The Light Bulb guy

I hear alot of people refer to Michael Hedrick as the light bulb guy! That's because his booth is usually lit up with his line of energy-efficient, full-spectrum light bulbs.

The actual company name is Healthy Living Technology, and he sells WAY more than just light bulbs. Last month I finally purchased the Living Water All-In-One Showerhead w/ filter. The showerhead has a replaceable filter that takes out chlorine, sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen sulfide. I became concerned about the chemicals and toxins you absorb and inhale during showers, and Healthy Living Technology had the solution. I chose the handheld model since I also have a big dog I routinely bath (can't wait to try it!)

You can also get whole house air and water purification systems, as well as a slew of other feel good products.

So next time you're picking up your order, be sure to swing by the Light Bulb guy and take a peak at what else is for sale!

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Here are some photos from West Michigan Co-Op's volunteer appreciation party which was held on December 4. The party included a full meal prepared with food grown and produced locally, local beer and a raffle.

Thank you to all of the Co-Op's volunteers!

Photos of December's Pick-Up

Steven Depolo, who did some interviews for an article he's writing for the February edition of Revue, took some wonderful photos at our last pick up. Be sure to check them out!.

Wondering Where all the eggs went?

You may have noticed that some producers are only selling eggs by special order, while others have a very limited supply of eggs. That's because chickens like to take a well-deserved break in the winter! The truth is that as the days get shorter, chickens react to the decrease in day light. This change in day length causes hens to molt and cease egg production, a process that may take several months.

Molting is a natural process that allows the hen to replace old, worn feathers and rejuvenates her oviduct, the organ that “makes” eggs. With the molt, the hen puts the bulk of her energy into feather growth, leaving little for egg production. This is the way nature intended it to be. Factory farms, who cram the chickens into giant warehouses, among other atrocities, use chemicals, unnatural feed, and fake sun light to trick chickens into creating eggs all year round. It is just not right!

So while you may be a little bothered that you can't get the eggs you've been happily buying for months, be happy to know that the chickens are resting their bodies so that they can give you their eggs in the Springtime.

Doesn't that make the eggs you get from the Co-op even more precious?

Facebook Us!

If you're on Facebook, you can stay even more connected with the Co-op.

To find us, just sign in to your Facebook account and visit our page!

Benefits of Volunteering With the West Michigan Co-op

The West Michigan Co-Op will be holding our annual meeting on March 3, 2009.

For those of you who have volunteered at least five times during the 2008 calendar year, you will be eligible to vote at this meeting. Furthermore, as a voting member you will be eligible to run for a vacant position on the board of directors.

There are two ways to become a voting member:

1. Users of the West Michigan Cooperative may pay $100 to the Co-op to become a lifetime Voting Member of the Co-op. This is in addition to the $35 annual user fee, which must be maintained to remain a lifetime Voting Member.
   
   
2. Users who volunteer five or more times in a calendar year, ending December 31st, will become a Voting Member for the following calendar year. You must volunteer five times every year to maintain a Voting Member status. The volunteer numbers will reset to zero every January 1st.

Volunteers are currently needed to help during pick-up nights as well as on the committees. Currently the Membership Committee and the PR/Marketing Committee are in need to more volunteers. For information on committees, as well as contact information, please visit our Web site.

If you have any further questions or if you would like to find out how many times you have volunteered this year, please contact Tara at tara@westmichigancoop.com.

Buy Local Mint Essential Oil & Help Save a Farm

Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns, Michigan, is under foreclosure. Because of the farm's historic significance and the desire to continue producing peppermint essential oil, your help is needed to save the farm.

In addition to having what appears to be the oldest surviving still in the country, the Crosby Farms operation also appears to be the oldest mint farm in continuous operation in the United States. The key word here is 'continuous' - that it has cultivated and processed mint since J.E. Crosby purchased the property before World War I.

How You Can Help

For $5, you can get a gram of pure mint oil. This essential oil lasts a long time and is very hard to find.

Currently, there is enough essential oil inventory to pay the farm's debt, but 77,000 dram bottles must be sold!

Visit http://www.getmint.com/ for more information and to place your order.

Some of Mint's Many Uses

Headaches:

Peppermint may ease headaches and migraines. Apply a rub to temple area in circular motion and across the forehead. For migraines, wet hair and put 4-5 drops into your hand and massage into the scalp.

Sinus Problems

Peppermint is very useful in reducing sinus congestion when added to a bowl of steaming or boiling water. A rub may be applied to chest, back of neck area, and behind ears. A few drops of oil in a vaporizer at night will help ease congestion as well.

Digestive System

Peppermint oil can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. One drop of peppermint oil on a sugar cube or used in tea may help relieve intestinal cramps.

Body Muscles & Arthritis

Peppermint oil is soothing to sore muscles when added to a hot bath or massage oil. Use this to soothe arthritis pain. Mix 4-5 drops of oil into 1 ounce of lotion and/or massage carrier oil.

Feet

Applied full strength, or mixed with a carrier oil, peppermint oil may relieve swollen feet and may reduce and assist in healing blisters, cuts, or athlete's foot by killing bacteria.

Women Only

To relieve menstrual or abdominal cramps, add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil on a sugar cube or into an 8 ounce glass of water and drink. A toothpick dipped in oil works great for tea or water. Mint also helps to relieve hot flashes!

Flu Season

For a sore throat, sparingly dip a cotton swab into mint oil and carefully apply to the back of the tongue area.

Relieve congestion by rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on chest and covering with warm compress.

Add a few drops of mint oil to the water of a humidifier or vaporizer to keep it smelling fresh and kill germs.

Peppermint Oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal!