Ladies Night Out Rewind

I would first like to thank not only all of the lovely ladies who came out last night to partake in our Ladies Night Out, but also all of our vendors and local sponsors who donated both time and merchandise to make this event a success. We really wouldn't have been able to have all of the fun we had without them! In particular, I would like to thank Bridgit and her talented artists from The Onion Tree, Dave and DJ from Flint Hills Wine & Spirits, and Merry at Wyldewood Cellars. Thank you for all of your help!

We had several raffle and grand prize winners last night! Whether you won a massage, mini-makeover, one of our prize items, or if you were simply able to learn something new and interesting to you, we hope everyone had a wonderful experience! As this is a tradition we would like to continue annually, please comment, email, call, or come into the store and let me know any ideas you may have, what could be improved, or what you hope we never change!

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Raffle Drawing Winners: Laura Schmidt, Amanda Little, Kristine Larson, Michelle Worrell, Carrie Humphries, Tammy Blaine, Kori Staab, Cecilia Rziha, Sheelagh Sy, Candace Witherspoon, Krista Schnee, and Katie EngBlade!

Grand Prize Winners:
~ Megan Pfeiffer won a Pop-top Clutch provided by The Onion Tree
~ Lana Owens won a Gift Certificate to Country Bumpkins
~ Sue Ferguson won an Elderberry Gift Basket provided by Wyldewood Cellars
~ Donna Witek won a facial from All About Skin
~ Jennifer Dougherty won two VIP passes to the Tallgrass Film Festival
~ Roxanne Zane won Curves' Healthy Success Tools Kit
~ Jane Farris won a photo session with Avion Photography

Vegan Wednesday!

Tuna (Not) Salad Mix by Dixie Carb Counters

This great new vegan salad mix is now available at Food For Thought. I haven't had tuna in close to 15 years, so I didn't really have a way to gauge how closely this tasted to the real thing. But I do know that it was delicious! The dry mix is made with soy flour, onion, veggie protein, garlic, soy protein, celery, mustard, red pepper, and loads more spices. I added Spectrum brand Eggless Mayonnaise and organic pickle relish (for a little tanginess!). I served mine on toasted Rudi's bread. You can spice it up with some variations, such as sliced almond, grape halves, green onions or celery. It's a great mix to experiment with! You can make sandwiches, cold tuna salad with pasta, tuna casserole, etc.

*Made with Non-GMO soybeans!

A Gluten-Free Independence Day

Independence Day is right around the corner... I can almost smell the bug spray-chlorine-firework combo I've become so accustomed to this time of year! Many of you, like me, have a gluten intolerance of some sort and while summer time inspires many of us to bond with family and friends on the back deck over a grill, navigating the food brought to these gathering can be stressful. Click here to see the ins and outs of gluten-free eating at these events.

If you're planning on doing some gluten-free cooking this weekend, Food For Thought can help provide some of those sometimes tricky essentials at great prices!

Want to provide an easy side? Lundberg Rice Chips are $2.19 a bag- and there are five delicious flavors (the wasabi is my personal favorite- it's not NEARLY as spicy as you'd think). These are so good my non-gluten-free friends and I fight over them!

Tinkyada pastas are only $3.19 if you're feeling up to making a yummy pasta salad! I found a bunch of tempting recipes online... Tinkyada is a rice pasta and has a great consistency that most people love.

And if you're in charge of a dessert, Arrowhead Mills Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix is $3.79. It makes a ton of cookies that taste better than their "real" counterparts!

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

ThreaNeem Giveaway!

Congrats, Pearl, for winning this week's giveaway!!!

Battling for better skin? Are you having "summer breakouts"? Craving that elasticity your skin used to have? Neem Oil products may be the answer to your problems!

Neem oil comes from a tree native to India and surrounding countries. It has several medicinal qualities, can be used as an insecticide, and can help skin keep its elasticity, among other uses. Neem branches are still sold in India as toothbrushes because the bark can remove plaque and the oil released when chewed has anti-bacterial properties.

Pumped up about neem? This week's giveaway features TheraNeem Lotion, Soap, and Cinnamon Toothpaste by Organix! If you're interested in winning, enter your name and e-mail address in the comment section on the blog! Best of luck!

Pick-up for prize is available in-store only!

Flower Remedies for You and Your Pets!

