kerryhelston

kerryhelston

31-year-old female from Roncesvalles, Toronto

I don't claim to be an eco-angel, just a girl looking for the best available option. By best I mean low impact, life affirming, body loving. By day I work to reduce CO2. By night I counsel those with nutritional needs. And on the weekend I search for the best for me, my friends and the planet.

I'm a member of Eco-Friendly, Foodies and Fit & Healthy

Farrow & Ball

Rated this place:

1054 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4W2L1

One Day...

One Day...: Farrow & Ball is a bit of a dream of mine....a someday maybe. They provide traditionally crafted paints and wallpapers. What I love is their commitment to traditional, eco-friendly methods. Each batch of paint is crafted from ingredients such as chalk, lime putty, linseed oil (basically flax seed oil) and China clay. They offer a few varieties of paint that contain little or no VOCs. But my biggest Farrow & Ball dream is the wallpaper. This is no ordinary wallpaper. Each roll of wallpaper is hand printed by block (seriously, hand painted) using water based paint. Many of the designs are based on traditional prints and some are even used for the "restoration of Great British houses." As you can imagine, this type of craftsmanship does not come cheap. The minimum order is 3 rolls of wall paper with one roll costing somewhere between $170 and $280. To do a whole room? Nonsense, but just think of that beautiful accent wall. At this point though I'm thinking of hanging the five sample sheets I have around my room and calling it my wall accents. One day....

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Active Yoga

Rated this place:

2281 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M6R1X6

Title: Having reviewed hot yoga before I may be kind of repeating myself, but hot yoga is not for the faint of heart. But those who love it, love it. If you get hot really easy or are really bothered by sweating then this kind of yoga is not for you. Active Yoga follows the Bikram style of hot yoga. It's a series of postures that build both strength and flexibility, all while getting a lovely sweat-it-all-out detox. The space is not huge but it's comfy and it's got a great community vibe with a lot of regulars. A variety of package deals are available including a great first week intro deal of unlimited yoga for 25 bucks. Mats and towels are available for rent and showers are available in the change rooms to get it all off after a class.

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Homestead House Paint Company

Rated this place:

95 Niagara Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V1C3

Toxin Free Paint and Wood Stain

Toxin Free Paint and Wood Stain: This small, family owned and run shop has been producing and selling VOC-free paints for over 22 years. How's that for some long standing commitment to good environmental choices! I dropped in on the weekend to pick up some Hemp Wood Finish and was really pleased to see the selection of products... VOC-free latex paint in a wide variety of colours, "oil" paints in a non-toxic base of linseed or hemp oil, traditional milk paint and a lovely beeswax wood finish. This is traditional paint and wood finishes for a modern world. My wood stairs that we are refinishing look great, smell great and I can sleep easy

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The Spice Trader

Rated this place:

805 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1G1

Literally the Spice of Life!

Literally the Spice of Life!: I may have said this before but I love a great niche product store... one where the owner/curator has a deep love for their wares. There are a huge variety of spices available at the Spice Trader, each one carefully sourced by the owners. You will find such gems as ajowan seed (chew a pinch after dinner for improved digestion...careful, potent!), whole ancho pepper and tamarind powder. I guarantee your cooking will come alive with these spices as they are purchased in small batches and kept in air tight containers to ensure freshness. Many of the spices are organic as well as free from preservatives and chemicals. You can make your purchase online but don't miss out on the sensual experience of going to the store if you are able.

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Mildred's Temple Kitchen

Rated this place:

85 Hanna Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6K 3S3

Decent Brunch: Mildred's Temple Kitchen is getting a lot of mixed reviews... understandably so, having to live up to the legacy that was Mildred Pierce. Same owners, same chef, new digs. I had a decent brunch there on the weekend with not too much to complain about. We definitely waited a while for our table but once sat our order came fast (but not too fast). Three of us all swapped bites off each others plates so I can say that the blueberry pancakes, the huevos monty and the egg tart were all really tasty. Not sold on the decor though. One of my dining pals said "It looks an awful lot like Ikea in here". I can't totally disagree. I wouldn't rush back but it was pleasant enough to be on the may-consider list come Sunday morning.

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Poor Johns Cafe

Rated this place:

1610 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

Poor John's ain't Poor: Poor John's has carved out a great little corner for itself in the west end of Parkdale, which is otherwise lacking in cozy relaxed cafe's. Delicious brunch, great lunch specials (Monday lunch for 8 bucks all in) and yummy organic, shade grown coffee. Most of it is Fair Trade too, but the stuff that isn't has been vetted by the owners who recently took a trip to Central America to check out the farms where their coffee comes from. Decor inside is great mixed pieces, lot's of recycled and reclaimed materials including the hood of an old car for the menu behind the coffee bar. The owners John and Kristine are great, longtime Parkdalians who really love the neighbourhood and wanted a place for the locals to hang. Good times at Poor John's.

