An Update from Jo

August marks 7 years since I bought the shop! Last month I took my longest holiday since I have been here. I feel very blessed that I can go away for 3 weeks knowing that the shop is in very capable hands and that everything will run smoothly. So I wanted to acknowledge all the lovely ladies I get to work with every day, I am very grateful for them all. There are 8 of us here now, though we are never all at the shop at same time. Depending on what days you shop with us, there may be some of us you have yet to meet. Here is a link to the "meet the team" page on our website so you can get to know us a bit more. 

It's also been a year now since I stepped back into doing more clinic work, including offering Acupressure Foot Massage again. An acupressure foot massage combines elements from my training in Shiatsu as well as reflexology and relaxation massage and although the focus is only on the feet and lower legs, it can have a beneficial effect on the entire body. You can find more info about some of the specific acupressure points I focus on in a recent facebook post here. A session is usually 45 minutes for $70 but I also offer a 30 minute session for those short on time, which is only $50. I mentioned in June I am now offering this at two locations. Both here at the shop and from a clinic space at my home in Matua. I used to work from home for many years before I bought the shop and it is a quieter option away from the busyness. It also gives me more flexibility with my time since I share the shop clinic space with others. The days and times I offer need to be a bit fluid to fit in with when I need to be at the shop, so it's best to just call or email me to make a booking.  

Wishing you an amazing August. Look forward to seeing you again soon.

Our Vision

At Bethlehem Health Shop, we support ethical suppliers and sell quality, researched products. We offer sincere advice from our team of caring, trained staff.

Thank you so much for supporting your locally owned Community Health Store.

• Absolute Essentials - 10% off the range
• Phytoceutics - 10% off the range
• Weleda - 15% off Mother and Baby products
• Natures Way Systemwell 90's - 10% off
• Mitchells Sport Bone Broth 500g - Chocolate Flavour only - 15% off
• Gutsi Duos packs - Flora Duo contains Sporebiotic 30s and Gut Food 120s for $80 (save $29) and Revive Duo contains Sporebiotic 30's and Good Guts 90's for $90 (save $30)
• Buy any product from the Southern Glow tallow range and get a FREE trial size pot of another fragrance.
• Spend $69 or more on Living Nature and get a FREE Advanced Renewal Night Serum valued at $49 OR a Rewind and Repair Serum valued at $69 
• Spend $59 or more on Herb Farm products, and receive a FREE Repairing Rosehip & Calendula Oil valued at $32.90
• Buy any TWO products from the Kooshoo Hair Accessory range and get a 2 pack of plastic free hair scrunchies FREE
• Buy any TWO Holistic Hair products and get a FREE trial size Herbal Finishing Rinse Concentrate 

All of the above specials and offers are only valid while stocks last.

We now have the following supplements from the Phytoceutics range in store. 

Phytoceutics BetterGut Pre-Post Biotic
Bettergut® is an innovative pre- and postbiotic that directly generates butyrate in the colon, improving gut health and supporting numerous body functions.  This unique formula creates butyrate regardless of the state of the gut microbiome, supporting gut health for all.

Compared to traditional prebiotics, Bettergut® offers fewer side effects like gas and bloating, even at lower doses, making it well-tolerated and beneficial for everyone. 

This supplement is similar to the new Gutsi Gut Barrier Build which is also new instore.

Phytoceutics Magnesium Kids Chews
Phytopure® Magnesium Kids Chews are a daily health supplement designed to support healthy growth and development in children aged 1 year and older. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle and nerve function, helps regulate energy production, and plays a key role in building strong bones and teeth during early childhood and adolescence.

With liposomal magnesium citrate for enhanced absorption, this chewable tablet is sugar-free, raspberry flavoured, and easy for kids to take.  If your child is unable to chew, grind the tablet to a coarse powder before giving. May be taken with or without food.

Phytoceutics Phytomist Iron Forte Oral Spray
This is a highly bioavailable form of iron that helps reduce fatigue and contributes to normal functioning of the immune system. Gentle on the gut and sugar free.  Utilizing Lipofer™ microencapsulation technology is an innovative oral spray designed for optimal iron absorption without the common side effects associated with traditional iron supplements. This product is suitable for children from the age of 1 year.

