Head west on Northumberland Highway and the Health Nut is that tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it storefront on the corner in downtown Callao. But don’t let appearances fool you! Once inside, the Health Nut is a treasure trove. With a juice bar in the back, delicious smoothies made while you shop, and everything from organic produce to gluten-free products, and beans, seeds and grains, to homeopathic remedies, essential oils, and all things non-GMO, give yourself plenty of time to explore—and taste! Lining the walls are glistening stainless steel vats, with extra-virgin olive oils and luscious, flavored white and dark balsamic vinegars from around the world. Co-owner Frank Sherman along with his wife, Barbara, stand ready with miniscule tasting cups to walk you through a taste tour of olive oil infused with wild mushrooms and sage, and tangerine balsamic, to name just a few of the oil and vinegar products.
Barbara Sherman is the resident health expert or, as Frank says, “the real health nut.” “Over twenty years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I started doing research, looking for answers, and alternatives to medications. Today, though I have minor symptoms only I am aware of, most people would never notice.”
After three years in business, Barbara admits that not a day passes when they’re not humbled at the support of the community and the customers that “just seem to find us from all over. We’re doing it for a reason, a purpose, and every day we see people who are actually changing their lives.”
The Health Nut is located at 30 Northumberland Highway in Callao, Virginia. Visit their website at thehealthnutllc.com.
This article appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of The Local Scoop Magazine, pg. 70.