Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
The story of Enjoy Health Foods began quite simply on a front porch, where sisters Wynelle Milstead and Denise Harper sat dreaming of bringing something new to Jasper, drawing on Denise’s experience with natural foods and remedies.
“When I was a teenager, I worked with my friend Judi at her mother’s health foods store in Birmingham. Judi always dabbled in natural health, and I just listened and watched. It helped me believe we could open our own store,” says Denise.
Denise and Wynelle’s opportunity came when they learned through Judi’s mother that a local health food store in Jasper was closing. They purchased the store’s inventory, expanded upon it, and stayed in its original location for two months before the building was sold. Thus, Enjoy Health Food’s current location was established with the help of a customer who owned some local real estate.
Enjoy Health Foods is a one-stop shop for natural foods, vitamins, supplements, herbs, oils, body care, and Wynelle’s high-quality natural honey. Over the past twenty years, the sisters have deepened their understanding of natural remedies through classes, seminars, and interactions with vendors and customers. They have learned that a healthy lifestyle is more about diet than supplements.
“If you eat right, a lot of your symptoms will disappear. It is all about the food you eat, and when you cut out or incorporate the right foods, your health will change, and it’ll get better,” says Wynelle. “When people come into our store, they are looking for a way to feel better. If they eat right and take the right supplements, they can find that balance that makes them feel better.”
The sisters appreciate the support from local physicians who recommend their store for natural remedies and encourage supporting local businesses, and they offer a piece of advice for those skeptical of natural medicine: try just one thing! Although the world of natural medicine is incredibly diverse and complex, all it takes to satisfy a person’s skepticism is for them to see the benefits of a natural product. And if you ask Wynelle, Denise, and their numerous customers, they will tell you that the benefits are worth it! WL
Enjoy Health Foods is located at 1608 Highway 78 East, Jasper, AL 35501. For more information, call the store at 205-384-4372.
