Category: Health

October is NON-GMO Month!

Many of our customers have questions about the difference between “organic” and “non-GMO”. So let’s go over this important distinction:

Organic:

To qualify as a Certified Organic product, contents must be 95% or more free of synthetic additives (pesticides, chemical fertilizers, dyes) and must not be processed using industrial solvents, irradiation or genetic engineering. The remaining 5% may only be processed with additives from an approved list.

Certified Organic products are ALWAYS also Non-GMO.

Look for this official seal on Certified Organic products:

Non-GMO:

To qualify as Non-GMO, a product must be free of any plants or animals that have been genetically modified.

Non-GMO products are NOT necessarily also Organic.

Look for this official seal on Certified Non-GMO products:

With this understanding, many folks question whether or not GMOs (or genetically-modified organisms) are safe to use or consume. This question is certainly stirring the pot these days! In researching this topic, you may find a number of studies suggesting that this technology is safe for humans and our planet. However, it is important to note who conducted and funded the studies in order to fully understand biases and motives that color the research.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what you want to put in and on your body. And we’re here to support you with your choices. Come see one of our friendly team members for help choosing products that are right for you – we are happy to help!

Our Flyer is FULL of Non-GMO products on sale this month- check it out here.

And be sure to stick with us this month as we highlight some of our favorite non-GMO products and shopping tips!

October 3, 2016
Summer Camp Week 8: Food As Medicine

Hippocrates wasn’t kidding when he said, “Let food be thy

medicine and medicine be thy food.” The man knew what

he was talking about way back in (about) 475 BC – back when

it was necessary for physicians (or healers) to know about

nature. Ask a physician practicing traditional western

medicine today about what you can eat to help

diverticulitis, arthritis or a simple sinus infection, and you

might be met with a confused face. Medical doctors in our

western culture typically practice medicine by prescribing

pharmaceutical drugs and addressing symptoms of disease.

But what if we could replace disease with ease? Better yet, what if healthcare was all about maintaining

ease instead of addressing symptoms of disease?

Another smart man that we’re all familiar with – Mr. Thomas Edison – once said, “The doctor of the

future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human

frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

With an ongoing discussion of preventive health amongst our community these days, more of us are

now interested in what we can eat and how we can live to prevent disease.

If you’re among the bunch that wishes to choose ease as a way of life, here’s an overview you may find

to be a useful guide for living:

Food for Thought

Your body is an amazing machine of interconnected mechanisms that work together to generate

a living, breathing, you. And though each function of your body is quite dependent on the functions of

other parts of your body, there are specific foods that help support specific areas of your anatomy.

(CLICK CHART FOR PDF VERSION)

Bringing a regular supply of these foods into your diet can help support healthy function of all your body’s systems and mechanisms. Using these foods in times of disorder and disease can also prove to be supportive to your health.

References

www.clevelandclinic.com – Cleveland Clinic

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders

https://medlineplus.gov/throatdisorders.html – US National Library of Medicine

August 9, 2016
Ice Cream should be simple, right?

Ice Cream should be simple, right?

We think so! That’s why we strive to sell ice cream that’s free of additives found in many commercial ice cream products. (Check out the labels the next time you’re picking up a treat – you might be shocked at what you’ll find.) Soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt are some of the worst offenders, often laden with ingredients that yield a signature texture and look. For example, corn syrup solids and mono and di-glycerides are added as emulsifiers. Toppings and syrups are by far the worst offenders, as they are often made almost entirely of artificial colors and flavors to make them extra sweet, colorful and pourable.

Free Scoop Fridays are our way of offering sweet indulgence without the harmful additives! There actually ARE great companies out there making simple, clean, ice cream and dairy free alternatives and we want to share them with you!

Come visit us between 4:00 – 8:00pm on Fridays this summer for a FREE scoop (in a cup or on a cone!). Each week we sample new flavors and always offer an allergen-free variety.

August 8, 2016
Summer Camp, Week One: Get Right with Your Gut
What better topic to kick off our Summer Camp than that of our guts! Central to our body and to our health, our digestive systems sure are important. And when they’re not functioning optimally, we generally know it… pretty quickly. ☹

Whether your goals this summer are to lose weight, improve digestion, lower stress, or eat better, you’ll want take note of all the little details covered during this first week of Camp.

