Angela Blaha and Amber Mengenhauser, owners of A & A Eatery and Apothecary, are passionate about many things. The two met approximately four years ago when Mengenhauser enrolled in an empowerment class via zoom that Blaha was teaching. The women connected and when Mengenhauser was asked by Blaha what her dream job position would be during the class, she answered that she wanted to be her assistant.

“I told her she would be my partner…destiny,” remarked Blaha.

From there the two worked together to bring a vision of clean eating and natural healing products to the local area. A & A Eatery and Apothecary, formerly the Inside Scoop, was created in February of this year. The establishment is located at 310 S. Highway 281 in Lake Andes, South Dakota.

Blaha, who grew up in Wagner and lives by the river now, has an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in the fields of psychology. She has been an entrepreneur since her college days. And as a self-described “creative spirit” and travel enthusiast, Blaha incorporates her knowledge of natural healing into her work.

She noted, “It has been a lifelong dream to finally be able to bring alternative methods to the area.”

Mengenhauser grew up in Lake Andes and now lives in Wagner. She battled migraines for years, which led her to the use of natural medicines and essential oils. From there her knowledge has grown and Mengenhauser makes her own natural products that are 95% free of chemicals.

“This is the reason I am so passionate about the apothecary within A & A Eatery, I know how chemical freedom has changed my mind, body and spirit,” explained Mengenhauser.

The two women joined forces with the common goals of clean eating and natural healing. Blaha described how it is important to both her and Mengenhauser that attention is brought to how food influences feeling, thoughts and responses to the world.

Blaha detailed, “Amber asked me to partner with her to expand and change the way we view food and to open our awareness (about) how much food plays a role in our ability to shift our consciousness.”

In addition to natural products, healthy and delicious food options are on the menu at A & A Eatery and Apothecary. Blaha and Mengenhauser hired Joey Opheim to be the head chef and kitchen manager. Opheim is originally from Minnesota and was a chef in Sioux Falls. He has been experienced in management for a long time and an emphasis for the kitchen will be to provide clean food and less fried food.

Delicious desserts are also on the menu. Opheim has a specialty of providing amazing cheesecake. Ice cream and ice cream cakes are also available. For entrees, buddha bowls are Blaha’s favorite menu item.

“They make me feel alive, energized and focused. The heavy foods just weigh me down, make me feel scattered and I wanted to bring that awareness here,” noted Blaha.

Recently A & A Eatery served a sweet potato chickpea buddha bowl which consisted of sweet potatoes, red onions, kale, chickpeas and tahini sauce. They have also served burger buddha bowls. The establishment offers farm to table beef and plans to add farm to table pork in the near future.

While the day to day operations are exciting, it is the ability to connect with their customers that Blaha and Mengenhauser find extremely rewarding.

The two commented, “Meeting all the people and serving them whether with food, natural products, gifts or just having a great conversation is the best part.”