Products that can enhance healing from head to toes are one of theme of my blog posts. Sharing about these products is on specific pages of my website, particularly on certain Blog Posts as well as the Alison*s Apothecary page of my website.
Individual products are available on line on their websites and in the apothecary.
FROM HEAD . . .
Manukora Manuka Honey Bioactive Blends Since the original MGO+ strengths are the latest development in Manukora Manuka Honey. Previous to this, one had the choice of various grades or MGOs+ (from MGO+50 to MGO+1000). To learn all about Manuka honey grades, go to Manuka Honey, Nature’s Medicine.
The three recently developed bioactive blends are combined with MGO+850 strength Manuka honey. They are:
• energy + clarity
• body + recovery
• immunity
Three Manukora Bioactive Manuka Honey Blends
I suggest first ordering 10-packs of each of these to see which works best for you. I just received the yellow package (energy + clarity) which I will start today. In addition, I am very pleased with the two I have tried so far, golden package (body + recovery), and purple package (immunity + defense).
In fact, I have suggested to Manukora that they offer a combination of the three bioactive blends, 30 packets total as one order.
This would be a great way for customers to try 10 each of the bioactive blends at one time. Actually an option to starting with an expensive commitment of 30 packets of each blend. Manukora Manuka Honey
Vitality Essences Vitality Essences come in three forms, liquid (with dropper bottle application), balm, and roll on.
Vitality Essences carries a large variety of affordable carrier oils and essential oils for physical issues. They come in three types of applications:
• liquid with dropper bottle application
• balms (my favorite)
• roller
Vibrant Blue Oils Vibrant Blue Oils are high quality essential oils for ‘Emotional Balance & Inner Transformation’. The oils come in small blue glass bottles. The book about these oils is ‘Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body’ by Jodi Cohen.
Soft Mints Red Bird Wrapped Peppermint Puffs “Piedmont Candy Company has been making these light, red and white puffs of minty goodness since 1890 right from their hometown in Lexington, North Carolina.
“Handcrafted, each individually wrapped piece is unique, just like a snowflake. Get in a resealable 18 oz. tub.
“Each puff is individually wrapped for convenient sharing and to take with you on the go!” All City Candy
For an occasional burst of peppermint to take on the go. Slip a few of these individually wrapped, fast melting treats in your pocket, back pack or purse. There are no spills like with a ‘liquid essential oil’, so easy and clean to consume.
. . . TO TOES
HIKE Footwear About a year ago, I discovered a product called HIKE Footwear. This discovery was a real revelation because these shoes are really comfortable. In fact, wearing them is like walking on air. My feet are so comfortable in them, these shoes feel like pillows.
The benefits of HIKE Footwear
The Benefits of HIKE Footwear
It took a year to convince my husband that HIKE Footwear could be more comfortable and better for his whole body than the major brand ‘sneakers’. His podiatrist concurred and we were on our way to a whole new, comfortable, affordable footwear wardrobe.
HIKE Footwear come in many styles and colors ranging from short-walk wear to long-hike wear in both men’s and women’s sizes.
HIKE Footwear come in many styles and colors ranging from short-walk wear to long-hike wear in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Shear socks found at CVS, Shein, and Monogramme
Decorative Shear Socks Many years ago, I had bought some shear high socks. But they were very different from the shear socks available today. They were monotone with a faint woven pattern. In fact, there was only a single color to be found in each pair.
Today, shear socks are colorful, decorative and festive. In fact, when my feet perspire, shear socks are both perfect for absorbing perspiration and enhancing appearance. Polka Dots Sheer Mesh Socks
RECENTLY DISCOVERED
Flower Essences for Emotional Balance & Inner Transformation
LOTUS Flower Essences “LOTUSWEI captures the healing quality of flowers and infuses them into flower essence elixirs, mists, oils & dark chocolate.
“Whether you’re new to flower essences or a longtime practitioner, our formulas are designed to support emotional stabilization, address the root cause of imbalance and amplify your highest potential.” LotusWei.com
Eat Schmear.d Cream Cheese Product
The Story of Schmear.d
A Better Cream Cheese Spread
“Once upon a time, we found ourselves craving a bagel with cream cheese spread. Within us rose a quiet battle — should we surrender to empty calories, or seek a healthier alternative?
