Great times at a delightful health resource on Dovercourt, Anarres Natural Health This cool little shop is run by Tracey Tief, a holistic health practitioner who also runs a collection of amazing workshops both in the store and around the city. With everything from healing “mojo” oils and workshops emphasizing sexual health for womyn, lgbti, straight, queer and questioning folk of any gender and orientation, to down-to-earth health consultations, hair care, and hypnotherapy, you will find Tracey is disarmingly intuitive and easy to chat with.

The shop itself smells terrific with a sense of orderliness and organization combined with the cheerful mood of a clean, often fast-paced, but grassroots-oriented space catering to many workshop themes and visitors. DIY botanical ingredients line the walls in displays that are tantalizing to the curious. It is easy to see how some people get hooked on attending the many workshops while divining the alchemy behind these magical-looking and mysterious products, which include many types of clay, essential oils, carrier oils, and salts, attractively displayed in coloured glass jars and environmentally safe packaging.

Tracey’s shop also features body and skin care products, family planning products, a collection of alternatives to plastic packaging and housewares etc., all from ethically sourced materials. On the west wall there are Stefani water crocks and parts, handmade  Terra Cotta water crocks that “dechlorinate, sterilize and purify,” with one available to try it out and taste the fantastic water difference yourself!

Tracey is keen to teach others how to concoct things, and generally available in the shop are her impressive apprentices and trainees, pleased to advise you and make sure you find the right product or receive the right customized product for your needs. At a recent visit I dropped by and a new apprentice was happy to whip me up a special hair oil that makes my hair look great and smells amazing. It’s also a magic potion to invigorate hair density and growth so I’ll keep you posted.

The counter has a few surprises displaying Tracey’s recent interests, with the latest one being  a small basket of pocket-sized stones with witty emoticons on them that are amusing company among the more serious crystals. Nestled in-between a womyn-run tattoo shop and a rusticky sport bar, Anarres is a pleasant place to spend your dollars wisely at one of the gems of the Bloor-Dovercourt neighbourhood.

Check out her website offering a complete catalogue for online purchases, which are filled quickly and to great specification. Tracey’s latest workshop offerings are also online, and be sure to sign up for her newsletter

(PSST! I heard mention of 50% off all Raindance Cosmetics products in March!)

About the Author

SK Dyment has been a cartoonist and illustrator for many years and has been published in over two dozen Canadian indy magazines and journals. SK loves sketching passing interpretations of intriguing people in pen-and-ink, and is often seen attending various activist-oriented events around Toronto. He is also available for quick illustrations of all sorts as well as more serious forms of illustration. SK Dyment maintains a website @ www.graphicrecording.ca