What on earth is a health food shop you might well ask? I often wonder myself! There are days when our shop feels like a chatter station the likes of which vanished along with meetings at country crossroads. On other occasions it’s a hive of social criticism, political activitism and radical thought. Sometimes it’s a recipe conduit between those who hold the key to the perfect wheat free bread and the whole food novice. Mostly it’s a place where people come to broaden their knowledge of health giving foods and natural remedies. It is a place that draws those intent on taking the best care they possibly can of their children and themselves.
Over the last decade, health food, and especially organic food, has entered
the mainstream. Ever medium sized town in Ireland plays host to a health food
shop, every newspaper and magazine carries articles or entire supplements
devoted entirely to natural health care. The growth in interest is a testament
to the fact that people want to take control of their wellbeing and that of
their families. The public at large is awakening to the sure and certain
knowledge that the diet and lifestyle choices they make can and do affect their
health!
We are all familiar with the appalling diseases resulting from malnutrition in
the Third World. It has become all too apparent, however, that as the Swiss
pastor/herbalist Johann Künzle predicted in the early 1900’s “thousands will eat
themselves to death before one dies of starvation”! Could it be that there is a
direct relationship between the decline of proper nutrition and rise of
degenerative disease, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, obesity, cancer and many others?
Of course there is! We are all aware that we eat far too much manufactured
and packaged foods containing chemical preservatives for long shelf-life and
lacking fibre and enzyme-rich raw ingredients. We know that the consumption of
too much denatured, hydrogenated, refined fat, sugar and white four undermines
our health. But how to break the habit of a convenience food lifetime!
Come to your local health food shop. Seek out foods that are organic, natural
and simple. Expect your health food retailer to be able to explain the benefits
of each one. Don’t be shy. Ask for recipes, cooking tips and samples. We can
offer whatever help you will need to explore the unknown realms of the gluten,
sugar, yeast, wheat, or dairy free world. We are only too happy to be offered
the opportunity to wax lyrical about the wonders of the simple things in life!
Of course health and wellbeing must be measured in terms other than those physical in nature. Eat all the good food growing on this earth, clamber for peek fitness but harbor a grudge or nurture hatred, and don’t expect to feel well. As difficult as it is to quantify we must concede that perhaps the single biggest factor contributing to wellbeing is happiness – and that happiness may just be a simple change of attitude away. Look beyond the anger, the old negative patterns of response! Tell the people close to you how much you love them. Respect your fellow human beings. Open your eyes to the wonders of nature. Develop a healthy attitude towards spiritual growth. Laugh out loud every day.
Attaining a healthy body, mind and spirit is a continuous and lifelong
journey. Enjoy yourself along the way and do take the time to visit your local
health food shop.
As Alfred Vogel said “It is never too late to start supporting nature in its
urge to heal”.
Mary Wedel
An Tobairín Health Food Shop
79 South Main Street
Bandon
023 52985
“Health Wells From Within”