What's With Today's Health Food Stores?
Posted on 2007-Jul-5 at 12:48 in Health Food
Back in the day (the late 70's to early 80's), health food stores were mysterious places run by long haired hippy types. The stores smelled of herbs, incense and a few other things that generally defied description. There were things like granola, soy milk, goat's milk, tofu and wheat grass juice. You could find books on such subjects as natural healing, crystal therapy and composting. Generally the people who frequented health food stores were a very small demographic and those who ran the stores probably knew all of their customers on a first name basis.
Wild Oats is a franchise in many cities and when you go into the store, you can tell right away that the basic Mom and Pop operation had changed. This particular chain began eighteen years ago in Boulder, Colorado and has expanded over the years to include more than 110 stores in 24 states and British Columbia. It is clear to see how this company along with it's main competitor Whole Foods have significantly changed health food stores of today.
At first glance, these stores look like any other large grocery store, and you can probably find many of the same items that you would in a standard grocery store - but with one twist. Everything is supposed to be healthy - but is it? Not really but that's a subject for another article altogether where we'll discuss hidden toxic ingredients that are quite popular at these stores.
And what about organic? Usually when you hear the word organic, you might think two things; bland and expensive. However, with all the options and improvements in the way of organic foods are produced, there are many items that are very tasty, and the prices have become comparable to those of a conventional grocery store.
Many of the old staples that one would expect in a health food store are still there. The aisle with the candles and incense is hard to miss. You can easily get lost sniffing all the available combinations of aromatherapy scents available. And there are books, tapes and DVD's on yoga, meditation and New Age music. There are still aisles of herbal remedies and environmentally friendly household products, and the standard juice bar with all kinds of freshly made juices for you.
Some additions are a pleasant surprise, though. There can be four different "deli" counters. There is usually a butcher counter with free-range chicken and beef and a plethora of fresh seafood. Another counter may display an array of amazing baked goods (bagels, cakes and pastries), and in many stores there is yet another section that caters full meals for a quick healthy lunch or a dinner party. The modern health food store also had a section for wine and beer, an astounding array of cheeses, and an extensive frozen foods section.
It is heartening to see how far the health food store has come. You can still find the small ones here and there; some of these local "Coops" can deliver even more for your money since their main goal is not just profit. So don't forget to support your local stores whenever you can.
-Joshua
Wild Oats is a franchise in many cities and when you go into the store, you can tell right away that the basic Mom and Pop operation had changed. This particular chain began eighteen years ago in Boulder, Colorado and has expanded over the years to include more than 110 stores in 24 states and British Columbia. It is clear to see how this company along with it's main competitor Whole Foods have significantly changed health food stores of today.
At first glance, these stores look like any other large grocery store, and you can probably find many of the same items that you would in a standard grocery store - but with one twist. Everything is supposed to be healthy - but is it? Not really but that's a subject for another article altogether where we'll discuss hidden toxic ingredients that are quite popular at these stores.
And what about organic? Usually when you hear the word organic, you might think two things; bland and expensive. However, with all the options and improvements in the way of organic foods are produced, there are many items that are very tasty, and the prices have become comparable to those of a conventional grocery store.
Many of the old staples that one would expect in a health food store are still there. The aisle with the candles and incense is hard to miss. You can easily get lost sniffing all the available combinations of aromatherapy scents available. And there are books, tapes and DVD's on yoga, meditation and New Age music. There are still aisles of herbal remedies and environmentally friendly household products, and the standard juice bar with all kinds of freshly made juices for you.
Some additions are a pleasant surprise, though. There can be four different "deli" counters. There is usually a butcher counter with free-range chicken and beef and a plethora of fresh seafood. Another counter may display an array of amazing baked goods (bagels, cakes and pastries), and in many stores there is yet another section that caters full meals for a quick healthy lunch or a dinner party. The modern health food store also had a section for wine and beer, an astounding array of cheeses, and an extensive frozen foods section.
It is heartening to see how far the health food store has come. You can still find the small ones here and there; some of these local "Coops" can deliver even more for your money since their main goal is not just profit. So don't forget to support your local stores whenever you can.
-Joshua
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