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Kennel Cafe

Rated this place:

295 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON, M6R2M3

Locally Owned Pet Store: I love Roncesvalles... you have your independent butcher, your baker, your book shops and of course a lovely little pet store. The Kennel Cafe is a small nook of a shop but it's filled with great products for your little fuzzy loved ones. Our lives are enriched by our pets but they too are little consumers and their love for eating so high on the food chain can have an impact on the environment. So it's nice to see alternatives to the regular grocery store brands. Organic and locally produced pet foods, just like people foods, reduce the need for shipping and agriculture inputs thus reducing fossil fuel use. They also have a whole section of natural medicinals for your pet including chemical free flea control options. Try the natural method first and keep those regular flea chemicals off your pet and you and out of the environment (seriously toxic!).

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Evergreen Natural Foods

Rated this place:

161 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON, M6R2L3

Decent Local Health Food Store

Decent Local Health Food Store: I was spoiled for many years living on the Danforth and frequenting the Big Carrot. My wallet wasn't spoiled that's for sure, but everything at the Big Carrot was neat, clean and shiny with such a vast selection. Having moved west I've had to find my new go-to place for supplements, health care and organic groceries. I've found that in Evergreen Natural Foods, though it's not perfect. The pro's, the prices on supplements are some of the lowest I've found in the city, Nash the owner is great and knows a lot about the products he's selling and well, it's near my house. The con's, the store is tiny! So tiny that I get frustrated moving around the shop. I've been known to be a bit of a clutz and not a visit goes by that I'm not knocking something off the shelf. There's probably not much they can do about it, no room for expansion right or left, so it's just something to be put up with. Overall a good local place for healthy alternatives.

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Aveda Environmental Lifestyle

Rated this place:

95 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, M5S1M1

Green or Greenwashing?: One thing that really (really really) get's under my skin is greenwashing, pretending to be greener than you are just to be the cool kid in town. I used to be an avid Aveda user, they've long promoted themselves as an all natural beauty product company that is light on the earth and yourself. But a quick look at the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database website (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com) speaks otherwise. Contained in Avedas lovely bottles you will find parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial fragarances, preservatives and other questionable ingredients (many that are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors...how's that for getting under your skin). It's not like these contentious ingredients aren't in the Loreals and Revlons of the world, it's just they don't claim to be clean and green. To be fair, Aveda has done quite a lot of work in responsibly sourcing their raw ingredients and are also 100% powered by wind. I'd be happy to use Aveda products, if they were to truly clean up their act and get rid of the ingredients that are good for neither you, I or the the environment. Meanwhile I'll be hitting up the health food store for some of my favorite clean green brands like Druide, Aubrey and Green Beaver.

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House Of Tea

Rated this place:

1017 Yonge St #1015, Toronto, ON, M4W2K9

Tea time...

Tea time...: There is something exotic about walking into the House of Tea, shelves stacked high with boxes of tea from far off places, with names like Arabian Night's and Cherry Blossom Sencha. With more than 280 loose leaf teas available, if you're anything like me, picking a tea will not be easy. The staff know tonnes about the teas though and are keen to help you find the right one. They are also filled with tea-making know how and will tell you exactly how to brew the perfect cup. If you are lacking in tea making implements (infusers, strainers and pots from all over the world) you will definitely find what you need, just don't expect it to come cheap. The owner, Marisha, has this to say about what is not in their teas ...“We do not use any preservatives, artificial additives, flavourings, colourings or chemical enhancers of any kind.” Makes me breathe easy and drink up.

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Le Cafe Vert -- CLOSED

Rated this place:

946 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M4M1J9

**Sign in Window: Closed 'til Further Notice*: This teeny little cafe serves up a fabulous all organic brunch on weekends. It's located in that booming stretch of Queen East. They have tonnes of stuff for the health nut including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. The foods great so that makes up for the sometimes slooooooww service. Oh I get it, maybe it's part of the slow food movement? Anyway, whatever it is it's delicious once it arrives. For the carnivores in this healthy little joint, don’t miss the farmers sausage, organic and delicious! Unfortunately it looks like as of January they will be closed until further notice, but hopefully for not too long as it's one of my fave brunch spots in the east.

