Rediscover a Healthful Lifestyle
BY MARY RAFFETTO
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Once upon a time it seemed that improving one’s health and diet involved giving up all sorts of things. But times have changed. Thanks to influences like Dr. Oz and today’s top-notch natural food and nutrition stores, people are discovering a wealth of products, foods and herbs, which can be added to their diets for optimal wellness.
“The general public has grown amazingly aware of a healthy diet’s preventive powers as well as the potential for curing disease in many instances,” says Leslie Brennan, owner of Artesian Natural Foods in Stockton. “This applies to our animals as well,” adds Green’s Nutrition manager, Rebekah Robinson. Nicknamed “Dr. Doolittle,” Rebekah is known for her ability to treat animals with homeopathy and herbs, often helping pet owners avoid thousands in vet bills.
For over 20 years Green’s has provided personalized service to its patrons, and since relocating to Stockton’s Miracle Mile, has brought a welcome resource for groceries and specialty items, such as gluten-free foods and hard-to-find bulk herbs and spices. Green’s keeps these precious medicinal herbs and seasonings in the vault – literally. Located in what was once a bank, owner and herbalist Eunice Green converted the bank’s vault into her own haberdashery of healing herbs.
Medicinal indeed, countless customers have experienced great success with Eunice’s many herbal recommendations such as milk thistle, known to actually rebuild and regenerate the liver, and often used to treat hepatitis. She recently began teaching a six-week series of herb classes, and says, “The response has been so overwhelming that we have already scheduled another series, beginning in August. It is quite obvious that people are looking for education.”
Customers are so pleased with the quality and results of Green’s nutritional counseling program, which is also available in Spanish, that Eunice now plans to incorporate a healing center in the store as well. “I practice complimentary therapy, not alternative medicine,” she says, clarifying, “I work with whatever therapy the patient’s MD is recommending. It is more of an addition to what they are doing, not an ‘instead of.’”
Mike and Leslie Brennan, owners of Artesian Natural Foods, express similar devotion to their clientele. In regard to the store’s original owner, Richard Felize, Leslie says, “He built such a community that it is has been our honor to actually be able to carry on that tradition, that foundation, that he built. We are listening to customers and what they want, and always bringing in more of the best the industry has to offer.” Most recently that has meant local, grass-fed beef and lamb, which the Brennans began selling simply because they enjoyed it so much themselves.
“We had no idea how much our customers would love it, but it has really been in demand and we are selling much more than we’d expected.” Also wildly popular have been Artesian’s gluten-free foods, which can be purchased ready-to-eat or in mixes to be made at home.
Artesian will relocate to Lincoln Center, just blocks away, in October, where there will be room for a special chocolate section, featuring guiltless gourmet treats chock-full of redeeming antioxidants. The store is already well-known for carrying the finest lines of natural beauty and skincare items, as well as a vast selection of fine groceries, books, and dietary supplements. One such supplement with a loyal following is Dong Quai Supreme.
Made by an herbalist, it is credited with achieving hormonal balance and relieving menopausal symptoms for many grateful customers. “There is always someone to help a customer with a specific need,” explains Leslie, “and we are more than happy to place special orders.”
Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center in Lodi has been serving its loyal customers for nearly 25 years. Owner Sheri Didrecksen, who has a second store in Turlock, credits her long-term success with personalized assistance, great selection, and knowledgeable staff. Alice, the store manager, agrees. “Customers are always surprised by how passionate and full of knowledge our staff members are, and people rave about how much it has helped them with their health,” she says.
The staff at Sheri’s is aided by a computer system that gives them access to an astounding quantity of information cross-referencing symptoms and conditions with proven treatment plans. Whether seeking to address an illness, or just to enjoy healthy, natural foods, customers appreciate Sheri’s impressive variety – from raw local honeys and bulk whole grains to the entire spectrum of probiotics and cleanses, including “Flush and Be Fit,” one of their best sellers.
The largest health and nutrition store in the area, Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center also carries grooming and personal care items, natural and organic pet foods/treats. They also offer senior discounts and customer rewards programs, and gladly handle special orders.
There is more information and more delicious food choices available to consumers than ever before. With so many ways to improve health and vitality, just learning about it can be half the fun – but experiencing the results is very much its own reward and well worth seeking.
