Health Hotline Magazine | October 2025
Science-backed educational articles from some of the top voices in health and nutrition Exceptional product deals making prices even lower than Natural Grocers’ Always Affordable prices
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CONTENTS
NUTRITION BYTES 14
LETTE F OM THE Iselys
RESERVE YOUR TURKEY TODAY! 20 JOIN US TO CELEBRATE AUTUMNFEST! 15
YOUR BRAIN ON NOOTROPICS 22 SPOOKTACULAR FAMILY FUN! 24 27 RECIPE: THAI-INSPIRED PUMPKIN CURRY
Once upon a time in October, we remembered how to breathe. We lingered longer over a steaming mug of our favorite brew on all those glorious cool, crisp mornings. We substituted poetry for the news. We relaxed into the lovely pause before the holiday hustle. Once upon a time in October, we noticed beauty, and it was everywhere. We saw it in the jewel-tones of pomegranates, the blush of a perfectly ripe pear, and of course, in the falling leaves. We heard it whispering to us from unexpected places—the photo forgotten between the pages of a book, a child’s drawing, a stranger’s smile. Once upon a time in October, we realized there was no time like this time to dance. To sing at the top of our lungs. To laugh until our bellies hurt. We under stood that putting joy at the bottom of the to-do list wasn’t working because it can’t be found in some distant time and place—it must be embraced. Now. Once upon a time in October, we felt so much gratitude. We discovered it on rainy afternoons as we watched water droplets bounce between red-orange leaves. We tasted it in a plateful of homemade pasta. We recognized it in the eyes of those we love. Once upon a time in October, we look forward to seeing you, neighbors. May you find the perfect brew for slow-sipping mornings in our 100% Fair Trade coffee selection. May you feast on the beauty of fall bounty heaped high in our 100% or ganic produce section. And may you find joy in discovering your favorite autumn seasonings in our 100% organic bulk spice set. Most of all, we hope you encounter your own unique version of once upon a time in October. With warmth and gratitude, Another Ode to October...
MILK THISTLE: YOUR EVERYDAY HEALTH HERO 29 40 FOR THE LOVE OF ORGANICS: THE NEXT GENERATION OF GMOS
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The Isely Family
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2 | Health Hotline ®
$ 5 29 ALWAYS AFFORDABLE EACH 32 OZ
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$ 1 49 ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM EACH 6 OZ
Natural Grocers Brand INTRODUCING
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY
30 % OFF
$ 4 99 20 % OFF
2/ $ 3 EPIC ® SNACK STRIPS 0.8 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 2.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.25
26 % OFF
20 % OFF
20 % OFF
20 % OFF
$ 3 49
$ 3 79
$ 2 79
$ 3 85 Amy’s ® Kitchen SOUPS 13.65 14.7 OZ EACH
C2O ® ORIGINAL PURE COCONUT WATER / 33.8 OZ
Bob’s Red Mill ® GLUTEN FREE CORNBREAD MIX 20 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.85
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.39
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.79
$ 4 85 17 % OFF
$ 3 69 26 % OFF
$ 5 39 20 % OFF
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Choice Tea ® ORGANIC TEAS 16 CT Premium teas sourced from growers around the world bring a full-flavored taste experience.
Dave’s Killer Bread ® ORGANIC THIN SLICED BREADS 20.5 OZ Delicious artisan bread loaves packed with nutrition, that deliver a killer taste.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.85
4 | Health Hotline ®
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY 21 % OFF $ 3 15 EACH
$ 12 69 17 % OFF
Lesser Evil ® ORGANIC POPCORN 4.6 6.4 OZ
Equal Exchange ORGANIC REGULAR COFFEE 10 12 OZ Delicious, aromatic coffee blends that empower small farmers around the world.
Crunchy, airy popcorn made with a select few simple ingredients.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 15.29
24 % OFF UP TO
18 % OFF
24 % OFF
28 % OFF
$ 12 89 Four Sigmatic ® ORGANIC COFFEE 10 OZ
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$ 3 79
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 17.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.25
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.65
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ $3.49-$34.89
$ 11 99 24 % OFF
23 % OFF
$ 3 39 22 % OFF
EACH $ 1 29
Go Raw ® ORGANIC SPROUTED PUMPKIN SEEDS 14 OZ A light, yet protein-rich snack with a satisfying crunchy texture.
