By Julia Howard
When you think of health, what comes to mind? For some, it’s exercising daily and eating a balanced diet. For others, it may be eating anti-inflammatory foods or managing stress. For Heidi Radko, a certified health and life coach and owner of Awakened Tonics, health. encompasses everything from nutrition and physical activity to self-esteem and relationships.
Heidi’s life path took a turn in 2020 when, as Heidi says, “I had an opportunity to change up my life. I wanted to help people.” In her pursuits, she completed her certification as a health and life coach, focusing on women’s health.
Two years later, in April 2022, Heidi had an opportunity to buy Awakened Tonics, an. established small business she had been working with part-time. “Awakened Tonics fit. right into my life; it fit me,” explains Heidi.
Awakened Tonics are apple cider vinegar beverages that provide the benefits of apple cider vinegar without the harsh taste. Apple cider vinegar is linked to lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, stimulating weight loss, easing acid reflux, boosting hair health, and many other benefits. It’s also an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Awakened Tonics offers various produce-based and herb-based tonics, with specific infusions providing different health benefits. Heidi collaborates with herbalist Jessica Marcy of Old Wisdom Wellness for herbal tonics.
Island Sunrise, for example, is a blend of tangy pineapple with strawberry, raspberry, mint, and turmeric – offering Vitamin C and anti inflammatory benefits, stimulating energy and brightening your mood.
Another beverage, Grateful 4 Greens, boosts your fruit and vegetable intake and has an earthy-lime flavor. This beverage features alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, and dandelion greens –offering powerful vitamins and minerals and also detoxifying the body of heavy metals.
“I’m incredibly lucky because I love talking to people at the farmers’ market – I can guide them to the right products according to their health needs, or they can go with what they
like,” explains Heidi.
Awakened Tonics are versatile products. You can add them to smoothies, juices, salad dressings, and mocktails. “There is a lot you can do with them,” says Heidi. She shares her favorite seasonal spiced cider recipe, a healthful and comforting adaptation of traditional warm apple cider.
“In supporting overall health, food is our first line of defense,” says Heidi. “My goal is for people to feel better.”
In growing the business, Heidi hopes for Awakened Tonics to become more widely known and available in stores. She also plans to expand on tonic offerings and different beverage sizes.
Awakened Tonics are available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and the Spa City Farmers’ Market on Sundays. Shipping and pre-order pickup options are available on the Awakened Tonics website, www.awakenedtonics.com.
THIS WEEKS’ RECIPE: Spiced Apple Cider
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays, from 3-6 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at High Rock Park through October. The market moves to the Wilton Mall on Saturday, November 4. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and sign up for our newsletter at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org.