Most of us have experienced many – if not all – of these digestive conditions at some point in our lives:
- Acid Reflux
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Dermatitis
- Incontinence
- Gas
- Food Sensitivity & Gluten Intolerance
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Obesity
Most of us know at least one person who has lived with one or more of these digestive-related conditions:
- Appendicitis
- Diabetes
- Candidiasis
- Celiac Disease
- Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Gallstones
- Gastritis
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- Ulcers
- Hemorrhoids
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Iron Overload Disease
- Pancreatitis
- Colon, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic or intestinal cancer
Most of us also know at least one person who has lived with one or more of these neurological, psychological or autoimmune conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Autism
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Addison’s disease
- Thyroid diseases: Grave’s Disease, Hashimoto’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Pernicious Anemia
- Psoriasis
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Lupus
Yet, most of us don’t know that ALL of these conditions are potentially directly related to our digestive system.

And since we know that what we feed ourselves and how we care for ourselves impacts the overall function of our digestive system, this information is even more reason to be good to our guts!

Digestive System 101

Let’s take a step back and examine the makings of the intricate system that enables our food to be broken down into nutrients, absorbed for functionality and excreted as waste. Simplified, when we consume food, it enters our body at the mouth, travels down through the esophagus to the stomach, enters the small intestine, then the large intestine and the rectum, and leaves through the anus. The liver, gallbladder and pancreas all play supporting roles in digestion as well.

In our mouth, our teeth and saliva physically break down our food and begin the digestion process for carbohydrates with an enzyme called salivary amylase. (Hence, the reason why we are told to chew our food thoroughly! The more we chew, the more burden we take off the rest of our digestive system.)

Our esophagus is muscular and uses strength to push our food down to our stomach.

In our stomach, acid is produced to mix with food, primarily to break down consumed proteins.

Our small intestines utilize digestive juices and mechanical force to finish breaking down carbohydrates and proteins and extracting nutrients within.

The liver contributes bile acids for digesting fats, while the pancreas contributes pancreatic juice for digesting starches, fats and proteins.

Several hormones and many nerves also influence the digestion process by regulating appetite and the secretion of digestive fluids, acids as well as the mechanical motions of digestion. All of this contributes to our energy level, growth and cell repair.

It is important to acknowledge that no one system in your body operates on a solo mission – instead, they all work together to create a state of equilibrium that we call living.

Preventative Care

Now that you know the basics of digestive operation, what can you do to better care for yourself? Here’s where Summer Camp comes in – shifting your focus to the following five ideals will help you avoid digestive complications:
- Stay active: Move your body to facilitate digestion – especially shortly after eating, rather than laying down to rest or sleep.
- Choose beneficial, nutrient-dense foods: These are easier on our digestive systems and generate more necessary nutrients for our bodies.
- Consume foods rich in healthy bacterial flora: Fermented foods including yogurt, kefir water, sauerkraut, and kombucha are high in beneficial bacteria that help maintain wellness.
- Supplement with quality products: Supplements can make up for the nutrients and flora you may lack genetically, from age, or from your everyday diet – see the table below for more information
- Practice healthy stress management: Yes, stress itself can affect what nutrients your intestines absorb as well as how fast food moves through your system. (Slower = Constipation; Faster = Diarrhea)
These simple but critical lifestyle choices can help optimize your digestive organs and their functions.

Supplement Care

Probiotics and enzymes are just two of the supplements available to aid in digestive processes. At Basil Bandwagon, we get a lot of questions about the difference between these supplements. So let’s break it down here:

Herbal Answers

These Herbal Tonics are Powerful allies in terms of strengthening the body’s ability to both break down and absorb nutrients. Well-made bitters are remarkably palatable; the naturally stimulate the production of enzymes in the mouth, stomach, liver and intestines.

Digestive Bitters:

These Herbal Tonics are Powerful allies in terms of strengthening the body’s ability to both break down and absorb nutrients. Well-made bitters are remarkably palatable; the naturally stimulate the production of enzymes in the mouth, stomach, liver and intestines.

