Getting into the Swing of Spring?  Gardening, tennis, golf, and all the fun spring and summer activities can leave you sore, sprained, bruised and strained.  A strong anti-inflammatory, Immortelle Essential Oil (Helichrysum) is a good choice for relief.  It’s anti-spasmotic and analgesic properties make it a good choice for the first aid kit and gym bag.

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT TO BE USED ON CHILDREN UNDER 12.  NOT TO BE USED IF PREGNANT OR NURSING.

On April 26, 2009 the US declared a public health emergency for the emerging new swine flu. To date officials reported 45 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. There have been outbreaks in Canada and other parts of the world including Europe, Israel and New Zealand. Unlike in Mexico where the same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, cases in the United State have been mild – and U.S. health authorities can’t yet explain why. In Mexico there have been 150 suspected deaths and 1400 people have severe respiratory illness. The head of the Homeland Security Department announced that the USA is proceeding as if preparing for a full blown pandemic. On Monday evening the WHO increased its assessment of the virus to a significant risk of a pandemic and has abandoned any attempt to contain its spread, stressing instead the need to mitigate its effects. The last time the world saw a flu pandemic was in 1966.

The US has released 25% of its national stockpile of anti viral medications. The anti – viral medications Tamiflu and Relenza have proved to be effective in cases so far. No vaccine specifically protects against swine flu. The human flu shot given every winter won’t help. Vaccine makers have taken initial steps to make a vaccine; those with older technology will take 26 weeks once a vaccine has been developed. Companies such as Baxter International Inc. have more advanced technology and state that they can make a vaccine in 13 weeks once it has been developed.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.

From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Currently, since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation by the CDC into these cases is ongoing.

This new strain of virus appears to have claimed its first victims near Mexico City where the impact is being felt the hardest at the moment. It is believed to have originated in Veracruz, in an area called La Gloria which is surrounded by an expanse of many pig farms. The CDC has said that the virus has the capability to mutate and evolve with the possibility to render it a formidable and deadly wipe-out virus. They have also released the sweeping statement, that “people ‘will’ die from the virus”.

The director of CDC’s National Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the United States’ cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically found in ‘Asia and Europe.

 Scientists across the world are alarmed at the death rate that has been incurred from an unknown virus which has basically only surfaced in the past week or so. This could have massive global implications and experts are struggling to identify the exact mutation of the swine flu which can be transmitted from person to person.

Symptoms:

Symptoms include a fever of more than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion and ,in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea. In adults emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion and severe and persistent vomiting.

Homeopathy to the rescue!

There is a wealth of information on the web site www.flusolution.net. Take time to look at the site, read how homeopathy works  and pass on the  address to all of your family, friends and colleagues.

Homeopathic remedies are safe, cheap ,easily available and extremely effective for acute and very serious  disease. This knowledge will dispel your fear. There is no interaction between a homeopathic remedy and a conventional medication so if you take drugs prescribed by your doctor a  homeopathic remedy will not interfere. You do not have to waste time to wait for a diagnosis before using homeopathy, simply pay attention to your symptoms and determine which remedy fits  your present picture of ill health. Homeopathy won its laurels in the epidemics and pandemics of the past. During the 1918 Spanish Influenza the use of homeopathic remedies saved many lives.

 The Minnesota Homeopathic Association have worked extremely hard for several years to produce a plan to deal with pandemic flu scenarios. When homeopaths have been able to see enough sick people we will post on the front page of the flusolution web site the homeopathic remedies that we have found to be the most effective for the majority of the people seen with swine flu. It may also be possible to use these remedies identified as the genus epidemicus  as a preventative to this disease, similar to a vaccination. There are many professional homeopaths all over the world who are  available for private  educational consultations they are ready, willing, extremely knowlegable and skilled ,they can help you through this disease!

Dr. Jacob Mirman and Sally Tamplin developed an influenza kit that is available from Washington Homeopathic Pharmacy

www.homeopathyworks.com, details can be found on the flusolution web site. This kit took over a year of research to develop, we looked at all the pandemic influenza outbreaks over the past two hundred years and the homeopathic remedies that helped even with the most severe symptoms of disease. The kit includes remedies in potencies not usually available in your local health food store or co-op. If you are worried we strongly suggest that you purchase this kit, each kit has the potential to help hundreds of people.

