Description

“I had been going to Natural Mercantile for many years. I went whenever I needed protein powder, brewer’s yeast, vitamins, or fresh organically grown vegetables. I went when I wanted to get back to basics and be better connected to my body and its needs. What I really was seeking was advice from Eva, the health food store owner; Eva Rudland, a registered nurse from Sweden.
“My curiosity about Eva has continued over the years. I have wondered how a nurse from Sweden ended up in Virginia running a health food store and advising people about health and nutrition. I wanted to learn about Eva’s life, but I also wanted to preserve her knowledge and insights for others. We began the interviews for this book on Earth Day, April 22, 1997.
“The first half of the book tells Eva’s life story and how her experiences and training give credibility to her knowledge. Along with testimonials, the second half of the book focuses on Eva’s specific beliefs about holistic health and nutrition. It is the story of a woman who came to this country twenty years ago with only one suitcase and has made a difference in people’s lives ever since.

— Jean Thomas Schaeffer, Author

“Schaffer’s story of Eva Rudland is powerfully and affectionately told. We are lucky to have the story of this courageous healer folded so gracefully between the covers of a book.”

— Dr. Joyce Dyer, Director of Writing at Hiram College,

“A health food store is a place where you carefully and very gently help the body to come back on its own. I have my store to try to help people and I take very strong stands. I will not compromise.”

— Eva Rudland, Subject of Book

“The mind-body connection. Eva sees the connection intuitively. When she’s recommending things, you feel she’s working very specifically for you. Her empathy is so real and she gave me hope.”

— Mimi Westervelt, Store Customer