  • favourite thing(s) at this place:
  • brunches

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The Beet

Rated this place:

2945 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M6P1Z2

I heart Beet!!...: The Beet, located in the Junction, pulses with goodness all around. An organic cafe and market, they offer both sit down service and take out as well as a smallish selection of wholesome, local and organic groceries. Brunch is excellent with some really yummy things on offer. I had the the farm fresh eggs (two baked eggs on homemade english muffins with spinach, tomato and melted raw Quebec cheddar) with a side of organic turkey sausage. The side of tangy homemade ketchup tied it together just right. Stealing looks at my neighbours plates (I admit it, I am a food voyeur) the huevos rancheros also looked great. In addition to brunch they have a juice and smoothie menu, amazing vegan banana chocolate chip muffins (and I usually shy away from pasty vegan muffins) and daily dinner specials. I am definitely going back to Beet for their BBQ chicken dinner... roasted Beretta Farm chicken, homemade BBQ sauce and your choice of potato wedges (both sweet and regular) or brown rice and salad or steamed greens. Yum!

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Thin Blue Line Cheese

Rated this place:

93B Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6R2K6

Moooooo... Baaaaaa... : If I was banished to a desert island and could only have one food for the rest of my life (and a "balanced" diet was of no concern) hands down it would be cheese. I grew up with orange blobs of things like colby, velveeta, and even cheese whiz (I whispered that by the way) that were called cheese. How far I have come! Now I want cheeses that are so close to the cow or goat you can almost smell the barn and the stinkier the better. Make it Canadian and from unpasteurized milk and now you are really talking my language. The Thin Blue Line satisfies all of those and does it well. The cheese selection is on the smaller side but what they have is excellent. Now that they have expanded you will also find a lovely selection of breads, olives, and pates. My new favourite, hand churned artisanal butter from pasture raised cows.

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Ward's Island

Rated this place:

Toronto Islands, ON, M5J 1X9

A Great Nook of Toronto: I almost don't want to be publicising how great Ward's Island is. Actually scratch that 5 stars I gave it... it's terrible, smelly and crowded.... Don't go! Seriously though, for me doing "eco" is more than just choosing the right product, it's also about slowing down to soak in the green's and blues of the natural world, appreciating and reflecting on the things that we ultimately depend on. It's not always possible to get out of the city... It's just a wee hop on the ferry over to Ward's island and by facing out away from the city you'd never know the hustle and bustle was just a couple miles away. Bring your bike, a beach blanket and a picnic. Explore the remnants of the great old Toronto island community with it's collection of quaint cottages.

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Annapurna Vegetarian Restaurant

Rated this place:

1085 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5R3G8

Dosa Do

Dosa Do: There is something so pleasant about this restaurant. I think it must be because it is dedicated to the philosophy of a man named Sri Chinmoy who "dedicated his life to spreading the universal message that all of us can and will be united as a world family in the pursuit of peace." As such this is a vegetarian restaurant, a peaceful dietary way. Some have said they find the restaurant a little bright, and though I was surprised at the decor the first time I went it quickly grew on me. The Staff are very pleasant and seem to carry the message of peace whether they are serving 1 or 20 (which is not easy to do...I'd always have a deer in headlights look serving tables when I was in the weeds). Annapurna has a varied menu. The top half has traditional vegetarian fare, hummous and pita, tofu burger, cheese sandwhich. But to be honest I've never tried anything off of this part of the menu. I head straight over to the page with the South Indian food. Actually I don't really even need the menu, I always order the masala dosai with coconut chutney and sambar. It's perfectly cooked, not greasy and delicately but deliciously flavoured. I like to wash it all down with a not too sweet, perfectly sour mango lassi. Be sure to not make the mistake of going after 6pm on Wednesdays, they will be closed. Every other night they are open till 9pm.

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Home Depot Canada

Rated this place:

2121 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6N5A8

Eco Options Galore

Eco Options Galore: I'm usually one to support the little local store, but Home Depot does such a fantastic job with their eco friendly product options that in this case I go for the big guy. It's one stop shopping for all kinds of things that will help you turn your home into one awesome eco hub (that is, an energy saving, water conserving, low toxin home, yeah!). You'll find low flow toilets & shower heads, quality push mowers, toxin-free cleaning products, and no-VOC paint, just a few of the 6000 products carried that are green in some way (and as bonus can even help you save money by lowering your energy and water bills). There is even a whole line of solar products. Many times a year you'll find rebate programs such as Mow Down Pollution and Holiday Light Exchange to help your household save money while switching to the more eco option. It really does make me feel good to see a big box store making serious eco efforts.

