How Easy is it to Find...

[mrflowers]

Hello Ladies,
H just spent a week over there in NL, and he got a really good position with his job, so we will be heading over there ASAP! I'm making a list of things to buy here, and I need some help.
Is it easy to find Boiron homeopathic products in NL? Barring Boiron, are there any Dutch homeopathic products that you guys can recommend (and that are easy to find there)?
How about natural living things, like chemical-free deo and bath products? When we last lived there, we couldn't ever find 'green' products, but I'm hoping that's changed in the intervening years.
Have the organic/biologische food products become more common? I'm really hoping that we will be able to find good produce and meats. Maybe at the weekly markets?
On a different note, H's offices will be in Aalsmeer, and I was looking into housing there. There didn't seem to be a lot available, and the prices were quite high (rentals). So I'm still thinking that I want to live in Oegstgeest, because I know the village and there is good availability, but if any of you are familiar with Aalsmeer and can tell me about the housing situation, maybe I can investigate further.

[mrflowers]

Yeah, scratch that, it's Alkmaar, not Aalsmeer.

[sarahmck]

I can't speak about the housing or organic situation in Alkmaar, but I can tell you about Amsterdam. Albert Heijn now carries quite a decent selection of organic products. You can see that for yourself if you go to albert.nl and look at their biologische selection. The Natuurwinkel is a national chain and you can see whether they have a store in Alkmaar; I suspect they do. They have organic produce and packaged and bulkfoods, as well as some natural cleaners and personal care products, including Weleda stuff. In Amsterdam, there are a variety of other organic stores, too, but they're mostly not chains.

As for homeopathic stuff, I don't see a lot of Boiron. Some, definitely, like the flu stuff, but I've never seen that stand full of their chapstick-like tubes of homeopathic remedies. However, you can get those remedies here at a homeopathic apotheek -- they just might need to order them for you so there's no instant gratification. If you have stuff that you use regularly, I would buy it in the States and bring it with you.

There's a popular brand of homeopathic preparations here called VSM. I think all their stuff is mixtures of various homeopathic remedies. They have a popular line of children's products (for intestinal cramps, teething, chicken pox, etc.) that is even available in Etos.

Let us know when you arrive!

[clogmama]

I personally find it much easier here than in the US to find organic food and chemical free products. I live in Utrecht, and there is an organic butcher and organic grocery store just down the street. Sometimes we also buy organic sheep meat at the weekly biologisch market. I've taken the kids to a homeopathic doctor a few times and have had good results.

[LilWin]

Alkmaar is cool! I grew up there, my brother and sister both live there. I was actually there yesterday! We like to go there once in a while for groceries too, because they have a huge supermarket called Eco Plaza. That store sells everything. There's also a weekly market especially for organic stuff, it's on Saturdays.
VSM sells good homeopathic things, the company is also based in Alkmaar. You can buy their products like Sarah said at Etos (pharmacist) or even Albert Heijn sells them. There are more brands, like Bloem and some stores have their own line. :)

[rzberrymom]

I personally find it much easier here than in the US to find organic food and chemical free products. I live in Utrecht, and there is an organic butcher and organic grocery store just down the street. Sometimes we also buy organic sheep meat at the weekly biologisch market. I've taken the kids to a homeopathic doctor a few times and have had good results.

I found this to be true too--there are two competing organic stores within 4 blocks of my house. Even most little towns seems to have an organic store, and a city like Alkmaar should have several of them.

[mrflowers]

Oh yay! This all sounds very good to me. I have to say, after looking around (googling around?) a bit, I think we will probably stick to the Leiden/Oegsgeest area. It sounds sort of dumb, but I find myself wanting to go back to a town we've already lived in. Because there's only so much change that I feel I can handle right now. Fine, let's have an international move while I'm five+ months pregnant, but don't make me get used to a new town.:wink
I have another question regarding consultatiebureau visits, but I'll start another thread for that one. Thanks for all of your answers!

[LeftFootGreen]

Sorry--this is a bit after you posted, but you can order specific homeopathic remedies from Hahnemann Apotheek. www.hahnemann.nl/

They have an English language ordering page. Many of the pharmacies carry VSM brand homeopathic remedies --but these are mostly mixtures, not classic single remedies. You'll have to order these.