By Claire Kruesel, Wellness Staff

When I'm looking for an herbal supplement, Eclectic Institute is usually my first choice. Their products are unique in that the plant matter is fresh freeze-dried, which preserves activity of enzymes and other active constituents. It also qualifies Eclectic's products as “raw”. Freeze drying removes water from plant matter, thus halting biological processes such as decomposition that would naturally occur once the plant has been picked. Although of course nothing is the same as fresh herbs, freeze dried herbs are the next best thing in terms of maintaining the highest possible levels of beneficial enzymatic activity.

Besides this unique processing, Eclectic strives to use organic or chemical-free raw material, uses amber glass bottles to avoid BPA and light damage, and has created many unique herb combinations. Consider White Willow Feverfew, a popular item in our 'headache' section. It contains traditional headache easers such as Feverfew and White Willow (from which aspirin was originally derived), well-known anti-inflammatory and digestive aid Ginger, muscle relaxant Kava Kava (used traditionally in Vanuatu), and hormone balancer Black Cohosh. It can be a headache in itself to swallow a bunch of different pills, so having an intelligent formulation in one capsule is very convenient!

Another innovative herbal combination is Infla-Prin, which is a great example of the fresh, freeze-dried powders that Eclectic Institute offers. Powders can be used mixed in water or juice (and they dissolve easily, since the only difference between the freeze-dried powder and the original plants is water), or added to smoothies or even salad dressings. Infla-Prin contains a combination of plants intended to support a healthy inflammation response.

Eclectic Institute products are 20% off through the end of February.

The following is an excerpt from a letter we recently received from Alaffia. We hope your read about the good work Alaffia is doing in Togo, made a reality by your purchases of their shea butter products in our body care section.

Dear Friends of Alaffia,

It is my hope that this recap of my recent visit to Togo finds you and your family in good health.  I also would like to wish you a happy new year. It has been a week now since Rose, our girls and I returned from a six-week visit with our cooperative in Togo, and I still find myself disoriented and having difficulties adjusting to speaking and writing in English….  This return has been one of the most emotionally difficult ones as well. I cannot stop seeing the faces of the disadvantaged people that I encountered and those that our efforts have touched. In the following paragraphs, I would like to share with you some highlights of the activities that Rose and I participated in during the past six weeks.

New Coconut Cooperative

We spend our first ten days in southern Togo, where we are building a new coconut cooperative and forming a collective of women to work at the new cooperative.  It brought great memories to me of when I started our Sokodé shea butter cooperative eight years ago. I remember the doubt in the women’s eyes, and I saw similar uncertainty in the new coconut collective members.  We believe that in the months to come, this doubt will be transformed to pride and empowerment as it has for the women of the shea butter cooperative. Our new coconut cooperative will officially open the first week of March and will provide work for over 200 women.

We then headed north to Sokodé, where we spend most of the remaining time with the shea butter cooperative and community project areas. Here are some highlights of our activities in and around Sokodé:

Additional Cooperative Members – Shea Butter Cooperative

There is not a day that goes by that there are not a dozen women waiting at our cooperative door, asking to be added to the cooperative.  Every day that we walk from our house to the cooperative is emotional and frustrating for me… having women my mother’s age begging me for an opportunity at the cooperative. And every day, I have to explain that the cooperative has a recruitment process, and of all these women, the cooperative can only add what we can afford.  This year, we held a registration day for women interested in joining the cooperative. This day was heartbreaking; while several hundred women came to us to express interest in joining, we will only be able to add 47 women this year.

New Alaffia School Inauguration - Kouloumi

For the first time, Alaffia has commissioned and constructed a secondary school.  We built this school in Kouloumi, a village located 40 kilometers from our cooperative. Although Kouloumi is located on a main road, and has a population of 3,000, there is no electricity or running water.  While the Togo government provided Kouloumi with a secondary school director and teachers, it did not provide them with a school. Six years ago, the villagers constructed a simple building to hold the classes, but it did not have walls or a good roofing system, and when it rained, the water poured into the school, and students were often sent home.  Also, because the school is on the outskirts of the village, snakes and other animals constantly entered the building, causing interruptions and making learning difficult.  For the past three years, Alaffia has been providing Kouloumi with desks, and during our 2010 visit to the school, their headmaster, Mr. Ganiyou, asked for help building a school in order to reduce the dropout rate and improve the learning experience for his students.  Although Alaffia had not undertaken such a large project for one village before, I replied that I would do everything I could to build Kouloumi a school.  Construction began in March 2011, and was fully completed by Dec 15.  The inauguration day was emotional, where the village chief, government representatives and students all expressed their joy and many words of thanks.

