Category: Health

  • Give the Gift of Aromatherapy with Pranarom

    Give the Gift of Aromatherapy with Pranarom

    Give the gift of aromatherapy – but with a personal touch ✨🎁 The thought of taking time to make something with your hands makes the idea of gift giving so much more special. Check out fun, simple DIY recipes featuring Pranarom organic aromatherapy products ❤️

    Stock up on their products in any of our locations while they’re 20% off all December long!

    DIY AROMATHERAPY CANDLE

    Ingredients:

    • 6 oz Glass Jar
    • 7.5 oz. Beeswax
    • 40-50 Drops of Essential Oils
    • 1 Wick

    Instructions:

    1. Stick the wick to the bottom of jar using a little melted wax.
    2. Hold wick up using two sticks tied together at each end, with your wick in the middle
    3. Place beeswax in a double broiler on stovetop
    4. Melt beeswax until completely dissolved
    5. Remove from stove
    6. Let cool slightly
    7. Stir in essential oils
    8. Pour into jar
    9. Let cool

    *If layering the two waxes, follow the steps above but use half the amount of wax for each color. Pour the first color and let sit until set and then follow with the next color.


    One thing to keep in mind when making candles with essential oils is that the fragrance is subtle. If you are looking for a stronger scent, you may want to diffuse your oils. Or better yet, a combination of the two. Who doesn’t love the beautiful scent of diffused oils while enjoying the flicker of a candle? A powerful relaxing combo indeed!

    Feel free to make it your own combinations and make sure to have some fun!

    DIY Honey Bath

    Ingredients:

    • 1 Tablespoon Honey
    • 3 Drops of Pranarom Essential Oil
    • ¼-1 Cup of Pranarom Hydrosol

    Instructions:

    1. Add honey to a jar, add the essential oil and mix well. Then add hydrosol and mix until the honey has dissolved. Pour directly into your bath water.

    Honey is a humectant, giving this combination a moisturizing effect. It also works as a dispersant for the essential oils (which is furthered by mixing with the hydrosol) so that it seamlessly integrates with the bath water.

    This will make your skin feel SO soft and luxurious!

    DIY Essential Oil Clay Diffuser

    Ingredients:

    • Airdry clay (they used Terracotta for an organic feel)
    • Hemp Cording
    • Wooden Beads (wide hole)
    • Essential Oil (like Pranarom Zen diffusion blend)
    • Rubber Stamp (or household items to make patterns)
    • Circle Cutter
    • Drinking Straw or Large Skewer (to make hole)
    • Rolling Pin

    Instructions:

    1. Roll out clay into a slab about ¼” thick. Stamp design into clay.
    2. Cut out clay into circles and make hole at the top using a straw or skewer.
    3. Set aside to dry for 24-48 hours, until fully hardened. Flip pieces occasionally to dry both sides.
    4. Once dry, cut a piece of hemp cord approximately 18 inches and thread through hole.
    5. Add beads and tie a knot at the top of your last bead.
    6. Add an additional knot at the end of the two pieces of cord.
    7. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and enjoy the beautiful aroma.

    You can make these as elaborate as you want. Add some metal embellishments, join a couple shapes together, etc. This diffuser can be hung in a car, closet, or anywhere you want to aromatize your space.

    DIY Valencia Bath Salts

    Ingredients:

    • 1 Cup Epsom Salts
    • ¼ Cup Coarse Sea Salt
    • 7 Drops of Valencia Diffusion Blend
    • Zest of 1 Orange

    Instructions:

    1. In a medium-sized glass mixing bowl, add sea salt and Epsom salt. Do not use plastic (the essential oils will absorb into the bowl).
    2. Mix the salts until well combined.
    3. Add essential oils and mix again.
    4. Store in an airtight glass container until ready to use.
    5. When ready, add to bath and enjoy!

