Wellness - Suzanne's Natural Foods

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Finding the perfect gift for a Mother who has everything is challenging. Suzanne’s Natural Foods invites you to preview several of the unique gift ideas available at Suzanne’s that she is sure to love.

Eco Friendly Birdhouses

Not only are these birdhouses adorable and environmentally safe, but they are a bird’s best friend for years. Each one is hand-made with sustainably harvested materials such as 100% natural sheep’s wool, a crocheted jute hanging cord, and a hand-carved bamboo perch. They provide a beautiful and whimsical home to small birds such as the wren for several years outside. Birds can harvest the felt to make a nest when the birdhouse is no longer habitable. They are Fair Trade, eco-friendly, and sure to make Mom smile every time she sees it. Stop in and see our generous selection!

Essential Oil Jewelry

Essential oils are a part of many people’s daily lives. They soothe, relax, calm migraine headaches, offer energy and so much more. Suzanne’s has a selection of beautiful jewelry that house essential oils, so they are always ready when needed. You can choose from several colors and shapes. Suzanne’s also carries a full line of quality essential oils to complete your gift. This is a lovely and thoughtful way to support a healthy lifestyle.

Tea Sets

Is your mother a tea lover? If so, Suzanne’s has the perfect gift. Beautiful tea sets. They are displayed in several areas of our store and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are sure to perk up any display shelf when not in use. Why not pair it with several of our delicious organic teas to complete the gift? Let us help you make her day special with a unique gift she can use every day!

This year give your Mother a special gift that is healthy for her and the planet. Stop in and see our selection of gift ideas. Organic chocolate, body care products, organic wine, or maybe a selection of coffee from around the world. Can’t decide? A Suzanne’s gift card is always a perfect gift. Happy shopping!

Earth Friendly Living

Earth Friendly Living Starts With Us!

We all want a planet with clean air, pristine water, and chemical-free soil. It won’t happen overnight, but it can happen. The Earth Day 2021 theme is “Restoring Our Earth”. Suzanne’s is dedicated to being part of that solution. Not only do we search high and low for “planet-friendly” options to offer in our store, but we also practice what we preach. Here are just a few of the ways that we support a clean planet…

ECO Products

Suzanne’s uses dinnerware for the salad bar and smoothie cups that are eco certified. We are proud to say we’ve provided ECO serving products for years. It may not sound like a big deal, but according to the EPA data for 2018, 830,000+ tons of plastic paper plates and cups entered the landfill. The number of years it is estimated for a plastic cup to decompose is 450 per cup…a plastic plate up to 1000 years for each one. This chart from Australia’s World Wildlife Fund shows several popular items most of us use daily and how long it takes for decomposition. Consider we added 3,300,000 TONS of diapers to our landfills in 2018 and they take 500 years to decompose. Smart, eco-friendly choices make a huge difference.

Recycling

If we are going to protect and restore our planet, recycling must be part of our daily lives. Suzanne’s makes it easy by providing recycling bins at our store for our customers’ use. The bins behind the store accept glass, plastic, and aluminum. We bring all the goods to Joplin’s local recycling center weekly. Here is a great guideline from the EPA to help https://www.epa.gov/recycle.

Reusable Products

Give the landfills a rest and consider reusable products. From buying “bulk” without packaging to reusable tumblers for coffee, there are so many options for products you can clean and use over and over. Buying bulk and keeping it in glass containers is a great option. Suzanne’s even offers a reusable e-cloth for cleaning that not only provides multiple uses, but also cuts down on chemical use. Fewer chemicals in your home are always a good thing! https://us.e-cloth.com/pages/about-e-cloth

Plant-Grow-Enjoy

There is nothing quite like the “farm to table” flavor of freshly picked produce to take a meal to new heights. Consider adding a raised or container garden. They are easy to manage even in small spaces. Start with organic soil mixtures based on what you are planting. Then add famous heirloom seeds from Baker’s Creek. Suzanne’s carries a wide variety of seeds featuring the most popular veggies including some that may be completely new to you! Next time you are shopping with us, look at our enlarged garden behind the store. We grow much of the salad bar ingredients that everyone raves about in that garden! Organically grown, of course! And don’t forget all the natural pest control options for inside and outside the home that Suzanne’s carries. Lungs were made for fresh air, not harsh chemicals, so commit to natural options this year!

