Natures Food Patch

What better way to start out our business spotlight page than with our longest running advertiser. New Times Naturally and Nature’s Food Patch were practically born at the same time. Almost 19 years ago.

It’s hard to know where to begin. Walking in the doors, you are overcome with sights, sounds and smells of health. There is a customer service desk, right behind the cashiers, where a friendly person (for me it was Cyndy), answers questions, does returns, gift certificates or guides you in the direction you want.

Nature’s Food Patch has everything you can imagine: Organic and market fresh produce (by the pound or bulk), groceries, including; dairy and non-dairy products, gourmet cheeses that are BGH free, raw meats that range from hormone, and antibiotic free, free range and meat for the Puriest. Dry bulk galore, organic wine & beer, pet products, cleaning products, hygiene and beauty products, juicers and a huge array of nutritional supplements. There is a help desk in that section also with a well trained vitamin consultant. Oh and something else really neat in the supplement section is the vitamin & herb computer information center. It’s a self help area where you can type in just about any health or nutritional question you have and it shows you articles and suggested supplements. It’s very detailed. And you can print the information to take with you. It’s hard to explain but very cool to check out.

During the time I was there a juice demonstration was going on. Many people were gathered around sampling some nasty looking brown, green stuff. I tried it and “Yum!” Who knew a combination of carrots, celery, spinach & kale, red apple, lemon (rind and all), fresh ginger and radish could taste so good.

It amazes me. Nature’s Food Patch is always having events, classes and demonstrations. Check out our calendar section.

My favorite part of the visit though was the Deli/Café section. It’s a big open area with lots of tables. Laurie, the executive store director and my guide through the store, explained everything about the food and how it is prepared. My eyes and stomach were taking it all in, my mind could not believe how much work it must take to prepare all that they had. Everything in the salad bar, and behind the cases were all made on sight. And if you saw how much they have you would be amazed too. There is sit down service, carry out and call in service. I wanted to sample many of the things in the deli section so I tried roasted garlic beets, emerald sesame kale, garlic roasted brussel sprouts, tofu eggless salad, red bliss potatoe salad, blackened tofu, hummus, and peanut crusted salmon. Everything was excellent except the garlic beets, they were OK. I even loved the brussel sprouts! No salt or pepper was needed, it was all perfectly seasoned.

The salad bar is a whole other story. Check it out for yourself. Thanks John, (food service manager) for the samples!

Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland in Clearwater. Call 727-443-6703 for more information.

The Soul Mirror

Talk about unique! Kerri Jones, the owner of The Soul Mirror, had an excellent idea when she put her business in a beautiful 2 story house, on an acre lot, nestled among ancient oak trees. There is no big sign, you have to watch closely as you drive to it. But once you find it, you follow a long driveway to the house. It really is a perfect spot for the soul. Kerri, guided by her mother, found this business to be just what she was meant to do. She studied psychology in college, but did not feel that clinical psychology was quite for her. At The Soul Mirror, she can counsel and guide people in a more spiritual way. The goal that Kerri has for the Soul Mirror is to provide a space for people to walk their spiritual path. You can experience reiki, fung shui, natural health counseling, meditation, yoga, dream interpretation, past life regression, tarot classes, astrology classes and more. There are many expert practioners that come and share their talents at The Soul Mirror. New ones are always welcome. If you don’t see the practitioner that you’re used to here call Kerri and make a suggestion.

There are also two rooms in the house with products of interest. You can find books, cd’s, many, many crystals, chimes, bath products, candles, herbs, jewelry etc.

I don’t know if Kerri noticed, but I kept looking at the walls. She has painted them in soothing sea blue/green and some soft pink. It was calming to look at them. Silly, but true.

Kerri just had her Grand Opening celebration on August 20th. It was a fun filled, exciting day with many people, with many interests. There is always something going on at The Soul Mirror. To find it go to 2025 W. Bearss Ave in Tampa. 813-964-1156