    DIY Oh So Luxurious Skincare Roller

    Ingredients:

    10 Drops of Pranarom Frankincense Essential Oil
    10 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
    5  Drops of Helichrysum Essential Oil
    Pranarom Rosehip Extra Virgin Plant Oil (to fill)
    Roller Bottle


    Instructions:

    1. Add essential oils to a roller bottle. Fill the remainder of the bottle with Rosehip oil and voila!
    2. Apply to directly to dry skin or mix with your favorite moisturizer for some extra hydration.

    These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

    Resources:

    http://veriditasblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/handmade-for-holidays.html

    http://veriditasblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/aromatherapy-candle-diy.html

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CMzv2rbHNFw/?epik=dj0yJnU9dFBNZUpfOThLMDg4N3hoRHVJX193elUwLUdpQXlfV3gmcD0wJm49TWhGVFhGbGtPc3BoMTRzaTVQazNEQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0dlZ180

    http://veriditasblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-destination-diffusion-blends-diy.html

    https://www.instagram.com/p/COI2OHxrp6A/?epik=dj0yJnU9QURJdnJEazhVSGpsYXV0TzZHU2ZuVVV3bnZ4YTVQcDYmcD0wJm49eDMzcmpsM3BwR2FZYzV5dGFkUGdnQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0dlZ3Vj

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CW_IO1uMgPX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://basilbandwagon.com/2020/12/08/peace-love-joy-with-pranarom/

    https://basilbandwagon.com/2021/04/06/plant-beautiful-skincare-thanks-to-pranarom/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CS7cze1gint/

  • DIY Headquarters with Wyndmere Naturals!

    DIY Headquarters with Wyndmere Naturals!

    Whether you’re looking to revamp your skincare routine (maybe a new, glowing face mask), mix up your natural cleaning products (you can never go wrong with hand sanitizer) or are shopping early for holiday gifts, Wyndmere Naturals is here to help! Keep scrolling for new DIY recipes – featuring products you can find at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market today.

    Have you ever wondered why they package their essential oils in cobalt blue bottles? It’s because the colored bottles help keep out deteriorating sunlight which helps allow each product to stay fresh longer!

    ALL Wyndmere Naturals products are 20% off!

    Sale ends November 30th, 2021.

    References:

    https://wyndmerenaturals.com/pages/blog

    https://www.instagram.com/wyndmerenaturals/

  • Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You!

    Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You!

    Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You

    Boiron is here to help!

    ‘Tis the season to keep your medicine cabinet stocked with products that help you and your family feel well and stay healthy. Thankfully, Boiron’s homeopathic medicines do just the trick! Made with natural, non-drowsy ingredients, you will feel the relief day and night with multi-symptom and targeted solutions for the whole family. Want to know more information about some of their cold and flu relief products? Keep reading – and who knows, you might just find additional tips from Boiron themself!

    Wherever You Go, Take Oscillo!

    Oscillococcinum® (also known as Oscillo) works best when taken at the first sign of flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever.

    For everyone ages 2 & up, non-drowsy Oscillococcinum® has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms.

    They Have Kid-Friendly Options Too!

    Multi-symptom formulas help target more than just your runny nose or cough! Their Chestal® line is available in easy on-the-go meltaway pellets and sweet-tasting syrups.

    Medicine Cabinet Must Haves

    Their ThroatCalm®, ColdCalm® and SinusCalm® products are specifically designed to help relieve specific symptoms at the onset, established and resolution stages of the common cold.

    BOO!

    Don’t be scared, you found Boiron’s additional tips to help keep you healthy this cold & flu season.

    Photo Courtesy of Boiron’s Instagram
    Photo Courtesy of Boiron’s Instagram

    For more information about Boiron and their products, please visit: https://www.boironusa.com/

    *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

  • MUSH Ready-To-Eat Oats

    MUSH Ready-To-Eat Oats

    Have you been looking for an easy and ready-to-eat breakfast that ACTUALLY tastes good?! Then try MUSH and their ready-to-eat oats for a flavorful breakfast experience like no other!

    One of the cool things that makes these oats so unique is that instead of cooking the oats to make a traditional oatmeal, MUSH cold-soaks their oats in dairy-free milk to get them to a fluffy, pudding-like texture we love.

