Health Starts Here
Health Starts (right) Here at Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park!
With an ever-increasing amount of diseases and ailments being linked to diet, there has never been a better time to choose one’s food with wellness in mind. However, with such an abundance of information available about what to eat, what not to eat, how much to eat, and the healthiest way to prepare it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let our Healthy Eating Specialist be your guide! Karen can help you navigate the store, and find the foods that best fit your needs and budget. Our Health Starts Here kiosk, located between the Produce and Seafood departments, is also an educational resource for many of your questions about food and wellness.
- Get your Healthy Eating questions answered
- Take a Healthy Eating Tour of the store, and find out about shopping for HEALTH and VALUE
- Learn how to create a healthy menu plan and discover new recipes that fit your life, needs and budget
- Sample seasonal recipes and Health Starts Here offerings from our Prepared Foods Department
- Browse our collection of books, DVDs, and literature about Healthy Eating
- Use our LifeClinic health station to test your blood pressure and body mass index
- Learn how to decipher nutritional labels
- Learn about ANDI scores and discover how to choose and use the most nutrient rich foods
- Find out about our upcoming classes, events, and educational talks
MEET YOUR HEALTHY EATING EDUCATION SPECIALISTS:
Karen Formanski
Karen Formanski is the Healthy Eating Specialist here at Whole Foods Market, Lincoln Park. She is a graduate of the Professional Chef’s Training Program at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City. While attending the Natural Gourmet she was able to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of human nutrition and the connection between food and wellness, in addition to learning the basic cooking techniques for making delicious, health supportive cuisine. After graduating, Karen spent a year working in various restaurants and catering venues before joining Whole Foods Market with the opening of the Sauganash store. Three years later, the Health Starts Here program was launched and she was able to bring her knowledge of nutritious foods to her new position as Healthy Eating Specialist. Karen has also completed the Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Foundation at eCornell University. Karen is happy to help customers and Team Members alike with their questions about food choices, special diets, meal planning, and all aspects of healthy eating education. Stop by our Health Starts Here kiosk between our Produce and Seafood departments or for more information, contact Karen at karen.formanski@wholefoods.com.
Taylor Dyer
An avid explorer of all things healthy and nutritious, Taylor Dyer started her career at Whole Foods Market scooping salads and slicing deli meats in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. 4 years later, she finds herself educating customers and team members alike as the Healthy Eating Assistant at Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park. Taylor’s varied background includes teaching interactive cooking classes, earning her Master Gardener certificate, and being a dedicated mom of two. These experiences combined make her the perfect person to ask questions about quick healthy meals for your family, growing an indoor herb garden and getting that 2 year old to eat her spinach! Stop by WFM Lincoln Park and say Hi! to Taylor.
Upcoming Health Starts Here Events:
Wednesdays at the Health Starts Here Kiosk
Healthy Meals in Minutes Demo
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Free!
Join us every Wednesday for a quick demo illustrating just how easy healthy cooking can be. Try a sample of a new Health Starts Here recipe each week, and grab a recipe card so you can recreate the dish at home.
Thursdays at the Community Table
Healthy Eating Kids Club
10:30a – 11:30a – FREE!
Come for Bubbles, but stay for Healthy Eating! Join us every Thursday for a nutritious adventure with the Healthy Eating Kids Club. Our Health Starts Here team will teach your little ones about healthy foods through stories, games, and fun art activities. Each week is different so come check us out! Snack provided.
Fridays at the Health Starts Here Kiosk
Health Starts Here Fun Facts Fridays
11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Free!
Join us for a weekly info session to learn about a variety of healthy products from our aisles in less than 15 minutes. Designed to be a short stop on your shopping trip, come for the food and leave with the knowledge.
Saturdays at the Health Starts Here Kiosk
Taste of Health Starts Here
11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Free!
Stop by every Saturday to sample one of our Health Starts Here selections. From salads and dips to breads and desserts, items with the Health Starts Here logo are the perfect choice when you need something healthy in a hurry!
Saturday, June 16
Healthy Meal Planning for Busy Families
12:00pm – 1:00pm – $10
Do you want to prepare more healthy meals at home for your family, but feel like there’s just no time? Join our Healthy Eating Specialists, Karen and Taylor, for tips, tricks, and ideas to get you started. We’ll show you how easy it can be to create simple, tasty, and nutritious meals with even the busiest schedules. Samples and recipes included! To register visit our Customer Service Desk, call us at 312.587.0648 or click here.
Saturday, June 23
Health Starts Here
Grill’in and Chill’in Summer Event
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm – FREE!
Looking for healthy options for your next BBQ bash? Celebrate summer throughout the store with delicious ideas and recipes that are plant-strong, nutrient dense, and perfect for summer gatherings. Stop in for sweet and savory ideas to keep your family on the right track while still enjoying your favorite dishes! Visit each department with a Picnic Checklist provided to you, and taste items perfect for Grill’in and Chill’in. Enter to win a Health Starts Here picnic basket valued at $100. No purchase necessary.
Thursdays starting July 12
28 Day Healthy Eating Challenge
Noon or 6:30 pm – $10 per person
Are you ready to make some healthy changes, but don’t know where to begin? Join us for the Health Starts Here 28 Day Challenge! Utilize our new online meal planning guide to help in working towards your goals for improved health, and meet with our Healthy Eating Specialists each week for tips, tricks, and support! Price includes a getting-started goody bag, weekly meet-ups featuring store tours and cooking demos at our Health Starts Here kiosk, and a graduation celebration with light refreshments on August 9. Choose between the afternoon or evening 60 minute meet-up times to accommodate your schedule. Please visit our Health Starts Here page for full details!*** To register, visit our Customer Service Desk, call 312.587.0648, or register online here.
***The 28 Day Challenge Meet Up Schedule:
Thursday, July 12th - 12pm or 6:30pm
- You will receive a starter kit with samples and recipe ideas, along with basic guidelines for what to eat while taking the challenge.
- Health Starts Here store tour, with a focus on the Produce and Bulk Departments
Thursday July 19th – 12pm or 6:30pm
- Intro to Plant-strong, Nutrient Dense eating
- Demo: Get Your Greens/Cooking without Oil
Thursday, July 26th – 12pm or 6:30pm
- Basics of plant-based menu planning
- Demo: Batch Cooking with Beans & Grains
Thursday, August 2nd – 12pm or 6:30pm
- How to navigate the summer BBQ season in good health
- Demo: Healthy Summer Sides and Desserts
Thursday, August 9th – 12pm or 6:30pm
- Graduation Celebration with light refreshments
- Share your experiences with the group, and learn about how to sustain those changes you’d like to incorporate into your life moving forward
- Optional tour of our Wellness Club
