The Treehouse for Earth’s Children in Farmington is a unique business – part health food store, part education center, part wellness center, and part café. They even grow some of their own food for the deli in their garden. They have been at their present location for almost 20 years, but have been in business longer.
The owner, Christine Meinke, comes from a long line of healers. Her grandfather owned a hospital in Hazel Park where he established an organic garden to help feed the patients. Her father, Herman, got interested in natural alternatives primarily through diet changes and natural modalities. And she actually learned reflexology when she was only 6.
On the food front, the Treehouse is probably best known for their Sunday buffets. They offer a different buffet every Sunday and it’s all you can eat. They introduced the buffets about 2 years ago to bring people together as a community. They also thought it would be a great way for people to try new food.
The first Sunday of each month is the Mexi-Italian day (75% Raw, 25% Cooked), the second Sunday is Mediterranean/Sandwich day (70% Raw, 30% Cooked), the third Sunday is always 100% All Raw Buffet (95% Vegan), the fourth Sunday of each month is Gerson's Buffet (no salt or fats except flax oil), and if there happens to be a fifth Sunday of the month that is called The Best of the Best (75% Raw, 25% Cooked). Buffets are $15 a person, except the raw buffet which is $20.
“The goal of the café and buffets is to introduce people to a healthier way of eating,” says Christine. “Hippocrates said ‘Heal thyself first’ and we want to show people how to do that with food – through raw foods, organic cooked foods, and the Gerson diet.”
The Treehouse is one of the only places in the area that actually serves food base on the Gerson diet. They were heavily influenced by and trained with Charlotte Gerson before opening. Originally they were going to serve raw food only, but they transitioned back to cooked foods to accommodate their customer base and to serve the Gerson diet.
They are also a big proponent of biodynamic gardening and teach workshops on it. They use it for their wheat grass, among other items. They believe this type of gardening enhances the lifeforce of the plants and makes minerals more bioavailable.
Matt Yanke, manager, has been with The Treehouse for eight years, but knew the family since he was younger. They helped him with a healing crisis and now he wants to repay that debt by helping others. “Food will rebuild and renew your cells,” he says. “We are experts in holistic foods – helping people change their lives with information, counseling, and of course, the food itself.”
So if you want to try something a little off-the-beaten path, or if you just like the idea of all-you-can-eat health foods, then give The Treehouse a try. It might just change your health!
The Treehouse is located at 22906 Mooney St in Farmington. They are open Mondays 11 am to 7 pm and Tuesday through Sunday 11 am to 9 pm. Sunday brunches are from 1 to 6 pm. 248-473-0624
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