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Body Blitz

Rated this place:

471 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V1T1

Blitzing is a New Verb in my Vocabulary

Blitzing is a New Verb in my Vocabulary: Body Blitz is an oasis in the midst of an unforgiving concrete jungle. Ok, maybe that sounds a bit dramatic but the contrast between the bliss inside and the regular mayhem outside is clear. When you arrive at body blitz you check in at the counter, they ask if you would like a smoothy while you are in "the waters" before they usher you through the door to bliss. The design inside is lovely, something like memories of scandinavia, lot's of wood and stone. If it's your first time they show you to your locker, get you slippers and give you a little tour. Then derobe (your choice, bikini or in the buff), and hop in the shower. I like to take my time here, give myself a good scrub with their delicious mint lime body soap and shampoo. They've laid out a circuit through the waters to maximize detoxification. The map of this is posted on the wall. First have a soak in the dead sea salt pool, which is the perfect warm temperature to ease in and relax. From here the circuit will take you through a eucalyptus steam room, an infra red sauna, a cold plunge pool and a hot green tea pool. I usually get in to about my knees in the cold pool, it's really cold (i know it's good for you...but the upfront torture is too hard for my weak will). I've gone with a group of 10 and I've gone with just one other. It's a perfect opportunity to gossip and gab. Body Blitz also offers a variety of massages and packs and wraps and facials. With these treatments the waters are included in the price. Without the treatments the price is $45 (Tuesday's $35) but you could lounge all day if you wanted too. Once you're done in the waters there's a great little mirrored room to blow dry, style and apply. I guarantee you will walk out of there a better person. (oh yeah...ladies only)

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Live Organic Food Bar

Rated this place:

264 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON, M5R1V7

Live it up...

Live it up...: Live fills a a lovely little niche in Toronto... live organic artful and well crafted food that happens to be vegan with a focus on raw foods. It get's away from standard vegetarian fare (hummous, lentil/tofu burgers, rice bowls) and get's very creative, crafting "noodles" out of zucchini and "cheese" out of nuts. Proponents of raw diets say that by not cooking foods you prevent the loss of important enzymes and vital nutrients. Come to think of it I do always feel a bit "enlivened" after a meal there. In the summer they have a decent little nook of a patio out back with a neighbourhood backyardish feel. They have a whole list of fresh juices and smoothies as good or better than any in the city but you will pay for their delicious nutritiousness. Toss in a shot of E3 live for an added nutrient boost and whiz around the city all afternoon. Or follow up your meal with a decadent dessert. Raw desserts have this dense sweet (natural sweetners like agave syrup) thing about them, which I kinda have have to be in the mood for but the chocolate cake is awesome just about anytime.

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Rua Vang Golden Turtle Restaurant

Rated this place:

125 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6J2Z2

ET Pho Home: If you've never had a bowl of Pho you don't know what you're missing. The Pho at the Golden Turtle though sets the standard for great pho in this city. It all comes down to the broth. Last time I was there I asked the owner how exactly he makes it so perfect. First his eyes lit up giving away the passion he has for his perfect noodly soups, then he launched into an explanation of what parts of the meats he uses (beef and chicken together), how much per daily batch (50 Kg of meat) and how long (at least three hours, until the marrow starts coming out of the bones). I'm throwing this into the healthy category because after much study I know the power of a good broth. The bones of animals contain super nutritious substances & minerals and simmering them in a pot brings these all out into the broth. Don't ignore the South American proverb "Good broth resurrects the dead." All the other aspects of this pho are pretty much perfect too, properly cooked rice noodles, big heaps of fresh bean sprouts and that basil-mint herb, and the finest thin slices of super tender beef. Don't miss the spring rolls and fresh rolls, perfect combos of texture and flavour.

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Moksha Yoga

Rated this place:

372A Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1N8

Who Loves Sweaty People?

Who Loves Sweaty People?: So it's been a while since I've dropped in for a class here, basically the only reason being that I moved out of that 'hood and into another on the other side of the city. But the yoga classes at Moksha Danforth got me through the last two winters. Moksha Yoga is one version of "hot yoga" the hot part being the room which is heated to about 40 degrees celcius. If you are a person that easily overheats you will probably find this style of yoga extremely uncomfortable. It probably more suits those who are prone to cold and/or love the heat. The basic class is 75 minutes of held postures (hatha style I believe...but it's called the moksha series) with progression into deepening of each pose. You will sweat profusely. Be prepared with a large bottle of water and a towel or two (one for your mat so you don't slip and another to occasionally wipe yourself down). You're encouraged to lie down if you feel at all dizzy or light headed. I like the studio space, though the practice room is nothing special. Efforts are made to be light on the environment... cork flooring, VOC-free paint, recycled carpet and non-toxic cleaning products to name a few. It can get quite jammed in the ladies change room between classes, sometimes it's best to go early to avoid the crowds.

