On entering the shop, my eyes were met with a beautiful array of fresh, organic fruit and…read morevegetables. (Or venchtables as I used to call them, until I was embarrassingly old enough to know better.) Large wicker baskets full of apples greet the customer, many having the all important bonus leaf. It truly made me want to pick them up and start skipping through a nearby meadow, wearing a flowing dress and possibly conversing with tamed animals. Too far? Forget it. A former vegetarian myself, I understand the convenience of having somewhere like Out Of This World to rely on in a city centre. It means being able to purchase items which are sometimes not even stocked in the larger supermarkets, to maintain a balanced diet without being forced to use unwanted substitutions. Too well stocked to be a health food shop, Out Of This World falls into the category of health food supermarket. There is a huge range of the usual nuts, seeds and pulses; but also a surprising number of Traidcraft toiletries, recycled stationary, hair dye and household cleaning products. Alongside fairly traded tea and coffee, vitamins, supplements and natural remedies, the store also caters for sufferers of restrictive diets. There is a varied selection of groceries for people who have to omit gluten, wheat and diary from their nutritional intake, and a large number of vegetarian and vegan ready meals. One reason why I particularly like Out Of This World, is because they stock Samuel Smith ale and lager. A real favourite with my Other Half and I, they provide us with a constant hoard. Bondgate Bakery in Otley supply the store with freshly baked loaves and buns, with gluten and wheat free alternatives available. A deli counter offers freshly made quiches, samosas and wraps - a handy lunch or a lazy supper. The staff are very approachable and were more than happy to assist me in finding a difficult item for a family member. What I mean by that, is my Gran was looking for bee pollen, because the lothario that she listens to on her local radio station had been praising its medical benefits. Any shop that can help me in my quest for bee pollen, has earned respect in my eyes.

This shop is the city centre's answer to Chapel A's Love Organic. It has been here ever since I…read moremoved to Leeds and as such is certainly one of the more longstanding stores in town. A lot of places have changed in what feels like a very small space of time, but not Out Of This World. I used to come here on Saturdays to purchase their organic milk and elderflower cordial for the bar that I worked at on Call Lane. It was always handy to stock up in case anyone wanted a White Russian, but really it was mostly to supply my need for coffee. Also, there is nothing quite as refreshing as elderflower cordial and lemonade. Seriously, it used to be my favourite drink. I love the smell when you walk in to this shop. It's not exclusive, it's that same smell most organic shops have, but it is lovely. The smell of good. Only goodness. Nothing in here can really be bad for you. At least, that's what we can believe until we learn otherwise! Within you will find, as well as hoards of organic foods, all sorts of enviro-friendly cosmetics, cleaning products (for you and your clothes) and much more. It errs on the expensive side if you wanted to do your weekly shop here, but it is sure worth buying that elderflower cordial. Yum!

No lovely market town is complete without some kind of specialist health store, and this is the one…read morefor Otley. Chevin Health Store is like some kind of sale store for those specialist supplement items. They've their little sandwich board out the front detailing the latest offers and research on vitamins and extracts so you are always in the know. For those beef cake types they have all the necessary (and I use that word loosely...) products that help you to buff up to your heart's delight sans the 'roids. Homeopathic remedies are also on sale here, as are herbal teas, natural honeys, nuts and all the usual goodness! The door may be a little off-putting as it's hard to see in, but don' be put off as it's pretty friendly inside!

Sometimes even I get bored of being such a materialistic and basis human being. It's times like…read morethese that I feel the need for action. Let's make the world a better place and spread some love people. That's exactly what the Green Action Food Co-Op tries to do. This is a top little find. How refreshing to find a place dedicated to making the world a better place to be in. Run by volunteers, it aims to provide cost price ethical food. Hoorah I say, take a bow. It's a truly fresh vibe kitted in hand written posters and bright funky colours. What you'll get is good quality food and services without the guilt. Without a doubt, try the vegetable boxes and you'll not regret it. Beautifully fresh and pure as the day is young. Sourced locally and organic as well. I think you're onto something. It's not just about the produce either. Pop along and engage in the green action movement through the library, action groups or purely meeting like minded people. It's a total experience and we should be supporting such groups to make sure their existence continues. Viva Le Revolution, Le Green ActionFood Co-Op Revolution.

One of the last bastions of free thinking being put into action (not many Universities seem to…read moreencourage this anymore, tis all about the money L ) the Students Union allows shops like the free-shop and the Green Action Co-op to exist by not charging rent. The Co-op (opening times are variable as it is run by volunteers) allows for reasonably priced health food products to be sold in a not for profit way which keeps the cost of speciality foods like coffee from the Zapatista's, coconut oil, millet and eco detergent at an affordable price. They also offer and organic veg box service which, by buying in bulk to a central area also keeps costs down. If this isn't an excellent thought and service I don't know what is. It allows access to goods that are normally charged at a premium down to an affordable level.

