Join Us for a Health and Wellness Fair at Davidson!

Our Davidson location will be holding their annual Health and Wellness Fair on Tuesday, April 5 from 1 pm - 6 pm! The celebration will include product demonstrations and product samples, wine and food samples, gift basket drawings, entertainment and free lectures! The lecture schedule is as follows:

12:00pm-1:00pm
Dr. Brent "Max" Maxwell DC
LifeSpring Chiropractic
How to Maximize Your Nutrition and Supplements in your Grocery Budget
Living a preventative lifestyle for you and your family by shopping in a health food store does NOT necessarily equal HUGE weekly grocery bills! Discover the 5 supplements that are essential to help promote healing, decreases inflammation, reverse chronic diseases, regulates metabolism.....without breaking your grocery budget.
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1:00pm-1:30pm
Dr. Seth Moliver
Moliver Chiropractic
Arthritis and Spinal Health: Understanding the Correlation
Everyday we do things to the body, especially the spinal cord, without regard to how it affects our overall health. Did you know that there is a correlation between spinal health and arthritis. Learn how to take care of you spine and in turn take care of your arthritis and joint health.
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2:30pm-3:30pm
Kenya Templeton
Vitamin Department Manager
What's in Your Cosmetics?: The Truth About Personal Care Ingredients
Are you using organic hair, dental and skin care products? How do you know they are organic? What are the ingredients in your personal care? We will cover the answers to these questions and discuss 10 common synthetic ingredients and their potential health risks.
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4:00pm-5:00pm
Steve Cooksey
Type 2 Diabetic and Store Customer
Thriving with Diabetes: My Personal Story of Healing
Successful Diabetes Management is simple, it is NOT easy. As a type 2 diabetic I have done so much to learn how to balance my blood sugar with diet, exercise and supplements. Come to listen to my personal story and let my trials and tribulations be inspiration for you to take your health into your own hands.
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5:00pm-6:00pm
Travis Chilcot
Total Nutrition Technology, Health Educator
Get the Real Scoop on Fats, Carbohydrates and Proteins
How much are you to have of each - fats, carbohydrates and proteins? If you don't know, this is the perfect seminar for you. Applying my academic background in nutrition, I teach this everyday in my practice and you will have the opportunity to learn this for free. Get your questions answered about nutrition.

Meatless Monday: Spanish-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

Ingredients

1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup amaranth
1 cup vegetable stock or broth
1 tsp. butter or soy margarine
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 cup hot salsa
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 large ripe tomatoes or 8 medium
Plain yogurt and cilantro sprigs for garnish

Directions

1. In medium-size saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add amaranth and stir well. Add stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until amaranth grain is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat and stir in butter until melted. Stir in cilantro, salsa, cinnamon, raisins, pine nuts, salt and pepper.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. From each tomato, cut a thick slice from end opposite stem and discard. Using a teaspoon, scoop out seeds and core; discard. Arrange tomato shells in baking dish.
4. Spoon amaranth mixture into tomato shells. Bake until tomatoes are soft but still retain their shape, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm topped with yogurt and cilantro if desired.

Source: vegetariantimes.com

Donate to Japan and Other Charities, No Money Required!

In the wake of the terrible disaster in Japan, help is needed. However, many people are already having a hard time making their own ends meet and don't feel like they have anything to spare. But consider if everyone in America just donated $1, it would be a substantial number. With that in mind here is a list of accredited Japanese charities provided by the Better Business Bureau. You can also quickly and easily text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00 to the Red Cross. In addition, there are also several ways that you can help for free! 
Both the Dog Bless You and the Voskos Greek Yogurt groups will donate $1 for every "like" they receive on their Facebook pages.
The Moms Need To Know blogging network will donate $1 for every blog comment, up to $300 and from their homepage you will see a list of other blog sites who are joining in the effort and then from those individual blogs, you can find even more bloggers who are contributing. 
Causes.com has a "Give a Minute" option where for each completed survey $0.10 will be donated. 
viaSQUARED.com will donate ­$0.01 for every "reblog" and "like" and $0.05 for every "follower" they receive to the Red Cross.
If you know of any other sites, please comment below.

Many may not know that there are quite a few "Click-to-Donate" sites on the internet. These sites allow people to donate money to charitable causes without spending any money at all. For every click, sponsors will donate to the chosen cause. It is extremely easy, takes very little time and really adds up. Here is a list of sites which contribute to causes supporting everything from ending world hunger, animal rights, saving the rainforest, education, curing breast cancer and much more.

Freerice.com
Care2.org
Thehungersite.com
Therainforestsite.com
Ripple.org
Gamesthatgive.net
Thebreastcancer.com

For a comprehensive list of "Click-to-Donate" websites, try oneclickatatime.org, thenonprofits.com and check out this blog The Mouse That Saved the World for more detail on certain donation sites.

And of course, donating your time, man-power and and gently used items is always free! 