Composting

The circle of life for food and plants comes together in composting. Take your kitchen leftovers and create a compost bin. It is hard to beat the natural benefits of nature’s fertilizer. The EPA has a great website about these benefits and how to get started on your own composting. Suzanne’s kitchen leftovers are always added to the compost bin. Nothing is wasted. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

To find out more about how you can make positive changes, visit the official Earth Day website.

https://www.earthday.org/press-release/building-on-the-growth-and-resilience-of-the-environmental-movement-worldwide-earth-day-network-launches-restore-our-earth-as-2021-theme/.

Natural Allergy Relief

It’s that time of year again. Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, rashes and even swelling are all part of seasonal allergies. If you fall victim to these symptoms, you may want to consider a more natural approach to relief. There are several products that can reduce symptoms to manageable levels that don’t interfere with your outdoor activities. Let’s look at some popular options:

Quercetin is a favorite of natural healing advocates who believe that it stabilizes the release of histamines and helps to control allergy symptoms. It’s naturally found in broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, and citrus fruits, but there are many great supplements available that make this an easy addition to your daily routine. Suzanne’s carries several brands of Quercetin so that we can find the best option for your personal symptoms.

Stinging Nettle has a long history of use for the relief of allergies. Natural healing practitioners use it as a as a natural antihistamine to help with the treatment of allergy symptoms. We have a variety of options available like freeze-dried herbal capsules and even teas.

Essential Oils have shown to be effective at reducing inflammation. A 1988 study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil and Tea Tree oil along with Frankincense oil reduced symptoms when used correctly. Suzanne’s carries the highest quality essential oils and can help you choose the right oils for you, along with how to correctly use them.

Locally Sourced Honey is a popular choice. According to the Mayo Clinic, honey has been anecdotally reported to lessen symptoms in people with seasonal allergies. Honey has been used as a cough suppressant and may have anti-inflammatory effects, plus it tastes amazing! Suzanne’s has a selection of honey from local sources including Neosho, MO and Sarcoxie, MO.

You can enjoy the Spring and Summer season this year by stopping by Suzanne’s now to stock up on the relief you need to live your outdoor life to the fullest!

Sustainable Cleaning in Joplin

Have you ever finished cleaning and disinfecting your home, only to be hit with a nasty chemical smell? Instantly you wonder what was in the products you just used all over the surfaces in your home. Your family and pets are now exposed to a clean surface loaded with chemicals that may be worse than the germs you wanted to kill.

According to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, most “all purpose” cleaners contain ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite and/or trisodium phosphate. These ingredients can be highly toxic to humans and animals if ingested or absorbed through the skin. For more information on what most household products contain, here is a link to the study: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11397-household-chemical-products-and-their-health-risk

Suzanne’s Natural Foods is proud to be the exclusive Joplin retail location for Nixall®. Nixall® is a disinfectant and sanitizer that kills bacteria and viruses. It is made in Nixa, Missouri and has received national recognition for its effectiveness during COVID-19.

The best part is that the product is earth, human and pet friendly! The primary ingredient is hypochlorous acid, which is found naturally in our bodies. It breaks down bad cells that cause infection and havoc in our bodies. It’s an effective, clean, and safe alternative to chemically laden commercial cleaners. Stop by Suzanne’s and find out more about how adding Nixall® to your cleaning routine will make your home, your family, and the earth happy and healthy!

Put Some Spring back into Your Skin

Winter can take a toll on more than your utility bill. It can cause some undesirable and noticeable changes in your skin as well. But you CAN get that dewy and fresh look back. Here are some important products and diet changes that will get you looking refreshed in no time.

Dry Vs Dehydrated Skin-What do I have?
Many people cannot tell if their skin is just dry topically, or if the changes are due to dehydration. Winter is tough on skin and more people suffer dehydration in winter months as their water intake is usually reduced. Here are a few ways you can tell what your skin and body need.

Dehydrated Skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin. All skin types can experience this. Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you are exempt. Most people perform a simple “pinch test.” Pinch a small amount of skin on the back of your hand or cheek. Hold for several seconds then release. If it snaps right back then you likely are not dehydrated but if it takes a few moments, you need to increase your water intake. Dehydration can cause fine lines and wrinkles to be more noticeable and no one wants that!

Dry Skin is an actual skin “type”. Your skin takes on a dry, flaky appearance due to the lack of oils in your skin.

Healthline.com offers an easy-to-read chart to determine how to treat your skin.

Suzanne’s has a generous selection of quality skin care products with hyaluronic acid and other natural moisturizers to get your skin looking summer ready in no time!

For our dehydrated readers, investigate the many options of high-quality water, including PH+ and antioxidants. Water quality does matter. According to health experts, the average person should drink a half gallon of water a day. That needs to be increased if you are dehydrated.
Here are some skin care products and various water options that Suzanne’s carries to put the Spring back into your Skin!

