26. Get Healthy with Heinen’s Wellness Center

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7 mins read

As January blusters its way to a close, it’s time to take stock: How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? Hopefully you’re still going strong. If you need a bit of momentum and know-how, though, Heinen’s Wellness manager Kadi Shipley is just the gal you need to meet.

Heinen's Wellness department manager, Kadi Shipley, with some of her favorite new snacks - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Heinen’s Wellness department manager, Kadi Shipley, with some of her favorite new snacks – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

The next time you’re in the store, make a point to seek out Kadi. Armed with a degree in Dietetics and a plethora of health-related information, she knows how to make you feel better inside and out. Whether you’re looking for a major health overhaul, or just want to make a few key changes, Kadi can point you in the right direction.

I recently stopped by Heinen’s to learn more about the store’s newest Wellness offerings. From manuka honey to cat’s claw (don’t worry, it’s a vine), Kadi has the goods on how to boost our energy, support our immune systems, and correct what ails us. And here’s the best part: it’s not half as hard as you might think.

Heinen's Wellness Center - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Heinen’s Wellness Center – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

While it’s tempting to seek out quick fixes for health problems, it’s clear that the only true “fix” is to nourish our bodies well while getting regular exercise. Whether you’re making your first or your four hundredth foray into the Wellness section of the store, Kadi has new knowledge to impart. And we promise it won’t sound like preaching :).

Kadi and I talked about some common health-related goals that many of us share. She provided great ideas on how to help reverse these processes by making some simple changes or additions to your diet. We’re guessing you’ll find at least one thing familiar on Kadi’s list of common health concerns shared by Heinen’s shoppers – we definitely did. If you do, too, then don’t despair. Read on – relief is near!

6 Diet & Health Concerns Kadi Hears from Heinen’s Shoppers

1. My pants are fitting a little tighter than I’d like.

After the dietary debauchery of the holidays, you’re certainly not alone on this one. Kadi has tons of great suggestions to help you shed excess pounds. For starters, she recommends introducing a raw food powder into your diet. “I love the Garden of Life products, and they taste great.” The brand makes a line of certified-organic RAW Fit high-protein weight loss supplements that will boost your metabolism while upping your nutritional intake. Ask Kadi for more information about the RAW Fit 5-Day Jump-Start Plan – she can show you the ropes.

Did you know that your body’s pH can help or hinder weight loss? Stress, meats, and dairy products can leave our bodies very acidic. Kadi says this acidic condition “makes it very hard to lose weight, and it can kill good bacteria in your immune system.” Garden of Life’s Alkalizer & Detoxifier can balance your pH levels and provide a healthy dose of greens along with eight organic cleansing herbs.

Some of Kadi Shipley's weight-loss recommendations - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Some of Kadi Shipley’s weight-loss recommendations – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

Kadi also recommends Garden of Life’s fücoTHIN products. “They contain fucoxanthin, which is a fat-burning seaweed.” It works by stimulating the body’s metabolism, and creating a thermogenic – or heat-producing – reaction. The supplements and protein-filled bars can be used together or alone to support weight loss efforts. An added bonus: the fücoTHIN GREEN supplements also contain Svetol, a natural plant extract of decaffeinated green coffee thought to improve weight loss.

You can also trick your body into feeling full by eating chia each day. This nutty, omega-3 rich seed absorbs liquid as you digest it, taking up more space in your stomach. “They help keep you full longer,” Kadi says. “And green tea is a natural metabolism booster – start your day with a cup.”

2. I’m just feeling run-down and low on energy.

In addition to exercise and hydration, Kadi recommends trying Garden of Life’s Perfect Food Energizer, which is made from RAW organic juiced greens. “To make one pound of their RAW greens powders, it takes 30 pounds of greens,” Kadi says. “This one also has Yerba Mate and Maca. Yerba Mate is a tea that’s been shown to give you a little natural energy boost. Maca is a South American root that is an adaptogen, so it does whatever your body needs it to do. For most people it tends to be a natural energy booster.” Kadi says the pomegranate-flavored powder mixes very well with water alone, but she also likes it mixed in her morning smoothie.

Energizing products like Yerba Mate teas, energizing powders, and maca and matcha supplements - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Energizing products like Yerba Mate teas, energizing powders, and maca and matcha supplements – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

While Kadi acknowledges that maximum energy rewards come from eating healthfully, she can’t say enough good about a couple of her favorite supplements: “If you’re only going to take two supplements, probiotics should be one, and vitamin D should be the other.” Heinen’s offers many probiotics teeming with good bacteria. “They have a better variety of strains, and a higher strain ratio.” There’s even a hugely popular probiotic for kids, to help keep their immune systems humming along.

