Tag: winter

  • How to reconnect with nature

    How to reconnect with nature

    How to reconnect with nature

    Discover the joy of the season

    Seasonal living offers a way to rekindle our relationships with nature. In the process, we can uncover the joy and beauty in the natural world hidden in plain sight all around us.

    What is seasonal living?

    Humans used to live in a way that was innately more in touch with the seasons; indeed, many people around the world still do. Living in a way that is consciously connected to the seasons can be an intentional lifestyle choice through mindful daily practices.

    Benefits of seasonal living may include

    • improved mood and reduced stress due to spending time in nature
    • increased feelings of interconnectedness with the natural world and our place in it
    • the chance to slow down, reflect, and live in a more mindful, intentional way

    Seasonal living, every day

    There are myriad ways to live seasonally, and as always, it’s important to do what works for you. Here are a few ideas to help inspire you.

    Your kitchen

    Choosing local and seasonal food is one way in which we can eat in a more eco-friendly way, support our communities, and foster relationships with local farmers and food businesses.

    Simply start incorporating more locally grown in-season foods when possible, whether it’s from your own little garden or a store. Ask questions and chat with vendors at your local farmers’ market or the produce experts at your local health food store to learn more about the foods and how to cook them, as well as how they’re grown or produced.

    You can also incorporate mindfulness and gratitude practices into your mealtimes. Sunshine, water, and soil nourish the plants that, in turn, nourish us. Before eating, reflect on your food, its journey to your dinner plate, and the resources involved.

    Your decor

    Bring the outdoors in by incorporating some of the following suggestions.

    • houseplants
    • local, seasonal flowers
    • natural materials, such as acorns, chestnuts, pinecones, feathers, or driftwood
    • opening the windows for fresh air
    • making a seasonal garland with leaves or flowers

    Your daily routine

    Ask yourself: how can I fit in more time in nature? Maybe wander into your yard or outdoor space in the morning to feel the dew on your toes and listen to the birds, or in the evening to smell the cool air and see the moon. Notice how these experiences change through the year. You may also wish to practice yoga or meditate outside on a regular basis.

    Your celebrations

    Celebrating the changing of seasons can be a joyful and meaningful addition to any holidays you currently celebrate. Many people observe such dates as the autumnal equinox, the winter solstice, the spring equinox, and the summer solstice with nature-based celebrations. Celebrations can be communal (such as hosting a family dinner party or taking part in a community event) or individual (such as a walk in the woods or some quiet meditation or journaling).

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Vegan Potato Soup

    Vegan Potato Soup

    Vegan Potato Soup

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!

    Soups’ on! How do you keep yourself warm during the colder months? There are plenty of different ways – like warm sweaters, cozy blankets, and sitting by the fireplace. But our favorite way is enjoying a delicious hot soup with family and friends. Thanks to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, we may have found our next favorite soup recipe – and it’s vegan! Featuring all products that can be found at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market 😊

    Print Pin

    Vegan Potato Soup

    Course Lunch, Main Course, Soup
    Keyword dinner, lunch, main course, soup
    Servings 4

    Ingredients

    • 3 medium white flesh sweet potatoes such as Hannah or Japanese sweet potatoes peeled (or an equivalent amount of white potatoes)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 cup onion diced (about 1 medium onion)
    • Sea salt
    • 2 stalks celery diced
    • 2 carrots peeled and diced
    • 4 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 6 oz package Lightlife Tempeh Smoky Bacon
    • Avocado oil
    • 1 cup thinly sliced leeks
    • ½ cup coconut cream

    Instructions

    • Peel the sweet potatoes. Cut into small dice pieces and place them in a pot of cold, salted water.
    • Heat a large skillet or large soup pot over medium high heat. Add the olive oil, onion and a pinch of the sea salt. Cook and stir for a few minutes. Add the carrots, celery and another pinch of sea salt. Cook and stir for five minutes. If the vegetables begin to stick to the pan add a small splash of vegetable broth or water.
    • Meanwhile, in a medium size saucepan, warm the vegetable broth over medium heat. If you used a skillet, transfer the cooked vegetables to a large soup pot. Drain the potatoes and add them to the pot. Add the warmed vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to simmer on medium low, lightly covered, for 20 minutes.
    • Cut the tempeh bacon strips in half. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add about a tablespoon of the avocado oil, then add the tempeh bacon in a single layer. Fry for a few minutes on one side, then turn to fry on the other side for a few more minutes, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove and transfer to a plate to cool. Chop the cooked tempeh into smaller pieces.
    • To the soup pot, add the coconut cream, 1 teaspoon of sea salt and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper. Puree one third of the soup by using an immersion blender. Or, place a few cups of the soup into a blender and blend until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot and stir to combine.
    • In the large skillet, heat another 2 teaspoons of the avocado oil. Add the leeks, a pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook and stir for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender and lightly browned. Serve the soup hot, topping each bowl with a tablespoon of the tempeh bacon bits and a couple of teaspoons of sautéed leeks.
    • Enjoy!