New Excision Community Project - Kabou

For many years, I have lived with an unpleasant image in my mind of witnessing my older half-sister undergoing excision (female circumcision) when I was six years old.  At the time I was asked to bring bowls of warm water back and forth from the kitchen to the room where the excision was taking place. Ever since, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of the pain my sister must have gone through. Fast forward to December 2010, when my youngest sister, Ibada, was finalizing her midwife studies.  She was stationed at a small clinic in Kabou, about 85 kilometers from Sokodé, and told me the most difficult part of her training in Kabou was delivering babies from women who have under gone excision.  The pain these women go through to birth their children is indescribable, and unfortunately, they make up the majority of women who die during childbirth.    At the time of our discussion, I told Ibada that we would launch a new project aimed at aiding these women during pregnancy and childbirth and also a community education program to reduce excision all together.  Last month, Ibada joined Alaffia as our new Community Projects Coordinator, and we began this project. 

We spent a week getting preliminary authorization from the Togolese health officials in the region. Even though the practice is still widespread in some of Togo's nomadic communities, as far as the Togo government is concerned, excision no longer occurs.  We obtained authorization for Alaffia to take charge of full medical care for 300 excised pregnant women during 2012.  This means that Alaffia will not only pay for all medical cost if there are complications, but will also coordinate between the women and the clinic so that transportation is available to bring the women to larger hospitals if complicated surgeries are needed. 

This project will be one of the most sensitive and difficult that we have ever taken on, as it is a very socially sensitive and medically challenging topic.  According to Mamatou Kegbao, the Head Midwife of Kabou, 1 in every 10 women who come to her clinic for maternal care has undergone excision, but most women who have undergone this procedure do not ever come to the clinic. This compounds this issue, since it means Alaffia will have to visit their homes to encourage them to come to the clinic for care and delivery.  As challenging as this will be, I believe if Alaffia truly stands for women's empowerment, then we must do everything necessary to prevent unnecessary suffering of these mothers in central Togo. 

During our visit to the Kabou clinic, we also distributed some basic medical supplies, and we are planning to make another shipment to them by July.  One of the most disturbing things that Ms. Kegbao brought to our attention was that the clinic has very limited surgical and birthing supplies. Therefore if there are two women giving birth at the same time, the second one may have to wait while the equipment is sterilized.  Therefore, they have to make the difficult decision of losing a baby by forcing the mother to wait or risk exposing the mother and child to HIV by using unsterilized equipment. This is not a decision that any person should have to make.

Distributing Bicycles and Desks

The bikes that we shipped last fall arrived in Togo during our visit, and I spent a great deal of time clearing the container through Togolese customs. In the end, we spent over $7,000 on customs duties and fees, a.k.a. bribery, despite the fact that they are intended for students free of charge to aid with their education.  After the bikes were cleared and arrived in Sokodé, Rose and I participated in bicycle distributions in four villages. The village of Kpalafoulassi stood out as it is a struggling community made up of subsistence farmers.  The nearest secondary school is 7 km from Kpalafoulassi, and high school students (above grade 11) must go 17 km. Regardless of these difficulties, Kpalafoulassi manages to send an impressive number of students to higher grades.

Furthermore, while Kpalafoulassi does have a primary school, it only has three classrooms for its six classes.  And, since the Togo government pays for only two teachers, the villagers pay for a third "volunteer" teacher.   This volunteer teacher, Mr. Planane Djannou, was being paid only $11 a month to teach two grades.  Since this is obviously not a living wage, Mr. Djannou had to supplement his income by farming – even during the school year.  As part of our education projects, Alaffia has decided to sponsor this teacher by paying his full salary, $76 each month, for one year. In return, Mr. Djannou will devote his whole time to teaching.

Community Project Goals & Pledges for 2012

• Plant 8,000 trees

• Collect, ship and distribute 500 bicycles

• Prenatal care for 600 women and their babies

• Construct a high school

Conclusion

It is very sad for me to see conditions worsening for poor people worldwide each year.  Even in Togo, we see increasing environmental degradation, economic dominance by only a few people, political elitism, and increasing population. I often ask myself if I can do enough. But after seeing the few lives that our efforts touch, I feel even stronger that the fight for social and economic justice for all disadvantaged people must continue at all costs. It is a struggle that your support will make feasible in the end. I am forever humble and grateful to be able to give my life to such a cause, as the only way for my children and their children to have peaceful lives on this earth is to care about human life today.