    In addition to the creamy, light texture, this soaking process not only helps the ingredients retain their valuable nutrients, but also makes them easier to digest! These flavor-rich and ready-to-eat oats will make you wonder why you ever chose another breakfast!

    • Vanilla is rich in Antioxidants
    • Blueberries are packed with Vitamin C
    • Apples are loaded with Vitamin C
    • Strawberries are potent in Manganese, Potassium, and Antioxidants
    • Coffee increases energy levels and improves brain function

    Every MUSH starts the same but is finished off with nutrient packed ingredients that provide a delicious flavor profile. Oats are one of the healthiest, most nutrient dense superfoods available. 

    They are heart and metabolism healthy because they contain large amounts of beta-glucan fiber, which is known for lowering blood sugar levels, improving insulin resistance, and reducing cholesterol levels.

    MUSH then adds clean, healthy ingredients that give each one a rich and delicious flavor!

    With MUSH, anyone can elevate their nutrition to the next level! To learn more, go to their website https://eatmush.com/ !

    RESOURCES:

    https://eatmush.com/

    https://eatmush.com/pages/mush

    https://eatmush.com/pages/mission

    https://eatmush.com/pages/about

    https://eatmush.com/pages/ingredients

  • Qure Water

    Qure Water

    Qure Water believes that an active lifestyle, proper hydration, and natural nutrition are crucial to good health, happiness, and a balanced life. Thus, Qure set out to achieve an exceptional pH of 10, allowing one to completely hydrate, restore, and re-energize oneself. Qure is the ultimate alkaline water, as the pH of 10 has many health and hydration benefits.

    Qure’s hydration concept is simple: to make a high pH water that is only made with super clean base water and infused with natural ionic alkaline minerals. They decided that the best way to do this would be to research how Mother Nature naturally mineralizes it’s spring water and replicate this process. By creating a big portable clean room with reenacting rain and the pressure, Qure figured out a way to simulate nature in a large box. This Quration process is something that has never been done before in the water industry and thus sets them apart from their competitors.

    Qure constantly strives to provide optimal health benefits, as well as a consistent pure, clean, and refreshing taste.

    Come into any one of our Basil Bandwagon Natural Market locations to Qure Your Thirst – on sale through July 31, 2021. For more information on Qure Alkaline Water, please visit https://qurealkalinewater.com/ .

    Resources:
    https://qurealkalinewater.com/
    https://qurealkalinewater.com/who-we-are/
    https://qurealkalinewater.com/explore-qure/the-science/
    https://qurealkalinewater.com/qure-alkaline/

  • Why We Love Hardy Nutritionals

    Why We Love Hardy Nutritionals

    Hardy Nutritionals Daily Essential Nutrients is a unique micronutrient formula that consists of 16 minerals, 13 vitamins, 4 amino acids, and 4 antioxidants/botanicals. One unique factor of the Daily Essential Nutrients is that organic molecules and micronized minerals are combined to maximize mineral absorption and delivery to cells. It is also clinically proven to help improve mood, focus, mental clarity, emotional stability, and sleep quality.

    Their products are readily available at all Basil Bandwagon Natural Market locations, in both clinical strength and regular strength –

    • Clinical Strength: (Daily Essential Nutrients with Added Vitamers) A broad-spectrum micronutrient formulation. It is specifically formulated for individuals with certain genetic variations of Vitamin B6 and Folate metabolism.
    • Regular Strength: (Optimal Balance for Women or Men) An excellent daily micronutrient formulation for adults and children who don’t need the clinical levels found in the Daily Essential Nutrients.

    If you wish to learn more about Hardy Nutritionals and their supplements, we recommend visiting their website https://www.hardynutritionals.com/ .

    Resources:
    https://www.hardynutritionals.com/products/optimal-balance-for-women
    https://www.hardynutritionals.com/products/optimal-balance-for-men
    https://www.hardynutritionals.com/products/daily-essential-nutrients-with-added-vitamers-120
    https://www.hardynutritionals.com/article/clinical-reference/about-hardy-nutritionals

  • Oranges, Strawberries and Raisins, OH MY!

