
Happy Hemp History Week! This week, June 3-9, is a national campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hemp.
Mark your calendars because in celebration, Whole Foods Market® stores in the US will have hundreds of hemp items on sale this upcoming weekend, June 7-9!
“Be prepared.” These words are the reason my suitcase is habitually too heavy to lift, especially in the summer. I don’t like to be a worrywart, but as a mother of two little ones – and with an embarrassingly low pain threshold myself – I like to be prepared for summertime’s stings, scrapes and sore anything.
Olowo-n’djo Tchala is the Founder and Director of Alaffia. Alaffia is a US-based company that makes body care products using shea butter sourced from West Africa.
When I was growing up, my family had a Mother’s Day ritual. Dad would bring the kids to a department store, give us each $10 and let us loose to find a gift for Mom.
Okay, I’ll be the one to admit it: Nursin’ ain’t easy. Am I right, ladies?
Learn how to create sexy, smokey eyes—without putting suspicious ingredients on your sensitive lids.
I love New Year’s Eve because I love old-school glam. A velvet cape inherited from grandma? Perfect! A silver lamé frock from a thrift store? Uh-huh! Rhinestone earrings? Feather boa? Sequined evening bag? Yes, yes, yes! Everything is permitted on New Year’s, as long as it’s glittery and elegant and fun.
It’s a seasonal paradox: the days are getting shorter, but our calendars are getting fuller. Between travel time, party time and cooking time, it’s tough to find to take care of yourself.
Just when you want to look fabulous, your hair may wind up frizzy, frazzled or flat. In a pinch, you may seek shortcuts and use products laden with sulfates or other harsh chemicals. Since what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body, we’ve got tips to help you pass up questionable hair care ingredients (just like you pass up Aunt Trudy’s mystery casserole).
Update: Thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to our winner, June, from California!
Halloween is almost here, but that doesn’t mean your everyday makeup has to look like a mask. Natural-look makeup is all about revealing (rather than hiding) your face’s true potential, so your unique inner beauty can shine through.
The giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to our winner, Brittany C. from Texas!
It’s finally beginning to feel like fall in my hometown of Austin, Texas. But while I’m looking forward to sweater weather, my skin is wearing the lingering effects of summer.
It might sound strange to say that I am proud of my grocery store. Proud of my kids, yes; but my grocery store? Indeed it’s true, and I have to tell you one of the biggest reasons has to do with body care — Premium Body Care™ to be exact.
Here’s a tidbit that will impress: Do you know that roughly 70% of your immune system is housed in your digestive tract? Okay, maybe that won’t impress everyone, but it sure impressed me. See, now that I am a parent, my health-seeking goals focus on my kids.
Long gone are the days of gulping down cod liver oil to ensure your body is getting the recommended amount of Vitamin D. In fact, your best and cheapest source is right outside the window: the sun, specifically UVB rays.
“Hooray! Vitamins!”
Vitamin Angels is an organization that is deeply impacting the lives of children around the world. In part one of our two-part conversation with founder Howard Schiffer, hear firsthand about his travels in the developing world and how Vitamin Angels is helping to break the cycle of poverty.
Congratulations to giveaway winner Denise C. from New Hampshire! Thanks to everyone who entered - we loved hearing what Alaffia's products and story mean to you! Olowo-n’djo Tchala is the Founder and Director of Alaffia. As one of our Whole Trade® vendors he is committed to making sure employees and suppliers receive better wages and working conditions.
According to Jeremiah McElwee, Executive Senior Global Whole Body Coordinator, it is important to babies and children’s health to choose products carefully:
What fats are essential for heart health and how can we ensure high-quality, adequate intake? Listen in to this encore podcast to hear about the critical role good fats play in a heart-healthy diet.

There are many effective ways to support a healthy heart through simple dietary and lifestyle choices.