Carminative Herbs: (spices)

Warming, gas-dispelling carminative herbs like Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Fennel, Allspice and others are effective tonics for indigestions bloating and upset stomach.

A wealth of other supplements and herbs can help support relief from digestive distress, discomfort and disease. At Basil Bandwagon, we are here to support you in finding those that best suit your individual needs – so always feel free to ask a team member for help. With this information, you can better support yourself with appropriate supplements when needed, rather than letting the discomfort get the best of you or the condition worsen.

Exclusive Deal for Summer Campers!

If you aren’t registered for camp, click here to join! While everyone gets to read our 13 Week Blog series, only Summer “Campers” get our exclusive content and coupons!
June 13, 2016
This Summer: Take Charge of Your Health

Summer is here, and I wish I felt better. I never thought I’d be someone who’d have to seek out ways to get back on track. At some point, I stopped taking care of my body, and the repercussions have been painful.

For one thing, my stomach is a mess. I have always been able to eat ANYTHING without issue. I can no longer eat chocolate, red sauce, red meat, wine, beer…the list is getting longer all the time and frankly, I’m starting to panic. The burning in my stomach is a constant companion.

Migraines were something I thought were only for “other” people. I figured these people were doing something wrong! I eat healthy, I am active- I don’t get migraines. But I do get these terrible headaches on a weekly basis. They make my eyes puff up and I get nauseous from the pain. My co-worker sat me down and told me it was time to admit that indeed, I have migraines.

I can’t take anything for my headaches because of my now-sensitive stomach. Pain-Relievers make the burning in my stomach unbearable.

To make matters worse, I’ve been gaining weight over the last two years. The thought of having to add in strenuous exercise and a diet right now just makes me want to cry. It’s just another thing I have to deal with on my already-full plate. My health feels out of control right now, and I don’t know where to start.

My doctor blames stress for all these issues, and I know he’s right. Balancing family, work, a social life makes me feel like I’m drowning sometimes. It is time to take control of all this. It is summer, after all, and its a good time to take a long deep breath. Mindfulness is something I am always striving for, anyway. (I’m sure I can schedule it in somewhere.)

Seriously, though, how do I get control of my stomach? How do I manage my stress levels? What’s the best course of action to get back in shape? How can I take charge of my health again?

This summer, Basil Bandwagon has decided to bring the answers in the form of a 10 Week Summer Program: Take Charge of Your Health. It’s all online, you don’t have to get dressed or interact with other humans. Just sign up HERE, and let us deliver the goods to you. You can join at any time during the 10 weeks- there’s no stress!

We will be gathering the best info from our brains and the minds of local practitioners and health coaches to give YOU (and me) the power to feel good again. We’ll have videos, printable shopping lists for your fridge, coupons and even more goodies. We even made a Summer Camp Facebook page! This will be a place to ask questions and interact with others on the same journey.

I’m excited to learn along with you and get results. So, sign up- and share with your friends. It’s going to be a great journey!

June 8, 2016
Guest Post: Acupuncture, Pain and Opiate Addictions

Opiate addiction has been in the news lately and is again begging our attention as a nation. Opiates are used in attempts to relieve moderate to severe pain. Opiates have been used for many years, usually prescribed for people with long-term, severe pain and a terminal illness, such as cancer. More recently, they have been used for non-malignant chronic pain. Some medical practitioners and lay people have concerns about the increased usage of opiates due to their highly addictive nature.

Many major pain clinics now use acupuncture as a treatment for chronic and severe pain. As I hear of the struggles of opiate addiction, including suicide, I get very sad knowing that acupuncture could have helped so many people reduce pain before they were prescribed opiates as an option. Of course acupuncture will not work for all people, but as a practitioner, I have been amazed at the wide breadth of people that it does help. Patients that find no relief with pain killers and have had intense pain to the point of debilitation have regained their lives through the use of acupuncture. It deeply saddens me that more people are not given the opportunity or access to try acupuncture.

Currently, our medical system offers acupuncture for people in health crisis. We see acupuncture offered in cancer units, pain clinics and detox clinics. I am so happy to see that the medical community appreciates how acupuncture can help these patients in medical emergencies. My question is why wait for a medical emergency to share a gentle medicine that offers great benefit with no side effect? Why not prescribe acupuncture for people with mild conditions? Acupuncture does not interfere with any medical treatments or prescription drugs. Most people enjoy acupuncture treatments, feeling a great deal of stress relief and peace of mind.