    Oranges, Strawberries and Raisins, OH MY!

    Oranges, Strawberries and Raisins, OH MY!

    Please note: ALL produce available at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market is ORGANIC.

    The following information was provided by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and pertains only to NON-ORGANIC produce.

    Raisins didn’t qualify for the Dirty Dozen™, since we don’t include processed foods in the list, but if they did, they would top the list by a mile. Ninety-nine percent of conventional raisins tested positive for at least two pesticides, including some that can harm kids’ developing brains!

    Click the image to learn more!

    Strawberries are once again at the top of this year’s Dirty Dozen™ list, taking first place for produce with the highest levels of pesticide residues. Ninety-nine percent of strawberries have pesticide residues, and up to 22 different pesticides were found on a single strawberry!

    Click the image to learn more!

    Many Americans enjoy starting their day with a healthy serving of citrus fruits, but they may be unknowingly getting a side of cancer-linked chemical. EWG scientists discovered cancer-linked imazalil on nearly 90 percent of non-organic citrus samples!

    Even after the fruit is peeled, the average concentration of imazalil was about 20 times higher than EWG’s recommended limit to protect children’s health! See the full results HERE.

    Click the image to sign the EWG’s petition to BAN imazalil!

    Resources:

    https://www.ewg.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQisjbwcNiZlHOZAOGL3qCYkyK6KmBK0AScpklOZ-30BY2Qp9Ovi2vJQaAmCPEALw_wcB

    https://act.ewg.org/UOUNqQZubEqMFeX_xZjwTg2?sourceid=1020179&emci=bcf878fc-b488-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=f49bef02-b588-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=2820348

    https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/citrus.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=202103FoodNewsLaunch&utm_medium=email&utm_content=pesticides&emci=bcf878fc-b488-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=f49bef02-b588-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=2820348

    https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/raisins.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=202103FoodNewsLaunch&utm_medium=email&utm_content=pesticides&emci=bcf878fc-b488-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=f49bef02-b588-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=2820348

    https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/strawberries.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=202103FoodNewsLaunch&utm_medium=email&utm_content=pesticides&emci=bcf878fc-b488-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=f49bef02-b588-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=2820348

  • Christine Waltermyer’s Gut-Boosting Homemade Pickles – 3 Ways!

    Christine Waltermyer’s Gut-Boosting Homemade Pickles – 3 Ways!

    Gut-Boosting Homemade Pickles

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned 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 subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!

    Did you know that gut health is essential for a strong immune system? Some of the best gut health boosting foods are those that are fermented and pickled! There are many health benefits of pickling, but the most talked about benefit is the fact that they are probiotic – and you can pickle so many different vegetables to change up your flavor profiles. Check out (& print!) these three simple homemade pickle recipes thanks to Christine Waltermyer!

    Print Pin

    24-Hour Mixed Vegetable Tamari Pickles

    Course Snack
    Keyword gut health, pickles
    Servings 1 cup of pickles

    Equipment

    • Wide-mouth 16 oz glass canning jar with a lid (Make sure it’s really clean. You can even boil it for a minute to sterilize it.)
    • 8 oz glass canning jar that fits inside the 16-ounce glass jar
    • Cheesecloth
    • Small pot

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup water
    • 2 ½ tablespoons tamari
    • 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
    • ½ cup broccoli stems (peeled) sliced into thin rounds
    • ½ cup carrot slices (thin)
    • ½ cup thinly sliced celery
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