I know from experience that pets deal with stress and trauma in many different ways, and that although many of them have the ability to "live in the moment", their hardships can follow them for years on end. My family found my dog Snaps before she was even 8weeks. She had been stranded all alone in mid-April, which meant she had been facing our stormy Spring weather all alone until she came to us. Now, every time a storm starts to brew in any part of Kansas, Snaps finds her way in to a full on panic attack. Now after doing some research into Bach's Original Flower Remedies and their Rescue Remedy line, I feel as though Snaps may have the chance to stay clam and emotionally healthy the next time it starts to sprinkle in Olathe.

Rescue Remedy Pet is available in a 10ml (0.35 fl oz) bottle for $11.89 in Food For Thought's vitamin section. The #1 natural reliever of everyday stress is a blend of 5 of the 38 Bach Original Flower Remedies. The product can be used to help with such overwhelming situations as:

• visiting the vet
• loud noises (especially popular this time of year with fireworks from Fourth of July)
• shock, trauma or mistreatment (like with my dog Snaps)
• adapting to loss of companion
• separation anxiety
• adapting to new home, to a kennel or stable
• obsessive behaviors (like constant licking, nibbling of self, chasing shadows, excessive barking)

Rescue Remedy is formulated for humans and pets of all shapes and types; however, keep in mind that those sensitive to alcohol should first dilute the dosages before administration. And if you don't believe me, here is a list of just some of the types of animals it can be used with: reptiles, cats, fish (add to tank water), dogs, birds (dilute in water before administering), horses, rabbits, and much more.  It is recommended by veterinarians as an inexpensive, all natural way to keep your pets happy. However, I must include that for persistent conditions, it is recommended that a professional veterinarian examine your pet in order to prevent a misdiagnosis, as problems with mood and emotional stability can be symptoms of underlying health problems or nutritional deficiencies.
In order to use, the 4 drops or 2 sprays (depending on the bottle) can be applied directly by mouth, in their food, water, or on a treat. It can also be rubbed directly on their nose, ears or paws. Choose the easiest method for you and your pet that ensures they receive the correct dosage.


Remember, if you would rather use more specific flower remedies over the Rescue Remedy Pet, we currently carry a few of the 20ml bottles for a little over $14. For example, Aspen helps feelings of apprehension and anxiety, Star of Bethlehem helps with feelings of shock, trauma, or loss and Vervain helps with overpowering energy and tense feelings. These Original Flower Remedies are used by putting 2 drops at a time.

Come by Food for Thought to review the products and take one of our free pamphlets with a personal questionnaire (or use their online Remedy Chooser) to decide which one will work best for you and your furry family.

Congratulations, Danzel!

Danzel won the DermaE Clear Skin Sweepstakes! Check back on Monday to enter for your chance to win our next fabulous giveaway! Now, slather on some sunscreen and enjoy the weather!

Zap 'Em!

Morning time means crawling out of bed, climbing down the stairs of my loft bed, and trudging off to my bathroom to face the horror of what will be reflected in the mirror. Most days are usually filled with bad hair, greasy skin, and the occasional smudge of leftover eye makeup. However, one morning, I discovered an unfriendly looking something on my forehead that curiously resembled a unicorn’s horn. But upon a closer and more alert inspection, I realized it was something much worse! Trying to calm myself, I quickly thought of my options. The first, rummage around in my kitchen and find a suitable paper bag to cut out a few eye holes and shove over my head. And my other option, fight back!

Unsightly bumps and other unmentionables can be a great wake up call to better skin care. Even those of us with inherently flawless skin can encounter a few speed bumps that serve as reminders to always give our skin some much deserved TLC. After countless horrifying discoveries in my mirror, I have found a few great products to fight back against uncooperative skin!


“Burt’s Bees”, one of my personal favorites, offers a fantastic variety of products specifically directed to ward off acne. The company’s Acne Solutions “Daily Moisturizing Lotion” and “Spot Treatment” both sit side-by-side in my cupboard. “Naturalia”, an Australian-based company, provides a facial wash and cream that I’ve found to be quite helpful in zapping those annoying spots! But my “big guns” consist of two especially helpful products: “Home Health’s Blemish Treatment Lotion” and “Nature’s Gate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment”. A bit more hardcore than others, these two products have been a great help to me on some of the hardest to treat acne spots. Because of the salicylic acid content, .5% and 2% respectively, they dig deep into pores while drying up those unwanted spots. Best of all, these products are also Paraben-Free!


For those who also awaken to discover that they might be changing into a mythical creature, these products are sure to help zap those spots (without harming any paper bags)!