Hydrate internally with: Hyaluronic acid in either capsule or liquid. This also hydrates joints.

Hydrate topically with: Hyalogic hyaluronic acid on face to retain moisture. This is what Suzanne uses daily. Derma-E hydrating skincare set. Many of our other skincare products contain hyaluronic acid.

For an individual who medically cannot stay hydrated: Energetix Rehydration, a homeopathic remedy.

For kids doing sports or are outdoors: Nuun Tablets, Liquid IV, Trace Mineral Powder Packs or any other electrolyte supplement that can be added to water.

See you soon at Suzanne’s!

Good-to-Know Keto Side Effects

The National Library for Biotechnology Information published the results of an in-depth study of how the Keto/Atkins diet affects the body. While many people experience weight loss and lower and glucose readings on this diet, there are documented risks. Let’s take a closer look at Keto and a few of the side effects.

History Of Keto:
The Ketogenic diet was originally developed for implementation under medical supervision for epileptic infants and children to reduce the incidents of seizures. In the past few years, however, the Keto diet has morphed from a medically monitored food plan for treating epilepsy to a mainstream version of the low-carbohydrate diet now used to induce weight loss.

How it affects the liver:
The high amounts of fat in the Ketogenic diet plan were documented to induce non-alcoholic “fatty liver” disease in some patients. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nosebleeds, itchy skin, abdominal and leg swelling, and even brain fog or confusion in some cases. Your doctor may order the alanine aminotransferase test (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase test (AST) to check your liver enzymes. If you test positive for elevated liver enzymes, your doctor will likely order additional tests to identify the cause of the inflammation and request you suspend the Keto diet until the cause is determined. For this reason, if you have a history of high cholesterol it is best to make sure your doctor approves the Keto/Atkins plan.

Supplements: Life Seasons Keto Digestivi-T, Enzymedica Lypo Gold, Suzanne’s Master Cleanse, Energetix Homeopathic GB-Tone

How it affects the Gallbladder:
The gallbladder stores bile, a yellow-green fluid created in the liver. This bile is used to digest the fat you eat. The high fat Keto diet may help avoid the creation of gall stones in some people. It’s been shown that a diet extremely low in fat can aid in the creation of stones by not releasing bile on a normal basis. At the same time, a diet remarkably high in fat can trigger a gallbladder attack in people who have gallstones, resulting in intense pain in your right side, upper back and even chest. Suzanne’s carries several herbs that can aide in dissolving the stones, allowing many people to avoid surgery.

Herbs: Chanca Piedra and Hydrangea. Suzanne’s Master Cleanse is also helpful.

If you are currently following a high protein/high fat eating plan, stop by Suzanne’s Natural Foods and talk to one of our highly experienced employees about adding supplements that may benefit your overall health during your weight loss. As always, if you have questions, we have answers…naturally!

Women’s Heart Health

Most people associate a heart attack with crushing chest pain. While that may still be true for most men, women often experience more subtle signals. Just because they are more subtle doesn’t mean they are not to be taken seriously. According to the CDC, heart disease was the leading cause of female deaths in 1 out of 5 women in the United States in 2017 and continues to rise. The key is education and self-care before heart disease becomes a factor. Below are some guidelines to follow, but they do not replace seeing your physician should you show any symptoms.

The main symptoms of heart attack/heart disease that women have are:
1. Unusual fatigue.
2. Shortness of breath.
3. Pain in the arms, neck, or shoulder blades.
4. Nausea or vomiting, especially after exercise.
5. Light headedness or dizziness.
6. Sweating.
7. Indigestion or heart burn.

Because many of these symptoms seem out of character for heart disease, many women ignore them until they become urgent enough to seek medical help immediately. By then, they may have already experienced damage to their heart. Diagnosing and treating heart disease early is key to a long and fulfilling healthy life.

There are many ways to change your lifestyle to help keep your heart and arteries healthy. If you smoke, you need to consider quitting right away. Smoking has a direct connection to heart disease, but the good news is that quitting will improve your health. Exercise should be part of your daily regimen, with at 3 days of cardio a week. Make sure and visit your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

Healthy eating and lifestyle are key to overall health. If you haven’t been to Suzanne’s lately, you’ll be pleased to find our new addition filled with healthy organic food choices. You can be sure that our fresh produce and refrigerated products were all selected with your best health in mind!

Self-Care is something you will hear a lot about this year. We must make time for ourselves to pause and rejuvenate. Yoga and meditation are two excellent ways to relax and regain energy. Many people also feel a positivity journal is also helpful in bringing joy and health into their lives. Looking at the positive and shifting your attitude has been shown to have definite health benefits in many studies so why not go for it?

