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Our Mother's Day 2024 Gift Guide!
“Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.”
Mother's Day is almost here! It can be difficult to find unique and thoughtful Mother's Day gifts that express the love you have for your mom, grandmother, or mother-figures - but at Jo Anne's Place, it's simple! From allergy-friendly chocolates to self-care essentials, we have so many options to choose from. Plus, many of our products are locally made, Canadian-made, AND will help the special people in your life feel their best.
Motherhood is how our company began. Our founder, Jo Anne, recognized that her children were experiencing food allergies and other health challenges but had few options available in rural Lindsay, Ontario.
Over the years, Jo Anne’s daughter Margo was by her side, sharing in this journey of expanding her vision of creating a healthy community. Working alongside her mother, Margo learned the in’s and out’s of running a business, following the ever changing trends and experiencing first-hand the benefits of healthy living as she raised her own two daughters. Margo and her husband Paul are the now-owners of Jo Anne’s Place, committed to continuing with Jo Anne’s vision while evolving to meet the needs of the community.
With many staff who are mothers themselves, we can offer experiences and recommendations of products that are loved at Jo Anne’s Place. They say it takes a community to raise a child, we have seen the positive effects within our Jo Anne’s Place community. We celebrate the successes and offer support during the rough times, and we are proud to have multiple generations of families shopping and working at Jo Anne’s Place.
Gifts for Self-Care & Relaxation
For the special women in your life that need some relaxation and me-time, here are some amazing gift options:
- You can't go wrong with a nice candle or two. We have beautiful natural candle options including BeeGlo 100% Beeswax candles, La Luna Soy & Coconut Wax candles, and Ontario-made (Hamilton) Wax & Fire Co Soy candles made with essential oils!
- Is your Mom a skincare aficionado? We have tons of natural, Organic, and clinically-proven cosmetics available from brands like Three Ships (their new Eye Cream is incredible), Andalou naturals, St. Anne's Spa, AnneMarie Borlind, and more! We also have body care like Weleda Ultra-Rich Cream, Miracle Balm made with propolis, and many other options!
- Does anything say self-care more than a relaxing bath? Grab your Mom some bath essentials like Magnesium Bath Flakes, Epsom Salts, Handmade Natural Bath Bombs, Konjac Towels for exfoliating, and more!
- Our new line of Essential Oils, made right here in Peterborough, make amazing gifts and are available in so many wonderful variations and seasonal blends. Check out our essential oil guide to find an oil that best suits your mom! Plus, we have essential oil diffusers in-store.
Gifts for the Mom-to-be or New Mom
If you have a partner who is expecting or are shopping for a new mom, here are some ideas:
- Earth Mama has great products for soothing prenatal and postpartum discomfort "down there", such as their Herbal Sitz Bath and Herbal Perineal Spray - both made with Organic and natural ingredients!
- Attitude also has amazing maternity products. Their Blooming Belly Stretch Mark Prevention Oil and Nursing Balm are vegan, plastic-free, and 100% naturally sourced to help soothe skin irritations and improve elasticity.
- Cheeks Ahoy Nursing Pads are locally handmade in Peterborough and are super soft and comfortable to nursing mamas! They are a great eco-friendly reusable option with 4 layers of protection.
- Stress and fatigue often come with a baby, so gift your loved one a calming cup of tea. Choose from Traditional Medicinal's Cup of Calm, Lake & Oak's Ashwagandha & Chill, and many more!
- Substance Belly Jelly with Shea Butter, Oats, and Lavender helps pregnant Moms keep their bellies hydrated to minimize stretch marks!
Sustainable Gifts
Gifting sustainably is easy at Jo Anne's Place. Whether you yourself follow sustainable living principles or are gift-hunting for someone who does, here are some ideas:
- Sustainable self-care products like Charcoal & Rose Petals bar soaps with zero packaging, Routine natural deodorants which come in reusable glass jars, and Bee Glo Beeswax candles which contain no toxins, don't release soot, and cleanse the air! An Urban Spa pumice stone is also a great option - made of natural volcanic rock, it's eco-friendly and long-lasting.
- For a sustainable homeowner or cook, gift some sustainable kitchen essentials like Ten & Co's tea towel and sponge cloth gift set (fully compostable), Cheeks Ahoy's Organic Cotton Muslin Kitchen Towel (or really any Cheeks Ahoy products), and Colibri reusable snack pouches perfect for food and non-food items. We also love abeego Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps!
- For sustainable food and drinks, we have RISE Kombucha (in many flavours), which comes in a glass reusable bottle and is Canadian. Chocosol Stone Ground Dark Chocolate is ethically farmed (they pay above Fair Trade standards) and sustainably packaged with paper and compostable materials in Toronto with delicious flavours!
- For the sustainable coffee & tea drinking Moms, Level Ground Direct Fair Trade loose leaf tea and a metal tea infuser is a great gift combo. Café William is a Canadian company that makes Organic and Direct Fair Trade coffee packaged in bags made from recycled material!
- For the Moms who love gardening, we have a wide selection of GAIA Organic and Kitchen Table Seed House seeds for flowers, fruits, veggies, and herbs! We also have Sprouting Jars and kits.
- Why not put your Mom's gifts in an Alaffia Fair Trade African Handwoven Grass Basket? Created in in Bolgatanga, Ghana in 12 villages with more than 5,000 women basket weavers, the Alaffia weavers work independently in a creative process. Members of Alaffia basket cooperatives receive fair wages and health care for their families in return for indigenous skills and knowledge. This exchange empowers West African communities and preserves cultural heritage. Each basket is completely unique and the leather tag inside is personally signed by a weaver. Made with wild-harvested Savannah grass.
