Member Spotlight with Charlotte Chambers.

Member Spotlight

Living a healthy lifestyle is a priority for most of us. We spoke with National Pharmacies members Charlotte and Frances about how they stay healthy, naturally.

Charlotte Chambers

Co-Director mumamoo, Founder & Editor Kiddo Mag

Membership status: National Pharmacies member for 9 years

Local Pharmacy: National Pharmacies Mitcham and Cumberland Park

What is your favourite thing about being a National Pharmacies member? Knowing that I can always get the very best advice and service. I also love knowing that I am supporting a South Australian company. Plus, the discounts.

You’re also a member of the National Pharmacies community as a supplier with your infant formula brand mumamoo, can you tell us what it’s like being part of the community in that way? When we launched mumamoo in 2020 we knew that National Pharmacies was going to be a great partnership for mumamoo, their attention to detail and high level of customer service, we knew that our baby mumamoo was in safe hands.

Why did you create mumamoo formula? We started mumamoo because like nearly 60% of parents in Australia, we needed to incorporate formula into our babies’ diets. We were shocked to find most products on the shelf were either imported from the other side of the world and included ingredients like maltodextrin (a highly processed sweetener). We also wanted a natural product that included premium ingredients like prebiotics & probiotics and omegas 3 & 6, but left out added table sugars. Given we have such an amazing dairy industry here, we wanted to offer a product that was truly Australian made & owned, nutritionally complete and importantly, also supported the mother.

How important are natural ingredients to you? Natural ingredients are very important to me and my family, after all ...you are what you eat. Day to day what do you do to care for your health and wellness in a natural way? I love being outdoors and enjoy hills hikes and beach walks to keep fit. I also drink at least 2 litres of water a day and get plenty of sleep. I eat plenty of fresh produce, we are so lucky to live in such an incredible food bowl with access to some of the best and freshest food in the world. It’s easy to eat fresh when you live in Australia/South Australia.

Frances Aitken

Membership status: National Pharmacies Member for 20+ years

Local Pharmacy: National Pharmacies Cumberland Park

What do you like about your National Pharmacies membership? The wide range of products, the level of service, the knowledgeable staff and of course member’s discount.

How did you find out about naturopathy? Almost by accident - I happened to be in the Norwood store and was noodling around by the Vitamin C products looking for remedies for a common cold, when I was approached by Jo Hill - not knowing at the time that she was a Naturopath - who gave me some excellent advice and an effective remedy. Not long after this I was caught behind a bus in a trafc jam on Portrush Road and there on the back of the bus was a very large photograph of Jo, advertising her role as a Naturopath for National Pharmacies. That was the start of a really interesting - to say nothing of enjoyable - collaboration with her.

How has seeing a Naturopath helped your health and wellbeing? For the better, in that I have learnt more about nutrition and have been able to discuss in depth the relative merits of particular natural remedies, foods and supplements. It is possible to cover much ground in a half hour consult.

Can you tell us a little about why natural health alternatives are important to you? I’ve always been interested in the part played by natural health alternatives - nutrition in particular. As well as GP visits, it’s satisfying to take other positive steps to enhance one’s own health and well-being. I’m also aware that health trends come and go, and that not all research is reliable or transparent, so it’s excellent to be able to consult with a professional who can ‘curate’ reliable information.

How do you care for health and wellness in a positive way? I try to walk six days a week, there are so many benefits. Likewise I do yoga for flexibility and strength, and meditate. I also try to eat healthily - plenty of fruit and vegetables, enough protein and very little sugar. I also read every day; there’s a great natural therapy for you!

What other services do you utilise at National Pharmacies? I also shop at National Pharmacies Optical.