Artesian Natural Foods
6349 Pacific Avenue
Stockton
209-952-8787
Green’s Nutrition
1906 Pacific Avenue
Stockton
209-464-5738
Sheri’s Sunshine Nutrition Center
6 N. School Street
Lodi
209-368-4800
“The general public has grown amazingly aware of a healthy diet’s preventive powers as well as the potential for curing disease in many instances,” says Leslie Brennan, owner of Artesian Natural Foods in Stockton. “This applies to our animals as well,” adds Green’s Nutrition manager, Rebekah Robinson. Nicknamed “Dr. Doolittle,” Rebekah is known for her ability to treat animals with homeopathy and herbs, often helping pet owners avoid thousands in vet bills.
For over 20 years Green’s has provided personalized service to its patrons, and since relocating to Stockton’s Miracle Mile, has brought a welcome resource for groceries and specialty items, such as gluten-free foods and hard-to-find bulk herbs and spices. Green’s keeps these precious medicinal herbs and seasonings in the vault – literally. Located in what was once a bank, owner and herbalist Eunice Green converted the bank’s vault into her own haberdashery of healing herbs.
Medicinal indeed, countless customers have experienced great success with Eunice’s many herbal recommendations such as milk thistle, known to actually rebuild and regenerate the liver, and often used to treat hepatitis. She recently began teaching a six-week series of herb classes, and says, “The response has been so overwhelming that we have already scheduled another series, beginning in August. It is quite obvious that people are looking for education.”
Customers are so pleased with the quality and results of Green’s nutritional counseling program, which is also available in Spanish, that Eunice now plans to incorporate a healing center in the store as well. “I practice complimentary therapy, not alternative medicine,” she says, clarifying, “I work with whatever therapy the patient’s MD is recommending. It is more of an addition to what they are doing, not an ‘instead of.’”
Mike and Leslie Brennan, owners of Artesian Natural Foods, express similar devotion to their clientele. In regard to the store’s original owner, Richard Felize, Leslie says, “He built such a community that it is has been our honor to actually be able to carry on that tradition, that foundation, that he built. We are listening to customers and what they want, and always bringing in more of the best the industry has to offer.” Most recently that has meant local, grass-fed beef and lamb, which the Brennans began selling simply because they enjoyed it so much themselves.
“We had no idea how much our customers would love it, but it has really been in demand and we are selling much more than we’d expected.” Also wildly popular have been Artesian’s gluten-free foods, which can be purchased ready-to-eat or in mixes to be made at home.
Artesian will relocate to Lincoln Center, just blocks away, in October, where there will be room for a special chocolate section, featuring guiltless gourmet treats chock-full of redeeming antioxidants. The store is already well-known for carrying the finest lines of natural beauty and skincare items, as well as a vast selection of fine groceries, books, and dietary supplements. One such supplement with a loyal following is Dong Quai Supreme.
Made by an herbalist, it is credited with achieving hormonal balance and relieving menopausal symptoms for many grateful customers. “There is always someone to help a customer with a specific need,” explains Leslie, “and we are more than happy to place special orders.”
Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center in Lodi has been serving its loyal customers for nearly 25 years. Owner Sheri Didrecksen, who has a second store in Turlock, credits her long-term success with personalized assistance, great selection, and knowledgeable staff. Alice, the store manager, agrees. “Customers are always surprised by how passionate and full of knowledge our staff members are, and people rave about how much it has helped them with their health,” she says.
The staff at Sheri’s is aided by a computer system that gives them access to an astounding quantity of information cross-referencing symptoms and conditions with proven treatment plans. Whether seeking to address an illness, or just to enjoy healthy, natural foods, customers appreciate Sheri’s impressive variety – from raw local honeys and bulk whole grains to the entire spectrum of probiotics and cleanses, including “Flush and Be Fit,” one of their best sellers.
The largest health and nutrition store in the area, Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center also carries grooming and personal care items, natural and organic pet foods/treats. They also offer senior discounts and customer rewards programs, and gladly handle special orders.
There is more information and more delicious food choices available to consumers than ever before. With so many ways to improve health and vitality, just learning about it can be half the fun – but experiencing the results is very much its own reward and well worth seeking.
Artesian Natural Foods
6349 Pacific Avenue
Stockton
209-952-8787
Green’s Nutrition
1906 Pacific Avenue
Stockton
209-464-5738
Sheri’s Sunshine Nutrition Center
6 N. School Street
Lodi
209-368-4800