“And just like that, Schmear.d was born. We took everything we love about the morning ritual — the comfort, the tang, the perfect schmear — and rebuilt it from the ground up. Real dairy blended with milk protein concentrate, prebiotic chicory root fiber, and clean ingredients you can actually pronounce. No compromises.
The result? A cream cheese spread with 10g of protein and 4g of fiber per 2oz that actually tastes like the real thing — because it is. Let it sit at room temp for 5–10 minutes for the best schmear.”
“schmear responsibly.”
My interests have become even more focused on these types of products and services. In addition, what is available in this realm continues to increase. As a result, the type of information in the 1991 South Shore Directory is even more relevant and needed to be expanded.
Over the last 50 years, I have taken an interest and explored natural/healthy products and services as a way of life.
Alison’s Apothecary is the resurrection, update, and expansion of the guide I published in 1991, Alison’s South Shore Guide to Health.
If you do not see a topic, product or service that you are interested in, please contact the publisher. A suggestion search for a solution will be made for you if possible.
Health and Healing project graphics are great fun to make for all my fermented beverages. In fact, I enjoy making Health and Healing projects graphics almost as much as making fermented food and beverages themselves.
In order to keep track of what I am doing with all my projects, I create promotional and identity graphics. At left, for this project, I have created a menu of the fermented food and beverages I am making.
Do you notice something significant between the above two examples of Health & Healing graphics? The current piece, the menu happens to be computer generated while the vintage piece or flyer was completely freehand drawn by me.
At the time the flyer was created, I did not have access to a computer. Currently, all my graphics is computer generated. In reverse, my current Health and Healing projects themselves draw upon vintage, handmade formulas and recipes.
Illustrations work by Susan Branch, Beatrix Potter, and Mary Engelbreit
As much as I would like to create lovely handmade illustrations of my current work, the computer is easier for me. Unfortunately I do not have the skill of other artists like Susan Branch, Beatrix Potter and Mary Engelbreit to manifest handmade marvels.
Ali’s Kombucha kitchen
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
There is an essence to all of this. It is actually captured by the senses through the ethereal vibration of it all. There is the visual, the aroma, the taste, the feeling. Although I cannot capture some of these qualities, ultimately the products is essential.
It is my sincerest desire that you will experience something special through my Health and Healing project graphics. May that be the quality of transporting you to the products themselves. Ultimately that is where the benefits and the joy reside.
Please note: This post has been written as more of a personal diary entry than a blog post with details that should apply to anyone else. It is the plan I aim to follow at this point of my life. In other words, it is designed for me by me. It is not a medical or nutritional recommendation for anyone else.
THE DECISION TO MAKE A CHANGE A living healthier plan
It became necessary not long ago to make a change when I started to feel dizzy and unstable when I walked. The conclusion became imperative when I made a whirling dervish spin. Had it not been for my crash into the wall of a hallway, I would have landed on the floor. As a result, I probably would have broken a bone or two not to mention other damage, aches, and pains.
Falling down people. People of different ages stumbling and jumping down stairs, slipping wet floor, injured men, women, children vector flat cartoon isolated unbalanced characters from istockphoto.com
The Do’s and Don’ts
A living healthier plan would have to include a food plan, a meal and snack schedule, as well as prescription drugs and a supplement regimen. In addition reducing sugary foods needed to become more of a priority.
A Sweet Challenge-Cutting Back on sugars-cornerstonefamilydentistry.ca
Actually this plan felt like more of a step than a difficult leap. Somehow, my craving for sugary food decreased due to my desire to eliminate painful reactions to eating too many sweets. In fact, I developed itching and a painful rash that accompanied their consumption. I also wished to reduce my weight. As a result, these two situations were enough of an incentive to really cut back on those treats.
Itching and Rash
Woman Scratching Her Itchy Neck With Allergy Rash from dreamstime.com
STEP ONE
A living healthier plan clearly would be facilitated by a regular routine. I had undeniably gotten off course in this area. So without much difficulty, if I could tweek my current routine, a positive change should not be that difficult to achieve.