Suzanne’s has many beneficial supplements and vitamins to help with heart health!
1. Ubiquinol CoQH 100mg
2. CoEnzyme Q10 100mg
3. Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract Circulation Formula 106
4. Hawthorn Supreme
5. CholesteRice
6. Blood Pressure Support
7. Omega-3
8. Ultimate Omega + CoQ10

Stop into Suzanne’s today and talk to our staff about which supplement may benefit you. And remember, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above with any chest pain or difficulty breathing, don’t wait. You can avoid damage to your heart if you catch a heart attack early or even prevent one!

What is Keto?

Ahhh January. The month of good intentions. Many people start the month with a commitment to improve their health. That commitment usually includes weight loss. The KETO Diet is still currently the most popular diet in the U.S. Its popularity is due to appealing to a wide variety of the population from people with diabetes to CrossFit enthusiasts. If you don’t mind cooking and can hang in there during the transition period when you may have sugar/carb withdrawals, this could be a great fit for you.

The ketogenic diet, or Keto as it commonly referred to, induces ketosis in your body. Ketosis is a state where your body is primarily burning fat and ketones for energy instead of consumed calories. This occurs by lowering your carbohydrates and replacing them with an extremely high fat intake. Normally on a Keto diet, about 80% of your daily calories come from fat, 15% protein and only 5% from carbs.

The positive side of the Keto diet is that when followed properly, an improved overall performance and body composition normally follow. Most people look leaner and have reduced body fat without the energy crash associated with most reduced calorie and higher carb plans. If you want to maintain energy throughout the day without having to count calories or go to weigh-ins, this plan may work well for you.

The initial transition to this diet can be challenging for some. You may experience what some call “Keto Flu” which can include side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and occasional constipation. These symptoms usually disappear within 14 days. Once ketosis is achieved and your body adjusts, you will feel the benefits quickly. Some people even report neurological benefits like memory improvement, although some can find low carb diets result in mood swings. It’s also important to stay hydrated and make sure your supplements include electrolytes. One of the biggest complaints with Keto is bad breath. This can be avoided with extra vigilance in oral hygiene and a good mouthwash several times a day. Short breaks can be beneficial as long-term ketosis can put extra stress on your kidneys and possibly increase your risk for kidney stones. Keeping your hydration up should be a priority as well as monitoring your electrolytes.

Keto is more of a lifestyle than a diet. Suzanne’s offers everything you need to be successful on the keto diet including organic veggies, protein powders and supplements. Here is a link to plenty of recipes to get you cooking with Keto! Remember, it’s always recommended to see your doctor before starting any weight loss plan. And as always, come in with any questions you may have. Good Luck!

Natural Sun Care

Does sunscreen really count as being efficient if its protection harms you or the environment in the end? Non-organic and non-natural sunscreens may do the job of protecting you during your day in the sun, but what good does it do if its toxic ingredients are absorbed into your body?

Sunscreen should not just protect you, it should heal and enlighten you. Ingredients are crucial and using the wrong ones can cause endocrine disruption, cancer, and various other imbalances. Choosing a brand that can be trusted may seem difficult; hopefully this can take your troubles away for a safe summer in the sun.

Here are the sunscreen brands we recommend:

Stream2Sea

The ocean’s coral reefs are under attack. Being aware of the issue is not the crucial element. Knowing how you can play a small part in a big change is the crucial element. Stream2Sea sunscreen accomplished the amazing feat of creating a sunscreen that keeps all toxins out of the ocean and off our skin while still giving us the ingredients we need to stay safe in the sun. They got rid of ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone, parabens and mineral oils. Stream2Sea has delivered a line of sunscreen that protects our oceans and protects us all in one package for the perfect eco-friendly sun protection.

Badger

Badger Sunscreen has set out to create the perfect sunscreen that not only protects you from the sun’s harmful rays but it is actually good for your skin. Badger only uses one active ingredient, mineral zinc oxide, to protect your skin. The rest of the bottle is full of natural ingredients like plant oil, beeswax, and aloe to keep your skin rich with antioxidants and plenty of moisture.

MadHippie

This summer needs to be spent making memories, not worrying about putting toxins into your own skin or your child’s skin. MadHippie is the perfect bottle with 16% zinc-oxide and the rest containing all natural oils like red raspberry oil for antioxidants and avocado oil for a protective barrier plus hydration.

Have the time of your life this summer and stay safe with skin soothing and eco-friendly sunscreen from Suzanne’s!

Written by Joey Braun