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newlenoxpatriot.com Life & Arts
the New Lenox Patriot | September 28, 2017 | 23
New Lenox businesses take part in Mokena’s annual health fair
Amanda Del Buono
Freelance Reporter
Tammy Spatola and Kris
Geigner, co-owners of
Health Nutz, are dedicated
to helping others fulfill their
personal health-and-wellness
goals. After purchasing
Health Nutz health food
store in Mokena just a few
years ago, the two are committed
to embracing the local
community.
As part of their efforts to
bring health-and-wellness
products to the community,
Spatola and Geigner began
the store’s health fair last
year, which they hope to
make an annual community
event, Geigner said.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, they
hosted the second annual
health fair. A large white tent
filled the parking lot outside
of the store, which is located
at 19844 LaGrange Road.
Under the tent, more than
50 vendors were on location
displaying their products
and services with community
members from Mokena
and nearby communities.
“Our goal is to have available
all different [types of]
health products because people
are at different places in
their health journey. … We
want to make sure people
know that there are people
and products in our community
to help them reach
their goals,” Geigner said.
“We hope that every year
[the heath fair] continues to
grow.”
Expanding on the event
this year, five speakers were
present, offering educational
lectures about several healthrelated
topics. The speakers
included Dr. Ashly Ochsner,
who presented “The Real
Silent Killer – Stress”; Bev
Clark, who spoke about inflammation;
Gina Moss,
a registered dietitian and
holistic nutrition expert,
discussed naturally achieving
digestive health; Dan
Chapman, founder and chief
executive officer of Redd
Remedies, talked about pain
relief; and Natural Nurse
Robyn and Dr. Paul Stoetzel
offered a lecture about keeping
children healthy during
the school year.
“This year is the first year
we’re having the lectures,”
Geigner said. “That was an
amazing addition.”
Those in attendance appreciated
the variety of products
and services that were
available.
“It’s so nice because it’s
accessible and it’s free,”
said Corrie Ninkovic, a Justice
resident who attended
the health fair on Saturday.
“It’s nice to explore different
things, test products and see
the vendors in person.”
Shopping through the natural
skin care products available
from New Lenox-based
Bee&You, Ninkovic also
said she enjoyed the unique
vendors that were present on
Saturday.
Bee&You, which recently
made its national debut and
introduced all new packaging,
offered a display of its
bees at the health fair, offering
the opportunity for
attendees to see and learn
about the insects, according
to Mike Nastepniak, president
of the company.
Families also embraced
the opportunity to learn more
about and find new products
that support their health and
wellness. Philip Bohren and
his wife Jennifer Bohren
brought along their four children
— Beckett, 5; Owen, 8;
Olivia, 10; and Emma, 12 —
to the health fair.
“We just want to learn
more about what’s going
on in the health industry.
We’re trying to be more organic
and not medicinal, and
there’s a lot going on here,”
Philip said. “It’s very educational
and there’s a lot of different
products.”
For the vendors, the health
fair offered the opportunity
to meet face-to-face with
consumers, share products
and help others.
Among them, Dr. Tony
D’Angelo, of Tranquil Cloud
Temple in New Lenox,
shared the benefits of Medical
Qigong, a form of traditional
Chinese medicine — a
practice which he learned
while studying in China —
with those who attended.
“I want to deliver the message,
getting out to people
what Medical Qigong can do
to help their mental, spiritual
and physical well-being,”
D’Angelo said. “We do a lot
of international work … and
work with people all over the
country. … Now, I’m trying
to build in my backyard.”
Tina Hogan, of Frankfort’s
Beads Galore And
More, said that the event
helps the company to get
the word out, especially in a
time when many bead stores
are not doing well.
“It’s really been a big help
to get the word out there and
stay up with what people are
looking for,” Hogan said.
At the store’s booth, event
attendees were invited to
make their own beaded
bracelets using lava rocks
that act as diffusers for essential
oils.
Geigner and Spatola plan
to continue the health fair,
with hopes to continue to
grow the event each year.
Next year, they hope to add
more children’s activities
and educational opportunities,
Geigner said.
Philip Bohren (middle) and his sons Owen, 8, and Beckett,
5, make essential oil diffusing bracelets during the Health
Nutz Health Fair on Sept. 9, in Mokena. Photos by Amanda
Del Buono/22nd century media
Health Fair attendees check out products from more than
50 vendors from across the area.
VENDORS WANTED
Vendors are needed to offer seniors and baby
boomers everything they need to know about
health and wellness, fitness, financial planning,
shopping and entertainment, assisted living, real
estate, travel and more for the 3rd annual Active
Aging—An Expo for Ages 50+.
DATE:
Saturday, October 21
TIME:
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
PLACE:
Tinley Park
Convention Center
Space is limited — DEADLINE: Oct. 4
For More Information
Call: 708.326.9170 ext. 16
Email: h.warthen@22ndcenturymedia.com