Filtered Water
The health benefits of drinking water and why it good to drink a lot from www.mirror.co.uk
What had to come first and foremost was to drink more water. The fermented drinks that I love to make would help as well. But water was the most important liquid. Once I got that in place, I could begin my new eating plan.
A sampling of some of the Zero Water Filter Dispensers
Begin Each Day It is suggested to drink an 8 oz glass of water upon rising. I always drink filtered water using the Zero System. My cup of water is accompanied by a supplement. In this case it is a once daily New Chapter Every Woman’s Multivitamin. I think this is an excellent company with a growing selection of quality supplements. No food is required to take this multivitamin.
New Chapter Once Daily Every Woman’s Multivitamin from NewChapter.com
STEP TWO Certain prescription medication and then at least a small amount of food are essential for me to start my day. This can range from a fruit snack to a full breakfast. But most important is that I drink my water, take my morning medication, and have a bite to eat. It is preferable that I do this between 8-9am.
Plant based fried chicken in The Happy Pig’s Clucket Bucket(TM) >and all its other portion packages is absolutely delicious.
In fact, it is as good as any fried chicken I have ever tasted, animal or plant based. Actually, it’s even better. So be sure to find out all the ways you can purchase it.
A Review Plus
The spicing is perfect. In addition, one would never know by the taste that this is a plant based rather than a chicken based product.
But, this is not only a Happy Pig’s plant based fried chicken review. But it is also an acknowledgement of a fantastic plant-based product that I am delighted to eat as well as write about.
HOW I FOUND THE HAPPY PIG’S CLUCKET BUCKET(TM)A Farmers Market Find
My social life began again last weekend after a long, barren winter. The past season was devoid of social activity due to to continued concerns about COVID. As a result, the spring and the Farmers Market season have come as an especially welcome time. To add to that, the find of a new product, The Happy Pig’s Plant Based Fried Chicken makes it extra special.
Sample pack and sandwich of plant based fried chicken. What a delicious meal!
SAMPLING THIS PRODUCT
The sample packet I received is not the usual selling portion. In fact it was a complementary sample. Actually, the plant based fried chicken and other products have been part of the circuit of growing Nassau County based food trucks.
The Happy Pig Food Truck
On Social Media, But Nowhere To Be Found
So when I went to the same farmers market this past weekend, plant based fried chicken was nowhere to be found. I was challenged by another mystery and another ‘amateur detective’ project.
It had to start somewhere. So, their website was the obvious place to start my search. But I found no Farmers Market schedule on it. Instead are these social media links:
Facebook
Instagram
Yelp Review
Now Where?
A good detective does not give up. Since I earned my Ace-Detective badge from my favorite call-in music radio show, I have an obligation to solve the mystery of where, when, and how to get more of this amazing plant-based-fried-chicken.
Plant based fried chicken cutlets from ‘The Happy Pig’
There is a saying, ‘when all else fails, read the directions’. In this case, all the social media sources and resources did not yield a solution, except one. This one was a phone number on the website. Since my writing started very early in the morning, I did not call it. But when a reasonable time came, I did call. Alas, Wendy Ann Lantigua, the owner of the company answered.
During our delightful conversation, I learned the following:
• Wendy was about to update the website providing additional information.
• She attends the Malverne, LI Farmers Market whenever possible.
• Delivery will be available. There is a $5. charge.
• The food truck has been sold.
Most importantly, I certainly would have enough options to get more of this amazing plant-based fried chicken. Just to be certain, I added this healthy, delicious resource to my own healthy food source and resource list on the Healthy Food Systems Page
This is the new mushroom fruiting chamber machine made by Mella. It is coming to the market soon. The Mella machine is designed to offer a superior mushroom growing environment. I, for one am very curious about this new technology.This is because my beginner no-tech attempt at fruiting left much to be desired.
My first no-tech attempt at growing Lions Mane mushroom. Only ADG photo.
THE STORY FROM NORTH SPORE
Here is what NorthSpore has to say about the Mella mushroom fruiting chamber.