For other homeopathic solutions or flu prevention, speak to our knowledgeable staff in the wellness department. They can explain the products we carry. You can also make an appointment with our staff nurse, Eileen Johnson, RN,  by e-mailing her at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com  or by calling our customer service at 952-891-1212, #221. Sally Tamplin is also teaching regional classes and can be reached:

Flu consultations: I offer 30 minute  flu telephone consultations, you do not have to be an existing client and I take calls from all over the world.  I am able to educate you over the phone as to how you can help yourself and your family with homeopathic remedies. I am able to send you remedies as part of the consultation but this is not ideal,it is best that you have them already on hand so please look at the flu web site and the excellent flu kit that Dr.Jacob Mirman and I took well over a year of research to develop.The cost of a flu consultation is $50.00 and the flu kit costs $100.The kit contains remedies and potencies that are  not readily available in your local health food store or co – op. Washington Homeopathic Pharmacy who make the kits for us will ship them overseas. Please email me to arrange a consult or call and leave a message.(See contact details at end of email)

Consider attending a class

Chicago:

If you live in Chicago I am teaching a 2 hour flu class this Wednesday April 29 at Western Springs Library 6.30 – 8.30pm.Next week I will be at the Unitarian Church in Hinsdale: Monday May 4th 7.30 – 9.30pm and Wednesday May 6th 2 – 4pm. Please email me if you plan to attend.

Wisconsin:

I will be at the Rose Gallery in Lake Mills on Friday May 1st teaching a flu class 6.30 – 8.30pm. Please call the Rose Gallery if you plan to attend. Tel: 920 648 3973

Twin Cities:

I will be talking to Kevin Doheny and setting a class up at his healing center in Eagan when I am in town the weekend of May 16th. Please watch the flu web site and Kevin’s web site for details www.soundmindbodyhealing.com

School of Homeopathy First Aid Course: MN  May 16/17  and June 13/14  Chicago May 30/31 and June 6/7

This is an excellent course and I will be emphasizing the flu and how to deal with this crisis. To date I have no one signed up for the Chicago course and only three people for the Twin City course. Several people have told me that a 4 day commitment is too much time and that the cost is also too high. I am considering offering the course as a two day,one weekend, with follow up telephone tutorials at a cost of $175.00 in advance. Please email me asap if you are interested in coming to a Chicago or a Twin City Course on the dates advertized.

Sally Tamplin B.Ed. [hons] D.S.H. P.C.H. M.A.R.H.4354 Lawn Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 784 – 9397

www.Alternative-Horizons.com

Registered Homeopath (UK), Registered Bach Flower Essence Practitioner, Nationally Certified in Massage Therapy, Bodywork, and Reflexology.
Educational Classes

www.medicinewomenspeak.com

www.flusolution.net

by Eileen Johnson, RN
  

I have given you many tools in the past couple months that can be used for building an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Now, how do you put them all together and incorporate all these new habits into a pattern that lasts a lifetime? I have often heard that it takes 4 weeks to develop a new habit, but my experience tells me it can take longer and often requires support to do so. Here are a few ideas if you are determined to make these tools support a lifetime of good health.

•          

Start by trying out one or two habits and practice them diligently until you feel they have become a comfortable part of your lifestyle. Trying to practice all the steps at once may leave you feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Achieving small steps, on the other hand, can give you a sense of accomplishment and give you the energy and motivation to keep going

•          

Find a friend or “buddy” to start these new habits. You can help each other to stay on task, think of ways to remove any barriers you may encounter, and have a lot more fun in the process

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Keep a journal. Write down habits you are working on and what you are trying to achieve, success and problems encountered, and the emotions that you feel. You can journal what you eat, stress relieving practices and exercise you carry out.

•          

Place reminders around your home or office space. Sticky notes like “don’t forget to do your breathing/relaxation this morning and before bed” can be placed strategically so that these habits become part of your daily routine.

•          

Make it easy to eat the right foods. Remove junk food from your home and fill the cupboards and refrigerator with the healthy foods and spices I have talked about in previous articles. Cut up/prepare fruits and vegetables so they are ready and easy to reach for and eat. Make healthy drinks and snacks available at all times.

•          

Plan for success. Write out a “menu” for health each week – Plan exercise, stress relief, and a healthy diet and write down the plan for each day a week ahead of time. (For those who can’t think that far ahead, just do a day or two should be fine!)

