Everyone knows that your health doesn’t just depend on going to the doctor’s office when you’re sick or taking an aspirin or other pain reliever when you have a headache. You need to practice an overall healthy lifestyle that includes, among other things, proper nutrition and exercise. Get Healthy Vitamins and Natural Foods has been promoting these goals for local residents for thirty years.
To celebrate this milestone, the company is having various health-related events at its Brooksville location as well as discounts at both its Spring Hill and Brooksville store on Saturday, February 19 from 9 am – 6 pm.
Laura DeWitt and Karen Greenway started the business in 1991 as Shakespeare’s Sisters. The stores were later rebranded as Get Healthy.
The store carries a wide range of products, including organic groceries and specialty foods, such as vegan and gluten free. Both locations sell locally- sourced items like honey and salsa. They also have just about every kind of vitamin and mineral supplement you can think of, CBD products, as well as essential oils and aromatherapy supplies. The store even has food and supplements for your dog or horse.
When DeWitt and Greenway retired five years ago, they maintained ownership of the business and promoted two longtime employees, Brian Mosser and Kelli Derryberry, to co-manager positions. The two have put together a celebration that will be fun and educational.
It will kick off with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, Friday February 18 at 6 pm for the two owners. This will be held at the Brooksville Store. In keeping with the 30th Anniversary theme, Ms. DeWitt will give an informative talk entitled “How to Create Your Very Best Health for the Next 30 Years.” The reception is free and open to the public but you must make a reservation.
On Saturday there will be door prizes and raffles going on all day. Some of the items to be raffled off are a 43” Smart Screen TV, Apple watch, air fryer, gift baskets and a $200 shopping spree.
At 11:00 am, a health coach will speak on mental wellness. Mosser will give a vegan/gluten-free baking class at 1:00 pm. There will be an organic essential oils and body care workshop at 3 pm. Then at 6 pm Brenda Watson, world-renowned author and digestive health expert, will be doing a lecture about managing acid reflux, gastric bloating and other issues.
Mosser has been with the company for sixteen years. Along with his duties as co-manager, he also offers a free thirty-minute health evaluation to help the customer set goals for achieving a healthier lifestyle.
“We say to them, ‘This is what we’d do if we were in your situation,’ but we always advise them to talk to their doctor before they begin any type of plan. It is so rewarding to help someone get onto a path of improving their health and lifestyle,” Mosser states.
It’s not just about eating a healthy diet. Mosser is a strong proponent of supplementation and believes that people need guidance because the internet is so misleading when it comes to information and there are so many cheap inferior products out there.
“We have to realize that an apple today is not like an apple from fifty years ago because of where we’re at environmentally.”
He recommends that people set three achievable goals when they set out on their healthy living journey. After they reach those goals, they can then re-evaluate.
“Shooting for the stars might be your end goal, but let’s just build the rocket ship first.”
Mosser sees new milestones ahead for himself and the business.
“One of the goals [of the business] in the next few years is to start hosting more educational speakers and events. I, personally, would like to get back out into the community doing education and workshops.”
He admits that one of his challenges is to get people to re-evaluate how they are viewing things because you can’t achieve some goals if your other priorities aren’t in line.
“Eating a bowl of ice cream instead of having fresh fruit affects your health. Everything you do for positive or negative affects your outcome in life and you need to recognize your priorities.”
As far as diet goes, Mosser believes there is no hard and fast rule for everyone. He has been a vegan and has gone on various other diets to educate himself about these health routines.
“There are countless options and pathways to go down regarding diet and health regimens. You have to be in tune with how you feel and what makes you feel well. People who really listen to their bodies can tell when they start feeling better. If you wake up in the morning and you feel good and you feel good the entire day then you’re doing something right. There’s no one set nutritional plan for everybody.”
For more information go to www.getingethealthy.com.The two locations for Get Healthy Vitamins and Natural Foods are 1254 S. Broad St. in Brooksville
(352-796-9798) and 11083 Spring Hill Dr. in Spring Hill (352-688-9119)