“Awhile back, the team at FirstBuild reached out to us about the Mella Smart Mushroom Fruiting Chamber they were creating and asked if we would like to help advise the development team. And, of course, we jumped at the opportunity. This automated mushroom growing appliance has been designed to fit into small spaces (e.g. kitchen countertops) and to make the process of mushroom growing easier, cleaner, more practical for smaller-scale growers and hobbyists. (Think high-tech tiny version of a Martha tent.)
THE LOVE LIST
“We recently received two of their latest prototypes to test, and we just finished our first round of growing. Suffice it to say, we were delighted with Mella’s ease and simplicity, and after much debate, the following six features made it on to our collective “love” list.
Set It and Forget It Feature
1. Mella is fully automated
“There is definitely something nice about the “set it and forget it” simplicity of Mella. Once you’ve assembled the unit and selected the humidity and fan speeds, you can pretty much leave it to do its thing for several days. The water tank (which sits on the outside) lasts for 5-7 days, and the filter and unit only need to be cleaned between mushroom harvests. There are even built-in LED lamps that create the optimal lighting environment for your fungi (which can be turned on and off, if nighttime light isn’t your thing).
2. The unit is compact, yet roomy
“The Mella unit makes excellent use of vertical and horizontal space. We were able to comfortably fit 3 of our Grow Your Own Mushroom bag kits into the unit, leaving enough room for the filter and fan to do their magic. (We also tried 3 of our Spray & Grow Mushroom Kits, which also left ample room for air and circulation.) Of course, we would be lying if we said the unit is small—it isn’t. It’s definitely larger than a standard counter-top toaster oven. That said, it isn’t huge either and took up a lot less room on our kitchen counter than expected. Added bonus—it actually looked good! The Mella design is sleek and minimalist, so it didn’t overpower the space and fit nicely on the counter-top.
The Me;;a Mushroom Fruiting Chamber fits easily on a Kitchen Counter Top
3. The unit is whisper quiet
“Mella’s dual fan has two jobs – air and humidity circulation. And in all honesty, we were a little worried that the fan would create an obnoxious wind-tunnel sound in the background. But it was surprisingly quiet, even at full speed. You can definitely hear it, but it’s more of a soft ambient background noise. Think calming white noise machine, not screeching industrial fan. Two thumbs up!
The mechanism is whisper quiet.
4. Mella controlled smell and spores
“If you live with somebody that is sensitive to mushroom spores or doesn’t like the smell of mushrooms, the Mella is definitely for you. The unit is fully enclosed, and nothing gets in or out (except for highly-filtered air) thanks to the dual fan system. Added bonus – if you live in an area prone to fruit flies and gnats, this keeps them out!
This is how the Mella machine looks from the side.
5. The unit was easy to clean
“Mella has two clear acrylic side walls and a clear acrylic glass door. It also has a stainless-steel floor, roof, and back panel. And, while you do need to clean the unit between mushroom harvests, all inner and outer surfaces are easily wiped off with a damp cloth and soapy water or a water/alcohol mixture. The reusable humidity filter is also easy to clean. Simply run it through lukewarm water between harvests to remove any spore buildup.
6. Mella was easy to set up
“The Mella was packed with care using laser cut spongy foam pieces and only took about 5 minutes to unbox all of the components. After reading the instruction manual, it only took another 15 minutes to fully assemble, including filling the water tank. And, while we wouldn’t say it’s so easy a child could do it, it definitely wasn’t difficult. A quick read of the set-up instructions is all you need. (FirstBuild is also looking to add even easier controls in the next version of Mella.)
The machine with its easy to follow instructions.
CONCLUSION
“Want to get on Mella’s waitlist?
You can be one of the first in line for the upcoming Mella launch (the official date has yet to be announced.) Click here to sign up for their launch announcement and find links to their entertaining demo videos.
Fantastic Fungi is an amazing Netflix documentary featuring Paul Stamets. In fact, it is the best documentary I’ve ever seen. I’ve watched it many times, already. As a result, it has become the start of my new project, mushrooms.
A picture of Paul Stamets holding an example of a fantastic fungus.
