Day 2: LifeThyme Natural Market in Manhattan, New York


About fifteen years ago I was living in New York City. I had just begun to change from a vegetarian who ate whatever to someone who was much more conscious about the health and environmental impact of what I was putting in my body.  LifeThyme Natural Market was one of the first health food stores I'd ever stepped foot into and it became a regular stop for me.  Smaller, more personal shops like LifeThyme can be integral when someone is first beginning their journey into greater health through diet and lifestyle.  They can provide just as much education as provisions.  Oftentimes the personalized customer care that smaller stores have can help to make someone like the person I was fifteen years ago feel more comfortable about asking questions and trying things that are out of their comfort zone - and that's many times what we really need!

 It was great to see that the core aspects of what made the store great were still there while the decor and selection had improved and modernized over the years.  The business has been owned and operated by the Banders since it's inception and as the saying goes; if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.  If someone is successful in Manhattan, you know they are doing something right!

LifeThyme has an impressive selection of both every day food items - produce, groceries, refrigerated, frozen - and supplements, but what really blows my mind - and was a staple for me as a young buck - is their hot bar. It's loaded with delicious choices for all dietary needs. And knowing Jason's knowledge and commitment to health and environmental consciousness, I know that only the best ingredients are going into everything.

In general, LifeThyme's food service department blows away almost everything else you'll find in NYC.  They have tons of allergen-friendly baked goods and even do custom designed vegan cakes!

 One part of LifeThyme that really sets them apart from the rest is their extensive selection of raw and living foods.  From the fully loaded kombucha and cold pressed juice case to The in-house made raw desserts, they are a MUST for raw-vegans.  I remember they actually introduced me to a raw diet and it was awesome to see they still had such a wide variety of options in that area of the store. I grabbed a moo radish Kim chi that was absolutely stellar and some dynamite "golden" macaroons.  Those were delicious and loaded with turmeric and other spices to help with the inflammation I'm experiencing with all this biking!

While the eating areas they have on the second floor was under construction, I remember hanging out up there and chowing down whenever possible.  Considering the quality of the improvements that they have made over the past decade, I'm certain that the finished remodel of the upstairs will also be even better than I remember it.  Overall, LifeThyme is able to instill everything you could possibly want into a classic NYC bodega-esque storefront, making it a beacon for health nuts both culturally and logistically.  Two thumbs up from this one!



 LifeThyme Natural Market
410 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011
(212) 420-1600
www.lifethymemarket.com















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