GARNER’S FALL HEALTH FAIR RETURNS

by Odell Williams

Since 2010, Garner’s Natural Life has hosted its annual Fall Health Fair. This extremely popular and much-anticipated one-day health event has become a rave amongst customers. It’s an amazing day where Garner’s offers additional savings to customers, passes out hundreds of free samples, and raffles off great prizes. After taking a two-year pause, they are very excited to announce that their Fall Health Fair will take place on Saturday, October 15, at Garner’s Columbia location, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Forest Drive area.

In previous years, the Fall Health Fair has usually attracted more than 500 people throughout the day. Whether you’re new to Garner’s or a frequent visitor, do make a point of dropping in to experience one of Garner’s most celebrated signature events. Regulars love to stock up on their favorite products that they know and love. In addition, Garner’s well-trained professional staff and various product vendors will be on hand to provide helpful and insightful information on a wide variety of featured products, such as usage, best practices, health and wellness benefits, and care instructions. It has been said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” which implies that it’s more important and effective to try to prevent illness and disease than attempt to heal from and reverse sickness. Most are aware that preventive health care and maintenance can be costly. And this is one of the important reasons that Garner’s Natural Life loves hosting this annual event. It serves as a great opportunity for new and existing customers living in the local community and beyond to get quality products at very low prices. “We’ve been sad that we haven’t been able to host the event over the past two years, but very excited to have the event back at our Trenholm Plaza location,” says store manager Nick Beers. “The pandemic has had different challenges for retailers. We’re still experiencing a lot of supply chain shortages, but we’re working with all of our partners to try and get as many samples of products we carry as possible.” The last few years have been tough and uncertain for many in numerous ways—driving up anxiety and concern. Understanding this, Garner’s Natural Life, management and staff alike, felt the time was just right to bring back a well-received event to honor, reward and give back to its current and future customers.

Adds Beers, “Come join us on Saturday, October 15, at our Trenholm Plaza location and enjoy 25 percent off the whole store from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 15 percent off from 1 to 8 p.m. These great discounts can be combined with many of the items already on sale for even greater savings. We will have a raffle you can enter for a chance to win several gift baskets and gift cards to the store. We’ll see you here!”

Make sure to mark your calendars and save the date! Celebrate health, happiness, connection and community at Garner’s Natural Life’s Fall Health Fair!

Garner’s Natural Life is located at 4840 Forest Dr., Columbia (in Trenholm Plaza, next to Starbucks). For more information, call 803-454-7700. Also visit GarnersNaturalLife.com. See ads, pages 2, 13 and back page.

The Helpful Nature of Houseplants

Nestled among books on a shelf, soaking up sunlight by a kitchen window or filling the bare corner of a living room, nothing adds beauty and interest to a home quite like a living plant. Bringing nature indoors also has numerous human health advantages.

Benefits of Houseplants

They oxygenate the air. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while plants do the opposite during photosynthesis. This makes them ideal air fresheners. At sundown, when photosynthesis stops, most plants go back to absorbing oxygen and releasing CO2, except for orchids, succulents and bromeliads, making them wonderful bedside companions.

They eliminate toxins. Studies have shown that plants filter indoor air, removing volatile organic compounds like benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, ammonia and formaldehyde, which are commonly found in furniture adhesives, paints, carpets, chemical cleaners and craft supplies.

They humidify the indoor envi-

ronment. Through a process called transpiration, moisture travels from plant roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released into the air. In arid climates and during winter, this creates a favorable indoor atmosphere that decreases dry skin, colds, sore throats, dry coughs and even the transmission of the flu virus.

They enhance our mood. Research shows indoor plants boost our mental health. One study found that viewing plants while recovering from surgery led to physiological improvements by lowering blood pressure and reducing the perception of pain, anxiety and fatigue. Also, the act of taking care of plants has been shown to be emotionally helpful.

They help with productivity. Placing a philodendron by the computer might be a good idea, as a number of studies have shown that being close to nature improves concentration, memory and productivity.

Pet-Friendly Varietals

Some plants can be toxic to dogs and cats, but here are a few that are perfectly safe for our furry best friends: rattlesnake plant, spider plant, parlor palm, ponytail palm, African violet, bird’s nest fern, Venus flytrap, Boston fern, polka dot plant, orchid, staghorn fern, bromeliad, date palm and herbs.

Maintenance Tips

Watering: Over- or under-watering are the most common houseplant killers, but there are easy fixes. One is a relatively inexpensive moisture meter that helps monitor hydration levels in a planter. Or simply stick a finger into the soil and add water only when it is dry one inch below the surface.

Low-light choices: Many plants thrive indoors with partial, indirect sunlight, and some are low-light tolerant, including lucky bamboo, spider plant, pothos, snake plant, staghorn fern, English ivy, peace lily, maidenhair fern, philodendron, anthurium, corn plant and dragon tree.