Paul Stamets is a former logger turned mycologist. He is perhaps one of the most knowledgeable people there is when it comes to fantastic fungi.
As much as I wanted to create a single facebook page about mushrooms, my new project, I decided to add this topic to several of my existing facebook pages, instead. That is because fantastic fungi do not fit into just one category. They fit into several. In fact, they dovetail with every single one of my past professional categories, continued passions and hobbies.
For example, there are many kinds of fantastic fungi that are used in cooking. Actually, their use here can have delicious consequences. Therefore fascinating fungi will be included in ‘Alison’s Exotic Healthy Food Kitchen‘.
Without fantastic fungi, the planet could not survive and neither could we. Of course, fantastic fungi will be included in ‘Survival Comes First‘.
Much to my delight, I realized I had an Indoor Gardening Facebook page that I could convert from Microgreens to Mushrooms, Mushroom Mama formerly Seed Mama. It will feature a variety of mushroom data.
The banner from the Facebook Mushroom Growers Group.
Even though I do not have a specific Facebook page where a crucial component of mushrooms fit, the worlds of science and consciousness, information will be included in some of the above mentioned Facebook pages.
WHERE TO BEGIN: RESEARCH
READ
In the past when I have begun a new project, much of my material has been inspired. From that initial spark, I will then research and study it in depth. But this project is unique. Because fantastic fungi can be poisonous, I have to start with research and guidance rather than experimentation at home.
Although I am not much of a reader, the purchase of a book or two might be a good idea. I have found two on Amazon that interest me.
Two books available on Amazon about mushrooms.
WATCH
VIDEO AND STREAMING TV
The introduction to Fascinating Fungi, the video.
This is the video that lured me into the world of fantastic fungi. I don’t know where my journey will lead me or how long this project will last. But in this case, it requires a specific path due the the potential danger of engagement and consumption.
A picture of a turkey tail mushroom from the Facebook group, Medicinal Mushrooms.
NETWORK IN PERSON
This step involves contacting people I know and talking about mushrooms with everyone I meet.
The header from the Facebook group, ‘Grow Mushrooms at Home’.
BUY A MUSHROOM GROWING KIT
Purchasing a kit is the safest And simplest way to begin growing mushrooms at home. Here are several to choose from. Just follow the directions to be on your way to growing mushrooms at home. Fungi Ally Northspore Midwest Grow Kits
A video from Fungi Ally about growing mushrooms at home from a mushroom growing kit.
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
Here are a few things you will need to start you on your way to growing mushrooms at home:
1. a growing kit with the growing medium with the spores injected into it for the mushroom you desire
2. a large plastic tote to house the kit in
3. a mister/water sprayer
4. videos to follow along
5. reading material to learn more
Butcher ‘rock star’ Jonel Picioane proudly poses in his Ridgewood European Pork Store for The Bushwick Daily. The is located in Ridgewood Queens since the 1930’s. This write up is for The Bushwick Daily.
INTRODUCTION
The Ridgewood European Pork Store transcends modern-day food. It is, in fact, an endangered species. It is located in what was originally an eastern European neighborhood. Amazingly, the store was born in the 1930s with very few changes in ownership and products.The Ridgewood European Pork Store looking similar to the way it did when it first opened in the 1930s. Photo from Yelp.
ARTISAN FOOD
Technically homemade meat products like it had in 1930s US and Europe fill much of the store today. Artisan is the new name that has been given to this type of food. This term represents foods made in small batches, made often for freshness, and traditionally-prepared to taste as it originally did. Artisan is a new word for old-time goodness. Here is a definition for artisan food from Wikipedia
FOOD THAT TAKES US BACK IN TIME
There is an entire movement of Artisan Food. We crave food the way it used to taste, free of preservative for long shelf lives. We want it homemade with a focus on quality, not quantity, wrapped in butcher paper, not vacuum sealed plastic-wrapped. There was time when speed of preparation rather than taste was the priority. But things have changed. We want slow food. We want to go back in time.
FOOD TODAY WITH A TASTE FOR YESTERDAY
Owner Jonel , the rockstar butcher, at work at his butcher shop. Photo from The Bushwick Daily.
