Tag: natural

  • DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes

    DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes

    Flu season is no joke! Check out these simple DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes below to help keep those germs away.

    All recipes yield 2 oz of hand sanitizer, however, recipes can be altered to make more or less if desired. If final product is too thick, add more alcohol/vodka; if it is too thin, add more aloe vera/vegetable glycerin.

    Shake final product well before each use and apply generously. The final product should last several months.

    The CDC recommends hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol.

    Pranarom Hand Purifier

    Ingredients:

    3 tablespoons neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 teaspoons aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    24-36 drops Pranarom Good Samaritan or Immunity Boost Wellness Formula essential oils

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Aura Cacia Cleansing Hand Gel Spray

    Ingredients:

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Cinnamon Leaf essential oil

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Bergamot essential oil

    8 drops of Aura Cacia Tea Tree essential oil

    1/3 cup aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    2/3 cup neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Wyndmere Hand Defense

    Ingredients:

    8 drops of Wyndmere Defend Naturally essential oil

    1/3 cup aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    2/3 cup neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    Aura Cacia Stress-No-More Hand Spray

    Ingredients:

    5 drops Aura Cacia Lavender essential oil

    15 drops of Aura Cacia Tea Tree essential oil

    1.5 oz neutral grain alcohol or high-proof vodka (Everclear)

    1/2 oz aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin

    1/8 teaspoon Jason Vitamin E Oil

    2 oz glass spray bottle

    Method:

    Combine all ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. To use, spray into palms, then massage into hands until fully absorbed. Use as often as desired.

    For more information:

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

    https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/infections/2019-novel-coronavirus-sars-cov2-covid-19

    https://www.npr.org/2020/02/27/810016611/coronavirus-101-what-you-need-to-know-to-prepare-and-prevent

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/02/26/how-to-prepare-for-coronavirus/?arc404=true

  • 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 WEDNESDAY 9/4/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 9/4/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Acure: Detox-Defy Color Wellness Shampoo & Conditioner, Unicorn Shimmer Shampoo & Conditioner, Wave & Curl Color Wellness Shampoo & Conditioner, and Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar
    Barnana Banana Brittle: Double Chunk Dark Chocolate, Extra Creamy Peanut Butter, & Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip
    Buffalo This Dip Is Nuts!
    Flow Alkaline Spring Water: So many flavors and on SALE!
    Garden of Life Mykind Organics: Adrenal, Ashwagandha, & Oil of Oregano
    The Living Apothecary: Red Raspberry Leaf Ginger & Peach Black Tea
    Maple Hill Organics Shelf Stable Milk: Whole Milk & Chocolate Whole Milk
    Natural Stacks: Magtech, Serotonin Brain Food, GABA Brain Food, Acetylcholine Brain Food, Smart Caffeine, Dopamine Brain Food, & CILTEP
    GoMacro: Maple Sea Salt & Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
    Stasher: New colors!
    Nulo Freestyle Cat Food: Chicken & Herring Recipe, Minced Beef & Mackerel Recipe, and Shredded Beef & Rainbow Trout Recipe
    PlusCBD Oil: Hemp Rollers (Original and Extra Strength)
    Primal Kitchen: No Soy Teriyaki
    Natural Vegan: Deodorant
  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 6/5/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 6/5/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Lundberg Farms Bold Bites Chips: Korean Style BBQ, Samosa, Street Taco, & MORE!
    Vital Planet Vital Flora Pro Shelf Stable Probiotics: Ultra Daily, Men’s Daily, Women’s Daily, & Women’s 55+ Daily
    Brianna’s Organic Dressings: Honey Ginger, Real French, Poppy Seed, & MORE!
    Pastabilities Pasta: Sprouted, Kamut, & Spelt
    Tofurky DIY: Breakfast Sausage & Plant-Based Burger
    Tribucha Kombucha: Brainiac Kombucha (6-pack cans)
    Topo Chico: Twist of Lime Carbonated Mineral Water
    Gold Mine Natural Food Co.: Organic Blue Masa
    Locktown Farms: THEY’RE BACK!!!
    Califia Farms: Oatmilk & Oat Barista Blend
    Madhava: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    Vibrant Health: Green Vibrance with PlusCBD Oil
    All Good Sunscreen: Kids, Sport, & MORE!
    Stream2Sea Lip Balm: Sun Protect & Soothing
  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT FRIDAY 5/31/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT FRIDAY 5/31/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Nuco: Vegan Coconut Avocado Oil Mayo & Coconut Crunch Cereal
    Lemon Perfect: Just Lemon & Blueberry Acai
    Shameless Pets Soft Baked Dog Treats: Break An Egg Recipe & Lobster Roll Over Recipe
    Third Child Wellness: Skin Repairs, Room and Body Sprays, and Roll On Oil Blends
    SQUEAK: All Purpose and Surface Sanitizer, Gentle Scrub, & Everywhere Mist
    Taylor & Colledge: Organic Vanilla Bean Paste
    Fatworks: Goat Milk Ghee
    Buckley Pet Jerky: Beef Lung & Chicken
    Lunchskins 2-Pack Bag Sets
  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 5/1/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT WEDNESDAY 5/1/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Brew Dr. Kombucha: Strawberry Basil, Mint Lemonade, & Mint Lemonade 4-pack
    Cocomels: On sale all month long!
    DEEBEE’S Organics: Superfruit Freezer Bars
    The Essential Baking Company: Original Crust
    Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Yogurt: Peach, Plain, & Vanilla Bean
    Mina: Preserved Lemons & Moroccan Nana Mint Tea
    Para Kito Mosquito Repellent Bands: Party, Adult, & Kids
  • Dry Skin? Moisture Up!

