in this economic crisis, and has founded Adopt a Dog Park, where you can visit to learn how to help save these sanctuaries for green family fun.
Posted in Deals Around Town, Food and Nutrition, Health Food Stores, Natural Baby Care, Natural Housekeeping, Natural Pet Care, Natural Products, tagged whole foods market on October 19, 2008 | 9 Comments »
There’s a great coupon in the back of Moms Like Me magazine this month. (You may know this magazine as “Central FL Moms” since they recently changed the name.) The coupon is for $10 off a $40 purchase at the new Whole Foods Market on Turkey Lake Road.
You can pick this magazine up for free around town. Check their website for locations if you’re not familiar with it. Oh..wow! I just checked the main Whole Foods site and found a printable coupon that can be used at ANY location. Check it out here.