Acupuncture should also be used as a preventative medicine. While acupuncture may have been looked at as financially out of reach for many people, Community Acupuncture now offers affordable acupuncture with treatments costing $20 to $40. Because acupuncture can be affordably offered and has no side effects, our medical community should see acupuncture as a first line of care. Most pain conditions begin to show relief after five treatments if not before. If acupuncture is not helpful within this treatment period, it may be time to try something else that has side effects, costs more money, and has ramifications for the long term health of individuals and our planet.

Let’s start with the gentlest solutions first. If they don’t work, let’s move on to more aggressive treatments. By offering the gentlest treatments first, we have the opportunity to reduce the chances of opiate addiction, avoid negative impacts on people’s health and the health of planet and most likely save our healthcare system a lot of money.

To learn more about community acupuncture or find a clinic near you, visit pocacoop.com.

May 13, 2016
7 Hormone Disruptors that are found EVERYWHERE

There are many things we try to avoid to stay healthy. We try to cut out sugar, steer away from additives, and keep watch on our carb intake. But even with a clean diet, there are toxins that sneak in and wreak havoc on our more sensitive systems. Our hormones are fascinating–they control so many things in our bodies, but hormones are not to be trifled with. Chemicals can negatively effect our sensitive endocrine system. These substances can make your body chemicals overproduce one hormone while depleting another. They can imitate hormones and interfere with signals your bodies needs to perform certain functions.

Here’s a list of 7 chemicals to watch out for:

Atrazine:

Atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S. and is found in 94% of the country’s drinking water. An estimated 7 million people were exposed to atrazine in their water between 1998 and 2003. Atrazine has been linked to breast tumors, delayed puberty, and prostate inflammation in animals. Some research has linked it to prostate cancer in people. Avoid Atrazine exposure by buying organic produce and filtering your drinking water.

BPA:

BPA is a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt your endocrine system–even in small amounts. It’s been linked to all kinds of issues including: infertility, breast and reproductive system cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, behavioral changes in children and resistance to chemotherapy treatments. In the last few years, people have been more aware of choosing BPA-free products for their homes. Canned food is a source that is slowly becoming BPA-free, but you still have check the label. Avoid plastic containers, especially ones marked “PC” or “Recycling Label #7”. Don’t handle receipts, and never let children play with them. (cool fact— Basil Bandwagon Natural Market only use BPA-free receipts!)

Dioxin:

Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Dioxins are found all over the world but they tend to accumulate in the food chain, especially in the fatty tissue of animals. Recent research has shown that exposure to low levels of dioxin in the womb and early in life can both permanently affect sperm quality and lower the sperm count in men during their prime reproductive years. Dioxins can build up in the body and are powerful carcinogens. Products including meat, fish, milk, eggs, and butter are most likely to be contaminated. The best way to cut down your exposure is by limiting these products and making sure they are the best quality.

Fire Retardants:

They sound like something positive but the chemicals that are used in Fire Retardants have significant health implications.These chemicals are known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs and have been found to contaminate the bodies of people and wildlife all over the world. These chemicals can imitate thyroid hormones in our bodies and disrupt their activity. While several kinds of PBDEs have now been eradicated, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist anymore! PBDE’s are known for their persistence.
Avoiding them can be difficult, but using a HEPA filter while vacuuming is a good start. Doing so cuts down on the exposure to dust from upholstery and other household products. Being active in making sure their are laws to reduce these chemicals is another way to decrease PBDE’s influence!

Lead:

Another well-known poison, lead, is especially harmful to children. Lead can cause symptoms too numerous to list here. These include permanent brain damage, hearing loss, miscarriage, premature birth, kidney damage and nervous system problems, etc. This might not be new information, but the effect on hormones is not discussed as much. Lead can disrupt the hormone signaling that controls the body’s major stress system (called the HPA axis). To lessen your lead exposure, make sure your house is well-maintained, watch our for old, crumbling paint, and use a water filter to remove it from drinking water.