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Pistachio

Rated this place:

2433 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4P2E7

My inner hippy is so happy here

My inner hippy is so happy here: Sometimes I want a bit of shine with my good deeds. A little gloss with my 100% biodegradable organic soap. Some glitter with my carcinogen free nail polish (yes, it's true!). Pistachio serves up the finest eco-goods in the loveliest package. It's bright and clean in store with just the right amount of stuff filling the shelves. This is still consumerism but at least it's consumerism with a conscience. Pistachio follows a series of guidelines in selecting its products looking for suppliers that have a commitment to ethical sourcing, have an environmental commitment and agree to be held accountable to the claims they make. Pistachio also favours local and handmade goods. Some of my favourite things around the store include the wall of eco-beauty products (things that smell like you want to eat them and you probably could they are that chem-free), organic and toxic chemical free toys and clothes for kids and some lovely small pieces for the home (bowls and vases and recycled glass bottles, etc). This is a fantastic place for gifts. Some things are a little pricey (like the wee box of organic animal crackers for $9.99) but generally it is pretty reasonable. This place is one stop shopping for anyone in the market for gifts pour moi.

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Warren's Waterless Printing

Rated this place:

711 Clayson Road, Toronto, Ontario, M9M2H4

Eco-Friendly in the Paper and the Process

Eco-Friendly in the Paper and the Process: Some things are all about making the better choice given your options. Warren's waterless is truly one of those better choices. They are a printing services company located in the north end of the city. Their environmental approach is multi-layered and goes far beyond just providing recycled or FSC papers and vegetable inks. The most impressive eco-approach is their waterless printing system. Regular printing is quite water intensive and the waste water is often filled with toxic inks and dyes. The waterless process at Warren's saves over 200,000 litres of water per year. On top of this they use the best of the best when it comes to recycled papers, their vegetable dyes come in a unique recyclable package and they are powered with renewable energy through Bullfrog Power. As for quality they do great work, just once were we disappointed with the outcome (corners were not cut properly), hence 4 stars not 5. Overall, great stuff.

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Panacea

Rated this place:

588 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6G1K4

Good Local...Not a Destination

Good Local...Not a Destination: Panacea describes themselves on their website as an "eco-shopping oasis". I stopped in the other day to check it out since it's a new store in town on the eco/health nut front. My first impression was alright...the selection looks good, prices are reasonable and things are neat and tidy. They cover a huge range of product areas including organic-toxin free beauty products, vegan clothes, organic baby clothes and a decent size organic grocery section (including a small fridge and freezer). Overall nothing really wowed me about the store. Great if it's in your 'hood and you're looking for healthy alternatives but not a place to trek across the city for.

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The Mercantile

Rated this place:

297 Roncesvalles, Toronto, ON, M6R 2M3

Sweet Specialty Selection...

Sweet Specialty Selection...: I love a shop like the mercantile, you walk in and every item is a curiousity to go mmmmm over. Being dedicated to craftsmanship, quality and local producers, the owners have carefully selected products in the health and gourmet category. You will find delicately flavoured oils, sumptuous sauces, high quality teas and other exotic jars of things. One of my favourite parts of the store though is the candy bar. Beautifully crafted candies, like rose flavoured turkish delight and chocolate truffles, are laid out as teasers near the cash. You will find lot's here that is organic as well as a whole back wall of natural cleaning products. Well worth a trip to Ronces for a browse.

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The Village Healing Centre

Rated this place:

240 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON, M6R1L3

Good Community Vibes

Good Community Vibes: Getting good alternative health care can, unfortunately, be really pricey. The Village Healing Centre on Roncesvalles is committed to making "holistic health care more accessible by offering excellent services at an affordable price." I like it here. It's located in a church with two spaces for classes like yoga and tai chi as well as a bunch of offices for working with a holistic practitioner of some sort. The list of services goes on and on... acupuncture, craniosacral, naturopaths and nutritional counselling to name just a few. Look for lower fees for these services here. One of the best things at the Village Health Centre is the pay what you can yoga classes... at least 5 classes a week fit into this category.

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