Once again, thank you and have a peaceful 2012,

Olowo-n’djo

Olowo-n’djo Tchala

Founder & Managing Director

By Lea Vogl, Department Manager

Feels like just yesterday that I was deciding what my top products of 2011 would be. Man, time flies! It has been a great year for the Wellness department. We were able to increase our sales by 10%, offer more Wellness Wednesdays throughout the year (where members save 10%, non-members save 5% off supplements and body care items) and continue to train our knowledgeable and friendly staff. We have really enjoyed the stories, questions and suggestions brought to us daily. Sharing your journey to better health is truly an honor!

By the time you read this, I will have finally graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Environmental Studies! When picking my top 12 items in the department, it was hard not to choose supplements and body care products that helped me get through semesters of going to school and working full time. These items are priced with a college student’s budget in mind (most under $20), are environmentally friendly, produced with dignity and help promote a sense of well-being. I encourage you to try some of these out, especially if you find yourself juggling multiple roles!

1. Alaffia, Daily Toning Face Soap $4.29.

This shea butter and goats milk soap is super gentle, extremely moisturizing, and has a calming scent of lavender…but that is not even my favorite part…it is also made by my favorite company in the whole department, Alaffia Sustainable Skincare! Alaffia’s certified Fair Trade shea butter is advancing gender equality and alleviating poverty through the fair trade of indigenous resources in West African communities, community projects (Bicycles for Education and Maternal Health), their women’s cooperative, and education.

2. Aura Cacia, Aragon Oil $16.39

This multifunctional oil is one of my newest favorites in the department! Aragon oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and is used to moisturize both hair and skin. I apply a few drops to my face, while it is still wet, after cleansing. Sometimes you will catch me adding in Aura Cacia’s lavender or tea tree oils for their therapeutic properties. You can also use it on your hair to improve its strength, combat dryness and scalp issues. Aura Cacia is an Iowa based company, and they source their oil from a cooperative in Morroco which employs 80 women who share in the profits from production.

3. Heart of Iowa Soapworks, Happy Hippy Head To Toe Soap $7.29

Everything starts with a good first impression, and this local product had me at “smello”. Patchouli haters, no need to read further. This soap can turn any dirty hippy into a clean, earthy smelling, happy hippy! I love this for camping especially, because it is not only body soap, but also a shampoo!

4. Thursday Plantation, Tea Tree Chewing Sticks $4.29

Ok, time for some self disclosure. The wellness manager at your favorite co-op was a full fledged, nicotine loving, smoker. Yes, as I spoke to you about the importance of prevention, I was thinking about my next cigarette break. But…luckily for me and my health, I changed that. I have been a non smoker for the past 6 months, with not even a puff! I attribute my success to these super strong, slightly less addictive, chewing sticks. When my stress levels rise, I reach for a pack of these trusty stand-bys. Not only do these help me curb my cravings, but they are also a great way to freshen my breath and a way to pick out gunk in my teeth. Love em!

5. Naturally Fresh, Crystal Deodorant Spray $3.59

After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I started to read articles which advised finding a natural deodorant. I was so happy to find a natural product that was so effective and low-priced. This deodorant comes from an all natural mineral salt and has none of the aluminum, allergens, fragrances or paraben’s found in many conventional products. I like the liquid because I can add my own essential oils to give it my favorite scent. I would suggest mixing lavender and sweet orange!

6. Jason, Sea Fresh Toothpaste $6.29

I love, love, LOVE the way this toothpaste leaves my mouth feeling minty fresh! On top of the great taste, it contains sea algae, salts and minerals to help strengthen gums and teeth! It is also fluoride, preservative, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and sugar free.

7. Source Naturals, Wellness Formula $12.49

When I first feel a sniffle or chill coming on, this is my go to product! Between school and work, I found my immune system compromised with germs waiting to attack. I start feeling better when I pop 3 tablets every 3 hours when I am getting sick. The wellness formula is packed with well known immune boosters like vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, and bee propolis. Just a fair warning, these are huge smelly pills, but they are worth the work of choking down. If you can’t swallow horse pills, try their capsules or fizz drinks.