•          

Join a support group like First Line Therapy. Support groups provide continuous motivation, lots of new ideas, and they make the process so much more fun!

Good luck with all you do!

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221. 

 by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters ( part 10 )

 Culinary spices and herbs can enhance the flavor of anti-inflammatory foods such as vegetables and fish, but their influence goes beyond just a supporting role. Many are found to contain inflammatory inhibitors and important antioxidants that give them a role in quenching inflammatory processes.

The most anti-inflammatory spices include ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne, cardamom, cilantro, garlic, parsley, curry and cumin. Freshly grated ginger lends a wonderful flavor to soups and stews – or just add some to warm water to sooth the stomach. Ginger will also aid in the breakdown of high protein foods and calms down inflammatory conditions like bronchitis and muscle spasms.

Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, curry and cumin are drying and warming herbs that help to digest sweet, starchy vegetables like yams, sweet potatoes and squash. They also help to negate the mucus forming properties of dairy products. Experiment with using these herbs in casseroles. My favorite is to sprinkle these spices on vegetables that I’m roasting.

Cayenne and garlic are both known for their antiviral, antibiotic and diaphoretic (causing a sweat) properties. A very wise acupuncturist advised me years ago to, at the first signs of a cold or flu, to find a way to “build up a sweat”. She recommended hot, spicy soups, and a very warm shower or bath. Remember that adding Epsom salts and ginger to the bath can make it detoxifying and anti-inflammatory.

Turmeric is the “king” of the anti-inflammatory herbs, it actually can be found in capsule form for that very purpose. Turmeric has many very important properties, just a few of which include:

• great antioxidant
• protects the liver from toxins and helps it decongest
• decreases cholesterol
• decreases menstrual pain
• increases ligament flexibility
• calming to the stomach

Add turmeric to rice, soups and stews, vegetables and casseroles. Here is a recipe off the internet that I have altered just a bit but works well for making a vegetable dip.

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• ¼  teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221. 

 by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters ( part 9 )

  Anti-oxidants play their own important role in squelching inflammation. Jack Challem, in the book “The Inflammation Syndrome” explains that free radicals are very unstable electron particles that promote aging in the body and are strongly connected with coronary artery disease and cancer. They are created as a normal process of the body cells doing their daily work, when the immune system fights infections, or when the white blood cells fight bacteria or viruses. We also come in contact with free radicals through such environmental toxins as cigarette smoke and air pollution, and many other environmental chemicals. Free radicals in general increase the activity of the genes in charge of producing inflammatory chemicals. They also increase adhesion or the “stickiness” of white blood cells.  

Our best defense against free radicals includes antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables carry huge amounts of antioxidants. When most of us think of antioxidants, we think of Vitamins A, C, E, and minerals like selenium. Indeed, orange vegetables like squash and carrots contain large amounts of vitamin A. Acerola berries, oranges, guava and peppers are high in Vitamin C, and Vitamin E levels are highest in leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and avocado. Vitamin E seems to be exceptional in its anti-inflammatory activity by quenching free radicals, turning off inflammatory genes, and turning off many types of adhesion molecules. 

Antioxidants are also found in nutrients called polyphenolic flavanoids. These would include the quercitin family, a wonderful anti-inflammatory nutrient found in apples and onions. You can also find high amounts of these powerful flavanoids in dark berries, spinach and broccoli, green and black teas, soybeans, and grains like oats. 

Another fine antioxidant category includes the carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. These are found especially high in the orange vegetables and tomatoes. Foods that are highest in selenium include nuts and seeds, with Brazil nuts being the top of the list by far, containing over 500 mcg of selenium in each nut!

Be sure that you are including plenty of antioxidants in your diet each day!

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221. 

 by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters ( part 8 )

Meats can be a great source of inflammatory fats and chemicals – so much so that healthy vegetarians tend to have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease. But there is a very big caveat. The way in which meat is raised influences whether it becomes a promoter of inflammation or a heart healthy food.

The antioxidant content of meat from game animals and pasture or grass fed animals is much higher than commercially raised meats. This may include, because of the green grasses the animals are eating, higher amounts of Vitamins E and the Carotenoids. The cardiovascular system relies on antioxidants to chelate and eliminate free radicals produced in everyday metabolism of the cells, thereby keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy.

