Well & Good in Midleton, Co Cork
This issue owner Jill Bell, manager Gemma Hallissey, shop assistants Noelle Geary, Ditte Friedrich, Karen Russell and Sue Norton review probiotics, vitamin D, rosehip seed oil and omega-3s
1. ACNE SUPPORT
Gemma says: “For my adult acne Dr Hauschka’s Clarifying Day Oil, Toner and Cleansing Cream have been a very successful combination which I often recommend to customers.”
2. PROBIOTIC CAPSULES
Noelle says: “I love Biokult probiotics – the capsules are smaller than other brands and you don’t have to store them in the fridge, so they are suitable if you are going travelling or need to keep them in your bag.”
3. FOOD SUPPLEMENT
Ditte says: “Terranova Life Drink is a food-based synergistic supplement, which contains freeze-dried super greens, algae, berries, mushrooms, omega oils, pre- and probiotics with digestive enzymes and plant-based proteins. It’s a really good overall multi.”
4. OMEGA-3
Sue says: “I don’t eat much fish, so I supplement my omega-3 intake with Wiley’s fish oils. This keeps my cholesterol in check and inflammation in arthritic joints at bay. Just one capsule a day gives me 1250mg.” Gemma says: “I like this oil because it doesn’t repeat on me.”
5. VITAMIN D
Karen says: “Better You DLux 3000 ug spray made a noticeable difference to my nails and energy after using for just a month. It’s easy to use and highly absorbable.”
6. BURN REMEDY
Jill says: “For minor kitchen burns, Optima AloePura Organic Aloe Vera Gel combined with bicarbonate of soda works almost instantly and prevents blisters.”
7. ECHINACEA
Noelle says: “Irish Botanica Echinacea is one of my favourite supplements. I wouldn’t be without a bottle in my ‘medicine’ cabinet! Taken at the first signs of a cough or cold, or throughout the autumn and winter, it is a great boost for the immune system and can stop a bug in its tracks.”
8. ROSEHIP OIL
Ditte says: “Atlantic Aromatic's Organic Rosehip Seed Oil is naturally high in vitamins and antioxidants, perfect to help with healing scars and promote the regeneration of mature and ageing skin. Vitamin A is excellent to reduce fine lines around the eyes. I mix a drop in my daily moisturiser.”
Blasta Wholefoods in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
This issue co-owners Rob and Anne Whinnett, and sales assistants Jules Chabot and Natalie Bending review local kombucha, gluten-free pasta, eco laundry balls and ashwagandha
1. ASHWAGANDHA
Rob: “Ashwagandha is an amazing herb. It is an adaptogen with many uses, but I use it mainly to break that tired, stressed, even more tired cycle that is so easy to fall into with busy modern lifestyles. I have tried a number of brands, but I keep coming back to Pukka because the quality is so good. The customer feedback we get from this product is amazing.”
2. ECO-FRIENDLY LAUNDRY SOLUTION
Jules says: “I started using the Ecozone Ecoballs a few months ago and couldn’t be happier with this hypoallergenic laundry product. It comes with bags of pellets to fill and top up your ball to last up to 1000 washes! As well as being very economical it has made my shopping load much lighter. I can’t wait to try the Dryer cubes next to save on drying time in the winter months.”
3. IRISH OMEGA
Natalie says: “My small daughters don’t like eating fish. I’m aware of the benefits of omega 3, especially for growing children, so I tried new product Somega. It has a deliciously creamy peach and mango flavour. I like the fact that its sugar-free, there’s no fishy aftertaste – and it's Irish. The girls love it and are happy to take it straight off the spoon, but we sometimes put it into smoothies or a yoghurt.”
4. GLUTEN-FREE PASTA
Anne: “With a coeliac in the house, I’m always willing to try new gluten-free products. Gluten-free pasta often disappoints, but I’m pleased to say that the new Rummo gluten-free pasta range we have in store certainly didn’t. Trust the Italians to come up with a gluten-free pasta range that cooks, tastes and feels like the real thing.”
5. LOCAL KOMBUCHA
Rob: “Fermented foods are increasingly popular as people realise the many health benefits. I’m a particular fan of Holo Kombucha because it’s made in Youghal, it’s organic, the quality is consistently good and it is the by far the best tasting kombucha I’ve ever had. Adrian Hyde, one of the twins behind the brand is absolutely passionate about his products and has given a number of talks and workshops for us at the West Waterford Festival of Food. I like to think that every bottle we sell has a little bit of his enthusiasm in it.”
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