The New Year is a natural time to think about giving the body a much-needed vacation. Tune in to this encore podcast presentation to find out what to expect and avoid on a whole-body cleanse, and the simple ways to make the most of your efforts to reduce the “body burden” in this popular encore presentation.
Looking for healthy eating resources? At Whole Foods Market®, we have developed Health Starts Here® to help guide wise nutrition choices. Listen in and learn where to focus for the most benefit.
Akua Woolbright holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and is Whole Foods Market’s Senior Healthy Eating and Wellness Educator.
From tinsel and glitter to sequins and shimmer, the holidays are a flashy time of year. For many of us that includes adding some pizzazz to our usual makeup routine.
Supporting the health of a child’s skin is an important consideration for every parent. From baby to teen, discover which ingredients are most beneficial and how to choose better body care for kids. Jessica Iclisoy is the founder of California Baby, a full line of natural skin care products for babies, kids and sensitive adults.

Interested in switching to a better deodorant but don’t know where to start? Tune in to this encore podcast presentation to educate yourself on the variety of options and hear what makes natural deodorants effective. Malia Curran, MS, MPH, is a nutrition and health consultant.

Join one of our very own Whole Body team members for an insightful interview about the positive impact of Vitamin Angels not only on children’s health, but also in the hearts of our team members, customers and supplier partners.
Get ready to be inspired by a special organization that is profoundly changing the lives of children around the world.
Now is the time to focus on staying well, and supporting the immune system is a smart way to do so. In this encore podcast presentation, Dr. Kenna Brooke talks about natural approaches, formulas for wellness and lifestyle suggestions for promoting seasonal health.

Do you wonder if the reasons you choose natural foods for your kids could also apply to toothpaste? Learn about the choices and get tips for natural oral care products that work well—and taste great—for even the pickiest kids.
Are you too often tempted to skip the green side of the plate? Getting your greens and meeting the 9-a-day fruit and veggie goal is easier than ever with green superfoods, cereal grasses and vegetables in convenient tablets, capsules and drink-mix powders.
Exotic and extraordinary, superfruits are filling the shelves and the news. They’re “super” because they’re packed with antioxidants and nutrients beyond their common fruit and veggie relatives. Listen to learn about the benefits of some you’ve heard of already, and several that are new to scene.
What’s your top priority when shopping for personal bodycare products? Take our poll on bodycare products and see how your thoughts stack up with others.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for a healthy heart. Listen and learn about the role and benefits of these "good fats." Then get expert tips for choosing high-quality fish oil supplements. Stuart Tomc has more than 20 years experience in Nutritional Medicine. He is a consultant to the World Health Organization and integrative physicians worldwide.
How can you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease? Why is chronic inflammation often the heart of the matter? Get answers to these questions and more as you learn about specific nutrients, food and daily habits to help keep your heart healthy. Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Boston region.

Listen in to this encore podcast presentation on immune health.
Tony Lucchesi the National Educator for Source Naturals joins us to talk about Wellness Formula. Twenty-five years ago, Wellness Formula pioneered the industry’s first wellness-immune category. Since then, millions have turned to Wellness at the first sign of immune symptoms.
Cold and flu season is no joke. But rather than simply hoping you don't catch a bug, focus on getting prepared with knowledge, intention and - you may have guessed - stocked shelves! Plus, since getting sick is part of being human, let's also look at ways to get better faster when the sniffles do strike.
In Part 2 of our series on natural health during cold and flu season, we'll hear about how the immune system works, which supplements have been shown to support wellness, and some of the best ways to help maintain health year-round. Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Denver, CO area.
Now is the time to focus on staying well, and supporting the immune system is a smart way to do so. In part 1 of a 2-part series, Dr. Kenna Brooke talks about natural approaches, formulas for wellness and lifestyle suggestions for promoting seasonal health. Dr. Brooke is a Naturopathic doctor who practices as a wellness consultant in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, Colorado.
Given the heightened focus on flu this season, here's a very pertinent encore presentation about the homeopathic remedy Oscillo.
Christophe Merville the national Pharmacy Development Manager for Boiron joins us to talk about homeopathy and share with us the benefits of Oscillo during the cold and flu season.
Don't let sprains, strains and pain get in the way of your summer fun! Discover homeopathic, herbal and lifestyle recommendations for supporting the muscles, joints and whole body before during and after your activities. Dr.
Are you the outdoors fan who's loved just a little bit too much by the bugs? Fortunately, there are effective natural products such as essential oils, vitamins, and homeopathy to make your skin less tasty to the critters. Malia Curran, MS, MPH, is a nutrition and health consultant.
Many of us are eating natural foods and buying more-natural body care products, but maybe haven't made the mighty leap to natural deodorant. Are you worried it doesn't work? Tune in to hear what makes natural deodorants effective and why it's time to switch.
Even with the best intentions, it seems that sunburn sneaks its way into each and every summer for some of us. And it’s just not summer without suffering some scrapes and bruises.
Looking for beauty to believe in? After decades of natural foods, more natural cosmetics are also emerging. It's easy to understand the importance of natural foods, but are there real reasons for buying cosmetics with natural ingredients?
Learn why homeopathic remedies are a great choice for all ages during allergy season. Get the short answer to how homeopathics work, as well as some specific formulas to look for and how to use them.
More Allergy Information
Wondering what's causing all those troublesome allergy symptoms and why natural formulas can be effective? Tune in for the answers and take the first step toward alternative relief. You'll also hear about preventing allergies and long-term solutions.
Here's your chance to discover the top easy-to-adopt lifestyle recommendations for dealing with and finding relief from allergies. Includes research-based natural approaches that work, as well as personal accounts of what's been helpful over the years.
For many women, getting pregnant—or trying to—is the definitive time to move toward a healthier lifestyle. From diet to household products to a little pampering for stress management, these days there are plenty of choices, but where to start?
Why are natural products important for babies? One reason is because what goes on the baby may go in the baby! Learn about more reasons and the best choices for baby’s sensitive skin.
For some men and women, natural libido is not as strong as it could be. Fortunately, nature has provided help! Beyond medicinal plants that support a healthy libido, there are other natural options. Nutritionist Malia Curran, MS, MPH shares the secrets about nutrients, additional supplements and body care elements that may help. 

