Sonas, Newcastle West, Co Limerick

This issue owner manager Rosemarie Bennis, retail assistant and inventory manager Joan Sheehan, and shop assistants Tom McNamara, Jesse McCormack, Berni Forrestal, Leighanne Shanahan and Liam Culhane test flower essences, magnesium supplement, calendula hand cream, spelt flour, collagen food supplement, cleansing cream and a chilli and cashews pot.

Store open Monday to Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 8am-6pm.

1. FLOWER ESSENCES

Liam says: “I love Jan de Vries Flower Remedies. The Night, Relaxing Concentration essences help me with exam and school life. They have become part of my daily routine now, I can’t see myself not using them! I would definitely recommend these.”

2. MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENT

Tom says: “I have been taking One Nutrition Ocean Mag for the past year or so. It is sourced from clean Irish seawater, which makes it highly alkaline and also ensures that it contains many other trace minerals. I find it beneficial for muscle tiredness or soreness. I have also used it during times when I felt anxious and to aid sleep.”

3. CALENDULA HAND CREAM

Jesse says: “I really enjoy Second Nature Skincare Calendula Hand Creme. Washing your hands constantly, especially with the hard water of Newcastle West, has caused plenty of rashes and dry, agitated skin. Using this creme, and Second Nature's hand sanitiser, has helped me keep my hands both clean and soft.”

4. SPELT FLOUR

Berni says: “I always use Dunany Organic Wholemeal Spelt Flour in my soda bread recipe as the extra coarseness of this flour gives the bread a wonderful texture with a nutty flavour. The recipe on the back of the pack works a treat – it bakes a wonderful loaf every time.”

5. COLLAGEN FOOD SUPPLEMENT

Leighanne says: “I like Nature’s Plus Collagen Peptides as it is an easy way to supplement collagen. I put one scoop in our house coffee, ‘Classic’ from The Old Barracks Roastery, and it dissolves instantly. Collagen is very good for your skin, hair, joints and gut health.”

6. CLEANSING CREAM

Rosemarie says: “Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream is my all-time favourite skincare product. It’s made from finely ground almonds, calendula, chamomile, St. John’s wort and anthyllis which helps restore skin to its natural balance. I find my skin is in far better condition, is less tight after washing and smoother to touch. Regular use keeps blemishes and blocked pores at bay.”

7. CHILLI AND CASHEWS POT

Joan says: “Rivesci Cashew Crunch is a small pot of chilli and cashews that’s great with eggs, avocados, cheese and toast. I usually add it at the table as a condiment, but it could be stirred through a stir fry or noodles or soup and is really good with rice. It’s a superb product from great people.”