“You are what you eat” is a concept known to every culture and civilization throughout history. Those who wish to heal themselves and planet Earth, need to eat the most healing foods. "Healing foods" means quality, organic, homegrown or wild foods and/or superfoods in their raw, natural state.

In the Raw Café™ is dedicated to offering the purest raw food possible. Our goal is to be 100% organic, but, as we state on our menu, sometimes the universe just doesn’t allow us 100%, in which case we buy local!

Superfoods are nutritional powerhouses, loaded with a high concentration of nutrients crucial to a healthy, long life. Many of them are also low in calories! Including a variety of superfoods in your daily diet will change your life.

Superfoods are rich in phytochemicals, special chemicals with disease-fighting properties. Phytochemicals can reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. When foods are high in phytochemicals, they may be eaten not only because they taste good, but because they are also good for you!

There are a number of superfoods, many of them derived from vegetables or fruit. Cacao is considered a superfood because it contains flavinoids, which have antioxidant properties. Cacao Nibs can be used as a snack and may be added to smoothies, yogurt, trail mix or salads. Our Cacao Nibs are a great antioxidant and energy snack. Check the food case in the front lobby for our Cacao Nibs and read more about them on our website by clicking Here.

Food supplements may also be considered superfoods. Chlorella is another superfood offered here at Optimal Wellness Center. Ask our staff at the Front Desk for further information or Click Here to read about Chlorella on our website.

Superfood fruits include blueberries, cranberries, red grapes, pink grapefruit, mangos, mangosteen, papaya, watermelons and tomatoes. What makes these fruits so super is that they are packed with special nutrients, the phytochemicals mentioned above. For example, tomatoes are high in lycopene, which may reduce the risk for prostate cancer, and high in beta carotene, which may promote greater

2008 was quite a busy and productive year for OWC. We welcomed 2 new doctors, Dr. Elizabeth Isaac and Dr. Michael Izquierdo, and celebrated with Jennifer Martinc when she completed her training as a Naturopathic physician. We also added 2 new staff members, Willie Munoz and Penny Nuti, and a new Yoga Instructor, Katrina Hollo. In the Raw Café™ opened December 1st under the tender loving care of Nicole Tuzzio, and we introduced our delicious new line of raw foods!

We’re planning more exciting improvements for 2009. Soon, we’ll be improving new and existing services on the first floor and adding another state-of-the-art Far Infrared Sauna. New Yoga classes will be added on weekday evenings–look for more information on dates and times in future newsletters!

It’s because of you, our patients and clients, that all this expansion and excitement is possible. We truly enjoy seeing you everyday and love sharing all our knowledge of optimal wellness with you. All of us at OWC wish you the happiest, healthiest New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Looking for a way to spend some time with a friend or loved one? Optimal Wellness Center is pleased to offer Therapeutic Massage for 2! The package includes simultaneous hour long massages (1 massage therapist each), simultaneous sessions in either the Far Infrared Sauna or Aroma Steam Pod (1 service each), and a raw food meal and juice from In the Raw Café™. A manicure and pedicure can also be included.

Therapeutic Massage for 2 packages are being booked now! Call 216.521.2225 and ask for Jennifer Martinc, ND, LMT.

Often the change of seasons brings colds and sore throats. Fortunately, we have just the thing to help prevent and ease sore throat discomfort.Click Here to Read how to help prevent and ease sore throat discomfort.