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 15.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.39
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 1.69
Natural Grocers ® | 5
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY
$ 15 99 20 % OFF
$ 2 89 32 % OFF
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Humble Chips ® ORGANIC POTATO CHIPS 5 OZ
Made with locally sourced, thin-sliced organic potatoes, sprinkled with all-natural seasonings.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 19.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.29
23 % OFF
21 % OFF
24 % OFF
20 % OFF
2/ $ 3
$ 13 49 La Tourangelle ® AVOCADO OIL 16.9 OZ
$ 3 89
$ 5 89
Minor Figures ORGANIC BARISTA OAT MILKS 32 OZ
Kettle & Fire ® SELECT BONE BROTHS 16.9 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 1.95
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 16.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.55
$ 5 89 21 % OFF EACH
$ 11 69 21 % OFF
Delicious sourdough crackers made with the world’s most ancient grain. 2/ $ 6 29 % OFF ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.25 Jovial ® ORGANIC EINKORN CRACKERS 4.5 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 14.89
6 | Health Hotline ®
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY
2/ $ 10 26 % OFF Nixie ® ORGANIC SPARKLING WATERS 8 PK Simple ingredients, refreshing flavor, zero sugar.
$ 22 99 21 % OFF
The Honest Kitchen ® GRAIN FREE CHICKEN RECIPE CLUSTERS FOR DOGS / 5 LB Made with human-grade, minimally processed ingredients to provide your pup with the best nutrition.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 29.39
13 % OFF UP TO
10 % OFF
23 % OFF
20 % OFF
$ 1 99
$ 2 59
$ 4 99
$ 1 79 -$ 1 99 Natural Grocers ® Brand SELECT ORGANIC DICED TOMATOES / 10 14.5 OZ
Miss Jones Baking Co. FROSTINGS 11.29 11.98 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 1.99– $ 2.29
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 2.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 2.89
$ 3 09 11 % OFF
10 % OFF
10 % OFF
$ 4 65 20 % OFF Teeccino ® SELECT HERBAL TEAS 10 CT
$ 2 49
$ 3 85
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 2.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.29
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.85
Natural Grocers ® | 7
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY
$ 3 89 20 % OFF
19 % OFF
$ 5 89 EACH
Zevia ® ZERO SUGAR SODAS 6 PK Delivering zero-sugar, zero-calorie beverages that support a better-for-you lifestyle.
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.29
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 4.89
2/ $ 8 19 % OFF Pacific Foods™ ORGANIC SOUPS 16.1 16.5 OZ
$ 8 99 10 % OFF
20 % OFF
$ 3 95 10 % OFF
$ 4 19 Organic India ® ORGANIC TULSI TEAS 18 CT
Natural Grocers ® Brand ORGANIC TORTILLA CHIPS 16 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.39
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 9.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.25
11 % OFF
$ 3 19 11 % OFF
$ 5 59 21 % OFF
20 % OFF
EACH $ 1 35
$ 16 19 EACH
Natural Grocers Brand ORGANIC GLUTEN FREE QUINOA & RICE PASTAS 12 OZ
Nugo ® SELECT DARK CHOCOLATE NUTRITION BARS 1.76 OZ
Nugo ® SELECT DARK CHOCOLATE NUTRITION BARS 12 PK
Patagonia Provisions™ MUSSELS 4.2 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.59
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 1.69
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 18.25
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.15
8 | Health Hotline ®
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY 25 % OFF
27 % OFF
Pip’s ® CHEESE BALLS 4.5 OZ 2/ $ 7
2/ $ 6
Quinn ® GLUTEN FREE PRETZEL STICKS OR TWISTS / 5.6 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 4.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.69
18 % OFF
$ 9 99 41 % OFF Peace Co ee ORGANIC COFFEE 12 OZ
$ 6 19 27 % OFF Rao’s ® PASTA SAUCES 24 OZ
$ 4 65 24 % OFF
$ 2 69
Serenity Kids ® MEAT & VEGGIE BABY FOOD POUCHES / 3.5 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 8.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.29
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 17.15
31 % OFF UP TO
Natural Grocers ® | 9
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IN THE fridge OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
GROCERY
15 % OFF
19 % OFF
12 % OFF
$ 7 99 Poppi ® PREBIOTIC SODAS 4 PK
$ 6 25
$ 6 29
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 9.49
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.15
14 % OFF
19 % OFF
23 % OFF
$ 3 29
$ 1 49 EACH
$ 2 99 EACH
Que Pasa ® ORGANIC TORTILLA CHIPS 10 11 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.49
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26 % OFF
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$ 6 75
$ 2 69 EACH
99 ¢
EACH
Simple Mills ® ALMOND FLOUR BAKING MIXES 9 12.9 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.45
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 1.35
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 8.45
10 | Health Hotline ®
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IN THE fridge OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
IN THE FREEZER
24 % OFF
19 % OFF
21 % OFF
23 % OFF
$ 2 55 Hail Merry SNACK CUPS 1.5 OZ EACH
$ 2 85 EACH
$ 4 65 EACH
$ 5 99 EACH
Laird Superfood ® SUPERFOOD CREAMERS 25.4 OZ
Canyon Bakehouse ® SELECT GLUTEN FREE BREADS 15 18 OZ
Health-Ade Kombucha ® ORGANIC KOMBUCHAS 16 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 3.39
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.65
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.75
18 % OFF
23 % OFF
23 % OFF
SALE!
