New Toronto’s Monika Meulman says a sign on a telephone pole 25-years ago changed her life forever.

She studied hard and passed the Reflexology course and today is one of the community’s top healer and gardener.

The owner of The Healing Muse Apothecary, at 2861 LakeShore Blvd. W., is skilled in the arts of aromatherapy, body reading, feng shui, intuitive healing, reflexology and reiki.

“All our products are plant based,” Meulman says of her store. “People know us in the community and we have our regular cutomers.”
Today she is catering to a young family who are purchasing Himalayan bath salts, which is mined in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and is said to reduce fatigue, stress, pain and increase feelings of contentment and emotional health.

Her cozy store is filled with shelves containing bottles of different natural creams and lotions known for their healing properties. She also sell products from local growers or vendors.

“Our naturopathic medicines are good for the mind and body,” she says. “It’s all plant based and more people are using them.”

She is also chair of the Lakeshore Environmental Garden Society (LEGS), which promotes food security and educate the public on permaculture, organic and urban safe food growing practices.

“We strive to support, connect and create spaces that support vulnerable communities and anyone that wants and needs access to healthy, fresh and affordable food,” Meulman says.

She says the group build community strength by offering free plants and nature, facilitate wildlife restoration through wild garden practices and education and park clean-ups.

They bring programs and wildlife gardens to schools in our community and meet with youth, seniors, and local community groups to develop a strong South Etobicoke web of programs, workshops, and information.

LEGS is hosting a contest that anyone can enter the first week of October.

They are asking people growing things indoors and outdoors to submit up to three photos of their most interesting fruit, vegetable or plant. A panel will then judge to see who wins a prize of a Sweet Olenka’s Chocolate package. The top 50 photos will be posted online for a people’s choice award.

They have a food forest garden at the Daily Bread Food Bank, at 191 New Toronto St.

Visit them at www.legsetobicoke.ca