Tag: diy

  • Homemade Fire Cider

    Homemade Fire Cider

    Homemade Fire Cider

    Fire cider is a traditional herbal remedy known for its immune-boosting and warming properties. It is a potent infusion of herbs, spices, and vegetables steeped in apple cider vinegar.

    Fire cider is known for its potent and spicy flavor, as well as its potential health benefits. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste and heat tolerance.

    Here are some common uses for fire cider:

    Immune Support

    Fire cider is often consumed as a daily tonic or during cold and flu season to help support the immune system. Its ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, and horseradish, are believed to have immune-boosting properties.

    Cold and Flu Relief

    Many people use fire cider at the onset of a cold or flu to help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. The warming and spicy nature of fire cider can help clear congestion and soothe a sore throat.

    Digestive Aid

    Fire cider can aid digestion and help relieve symptoms like indigestion, gas, and bloating. The combination of apple cider vinegar and herbs like ginger and rosemary may promote digestive health.

    Anti-Inflammatory

    Some of the ingredients in fire cider, such as turmeric and cayenne pepper, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It may be used by some individuals to help reduce inflammation in the body.

    Energy Booster

    The spicy and tangy nature of fire cider can provide an energy boost. It’s often taken in the morning as a natural pick-me-up.

    Circulation Support

    Ingredients like cayenne pepper in fire cider may help improve blood circulation. Some people use it to promote cardiovascular health.

    Sinus Congestion Relief

    The spicy components in fire cider, particularly horseradish and chili peppers, can help clear sinuses and provide relief from nasal congestion.

    General Wellness

    Many people incorporate fire cider into their wellness routines as a preventive measure to maintain overall health and vitality.

    Before using fire cider or any herbal remedy, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medications.

    Homemade Fire Cider

    Fire cider is a traditional immune-supporting remedy with deep roots in folk medicine.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root grated
    • 1/2 cup fresh ginger root grated
    • 1/2 cup fresh turmeric root grated
    • 10 cloves garlic crushed or minced
    • 2 jalapeño peppers chopped, adjust for spice preference
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
    • Zest and juice of 1 orange
    • 2 tbsp dried rosemary
    • 2 tbsp dried thyme
    • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper adjust for spice preference
    • raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar enough to cover all ingredients
    • raw honey to taste, optional

    Method
     

    1. Wash and chop the onion, horseradish, ginger, turmeric, garlic, and jalapeño peppers. You can leave the seeds in the jalapeños for extra heat, or remove them for milder fire cider.
    2. Zest the lemon and orange, and then juice them.
    3. In a clean, quart-sized glass jar, layer the chopped onion, grated horseradish, grated ginger, minced garlic, chopped jalapeño peppers, lemon zest, orange zest, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
    4. Pour raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar over the ingredients in the jar until they are completely covered. Make sure to leave a little space at the top for expansion.
    5. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap between the jar and the lid to prevent corrosion.
    6. Place the jar in a dark, cool place (like a pantry) for about 3 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar daily to help mix the ingredients.
    7. After 3 to 4 weeks, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass container.
    8. If you find the fire cider too strong, you can add raw honey to taste. This will also sweeten it a bit and make it more palatable.
    9. Store your fire cider in the refrigerator, where it can last for several months.
    10. To use, take 1-2 tablespoons daily as a tonic or when you feel like you need an immune boost. You can also use it in cooking or as a salad dressing ingredient.
  • Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Pops

    Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Pops

    Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Pops

    Who says you can’t indulge in something sweet and refreshing that’s also healthy and affordable?

    Made with whole ingredients like lemon yogurt, fresh blueberries, and a crunchy granola topping, these pops are tasty and nutritious. Plus, making your own summer treats at home can be a lot more affordable than buying them at the store.

    Not only are these pops healthy, they’re also easy to make. Simply combine the ingredients with a hand mixer, pour into popsicle molds, and let them freeze. In just a few hours, you’ll have a batch of delicious and refreshing treats that you can enjoy guilt-free all summer long.

    The next time you’re craving something sweet, skip the store-bought options and make your own Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Pops. Not only will your taste buds thank you, but your wallet and your body will too!

    Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Pops

    Lemon blueberry cheesecake pops are a refreshing and delicious treat that's perfect for summer! Made with whole ingredients, these pops are easy and a cinch to make!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 8
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Pint fresh blueberries
    • 1/3 Cup cane sugar divided
    • 2 Tablespoons water
    • 1 Teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 Cups softened cream cheese
    • 1 Cup lemon yogurt
    • 1/2 Cup granola
    • 8 paper cups
    • 8 wooden popsicle sticks or small reusable popsicle molds with sticks

    Method
     

    1. Place blueberries, two tablespoons sugar, water, and lemon zest in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for five minutes or until blueberries are tender and mixture has thickened. Set aside to cool.
    2. In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together cream cheese and remaining sugar until fluffy. Stir in yogurt until thoroughly mixed. Fold in blueberry mixture to create swirls of fruit.
    3. Spoon mixture into eight small paper cups leaving a quarter inch of space from the top of the cups.
    4. Top off cups with granola and gently press into the cheesecake mixture. Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each cup and freeze for a minimum of four hours.
    5. To serve, peel away paper cup and enjoy!

    Recipe Courtesy of INFRA

  • 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/

  • Easy Homemade Face Mask for Glowing Skin

    Easy Homemade Face Mask for Glowing Skin

    Easy Homemade Face Mask for Glowing Skin

    with Christine Waltermyer

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

    Mango Avocado Face Mask

    Makes enough for 4 applications

    Ingredients

    2 teaspoons fresh aloe vera pulp or store-bought aloe vera gel intended for topical use

    2 teaspoons unrefined coconut oil

    1 tablespoon fresh avocado

    1 tablespoon fresh mango

    Optional: 2 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (I used Wyndmere brand)

    Method

    1. Place all ingredients in a small bowl and mash everything together into as smooth consistency as possible. Apply 1 tablespoon all over your face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

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

  • DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

    with Christine Waltermyer

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

    Vegan White Chocolate Bark

    with dried cranberries

    Makes 16 Hearts

    Ingredients

    6 oz Sunfood organic cacao butter, melted

    ⅓ cup vegan vanilla protein powder

    2 tablespoons dried cranberries (sugar free if possible)

    2 tablespoons hemp hearts 

    2 tablespoons chopped goji berries

    ¼  teaspoon sea salt

    ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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

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

    Method

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Homemade Natural Bath Bombs

    with Essential Oils

    Makes 2 Medium Size Bath Bombs

    Ingredients

    ½ cup baking soda

    ¼ cup organic cornstarch

    ¼ cup epsom salts

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

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

    ½ teaspoon water

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

    ¼ cup citric acid

    Equipment: Bath bomb mold

    Method

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

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

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

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

    Herb-Infused Massage Oil

    Ingredients

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

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

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

    Equipment: A pretty gift bottle and ribbon

    Method

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

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

  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 11/7/19

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 11/7/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Wholesome: Allulose Zero Calorie Sweetener
    The Australian Carob Co: Carob Kibble Nibbles
    The Coconut Cult Probiotic Coconut Yogurt: Original & Chocolate Mousse
    Garden of Life: Raw Organic Vanilla Protein is BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
    FieldRoast Hazelnut Cranberry Roast & Gardein Holiday Roast
    Know Brainer Max Mallow: Classic Vanilla & Cinnamon Toast
    Lakanto: Sugar Free Brownie Mix
    My Magic Mud: Moisturizing Charcoal Coconut Oil Soap (Pineapple Mango, Citrus, & Vetiver Amber), Cleansing Face Soap (Calcium Bentonite Clay & Activated Charcoal), Raw Powder (Calcium Bentonite Clay & Activated Charcoal), & Activated Charcoal Alcohol-Free Oral Rinse (Cinnamon)
    Sweet Earth Foods: Awesome Grounds & Awesome Burger
    Nordic Naturals: Marine Collagen Single Serve Packets
    Smart Sweets: Peach Rings, Sweet Fish, and MORE!
    Maya Kaimal: Vegan Tikka Masala
  • DIY Bug Bite Balm!

    DIY Bug Bite Balm!