Phytoceutics Reversatrol
Reversatrol™ delivers potent antioxidants for optimal health, aging and longevity. Utilising ResveraFen™ and Hybrid-FENUMAT™ technology, it achieves a tenfold increase in resveratrol absorption and bioavailability.  A once daily, 100% natural supplement supporting healthy inflammation levels, cardiovascular benefits, and promoting longevity.

This month we have two Gutsi Duo packs to give away to two lucky customers.  These great value packs include Gutsi's foundational SporeBiotic, along with additional prebiotic or gut lining support.  

To be in the draw to win, simply reply to this email with which Duo Pack you would like to win. You will also get an extra entry into the draw if you purchase any product from the Gutsi range.

Congratulations to Shelley Fredrick who was last month's lucky winner of Mitchell's Nutrition Winter Essentials Bundle - the entries for this giveaway were the combined total of online entries from our newsletter and instore purchases.

Also Congratulation to Sue Thomsen who won our instore competition for a Harker Herbals gift basket.

There is nothing better than starting the day with the goodness of grapefruit, but this unsung hero gets a bad reputation, often leaving fruit around the country being left to rot.  Now don’t get me wrong, there are certainly some precautions around grapefruit use for those on medications (which I will go into later), but for those that can - please do!

The flavour profile encourages us to eat slower, further aiding digestion, and it also sets our blood sugar regulation (and therefore our sugar cravings) on the right track for the day.

If that were all grapefruit is good for, it would still make a great start to your day. But wait, there’s more…

Grapefruit have natural anti-microbial properties, so are great for helping to balance out our gut microbiome for overall health and immune regulation.  For those that scoop grapefruit out of the skin, you may gain additional benefits from the white pith which contains pectin that also positively influences the gut microbiome.  The most commonly found bacteria in both urinary tract infections and vaginitis, such as e.coli, staph aureus and candida albicans, have all been found to be inhibited by grapefruit juice, making it a valuable dietary addition for these conditions.  

Grapefruit and its juice is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and palmitic acid.  The phenol and flavonoid content is also very high, which has been suggested as the key to its cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering actions.  In a study on animals given a high cholesterol diet, inclusion of grapefruit juice reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while raising the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.  The juice also inhibits ACE, an enzyme that contributes to high blood pressure.  

It is an interesting crossroads that just as grapefruit inhibits ACE, so do medications such as Lisinopril that are ACE Inhibitors that assist with blood pressure management.  While ACE Inhibitors may be safe to take alongside grapefruit, there is however a long list of medications that should not be taken with grapefruit, particularly those involved in cardiovascular health such as statins, calcium channel blockers and anticoagulants.  Oral contraceptives, anti-cancer, anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, anti-epileptic and immuno-suppressants are also on the list.

These restrictions around medications come about because of furanocoumarins found in grapefruit, that bind to the enzymes responsible for processing these drugs out of the body.  Found in both the intestines and the liver, these enzymes are used by up to 50% of all medications as an exit-route from the body.  If these enzymes are blocked, the drug spends longer time in the body - increasing both its therapeutic effects and possible adverse effects.

If you are on medications, it is best to check with your doctor before adding grapefruit into your diet.  However, if you are not, don’t miss the season for adding this powerhouse for health and vitality to your morning routine!

Article supplied by Claire George, one of our staff Naturopaths. Claire is available to assist with dietary advice and neuro integration appointments at our shop clinic on Mondays and Tuesdays.  See www.headfirsthealth.co.nz for more information.

Island Haze Roll-on Perfume

This gorgeous all oil, roll-on perfume has a woody, earthy yet floral aroma. This perfume is designed to be long-lasting, and with no alcohol at all it's packed full of skin-loving ingredients.

Instructions

1. Fill your roller bottle to just over ¾ of the way up, with the fractionated coconut (liquid) carrier oil. You may find it easier to use a funnel or pipette dropper for this job.

2. Add the essential oil drops to the roller bottle.

3. Pop the roll ball onto the bottle, making sure it's clipped on tightly.

4. Give the bottle a good shake so that the oils are well mixed together. Label your perfume and date. Then leave in a cool dark place for around two weeks before using. This will give the essential oils time to fuse together and mature.