Va-va-Vitality!

Ireland’s largest natural health and wellness event turned Dublin’s RDS into a hive of activity over the weekend of 8-9 September with over 100 stands, talks, cookery demonstrations and yoga classes bringing the exhibition hall to life.

Natural solutions to the menopause, ending sugar cravings and making your own kombucha were among the topics discussed as thousands of people arrived to hear from leading experts on a range of topics including: natural health, fitness, nutrition and wellbeing.

Some of the highlights of the weekend were Rude Health cover star, wellbeing coach, author and motivational speaker Alison Canavan speaking on ‘The Mindful Path to better Living’; a talk by current Rude Health cover star, author and vegan food blogger Holly White; Dr Marilyn Glenville discussing ‘Natural Solutions to the Menopause and Prevention of Osteoporosis’; and former Rude Health cover star Pat Divilly, who is an author, fitness expert and high-performance coach presenting his ‘Six Pillars of Everyday Health’.

Chef and cookbook author Oliver McCabe talked about ‘Why breakfast matters’; Dr Patrick Holford discussed ‘The End of Addiction – from Sugar to Alcohol: Find out How to Stop Cravings’; wholefood and plant-based chefs The Happy Pear twins demonstrated their ‘Recipes for Happiness’; and horticultural therapist and author Fiann Ó’Nualláin presented on ‘Harvesting Health and Beauty from the Garden - What to Grow and How to Use it to Stay Rejuvenated’. There was also a wide choice of natural and free-from foods to try including chocolate, energy bars, matcha green tea shots, apple cider vinegar and honey.

After the show Health Stores Ireland held their Retail Awards recognising excellence in health stores throughout Ireland. The winners in each category were:

Innovation & Business Development Award:
The Hopsack, Dublin.

Community Engagement Award:
Natural Health Store, Wexford.

Training & Education Award:
Evergreen, Galway.

Environmental Initiatives Award:
Organico, Bantry.

Digital Marketing Award:
Only Natural, Wexford.

Special Environmental Initiative Recognition Award Winners:
Simple Simon, Donegal; Quay Co-Op, Cork; Healing Harvest, Kinvara and The Aloe Tree, Ennistymon.

Andrew Cape Memorial Award Diploma was presented to:
Melanie Philips, Blasta Wholefoods, Dungarvan.

The Del Eagle Award Certificate was presented to:
Amanda Davis, Evergreen, Galway.

Well done to all the stores that were honoured at this event. We look forward to doing it all again in 2019!

After the show product awards were announced, presented by a panel of retailer representatives and Rude Health magazine editor Lucy Taylor. The winners and finalists in each category were:

Best Food & Drink Product
Winner: Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
Finalists:
El Greco Greek Olive Oil
True Natural Goodness Turmeric Powder
Koyu Matcha Tea
Dr Bronner’s Coconut Oil

Best Nutritional Supplement Product
Winner: A. Vogel Echinaforce Throat Spray
Finalists:
Macánta L-Theanine & L-Ornithine Complex
Viridian Organic Black Seed Oil
Nature’s Plus Source of Life Gold
Irish Botanica Botanical Syrup

Best Natural Body Care Product
Winner: Weleda Skin Food
Finalists:
Atlantic Aromatics Frankincense Relaxation Blend
Urtekram Rose Deodorant
Australian Bush Flower Essences Calm & Clear Moisturiser
Dr Maher’s Liberty Corrective Serum

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