Category: Food & Farms

  • It’s Citrus Season!

    It’s Citrus Season!

    On sale this week (2/4-2/10): Organic Blood Oranges and Navel Oranges 2 for $3!

    Everyone looks forward to citrus season- it’s the transition from the cold, frigid months to the beautiful spring weather. Winter was the season of root vegetables and hot soup, but now we can brighten up our plates with some juicy citrus! When someone says citrus, most people instantly think about bright, plump oranges packed with vitamin C.

    We carry many varieties of citrus, but not all are available at one time. Some varieties that we carry are Cara Cara Oranges, Navel Oranges, Blood Oranges, Minneola Tangelos, Mandarins, Grapefruit, Clementines, Satsuma Mandarins, and Valencia Oranges. Not only are there so many different types but there are numerous benefits and uses of citrus too!

    1. Immunity: citrus is packed with Vitamin C which helps boost your immune system to fight colds and support your quest to breathe freely.

    2. Mood: with awakening scents, taste, and color, it is known to help improve your mood and help you come out of your shell.

    3. Skin Appearance: antioxidant properties help cleanse and brighten your skin.

    1. Beauty: aromatherapy to help boost your mood and purify the air, and skin care to help brighten and cleanse your skin.

    2. Nutritional: can be used for dressings and juices, sliced or dried for a quick snack, or even as a garnish and zest!


    With the spring season upon us, make sure you stop by your local Basil Bandwagon Natural Market and stock up on all the citrus we have this season!

    Additional Resources:

    https://www.healthiestbest.com/citrus-is-in-season

    https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-oranges/

    https://tasteforlife.com/diet-nutrition/eat-for-health/put-up-a-fight

    https://tasteforlife.com/conditions-wellness/allergies/fight-spring-allergies-with-food

    https://www.alive.com/health/7-immunity-boosters-need/

    https://www.deliciousliving.com/display-gallery/?id=14207&im=1

    https://stylecaster.com/beauty/citrus-for-beauty-benefits/

  • Now Available in Stores: Fresh Aloe Vera

    Now Available in Stores: Fresh Aloe Vera

    For over 6,000 years, aloe vera has been known for its health and beauty abilities as well as its healing properties. There are hundreds of species of the aloe plant but the most commonly known and used is the Aloe Barbadensis plant, aka aloe vera. There are many aspects of aloe vera- the outside fleshy leaves with serrated edges, the thin layer of aloe latex right beneath the skin, and the inside gooey gel and liquid.

    The plant as a whole contains many vitamins and minerals that are helpful to us humans. It contains antioxidant vitamins (such as vitamins A, C, E, B12, and folic acid), enzymes, minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc), laxatives, and some hormones that help with its healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

    There are many benefits from aloe vera. Some are listed in the picture below but there are even more than that!

    When most people hear “aloe vera gel,” sunburns are the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are more uses than just that! Aloe vera can also be ingested as capsules and juice which are used as dietary supplements to help with digestion and boost immunity. People who are in love with the properties of aloe vera have made their own DIY videos for various reasons. Here is a link to a YouTube video where one person makes their own hair, scalp, skin moisturizer from the fresh aloe vera plant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6aP_UIuxE

    And lucky for us, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market not only has aloe vera supplements on our wellness shelves, but we now carry fresh aloe vera plants in our produce areas- but only for a limited time! Come in quick before it’s all gone!

    For more information on the properties of aloe vera, how to take care of your aloe vera plant, and more, check out these posts below:

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 1/9/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 1/9/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Bark Avenue Hemp Treats: Peanut Butter
    Enjoy Life Soft-Baked Breakfast Ovals: Apple Cinnamon, Berry Medley, Maple Fig, & Chocolate Chip Banana
    Fillo’s Beans and Sofrito: Tex-Mex Pinto, Peruvian Lentils, Cuban Black Beans, & Puerto Rican Pink Beans
    Garden of Eatin’ Grain Free Tortilla Chips: Everything Seasoning & Garlic Dill
    Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Granola: Blueberry, Dark Chocolate, and Honey & Oats
    Hu Dark Chocolate Bars: Orange Dream & Cashew Butter with Raspberry Jelly
    Nutiva MCT Powder: Vanilla & Chocolate
    Olivia Chocolatiers No Sugar Added
    One Degree Sprouted Quinoa Cacao Granola
    Caulipower Sweet Potatoasts: Roasted and Sea Salt & Olive Oil
  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 1/2/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 1/2/19

    Happy New Year! Check out our NEW products this week!

    Acure: Under Eye Hydrogels, Cleansing Clay, & Day Cream
    BAO Organics: Spicy Slaw with Cabbage & Daikon
    Brittanie’s Thyme Products: Try the entire new line!
    Dave’s Gourmet Organic Pasta Sauces: Red Heirloom & Spicy Heirloom Marinara
    Fountain of Health CBD Lip Balm
    PlantFusion: Complete Plant Collagen Builder & Complete Plant Keto Protein- comes in Creamy Vanilla, Rich Chocolate, & Unflavored
    SmartyPants Organics: Women’s Complete & Toddler Complete Multivitamin Gummies
  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 11/21/18

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 11/21/18

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Violife Mozzarella Shreds

    Theo Holiday Chocolates: Cranberry Orange, Nutcracker Brittle, Eggnog, Gingerbread Spice, & Peppermint Stick

    So Delicious Holiday Nog

    Silk Nog

    Organic Valley Eggnog

    Buddha Teas: CBD Chamomile Blend, CBD Peppermint Tea, CBD Matcha Green Tea, and CBD Turmeric & Ginger Tea

    Advanced Orthomolecular Research Supplements: ALL are on line drive all November long!

    Creminelli Fine Meats: Sopressata & Casalingo

     

  • Make the Most of our Small Business Saturday Sale!

    Make the Most of our Small Business Saturday Sale!

    Don’t Miss out on Triple Rewards Points on Local Goods all over the store, as well as 25% off on Basil Bandwagon Brand Supplements!!

     

    Here’s a few things to look for (but there are many, many more!):

     

    Local Honey:

    Tassot Apiaries, Bee Flower & Sun Honey, Zach & Zoe Bee Farm

    Local Beauty:

    Edye’s Skincare, Poofy Organics

    Local Grocery Faves:

    Whitehouse Station Sauce, Mother Earth Solutions, The Coffee Scoop, Wild Leaf Teas, Pittstown Poultry

    Basil Bandwagon Brand Staples:

    Click here to read about why we LOVE our house brand!

    Love the bag in our photo? So do we! Get your hands on one by being the one of the first people to spend over $75 on Saturday morning, November 24th. (we loaded them with some surprises, as well)

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 11/14/18

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 11/14/18

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Ancient Nutrition Keto Proteins: Vanilla & Chocolate

    Angelic Bakehouse: Sprouted 7 Whole Grains Beet Wraps

    Aurora Nutrascience: Curcumin, Vitamin C, Glutathione, & exoFlex

    BAO Organics: Sour Relish

    Cypress Grove Cheese: Purple Haze

    Earth’s Care: Anti-Itch Cream, Arthritis Cream, Acne Spot Treatment, & Tea Tree Oil Balm

    Floating Leaf: Organic Wild Rice & Sprouted Brown Rices

    Host Defense Primordial Chocolate: Peruvian Pink Salt, Dark Mint, & Purely Dark

    Hu Coffee & Hunks: So many exciting flavors!

    Keys Care: MetaCare Therapy Cream & MetaClean Healing Shampoo and Soap

    Purely Farm, LLC: Ground Pork

    Snowdonia Cheese Company: Black Bomber

    Thayers Witch Hazel Toning Towelettes: Cucumber & Lemon

    Three Little Pigs: Organic Pate De Campagne

    Toca: Organic Honey and Royal Jelly

    White Leaf Biodynamic Baby Foods: Mango, Carrot, Banana, & Pear and Carrot, Sweet Potato, & Peas

     

  • Fall Harvest Cooking with Christine Waltermyer

    Fall Harvest Cooking with

    Christine Waltermyer 


    Menu:

    Split Pea Soup with Toasted Pepitas

    Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

    Mixed Greens Salad with Roasted Pears and a Raspberry Dressing

    Sweet Squash Pie

     

    Split Pea Soup with Toasted Pepitas

    Serves 8

    Ingredients:

    2 1/4 cups dried split peas, sorted and rinsed 8 cups water (+ extra as needed)

    1 cup chopped onion (1 large)

    1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)

    1 1/2 cups chopped carrots (about 3)

    Sea salt and pepper

    Garnish: Fresh parsley, chopped + toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

    Instructions: Place split peas in a large soup pot and cover with the 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Continue to boil for 2 minutes then shut off heat. Let stand for 1 hour.