I can't seem to walk past a health food shop without that distinctive smell luring me in. Herbalist…read moreis situated on Ludgate Hill, facing outwards from Leeds market. There is the usual range of supplements and natural remedies, vitamins and naturally sourced toiletries available. The staff were pleasantly approachable, constantly helping customers find a solution to specific ailments. Recently, my attention was drawn to the rear of the shop, and I noticed a little cubby hole that had previously escaped my attention. I poked my head eagerly into the space and the smell that assaulted my senses was staggering. It was packed full of spices and dried herbs for use in cooking. If ever you are having difficulty tracking something down for a recipe, visit Herbalist. There were names on some of those packets that I have never encountered before. Leaving with some tea to help you sleep deeper and some turmeric, I conceded that I really am a sucker for that health food shop aroma.

Bought an item which later turned out that i would fail a drug test in my sport, went back the next…read moreday to exchange it and also buy some proteins, Staff was on the phone when while i was in the store, gossiping and told me to come back in 3 days for the other staff member who originally sold me the product, which is fine but then she didn't even bother asking what else i wanted to buy or even try and upsell, she could have gotten £75 off me if she asked what else i wanted.She was rude, grumpy and not at all friendly, not a single smile. Very disappointed service The telephone number for the store, I have rang it loads of time and no one ever picks up!

I was feeling a bit lost and lonely in town the other day, mostly since I was feeling hungry, and…read morefound myself exiting the Grand Arcade and passing by Millies. Somehow I'd never actuallly been in here, and the promise of freshly made soup drew me in from the cold. As you enter you'll find an almost supermarket style presence, with freshly fridged produce, all manner of rice, pasta, nuts, dried fruit and a host of other healthy looking delights. When you reach the coconut you'll know about it, it smelled divine! It also maintains a country house kitchen vibe, as you move further back, with rustic wooden furniture arranged at the very back. Next to that you'll find the deli counter where all sorts of freshly made treats await you, from cakes to breads to this home made soup which enticed me in. The chap who served me was lovely, I was a little concerned about the cheese in it as I'm a blue cheese wimp, but he assured me it was no that strong. Though I only purchased a small cup to take put I couldn't finish it ad it was so filling! The cheese was still a touch overpowering, as I really am a total wimp for the strong flavours (I'd never venture to a vindaloo either, to give you some context on my tastebuds!) but I happily filled up on it before I was full. Although I didn't check out their beauty product range or spa upstairs I'm aware that they cater to those aspects too, making this sweet little store a one-stop-shop for most goods. Being a health-orientated store, the pricing reflects this in their range, but as they say you get what you pay for and the higher quality is evident. Nonetheless, it's certainly worth taking a nosy and checking it out for yourself!

Until the middle of last year, I'd only walked past Millies and never actually noticed it, despite…read morethe multitudes of chalkboards outside - I didn't realise I was just walking past a genuinely good shop. As someone who works in the city centre, Millies has become a regular haunt at lunchtimes for it's great range of sandwiches and hot meals at the deli-counter down at the end of the shop. If it's sunny, sit outside. Raining? Seating inside too, where you can chat to the lovely staff. The cheeses and meats at the large deli counter in the middle are great too! Go for the Stinking Bishop if you like Brie and are brave ;) Before long, I was doing a fair bit of shopping here. Their fresh produce (as you walk in) is taste, really good value and as far as I know is all locally sourced, which is a huge plus for me! I've even ventured into the hand-mixed bags of cereals, dried friuts and general "I'm pretending this is healthy" snacks! Some things are a teensy but more than your average supermarket, but it's fresher, nicer and local! I've not used the beauty salon, but if you're into fitness and working out, the supplements upstairs are great value and the staff that I talked to know their stuff. Give it a shot, and if you do use the deli in the back, promise me this - go off the menu at least once. Pick a combination you want, rather than sticking to the (really great) stuff on the board. Sausage & chilli jam for me, please!

The ideal one stop shop for all your nut needs! They really do have a spectacular range of nuts,…read moredried fruit and seeds. Imagine my delight when I was given the task of making my Gran's Christmas cake last year. My Mam had taken my offer of help (given in July, the haze of Summer generosity a distant memory), very literally. No matter, for The Nut Shop came to my much needed rescue. Armed with a few recipes gleaned from various chefs online, I approached the market stall with a mixture of trepidation and dread. I think the lady behind the counter sensed my fear, and offered her services. After explaining my plight, she masterfully directed me to the necessary ingredients required to create the festive treat. The nuts and fruits that I bought were very reasonably priced, each sealed in individual little packets. With my confidence restored, I even treated myself to some dried apple rings for the walk home! I noticed that The Nut Shop also sold cake decorations, gelatine and other such items that may be omitted from the shelves of other shops. "How did the cake making go?" I hear you cry! It went magnificently. My Gran was particularly complimentary about the moistness of the fruit. I am not sure whether that had more to do with the full bottle of brandy that was poured over the cake in the weeks leading up to Christmas, or the quality of the fruit. Judging it on the latter, my Gran's praise is the highest accolade The Nut Shop could ever wish to receive.