Heinen’s also works with renowned holistic physician and author, Dr. Todd Pesek, to ensure they’re offering customers the very best Wellness products. Kadi highly recommends Dr. Todd’s maca, matcha, and cat’s claw supplements. “His matcha, which is a Japanese green tea, is 200 times more potent than the highest-grade green tea available.” The supplement, which contains matcha imported from Uji, Japan, is said to have considerable mood-improving effects.

3. My digestive system’s off.

According to Kadi, our guts can tell us a lot about our overall health. And when they’re not happy, it’s a good bet you’re not happy either. “Fifty percent of your immune system is in your gut. So if your gut isn’t working well, then you’re not absorbing the things your body needs. If you’re not getting enough good bacteria, then bad bacteria can take over.”

Kadi refers to probiotics as "liquid gold" - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Kadi refers to probiotics as “liquid gold” – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

“People are afflicted with so many different digestive illnesses, from leaky gut syndrome to rare allergies,” Kadi says. Probiotics can reset the body’s immune system by reintroducing good bacteria killed off by years of stress, antibiotics, and poor dietary choices. Heinen’s has probiotics tailored to cure what ails you – from those that fight types of yeast, to colon care.

You don’t have to take a supplement to get your probiotic boost, though. You can also go the traditional fermented foods route, with sauerkraut and pickled vegetables. And have you heard of kombuchas? They’re Kadi’s favorite. “They’re fermented teas loaded with probiotics,” Kadi says. “We have four different brands, so there’s one for your taste palate.” You can find the probiotics and kombuchas in the cooler just behind the Wellness desk.

4. My doctor says my cholesterol and/or blood pressure are too high.

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Cholesterol fighters – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

Kadi even has natural methods for treating high cholesterol. “We actually have a cholesterol support supplement, which includes oat bran and grapeseed. A fiber supplement would also be a good route.” Heinen’s private-label supplements are all made by one east coast company, Kadi says. “Everything they use is the correct dosage and sourced from the manufacturer of the tested ingredients. A lot of companies will buy the cheapest vitamin C, but this company will buy the one that was tested and shown to be effective.”

Flaxseed meal is also very high in fiber. Sprinkle it on your cereal or oatmeal, or yogurt to realize the cholesterol-reducing benefits of flaxseed. Kadi bakes with it, too: “If you mix it with water, it makes a really good egg replacer. You do one tablespoon of flaxseed meal to three tablespoons of water. Mix until it thickens like an egg.”

If your blood pressure’s too high, try The Republic of Tea’s hibiscus tea. “We started carrying them about a year and a half ago, when the research came out that hibiscus teas were as effective as medications for lowering blood pressure,” Kadi says. “I’ve actually had customers come in to tell me about their success.”

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Hibiscus tea can help reduce blood pressure – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

5. I find myself reaching for the same old snacks. 

Most of us acknowledge that we could do better in the snack department. If you’re snacking, it’s usually because you need something on the go. “The Mama Chia squeezes make a great pre-workout snack,” Kadi says. “The chia helps you stay hydrated, and are only 70 calories.” With flavors like strawberry banana, green magic, blackberry bliss and apple cinnamon, you can mix it up a bit.

Kadi’s especially proud of the healthy snacks Heinen’s has sourced. “We also have sprouted chips, kale chips in crazy flavors like hibiscus and pink peppercorn, and these amazing snacks from real and wonderful (raw).” Real and wonderful’s line features nutrient-rich snacks are certified non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and Kosher. Their superfood nut bars look amazing, and so do their tomato basil crackers.

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Snacks that nourish and satisfy – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

You can also feel good about snacking locally when you choose Chicago’s own i heart keenwah’s delicious quinoa-based snacks. With flavors like chocolate sea salt, peanut butter cacao, and cranberry cashew, snacking well will hardly feel like a sacrifice.

6. I’m under the weather.

Being cooped up inside makes us all more susceptible to illness this time of year. Even the healthiest eaters and supplement-takers among us will still come down with a bug from time to time. Kadi knows how to help us feel better fast with her recommended arsenal of cold- and flu-fighting products.

When you run in to pick up your Traditional Medicinals Gypsy Cold Care and Yogi Echinacea Immune Support teas, why not try sweetening them with some Manuka Doctor bio-active honey? The honey, which originates in New Zealand, is made by bees that feed on the manuka (or tea) tree. The honey they produce is said to have naturally high levels of hydrogen peroxide, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Kadi’s favorite illness-fighting recommendations – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

We hope you’ll stop into Heinen’s and ask for Kadi soon! She looks forward to helping you on your journey to better health. If this piqued your interest, you can find more about Heinen’s Wellness department here. You can also find Heinen’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Todd Pesek’s, diet advice here.

Here’s to your health, and to keeping those resolutions throughout the year!

Heinen’s Grocery is located at, 500 N. Hough Street, between E. Main Street and Route 14 (next to Meatheads) in Barrington, Illinois. They’re open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit Heinens.com.

Heinen's Grocery Store in Barrington, Illinois
Heinen’s Grocery Store in Barrington, Illinois

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