    Instructions

    • Place the water in a small pot. Bring to a boil briefly, then shut off the heat and remove from the stove. Set aside to cool.
    • Once the water is cool, place it in the glass canning har. To make the pickling brine, add the tamari and brown rice vinegar. Place the lid on the har and shake well. Pour the pickling brine into a bowl.
    • Layer the vegetables in the glass jar. Pour the pickling brine over them. Place the smaller jar on top of the vegetables, inside the jar. The weight of the har will press the vegetables under the surface of the brine.
    • Cover the jar with a square of cheesecloth and secure it in place with a piece of kitchen twine or a rubber band.
    • Let the jar sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The room should be between 65 to 80 degrees F.
    • After 24 hours have passed, add the maple syrup. Place a lid on the jar and gently shake to mix the maple syrup into the brine. Refrigerate the pickles at this point. Enjoy a teaspoon or so at a time with a meal. Pickles will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
    Print Pin

    24-Hour Pink Fennel Pickles

    Course Snack
    Keyword gut health, pickles
    Servings 3 /4 cup of pickles

    Equipment

    • 16 oz glass canning jar with a lid (Make sure it’s really clean. You can even boil it for a minute to sterilize it.)
    • 8 oz glass canning jar
    • Cheesecloth
    • Small pot

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup water
    • ¾ cup fennel thinly sliced
    • ¼ beet thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup ume ("umeboshi") vinegar

    Instructions

    • Place the water in a small pot. Bring to a boil briefly, then shut off the heat and remove from the stove. Set aside to cool.
    • Once the water is cool, place it in the glass canning jar. To make the pickling brine, add the ume vinegar. Place the lid on the jar and shake well. Pour the pickling brine into a bowl.
    • Layer the vegetables in the glass jar. Pour the pickling brine over them. Place the smaller jar on top of the vegetables, inside the har. The weight of the har will press the vegetables under the surface of the brine. If the liquid is too high in the har, you can remove it as long as all of the vegetables are submerged under the brine liquid.
    • Cover the har with a square of cheesecloth and secure it in place with a piece of kitchen twine or a rubber band.
    • Let the jar sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The room should be between 65 to 80 degrees F.
    • After 24 hours have passed, place a lid on the jar. Refrigerate the pickles at this point. Enjoy a teaspoon or so at a time with a meal. If you find the pickles too strong tasting, rinse a small amount before serving them. Pickles will keep up to 10 days in the refrigerator.
    Print Pin

    3-Day Radish Pickles

    Course Snack
    Keyword gut health, pickles
    Servings 1 1/2 cups of pickles

    Equipment

    • 32-ounce glass canning jar with a lid (Make sure it’s really clean. You can even boil it for a minute to sterilize it.)
    • Small pot

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups water
    • 2 cups thinly sliced radishes (I used purple daikon radish and watermelon radish but red radish works too)
    • 1 ½ tablespoons sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon pickling spice OPTIONAL – In the video I used 1 tablespoon but it’s a little strong tasting so I recommend using less for most people’s taste.

    Instructions

    • Place the water in a small pot. Bring to a boil briefly, then shut off the heat and remove from the stove. Set aside to cool.
    • Once the water is cool, place it in the glass canning jar. To make the pickling brine, add the sea salt and pickling spice. Place the lid on the jar and shake well. Pour the pickling brine into a bowl.
    • Layer the vegetables in the glass jar. Pour the pickling brine over them. Make sure that all of the vegetables are submerged under the brine liquid.
    • Cover the jar with the lid.
    • Let the jar sit at room temperature for 3 days. The room should be between 65 to 80 degrees F.
      IMPORTANT: Unscrew the lid of the jar once a day to release some of the air that naturally builds up inside. At that time make sure the veggies are all submerged and if not, gently push them down under the liquid.
    • Taste after 3 days and if you want to let it ferment longer it should become more sour in another day or two. These pickles are salty so I recommend rinsing the pickles before serving. If you want to balance the flavor with some sweetness just add a tablespoon or two of your favorite sweetener and it will make them a little more mild tasting. Pickles will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

    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!

  • Looking to Keep Your Immune System Strong? Country Life Vitamins is Here to Help!

    Looking to Keep Your Immune System Strong? Country Life Vitamins is Here to Help!