$ 3 95
$ 9 29
$ 2 55 EACH
$ 3 25 EACH
PER LB
Perfect Food Bars ® PROTEIN BARS 1.94 2.5 OZ
Kite Hill ® GREEK STYLE PLAIN YOGURT 16 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 9.99 PER LB Mary’s ORGANIC BONELESS/ SKINLESS BREAST / 1 LB
Nature’s Path ® ORGANIC FROZEN WAFFLES 7.4 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.35
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.99
21 % OFF
24 % OFF
24 % OFF
22 % OFF
$ 3 65
$ 2 99
$ 4 55 Silk ® SOY MILKS 64 OZ
$ 5 25 EACH
Petit Pot™ ORGANIC FRENCH DESSERTS 8 OZ
Udi’s ® SELECT GLUTEN FREE SANDWICH BREADS / 12 OZ
Pop & Bottle SELECT ORGANIC ALMOND MILK LATTES / 11 OZ
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.85
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.69
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.85
® | 11
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IN THE FREEZER OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
$ 9 55 28 % OFF EACH
$ 2 99 25 % OFF EACH
$ 8 45 23 % OFF Daily Harvest HARVEST BOWLS 9 11.6 OZ EACH
Against the Grain Gourmet ® GRAIN FREE PIZZAS 22.4 24 OZ Craveable gluten-free pizzas with irresistible crust!
Boomerang’s™ SAVORY HAND PIES 6 OZ Inspired by classic Australian savory pies, conveniently microwavable, and completely craveable.
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 13.29
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.99
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 10.99
31 % OFF
23 % OFF
28 % OFF
23 % OFF
$ 3 99 Strong Roots ® FROZEN ENTREES 10 OZ EACH
$ 7 25
$ 6 15
$ 3 99 EACH
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 9.45
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.19
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 8.55
10 % OFF
28 % OFF
$ 4 99 26 % OFF EACH
$ 2 25 EACH
$ 6 69 EACH
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.79
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.15
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.49
12 | Health Hotline ®
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OFFERS VALID SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.99 $ 5 99 SALE! 10 OZ EACH
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.99 $ 4 99 SALE! 10 OZ EACH
Natural Grocers ® Brand BUL O GANIC OASTED CASHEWS (SALTED AND UNSALTED VA IETIES) Each handful of our organic roasted cashews come packed with flavor, plus good4u SM fats, minerals, and free radical scavengers.
Natural Grocers Brand BUL O GANIC PISTACHIOS ( OASTED SALTED AND UNSALTED VA IETIES) Our organic pistachios are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats and iron. They make a great healthy snack for your adventures or are a great addition to salads and baked goods.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.39 $ 2 89 SALE! 1 LB
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.99 $ 3 99 SALE! 1 LB
Natural Grocers Brand BUL O GANIC GOLDEN FLAX SEEDS
Natural Grocers Brand BUL O GANIC OASTED SALTED SUNFLOWE SEEDS Eat them straight out of the bag for a satisfying, salty snack that’s packed with healthy fats and valuable free radical scavengers.
Flex your culinary muscle while showing your heart muscle some TLC with our unbeatable price of organic golden flax seeds! They’re versatile and so good4u SM .
Natural Grocers ® | 13
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NUTRITION
By Aryn Doll and Katherine MacNair
Creatine Supplementation Improves Blood Vessel Function, Supporting Cardio Health Creatine is best known as a supplement for athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts seeking muscle gains, improved performance, and faster recovery; however, growing research shows its benefits extend far beyond sports nutrition. Most recently, one study highlights its role in supporting cardiovascular health as we age. In this well-designed 2024 clinical trial published in Nutrients , sedentary adults aged 50 to 64 were randomly assigned to supplement with either creatine or placebo for four weeks. Each intervention followed a two-phase supplementation plan: a loading phase, where 5 grams of creatine monohydrate or placebo powder were dissolved in water and taken four times daily for five days, followed by a maintenance phase of 5 grams once daily for 23 days. The loading phase was intended to quickly raise creatine levels in the body, while the maintenance phase helped sustain them. After completing one intervention, participants switched to the other group following a washout period. Before and after each intervention, researchers assessed both small and large blood vessel function in the arm and collected blood samples to evaluate key markers of cardiovascular health. The results showed that, compared to placebo, creatine significantly improved how well both large and small blood vessels in the arm could widen (dilate) after blood flow was temporarily restricted and then restored. In other words, creatine enhanced the function and responsiveness of participants’ blood vessels, likely due to its role in helping endothelial cells (the cells lining blood vessels) rapidly
generate the energy needed for their proper function. In addition, blood tests revealed that creatine supplementation significantly lowered fasting blood sugar levels, shifting them from a prediabetic to a normal range, and reduced triglyceride levels, while no change was observed in these measures when taking the placebo. Together, these findings suggest that creatine supplementation may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as we age by improving blood vessel function, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels.