    Everyone loves summertime, from swimming in the pool, to going on hikes, and having lots of outdoor parties and barbecues. The one downside to being outside… getting bug bites! We tried this DIY Bug Bite Balm and we had to share with everyone! The “pulling” action from the activated charcoal helps remove the toxins from the stings and bites, while the soothing properties from the lavender essential oil help the inflammation and itching. Plus, the coconut oil and shea butter offer a nice anti-bacterial and rejuvenating effect (respectively).

    Ingredients

    3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

    1 ½ Tablespoons Shea Butter

    15-21 Drops of Organic Lavender Essential Oil

    1 Tablespoon Activated Charcoal (grab some from our bulk section!)

    1 Reusable Container (we used U-Konserve’s Big Mini Stainless Steel Container)

    Method

    1. Melt down coconut oil and shea butter.

    2. Once fully melted, add essential oil and activated charcoal. Mix well!

    3. Carefully spoon the liquid into reusable container. Allow to rest for 2-3 hours.

    4. When needed, rub the balm on the affected area, allowing it to run into the skin. Place a bandage on top of the balm and allow it to work its magic before rinsing off later.

    NOTE: During extremely hot days, you want to make sure to keep your new bug bite balm in a cool spot so it doesn’t melt.

    Tell us how much you love your DIY Bug Bite Balm and where you take it on-the-go! Leave us a note, email us, tag us on social media, or tell us in person! #basilbandwagoncares

  • DIY After-Swim Chlorine Neutralizing Spray

    DIY After-Swim Chlorine Neutralizing Spray

    Summer is the best time of the year to go swimming! Unfortunately, summer is also the worst time for chlorine. Some of the unwanted benefits of chlorine is that it dries out your hair and your skin- which is never fun to deal with in the hot summer heat. But good news! We have a DIY After-Swim Chlorine Neutralizing Spray that is simple to make and is perfect to keep in your bag when you go to the pool this season.

    Ingredients:

    1/4 Cup Filtered Water

    1/4 Teaspoon Powdered Vitamin C

    Essential Oils (we recommend using 1 drop Orange)

    2 Ounce Blue Glass Spray Bottle

    Method:

    1. Add water to glass spray bottle.

    2. Add powdered vitamin C to spray bottle.

    3. Add drop of essential oil.

    4. Put lid on bottle and shake to combine.

    5. Add to hair and/or skin after swimming and rub in. Shower as usual when you return home.

    NOTE: You might want to use this solution within 1-2 days of making it as it might lose its effectiveness afterwards.

    Tell us how much you love your DIY After-Swim Chlorine Neutralizing Spray. Leave us a note, email us, tag us on social media, or tell us in person! #basilbandwagoncares

  • 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:

  • Natural Egg Dyeing

    Natural Egg Dyeing

    With Spring here and the Easter holiday on the horizon, many of you are opting to celebrate with the longstanding tradition of dyeing eggs. And a beautiful tradition it is! The eggs make great decorations as a centerpiece for your dining table or simply as a table arrangement to impress guests. Not to mention they are a FUN family activity.
    The not-so-fun part of the traditional dyeing comes from the back of the egg dyeing kit: yellow 5, blue 1, blue 2, red 40 and so on, and so on. The dye is full of synthetic junk. Which, may not seem like a big deal to you, but if you intend on consuming the eggs after the holiday, you may want to rethink what you’re using to dye them. On the other hand, if you care about the environment and would like to vote mindfully with your dollars to support natural food products, you may also want to rethink what you’re using to dye them.
    Here’s where we come in. We scoured the internet to find the best recipes for dyeing our eggs and came up with a few unique favorites to test out:

     

     

    • turmeric
    • purple cabbage
    • blueberries
    • spirulina
    • hibiscus

     

    As you will see, some of the colors came out much more vibrant than others. And we also discovered that the longer you soak them and keep them refrigerated when not on display, the more vibrant the colors will stay. We opted to de-complicate the recipes. We simply filled single cups about 1/2 way with each of the materials. Then added enough distilled vinegar to cover the material. Then followed up with hot water to activate the dyeing process. We submerged a single egg in each of the cups and let them sit refrigerated overnight.
    Here’s what we ended up with!

     

     

    Notice that we didn’t include what should have been a green egg that was dyed with the Spirulina. It didn’t work for us! Next time we will add some mashed spinach, perhaps?
    Give this a try and let us know what materials worked best for you and which were your favorites!
    Happy egg dyeing!