I rarely use Organic Food shops. Signs boasting 'Glutinini's' (gluten free panini's for you and me)…read moredon't usually have a great effect on me and I'm far more likely to shop in the local greengrocers round the corner from this 'Mother Earth'. However, one day I was lured in here by an impressive display of quirky looking squashes and impressed to find that the interior of this shop was very quaint and wholesome. Jars line the shelves erratically and bundles of fresh vegetables are piled high. My bag of shopping was quite reasonably priced and I enjoyed everything I bought. However I have to say I didn't find the staff hugely helpful. When I asked if they stocked Tarmarind paste they looked at me as though I was speaking Latin. I was told that this ingredient didn't exist and assured my recipe must be wrong. It does exist- I've had it many times before but it was easier to just nod and leave than to continue listening to this patronising speech. So to round up my Mother Earth experience- good shop, good food, good prices, unhelpful and uninformed staff!

Mother Earth is an organic health food store. The store is very small but carries a powerful punch…read morein what it has to offer. In the small space you can find a plethora of health foods, everything from cereals to falafel to tofu to vegetables. My personal favourite are the organic breads, they are delicious and I don't feel sluggish after eating it, even if I have a bit too much. The store even has a deli counter for ready made goods, all of which are organic. I love the pita sandwich with hummus and falafel, not only does it have red peppers and lettuce, its low in calories and high in taste. If you are trying to avoid the preservatives and extra junk found in a lot of foods you buy in the supermarket then this is the place for you. The food is fresh and just being in the store looking around, you can almost feel yourself getting healthier and your body thanking you for making such a wise choice.

How is it possible that this place wasn't listed on Yelp when I visited?! It's one of several…read morehealth food shops on Broadway Market, possibly the best. Simply the friendliest service - ever! I stocked up on snacks for a picnic in London fields and found everything I needed, except booze. Great choice of olives and antipasti, organic houmous, sourdough breadsticks. This may sound hipster but happens to be my food of choice. Sadly I don't live in the area but urge all locals to give Organico a try, if you haven't yet been converted.

It's like Whole Foods! With the price tag to match!…read more You know how they refer to Whole Foods affectionately as 'Whole Paycheck?' Well, similarly -- As Nature Intended (me to be broke). I suppose. This mini-chain is very similar to my favored "The Grocery" up on Kingsland Road but I just so happen to be down by Spitalfields often enough that I've popped in to this market a few times for the (not-so) essentials. Let's face it, it's a bleak state of affairs down Commercial Street at Tesco Local. I can't even bring myself to go in there. The amount of plastic wrapping and pre-packaged foods just makes me want to barf, no joke. I just can't most of the time, I'd rather go anywhere else. So yes, while As Nature Intended is a bit pricier -- it's also a LOT nicer, has WAY better food things in it and if I want to pay 100 quid for a bag of (basically) snacks, so it shall be done. Sometimes one just wants to feel wholesome, right? Yes. Of particular interest here is their health and beauty section -- well stocked and comprehensive. They carry REN, which I adore and also full range of Wedela which I buy often for the little person in our house. The soups are great, and they have CO-YO (coconut milk yogurt) which is my favorite thing of 2015 thus far. Staff is friendly. You'll be broke but you'll be happy. Good organic food stuffs up in here.

I LOVE this shop it is probably my favourite on earth and as they say outside their shop "Wealth is…read morewell and truly health". It is fully stocked with healthy foods and goodies to help you get through the week and help you to feel like an amazing human being. To add the staff are super friendly and delightful whenever I visit, always displaying a smile on their face and asking if any help is required (it is always the small gestures that count). I can literally spend near to an hour browsing the nut butters, chocolate aisle and fruit pantry, and last but not least - they even provide a sink for you to wash your fruit and veg if you wish to consume it straight away. Also, if you are lucky you may be greeted with a sample of peanut butter or other tasty snack to help you through your shop. If you're a true foodie and health and fitness fiend like me, you'll fall in love with this place!

Mother Earth is a bit overpriced but has a good selection of Tofu and health products…read more I say it is overpriced because alternative milk need not be 1.79. That being said, this shop does a nice Tofu selection with all the top brands, sweetened nuts, and a large beauty selection. There is no cafe or hot and cold bar. The staff asked me if I needed help twice which was good. I like this little store, mainly for location and lay out, as it is quite easy to maneuver around in terms of a small shop.

I love the fact that I have this shop so near to me, it's so handy in many ways…read more They sell a selection of organic/healthy condiments, pasta's, sauces, fresh lunches, veg, fruit etc. Similiar to Holland & Barrett. They also have a section with vitamins, cosmetics, toiletries, aromatherapy oils and other alternative health medicines. There are rooms attached where you can book yourself in for massages & cranial sacral healing amongst other holistic healing techniques. Staff are really helpful and friendly and know their products well. They always seem to have bargain/sales baskets where you can get good products at a discount prices. Recommend if you are into alternative healthy living.