8. Eclectic, Lemon Greens Powder $12.19

Most green powders pack the punch of awesome phytonutrients, along with a hefty price tag, but not Eclectic! This powder is an alkalizing blend of greens and herbs including kale, spinach, nettles, and wheatgrass. All of their herbs in this formula are either organic or wild crafted, and freeze dried, which preserves all of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes of raw food! This lemony beverage is great when pulling an all nighter, giving me the energy boost I need, without sugar or caffeine. Blends great into juice, or just plain water.

9. Nordic Naturals, Omega 3D Liquid $31.19

Okay, okay, you caught me! I slipped in a product over $20, but the quality, transparency of the company, and sustainable practices Nordic Naturals use are worth the price. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential in the diet, and the omega 3’s found in fish oil are rich in DHA, which supports a healthy mood, mind, and memory. This is the only fish oil company I know of that does its own harvesting, processing and encapsulating. Don’t be intimidated by the liquid. It has a light consistency, a non-fishy lemon flavor and is over double the potency of fish oil found in a softgel for a fraction of the price. Don’t believe me? Ask for a sample!

10. Rainbow Light, Busy-Brain Release $19.79

This is more than just a B-complex; it also provides a proprietary blend of 4 herbs and 2 amino acids to help quiet the mind and focus. Whenever I have a pile of work before me, I turn to this to help rebalance my nervous system, relieve tension and stress. I usually notice a difference within the hour, and love the small size and lavender smell. I would recommend this for the students in your life.

11. Natural Vitality, CALM $17.69

This is one of the best selling products in the entire department, and its just a common mineral most of us know of, magnesium. This powdered form of magnesium citrate comes in great sugar free flavors like Lemon, Orange and Lemon Raspberry. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency contribute to a wide variety of conditions such as stress, low energy, muscle spasms and cramps, headaches and hormonal imbalances. Unfortunately tons of people are deficient due to the lack of magnesium found in our foods due to processing or soil quality. Many customers have told me they feel a great sense of relief and wellbeing when using this supplement. I would suggest mixing a warm cup of this at night to promote a good nights rest.

12. Natural Balance, Happy Sleeper $18.59

On a rainy camping trip down to Arkansas, I found myself trying to get a good nights rest in a soaking sleeping bag. Luckily my co-worker Molly was with me and offered her favorite supplement in the department, Happy Sleeper. She told me how the first time she took it, she woke up before her alarm clock went off feeling refreshed and energized. Though I only got a few hours of shut eye while sleeping in a puddle of water, I still woke up ready for an early morning hike after taking Happy Sleeper that night! Happy Sleeper combines calming botanicals, vitamins, and amino acids to help provide a peaceful rest.

By Lea Vogl, Wellness Manager

Spectrum Organic Flax oil is a great source of omega-3s and supports hormonal health and a healthy cholesterol.  Today I spoke to a representative from Spectrum and found out some exciting information. The organic oils are grown, pressed and filtered right here in Iowa!  In 2004 Spectrum joined up with an agricultural cooperative of family farmers of flax oil near Cherokee, Iowa.  The new facility in Cherokee buys the product locally, processes and bottles the oils.  What makes these oils even more unique is the fact that it is triple filtered, giving it the buttery look and taste that we love.  Check out their oils in the supplement cooler at the end of aisle 7.

By Claire Kruesel, Wellness Buyer

The New Year is upon us, and the Wellness department is pleased to announce the addition of a new product line that makes eating healthfully so much easier – whether it’s a resolution, you are looking to add more protein to your diet (it’s vegan!), or you simply lead a busy lifestyle and want genuine nourishment between activities. Sequel Naturals’ Vega line was developed by professional Ironman athlete Brendan Fraser, who was hit by a car and told he’d need six months of bed rest. Two months and lots of MacaSure and Chloressence later, he was on his feet and completed Ironman Canada! He was so impressed with his recovery that he contacted Sequel Naturals – which manufactures those products – and together they developed a whole foods-based, vegan and all natural line of meal replacement supplements, protein powders, pre- and post-workout nutrition, and more. Each product has a full serving of MacaSure and Chloressence, along with so many vitamins and minerals that you might not need that multivitamin anymore!

Come check it out, ask for a sample, or read about Brendan or Vega online. Wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead!