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  • Tips for Staying Healthy This Flu Season

    Tips for Staying Healthy This Flu Season

    UPDATE 5/5/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are unavailable to special order these items as well):
      • LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Yeast
      • LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Eggs

    UPDATE 4/30/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Due to high demand with curbside orders, our phone extensions have changed! Please listen to our NEW phone menu as they have changed for ALL stores.

    UPDATE 4/17/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also unavailable to special order these items as well):
      • LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
        • All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
        • Whole chickens
      • LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
        • All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
        • Protein staples, and beef products
        • Chicken, eggs, milk
        • Yeast
      • LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Cascade toilet paper

    UPDATE 4/15/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • In order to shop inside all of our stores, state mandated masks must be worn inside.
    • The coffee/tea stations and nut butter machines are no longer self-service. To use these areas, please ask an associate for help.
    • Want to change up your routine at home, check out our blog, social media accounts and our Pinterest page for fun ideas! There is something new everyday! Make sure you check out Women’s Voice magazine & the Non-GMO Project’s streaming of the award-winning documentary film Modified, available for FREE until April 22nd! For more information, check out our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram).

    UPDATE 4/11/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Please wear a mask if you leave your house. All of our team members are wearing masks and we are encouraging all customers to wear masks when they shop inside with us.
    • All stores will be closed tomorrow for Easter and we will reopen on Monday.
    • Our Curbside Pick-Up program will be unavailable from 6pm tonight until Monday morning. If you have a Curbside order in process or ready for pick-up, you must come get it before 8pm on Saturday as we will be CLOSED on Sunday for Easter and you will have to wait to pick-up on Monday. However, all stores will remain open until 8pm tonight if you need to grab a couple of last minute groceries for tomorrow!
    • Regarding our Curbside Pick-Up program, orders may take more than 24 hours to fulfill. Please check your email for receipt of order and kindly DO NOT place a repeat order to insure we got your first one- it confuses the system too much. Thanks for your patience.

    UPDATE 4/9/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Please be patient with us! In order to practice proper social distancing, we are limiting the number of customers in the store at a given time.
    • Curbside orders may take extra time to be fulfilled – we thank you for your patience and cooperation. Our stores are still open for walk-in business but please practice proper social distancing.

    UPDATE 4/7/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Effective today, 4/7/2020, our cafe hours have changed! Cafes will be open from 9am-4pm everyday. If you would like to place an order, you can place the order inside, call or order online through www.shopbasil.com.
    • Please be aware of certain policies for our Curbside Pick-Up program:
      • We will process orders as quickly as possible, but please understand that it might take us several hours (or longer) before your order is ready for pick up.
      • Depending on volume, some orders may not be available for collection until the following day.
      • Orders placed after 6pm will ONLY be available for collection the following day.
      • Orders are available for pickup from 9am-7pm daily.
      • All orders are final. We currently do not have the ability to revise the order after it is submitted.

    UPDATE 3/31/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • We’re online! You can now place your orders for our Curbside Pick-Up program online through our website by clicking here or visiting www.basilbandwagon.com/curbside-pick-up/.
    • Need a quick and easy dinner for two? We now offer F2M Dinner for 2 for only $19.99! To see what’s on the menu, please call the stores directly:
      • Flemington: 908-788-5737
      • Clinton: 908-735-3822
      • Lambertville: 609-460-4500

    UPDATE 3/23/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Regarding our Curbside Pick-Up program, your tips are applied to our round-up program as generous gift to our local organizations. Each of our stores are “rounding-up” at the registers for different local groups (as follows):
      • Flemington = The Flemington Food Pantry
      • Clinton = The Open Cupboard Food Pantry
      • Lambertville = Fisherman’s Mark
    • Our cafés are still open! To order from the café, you can come in, call ahead, or order online by visiting www.shopbasil.com!
    • We are asking all customers to follow these guidelines in order to help our staff and community stay as healthy as possible:
      1. Practice social distancing (6 feet) at all times (and when possible)
      2. Shop quickly
      3. Please limit shopping to one family member when possible
    • Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also unavailable to special order these items as well):
      • LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
        • All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
        • Whole chickens
      • LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
        • All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
        • Protein staples, and beef products
        • Chicken, eggs, milk
      • LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Cascade toilet paper
    • We’re working on our checkout terminals so that physical touching of pinpads are limited. What do we mean by this? When paying with a card (debit or credit), all cards are to run as credit. This means that for debit transactions, customers must press ENTER when prompted for a pin (but DO NOT enter your pin).
    • Until further notice, CASH BACK IS SUSPENDED.

    UPDATE 3/20/2020: Here is the latest important information:

    • Starting Saturday 3/21/2020, the first hour (8am-9am) of all stores will be open solely to seniors (62+), pregnant mothers and immunocompromised individuals. If you do not fit under any of these, please wait to shop until after 9am!
    • In an effort to protect our most vulnerable Community Members, we are now offering curbside pick-up. Please call us directly at the following numbers to place a phone order:
      • Flemington: 908-788-5737
      • Clinton: 908-735-3822
      • Lambertville: 609-460-4500
    • Unfortunately, we do not have our catalogue online currently available. However, you can place a cafe order for pick-up at shopbasil.com. We are working on getting the rest of our catalogue online.
    • Our curbside pick-up is a work in progress and we greatly appreciate your support and patience with us as we work through the “kinks” of this program! We are trying to process orders within a timely manner.
    • We are not selling self-serve kombucha until further notice.
    • We are also “rounding up” at the registers for local food pantries in the area. The following stores that we are “rounding up” are for the following food pantries:
      • Flemington = Flemington Food Pantry
      • Clinton = Open Cupboard Food Pantry
      • Lambertville = Fisherman’s Mark

    UPDATE 3/19/2020: In support of a healthy community, we are updating some store policies:

    • Please be expedient with your purchases and exit the building. While you are shopping in the building, we appreciate the practice of social distancing (maintaining a distance of about 6 feet from others) when possible.
      • To limit the time it takes to wait for your cafe orders, you can place your order, pay for it, and select a pick-up time online! To do so, please visit www.shopbasil.com. Please make sure that you select the correct store before ordering!
    • If you’re feeling “under the weather,” please be mindful of others and stay home.
    • We have temporarily suspended our refund and return policies. To ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers, ALL sales are final.
    • In order to reduce the spread of germs, we are asking that all customers and staff to not bring in any reusable containers, drinkware, or bags. However, if you are using a reusable bag, we would like to ask you to bag your own items.
    • Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also limiting special orders of these items as well):
      • LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
        • All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
      • LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
        • All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
        • Whole chickens, protein staples, and beef products
        • Chicken, eggs, milk

    If you’re staying home and would like to invest in a future purchase with us (once we all nip this thing in the behind), please consider ordering a gift card! You can purchase a gift card at shopbasil.com!

    We appreciate your cooperations and your local support!

    UPDATE 3/17/2020: This is an evolving situation that we will continue to closely monitor on a daily basis. When updates arise, we will notify our staff and customers as soon as possible. We want to thank our staff and customers for the endless love and support that we have received over the past couple of days. We appreciate your understanding of our various supply issues and our constant updates. Here are the updates as of today:

    • We have sent out a company wide update informing all team members of CDC recommendations for preventing the spread of germs. In that same communication we are putting a strong emphasis on team members adhering to the Basil Bandwagon Handbook sick policy, which reiterates many of the CDC’s recommendations.
    • As always, our team members will continue to frequently wash their hands and will be wearing gloves at checkout lanes. Cashiers will also have cleaning supplies at the registers to frequently wipe down checkout lanes, pin pads and other frequently touched surfaces.  Our teams will also be wiping down frequently touched surfaces throughout the store, including doorknobs and handles.
    • All seating areas have been removed.
    • All cafés will continue to have take-away service.
    • We will not be offering any food samples and all vendor demos have been cancelled in an effort to reduce the spread of germs and reduce person-to-person contact. We have also removed all testers (grocery, wellness, and beauty areas) from the shelves and will replace with new ones in the future.
    • All kombucha stations are no longer self-serve. We ask that all customers do not refill your personal growlers at this time. Please ask an associate to fill a growler or cup. We will be providing free growlers soon- until then, please use to-go cups only.
    • Our staff is working hard to keep the store fully stocked as possible. We are working with our distributors to maintain inventory, although we may experience temporary out of stock issues with some essentials. This is an unprecedented event and volume of sales.
    • Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also limiting special orders of these items as well):
      • LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
        • Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
        • All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
      • LIMIT 3 PER CUSTOMER:
        • All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
      • LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
        • All meat and protein staples, eggs, milk

    UPDATE 3/7/2020: Hey there Basil Bandwagon shoppers! We know coronavirus is the talk of the town lately and while we don’t want to make light of it, we want to remind everyone that there’s no reason to panic! Even in China where most cases have occurred, there is only 1 case for every 85,000 residents that live there. And the other good news is that in 80% or more of those cases, symptoms are like a bad cold.

    How is Basil Bandwagon Natural Market Doing Their Part to Limit the Spread of Germs?

    Cashiers have wipes at the registers to frequently wipe anything that may be touched by our shoppers (keypad, register belts, etc.). As always, our employees will continue to frequently wash their hands with hot water and soap, and we will continue to make sure that café tables and other frequently touched areas of the store will be washed and disinfected to help avoid the spread of germs.    

    Tips for Staying Healthy in General:

    • Wash Your Hands – Frequent hand washing with just soap and warm water is important for protecting against all infectious diseases and use hand sanitizers and disinfectants when soap and water are not available. Hand sanitizer is becoming harder to find as distributors cannot keep up with such high demands. Click here for some DIY recipes you can make at home!
    • Disinfect Surfaces – Coronaviruses can persist on surfaces for up to 9 days! Make sure you disinfect surfaces in your home, especially if you think someone might be infected.
    • Strengthen Immunity – Unfortunately those folks who are older and/or are immune compromised have a much higher rate of death from all viruses, and so doing what you can to strengthen your immune system is vital.

    Strategies to Boost your Immune System

    Exercise, stress relief, a balanced diet and certain supplements are all effective ways to boost your immune system:

    • Exercise – Regular exercise mobilizes T cells, a type of white blood cells which guard the body against infection. However, continuous rigorous workouts can actually weaken the immune system, so moderation is a key.  
    • Sleep – A solid 7-8 hours is needed to avoid reducing the activities of T cells in your body.
    • Less Stress – Stress can release the hormone cortisol, which negatively affects T cell reproduction. Try yoga, meditation or deep breathing each day to reduce your stress levels. If you would like some recommendations, ask some of our staff members – there are lots of local businesses who would love to work with you!
    • Moderate Alcohol Intake – while moderate consumption of alcohol can positively affect overall health, excess intake (more than 2 drinks/day) can negatively affect the immune system.
    • Stop Smoking – Smoking impairs the immune system, and you have a significantly higher chance of being seriously affected by virus infections.
    • Healthier Diet – Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts are loaded with nutrients essential to immune health. A diet rich in colorful food typically will be higher in valuable vitamins. These foods all can help you strengthen your immune system: citrus, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, almonds, turmeric, green tea, kiwi, poultry, and sunflower seeds to name a few!
    • Herbs, Vitamins and Supplements – While the hope is you can get many needed nutrients from your diet, supplementing can help improve your immune system.  Here are just a few things you may want to include in your daily regime:
      • Echinacea, Elderberry, Andrographis, Colloidal Silver, Monolaurin & Zinc
      • Vitamins A, B6, C, D & E all help strengthen your immune system, and especially Vitamin C, which you can get from citrus fruits, spinach and strawberries. And although it’s cold here now, consider getting outside during sunny days to help your body produce more Vitamin D. Even just 15 minutes in the sunlight will help!
      • Mushrooms and mushroom supplements – rich in essential nutrients and very good for your immune system.
    • Herbs, Vitamins, & Supplements
    • Household Cleaners
    • Healthier Diet

    We all hope that the spread of Covid-19 is curtailed as soon as possible and if so, great, but if not, we look forward to helping you as you reduce stress, improve your diet and strengthen the ever important immunity system.  All of which is good regardless of what season we are in!    

    For more information:

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

    https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/infections/2019-novel-coronavirus-sars-cov2-covid-19

    https://www.npr.org/2020/02/27/810016611/coronavirus-101-what-you-need-to-know-to-prepare-and-prevent

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/02/26/how-to-prepare-for-coronavirus/?arc404=true

    https://healthcareinamerica.us/for-a-stronger-immunity-natural-ways-to-boost-the-immune-system-d7aba9ae599b

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?utm_source=Good+Harvest+Contact+List&utm_campaign=407de02845-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_05_08_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ae16396593-407de02845-109654375

  • DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes

    DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes

    Flu season is no joke! Check out these simple DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes below to help keep those germs away.

    All recipes yield 2 oz of hand sanitizer, however, recipes can be altered to make more or less if desired. If final product is too thick, add more alcohol/vodka; if it is too thin, add more aloe vera/vegetable glycerin.

    Shake final product well before each use and apply generously. The final product should last several months.

    The CDC recommends hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol.

    Pranarom Hand Purifier

    Ingredients:

    3 tablespoons neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 teaspoons aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    24-36 drops Pranarom Good Samaritan or Immunity Boost Wellness Formula essential oils

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Aura Cacia Cleansing Hand Gel Spray

    Ingredients:

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Cinnamon Leaf essential oil

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Bergamot essential oil

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Tea Tree essential oil

    1/3 cup aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    2/3 cup neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Wyndmere Hand Defense

    Ingredients:

    8 drops of Wyndmere Defend Naturally essential oil

    1/3 cup aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    2/3 cup neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Aura Cacia Stress-No-More Hand Spray

    Ingredients:

    5 drops Aura Cacia Lavender essential oil

    15 drops of Aura Cacia Tea Tree essential oil

    1.5 oz neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    1/2 oz aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    1/8 teaspoon Jason Vitamin E Oil

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    For more information:

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

    https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/infections/2019-novel-coronavirus-sars-cov2-covid-19

    https://www.npr.org/2020/02/27/810016611/coronavirus-101-what-you-need-to-know-to-prepare-and-prevent

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/02/26/how-to-prepare-for-coronavirus/?arc404=true

  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 3/5/2020

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 3/5/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    We have all your immune support needs!
    The Jackfruit Company: Plant-Based Pulled Pork
    Just Thrive: Gluten Away, Vitamin k2-7, Probiotic & Antioxidant, Precision Prebiotic, and Ultimate IgG
    Kite Hill Blissful Plant-Based Yogurts: Peaches and Cream, Strawberries and Cream, & Blueberry Limoncello
    Duverger: Organic French Macarons (Raspberry & Chocolate)
    Nancy’s Non-Dairy Yogurt: Apple Cinnamon Oatmilk
    Spero: The Cinn (Cinnamon Creamy Cheese) & a beautiful PACKAGE CHANGE!
    Pascha: Bar Zero Dark Chocolate Bar
  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/27/2020

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/27/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Bluebonnet: Intimate Essentials Line (Maca, For Him, For Her, LJ100) & Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
    Gabriella’s Kitchen Hemp Bowls: Fabulous Farro & Tuscan Style Veg, Chunky Chickpea & Squash, and Loaded Lentil & Mushroom
    Basil Bandwagon Natural Market: Elderberry Syrup (larger size), Melatonin 10mg, & Berberine
    Everyone Products: Hand Soap, Foaming Hand Soap, Kids Foaming Wash, and Essential Oil Roll-Ons (Uplift, Revive, Focus, Relax, Calm, & Sleep)
    Mestemacher Protein Bread: Almond, Carrot, & Walnut
    Rhythm Cauliflower Bites: Buffalo Ranch, Sea Salt, & White Cheddar
    Valley Shepherd Creamery: Black Truffle Goat Cheese, Sheep Yogurt (Strawberry, Vanilla, & Plain), & Vat Cultured Butter
    Whole Life Pet: Pure Chicken Breast Cat Treats
    Wholesun Wellness: Lions Mane, Real Energy, Deep Immune Health, Deep Digestive Health, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Chaga, Shiitake, & Maitake
  • RECAP: New Product Friday 2/21/2020

    RECAP: New Product Friday 2/21/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    ACURE: Shampoo/Conditioner Package Change, Dry Shampoo, & Ultra Hydrating Overnight Dream Cream
    Counter Culture: Probiotic Dish Soap, Probiotic All Purple Organic Cleaner, & Probiotic Cleaning Wipes (all different scents)
    Chameleon Cold Brew: Oat Milk Lattes (Maple & Dark Chocolate)
    Kite Hill: Sour Cream Alternative
    Garden of Life: Stronger Bones, Organic Prenatal Multi Gummies, Organic Kids Multi Gummies (Cherry & Fruit Flavors), & their shaker bottle promotion!
    New York Natto
    Osso Good: Sippable Bone Broths (Signature, Chicken, & Beef) & Paleo Soups (Tomato Basil, Thai Coconut, & Butternut Squash)
    Superieur Electrolytes: Red Raspberry (tub & packets) & Concord Grape (tub)
    Sprout Living: Pea Protein (unflavored)
  • Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry with Christine Waltermyer

    Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry with Christine Waltermyer

    Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”

    Serves 4

    Ingredients

    1 tablespoon olive oil

    1 medium onion, chopped

    3 cloves garlic minced

    ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

    2 cups sliced mushrooms

    1 teaspoon curry powder, or to taste

    ½ teaspoon turmeric

    3 heirloom carrots, peeled and sliced

    1 container CocoJune Organic cultured coconut yogurt

    1 8-oz. pack Pumfu pumpkin seed tofu, cubed

    ¼ small head green cabbage, chopped

    2-3 cups broccoli spears

    Method

    1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. A pinch of the salt helps the onions to soften.

    2. Cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions have softened. Add the sliced mushrooms, curry powder, remaining sea salt and turmeric.

    3. Cook and stir for a few minutes, then cover for a few more minutes.

    4. Uncover and add carrots and the coconut yogurt. Stir and cover, cooking for another minute.

    5. Add the cabbage, Pumfu and broccoli. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender but still bright green. Serve hot, over cooked quinoa or rice. Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”

    Serves 4-6

    A colorful, heart-healthy salad that highlights seasonal vegetables.

    Ingredients

    Salad:

    ½ head radicchio, chopped

    ½ cup chopped fennel bulb

    1 mandarin orange, sliced

    2 tablespoons sliced almonds

    2 heads Belgian endive, cored and sliced

    3 heirloom rainbow carrots, peeled and diced

    5 cups chopped romaine lettuce

    Dressing:

    ½ cup olive oil

    ⅓ champagne vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple sugar

    ½ teaspoon sea salt

    1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

    Juice of one small orange 

    Method

    1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

    2. In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Whisk well to blend.

    3. Just before serving the salad, pour desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/13/2020

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/13/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah Hemp Milks: Unsweetened Original, Original, & Unsweetened Vanilla
    Justin’s: Peanut Butter Cups with Crispy Quinoa
    Kastania: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    Little Secrets Cookie Bars: Dark Chocolate with Salted Caramel
    PlantFusion: Elite Activated Peptide Protein & Inspire for Women (both come in vanilla and chocolate)
    Rishi: Chaga Chai Concentrate
    Basil Bandwagon Natural Market: Collagen Peptides in larger size!
    Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer: Tea Tree Oil with Lemongrass, Tea Tree Oil with Lavender, & Tea Tree Oil
    The Hemp Division Drinks: Recover, Siesta, & Calm
    Silk: Dairy Free Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Triple Layer Carob Cake with Christine Waltermyer

    Triple Layer Carob Cake with Christine Waltermyer

    Triple Layer Carob Cake

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”

    Triple Layer Carob Cake

    Makes One 2-Layer Cake

    This paleo cake is refined sugar-free, grain-free and decadent!

    Ingredients

    Frosting:

    ¼ cup maple syrup (+ a little extra if needed after it chills, to achieve the right consistency)

    ½ cup carob powder

    ½ cup refined coconut oil

    ½ cup almond butter (I used sprouted almond butter)

    Cake (Dry Ingredients):

    2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Flour

    ½ cup carob powder

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    Cake (Wet Ingredients):

    4 pastured eggs

    ½ cup avocado oil

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    ½ cup pure maple syrup

    For Presentation: Optional raspberry sauce (recipe below), fresh mint, flaked sea salt

    Method

    To make the frosting:

    In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients and stir well until smooth. Refrigerate while you make the cake. You may need to a little more maple syrup later after chilling the frosting, to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. If you want extra frosting for decorating, you can double this recipe.

    To make the cake:

    1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease two 8-inch cake pans with avocado oil. You can place a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of each one if you like, to make releasing the cakes a little easier.

    2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir well to combine. Evenly divide the batter between two cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or just until set on top.

    3. Remove the frosting from the refrigerator to come to room temperature. 

    4. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool. When cool to the touch you can invert the cakes, releasing them from the pans, onto plates lined with parchment paper. Flip one cake onto a cake plate. 

    5. Stir the frosting to help it soften. If needed, add a little more maple syrup to achieve the right spreadable consistency.

    6. Cover the top of the cake with frosting. Place the other layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the frosting. Clean any crumbs from the plate.

    7. To serve, when plating each slice drizzle with optional raspberry sauce, sprinkle with flaked sea salt and place a mint sprig on the side.

    Optional Raspberry Sauce Recipe

    Ingredients:

    1 10-ounce bag frozen raspberries

    2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup

    Equipment: plastic squirt bottle with nozzle

    Method:

    Place the raspberries and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until almost boiling. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Place in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Using a funnel, pour into the squirt bottle. Use to make a zigzag design on each piece of cake when served.

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”

    Vegan White Chocolate Bark

    with dried cranberries

    Makes 16 Hearts

    Ingredients

    6 oz Sunfood organic cacao butter, melted

    ⅓ cup vegan vanilla protein powder

    2 tablespoons dried cranberries (sugar free if possible)

    2 tablespoons hemp hearts 

    2 tablespoons chopped goji berries

    ¼  teaspoon sea salt

    ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    A few drops – ½ teaspoon SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Vanilla Creme Sweetener

    Equipment: Silicone heart-shaped molds (or you can just make bark in an 8 x 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper), pretty boxes for packaging

    Method

    1. Heat an inch of water in a saucepan. Place a metal bowl over it. Add the cacao and heat until melted.

    2. Add the protein powder, vanilla, sea salt, and stevia drops. Whisk to blend.

    3. Working quickly, use an immersion blender to blend smooth.

    4. Pour into silicone molds or an 8 x 8-inch dish lined with parchment paper.

    5. Sprinkle the hemp hearts, dried cranberries and chopped goji berries across the tops.

    6. Place in the refrigerator to set for 2 to 4 hours.

    7. Carefully release the chilled hearts from the mold (or break the bark into random pieces). Place the chocolate in gift box of choice. The white chocolate will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Or you can store in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.

    Homemade Natural Bath Bombs

    with Essential Oils

    Makes 2 Medium Size Bath Bombs

    Ingredients

    ½ cup baking soda

    ¼ cup organic cornstarch

    ¼ cup epsom salts

    ¼ teaspoon Decorative Food Colors from Nature (color of choice) or other natural powdered food coloring

    2 ½ teaspoons jojoba oil (or castor oil, almond oil or melted coconut oil)

    ½ teaspoon water

    ½ teaspoon essential oil of your choice (lemon, grapefruit, lavender, etc.)

    ¼ cup citric acid

    Equipment: Bath bomb mold

    Method

    1. In a medium size bowl, combine the baking soda, cornstarch, epsom salts, and food coloring. Whisk to blend.

    2. In a small glass jar, combine the jojoba oil, water, and essential oil. Place the lid on the jar and shake well. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients in the bowl. It should be the consistency of slightly wet, crumbly beach sand. It should stick together and you should be able to form a small ball with it. If it seems too dry, you can add a few drops more of the jojoba oil, just enough to achieve the right consistency.

    3. Add the citric acid, working it in quickly.

    4. Using a bath bomb mold, scoop up a generous amount of the bath bomb mixture and press the two halves of the mold together. Press the two halves together firmly, then lightly tap the mold to release it. Place the finished bath bomb on a plastic tray lined with parchment paper.

    Herb-Infused Massage Oil

    Ingredients

    4 or 5 sprigs of your favorite dried herb such as rosemary or lavender

    Enough almond oil combined with a neutral oil like avocado oil to fill a medium size glass jar

    6 drops essential oil such as clary sage, rosemary or lavender

    Equipment: A pretty gift bottle and ribbon

    Method

    1. Fill a medium size glass jar with the oil. Place the dried herbs in the oil. Cover the jar and place in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks. Strain out the oil, removing the herbs, and pour the oil into the gift bottle, adding 1-2 new sprigs of the dried herb. At this point you can add a few drops of essential oil such as clary sage. Place the lid on the bottle and add some ribbon for the perfect Valentine’s gift!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!