CONCLUSIOIN
I haven’t had a chance to visit the European Pork Store yet. But it is on my list of things I want very much to do. Even though I am not much of a world traveler, I love to travel the world and its history within my own world.
Why This Post Is Called A Nutrition Crisis Rather Than A Food Crisis
The Poor Middle Class Nutrition crisis is due to the lack of healthy, nutritious, especially locally grown food. It is not as much about the availability of food itself. There are plenty of sources for cheap, empty calorie items. But access to affordable, healthy, local food is a the root of the Poor Middle Class Nutrition Crisis. The major food challenges for the Poor Middle Class are:
• having access to healthy food
• affording to eat healthy food
• eating enough nutritionally rich food
• staying healthy by being able to eat healthfully
Food Tank Suggests Community Gardens To Solve Health Issues
Challenges & Solutions to the Poor Middle Class Nutrition Crisis
The following tools for accessing food have both pros and cons. The one thing they have in common is the added expense of time. Some involve monetary cost. Others are financially free. There is always a trade-off. This can also require a significant adjustment in lifestyle if one is used to supermarket shopping for quick and easy access. Here are some suggested alternatives that are mainstream or government sponsored:
• Buy In Bulk
• Use Store & Brand Coupons
• Barter & Exchange Products
• Get WIC & Farmers Market Coupons
• Go To Food Pantries
• Collect Food Stamps
Here are Alternative Lifestyle Means of Obtaining Food
• Grow Your Own from seeds and food scraps-Here is a post about starting a community garden. 10 Steps To Starting a Community Garden from the American Community Garden Association
• Go Dumpster Diving-This food was retrieved from dumpster diving My Facebook Page, Resources for The Middle Class Poor
• Foraging for Food is making use of nature’s bounty, free for the taking, with gratitude. Be sure you are a pro or are foraging with a pro. You want to pick healthy not deadly items.
• Farm your own chickens for eggs, cows for milk and goats for milk
• Make Your Own Essentials and Seasonal Treats with fermentation, canning and other wholesome preserving techniques.Here is a great alternative. It is the Afro Jam story. I just love their graphics. A Detroit Urban Farm Preserves Black History In Jam Form by Martina Guzman
• Kill Your Own Food-This is a controversial but reasonable alternative. It is probably the cleanest source of animal protein, fish and fowl. It certainly is much harder to obtain than at the supermarket. But you know exactly where it comes from. It also brings us much closer to nature in relationship with the animal that has died for us to survive.
Why We Should All Be Ethical Carnivores Now by Louise Gray from Slow Food USA
The Issue of Hunger
In addition to the existence of a nutrition crisis, there are people who go hungry in this country. Each of these crises is unique. Here is a short list about hunger and health:
• hunger is the result of a lack of food
• health is the result of a lack of healthy food
• accessibility and availability are issues
• poverty and homelessness can be a contributing factor
• food waste is a very serious contributor to food insecurity
Food Insecurity and Food Waste Are Opposite Sides of the Same Coin from The John Oliver Show
‘Cholos Try Vegan Food’ is a video that proves an important point. If something tastes good, advertising for it does not have to be in good taste. It can still be great, creative promotional material. This piece is actually part of a new advertising campaign targeting the Latino market.
For those who do not know what a ‘cholo’ is, this is the Urban Dictionary meaning, “A cholo is term implying a Hispanic male that typically dresses in chinos (khahki pants), a wifebeater sleeveless teeshirt or a flannel shirt with only the top buttoned, a hairnet, or with a bandana around the forehead, usually halfway down over the eyes. Cholos often have black ink tattoos, commonly involving Catholic imagery, or calligraphy messages or family names.”
For those who do not know what vegan food is, let me explain briefly.
Cholos Eat Vegan Food
Alison D. Gilbert shared We are mitú 's 'Cholos Try Vegan Food' a video of them trying two of my favorite foods and…
Alison’s Apothecary ©2025 Published by Alison D. Gilbert.
Plant based fried chicken cutlets from ‘The Happy Pig’