Sweet Treats for Mom
It's not Mother's Day without some sweet treats. If you're looking for healthier, allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free sweets - we've got you:
- MadeGood's Sweet Cinnamon cookies are DELICIOUS and keep you going back for more. With just the right balance of sugar and cinnamon spice, they're nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, and organic!
- Aēlo Non Alcoholic Mocktails are a sweet gift for mom and come in refreshing Lime Margarita, Aperirivo Spritz, and Peach Bellini flavours. You also can't go wrong with Flow Alkaline Spring Waters - they're ultra hydrating and come in many yummy organic flavours like blueberry peach.
- Smart Sweets & Better Bears are naturally flavoured candies with only 3g of sugar and plant-based with no sugar alcohols added.
- Looking for a cake to celebrate? Susie Sans Gluten's Oreo Chocolate Cake is a delicious option! Or if you're looking for some smaller baked goods, try Konscious Kitchen - they're a huge staff favourite with tons of Paleo, Vegan, and Gluten Free goodies like pistachio bards, carrot cake, muffins, and more!
- Green Sun's Brand New Dark Chocolate covered fruits & nuts are a great healthier (& vegan) option for Mom, available in pineapple, brazil nuts, goldenberries, cranberries, and more.
Other Unique Gift Options
- Did you know that our long-time Lindsay Team Member, Allison, makes adorable greeting cards? Find them for all different occasions (including Mother's Day) at both our Peterborough and Lindsay locations!
- Find tons of other thoughtful and unique gift options in our stores such as:
- Gemstone Bracelets
- Women's Supplements
- Organic Snacks
- Toxin-free nail polish
- Natural shampoo, conditioner, and other haircare products
- Mushroom Hot Chocolate and Coffees, Green powders, and other functional drinks
- Locally made eco-friendly body care like soap bars
- and more!
Be sure to stop by a Jo Anne's Place location to browse our Mother's Day displays and wide selection of gift options! See store hours here.
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This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription medication. The kidneys are an amazing organ system! In Traditional Chinese Medicine they are considered, along with the adrenal glands, a master organ. They perform the critical functions of capturing and recycling nutrients and eliminating liquid acidic waste. When the kidneys fail to perform this detoxification, patients must have their blood filtered through renal dialysis. A Healing Diet - This mirrors recommendations from studies done on kidney function: Drink 7-10 glasses of filtered or spring water. Chloride is a potential carcinogen and potentially damaging to the kidneys as well as the entire body. Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. A urine pH maintained in the range of 6.5-7.4 allows your kidneys to readily eliminate acid waste. Chemical free, organic foods are the safest for kidney health. Make vegetables, fruit, raw seeds, nuts, legumes, beans, and wholegrains the mainstays of your diet. Limit red meat and sweeteners. Studies show a whole food plant based diet and the Mediterranean diet can benefit patients with chronic kidney disease. Fermented foods improve digestion and have a positive effect on pH levels. Apple cider vinegar used as a condiment or mixed in water with meals aids in assimilating nutrients, corrects pH, and dissolves calcium and acid crystal deposits. Replace salt with Herbamare for full flavour but 1/3 the sodium. The combination of whole sea salt with other herbs provides a better sodium/potassium ratio. Cook gently. High heat causes acrylamides and advanced glycation end products, both risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Basic Supplements – to avoid common deficiencies Bio-Strath – 100% digestible whole food tonic, providing B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and cofactors. Used by more staff at Jo Anne’s than any other supplement. Buffered vitamin C during fall and winter months. A powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage and degeneration. Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000. A steroid hormone precursor that reduces inflammation and the risk of infection. Magnesium – has over 300 biochemical functions. Essential fatty acids – anti-inflammatory, help regulate blood pressure and a deficiency is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Probiotics – intermittent use to strengthen the immune system and correct pH Dietary Aids for Kidney Health - Special foods with science backed benefits: In studies ginger, garlic, and onions improved symptoms of kidney disease and increased renal function. Regular consumption could provide significant protection. Watermelon is 92% alkaline water which helps flush the urinary system of stored toxins. It supports the liver to process ammonia thus easing the strain on the kidneys. Finally, it can actually be used to dissolve kidney stones! Some people perform a watermelon fast one day a week, eating only melon wedges when hungry. Urine testing is a convenient way to monitor chemistry. The best time to check is in the morning prior to consuming food or drinks (other than water). If it’s initially difficult to achieve readings between 6.5-7.4 take 1-2 AlkaPure pH capsules upon rising. Once optimum readings are achieved, test periodically. Special Supplements for Kidneys - For an annual or biannual kidney cleanse: Astragalus – numerous studies show this herb has a protective effect on kidneys, liver, and spleen. It is also used in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and immune disorders. It has been shown to slow tumor growth and significantly extend the lives of those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation. Nettle is a wonderful cleansing herb for the kidneys. It also helps with all conditions related to inflammation, including arthritis and allergies. Burdock provides a whole body detox by increasing urine output and drawing out stored toxins. It is a natural option to use instead of prescription diuretics but consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are already on diuretics before making a change. Exercise, fresh air, deep breathing with complete exhalation all benefit the kidneys. For those days that you’re pressed for time perform the 4-minute workout by Dr Zack Bush. This easy routine performed 2-3 times boosts nitric oxide production and kidney function. See it online. Following the diet and basic supplement suggestions should have a beneficial effect on your kidneys and your overall health. One of the biggest changes you hopefully will notice is an increase in energy level. Keep a journal to track your progress. *Revised July 2023
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