    Add the onion, celery and carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer on low, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, or until the peas are soft. You can keep the lid tilted slightly to avoid foam rising up and cooking over. Add additional water as needed to achieve desired consistency. You can puree half of the soup in a blender or using an immersion/ stick blender if you wish.

    Season with sea salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with toasted pepitas/pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley.


    Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

    Serves 4 as a side

    Ingredients:

    20 Brussels sprouts, washed and trimmed

    1 bunch scallions

    1 lemon

    2 tablespoons maple syrup

    2 teaspoons mustard

    1/4 cup olive oil

    1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

    Slice the Brussels sprouts in half. Place them in an even layer in a glass baking dish. –

    Slice the scallions and add to the Brussels sprouts. –

    Zest the lemon and set aside. Juice the lemon and remove any seeds. Reserve the juice to use at the very end. –

    In a small bowl whisk together the lemon ZEST (not juice), maple syrup, mustard, olive oil and sea salt. Pour this mixture over the Brussels sprouts and scallions. Stir or use your hands to evenly coat all of the vegetables with the lemon zest-maple syrup sauce. –

    Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are fork-tender. –

    Add lemon juice, toss and serve.


    Mixed Greens Salad with Roasted Pears and a Raspberry Dressing

    Serves 4

    Ingredients:

    Salad:

    1 red pear

    1 bosc pear

    6 cups mixed baby lettuce greens

    1 fresh pomegranate (or 1/3 cup dried cranberries)

    Salad Dressing:

    1/2 cup fresh red raspberries

    2 teaspoons tahini

    1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

    1 tablespoon olive oil

    2 teaspoons maple syrup

    Sea salt to taste

    Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice and cored the pears. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

    Meanwhile place the salad greens in a large salad bowl. Remove the seeds from the pomegranate. Add pomegranate seeds to the salad.

    Make the dressing by placing all ingredients in a blender or mini food prep and processing until smooth. Adjust flavor to taste.

    Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.


    Sweet Squash Pie

    Makes 1 pie

    Ingredients:

    3 Tbsp cornstarch

    1 cup plain nondairy milk

    1 8-inch or 9-inch unbaked pie crust (homemade or store bought)

    2 cups pureed pumpkin (or one 15-oz can)

    3/4 cup coconut sugar

    1/2 tsp sea salt

    1 tsp cinnamon

    1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

    To serve:

    Your favorite whipped topping + dash of nutmeg or cinnamon

    Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of the milk. Stir until smooth.

    In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch-milk mixture, pumpkin puree, remaining non- dairy milk, coconut sugar, sea salt, and spices. Mix with a whisk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the unbaked pastry shell. Bake for about 60 minutes. The pie will firm up as it cools. Cool completely before slicing and serving. Serve topped with your favorite whipped topping if desired, and a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon.

     

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 10/31/18

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 10/31/18

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    The Honey Pot Company: So many new feminine products to choose from!

    Kooshoo: Hair Ties & Headbands

    Nush Foods: Carrot Spice Cake, Banana Nut Cake, & Blueberry Cake

    Truce: Odor Remover, Wood Cleaner, Scouring Powder, and Room & Pillow Sprays

     

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 10/24/18

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 10/24/18

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein: Strawberry Lemonade

    Hawthorne Valley: Curtido, Kimchi, & Ruby Sauerkraut

    Jack  N’ Jill: So many NEW products!

    Lightlife Meatless Pasta: Wild Mushroom Ravioli

    Matr Boomie Jewelry

    Parmela Creamery: Aged NutCheeses & NutCheese Alfredo Sauces

    Primal Kitchen: Spicy Brown Mustard, Unsweetened Ketchup, & Garlic Aioli Mayo

    SKOY Kitchenware: Kitchen Towels, Scrubs, & more!

    Swerve Sweets: Vanilla and Chocolate Cake Mixes, Pancake and Waffle Mixes, & Brown Sugar