Pictured here are some of our Heart-Healthy faves:


Everyone makes some sort of pledge around the New Year. Almost every one of those pledges has to do with eating and fitness. How trite! How over-played, right? Most of the time- these resolutions don’t even make it out of January alive. This year, I’ve been determined to challenge that norm.
Before January 1, my family and I decided that we were going to do the Whole 30 dietary program. A few years of stress have taken their toll. Despite working at an AMAZING natural market that I love, with access to some of the best food around, my eating habits have really suffered. I’ve struggled with migraines and heartburn, and almost NO energy at the end of every day. I decided it was time to do something about that.
We bought the Whole 30 book, made grocery lists, loaded the fridge with organic meat and veggies and buckled in for the ride. In case you aren’t familiar, let me explain what The Whole 30 is. I’d describe it as a diet reset: no grain, no alcohol, no legumes, no dairy, no sugar, no SWEETENERS, no soy, no yeast, etc.
Here’s how my experience has been going with this program:
Day One: Awesome! We made some great meals, felt really full and proud of ourselves.
Day Two: It was the day before the kids had to go back to school, and Grandpa wanted to take everyone to the Museum of Natural History in NYC. We loaded in the car, bags full of fruit, Epic Bars, and the handful of Whole 30-approved bars. “We’ll make it.” I said.
The Museum was packed and we’d seen all the major exhibits. We were hungry. Our snack bags were empty and the sun was going down. We ducked out of the rain and into a delightful little Greek restaurant. The menu included a few things that were perfect- but, not palatable for the kids. My youngest got skirt steak with asparagus, my oldest got lamb sautéed with veggies. I was excited and got stuffed cabbage- forgetting that it had rice in it until I was about eight bites in. I decided to roll with it. “A little goof-up isn’t the end of the world”, I told myself. Then, my father-in-law ordered dessert while I was in the restroom. Baklava and Kaitifi. I didn’t say a word and devoured all of it. And a glass of wine. My husband and I looked at each other and declared a “do-over” the next day.
Day Three +: It wasn’t as hard as I thought over the next few days. I pre-cooked a lot of organic chicken, ground beef, and bacon. I stocked up on salad greens, veggies and fruit. We put our lunches together in the morning- assembling what were essentially “Buddha Bowls”. What are Buddha Bowls? Buddha Bowls are a life saver.
My favorite bowl to throw together is: cooked sweet potato chunks, diced pork or chicken, greens, chopped cashews and Tessamae’s Creamy Ranch dressing (PALEO and Whole 30-friendly!) This has been my go-to lunch. (see recipe below!)
After a few days, I noticed a few things: no headaches, more energy, and no heartburn.
Week Two: The second week brought challenges. We were having a hard time keeping enough food in the house to be able to build our meals. Without filler foods (bread, beans, pasta, grains), we were absolutely tearing through avocados, eggs, salads greens, and fruit. We had to rethink the way we shop. Instead of one big weekly grocery trip, we were finding ourselves re-stocking every few days. Admittedly, the cost was up, too. (I don’t have to tell you that meat costs more than beans.)
After observing our budget for the week, though, there was a savings in another place that we didn’t even consider: we hadn’t eaten out since we went to Manhattan. Not a coffee run, not a rushed lunch, not a desperate pizza order. The extra expense in the grocery budget hasn’t been an issue because we are making and eating all of our own food!
Another challenge I ran into during this time was when I neglected to eat breakfast and found myself nauseated. My instinct was to grab crackers or a piece of bread to soothe my tummy. I texted my husband who encouraged me to grab a bag of raw cashews instead. He was right- I just needed something in my stomach. It’s amazing the food we want to grab for comfort! I didn’t think the cashews would work, but they set me right and I was able to eat well the rest of the day. I learned that I HAVE to eat. I can’t skip meals.
Moving Forward: Now we’re not done with this program quite yet- we still have a week or two to go, but the results so far are enough that we want to keep going. Perhaps indefinitely. The biggest surprise for me is that I don’t miss dairy or bread as much as I expected to. The theory is that you won’t crave things as much if your body is receiving everything it needs.
If you are looking for a reset, or relief from chronic symptoms that have no answers- The Whole 30 is a solid place to start. It will challenge you, but it will also teach you what you need to truly nourish your body.
This flexible lunch can be made ahead of time- and this makes good use of leftovers!
Cube the meat for easy eating. I was using leftover bacon wrapped pork roast.
Leftover a baked Purple Stokes Sweet Potato
I had some pea shoots from Blue Moon Acres to use as my greens. (Yum!)
I added Cashews for extra crunch and good fats!
You can add any dressing you like, but my current favorite is Whole 30 approved and has a delightful dill flavor that I’m sort of addicted to. You can certainly make your own, of course!

Bumps, bruises, scrapes, sore throats, tummy aches- every kids comes with them! Here are 10 of our favorite natural products to address your little ones’ needs in a flash. Stock up now and save on tears later 😉
You’ve heard it by now, Elderberry Syrup is a serious contender in the world of cold and flu remedies. Even held up against pharmaceuticals, Elderberry stands tall. The best part is, it tastes GREAT, so it goes down easy. Just a teaspoon a day during cold and flu season can ward off viruses of all kinds, and bumping that dosage if they get sick can help shorten the duration of the cold.
Be sure to read the labels on Elderberry syrup- notice the sugar content and the additives- we love our brand because it contains neither!
Earaches hurt, and ear infections are one of the biggest culprits for the over-prescription of antibiotics out there. Try soothing the ear canal at first signs of symptoms with this time-tested remedy. Mullein is a flower that you’ve likely ignored or pulled out in your yard- but it’s potent antibacterial qualities can help it heal an irritated ear canal. Garlic is one of nature’s “antibiotics” for the same reason. Together, the two (suspended in olive oil) are a fantastic way to soothe and heal troubled ears.
Be sure to warm the oil first. Do this by placing the whole bottle in a mug of hot water for a few moments, then shake to ensure an even temperature.
A healthy, active child will definitely encounter some bumps and bruises! Treat minor aches and pains with arnica gel applied to the area affected. It will help take the edge off the discomfort after a fall off a swing or a bruised shin. Tablets can be used internally – taken through the mouth – to do the same and work especially well with less localized discomfort.
Focus is important for kids- and sometimes it seems impossible to get it. Without enough quality omega fatty acids in the diet, focus can be severely impeded. Fish oil is an easy way to achieve healthy levels and is easy to take nowadays- even tasty! We like Wiley’s in Mango-Peach flavor. It delivers a good dose of both EPA and DHA needed for brain health and mood health and comes from wild-caught Alaskan Fish that you can trust.
This is one of the simplest and most useful products! Bentonite clay is extremely absorbent- this makes it useful for drying out rashes from poison ivy or shallow scrapes from falling off a bike. This super-hero clay will take the sting out of a wasp bite or minor burns. The best part? ZERO chemicals. Two ingredients: just pure, clean clay and purified water. You can also make it yourself out of the dry powder- but having it in this tube form is worth it!
Anxiety can strike kids just as often as it can strike adults. Pressures of school and sports and friends can compound into a full blown meltdown. Soothe worries with Rescue Remedy! Rescue Remedy is not a sedative- it’s a simple, homeopathic remedy that helps calm the nervous system. Here’s one way we’ve heard it described by a 13-year-old, “It’s like a everything is wrinkled, but then…after a few minutes…it’s smooth again.”
This icy-cold essential oil blend is strong stuff- but when blended with any carrier oil, it becomes a magic tool for slowing coughs! Slather it on the feet and cover with socks to stop a nagging nighttime cough. Dilute it further and massage onto the chest to help open up stuffy noses! In the summertime, it can make a cooling rub for hot car rides or in the car after a sweaty sports game.
We love kale! You probably like it- at least in a smoothie! Kids, though, might struggle to get the benefits of eating lots of greens without a little help. Amazing Grass makes it easy with these packets. They pick a wallop of fruits, vegetables and probiotics that will fill in the cracks of a kid’s diet and make them feel, well,…amazing!
Homeopathy can seem like another language sometimes. Some of the remedies sound like Harry Potter spells! Nux Vomica works like a charm 😉 Nausea can have a myriad of causes, and stopping it involves asking a lot of questions. In the meantime, you have a miserable little person. Nux Vomica can take the edge off nausea and bring comfort until the larger picture becomes clear.
Maybe you’ve tried the Fish Oil and you still have an issue with a fidgety or anxious kiddo. This herbal syrup uses soothing botanicals like chamomile, hawthorn, lemon balm, and catnip. All of these combine to help calm over-stimulated little people without the use of chemicals.