Confused about so many supplements on the shelves? Tune in and let us help! We’re going back to the basics and answering some common questions. Nutritionist Malia Curran talks about various benefits and forms of supplements, things to know about regulation and explains a few terms that are often confusing.
For those who enjoy the unexpected and esoteric sides of life, I have a souvenir for you to share with those you love to amuse. Algae. From green to red, slimy to coarse, and microscopic to enormous. Just mention the topic of algae, and many people think of the unsightly green film in swimming pools and fish tanks…or their eyes glaze over. Add to your unpredictability the story of potentially the most humble, unpretentious organisms on Earth.
Delving further into research on natural fragrances, I had the pleasure recently to connect with Jack Chaitman, an expert on plant distillation who has been extracting premium essential oils for over 25 years.
Hi! My name is Hannah and I am a member of Teens for Safe Cosmetics: New York.
Each September, I look forward to the start of the new school year; but this September, all I can think about is the “Teens Turning Green” collection. In just a few weeks, this fabulous line of products will be available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide!
Hi my name is Mattie and I am a member of Teens for Safe Cosmetics: New York.
Hey! I’m Emily, and I am a sophomore in High School and a part of Teens for Safe cosmetics. A few weeks ago, Teens for Safe Cosmetics had our kickoff meeting for the 2008/ 09 campaign. It was a great meeting with tons of fabulous ideas for our Teens Turning Green Collection, for events, and for new advocacy strategies.
Do you wonder if the reasons you choose natural foods for your kids could also apply to toothpaste? Learn about the choices and get tips for natural oral care products that work well—and taste great—for even the pickiest kids.
Hey everyone! It is summer time and it is officially the time of year I miss my hometown area the most. I grew up spending summers in Surf City, NJ on Long Beach Island and spent probably 8 hours a day in the sun. Well, now we know that is not the best idea and also that if you are going to surf the summer away, you better be wearing some strong sunblock.
These days, ANTIOXIDANT is both a health buzz word AND a big reason to eat superfoods. But you may be wondering "what IS an antioxidant?" Antioxidants protect the body from wear and tear, while strengthening the immune system, muscles, bones and skin. They do this by stabilizing cell-damaging “free radicals” that form as we use energy and age. Unhealthy processed and sugary foods, stress, excessive exercise, extended sun exposure and some chemicals in our environment also spur free radical production.
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market. Don't know us? In a nutshell, we are the world’s leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
We’re lucky to have a whole bunch of smart, passionate people doing incredible things in areas like organics, supporting local growers, green practices, fair trade, micro-lending and all kinds of food related stuff. We’ll use this blog to share some of the cool things going on around here.
Of course what makes this blog really exciting is YOU — so join the conversation!