Eating the nutrient dense grasses and plants in the pasture also produces a meat that is higher in omega 3 fatty acids. Some of the Valley Natural Foods meat producers actually report that their meats are higher in Omega 3 fatty acids than fish. Many commercially raised meats are fed omega 6 rich corn. Remember that omega 6 oils tend to be inflammatory.

Aerobic, free range animals naturally have less of the type of fat that tends to be unhealthy for the cardiovascular system and that can be hard to digest. Pasture raised animals do produce a meat that is richer in a healthy fat and important antioxidant called CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. Jo Robinson, author of “Pasture Perfect” reports “ruminant” animals (including cattle, dairy cows, goats, bison, sheep, deer and elk) that are exclusively raised on grass have meat with a CLA content that is 2-5 times higher than commercial meats. CLA helps the body to metabolize fats better and seems to improve muscle size. The FDA web site reports a study using Bio Impedence Assessment that showed improved muscle weight in those using CLA supplementation. CLA is also seen as a very important antioxidant that could prove useful in fighting heart disease and certain cancers.

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221.

by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters (part 7)

It seems no matter what health topic I write about, there is always a stress connection. Stress is a part of our daily lives and sometimes can produce very positive outcomes and needed change in our lives. But, stressors that produce negative emotional and physical responses will promote, and in some cases, produce inflammatory problems in the body. There are many physical stressors that can trigger inflammation, but for now I would like to talk about the emotional ones.

Dr. Janice Kiecolt-glaser, Ph.D., explains that chronic emotional stress increases pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body. These chemicals normally support healing in the body, for instance, when you have a cut on your finger. When stress calls upon these chemicals day after day, they actually create inflammation all over the body EXCEPT in those areas of the body that require healing. She gave two examples during a recent lecture at the National Institute of Health in May of 2008. Longtime care-giving spouses of Alzheimer’s patients displayed lowered immune function and impaired wound healing in comparison with the general population. It is interesting to note that this population also had a much poorer response to a flu shot than the general population of people, and this gap was widened for those people over the age of 70. She also found that a group of dental students actually healed faster from a puncture wound to the finger during a school break than during the school term.

The cortisol connection is very clear and continues to be studied. Optimally, the adrenal glands produce the bulk of their daily cortisol in the early morning. Cortisol is a hormone that wakes us up, stimulates the brain and in moderation works in an anti-inflammatory way. The adrenal gland should secrete smaller amounts as the day goes on and then start secreting the opposing hormone, DHEA, toward the evening and while we sleep. DHEA stimulates the bulk of the body’s healing and repair work. Chronic stress keeps the body in a “fight or flight” mode, unnaturally keeping cortisol levels high, hampering needed repair work and inducing a chronically inflamed state. This can then lead to a spiral effect of inflammation, muscle loss, depressed immune system and blood sugar dysregulation. It also supplies some of the ingredients for obesity.

We are living in such stressful times – What can we do to decrease the negative effects of this stress?

·        Deep belly breathing for 5 minutes, 2-3 times each day can bring temporary stress relief and help you to think through problems more clearly.

·        Taking time to connect with friends or family members can help to put life events in better perspective.

·        Volunteering to help others in need can take away the focus on our own life challenges and understand another person’s perspective.

·        Learn stress relieving practices such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong. These can be used to help build a more positive attitude to start your day or to help you relax before going to bed.

·        Give yourself plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep, including relax time before going to sleep and some time in the morning to awaken peacefully.

Exercise in the morning that you enjoy can raise endorphin levels, improving your mood all day long.

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221.

by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters (part 6)

Exercise is one of those habits that requires a good deal of human driven force to overcome the inertia that holds us back from establishing a daily routine. All I need is that burning cold breath of fresh winter air as I leave my house to make me think twice about getting out for my daily walk! Once completed, my exercise routine leaves me feeling refreshed and clear headed for the day. It also bestows these benefits:

· Better body composition, which includes better muscle mass and fat loss. Remember that fat mass in the body is inflammatory, whereas muscle is anti-inflammatory.

· Stress relief, especially if a positive attitude is maintained while exercising. Stress hormones such as cortisol are very inflammatory.

· Weight control. Studies have shown that even a 5-10 pound weight loss can lower blood pressure, make body cells more sensitive to insulin and lower the output of inflammatory chemicals.