What Blue Zones Can Teach Us About Aging Well: The Power of Polyphenols
As more people around the world are living well into their 80s and beyond, scientists are turning their attention to the biology of aging. Of particular concern is the growing gap between lifespan and healthspan—how long we’re living versus how well we’re living. Unfortunately for many older adults, their golden years often come with chronic illness and frailty, rather than vitality and wellbeing. For answers, researchers are looking to the Blue Zones, geographical regions known for exceptional longevity and low rates of chronic disease. While a mix of genetic, cultural, and lifestyle factors likely contribute to the high numbers of spry nonagenarians and centenarians in these areas, diet is believed to play a major role. One common factor across all five of the official Blue Zones—Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California—is that residents consume a diet rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are a diverse family of plant nutrients that are known for their
antioxidant properties. Polyphenol-rich foods include green tea, coffee, red wine, olive oil, turmeric, and colorful fruits and vegetables like purple sweet potatoes, apples, and berries. A 2025 review of polyphenol-rich diets in the Blue Zones highlights numerous ways polyphenols may help delay or mitigate damage associated with key hallmarks of aging, thereby supporting longer and healthier lives. Potential mechanisms include protecting DNA from degradation and promoting its repair, supporting healthy mitochondrial function, and activating autophagy—the cell’s built-in recycling program that helps it clear out damaged or worn-out parts. Polyphenols also target the process known as inflammaging —the tendency for systemic inflammation to increase with age—by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting a range of pro-inflammatory mediators. Last, many polyphenols have a prebiotic-like effect in the gut and can be fermented and metabolized by beneficial bacteria, supporting a robust microbiome. As science continues to explore the secrets of long-lived cultures, polyphenol-rich foods may offer a simple yet powerful tool to help us not just add years to our life, but life to our years.
For references, please visit: naturalgrocers.com/issue-99
14 | Health Hotline ®
Super Savings OCTOBER 9-11 *
Limited Time Pumpkin Spice Flavor
28 % OFF
20 % OFF $ 31 99 EACH
44 % OFF
Nixie ® ORGANIC SPARKLING WATERS / 8 PK ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 6.79 $ 3 79 EACH
$ 2 45 EACH
Culina SELECT COCONUT MILK YOGURTS / 5 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.45
Ancient Nutrition BONE BROTH PROTEIN 15.73-17.4 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 39.99
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
36 % OFF
36 % OFF
27 % OFF
2/ $ 6
$ 2 69 EACH
2/ $ 7
Jovial ® ORGANIC EINKORN CRACKERS / 4.5 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.25
Pip’s ® CHEESE BALLS 4.5 OZ
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.85
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.69
26 % OFF
34 % OFF
34 % OFF
Que Pasa ® ORGANIC TORTILLA CHIPS 10-11 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 4.29 $ 2 79
The Good Crisp Company™ CRINKLE-CUT POTATO CHIPS / 5.5 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.79 $ 2 49 NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
ChocXO ® ORGANIC DARK CHOCOLATE CUPS / 3.45 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.79 $ 4 99 NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
*O ers available October 9–11. 2025. O ers redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at participating stores. Any stated discounts are on regular prices and cannot be combined with other o ers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
Natural Grocers ® | 15
Super Savings OCTOBER 9-11 *
Lesser Evil ® ORGANIC POPCORN 4.6-6.4 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 3.99 2/ $ 5 37 % OFF
25 % OFF
33 % OFF
Teeccino ® SELECT HERBAL TEAS 10 CT ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.85 $ 4 39 24 % OFF
Izze ® CANNED SPARKLING JUICES 6 PK ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.49 2/ $ 10 NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO Natural Grocers ® Brand ORGANIC COFFEE 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 10.99 $ 7 99 27 % OFF
$ 2 99 EACH
Nature’s Path ® ORGANIC FROZEN WAFFLES 7.4 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.99