When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet? If you’re like many others, you may have a few bottles of expired product, unused product, or product you’re not sure how you acquired. You may not have benefitted from using some of it and some over-the-counter pharmaceutical products may have even generated some unwanted side effects for you. What a waste of money! (And space!)
If this sounds familiar, you’re probably interested in seeking alternative natural solutions to managing your health. We think that’s smart! Save your health AND money… and read on to save your time making selections. We’ve got our top picks for building a fully-stocked natural medicine cabinet with a good solution to nearly all of your wellness needs. Read on…
Starting with our top shelf, left to right:
If you’re prone to sinus problems or allergies, you need this product; this gentle nasal spray contains xylitol – a sugar alcohol that sends bacteria to the grave
Always keep a pack handy for when flu-like symptoms hit; this homeopathic remedy is best used at the onset of symptoms and can help you get back to feeling yourself again simply by working with your body’s own natural defense systems to spur needed action
So many uses for this aromatherapeutic gem; add a few drops to a humidifier in cold months, or to a facial steam bath to help relieve nasal congestion discomfort
When nausea strikes, Nux Vomica is to the rescue; this homeopathic remedy is popular for relieving discomfort from hangovers and more and is easily taken by dropping a few tiny pellets under the tongue to dissolve
Available in spray, pastille, gelcap or liquid form, this flower essence remedy is used for addressing mild anxiety, nervousness and tension
Put some pep in your step or boost your immunity with this food-based tonic filled with anti-inflammatory, cold-busting nutrients; one shot and you’ll feel all the goodness this tonic has to offer
A favorite of those who have trouble sleeping, this formula contains an array of herbs known to help promote restful sleep without groggy, cranky side effects that no one wants to deal with
Antioxidants, minerals and vitamins combine forces to help relief symptoms associated with painful migraine headaches without any caffeine or stimulants
A beautiful blend of herbs and powerful antioxidants that helps address symptoms that so many with allergies suffer with needlessly
Peppermint is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to help calm an upset stomach; simply drop this liquid into water, tea, or a comforting beverage
This formula uses powerful digestive enzymes to break down foods that may cause acid reflux symptoms in sensitive individuals; this product addresses the root cause of the discomfort
Known for its skin healing properties, liquid vitamin E is a great solution for addressing scarring and other troublesome skin issues
This liquid promotes your body’s own production of salivary amylase, which helps break down certain types of food you consume, potentially helping relieve symptoms like gas, bloating and mild digestive discomfort
An organic blend of adaptogenic herbs, this liquid tincture is a great solution to help your body best cope with the stressful demands of everyday life
Address fungal issues with power; this liquid can be ingested, applied topically, or even used as a laundry additive or food-grade cleanser
Used to help relieve discomfort associated with bruising, muscle soreness and inflammation, this homeopathic remedy is often prescribed after falls, injuries or surgery
A topical version of this homeopathic remedy that is often used on bruises and areas of swelling
Complete with colloidal silver, this topical solution suggests usage on skin requiring protection from bad bacteria
Dry nasal passages or bloody noses? This oil is intended to be swabbed on the inner tissues of the nasal passageway to provide needed moisture
This essential oil has too many benefits to list! No cabinet is complete without it!
At Basil Bandwagon, we have a variety of facial, dental, and skin care products free of the chemicals and preservatives you want to avoid. Don’t forget to make these a part of your natural medicine cabinet, since your skin absorbs what you put on it!
Not pictured, but another great addition to your medicine cabinet is activated charcoal. A well-known antidote for food poisoning, this supplement is also used for whitening teeth (when added to toothpaste) or as a natural detoxifier.
As with any substance, you should always check with a doctor or medical professional before use, especially in an emergency or life-threatening situation or if you have any underlying health problems.

This time of year can wreak havoc on your system. Comfort food is everywhere: scents of baked goods, sugary delights and holiday candles abound. Choosing better ingredients and allergy-friendly options can minimize the side effects of the holidays. Here’s some of our favorite alternatives:
Can’t have dairy? Can’t have Soy? There’s still a nog option for you!
Everyone else is having cheese and crackers- but you can’t do dairy. This spread from Kite Hill makes it easy with their almond-based spread. Pick up some crackers and dip away!
Cold evenings call for warm beverages- and coffee is a favorite! If you can’t drink coffee, or you are looking to cut down, Dandy Blend is an EXCELLENT alternative! It’s rich and smooth and plays well with your favorite creamer and sweetener. The best part is how easy it is- just mix in!
What’s so amazing about these Chocolate Chips? Check out whats NOT in them! Nut Free, Dairy Free, Wheat & Gluten Free, AND Soy Free. This makes these safe for a crowd!
Don’t miss out on stuffing! Aleia’s makes Gluten Free EASY- and yummy. It’s also dairy free, corn free and non-GMO.
Everyone wants candy canes this time of year- but check out the ingredients! Our candy canes are free of dyes and other junk that you don’t want, but have all the minty goodness you crave.
One sprinkle of this, and you’ll find yourself forgetting to use brown sugar! Coconut sugar is low-glycemic and still offers that warm sweetness you look for on top of sweet rolls, and cookies.

