Health and Fitness Extravaganza at Dockyard.

Different restaurants that serve up organic dishes and vegetarian foods will be on display and health related businesses will show off their latest techniques.

And those interested can have their blood sugar and cholesterol tested.

Organiser and founding member of the Vegetarian Society, Hilary Evans, said there will be a number of different restaurants and groups serving vegetarian food which can be purchased.

"Health related businesses will also be on hand such as the Adventist Book Centre show casing books and food products.

"And there will also be demonstrations on reflexology, integral yoga, and hydrotherapy. Physiotherapists will also be on hand along with people displaying various types of vitamins,'' Ms Evans said.

She added that the Asthma Relief Centre will also be on hand as well as representatives from the Nurses Practice.

"The main library will show the books they have on health which can be ordered and obtained from the library,'' Ms Evans said.

"The day is aimed at bringing all aspects of health and fitness under one roof.'' She added that the idea of having the extravaganza was to "help various businesses show the public that there are easy ways to be healthy in all different forms''.

Ms Evans also said there would be seven different food stalls. "This year the emphasis at the extravaganza is the use of organic whole foods -- foods that are grown naturally -- and the fact that they can and do taste good.

"Miles grocery store, which could not be represented at the extravaganza, brings in some organic foods,'' Ms Evans added.

Floor manager for Miles Harry Kelly said: "We do the best that we can to bring in organics and we have had a few good lines for kids in baby food and juices.

"We also have gotten into getting organic fruits and vegetables because it is a lifestyle choice for some, it may cost a little more, but for those who have chosen that particular lifestyle we want to make it available.'' Mr. Kelly also said: "The only problem is availability. We do get free-range chicken and we take orders for turkey, especially around Christmas and Thanksgiving. We want to give people the option.'' He added: "Some things are not available to us but we get what we can. We have regular customers, wanting organic foods, coming in all the time bringing ideas about what other things they would like to see in the store.'' The chef from vegetarian restaurant, Seasons in the Sun, Reggie Berry said organics are important to vegetarians.

"Vegetarians want to upscale their diets with organic vegetables that are whole. Today vegetables have so much stuff on them like pesticides which decrease their amount of nutrition.

"For example spinach used to contain 76 percent iron now it only has 14 percent.'' Asked what the definition of organic produce is Chef Berry said: "Organic produce has no pesticides, or artificial fertiliser. It is grown and harvested in season and not treated in colour or ripening.'' Chef Berry added: "We need to go back to the basics and eat organics. I challenge anyone to eat organic food for a month and I guarantee that they will feel the difference.

"It is also a way to help the environment.'' He also said he was hoping to get 100 families to eat organically for one to three months.

But he added: "It is hard to get people to change their habits.'' The Health and Fitness extravaganza will be held at the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission will be $2.50 for adults and children are free.

The dishes will be on sale for $2.50.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro DISHING UP HEALTH -- Seasons in the Sun will be displaying dishes like three-grain casserole and marinated tofu stir fry at this weekend's Health and Fitness extravaganza. Pictured (above, from left) are chef Becky Parris, founding member of the Vegetarian Society Hilary Evans, chef Ben Marande, member of the society Amanda Metheson and chef Reggie Berry. At right is a potato lasagna with wild mushrooms and sherry vegetable broth.