The Blog | Earth Fare's blog about food, community, and fun

Renee’s Health Journey

Posted on January 27, 2012 by earthfare

Renee’s Story (in her own words…)
All my life, I have struggled with allergies and asthma.

Several years ago, it began to get worse and doctor after doctor after doctor could not figure out why. After my Aunt passed away 3 years ago, I found out that she had an immune disorder of unknown origin. She had experienced many of the same symptoms that I had over the years: migraines, repeated sinus infections, allergic rhinitis, stomach problems, ear problems and more. To make matters worse, I am a Nurse Practitioner and could not figure out the problem that was causing this!

When I started eating gluten free and avoiding many of the foods I was allergic to, I began feeling better. I found an “allergy” dietician and learned I was actually allergic to even MORE foods than I ever thought!

My food list now encompasses about 40 different items! Very, very limited at best. It was quite depressing.

I finally found a very compassionate colleague who sent me to a hematologist. We figured out it was indeed a very rare immune disorder. We tried various medications that just didn’t work. I finally began eating completely allergy free, processed food free and literally canning all my own foods. You see, I can’t even eat onions, garlic or olives! So, I can’t buy bottled ketchup, salad dressings or spaghetti sauces let alone wheat, rice, chicken, pork or even turkey!

I make all my own broths and sauces. I also eat flax seed oil and either organic Greek yogurt or cottage cheese every day!

My last visit to my hematologist was a few weeks ago and my labs were completely normal! My hematologist was stunned! He wanted to know what on earth I was doing. I simply told him of my “organic and allergy free diet” as well as the “flax seed and cottage cheese or Greek yogurt” every day. He is now telling his patients to do the same!

I have more strength and energy than I have had in 20 years! I feel so, so good! I now preach to my patients the value of eating completely processed food free, preservative and artificial dye free, sugar free and hormone free. Love it!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

Livi’s Story
Meg’s Story
Allison’s Story

Posted in Your Health Tagged Earth Fare, Health Journey, healthy eating, inspiration, natural, Organic

Courtenay’s Talking Wine!

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Posted on January 23, 2012 by earthfare

This is a guest blog written by our Specialty Director, Courtenay!

I am really excited to introduce our new Ambler’s wines for Earth Fare! We partnered with the Biltmore Estate Winery here in Asheville for the project, and after months of discussions, designs, tastings and production, they’re finally HERE!

The name, Ambler’s, comes from one of the many paths that are on the Biltmore Estate property. The special thing about this particular path is that it is unmarked and original to the Vanderbilt’s home. It is a sort of secret path on the estate that only certain people know about.

Like the path, the Ambler’s wines are a sort of secret insider’s path to delicious, yet affordable wine. Anybody can pay $50 and get a good bottle of wine, but where’s the fun in that? The thrill of the hunt lies in finding that really good bottle that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret: Ambler’s is that wine.

We have four wines to choose from:

A big manly Cab

A really delicious little snappy Red Blend.
(It’s perfect for food pairing.)

A pretty Chardonnay.

A lean and light Sauvignon Blanc.

They all taste more expensive than they are. They come with a fabulous pedigree, without being stuffy.

My favorite is the Sauvignon Blanc, but then again I like that style of wine. It’s crisp, it’s grassy. It’s a natural with so many different cheeses. But to tell you the truth, I just like a glass of Ambler’s when I get home from work. I can pour a glass, read a magazine, get in my big chair with my 6 month old black kitten Miles, and enjoy the good life!

Posted in Your Food Tagged Ambler's, Biltmore, Earth Fare, the healthy supermarket, wine

Gluten-free: Livi’s Story

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Tiffany’s Calling It Off!
Snicker’s Story: Healthy pet, healthy person!
Misty’s Story: Jimi Meets Vegetables

Posted in Your Health Tagged autism, Diet, Earth Fare, Gluten Free, healthy eating

Jessica’s Dinosaur Attack

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Posted on January 13, 2012 by earthfare

In the December Flyer, we asked readers to “Tell us your funniest holiday memory!” The winning entry came from Jessica in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here is Jessica’s memory, in her own words…

I remember when I was 3yrs old, waking up on Christmas morning to what would soon become my most memorable Christmas.

As I came down the stairs there was a tent set up in the living room. As I approached the tent a dinosaur came out on its own. It scared me enough that I peed all over the floor!