35 % OFF
30 % OFF
Charcutnuvo SELECT PORK SAUSAGES 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.15 $ 5 75 19 % OFF Zevia ® ZERO-SUGAR SODAS 6 PK ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.29 $ 5 49 24 % OFF
Siete GRAIN-FREE TORTILLA CHIPS 5 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.39 2/ $ 7 NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
Aura Cacia ® SELECT BUBBLE & FIZZY BATH PRODUCTS ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 3.29 $ 11.99 25 % OFF Manitoba Harvest ® ORGANIC HEMP HEARTS 12 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 14.89 $ 10 29
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
22 % OFF
A affia ® SELECT BODY WASHES 32 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 15.75 $ 11 79 25 % OFF
Wishgarden Herbs KICK-ASS™ IMMUNE 2 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 21.79 $ 16 99
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
NON Project V E R I F I ED nongmoproject.org GMO
*O ers available October 9–11. 2025. O ers redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at participating stores. Any stated discounts are on regular prices and cannot be combined with other o ers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
16 | Health Hotline ®
OCTOBER 9-11
35 % OFF
Four Sigmatic ® ORGANIC COFFEE 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 17.99 $ 11 49 36 % OFF
Meliora ® LAUNDRY POWDERS 35 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 19.99 $ 14 99 25 % OFF Boiron ® OSCILLOCOCCINUM 12 CT ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 22.59 $ 17 49 22 % OFF
25 % OFF
$ 6 79 EACH
Organic India ® ORGANIC TULSI TEAS 18 CT ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 5.25 $ 3 39
Natural Grocers ® Brand BULK ORGANIC ROASTED SALTED PISTACHIOS / 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.99 $ 5 49 21 % OFF Desert Essence ® SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS / 8 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 8.95
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Natural Grocers ® Brand BULK ORGANIC PISTACHIOS / 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 6.99 $ 5 49 21 % OFF
Natural Grocers ® Brand BULK ORGANIC CRUNCHY SWEET & SPICY MIX / 10 OZ ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 7.49 $ 6 99 SALE!
{N}POWER ® DIGITAL OFFER OCTOBER 9–11 CLIP COUPON IN MOBILE APP OR EMAIL STARTING ON 10/9 STARTING ON 10/9 & GET A CAN OF NATURAL GROCERS ® BRAND ORGANIC BEANS ORGANIC BEANS with purchase FREE **
A GOOD4U SM RECIPE! PLUS!
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Enter in store for a chance to win *** $500 IN GROCERIES! $ 500 SWEEPSTAKES OCTOBER 9–11
One per customer. While supplies last.
*O ers available October 9–11. 2025. O ers redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at participating stores. Any stated discounts are on regular prices and cannot be combined with other o ers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law. **Limit 1 per {N}power account. In-store only. To load the free can of beans o er to your account, you must clip it from the Natural Grocers mobile app, {N}power email or your online dashboard starting on 10/9/2025. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rainchecks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law. {N}power o ers available only to registered members and are subject to program terms and conditions available at www.naturalgrocers.com/terms. ***NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents, 18 years or older, of the following states: AZ, AR, CO, ID, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY. Void where prohibited by law. Natural Grocers employees, including members of their households, are not eligible. Sweepstakes starts on 10/9/2025 and ends on 10/11/2025. For O cial Rules and complete details, visit: www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. Natural Grocers ® | 17
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W NNER COMPANY W DE
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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of Colorado, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Must be an {N}power member to enter. Natural Grocers employees, including members of their household, are not eligible. Sweepstakes starts on October 1, 2025 and ends on October 31, 2025. For Official Rules, complete details and alternate mode of entry, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.