    Take your immune health to the next level with Country Life Vitamins

    It’s not always easy to eat a balanced diet with all the nutrients we need, and something as important as our immune system needs extra attention. To fill the gaps we might be missing, adding in certain vitamins to our daily wellness routine makes sure we’re covering all our bases without the added stress. Thanks to Country Life Vitamins, we can trust that the ingredients they use in their products follow their 5 pledges – Authenticity, Cleanliness, Freshness, Consistency & Accuracy.

    Immune Support When It Matters

    Vitamin D

    Also known as the Sunshine Vitamin, Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain healthy bones and teeth, as well as promote immune health.*

    Multivitamins

    Get the essential nutrients you need for  health and wellness. Their Core Daily-1 multivitamins simplify your daily nutrition with support across seven key nutritional areas.*

    Minerals

    Minerals are elements used by the body that are not produced by plants, and play an important role in metabolism and other various bodily functions.* Many of their minerals are chelated (bound to amino acids) and they provide both single forms as well as multi-mineral formulas.

    Calcium

    Formulated to maximize your body’s calcium absorption for healthier teeth and bones, their calcium supplements may also be blended with minerals for total-body utilization. Adequate calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthful diet, along with exercise, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.*

    Looking for a great way to add vitamins into your daily morning routine?

    Check out this refreshing smoothie recipe!

    Immune Boosting Berry Orange Smoothie

    Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free ~ Serves 2

    This delicious smoothie is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, with an added boost of sunshine – Vitamin D!

    Ingredients

    1 1/4 cups fresh squeeze orange juice

    1 cup of your frozen berry of choice – we used blueberries (can use fresh but will not be as thick)

    1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries

    1/4 cup of almond or coconut milk (we used almond)

    1 banana

    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup

    4 sprays Country Life Vitamin D3 spray (2 sprays = daily serving size but this recipe yields 2 servings)

    Method

    Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy!

    DISCLAIMER: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

    References:

    https://www.countrylifevitamins.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/countrylifevitamins/

    https://www.cottercrunch.com/cranberry-orange-smoothie-dairy-free/

  • Homemade Immune Boosting Essentials thanks to Christine Waltermyer!

    Homemade Immune Boosting Essentials thanks to Christine Waltermyer!

    Homemade Immune Boosting Essentials

    thanks to 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.”

    Vegetable Broth

    Makes 8 cups

    Ingredients

    1 cup fresh maitake mushrooms, or ½ cup dried

    2 celery stalks, cut into big chunks

    2 carrots, cut into chunks

    2 to 3 cups winter squash, cut in big chunks

    ½ cup fresh burdock root, cut into pieces (or ¼ cup dried burdock)

    1 small bunch parsley (you can leave the stems on)

    1 tablespoon fresh ginger root slices

    ½ large onion, cut into big chunks

    1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

    3 dried shiitake mushrooms (or 6 fresh shiitake mushrooms)

    2 bay leaves

    2 cloves garlic

    ½ gallon water

    Method

    This vegetable broth can be made in an Instapot, pressure cooker or regular soup pot. 

    For Instant Pot or pressure cooker: Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot or a large pressure cooker. Place the lid on your pressure cooker or Instant Pot and bring to full pressure on high heat. After 15 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let the pressure reduce naturally.  Strain out the ingredients by pouring the broth through a strainer into a large bowl. Remove the lid and cool completely before pouring into tall glass mason jars.

    For regular soup pot: Place all ingredients in a large soup pot. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to simmer on low for 1 hour. Remove from heat. Strain out the ingredients by pouring the broth through a strainer into a large bowl. Cool before pouring into glass mason jars.

    Store the vegetable broth in covered jars in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, or freeze for up to 4 months.

    Lemon Sage Cold Care Tea

    Serves 1

    Ingredients

    1 cup (8 oz.) water

    10 fresh sages leaves (or one teaspoon dried sage leaves)

    1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

    1 teaspoon raw honey or brown rice syrup

    Method

    Place the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Turn off the heat and add the sage leaves. Remove from the heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain the tea through a small strainer into a mug. Add the lemon juice and sweetener of your choice. Enjoy warm.

    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!