In this issue:
Meow,
Health in the News
The New Warehouse Saga
Have you ever heard the following joke:
Question: “What makes God laugh?”
Answer: “People making plans, of course!”
Whether playing chess, planning a vacation, or trying to do a major project,
the best laid plans are always contingent – on the
other player(s).
For the Co-op, the year started with a cramped warehouse space and a
substantial list of new products to develop, based on the big summer survey of
2004.
Alas, West Palm Beach real estate, despite a punishing hurricane season in
2004, kept spiraling “way north of reasonable” for a discount outfit such as Our
Health Co-op.
Cindy was in town and found a little Palm Beach Post advertisement featuring
very affordable, commercial office/warehouse condominiums in neighboring Riviera
Beach. The price was great. Teri’s commute would shrink. And, with 24 foot
walls, there would be a glorious abundance of storage for new products.
The catch? The builder had not yet broken ground. In fact, city permits had
not yet been granted. These were mere details for a seasoned builder, who
promised occupancy by May 2005.
Anyone who has ever gone through a renovation or new construction projects
knows completion dates are always highly suspect. So, the plan was to be moved
in by late summer instead of spring. Pfffssst...not even close.
Construction kept getting delayed. Sigh, it’s that funny thing about “people
making plans...”
In November, keys to the Co-op’s new home were delivered – this kat did a few
belly rolls to celebrate. No more landlords or lease hikes, no more hissing
about cramped space, and room to support new products finally.
Harley will be doing the interior build-out, at a preferred “friends and
family” rate, of course.
So, regarding new space for new products, that’s the “rest of the story” as
Paul Harvey would say.
2005 Year In Review
I. New Products: Even though we have a long list of new products
to add from our last survey, we did manage to add four new products:
- Magnesium
Citrate: Supports cardiovascular health and nerve and muscle
function. Dr. Rodier recommends 1000mg for magnesium as well as calcium and
vitamin D, so those who want to dose separately can now do so.
- Calcium
Citrate: Includes vitamin D and boron for healthy bones. Calcium
citrate is more easily absorbed for those with low stomach hydrochloric acid
(HCl).
- B-50 Complex:
A complete vitamin B formula for improved moods, heart health, and mental
clarity. Formulated with plenty of extra biotin for healthy skin, hair and
nails.
- Jumbo
Pillboxes: The unexpected “hit” in our line-up. Many new members
found us by searching for “jumbo pillbox.” Who knew this would be such a
draw!?
We also revised some products. We made our
Liquid Calcium
softgels “softer” (we have a lot more happy campers now that the little white
“footballs” are gone).
We tripled the softgel count in our new
“large” Fish Oil,
which made even our own humans happier (good grief, they take handfuls of those
omega 3s).
We also improved our probiotics formula, introducing
Probiotics 16,
with shelf-stable live cultures that also include acid-resistant strains to
withstand your stomach’s hydrochloric acid churn. This product made our lab
director take notice – he hadn’t seen a better probiotics product tested!
Meanwhile, we have not forgotten the products for which you’ve been clamoring
for so long. We’ve got the list, we’re checking it twice, and once we’re in the
new warehouse space, you’ll be the first to know what’s coming.
Click here for
our complete product catalog.
II. Web Site & Newsletter Makeovers: This year, our online store and
newsletter went through extreme makeovers and got plenty of applause / paws up!
We’ll continue to make technical improvements in the New Year, kat’s promise.
By the way, if you have trouble viewing our site or newsletter, we just ask
that you consider making improvements on your side (sorry, but creaky old
browsers are out of scope for our little shop to support).
III. Magnet Art: Members submitted 15 great designs for our first
annual “Magnet Design Contest.” Over 500 members then voted to determine the
three winners, which are now available on our website. Thanks to all who
participated!
IV. Support from our Favorite Experts: Integrative Physician and
member, Hugo Rodier, M.D.,
was very much part of our world, offering members his perspective on diets and
supplements in newsletters, on his radio show, in phone consultations, and in
person at our office opening in Salt Lake City.
Integrative Pharmacist,
Mike
Ciell, R.Ph., educated many hundreds of people around the country about
the “Lipid Theory,”
our product, Heart
Plus, and his “girlfriend,”
Teri,
at Our Health Co-op. Mike continues to tell patients about us at his
Foundational Health Clinic in Tampa, Florida.
We feel blessed to call Dr. Rodier and Mike Ciell dear friends of the Co-op.
V. The Personal Side & Member Stories: Other blessings in 2005
included wonderful member contributions (Jack
Jump,
Diana Dwan Poole,
Shirley Farley,
Tricia Andrews), a Co-op wedding (Stephen
and Kelly), two Co-op engagements (Teri
and Harley and also the “other”
Kelly and
Steve in Utah), and many, many touching stories from members throughout
the year.
It’s hard to talk about members without noting the challenges 2005 brought.
Teri found her conversations with Judy, from New Orleans, who almost lost her
cat Noodle, to be among the most touching.
Also, Teri’s long-term pen pal, Ken, was struck by a heart attack. This kind
of event always underscores the preciousness of each and every interaction we
have. Our best to Ken for continued recovery and renewed health.
Sometimes, a member’s story comes in the most unexpected way. We regularly
check on member satisfaction with requests for feedback on specific products and
get the typical “like it,” “don’t know yet,” or sundry suggestions in responses.
However, one new member, Kristina, shared a harrowing story about being
treated for ulcerative colitis, being on three different medicines, and feeling
no relief from pain or bleeding. Based on medical journal article, she was
searching for a product with 350mg of boswelia gum resin, which she found hard
to locate. See the following articles for reference:
Kristina’s search ultimately led her to find our
Arthro 3 product
(which has 300mg), and although marketed for “joint health,” she was game since
her joints hurt too. Taking 4 tablets a day, Kristina not only started to feel
better, but was also able to eliminate a couple of her medications and avoid
surgery altogether. She ended her note with “thanks -- you are truly
making a difference in people’s lives.”
Stories like Judy’s and Ken’s and Kristina’s touch us all. They also remind
us how connected we all are and what a big job we have to deliver what our
members most need for health and feeling well.
Thanks to all who share stories with us throughout the year – you also change
our lives!
Thank You For Supporting Our Health Co-op!
It’s been another eventful year and we are grateful for the trust that you
all continue to place in us.
Thank you for supporting the Co-op, for
telling your friends
about us, and for being the best kind of folks we could ever imagine!
Happy New Year to you and yours from all of us at your favorite Co-op! ^..^
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
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