Then I heard my mother laughing from the kitchen. It turns out she had bought me a remote controlled inflatable dinosaur and thought it would be funny to have it come out of the tent on its own. I will never forget the Christmas the dinosaur attacked me!

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Jessica won a $100 Earth Fare gift card for being the winning entry! To find out how to enter this month’s “You tell us…” contest, pick up a copy of the January sales flyer at your local Earth Fare.

Posted in Flyer, You Win! Tagged contest, Earth Fare, sales flyer

Text EAT to 71700

28 Comments

Posted on January 11, 2012 by earthfare

Do you love deals? Do you love your mobile phone? Then we’ve got a feeling you’re going to be pretty excited about Feed Your Phone launching January 11, 2012!

Feed Your Phone is the newest way to get coupons and deals from Earth Fare. No computer or printer necessary—these coupons are short, sweet and delivered directly to your phone!

Signing up is easy:
1. Text the word “EAT” to 71700
2. Watch the deals roll in
That’s all there is to it! For signing up you will receive you first text coupon: $10 off a $25 purchase!

You can also sign up on your computer by going to http://EarthFare.com/EAT –but you’ll need a cell phone to receive coupons. Earth Fare doesn’t charge to send you these coupons, but standard messaging rates from your mobile provider may apply.

We hope you’re as excited about these new coupons as we are! Is your phone hungry for deals? What do you want Earth Fare to Feed Your Phone?

Posted in Your Store Tagged coupon, Earth Fare, text

Organic Living with Rachel

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Posted on January 6, 2012 by earthfare

Rachel’s Story (in her own words)…

Since I graduated from college a few years ago, my health and the food I put in my mouth have become increasingly important issues to me. I became a vegan over a year and a half ago for numerous reasons, including health. I started eating a lot of fruit, vegetables, and other non-processed food, and I preached the benefits of whole foods and organic/local produce.

I realized, however, upon reading Michael Pollen’s books, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food,” that what I was saying and what I was doing were not matching up. I often ended up grabbing the cheaper food rather than the organic food, opting for convenience rather than sustainability.

One of Pollen’s messages was that we spend less on food and more on healthcare, and I realized that I may be spending more on food at the moment, but in the long run, I would be benefiting myself, my community, and the world.

When a new Earth Fare opened up in my neighborhood, I started shopping there, and I’ve finally started living up to what I believe. I no longer say one thing and do another. I’ve been eating organic and as locally as possible for almost a year, and I have enjoyed every second.

I know my power as a consumer is having a positive effect on my community, and I continue to encourage my friends and neighbors to support whole foods movements, organic brands, and local farmers’ markets as a way to enrich their health and our community’s health!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

Pat’s Fresh Start
Clean AND Healthy – Penny’s Story
Lisa’s Story: 100 Days of Real Food

Posted in Your Health Tagged Earth Fare, General Health, Health Journey, inspiration, Local, Organic, supermarket, sustainable

This Weekend: Bike Giveaway!

8 Comments

Posted on January 4, 2012 by earthfare

Most “Wellness Starts Here” events will be held on Saturday, January 7th.
Earth Fare’s Knoxville – Bearden and Johnson City stores will host their events on Sunday, January 8th.
Times vary by store, so check your local Earth Fare for details.
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Back by popular demand, our “Wellness Starts Here” event brings together our knowledgeable Team, current trends and featured products, all aimed to improve your health!

Since we love our customers and you all love freebies, we’ll have free demos, free samples and we’ll raffle off 50+ gift baskets during the event! And, that’s not all. There is a new Phatcycle Sea Breeze street bike (estimated retail value $275) waiting for one lucky winner!

Wellness Event Giveaways!

Get a sneak peak of all the great giveaway items on your store’s Facebook page. Entering the raffles are easy: simply attend YOUR stores Wellness Event!

If you are like most people who start off the year with good intentions of eating better, exercising more and getting healthier, be sure to join us this weekend and jumpstart your healthy resolutions with guidance from your helpful Wellness Team. Let’s make 2012 your healthiest year yet!

Posted in You Win!, Your Store Tagged Earth Fare, event, healthy, natural, New Year's Resolutions, supermarket, wellness

New Year’s Resolutions 101

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Posted on January 3, 2012 by earthfare

Happy New Year!

New Year’s Day always brings a few traditions along with it – champagne at midnight, greens and black-eyed peas for lunch, the start of a new calendar, and – of course – New Year’s Resolutions.

It seems like the same resolutions are the most popular every year. Lose Weight. Exercise More. Eat Healthier. Resolutions are always easy to make, but tough to stick to – that’s why they keep coming around each January!

Setting blanket statements like these is often a recipe for disappointment.

For example, say you want to lose weight this year – is that as detailed as you’re going to get? By declaring your resolution with such an undefined goal, you are setting yourself for one of two scenarios:

1. You’ll lose a pound or two after your holiday eating dies down and you’ll pat yourself on the back for a job well done – but you need to ask yourself. Is that really what you meant when you said you wanted to lose weight?

2. You’ll lose weight, but without setting a very specific goal, you won’t get to feel that definite sense of accomplishment when the scale dips below your target number.

Either way, you will have an easier time reaching a set goal than a blanket statement.

This philosophy is true for all of the common New Year’s Resolutions. If you want to exercise more, give yourself a goal for the number of times you want to exercise each week. Start out by exercising two times a week for three weeks in a row. When you achieve that goal, reward yourself with a new pair of running shoes and set a new goal. By the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at your new workout routine.

The same goes for eating healthier. Make a list of healthy ingredients that you would like to work in your diet, and start slowly. Try a new recipe twice a week, then three times a week, until you have checked off every healthy ingredient on your list! And each time you upgrade – like from processed cheese dip to homemade guacamole – you get to rid your pantry of one more unhealthy ingredient.

Whatever your resolutions are this year, we want to help you keep them. Sign up for our weekly emails to save money on healthy foods, and stay tuned to our blog for more tips and success stories.

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What will your resolution be for 2012? Tell us below!

Posted in Your Food, Your Health Tagged Diet, Earth Fare, healthy eating, journey, new years, resolutions, tips

You Win! Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012!

1 Comment

Posted on January 3, 2012 by earthfare

Congratulations to Jamison C. from Columbia who won the $50 Earth Fare gift card for answering the question: What are your 2011 highlights?

Posted in You Win! Tagged contest, Earth Fare, Health Journey, healthy, natural, supermarket

Misty’s Story: Jimi Meets Vegetables

4 Comments

Posted on December 30, 2011 by earthfare

Misty’s Story (in her own words)…

This is not really my story but that of Jimi, my husband.

He grew up in a household that did not eat fruits and vegetables. They were not even offered since his mom did not like them or eat them, and therefore, she did not prepare them for Jimi or his siblings.

I can remember one time when we were in high school: I had packed my lunch with strawberries. Jimi did not even know what they were! I was shocked.

My husband’s family also has a very long history of early deaths from heart attacks. The men in his family are not obese but they just didn’t take care of their bodies effectively.

My husband now realizes how being healthy is so very important since he lost his dad 5 years ago. His father was only 50 years old. It devastated him as his father will not seeing our child grow up; he was only 6 months old when Pop-Pop passed away.

Jimi recently went to the doctor for blood work to check on the status of his heart, and the results were very scary and shocking. We were told that a drastic change needed to be made or he would not live a long and wonderful life. He may not get to see our little one grow up either if he does not make the necessary adjustments for his life. He was ordered to change his diet and exercise habits.

We didn’t know where to start but then we found Earth Fare.

Jimi is now eating wonderful fruits and vegetables! A whole new world of food choices has opened for him. We are actually doing the South Beach diet as recommend by his doctor, and we love all the meat and produce choices at Earth Fare. We have not had been disappointed with one item yet.

When others come to our home to eat, they ask where we have gotten things. Just the other day, my girlfriend said, “Is everything there this delicious” I immediately replied yes!

It does not feel like a compromise has been made for junk food to healthy food when it taste this good. We have been doing the diet for two months now and shopping weekly at Earth Fare. Jimi is down 25 pounds!

I have been doing the diet with him but have also reaped the reward of losing 22 pounds so far! Eating this great and losing so much weight is such a reward!

When Jimi goes back to the doctor for a follow up, we hope to see if the results are any better now that he has made the changes. We are hoping for the best! I need to keep him around and he needs to be here for a very long time!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

A Healthy, Happy Traci
Nathan’s Healthy Change
Snicker’s Story: Healthy pet, healthy person!

Posted in Your Health Tagged Earth Fare, exercise, fruits and vegetables, Health Journey, healthy eating, healthy food, healthy habits, natural, Organic, the healthy supermarket

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