Tried & Tested - May/June 2016
How Irish Association of Health Stores staff rate what they sell...
The Fruit ‘N Nut Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Owner-manager Bernadette Cass and shop assistants Maryjo Rafferty and Barry Still from the Fruit ‘N Nut Place in Portlaoise, Co Laois review skincare products, an aromatherapy oil, vitamin D spray and power greens:
1. SUPER SKINCARE
Maryjo says: “My favourite skincare range is Kinvara. Their oil cleanser is so simple to use, all you need is a hot face cloth to remove all your make-up. For a home facial feeling follow on with the rosehip serum and massage in to hydrate your skin.”
2. MULTIVITAMIN
Barry says: “I like TerraNova Full Spectrum Multivitamin Complex. There are no fillers or binders, instead spirulina and barleygrass are added to the vitamins and minerals. The capsules are easy to swallow and vegan-friendly.”
3. DAY CREAM
Bernadette says: “I love Dr Hauschka’s Tinted Day Cream. As someone who rarely wears make-up I find this product really handy to put on for a bit of colour. It gives a natural glow and takes a few seconds to apply.”
4. VITAMIN D SPRAY
Barry says: “I top up on vitamin D by using BetterYou Vit D3 spray. It’s useful to boost your immune system, mood and increases the absorption of calcium. It’s handy for people on the go, is easily absorbed in the mouth and tastes minty so no bad taste.”
5. POWER GREENS
Maryjo says: “Every morning I make my family a smoothie which includes a good scoop of One Nutrition Power Greens. It’s quick and easy to add into the morning ritual and boosts your energy too.”
6. THROAT SPRAY
Bernadette says: “I use A.Vogel’s Echinacea Throat Spray. It’s really easy to use and soothes a sore throat quickly. The minute you feel your throat feel scratchy start spraying and it stops the bugs in their tracks.”
7. NIGHT TIME TEA
Barry says: “It’s a stressful world and so many people have trouble sleeping. Herbal teas are an easy way to help relax your body and mind. I make myself a cup of Pukka’s Night Time Tea before bedtime and it helps to improve my quality of sleep. The tea is an infusion of roots and herbs which nourish the nervous system and I feel refreshed in the morning.”
8. STUDY BLEND
Bernadette says: “Atlantic Aromatics Study Blend aromatherapy oil is currently steaming around the shop. It’s a lovely scent and helpful for your memory recall and concentration. I like to use it in my car too, to freshen it up and keep me alert driving.”
Only Natural, Wexford
This issue shop assistants Paul Moran and Kim Eustace, and shop assistants and nutritional therapists Nichola Forrest and Chloé Landes from Only Natural, Church Lane in Wexford town review chlorella, protein bars, rainbow trout oil and coconut yogurts:
1. NETTLE SHAMPOO
Nichola says: “I love Urtekram Nettle Shampoo from Denmark. I use it on all the family and find it very soothing on dry and itchy scalps. It also leaves my hair soft, silky and with a great shine.”
2. COCONUT YOGURTS
Chloé says: “I eat a Coyo coconut yogurt pretty much every day. Everyone at work knows I’m addicted to them. They are dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free and they are creamy, very tasty and filling. My favourites are the plain and the vanilla flavours. They are lovely topped with fruits and nuts, as well as added to smoothies.”
3. CHLORELLA
Kim says: “I take Synergy Chlorella every day. It’s a nutrient-dense, alkalising, freshwater plant that is high in chlorophyll and protein. It’s also a great heavy metal detoxifier and really helpful for boosting energy levels.”
4. PROTEIN BARS
Paul says: “Quest Protein Bars are great for mid-afternoon slumps when you’re working a long day on the shop floor. They’re really filling too. My favourites are S’mores and Cookies and Cream.”
5. RAINBOW TROUT OIL
Chloé says: “I like to supplement my diet with Viridian Scandinavian Rainbow Trout Oil, as I don’t always eat the recommended two to three portions of oily fish a week. It is certified organic, sustainable, contaminant-free and minimally processed. I like the fact that it has no fishy taste because it is so fresh – it has a mild citrus taste instead. Since I started taking it I am more able to concentrate and less prone to mood swings.”
6. NATURAL CORDIAL
Kim says: “Mr Jeffares Blackcurrant Cordial is a versatile local product that has no added sugar. I use it in porridge, yoghurts, salad dressing and also as a refreshing drink. It’s cold pressed so it retains all its vitamin A and vitamin C content, making it a great immune booster and, most importantly, it tastes great!”
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