Retailer of wellness products promote ‘cheap, healthy’ life

Sun.Star Cebu <> Thursday, November 19, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

HEALTH and wellness is an “inexpensive” investment, according to a natural medicine expert based in the US.

Dr. James Rouse said many people are discouraged from actively participating in wellness activities since they have preconceived notions that these involve spending a lot of money.

“All you have to do is make sound choices that are inexpensive and give yourself the permission to make these choices more than once before expecting a miracle since you have to catch up with the unhealthy habits you have been making for years,” he said.

He cited, as an example, eating bananas regularly that activates a brain chemical induces sleep. He added that bananas are affordable and are readily available in the Philippines.

The naturopathic physician also observed that many think of health and wellness as “painful, daunting and punishing” when they can always approach it in a “fun, light and adventurous” way.

False promises

He warned consumers, though, to be careful of false promises and guarantees on health products that are not necessarily effective.

After a forum on well-ness in Manila, Rouse was in Cebu last Tuesday to hold a similar event at the Marco Polo Plaza
Hotel. The forum, organized for Healthy Options card-holders, marked the 13th anniversary of the all-natural products store chain.

“One thing I love about working with Healthy Options is that all (they) have in the store are proven effective and they train their staff to support buyers in making the right choices,” Rouse said.

He said that for natural medicine to be effective, it is important for the consumer to source his foods from a store that offers the highest quality.

Natural medicine involves selecting simple nutritional solutions, like whole foods and fresh herbs, as well as making lifestyle choices for healing one’s self.

Natural medicine

Among the popular trends in health and wellness, he noted, is anti-aging and weight loss, which can be supported by natural medicine.

“(And) by far, women are more aware of natural medicine than men, who typically need to be very sick before making any changes in their (habits). Women always look at how they can actually improve themselves. By getting their husbands and boyfriends involved, women are the key to helping natural medicine grow,” Rouse said.

Healthy Options, built like a grocery store, is a one-stop shop for health-related goods, such as baked beans, baby food, cereals, cookies, fettucini, fruit spreads, pasta, potato chips, tofu and tuna, among others. Many of these products are imported from and manufactured in the United States.

Healthy Options have outlets at SM City Cebu and Ayala Center.

The store in Ayala Center Cebu will move to a bigger location in The Terraces next month.

Filed under: Business , Healthy Options