    Dry Skin? Moisture Up!

    Everyone knows when the seasons change from the harsh, cold winter to sweet, fresh spring due to their skin. Since we’re stuck inside all winter long or we go outside to shovel the snow from our driveways and off of our cars, our skin tends to dry up and crack. Which is never fun to deal with. We all have our parents voices engraved in our minds telling us to put on lotion before we go out in the snow- but most of the time we forget anyways. Thankfully, there are always new products coming out that help our skin when we forget.

    Even better news- we have lots of those products on our shelves just for you!

    Booda Butter

    Booda Butter’s All-In-One Moisturizer is made with organic shea butter, fair trade cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil. If you’re tired of feeling your skin crack all winter long, this “butter” will help prevent that! Bonus- it comes in a full and travel size so you can have it stocked in your house or in your bag.

    “Booda Butter has helped keep my hands “crack free” this entire winter. This moisturizer is a definite staple I use year round.” -Susan H.

    Puremedy

    This skin care company uses a variety of homeopathic ingredients. Their Intensive Skin Repair Salve contains arnica montana which helps relieve itchy dry skin, calendula to help heal wounds, echinacea augustifolia, and sambucus nigra to help decrease swelling and soothe the itch. Their Baby Skin Salve should be in every diaper bag. Not only does it contain sambucus nigra and calendula, but it also has cocoa butter and olive oil to help a baby’s skin stay soft and young!

    “My poor baby suffered from bad diaper rash and she couldn’t stop crying. Once we put this salve on, the tears finally stopped and it helped her rash significantly!” -Lynn I.

    Earth’s Care

    Earth’s Care is all about the Earth and your body- they are even a 1% for the Planet member! Their Dry & Cracked Skin Balm dives deep in your skin to moisturize at the source. With shea butter, arnica, and cajeput oil, your skin is in good hands! People who suffer from eczema will love their Eczema Lotion. Their improved formula contains colloidal oatmeal which helps protect the skin, along with aloe and almond oil to help soothe itching due to eczema and rash.

    “I LOVE the Eczema Lotion. Not only does it help the itch, but it also smells great and doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin.” -Kaitlyn A.

    Badger

    This family owned company specializes in organic topical products. They come in all shapes and sizes- especially in tiny tins for relief anywhere you go! Their Cuticle Care Balm gives you cuticle relief with shea butter, castor seed oil, olive fruit oil, and more. The Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands smoothes and softens your rough and dry skin. Perfect for after long days in the harsh winter weather.

    “My cuticles get so much wear and tear that they never look nice during the winter holidays. But now with Badger’s Cuticle Care Balm, my nails look great and they don’t hurt anymore!” -Jennifer M.

    Natural Hope Herbals

    This new brand of herbal salves is a great addition to your body care routine. Most of their natural ingredients are grown on their family owned farm in Millersburg, PA. Their Arnica & St. John’s Wort Salve can help relieve the itching and pain due to wound healing. The Calendula Salve helps decrease the unwanted redness and dryness from the winter weather. It helps soothe and nourish for the appearance of healthy looking skin.

    “I use the calendula salve everyday on my cheeks to help with the dryness from the ‘winter wind.’ I no longer have red or dry patches on my face and I love it!” -Lindsey S.

    Regardless of which product you use, make sure you tell us how much you’re in love with your product! Leave us a note, email us, or tell us in person! #basilbandwagoncares

  • Your Best Natural Smile is Waiting!

    Your Best Natural Smile is Waiting!

    Everyone has jumped on the “bandwagon” about needing not just clean oral care habits, but also clean oral care products! We always look for organic or natural, but we don’t always look for the other key words that our found in our featured products below; such as fluoride free, triclosan free, alcohol free, and no artificial flavors or coloring. What we should be keeping an eye out for are words like sustainability, detox, natural, organic, and pure.

