Cabin Chemistry: a health and happiness haven
From our weekly issue dated May 20, 2009
Fifteen years ago, Billie & Tim Coakley, looking for a place to retire in the Pacific Northwest, drove through Cave Junction on their way to visit friends in Florence.
About CJ, they said, “What a nice little town” -- came back and bought a house.
At first Billie assisted neighbors with their orchards, or remodels, even bartended at Ivy’s Roadhouse. Her varied background includes owning and operating restaurants; an import business with a retail store; beadwork and jewelry design; landscaping, and massage therapy. Billie loves to cook and for 30 years has grown herbs and made salves, oils and tinctures and herbal tea blends.
Eleven years ago in March, she combined her vast array of talents and opened Cabin Chemistry.
“I can help people cook and eat healthier, and take better care of themselves and their families by providing organic foods for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores to residents of the valley and people passing through,” she said.
Cabin Chemistry offers a wide variety of liquid Herbal Extracts from Herb Pharms, as well as supplements, some gifts, and books. But Billie’s main focus now is healthy organic foods.
“Mass media can be very beneficial to the natural food business,” she says. “If Oprah talks about Acai, for example, demand will be high for that product. Organic products are mainstream now; there is even an organic vegetable garden at the White House.”
Billie bought a membership with Wild River Organics on Caves Hwy., a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), because the family that runs it did a great job last year. They will be picking and delivering produce on Thursdays.
Looking for organic adzuki beans or even organic dog food? Billie has them in stock. From molasses to sea salt, Cabin Chemistry also has a large selection of organic and wild crafted herbs. Also handy for this area, Cabin Chemistry sells a variety of poison oak soaps and homeopathic remedies.
For low-glycemic individuals, there’s Xylitol, Stevia and Agave nectar. Gluten-free and wheat-free products also are available.
Healthy can still be delicious, such as nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, or for that sweet-tooth, try Dagoba chocolate or a dairy-free frozen treat.
Billie also produces a combination of herbs, oils and butters, including Belly Butter for pregnant women, and Esther’s lemon crème. Cleopatra’s Halo is a hair elixir made with Rosemary, Patchouli, Jasmine, Lavender, Sandalwood and Jojoba oils.
Al Devine from Evergreen Federal Bank designed labels for Billie’s Cave Bear Remedy, a sore muscle relief. This deep-heating oil is solar infused with 11 herbs and blended with wintergreen oil and menthol crystals.
During the May 2009 ArtWalk, Billie presented Bob Schumacher with $100 toward the Chateau Restoration Fund, representing $1 from every bottle of Cave Bear Remedy she sold during 2008 and 2009.
A Charter member of Illinois Valley Rotary Club, Billie also belongs to the Illinois River Valley Arts Council (IRVAC), and she supported ArtWalk last year by sponsoring music by George & Annwyn Leverett. Billie says that she is happy with IRVAC’s Learning Through Arts program and was quite impressed as a judge of Illinois Valley High school senior student projects.
Billie is looking forward to August ArtWalk, when she will provide different food and recipes with “A Taste of Cabin Chemistry” at I.V. Visitor Center.
Billie and her helpful assistant, Joanna, are knowledgeable about herbs and supplements, as well as dietary choices. Come sit on her comfortable Kauffman Wood Products bench and browse through her reference books to make a more informed choice about your purchase.
Billie tries to buy “Fair Trade,” and she is working on minimizing her carbon footprint as she becomes more aware of how far products travel, using local distributors whenever possible.
Saturdays are delivery dates for delicious fresh, frozen and refrigerated food, so Cabin Chemistry will now be open Thursdays through Mondays, and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Visit Cabin Chemistry at 337 S. Redwood Hwy. between 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of Redwood and Caves highways, next to Michelle’s Family Restaurant; or phone 592-3350.
See how shopping at Cabin Chemistry can help you become a healthier, happier person.
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