Front Yard Foods owner, Laura Fernandez, has had this idea in her head for a long time…how to start a business that connects people back to the food; creating an atmosphere of “least waste;” and then teaching people how to plant the seeds in the ground. This led to learning how to care for the plants, to harvesting the plants, and how to preserve the food that was grown.

Front Yard Foods was born out of this idea. “We’re getting back to traditional or old school basics and modernizing these basics to today’s lifestyle,” says Fernandez. 

Front Yard Foods provides garden consultations, installations, local classes, and in-person local workshops. She also attends local farmers’ markets as a vendor around the Upstate, where she sells her specialty wares such as plant starts, foods made with herbs, as well as sourdough starts.

Fernandez says, “From the classes and workshops have come friendships of like-minded people outside of the classes; from all of this, I have learned people are excited about learning and really want to be in community with one another.”

For more information on Front Yard Foods, contact Laura Fernandez at 615-635-6552 or email [email protected]. Instagram: @FrontYard_Foods.

Mike Reekie IAQ, CMI, CEAA, and owner of Mold and Air Inspections and Living Healthy Technologies, recently became a Certified Environmental Assessor. “This certification will enable me to help the client access what allergens, molds or mycotoxins are present in the home or office environment affecting their health, or the health of their employees,” says Reekie. “Then, we can identify the problems and provide solutions.”

Reekie has over 14 years experience in the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) field, as well as over 12 years experience in Air and Mold Testing. Mold and Air Inspections, as well as Living Healthy Technologies serves all of the Upstate, and into Southern NC. 

For more information, call 864-266-2680 or email [email protected].

Garner’s Natural Life will hold their Summer Health Fair on Saturday, June 11. The Customer Appreciation Day will be held at their Pleasantburg location in Greenville. There will be free samples, demos and raffles. It’s a great time to learn more about all their products and meet their well-educated staff. 

From 9 a.m. to noon, all customers will get 25 percent off purchases and from noon to 8 p.m., they will get 15 percent off purchases. You may combine regular products with sale items to save even more. This offer is valid on June 11 only at their Pleasantburg Drive location. 

Senior and military discounts do not apply to the Customer Appreciation Day sale.

Garner’s Natural Life is located at 27 S. Pleasantburg Dr., next door to The Fresh Market, Greenville (where the event will be held). For more information and to learn about their other locations, visit GarnersNaturalLife.com or call 864-242-4856. You may also follow them on social media.

“My three o’clock in the morning idea is now five years old!” says Nancy Minix of Nancy Lee’s Hair Art Studio in Greer. What started out as a dream over five-years ago has become reality as Minix and her late husband Randy built what has now become a place where people come to get their hair done and relax. “They love the beauty and natural setting I provide with all the windows and natural light pouring into the studio. My clients come here knowing the organic and natural products I offer; they don’t have to worry about smells and odors that are found in a larger salon. It’s for their health and it’s their relaxation time.” says Minix.

Minix has plans for growth in the fall, which will include a new natural makeup line in her studio.

Nancy Lee’s Hair Art Studio is located in Greer, and by appointment only. For more information, and to set up an appointment, call 864-320-2359.

Joi Natural Wellness & Tea Bar in Greenville has recently remodeled their space to include some lovely bistro tables at their Wellness Tea Bar inside their apothecary shop. A variety of teas, tonics and elixirs are available at the Bar, and the menu can also be found on their website.

Whether you need CBD products, immune boosters, herbal teas, other products for wellness, or if you are seeking a consultation and education regarding wellness and well-being, you can find it all at Joi Natural Wellness. The products are from local crafters and herbalists and support a variety of needs for wellness and wellbeing. Joi Natural Wellness offers valuable education and guidance to support your self-care and wellness journey. 

The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. The store is closed on Sundays. There is plenty of free parking in front of the store.

Joi Natural Wellness & Tea Bar is located at 86 Orchard Park Dr., next to Stax Omega. 

For more information, call 864-626-3126 or visit JoiNaturalWellness.com. Online shopping is also available on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @joinaturalwellness.

The Greer Health & Wellness Market will be happening in downtown Greer on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by Ally Internal Medicine and presented by Pure Health and Wellness and Harvest Kitchen, the market will have a great lineup of holistic vendors, free yoga classes, giveaways, mimosas, demonstrations and more. Located in the parking lot of The Spinning Jenny, this is a family and pet-friendly event and will include kids’ activities. There will also be live music and a variety of healthy food options.

“This will give the community a chance to get to know what their options are for their health and wellness and how to look and feel their best,” says Betsy Exton, owner of Pure Wellness Spa. Exton has two locations: Pure on Main in Greenville and Pure Wellness Spa in Greer.

“We are excited to be co-hosting the Greer Health & Wellness Market, says Heidi Henry, owner of Harvest Kitchen. “We strongly believe that collaboration with like-minded local businesses is the best way to provide our clients with some of the best health and wellness options here in the Upstate.” Harvest Kitchen is a family-owned eatery also located in Downtown Greer. Their menu caters to clean diets, including plant-based and gluten-free. Guests can pick from one of their Harvest Favorites or get creative and craft their own salad, grain bowl, or smoothie.

The market will be held in the parking lot of The Spinning Jenny in Downtown Greer at 107 Cannon Street.

For more information about the Market, call 864-655-5079 or on Facebook at Greer Health & Wellness Market. Pure Wellness Spa is located at 108 Cannon St., Greer. Harvest Kitchen is located at 112 Cannon St., Greer.

Project Wellness SC in Mauldin has recently added red light therapy to their offerings. According to co-owner Lindsey Howell, “We are thrilled to announce a new addition to the Project Wellness SC umbrella. It is a tool we have added to our health and wellness toolbox of cutting-edge technology to help anyone suffering with pain, stiffness, skin conditions, inflammation, and so much more.”

Also called polychromatic light therapy, the specialized light energy delivered by this therapy triggers the release of nitric oxide, which increases circulation to relieve pain and stimulates the body’s innate healing processes. Light, whether from the sun or from technology, is absorbed by the skin and triggers beneficial biological changes at the cellular level. The therapy allows you to target the area of concern. Many people with symptoms of pain or impaired circulation experience positive results from using polychromatic light therapy.

Red light therapy is a valuable tool in restoring and improving health and vitality. The therapy is convenient, drug-free and non-invasive. The key to understanding how polychromatic light therapy works is called photobiomodulation. It has been demonstrated that photobiomodulation signals damaged cells to begin their repair processes.

PHOTO (light) 

BIO (biology) 

MODULATION (change) 

This technology is now available to experience at no cost to you for the first session. Your session will last from 15 to 20 minutes. 

For more information and to set up an appointment, call 864-979-6389.