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.