This is a cute new little café and shop in Dalston Lane - a very welcome addition to the…read moreneighbourhood! The café is smaller than it looks from the outside - there is basically one table to sit at, but when the sun is as brilliantly shining as it is at the moment, one can enjoy food and drinks al freso at additional tables outside. The coffee I had was ok, and perhaps because we got there late on a Sunday afternoon the food selection wasn't overwhelming. (A couple of cupcakes and a sandwich). But they do sell delicious bread, cakes and cupcakes from London's best bakery (E5) and the "Happy Kitchen". That means the sweet stuff is vegan - thumbs up for that! In addition they offer a variety of health foods and ingredients (including Asian food), as well as eco toiletries, cleaning products, etc. The selection is somewhat limited compared to other, bigger stores, but if you live in the area "Healthy Stuff" definitely provides a useful resource.

I managed to smuggle my boyfriend into this cafe/shop without him seeing the name. "Healthy Stuff"…read moremight have put him off. But we were both happy when we sat down at one of the three tables. This part of Dalston Lane isn't very busy so there'll proably always be a free seat and you wouldn't be disturbed by shoppers passing by either. The blackbord above the till lists a menu of salads, toasies, fresh juices, and other wholesome treats. I loved my green salad with avocado, sprouts, and basil tofu. For a dish and a big glass of juice you'll pay about 10 pounds per person. It's unlikely that I'll find myself in that area again soon but I'd recommend a visit to anyone who happens to be around.

I have replaced eating chocolate (and bread and cheese and all of those nice things) with sushi…read more I'm not fussy about my sushi, any old supermarket that sticks rice and fish together does me well. So, anyway, I figured that I would make my own. And this is where Whole Foods came into things. Sushi went surprisingly well. But my bank is missing £16. And that's not including any fish or vegetables. This place is pricey. But its good for you. The food is fresh, there is a big variety of things, they have a great deli section for you to take out hand made, fresh cakes, salads, etc. So I guess that you are paying for the quality ingredients....and good for you stuff. Just don't come the day before you get paid, coz this place is no bargain basement. It is worth coming on a Saturday, as there are loads of free samples dotted around the place, and if you eat enough then you will stop being hungry and buy less, so you will be able to afford your rent. Which is always a good thing!

Soooo overpriced. But if you're trying to find fancy, random, exotic ingredients for your newest…read moreGordon Ramsay creation then this is a good place to find them. And they have a large face and body care product department, patchouli hipster twat heaven. Just do like I did back home. Come for the fancy rare things that you need for your recipe, get the other stuff everywhere else.

I shophed at the Green Lanes branch of Kofari Hot Nut and really impressed! Great products and…read moreexcellent service. Everything I bought was fresh and delicous.

Delicious roasted nuts, Turkish delight, and other snacks!…read more Good pricing too, and extremely tasty.

I have until now only used Earth Natural Foods as a place to pick up healthy groceries. My self…read moreimposed health diet means I have had to be a little creative with eating habits. Today I decided to treat myself and hit the hot and cold food counter at Earth. With only vegan/vegetarian foods on offer, I knew the options would be chemical free. The cold food buffet consisted of a mighty selection of tasty looking salad options. For £5.90 I got the large tub and had a bit of everything. As I turned to walk away I couldn't help notice the delightful vegan lasagne. Another £5.90 lighter I had a huge wedge of hot Italian goodness too. The food was enough for two and absolutely delicious. I am a huge carnivore and will openly admit I was amazed at how tasty the vegan lasagne was. The fresh salad complimented the hot dish perfectly. I was a happy boy. Earth Natural Foods on a whole is a fantastic shop if you are wanting to live a chemical free, organic life. It is obviously more expensive than your high street chain supermarkets, but remember, you are what you eat.

When I first moved to London from San Francisco, I was on the look out for a good organic store…read morethat would offer a wide variety of bulk-items, such as cereals, rice, tea, beans, herbs etc. (Like my beloved Rainbow in San Francisco.) Earth Natural Foods is the only place that comes reasonably close to the previously-mentioned mecca: when you walk in you already feel like a healthier person just by breathing in the organically-saturated air. This then always inspires me to become a better person and live a more healthy life-style. Despite a wide variety of food offerings, I usually restrict myself to the bulk-section as this is what I really can't get anywhere else. It is here where I can mix and match my own müsli, my own trail mix and it is also here where I can buy linseeds and sesame seeds in quantities that are more fitting to my consumption. Also, they have a nice selection of Weleda products, which are always a nice treat when you feel like you need a little spa treatment at home.