· Decreases blood sugar levels. Controlling inflammation has a lot to do with keeping blood sugar at a level place all day long.

· Appetite control – A study published recently showed aerobic and resistance exercise both reduce appetite, aerobic being the better of the two. (Senior author, David J. Stensel of Loughborough University in the United Kingdom)

· Better sleep will assist the body in producing the nighttime hormone called DHEA that is so vital to proper healing of body cells. Injured tissues can be a significant source of inflammation.

These three different types of exercise give you the optimum balance of inflammatory fighting capability. Remember to include them all when planning a weekly exercise routine:

· Aerobic

· Stretching

· Resistance training

Make it enjoyable and within your reach. Start slowly and build up to optimum levels. (Even it that means beginning with 10 minutes a day.) The YMCA and many fitness clubs can help you plan out a safe and effective program if you are unsure.

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221.

by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters (part 5)

We hear so much these days about eating oatmeal to lower cholesterol and to support heart health. But why is that? What kind of fiber? How much fiber?

In Paleolithic times, “hunter-gatherers” ate a great deal of fiber from complex carbohydrate sources. Their diet included a great deal of seeds, roots, fruits, nuts, buds, leaves and shoots. They ate approximately 100 grams of fiber each day, whereas today the typical American eats about 8-12 grams.

Why does fiber make such a difference in our inflammatory picture? Higher fiber content in our diets makes it more difficult, and a much slower process to digest these carbohydrates. Remember from the article on sugar and inflammation that the faster the blood sugar rises with what we eat, the more likely you are to raise insulin levels quickly, throw the body into type 2 diabetes, and to raise cholesterol numbers. These are all inflammatory connected situations. Fiber also helps to remove fat from the colon wall, toxins and heavy metals, which all improve your general health picture.

There is confusion over what type of fiber is heart healthy. In reality, both soluble, (pectins and gums) and insoluble (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) help decrease inflammation by slowing down carbohydrate absorption, making us feel more full and thereby avoiding excess calories and sugar cravings, and by regulating cholesterol levels.

Generally, trying to include 25-35 grams of fiber each day will go a long way in helping to control inflammation. Try to include some of the following fiber sources each day: 

Pectin from apples, carrots, beets, the cabbage family help lower cholesterol, lessens the risk of heart disease, and slows down absorption of food.

Cellulose from cabbage, carrots, lima beans, peas, whole grains, Brazil nuts, whole grains and green beans will slow down absorption of food, and boost weight loss plans.

Hemicellulose from apples, beets, whole grains, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, mustard greens and pears are all excellent for weight loss. Remember that weight loss, if it results in lower body fat, automatically lowers the levels of inflammatory cytokines, or chemicals, released by fat stores.

Lignin from flax seeds helps to lower cholesterol and binds to hormones, helping the body to eliminate them and keep them from becoming inflammatory in the body.

Gums and mucilages from oatmeal, oat bran, sesame seeds and dried beans regulate bloods sugar and lower cholesterol numbers.

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221. 

by Eileen Johnson, RN

Inflammation Matters (Part 4)

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology recently published a review of studies which showed that Vitamin D deficiency raises the level of parathyroid hormone that in turn dampens our cells’ response to insulin. This is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular risk and inflammation. It also puts us right in the path of type II diabetes, a serious inflammatory disease with many associated health concerns.

Dr. Jeffrey Bland, CEO of the Functional Medicine Institute states that Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to such disorders as breast, lung prostate and colon cancers, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and MS. He recommends seeing a practitioner who will monitor blood levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and supplementing according to that result. It is also seen as a safe practice to take 1000 mg daily without monitoring blood level.

Where else do we get Vitamin D from our diet? Fish is the greatest source for Vitamin D, the highest obtained from sardines, mackerel, herring, tuna and salmon. You can also get a good amount from halibut and cod liver oil. Morel, shitake and chanterelle mushrooms supply a moderate amount of Vitamin D. Milk is a source of Vitamin D, but many of our alternative milks are also fortified with Vitamin D.

Sunshine, when it is available in Minnesota, can supply a good amount of Vitamin D. It is estimated that 20 minutes with the face and arms exposed, will create about 200 IUs of Vitamin D. Unfortunately, the angle of the sun and the length of winter makes this difficult! Who is ready for sunshine and warm weather?! 

Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221.