Took too long but otherwise it was great. The courier you use does not deliver on the weekends so it adds a minimum of 2 days, possibly 4 because of that.
Wellness Insights & Resources
Expert advice, health tips, and wellness guidance from our team of integrated health practitioners
All Articles
93 articles
Prebiotic soda in Canada: Poppi, Cove, Novasecco and healthy soda swaps
Poppi, Novasecco, Cove, Zevia and flavoured sparkling water compared: prebiotic vs probiotic soda, sugar and sweeteners in plain numbers, and a couple of fun drink ideas.
Luminate Co
12 min read
November 8, 2026
Drinks,Local makers,Poppi
Natural toothpaste in Canada: fluoride, fluoride-free and hydroxyapatite
Fluoride, fluoride-free and hydroxyapatite toothpaste compared, with Tom's of Maine, ATTITUDE, Green Beaver, Nelson Naturals and Before, plus kids' toothpaste, bamboo brushes and floss.
Luminate Co
11 min read
November 8, 2026
Buying Guides,Oral Care,Toothpaste
Kefir, yogurt and Greek yogurt: what's different, and the dairies we stock
How kefir, yogurt and Greek yogurt differ, the local and Canadian dairies we stock, lactose free and dairy-free options, everyday uses and making kefir at home.
Luminate Co
12 min read
November 8, 2026
Dairy,Kefir,Local
Sourdough bread: local loaves, gluten free sourdough and keeping it fresh
What makes sourdough bread sourdough, local loaves from Birdies Bread Co., gluten free sourdough and grain-free bread, how to store and freeze bread, and a simple recipe.
Luminate Co
14 min read
November 8, 2026
Bread,Gluten-free,Local
Healthy chips: oils, ingredients and the better bags we stock
How the better bags of chips differ: the oil, the ingredients and the base, with Graze tallow chips, Hardbite, Humble, Jackson's, Siete, Neal Brothers and more.
Luminate Co
14 min read
November 8, 2026
Canadian made,Chips,Gluten-free
Natural face moisturizer: how to choose one for winter skin
How to choose a natural face moisturizer for a Nova Scotia winter: textures, skin types, day vs night cream, and the Green Beaver, Weleda, Derma E and Andalou creams we carry.
Luminate Co
17 min read
November 8, 2026
Buying Guides,Moisturizer,Skin Care
Herbal tea: how to choose by flavour and moment
A flavour-first guide to herbal tea: minty, floral, spiced, calming evening and holiday cups from Pukka, Stash, Yogi, Celestial Seasonings and Traditional Medicinals, plus brewing times and two eas...
Luminate Co
16 min read
November 8, 2026
Grocery,Herbal tea,Tea
Keto snacks in Canada: what to stock in a keto or grain-free pantry
What to stock in a keto or grain-free pantry: keto bars, cheese crisps, Siete chips, Catalina Crunch, Primal Kitchen ketchup and low carb staples, plus how to read net carbs.
Luminate Co
10 min read
November 8, 2026
Grain-free,Keto,Snacks
Creatine gummies: do they work, and how do they compare with powder?
How creatine gummies compare with creatine monohydrate powder, the gummies we carry in Canada, how to read the label, loading, and side effects.
Luminate Co
9 min read
November 8, 2026
Creatine,Sports nutrition,Supplements
The best form of magnesium: bisglycinate, citrate, creams and more
Magnesium forms compared by what they are, the elemental amount on the label and the format, from bisglycinate and Natural Calm to creams and bath flakes.
Luminate Co
12 min read
November 8, 2026
Magnesium,Minerals,Supplements
Kombucha in Canada: caffeine, flavours and how it's made
How kombucha is made, how much caffeine it has, what we can say about its live cultures, and the Goodmore, RISE and Greenhouse bottles in our fridge.
Luminate Co
11 min read
November 8, 2026
Beverages,Buying Guides,Kombucha
Low FODMAP foods: what to stock, from FODY sauces to everyday snacks
A plain guide to low FODMAP foods: what FODMAPs are, the three phases of the diet, a low vs high FODMAP food table, and the FODY sauces, low FODMAP snacks and staples we stock.