Organophosphate Pesticides:

Neurotoxic organophosphate compounds were produced in World War II as chemical weapons–pretty scary stuff. After the war, these chemicals were used in experiments to create sophisticated pesticides. They are still in use today, even though there have been many studies that show their adverse effects on brain health, fertility, etc.. Organophosphate Pesticides lower testosterone and alter thyroid hormone levels. To avoid this one, buy organic produce and be sure to stay knowledgable on which fruits and vegetable bear the lightest load of pesticides.

Phthalates:

Our cells rely on hormone signals to perform all the functions we need to survive–surely you wouldn’t want anything near you that told your cells to die, right? Well, thats something that Phthalates can trigger. It can trigger cell death in testicular cells which leads to low sperm count, birth defects, obesity, etc. Like BPA, you can avoid Phthalates by staying away from plastic containers, plastic wrap made from PVC and personal care items that list added fragrances. Look for Phthalate-free products in containers and body products!

Want more info? Check out EWG’s article on this very subject. It’s full of links and info and even a PDF to keep handy.

May 9, 2016
Natural Scar Treatments
We all end up with scars. And while we like to honor life’s journey in these bodies, most of us would prefer to minimize their appearance.

There are some simple and luxurious ways to treat scras without chemicals. The first recipe is for scars from cuts and scrapes, strecth marks, and incisions.
All-purpose scar oil

Ingredients

1/4 cup of your favorite carrier oil (tamanu oil, oilve oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, etc.)

20 drops lavendar essential oil

10 drops rosemary essential oil

Mix all ingredients and keep in a glass jar (preferably dark glass) and store in a cool, dark place.
All-natural remedies for scars

Lavendar is a great go-to oil for any skin issue. Inanition to helping heal scars, it treats acne, burns of all kinds, and bug bites. Rosemary can help skin cells regenerate, which will shrink scar tissue. Helichrysum fights inflammation, heals wounds, and soothes skin.

Tamanu oil is excellent for healing scars. It has been used traditionally by indigenous people in Polynesia for its tremendous healing properties. It increases healthy cell growth and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Easy face mask for acne scars

Ingredients

4 tablespoons honey

4 teaspoons lemon juice

3 teaspoons plain yogurt

1 egg white

Combine with whisk or fork in a small bowl. This mixture will be liquid, so soak a soft wash cloth in the fluid
and lay it over your face for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water afterwards.
April 18, 2016
A Sign of Early Spring

Despite the cold temps, Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, like this plant sprouting near Frenchtown, N.J., is looking good! The root of this remarkably beautiful plant can be made into a vinegar-based extract that is a very valuable anti-fungal. It is best used topically, and can be applied to athlete’s foot or other fungal overgrowths, where no open wound exists.

Studies show the extract can inhibit the deposition of dental plaque, which is why it is used in mouth rinses. It has excellent anti-microbial activity on the mucous membrane tissues. Once again, however, this is a mouth rinse, not to be ingested. Bloodroot has legitimate internal uses, but should not be used this way unless under the care of a qualified health-care practitioner.

The plant’s most noteworthy physical characteristic is its clasping single grey-green leaf, which wraps itself around the delicate flower when it first appears, later unfurling into a shield-like background for the striking white flower. The small but bulbous root from which the extracts are made contains an acrid red-orange juice wherein lies the medicine. This colorful juice was used as a dye, after careful processing, by Native American people, who adorned clothing and their bodies with it.

April 18, 2016
Medicinal Herbs and Supplements

Evidence-based herbal and vitamin supplementation is an achievable reality in our 21st century world. Finding quality herbs and supplements, as well as high-quality information about them, requires experience in the marketplace of natural substances. This is what we bring to the consumer’s table: decades of research into herbal medicine as well long experience working with the finest natural supplement manufacturers in the world.

There can be a ten-fold difference in the cost of raw materials for good-quality herbs and supplements versus poor quality. Knowing and trusting your herb and vitamin seller is paramount in a world where bargains are everywhere, but information about sourcing can be scarce.

Taking a degree of responsibility, however small, for one’s own health, is empowering. In addition to exercise, relaxation techniques, and dietary adjustment, herbs and supplements are powerful allies for those seeking optimum health.

April 14, 2016