The Nut Shop doesn't just sell nuts...oh no! For anyone that loves making cakes...and most of all…read morepimping them, this shop sells loads of cute little trinkets to make any cake look extra special - bride and groom figurines, anniversary-related decorations and loads of very pretty artificial flowers among many other items. They also sell a wide range of cake candles in many styles and ribbons to go round the edge of cakes. The nutty part involved a pick 'n' mix area of yummy looking nuts and dried fruit - the healthy alternative to the many sweet shop pick 'n' mix's in the market. They also sell a wide range of herbs and spices, trays and tins and jam pot covers among an assortment of food and cake-related bits and bobs. They also have cake stands for hire! I love The Nut Shop for its unexpected mixture of things for sale, all of which look yummy or just a lot of fun!

On one of my many jaunts about town I stopped off in this Holland & Barratt store, situated within…read moreCrossgates Shopping Centre. I suddenly remembered that I'd run out of my squirrel food, dried fruit and nuts, that I rely on at work to keep me going until lunch so took the opportunity to check out H&B's selection. It's definitely an essential buy when working in the office, there are so many birthdays and celebrations which lead to cakes and sweets by the bucket load being brought in, so I need my healthy option to keep me in check! Anyway, as soon as I wandered in I found an awesome deal on some Neals Yard dried fruit mix. Happy days. It was a huge bag filled with dried apricots, dates, pineapple, papaya, banana chips and raisins. Yummy! Usually this bag costs £3 but on this day the deal was £1.50 so I was more than a little chuffed. On further investigation there were lots more deals on similar bags of healthy treats, but not wanting to go overboard I stuck with that and a bag of trusty mixed nuts. The whole purchase came to around £4 and the lady who served me was an absolute delight. She was really friendly and chatty and I left with a big smile on my face! Not something you'd expect from a mere health food store, but this lovely shop has some good deals and particularly friendly service.

Town Street's Purely Natural is one of those health shops that have been popping up everywhere in…read morerecent years - you know, the sort of place that offers supposedly healthy body supplements while still using entirely natural ingredients (mainly plant extracts). There is everything you could ever need from a health food shop inside this place - cups of vitamins, minerals and every other pill that makes your skin or hair shiny, herbal stuff to help you lose weight (apparently), and general health/body/hair care products...and it's all made from the earth's natural goodness. While this is an assuring fact that you are not putting chemical crap into your body, it is also a suggestion that a lot of the stuff probably doesn't work as well as its chemically manufactured counterpart. But that's probably just me being a sceptic...either way, it's a great shop if you're into that kind of thing.

I came in here to purchase some jasmine tea and happened to ask about what they might have to…read moreremedy sciatica, as I've been suffering for nearly a year now, and am getting a little fed up with it. I explained I'd been to the doctors and have tried prescription drugs and am soon to receive physio but would like to look at other options. The chap in here was great, really friendly and immediately got his booklet down to show me the info he had. Apparently I can try St. John's Wort, amongst other things, so that was really useful to know. At only £5 roughly per bottle, it seems like that would be a pretty reasonable amount to spend, should physio fail me, so I am seriously considering coming back in the near future! My guess is that if you've an ailment and the traditional routes are failing you, as they are me so far, then absolutely pop in for some advice. I can't speak for the effectiveness of herbal and homeopathic remedies, other than my own experiences, but you'll be getting advice from someone who certainly knows this area well! (I've used homeopathic remedies before and actually, placebo or not, have found them to be successful!) As mentioned previously, this shop also holds all manner of speciality products (tofu, vegan items, wheat free etc) and a number of organic bits as well. Prices on those items are a little bit more than you'd hope to pay, (I almost gasped at the honey price tag, it's true) but I guess that's the premium that is speciality, isn't it? I'm sure, if there's a particular item that relates, this place would have it. For healthy bits this place is great and the staff offer lovely advice, but if you just want some plain free range eggs, at £2+ a go for six this mightn't be the shop!

If your lifestyle is taking it's toll and you are one of the very fit and healthy people in Leeds…read morewith a passion for a healthy welfare, you really need to know about Headingley Natural Food store. Leeds is without a Holland and Barrats, therefore Natural Food Store is a popular alternative. However it's prices reflect it's smaller chain name. In particular Maximusicle and other weight and muscle products (such as protein shakes) to me seem rather pricey with Maxi Muscle products being ten pounds more expensive than what larger brands offer! For a smaller store the selection is huge and the staff will order in any products you are after. The staff also seem to have a huge knowledge of their products. When questioning them on their whey products the bloke that served me really knew his stuff!! Located on North Lane you will have to search for near by parking however is very handy if you live close by and you are within walking distance.

I went to this place some time back and the staff there were absolutely brilliant. You might be a…read morefirst timer but you never feel so when in this particular store. They keep looking and treat you as if you have been known for ages altogether. Ask the stupidest of questions and they answer every question with the utmost patience and a smile always. I had a few doubts about what to choose across their large range and the staff were happy to give me the pros and cons. The best part is they also help you get a better bargain on whatever you purchase and love helping you get better value for money. I will keep visiting them