By Charity Isely
Iowa’s Nitrate Crisis Challenges EPA Limits and Industrial Agriculture
Iowa's state motto reads, "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Yet in 2025, Iowans' liberty to safely swim in the river, or right to access clean drinking water is being eroded by a nitrate pollution crisis. Nitrate levels are near record highs, and public utilities can't keep up, prompting Central Iowa Water Works' first-ever lawn watering ban this past June. As treatment plants work to keep nitrate levels within the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 10 mg/L safety limit, a June 2025 study published in PLOS Water suggests that standard may not be safe enough, especially for pregnant women and their developing babies. Jason Semprini, assistant professor of public health at Des Moines University and the study's author, reviewed more than 350,000 Iowa birth records, matching them to nitrate levels in public drinking water within 30 days of conception. His analysis found that nitrate exposure as low as 0.1 mg/L increased the probability of pre-term birth, while 5 mg/L, which is half the EPA standard, was linked to greater risk of low birth weight. Interestingly, exposures above 10 mg/L showed no added risk, highlighting flaws in the standard, which was set in 1992 and never updated. A growing body of evidence, including Semprini's findings, also links long-term low-level nitrate exposure (below EPA standards) to serious health issues, including cancer and thyroid disease. Although nitrate pollution can't be pinned to a single source, agricultural runoff from synthetic fertilizers and manure from concentrated animal feeding operations are major culprits. And Iowa, the national leader in conventional corn production, and concentrated feeding operations for pork, and egg production, has some of the highest groundwater nitrate levels in the world. The state's concentrated animal feeding operations have also
significantly increased in size over the past decades. According to the environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch, almost 90 percent of small to medium Iowa hog farms have disappeared since 1982, yet it produces 23.5 million hogs each year, one-third of the U.S. total. These increasingly larger farms generate 109 billion pounds of manure annually—more than 25 times the waste from the state's residents. Much of it is spread on cropland as fertilizer, often at rates beyond what the soil can absorb. Iowa has also been the leader in U.S. conventional corn production for decades. Approximately 68 percent of the state's land area is dedicated to crops, and more than 94 percent of that cropland grows just two things: corn and soybeans. Chris Jones, author of The Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality , believes Iowa farmers are over-applying nitrogen, at significant rates, to grow that corn. Using Iowa Department of Agriculture data, he calculates that in 2024 they used as much as 302 pounds of nitrogen per acre from synthetic fertilizer and manure, when the expert recommendation was 159 pounds per acre. Research shows that on-farm conservation practices, like utilizing cover crops, can significantly reduce nitrate pollution when utilized consistently over time, yet, in the six states, including Iowa, contributing the most nitrogen to the Mississippi River Basin, these types of methods are used on less than three percent of cropland. Organic farming, by contrast, already incorporates conservation techniques, like cover cropping, into its standard practices and does not allow the use of any synthetic fertilizers. A United States Department of Agriculture analysis indicates that these practices pay off in reducing nutrient pollution—it found that conventional farms lost twice as much nitrate to water runoff compared to organic farms, while organic pastureland contributed the least. For Jason Semprini, the message is clear. He says that "until we act upstream" to address nitrate pollution, Iowans will keep paying an excessive toll—both human and financial. "Whether our children continue paying will be up to us." For references, please visit naturalgrocers.com/issue-99
“No river is safe now. No beach is safe." –Iowa resident Joe Henry
"No level of nitrate in drinking water appears safe during pregnancy." –Jason Semprini
Natural Grocers ® | 19
WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR TURKEY! FREE REUSABLE BAG
RESERVE
YOUR TURKEY TODAY!
$5 DEPOSIT REQUIRED
naturalgrocers.com/turkeys ORDER IN STORE OR ONLINE:
AVAILABLE AT ALL STORES
FRESH HARVESTED IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER—DEEP CHILLED FREE RANGE PLENTY OF ROOM TO ROAM OUTSIDE VEGETARIAN FED NON-GMO FEED NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFIED NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER NO ADDITIVES EVER SUCH AS: MSG, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, BUTYLATED HYDROXANISOLE AND BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE NO PRESERVATIVES GLUTEN FREE TURKEY STANDARDS MATTER
THE OTHER GUYS VS.
Mary’s Free Range Turkeys $ 4 99 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
Mary’s Organic Turkeys $ 5 49 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
Mary’s Heritage Turk eys $ 8 49 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
Mary’s Organic Bone-In Turkey Breasts $ 10 69 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
HERE
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AVAILABLE AT SELECT STORES ONLY
Mary’s Brined Turkeys $ 5 49 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
Mary’s Organic Heirloom Turkeys $ 7 99 PER LB. DEEP CHILLED
Mary’s Organic Pre-Cooked Oven Roasted Turkey $ 7 99 PER LB.
Skip the mess and save time!
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Scan QR code to see the turkeys avai able in your area or visit naturalgrocers.com/turkeys
MANAGER'S HOLIDAY SPECIAL
VEGETARIAN &VEGAN HOLIDAY OPTIONS
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ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM $ 22.39 $ 20 39 Celebration Roast With Stuffing & Gravy EACH 2 LB. Sale!
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 19.15 $ 15 95 Stuffed Vegan Roast EACH 26 OZ.
ALWAYS AFFORDABLE $ 10.85 $ 9 15 Turk’y Style Roast EACH 16 OZ.
Sale!
Sale!
All items are available while supplies last; no rain checks. O ers valid September 24 through November 30, 2025. Void where prohibited by law. We reserve the right to correct errors. *$5 o reward is only available to registered {N}power members and is valid only from November 20 – November 26, 2025 at participating Natural Grocers stores. To earn the $5 o reward, you must reserve a turkey in-store with your phone number or online with your {N}power email address at naturalgrocers.com/turkeys by November 2, 2025. Reward is redeemable only for in-store purchases and will be applied to the product’s regular, non-discounted price. Reward may not be redeemed for gi t cards, store credit or cash and may not be combined with other o ers. Be sure to present you phone number at checkout to redeem your reward. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
20 | Health Hotline ®
Terms and conditions apply. See page 2 for details.