Luminate Co
13 min read
November 8, 2026
FODY,Grocery,Low FODMAP
Ginger shots: store-bought picks and how to make your own
What ginger shots are, an easy homemade recipe and a ginger turmeric version, how to store them, and the store-bought Greenhouse shots we carry.
Luminate Co
13 min read
November 8, 2026
Drinks,Ginger,Organic produce
Non-alcoholic spirits in Canada: gin, rum, whiskey and wine without the alcohol
The non-alcoholic gin, rum, tequila and whiskey on our shelf, from Sobrii and HP Juniper to Monday, which bottle suits which cocktail, and non-alcoholic wine from Benjamin Bridge, ONES and more.
Luminate Co
12 min read
November 8, 2026
Beverages,Buying Guides,Non-Alcoholic
Nova Scotia coffee roasters: Laughing Whale and Just Us! on our shelves
Laughing Whale and Just Us!, the two Nova Scotia coffee roasters we stock: who they are, how they source fair trade organic beans, their roasts and decaf, and how to choose a bag.
Luminate Co
11 min read
November 8, 2026
Buying Guides,Coffee,Local Makers
Plant-based milk: oat, almond, soy, pea and coconut compared
Oat, almond, soy, pea, cashew and coconut milk compared on taste, texture, foaming for coffee and protein, with the barista blends, high-protein cartons and cooking swaps we stock.
Luminate Co
13 min read
November 8, 2026
Buying Guides,Coffee,Grocery
Himalayan salt lamp guide: sizes, bulbs, sweating and how to clean a salt lamp
Himalayan salt lamp sizes, cords and bulbs, where to put one, why salt lamps sweat in humid weather, and how to clean a salt lamp without damaging it.
Luminate Co
10 min read
November 8, 2026
Home,Household,Salt lamps
Water filter pitchers: how they work and what to compare
How a water filter pitcher works, what to compare before you buy, alkaline and mineral filters in plain terms, and how to set up and care for a Santevia MINA.
Luminate Co
12 min read
November 8, 2026
Household,Santevia,Water
Eco-friendly cleaning products in Canada: refills, ATTITUDE and plastic-free swaps
How our household refillery works, plus ATTITUDE cleaners, concentrates, plastic-free dish soap, laundry pacs, sponge cloths and fragrance-free cleaners.
Luminate Co
9 min read
November 8, 2026
Cleaning,Eco-friendly,Household
Candles in Nova Scotia: local makers, soy vs beeswax and candle care
The Nova Scotia candle makers we carry, LightWater candles scented only with essential oils, soy vs beeswax, a scent guide, burn times and candle care.
Luminate Co
13 min read
November 8, 2026
Candles,Home,Local makers
Non-toxic nail polish: what 3-free and 10-free mean, and how to choose
What 3-free, 10-free and 21-free labels really mean, how water-based polish compares, gentler removers, Canadian brands we carry and how to make a manicure last.
Luminate Co
13 min read
November 8, 2026
Clean beauty,Nail polish,Personal care
Dr. Bronner's castile soap uses: dilutions for home and body
Dr. Bronner's castile soap dilutions for body care and household cleaning, why it never goes in a bottle with vinegar, scents, bar vs liquid and the refill size.
Luminate Co
14 min read
November 8, 2026
Castile soap,Dr. Bronner's,Household
Natural lip balm: how to choose one for dry, chapped lips
Beeswax, vegan, tinted and SPF natural lip balms compared, with simple advice for dry, chapped lips and the Canadian-made balms we carry.
Luminate Co
11 min read
November 8, 2026
Natural deodorant: how it works and how to choose one
How natural deodorant differs from antiperspirant, what's in it, and how to choose between baking soda free, fragrance free, cream, stick and crystal formulas.
Luminate Co
11 min read
November 8, 2026