    But good news is, there are always new products and formulas that are changing to be cleaner, bigger, and better. Check out these brands and see why we love that they’re on our shelves!

    Dragonfly Effect Naturals

    As gross as it sounds, when you rinse (spit) out the Wild Forager Mouthwash, you can actually see all of the gross particles that came out between your teeth! The Detox Toothpaste contains bentonite clay which clings to all the gross germs that get stuck in between your teeth. Not only is it clean but it doesn’t hurt if you swallow them too- the bottles even say to swallow a certain amount of times per week to get the detox effects. Refreshing, harmless to swallow, and contains echinacea and silver for added benefits- you can’t go wrong!

    The company is a buy-one-give-one company who supports numerous organizations when you buy their products. They are vegan, wild-crafted, and multi-purpose.

    “This is the best mouthwash I’ve ever used! I finished the bottle and ran out to get a brand new one that day!” -Sarah L.

    Dr. Ginger’s

    The Coconut Oil Toothpaste was made to be a comparable alternative to conventional toothpastes while also incorporating the idea of oil pulling off the germs in your mouth- that’s why they use coconut oil! Coconut oil is a detoxifier and leaves a protective barrier on teeth and gums. The xylitol that’s in their formulas also act as a cavity fighter to prevent bacteria from sticking. The Whitening Pen also contains xylitol and coconut oil which helps remove the stains from that pulling action they focused their brand on.

    “The coconut mint flavor is AMAZING and it doesn’t leave my teeth feeling gritty like some name brand toothpastes. I’ve been nervous to try any whitening pens but I just need to try theirs because I love their toothpaste!” -Nicole I.

    Redmond Earth Paste

    The Earth Paste is made from redmond clay which is used as a cleanser and a digestive aid support. Not only does it keep your teeth clean and refreshed but it counteracts the acid in your mouth to help prevent the formation of cavities. The xylitol in their formulas helps prevent bacteria sticking to your teeth. Each formula contains their own flavors and benefits. For example, the charcoal type focuses more on teeth whitening while the lemon flavor type focuses on overall oral health.

    “Their lemon twist flavor is great. I can’t believe that I used to use toothpaste that didn’t have clay in it.. I’m hooked!” -Kate A.

    My Magic Mud

    The darker box contains charcoal and bentonite clay which helps detox and pulls the junk out from between your teeth. The charcoal inside is a huge whitening benefit. The lighter box also helps detoxify and cleanse your teeth from the bentonite clay inside, but it also helps soothes your gums and mouth due to the inflammation benefits contained in turmeric!

    “The turmeric one is AWESOME! My gums were always so swollen after brushing and I felt like I never got a really good cleaning until I used this product!” -Anthony R.

    Oral Essentials Lumineux

    Oral Essentials Whitening Toothpaste uses coconut oil, sage oil, and lemon peel oil in order to help whiten teeth without any of the sensitivity that comes from using conventional whitening toothpaste. The Kids Formula Toothpaste is certified non-toxic, is enamel friendly and lightly flavored with strawberry to get kids hooked to brushing their teeth! Not only does the xylitol in it help prevent cavities but also gives a little sweetness to the flavor.

    “My son is in LOVE with the kids formula toothpaste – he refuses to use any other kind!” -Lindsay C.

    Regardless of what toothpaste you use, make sure you tell us how much you’re in love with your product! Leave us a note, email us, or tell us in person! #basilbandwagoncares

    Stay tuned for complete results from two Basil Bandwagon employees and their journey with Oral Essentials Whitening Kit!

  • RECAP: NEW PRODUCT THURSDAY 2/28/19

    RECAP: NEW PRODUCT THURSDAY 2/28/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Beetnik: Organic Chicken Meatballs
    Artisan Tropic: Cassava Strips with Sea Salt (smaller bag)
    Earth’s Care: Castor Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, & Eczema Lotion
    Four Sigmatic: Cordyceps Mushroom Elixir Mix & Mushroom Chai Latte Mix
    Nordic Naturals: Algae Omega (Now back in stock by manufacturer)
    Primal Kitchen: Classic BBQ Sauce & Golden BBQ Sauce
    Probulin Probiotics: Women’s Health, Total Care, Daily Care, Colon Support, & My Little Bugs Total Care
    The Real Coconut Superfood Tortillas: Mushroom Blend and Turmeric & Cumin
    Santa Cruz Organic: Ginger Juice
    Sprout Living Protein: Chocolate Maca, Original, & Sunflower Seed
    Sweet Earth: Protein Lovers Pizza
  • 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!