CLARKS SUMMIT — Customers got to try different things and learn new ways to stay healthy at the Everything Natural Expo on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Vendors and speakers visited the store to share either their organic foods or health advice. Barbara Cohen, event coordinator of Everything Natural, served protein smoothies with flavors of strawberry coconut and chocolate almond in a demo station called Ganesh’s Juice Bar. Carbondale resident Rebekah Gillette, owner of Taste the World Spices by Rebekah, attended the event with her daughter Bella.
There, they gave samples of their many spice kits. They are kits because each can of spice informs which food goes with that spice. Each blend represents a different region of the world. The spices are also low in salt. People sampled the spices with popcorn. They also tried Rebekah’s ginger peach summer slaw, which was made of cabbage, carrots, cilantro, fresh peaches, and lime. Rebekah and Bella started their business at the end of January 2019. This was the first time they vended their items at Everything Natural.
“This is my favorite health food store because of how they handpick each product,” said Rebekah. “I trust that they carry the best.”
Gail Weinberger, of Waverly, with her stand called Gail’s Cupboard, gave samples and vended her nutrient-dense foods made from certified organic ingredients. She sold sprouted maple granola, kombucha, and raw cacao treats.
Her table also had ghee, which is clarified butter (made without dairy)mostly used in Indian cooking. She gave samples of kvass tonic, which is a drink mixed with beets, cabbage, crushed ginger, tumeric, and peppers. Gail was accompanied by her daughter Melissa Miller. This is Gail’s second time at the expo.
“It’s nice to have people tasting the food because they don’t know how they taste until they buy it,” said Gail. In the basement of Everything Natural, author/speaker Donna LaBar had a discussion called Creating Health Naturally.
She spoke about the brain-gut connection and ways to improve sleep and digestion. She wrote a book called Simple. Natural. Healing: A Commonsense Approach to Total Health Transformation. Donna takes part in the programs of Everything Natural. “I like to be part of their offerings,” she said. “Everything Natural has programs throughout the year to help people with self-care,” she said.
The expo brought in customers as well as first-time customers. “I thought it was excellent,” said Wally Casper, who came from his hometown of Carbondale to visit Everything Natural for the first time. “The store has everything you need to try to be healthy.”