The savory scent curls itself around the kitchen, drawing the family together. kitchen, drawing the family together.
The room is filled with hungry anticipation of that moment when the oven door opens and you pull your perfectly golden turkey out. It’s Thanksgiving and food is king—but, despite that aromatic heap of stuffing and the fluffiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever seen—you know this bird is the centerpiece, and you’re so g ad you chose Mary’s! We know that’s how you’ll feel when the big day rolls around when you get your Thanksgiving turkey from us. We’re sure because we know the Pitman family at Mary's turkeys, who are in their third generation of raising turkeys, and over the years we’ve built a re ationship of certainty. We choose Mary’s turkeys because we know they’re the best quality we can offer families in our communities. These days, there are plenty of organic and free range turkeys avai able; but many of them are raised on arge corporate farms and, unfortunately, when the emphasis is on mass production, it can be at the expense of other important qualities. Mary’s cares about quality more than quantity and they prioritize animal welfare over everything else. All their turkeys are raised on their family farm, where the birds have loads of fresh air, space to roam, and can turkey around all day. Mary’s is also part of a small group of farmers helping to preserve descendants of the original American turkey. Their Heritage birds are able to wander, fly and breed naturally, just like their ancestors, resulting in an uncommonly delicious turkey, full of succulent, juicy dark meat.
Whether you’re looking for free-range, organic, or Heritage, all of the Mary’s turkeys we sell are non GMO. Additionally, they’re fed vegetarian feed, without animal by-products, and they’re never given antibiotics, arsenic-based growth promoters or pumped full of other sly additives after harvest. They are provided with plenty of space, both inside and out, to range, get some sun, dust bathe, hunt for bugs, and get their turkey on. When Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, Mary’s turkeys are harvested and deep chilled to 28°F at Mary’s in-house facility so that they arrive to you fresh, never frozen * (only the outer part of the turkey will be hard). Who else can say that? The advantage of deep-chilling is that it preserves fresh turkeys long enough to make it safely to your shopping cart, but still easily thawed and ready to cook. From Mary’s family to our family to yours, a Mary’s turkey is the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast that will make you feel good when you look at all the faces gathered around your table. It’s the stuff masterpieces are made of, the quality is worth every single penny and, when you buy it from us, you’re getting it at our always affordable prices. We’ve been making the highest quality masterpieces as easy on the budget as possible since 1955. P.S. When you choose to buy your Thanksgiving turkey from Natural Grocers you can rest assured you are feeding your family, friends and yourself the best in town!
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*Excludes pre-cooked variety.
{N}POWER ® SPECIAL OFFER
RESERVE BY NOVEMBER 2 ND TO RECEIVE A $5 REWARD * USE YOUR {N}POWER PHONE NUMBER TO EARN YOUR REWARD. $5 REWARD VALID 11/20–11/26/2025 *$5 o reward is only available to registered {N}power members and is valid only from November 20 – November 26, 2025 at participating Natural Grocers stores. To earn the $5 o reward, you must reserve a turkey in-store with your phone number or online with your {N}power email address at naturalgrocers.com/turkeys by November 2, 2025. Reward is redeemable only for in-store purchases and will be applied to the product’s regular, non-discounted price. Reward may not be redeemed for gi t cards, store credit or cash and may not be combined with other o ers. Be sure to present you phone number at checkout to redeem your reward. We reserve the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
® | 21
Natural Grocers
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Your Brain Nootropics on Help your brain work smarter, not harder By Lindsay Wilson
The human brain is a biological wonder. It’s what makes us distinctly human and allows us to, well, do every single thing that we do. But as much of a marvel as our brains are, sometimes they need a boost. Enter nootropics (noh-uh-trop-icks), substances that support healthy brain function. Do you enjoy a daily cup of coffee, or green or b ack tea? Then you’re already experiencing the benefits of a nootropic substance (caffeine!). Nootropics run the gamut from supporting attention and focus, and memory and learning, to improving cognitive efficiency and brain p asticity. One of the exciting things about nootropics is that each one is unique and has its own mechanisms of action. They can work by providing essential nutrients to the brain; supporting the normal production of neurotransmitters; improving energy production in the brain; neutralizing free radicals and reducing inf ammation; stimu ating the formation of neurons and new synapses; improving communication between neurons; increasing resiliency to stress; and supporting neurop asticity, or the brain’s ability to change.