A Chiropractor’s Guide to Creating Health & Happiness This Fall & Beyond
By Dr. Michele Gardner of Gardner Family Chiropractic, Flemington, NJ
Have you ever attempted to program your GPS and found it searching for satellite? It won’t show your travel route until it first knows where you are… Finding your way in life is incredibly similar! You cannot get to where you want to go without first knowing where you are. In helping you develop your Personal Health Plan, we’ll talk about where you are on your journey to health, different philosophies of health, and actions to ensure your future wellbeing.
Because we are all at different places on our journey to health, we will each have a different plan. You will tailor your own program to suit your lifestyle. The idea behind a Personal Health Plan is that it is a decision to stay healthy and take steps toward insuring your future success. (Madeira, 2006) My favorite definition of health is one that includes physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing – not merely the absence of disease. (WHO, 1948) Health is a lifelong journey and requires a bigger picture view of life to be in view at all times. With this in mind, know that you are building awareness here. You are defining your interpretation of yourself and getting specific about what you want.
Some of us are healthy and want to stay that way. Some of us are facing a health challenge or crisis that is new. Some of us are managing chronic illness. Whether you have survived a health crisis and want to insure it never comes back, or want to take your current health to new heights, a Personal Health Plan will help you succeed. No matter where you are on your journey, I want to encourage you to make your choices from a place of self-love. A frantic push toward a desired end with a rigid list of to-do’s will not serve you and is not sustainable. Plus, you’ll miss out on the gifts you have the potential to receive – even while in crisis.
If you owned a million-dollar race horse, what would you feed it? Would you exercise it? Would you keep its environment clean? Would you give it plenty of rest, sunshine, and fresh air? Of course you would! The reason you would is because this isn’t just any horse… this is a million dollar race horse! (Madeira, 2006) Have you guessed it already? Yes, you are the million-dollar race horse! Why would you do any less for yourself? For the parents reading this, I know you want the best for your children and you know they learn through observation. Lead by example. Love yourself enough to treat yourself as you would your children so they can learn to do this for themselves. Our ability to love is infinite. I promise you, if you love yourself more you won’t be taking anything away from them. You’ll be giving them more than you can imagine.
For some of you, the following will be a big ah-ha moment. There are three different philosophies of health.
Our culture’s medical model is based in the mechanistic philosophy. It is the most beneficial in emergency scenarios. If your kidney if failing or you’ve broken a bone, this is the approach best utilized. However, when faced with chronic illness, the modalities steeped in holism may fair better. And vitalistic philosophy can help us choose to add actions and traditions to be utilized whether we’re sick or well. There really isn’t necessarily one right answer. It is what is right for you right now. And, that may change too. Life and growth are a dynamic evolution.
Once you’ve chosen your primary philosophy of health, you’ll develop your personal health wheel. Some examples of a health wheel are shown here along with a blank one you can print to create your own.


You’ll notice there is a center circle on this wheel.
Out of your health philosophy, choose up to three traditions that support your philosophy.
Some examples are: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Biofeedback, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Energy Medicine, Faith Healing, Feldenkrais Method, Functional Medicine, Gestalt Therapy, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Iridology, Kampo Medicine, Massage Therapy, Meditation, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Polarity Therapy, Pranic Healing, Prayer, Qigong, Rebirthing, Traditional Medicine, or Yoga Therapy.
Next you’ll choose facets of health that are important to you.
The most common are physical, spiritual, recreational, professional, social, emotional, mental, financial, romantic, creative, relational, environmental, and family. Within each category you can get specific and detailed.You have the ability to know what area of your life needs your attention to reach health goals. Simply evaluate yourself on the wheel. There is an example wheel that is multi-colored with tick marks to help quantify the level of health achieved in that category. (Baker, 2013) What do you want your life to be?
After you have chosen which areas to work on, you can decide what or who will help you with your action steps.
You are not meant to do this alone. Find practitioners within that can walk with you along your journey. They will help hold you accountable while giving you the support you need.
Get started right now:
Print one of the sample wheels. When thoughts come to you about what you want for yourself, journal them or use a voice recorder on your phone. You’ll build upon this with time and allow the specifics to unfold.
If you’d like support from me, don’t hesitate to reach out. Visit my website for more information on how to reach me. I can help you find a practitioner you are looking for or guide you through some choices. Lastly, I’ll leave you with a quote I like:
“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” – Jim Rohn
No matter where you are on your journey toward health, you can make choices today that will lead you where you want to go. Surround yourself with people who help you passionately move toward self-actualization!
Works Cited
Baker, B. (2013, September). Retrieved from http://www.startofhappiness.com/wheel-of-life-a-self-assessment-tool/
Glassey, D. (2010, September). The Vitalistic Healing Model. Retrieved from Pathways to Family Wellness: http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Holistic-Healthcare/the-vitalistic-healing-model.html
Madeira, J. (2006). Developing Your Personal Wellness Plan. Setting Things Straight (p. 1). Madeira Success Strategies.
Duke University (2014). Retrieved from Duke Integrative Medicine: http://triadintegrativehealthcoaches.com/
Unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/11892386492434313/
WHO. (1948). WHO definition of health. Retrieved from WHO International: http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html
Wikipedia. (2016, August). Holism Philosophy. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holism
Wikipedia. (2016, June). Mechanism Philosophy. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanism_(philosophy)

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:
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.

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:
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.
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

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.