Meatless Monday: Vegan Eggplant Tempura Roll

Ingredients

1 4in x 7in piece of nori
3/4 cups prepared sushi rice
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 strips eggplant, about 1/4 in wide
1 tsp finely chopped scallions, or more to taste
Matchstick sized carrot strips
Thinly sliced romaine lettuce
Tempura batter, see below
Flour for dredging
Oil for frying

Tempura Batter
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup ice water

Tomato Tofu Puree
1/2 pkg firm tofu
1/4 cup diced tomato
1/2 tsp yellow miso paste, or more to taste
Place tofu, tomato and miso in blender and puree. Store in refrigerator until needed.

Directions

1. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a thick bottomed frying pan to 340 degrees F. To prepare tempura, mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add ice water and stir until just mixed. Batter will be lumpy. Dredge eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip pieces into tempura batter and place into hot oil, being careful not to drop bits of ice into the hot oil. Fry eggplant until golden brown or about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Allow to cool at least 2 minutes before using.
2. Place nori, rough side up horizontally on work surface. With fingers dipped lightly in water, spread prepared sushi rice evenly over the entire surface of the nori. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Flip over and place tempura eggplant pieces end to end horizontally in the middle of the nori. Place carrot and lettuce on top of eggplant and sprinkle with scallions. Roll according to the method for rolling inside out sushi rolls.
3. Cut roll, seam side down in to 6-8 pieces. Drizzle serving plate with Tomato Tofu Puree and arrange pieces of sushi on top. If desired, serve with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce for dipping.

Source: Chef Marisa Baggett

FREE Beer Tasting Tomorrow at South End!

It's happening! Our first official beer tasting! Not only will there be free beer to taste, but free food as well! Our deli department is preparing some delicious treats for the occasion. We will be serving up Joe the Butcher's Irish Bangers, Bryan's A2 Chipotle Wings, Andre's Famous Pimiento Cheese, housemade Guacamole and more! You can also expect to try the following beers:

New Holland's Mad Hatter
New Holland's The Poet
Blowing Rock's High Country Ale
Blowing Rock's IPA
Brasserie de Brunehaut"s Abbaye de St Martin Blond
Viru's Premium Estonian Beer
Charlotte's Own Old Mecklenburg Brewery Beers

Tomorrow promises to be an enjoyable afternoon and a great opportunity to sample beers you have never tried (or perhaps you have) and foods you'll fall in love with! Plus, it's another chance to mingle with other customers and like-minded folks. The festivities kick off at 1 pm and will run through 4 pm. See everyone tomorrow!

Coconut: "The Healthiest Oil on Earth"

Coconuts have been consumed as both food and medicine by populations around the world for generations and now the west seems to finally be catching on. Coconut has long been villainized here as being unhealthy because of it's high saturated fat content, but in fact it is now being hailed as the "healthiest oil on Earth." Unlike most saturated oils, coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, or MCFAs, which do not negatively effect cholesterol levels and can actually lower the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The body actually readily uses the MCFA's as energy, rather than storing them within fat. Coconut oil is not only used internally, but can be used externally as a moisturizer for skin and hair, as well as, a medicinal salve. Coconut has been used traditionally around the world to treat a variety of health conditions including abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, edema, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds. Pacific Islanders refer to the coconut palm as the "Tree of Life." And now modern science has begun to unlock the secrets to the coconut's amazing healing powers. Studies published in medical journals have confirmed coconut's ability to help with a variety of health issues, below is a summarization courtesy of www.coconutresearchcenter.org:

• Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
• Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
• Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
• Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
• Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
• Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
• Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
• Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Helps protect against osteoporosis.
  Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
• Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
• Improves digestion and bowel function.
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
• Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
• Functions as a protective antioxidant.
• Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
• Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
• Reduces epileptic seizures.
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
• Dissolves kidney stones.
• Helps prevent liver disease.
• Is lower in calories than all other fats.
• Supports thyroid function.
• Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
• Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
• Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
• Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
• Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
• Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
• Is completely non-toxic to humans.

We currently have Garden of Life 16 oz. jars of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil on sale for only $9.99!

Meatless Monday: Mango-Avocado Rolls

Ingredients

2/3 cup diced avocado
2 Tbs. lime juice
2 tsp. grated lime zest
2/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup vegan cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (all parts)
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chile sauce, such as sriracha
8 81/2-inch Vietnamese rice paper wrappers
2 cups alfalfa sprouts
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced fresh mango

Directions

1. Combine avocado, lime juice, and lime zest in small bowl. Stir in bell pepper, cream cheese, green onions, cilantro, and chile sauce; set aside.
2. Fill large bowl (9-inch diameter) with warm water. Submerge 1 rice paper wrapper 10 seconds in water, or just until it becomes soft. Remove wrapper to flat work surface, and let rest 30 seconds; it will become more pliable.
3. Spoon scant 1/4 cup avocado mixture just below middle of rice paper wrapper, leaving 1-inch border on either side. Top with 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts and 2 to 3 mango slices. Fold bottom of rice paper wrapper up over filling, pressing filling as you go. Fold both sides of rice paper inward. Gently press to seal. Roll up wrapper to top edge. Brush water on top edge, if necessary, to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers, avocado, sprouts, and mango.

Note: We currently have Mangos on sale, 5 for $5.00!

Source: vegetariantimes.com