22 | Health Hotline ®
While not an exhaustive list, the following nootropics are well-researched and are proven to have cognitive benefits.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) Alpha GPC
Bacopa
This herb has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition to improve memory and intellect and was recommended in ancient Ayurvedic texts for a range of mental conditions, including anxiety, poor cognition, and lack of concentration. It continues to prove itself as a valuable nootropic for brains of all ages. One recent review found that bacopa improved behavior, memory, and attention and focus in children and adolescents, while a separate study of children diagnosed with ADHD saw a significant improvement in self-control, restlessness, learning problems, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems in the majority of children supplementing with bacopa over a period of six months. Bacopa has also been investigated for its e ects in older adults, with positive results. Supplementation with 300 mg bacopa daily resulted in significant improvement in memory recall, information retention, verbal learning, and depression and anxiety scores. Curious to see if bacopa could improve cognition in young adults with peak cognitive function, researchers recruited 60 medical school students to take 150 mg of a standardized extract of bacopa twice daily for 45 days. At the end of the study, the participants saw a significant improvement in attention and focus, working memory, and recall of newly learned information. Modern research has investigated bacopa’s mechanisms of action and has found that compounds in the herb enhance communication between nerves and help regenerate synapses and repair damaged neurons, improve neuronal synthesis, and increase brain serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of wellbeing and happiness.
L-Alpha glycerophosphocholine (alpha GPC) is a stable form of the nutrient choline, usually grouped with the family of B vitamins. Choline is essential for the healthy functioning and structural integrity of cell membranes, especially for certain brain cells, and is the precursor to acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning. Severe depletion of acetylcholine is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Alpha GPC is a bioavailable form of choline that has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it supports cognitive function. It also acts as a building block for the phospholipids that are important for maintaining the health and function of brain cells. Research has shown that choline supports mental sharpness in young people as well as in older adults, including recall and attention, visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and energy production in the brain. Much of the research on alpha GPC has focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s, and the results are promising. In fact, alpha GPC’s e ect on Alzheimer’s is so significant that in Europe it is used as a prescription drug to treat the disease. One placebo-controlled trial found that 400 mg of alpha GPC three times a day for six months consistently improved scores for cognition and behavior in older adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, with results similar to three commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s drugs. Another review of 13 published clinical trials evaluating the use of alpha GPC in several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia resulting from stroke, found that alpha GPC consistently and significantly improved patient conditions, including memory and attention, as well as or better than conventional drugs. TRY For cognitive impairment related to dementia, studies have successfully used 1,200 mg daily, in divided doses. For general cognitive support, try 600 mg daily.
PS is classified as a phospholipid, a class of fats that are critical components of all cell membranes, maintaining strength, structure, and fluidity, and influencing the overall health of the cell. You are only as healthy as your cell membranes, so it is critical that they are in good health. PS is concentrated in the brain where it maintains the structural integrity and plasticity of neurons and enhances communication between neurons. Supplementation with PS has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and support cognitive function, including short- and long-term memory, learning and recall, focus and concentration, problem solving, and language skills. Research has also found that PS supplementation can reduce stress and improve mood. Children struggling with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can benefit from PS as well. One double-blind placebo controlled study found that 200 mg of PS daily significantly reduced ADHD symptoms after only two months in children aged 4-14. There were specific improvements in classroom behavior, social skills, and auditory memory, or the ability to process and recall orally presented information. TRY
Start with 200-300 mg a day for a month or two to fully saturate cell membranes, then reduce dose to 100-200 mg daily for maintenance. It also appears that PS works most e ectively when there are optimal levels of the omega-3 fat docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the brain. This can be obtained from a quality fish oil supplement.
TRY A standardized extract, taken in divided doses; 100-200 mg daily for children and 200-400 mg daily for adults.
Whether you’re looking to ward off age-related cognitive decline, improve focus and productivity in your work or school life, or just provide your brain with extra support to maintain mental clarity, nootropics can provide a simple solution. In general, the nootropics discussed here will show results with long term use, so take them consistently for at least a few months to fully optimize brain function. You may also “stack” nootropics, that is, take several together, to enjoy multiple benefits. It’s also important to remember that they work best with a foundation built on a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep. Are you ready to take your brain to the next level?
Natural Grocers ® | 23
For references, please visit naturalgrocers.com/issue-99
WIN UP TO A $50 GIFT CARD!
KIDS TREASURE HUNT & TREATS!
The first 200 through the door will receive a FREE limited-edition bag! 20 random bags will include a gift card up to $50* One bag per person. While supplies ast. No rainchecks.
Join us for a good4u TM Kids Treasure Hunt and Crafts!
No purchase or payment necessary. Event will be held at participating stores on 10/25/2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. local time; bags will be given out first come, first served. Limit one bag per customer. While supplies last, no rainchecks. Void where prohibited by law. Crew and members of their household are not eligible. See store for details and additional terms.
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