Bonnie Dees opened Body-B-Healthy, in Crestview, in 1999. “We meet your nutritional needs by offering the industry’s most comprehensive line of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and standardized herbal extracts, as well as supplements for digestion aid and sports maintenance,” she says. “I have a strong faith in God, our mighty creator. I believe we all have a purpose to live our lives and that we are to be a positive influence to everyone we meet. Listen to others and really care. Ask God for guidance to help us make a difference in people’s lives.”

Body-B-Healthy provides high-quality, 100 percent plant-sourced vitamins for the true vegetarian and natural remedies for sleep disorders, ADD and ADHD, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, candida and more. “We are proud to offer our own Body-B-Healthy private label supplements, as well as essential oils,” says Dees. “We also serve all natural 100 percent fruit smoothies and protein drinks off the menu or made to order or micro-clustered alkaline water.” Convenient drive-through is available.

Dees recalls, ‘My parents were my biggest influences. My father was a minister and I was raised in a loving home atmosphere. Reading, sewing, camping and gardening; especially with herbs, were my interests. Learning to garden from my dad provided me with the knowledge of the benefits of the healing properties of natural herbs. One of my brothers opened his own health food store in Enterprise, Alabama, and encouraged me to do the same. It has been the best decision or choice I have ever made.

“When someone walks into my business and they have an affliction of any kind, they need someone to listen to them who truly cares. My staff and I provide that. When they return and express how much better they are feeling, it brings me joy and puts a smile on my face. We have such awesome, caring customers, many of whom are already healthy, and it shows. They are my friends, not just customers, and I learn from them, as well. It’s such a blessing to be able to do what I believe God has called me to do.”

Dees knows what it’s like to face a health challenge. “In 1988, I was diagnosed with hepatitis B. I became very sick and the outcome did not look very promising,” she says. “I believed with all my heart that I would overcome this horrible disease. Praying to God, and with the help of family and friends, we won the battle! After one year of pain and sickness, I improved. I remember waking up one morning and realizing I was no longer nauseous. My brother helped in my healing by giving me herbs from his store. After this journey in my life, I knew I had something more to do. After studying and researching all I could on the healing properties of herbs and natural remedies, I realized God’s plan and opened Body-B-Healthy.”

Body-B-Healthy also offer specialized services such as DPA Analysis, Zyto Compass Scanning and Nutritional Blood Analysis. “Our goal is to help our customers with the latest and best of alternative medicines that technology has to offer,” says Dees. “My staff and I take advantage of training seminars and educational courses offered by many of the top-rated manufacturers in this industry, including Blue Bonnet, Gaia Herbs, Garden of Life, Enzymedica and Nordic Naturals and others. We also have in-store educational training seminars that are free to the consumer and have found that these events are very helpful to our customers.”

Contrary to what many people believe, “All nutritional supplements are regulated by the DSHEA [Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] of the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. They are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements and regulations.” Says Dees.

“I have found that all things work out for good when I focus on my customers’ health and wellness,” says Dees. “We also are very proud of all the military families in our community that are serving our country and offer them a 10 percent discount on supplements. God has been good and has blessed my business, and I am truly thankful and grateful. Therefore, I try to give back to his people. I ‘feed his sheep.’”

Body-B-Healthy is located at 2227 S. Ferdon Blvd., in Crestview. For more information, call 850-682-8893 or email: [email protected].