By Kim McDermott, Wellness Manager

In keeping with our annual tradition, the Wellness staff has picked some of our favorite products from the Wellness aisles to highlight for 2023. This year, we chose to focus on some companies that are making a difference using eco-friendly packaging and sustainable production techniques. By supporting companies such as these, you can also positively impact the environment, one purchase at a time.

Here are 10, in no particular order, selected for 2023.

1. Plastic free Humble Deodorants

Can you create a natural deodorant that really works? We think so! Humble built their reputation creating effective deodorants with four simple, really clean ingredients, essential oils, and no aluminum. But they didn’t stop there; recently the company upped their sustainability game, and switched to plastic free biodegradable cardboard containers. Imagine the environmental impact if all deodorant companies made this switch! Five great scents give you lots of options to choose from; with Palo Santo & Frankincense being a top seller.

2. Smarty Pants Kids Immune Probiotic

Just in time for the cold and flu season, these grape flavored vegan probiotic gummies provide two shelf stable strains of probiotics to naturally support digestion and immune health. The prebiotic Beta glucan supports immune health by naturally feeding the healthy gut bacteria. Parents can feel good knowing these gummies have no artificial flavors or colors and are third party tested, so you can be confident what’s on the label matches what’s in each gummy.

3. Plastic free Ecolips Lip Balms

We love Iowa based Ecolips both for their soothing, hydrating lip balms, their green business philosophy, and their cool plastic-free ‘plant pod’ tubes exclusive to the company. Based in Cedar Rapids, Ecolips was the first organic lip balm company, and is a Registered B corporation. Their plant pod tubes are made from reclaimed farm by-products, and function just like a regular lip balm tube. The plant pod lip balm varieties include coconut, gold, medicinal, and SPF 30.

4. Shelley’s Paperless cloth towels

Wheatsfield employee Shelley has a love for sewing, and is our supplier for these beautiful 4-pack 100% cotton cloth towels. Do your wallet and the environment a favor by swapping out your paper towels for cloth. Paperless towels can be reused hundreds of times, just toss in the washer and dryer for reuse. Don’t limit these to just the kitchen, keep a few in the car or diaper bag for travel. Colorful patterns will liven up your cleaning routine and brighten up your home!

5. Natural Factors RX Omega-3 Fish Oil

Natural Factors is a family owned Canadian company known for selling affordable high quality supplements. Their fish oil is molecularly distilled to remove impurities like mercury and other contaminants. Third party testing company ISURA tests all products and has some of the strictest quality standards in the industry. RX Omega packs a powerful dose of over 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per serving, with no fishy aftertaste! Do your heart, brain, eyes and joints a favor by adding omega-3s to your daily wellness routine.

6. Wheatsfield Pure Collagen Peptides

A top selling product in the coop Wellness aisle, our grass fed, pasture raised collagen is perfect for supporting healthy skin, hair, nails and joints. Unflavored collagen is super versatile, as it can enhance many different foods including hot cereal, smoothies, coffee, soups or raw protein bar recipes. Our Collagen provides 18 grams of high quality protein in one scoop. Use it in the morning or after a workout to supplement your daily protein intake.

7. Charlotte’s Web CBD Balm

Charlotte’s Web CBD was one of the very first companies in the US to produce CBD oil, and has developed a loyal customer base since those first days. Their full-spectrum CBD balm is infused with menthol, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil to penetrate deeply and work quickly. This high quality balm has no parabens, synthetic fragrances, colors, or dyes. Simply put, it works!!

8. The Humble Company Toothpaste tablets

Say goodbye to plastic toothpaste tubes! We love being able to source this sustainable toothpaste tablet for our eco conscious shoppers and members. Dentist-formulated, sugar free, and vegan tablets are easy to use and travel with, and the cardboard container can be recycled. Haven’t tried toothpaste tablets yet? These tablets are very easy to use and mess-free – just bite, chew up fine, then brush.

9. He-Shie Rose Moisturizer

Zero Loop, a local Ames skin care company produces this lovely rose facial moisturizer. Zero Loop’s philosophy is to produce the most pure and natural products for the skin, in harmony with nature. Their moisturizer truly embodies natural elements from nature, and is comprised of just seven ingredients, plus an all natural preservative, and functions as food for the skin. We love the rose scent, and how it absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft and hydrated.

10. Host Defense ‘My Community’ Mushroom supplement

Host Defense is a stand out in the industry for producing the highest quality mushroom supplements and powders. Founded by the legendary Paul Stamets, the mushroom guru, Host Defense uses activated, certified organic mushrooms with a full spectrum of constituents. MyCommunity contains 17 mushroom species that confer comprehensive immune support, making it a great addition to your wellness arsenal during the winter months. Some of the profits from the company go to help save bees, trees, people and the planet.