16 New Haven / Middlesex NaturalNewHaven.com 17natural awakenings October 2012

days a week. There is also a Supplement Aisle managed by Certified Nutrition Counselor Linda Myers with an array of vitamins, minerals, whole food, oils, and myriad health and beauty items. They recently celebrated the store’s second annual “Night of Beauty,” at which customers were able to speak with product representatives, try health and beauty items and receive take-home samples. The staff’s dedication is touted by customers as one of the store’s pluses. They have an interest in health and wellness and been described as knowledgeable and helpful. Although prior experience in natural foods is not a prerequisite, management’s aim is to hire people who want to learn more about living healthfully. Staff is educated about products in order to help answer questions, explain new or unfamiliar products and share knowledge so customers can make the best choices for themselves. Following its tagline “Shop, learn…be healthy,” Thyme & Season also offers informational events throughout the year. It is currently hosting its 26th series of free health and wellness outreach talks, presented each autumn and spring

(and sometimes summer) by local physicians and other experienced health care professionals. Talks are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Every participant receives a supplement coupon for use in the store. No reservation is required. The current series continues through

November 29 with blood pressure screenings, free Reiki (with Usui Master and Natural Awakenings advertiser Anita Jones of Tranquil Healing Reiki LLC), free chair massage and discussions on such topics as: Mindfulness and Stress Reduction; Liver Function; Natural Healing; Thyroid and Adrenal Fatigue; and, Eating for Energy. The store’s annual “Vegan Day” is scheduled for Saturday November 10 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). With a commitment to the neighborhood and region, staff members get involved with several community events each year, as well. They participate in Hamden’s annual Earth Day Celebration and have a presence at the Farmer’s Market at Quinnipiac University (QU). Showing that eating healthfully can also be delicious, they provide samples so attendees can “try before they buy.” (The market also accepts QU’s “Q-Card”). On November 4th the store will be part of the Greater New Haven Celiac Group’s “Taste of Celiac,” offering gluten-free food samples. As opportunities arise they also visit other local venues like

senior centers, private businesses and schools to share the benefits of eating organic and healthier foods free of artificial ingredients and trans-fats. Items and events are regularly updated in keeping with life’s dynamic flow. What’s new now? Thyme & Season opens at 8 a.m. during the weekdays and offers hot breakfast, organic coffee and tea, muffins fresh from the oven, seasonal items and more. They continually make internal improvements on the building, as well. Their electrical service was recently upgraded and later this fall there will be a new produce case enabling the provision of a larger array of fresh fruits and vegetables. You might not think a small neighborhood grocery store would be where the ingredients you find include those for positive transformation. Yet, businesses are made and run by people and wherever people are there is possibility for discovering new healthy perspectives and inspiration. Mary Ellen Stearman’s personal journey of creating Thyme & Season sheds a light on the all-too-often forgotten human element of business. Perhaps it may also serve as a reminder of the potential ripple effect of healing that can begin within each of us (at any time, in any season…). Thyme & Season Natural Market is located in (north) Hamden, CT at 3040 Whitney Avenue (1 mile south of Sleeping Giant/QU; 1.5 miles north of Hamden Town Hall; ¼ mile north of the end of the Route 40/I-91 connector-exit 10), and reachable at 203.407.8128, ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com and Facebook. Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-7:30pm; Saturday 9am-7:30pm; Sunday 10am-5pm (handicap-accessible with free parking). Many thanks to Office Manager and Bookkeeper Deborah L. Johnson for her assistance with this article.

great customers the store has evolved into a place where one can feed the soul, feed the spirit, feed the mind or simply feed the belly.” Now celebrating its 15th year of offering such holistic nurturance, this small neighborhood full-service grocery store is open seven days a week. It carries the same types of products found in a conventional grocery store though, according to staff, that’s where the analogy ends. There is a freezer case full of gluten-free foods and a fully stocked healthy snack/cookie/juice/water aisle. Fresh meats are organic and gluten-free and cold-cuts and bacon are free of nitrates. These are in addition to the natural and organic fresh produce, breads, dairy, desserts, prepared dishes, pet items, cleaning products and more. Some items are local and others come from around the world, including shea butter from Africa, acai from the rain forest and turmeric from India. The store’s website offers information about health and nutrition, treatments, recipes, supplements, drug interactions, and discount specials. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, staff is currently taking orders for organic and all-natural turkeys, locally made pies and other gluten-free desserts (deadline November 8).

Thyme & Season’s kitchen staff offers four hot soups and two hot entrees daily, plus fresh sandwiches, wraps, juices, fruit cups, salads and other cold side dishes. Fresh sushi is available six

While pondering the history and founding of Hamden’s Thyme & Season Natural Market, owner Mary Ellen Stearman shared “Throughout life we have small inner awakenings. I have followed numerous

ones, the backdrop being meditation (TM teacher), fasting, macrobiotics, yoga (Kripalu Yoga Instructor), home birth, home schooling. Life took a sudden and profound jolt when my then eight year old son died during a minor medical procedure when he did not receive oxygen. Starting a natural food business, and homeschooling my other

son (now a third year law student at Quinnipiac University) gave me stability while nourishing my spirit. The name Thyme & Season represents the union of my soul and spirit, the earthy quality of hands in the garden with the spiritual seasons of life — ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.’ With a wonderful staff and

by Nancy Cohen

businessspotlight

Staff: Jenny Stronk and Kim Osborne

Staff: Kim and Stephanie ZavorskasStaff: Kim and Stephanie Zavorskas, and Lia DeRisi