Ok, so this blog is actually a confession…Well a couple of confessions!
First off, a bit about Whole Foods Market that people may not know…We work REALLY hard!!! I think sometimes people think we are a bunch of crazy hippies that sell natural & organic food and in between hang out in the back room and eat tofu while sipping herbal tea. Well, actually we ask a lot of our team members at all levels of the company and because most of us are so passionate about what we do it is not uncommon for us to be working 50, 60, 70 hour weeks! In fact, I am writing this blog on a Sunday evening at 8:00pm actually as it was the only time I had to sneak it in to the normal workflow. So all of that work and long hours definitely creates the need for an occasional boost every now and then which leads to confession # 2…
I must admit I really love energy shots and quick fix products that give you a nice KICK, when you are about out of gas. And frankly, I have to tell you that caffeine, especially from natural sources has been a good friend to me lately as we all plug away on those long hours!
So, if you are like me and many of our team members then you will be as stoked as I was to try the new Guayaki Organic Energy Shot (GOES). It is the first ever certified USDA Organic energy shot and it is full of wonderful herbs and of course Yerba Mate so that it gives you a smooth burst of energy without a crash. We all have seen those energy shots at the convenience store that are full of artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners and other junk that you wouldn’t give to an enemy let alone put in your body. Well, now you can get a super clean, super powerful shot when you check out at Whole Foods Market. By the way, they taste GREAT too, so good that Bevnet recently gave the GOES shots a 5 star rating on their site which is a big honor. Check them out when you need a lift!
For some men and women, natural libido is not as strong as it could be. Fortunately, nature has provided help! Beyond medicinal plants that support a healthy libido, there are other natural options. Nutritionist Malia Curran, MS, MPH shares the secrets about nutrients, additional supplements and body care elements that may help.
Libido is part of a healthy human life and just like any other wellness topic, it deserves attention. Chris Kilham, known in the industry as the Medicine Hunter, is an expert on medicinal plants used historically around the world to support healthy libido in men and women. Join us to hear about his top picks for medicinal plants with centuries of use.
It’s probably obvious that all of the food products we carry are made from recipes. You may not know that there are also basic “recipes” for the personal care products carried on our shelves, although the ingredients may be less familiar. For example, a basic loaf of bread is made of flour, water, salt and leavening agent. A basic shampoo includes surfactants, actives, preservative and fragrance. Thinking of the analogy between cooking foods and making personal care products may help put into perspective all of the long names found on their ingredient lists – and hopefully make them seem less foreign.
The first in a series, this post breaks down the basic anatomy of a shampoo, helping to decipher the key ingredients that comprise the shampoos that you use on a daily basis – and what you may want to think about when choosing your next one.
Hey everyone! Just wanted to invite you all to the 4th Annual Teens Turning Green National Summit, which is coming up in Marin County, California on February 6th + 7th. Teens (and adults, too!) from around the country are invited to RSVP online and join us. It is all moderated by teen campaign members and will feature extraordinary “green” industry leaders. I already can’t wait; it will be an amazing and empowering two days that you will not forget. You will hear from inspiring teens and eco leaders about a variety of green issues including lifestyle choices, green chemistry, and the health impact of toxic chemical exposure in our daily lives. Even if you aren’t that into green body care or cosmetics, these issues apply to everyone and there is a topic or speaker that everyone will be interested in.
Confused about so many supplements on the shelves? Tune in and let us help! We’re going back to the basics and answering some common questions. Nutritionist Malia Curran talks about various benefits and forms of supplements, things to know about regulation and explains a few terms that are often confusing.
For those who enjoy the unexpected and esoteric sides of life, I have a souvenir for you to share with those you love to amuse. Algae. From green to red, slimy to coarse, and microscopic to enormous. Just mention the topic of algae, and many people think of the unsightly green film in swimming pools and fish tanks…or their eyes glaze over. Add to your unpredictability the story of potentially the most humble, unpretentious organisms on Earth.
My name is Tim Schaeffer, I am the founder of Depth, an exclusive brand at Whole Foods Market. Depth offers body and hair care products based on the renowned skin benefits of marine algae, all formulated to meet the stringent Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care Standards. Prior to creating body care products, I was a marine biologist for ten years. My wife, Depth’s co-founder, is also a marine biologist, which is how we met. During my tenure as a marine biologist, my focus was on marine algae. I’d spend hours engulfed in all types of algae on land and underwater, studying their ecology and genetics. Believe me, I have first-hand experience in how algae can flabbergast friends.
Delving further into research on natural fragrances, I had the pleasure recently to connect with Jack Chaitman, an expert on plant distillation who has been extracting premium essential oils for over 25 years. When it comes to natural fragrances, Jack is extraordinary: an inspiration and a true artist who taught me much about essential oil extraction. I am glad to share with you some of his wisdom and passion.
There are differences in how essentials oils are distilled, and when they are extracted artfully with hydrodistillation methods, according to Jack, you are going to get a full spectrum of fragrance components that cannot be achieved with CO2 and steam-extracted essential oils and absolutes. Jack calls these minor fragrance constituents of the plant “soul components” — components that transfer the plant’s intelligence and the intact life force. It is due to these soul components that natural fragrances are so complex, that the scent keeps changing as you smell it. When you breathe it in, it is like being in nature or like smelling the ocean. Through this poetic vision of essential oil extraction, distillation is seen as the art of releasing the plant’s soul into the oils.
This past Saturday (October 4th) The Hockaday School, located in Dallas, Texas, was introduced to the excitement and passion of the Teen for Safe Cosmetics campaign. After an enlightening introduction about the campaign by Judi Shils and two campaign members, Hockaday students were convinced about the important cause and ready to get involved. I personally never knew the seriousness and potential harmful ingredients in beauty and personal care products that and my fellow peers and I use daily. I believe it is crucial for young women to raise awareness, advocate for change, and make a difference in today’s world.
Teen for Safe Cosmetics has been the most dynamic cause that I have encountered and I am in awe of all the possibilities and achievements of this campaign. Hearing about experiences like traveling to Sacramento to lobby for legislation and the success of their events was inspiring and invigorating.
After the meeting, everyone flocked to Whole Foods Market for the Teens Turning Green Collection launch event. The event was a huge success! The campaign’s new products were on display for purchase and girls enjoyed makeovers, manicures and an eco-friendly fashion show.
The Teens Turning Green line was also inspiring. I discovered that all the products were designed and created with the help of teens and I was amazed at how refreshing, practical and effective the products are. I plan to visit Whole Foods Market again this weekend and buy more of the line’s wonderful products. From this campaign I learned that teens can truly make a difference in their communities as well as the future of this country, and that action is the best way to bring about positive change. Hockaday is very excited about the Teens for Safe Cosmetics campaign and we cannot wait to join the fun!
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market.
Don’t know us? In a nutshell, we are the world's leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
We’re lucky to have a whole bunch of smart, passionate people doing incredible things in areas like organics, supporting local growers, green practices, fair trade, micro-lending and all kinds of food related stuff. We’ll use this blog to share some of the cool things going on around here.
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Delving further into research on natural fragrances, I had the pleasure recently to connect with 
