Food For Thought is a great health food store, well worth a visit - even if you are not into health…read morefood, there maybe something in here which could tempt even the most meaty non -healthy individual. I come here to get all the ingredients for my speciality raw chocolate, which I make for friends birthdays. The ingredients are quite unique, and generally are hard to come by around this neck of the woods - cacao butter, agave syrup, maca powder. I can always get everything here. The staff are very knowledgable, which is lucky, because there always seems to be someone needing help. As well as the standard health food supplements; (Solgar, A. Vogel, Viridian )and homeopathy and health foods, they also have a wide range of make-up, toiletries (such as Dr Hausichka and the Jason range) and eco washing products. If that is all getting a bit hard core for you, then head over to the organic beer and wine section - I told you that there would be something for everyone!

I love food for thought. I am from a little hippy town in California and the moment I step in those…read moredoors I feel like I'm back at home. they have all my favorite foods I can't find other places, quinoa, Kombucha, medicinal teas, natural body oils, essential oils, homeopathic medicine and so much more. It is my home away from home.

This small-ish, upmarket-ish health food store recently changed its name from Millennium to the…read moreslightly groovier ID it now bears. Stock has remained pretty much the same though, apart from the fairly significant addition of MBTs (Masai Barefoot Technology trainers). Not sure that I would come-in here to buy those but they do stock a very comprehensive range of quality supplements, health foods and beauty products. Worth a visit, if you're in the area and need healthy supplies.

I have been to this store when it used to millenium, and I visited last year when it had already…read morebecome Panacea wasn't much impressed until recently that is. Apparently it is under new management or new ownership (not sure) but there were lots of new products and they were handing out freebies. I bought great new skincare and some supplements (thanks to a very helpful lady who is a qualified nutritionist apparently). So all in al I was impressed by the changes and will definitely go back!

Health Zone is a good place to visit if you're a nutrition conscious individual or if you're…read morelooking for remedies for colds, skin problems, hair problems or you're generally feeling rough. They have good diet books as well as books for those interested in things like digestion, sports therapies and food. Downstairs they have a clinic offering various massages, such as aromatherapy using essential oils, Indian head massage, shiatsu, reiki, sports and deep tissue massage as well as pregnancy massage and Swedish massage. The staff here are really helpful and have some good advice if you're looking for something specific. Some of the items in here can be pretty expensive as they are specialised products.

This upmarket health food store is very well-stocked with renowned and more eclectic brands…read more There's plenty of choice in supplements, food, ingredients, skin care and books. Pretty much anything that the savvy health connoisseur might require. The layout is easy to browse. Staff are pleasant. When you want to treat yourself to a facial, or complementary health consultation, there's a fairly spacious clinic downstairs. They're open later than many of the other shops in the area.

I think Julian Graves needs to shake up its image a bit, at least in the Kingston branch. I don't…read moreknow how they look in the other branches, but this place looks a bit tired and old hat; health food shops are the new meccas, they can be cool if they try, but dear old Julian Graves looks a bit like it's still 1974, when the only people who shopped in health food stores were geography teachers and Tom and Margo from The Good Life. Also, I get slightly confused by what kind of shop it actually is. I have always associated it with health food, but it sells nougat, chocolate buttons and the kind of sweets you would find in a Woolies pick and mix. Of course, it sells the huge bags of dried fruit and nuts that it is known for, and has plenty of special offers. I pick up yogurt mixes here - I am making my own yogurt - just like Tom and Margo, but that is usually it. I tried the goji berries here once and they were not as good as other goji's that I have tried, so for now, I will give it a Must Try Harder grade.

Julian Graves is a bit of a strange one. Ostensibly it appears to be very much a healthy food…read moreoutlet but look a little closer and many items are definitely more naughty than nice on the good nutrition front. I was surprised to find that otherwise healthy soya nuts had several (unnecessary) additives, including MSG. It is a handy place to shop for larger bags of herbs and spices which offer better value than tiny supermarket jars. Also good for a wide range of seeds and nuts. If you can be bothered and want to avoid additives, it's worth checking labels here and visiting regularly as they often have good offers that make their prices more competitive.

Yes there a loads of cafes and coffee shops in the area but this is one of the best in the area and…read moreis quickly becoming a local favourite. The food here is delicious with many healthy choices. Try the Boston beans or the frittata.

To be honest, I've not been a great customer of health food shops but this weekend, I had to go in…read morehere to pick up some dried fruit for a patient. They had a nice range of dried fruits and seeds and even some snacks like sesame peanuts. The prices weren't the cheapest - my favourite nut man in Berwick St market springs to mind for a cheaper option. However, my patient was quite specific in his request. I didn't wander much into the alternative medicine and health supplement areas of the shop Overall, the goods were well displayed and the service efficient. My patient pronounced himself very happy with the dried apple rings and fruit I got him

I don't get a great deal of use from this shop but on those occasions when I do pop in, it seems…read morepretty decent. There are rows and rows of pills and supplements, plus specialist foods for allergies/intolerances as well as lots of food, lunch type stuff plus a full bar of virgin health drinks. My only complaint: I got some Echinacea in here once. I spoke to the man who worked there and read the instructions, it was going to prevent colds and I was never going to have to insert a Vicks stick anywhere ever again. However, only a month or so later I had a cold and had to buy Kleenex and insert a Vicks. Rubbish. Other than that, A-OK.

Not going back there again as the man just shouted at my 2 year old son to be quiet. The thing are…read moreoverpriced there anyway, can all of it on amazon cheaper. Used to spend quite a lot of money there to support a local business but they don't seem that interested in keeping their clients. Also I once asked if the shampoo was any good and he said "we are a health shop and don't keep things that are not good" which I found not very helpful. "I don't know, i haven't used it" would work better for me. So if you decide to shop in there make sure you don't come in with toddlers as they are not welcome.

Whilst living in London and specifically in East Sheen I would purchase my meat and poultry only…read morefrom R Chubb and Son. They're proper butchers who take pride in their meats and were extremely open-minded as we navigated our way between British and American cuts of meat. Whether everyday or holiday cooking, barbecuing you could do a lot worse than R Chubb and Son.