    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!

  • Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad

    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.”

    Serves 4-6

    A colorful, heart-healthy salad that highlights seasonal vegetables.

    Ingredients

    Salad:

    ½ head radicchio, chopped

    ½ cup chopped fennel bulb

    1 mandarin orange, sliced

    2 tablespoons sliced almonds

    2 heads Belgian endive, cored and sliced

    3 heirloom rainbow carrots, peeled and diced

    5 cups chopped romaine lettuce

    Dressing:

    ½ cup olive oil

    ⅓ champagne vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple sugar

    ½ teaspoon sea salt

    1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

    Juice of one small orange 

    Method

    1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

    2. In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Whisk well to blend.

    3. Just before serving the salad, pour desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Enjoy!

    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!

  • Stay Healthy This Winter with Nordic Naturals!

    Stay Healthy This Winter with Nordic Naturals!

    When it comes to the cold winter season, everyone thinks about elderberry, echinacea, oil of oregano, vitamin C, vitamin D, and more. But does anyone ever think about combining some of those with omegas?

    What are omegas? Good question. Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 are fatty acids that are important dietary fats. Finding the perfect balance may be difficult to find for each individual because we are all different; our lifestyles, our diets, our health routine, etc. However, scientists have found that everyone suffers from an omega-3 deficiency- and most people don’t know that! Thankfully, our friends at Nordic Naturals are committed to delivering an increase in awareness of this issue and to produce high quality omega nutritional supplements.

    There are two main omega-3s- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). There is scientific evidence that these omegas help with many things. For example, cardiovascular health; mental health and brain function; eye health; pain due to physical stress; hair, skin and nails; adolescent development; and immunity.

    While we’re stuck inside during the winter months watching copious amounts of tv, playing video games, reading novels, catching up on bills, working on school projects, etc., remember to take your omegas with vitamin D! And what better to take than Nordic Naturals Omega+Vitamin D products. Since some people have a harder time swallowing soft gels, they have created a liquid option too! The increase in EPA from the omegas help with our immunity and eye health with the additional increase in vitamin D for all of the added winter wellness benefits. If you’re already taking a vitamin D supplement, don’t stress! Just make sure you add an omega supplement to your routine. Don’t forget about the kids either- they have many options for them too!

    Omega Supplements for Adults
    Omega Supplements for Kids

    But why Nordic Naturals? Great question! Nordic Naturals has high standards for their products and are set to protect the consumers. Their products are tested for a wide variety of environmental toxins as well as exceptional freshness levels and are third-party purity tested. Not only are their products always fresh, but they taste great! Most consumers come back for their products as they don’t have that “fishy” taste, aftertaste or smell and their flavors don’t taste artificial (because they’re not- they add natural fruit essences into their soft gels and liquid oils)! Another benefit of their products is that they ensure optimal absorption with a true triglyceride form. Meaning that most concentrated fish oils on the market use an ethyl ester molecular form- which is a synthetic fat. Nordic Naturals has always been deeply committed to not just the health of humans but the health of our oceans and planet. They use sustainable sourcing and environmentally conscious corporate practices (i.e. eco-friendly packaging and using only wild-caught, sustainably-sourced fish).

    Want to make the perfect combination that is “better together?” Combine Nordic Naturals Omegas+Vitamin D with PlusCBD oil products! The omegas and vitamin D will help increase the absorbability of the added benefits of CBD oil. Consider it your “winter wellness duo.”

    Stock up on their products by the end of November to take advantage of their 25% OFF discount!

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

    References:

    https://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/professionals/why-omega-3s/536

    https://www.nordicnaturals.com/healthy-science/vitamin-d-cold-flu-season/

    https://www.nordicnaturals.com/healthy-science/an-introduction-to-vitamin-d/

    https://www.nordicnaturals.com/healthy-science/omega-3-dosage-how-much-epa-and-dha-should-i-take/

    https://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/professionals/why-nordic-naturals/580

  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 10/10/19

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 10/10/19

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    All Free Brownie Bites: Sea Salt Caramel & Double Chocolate Chip
    Boiron: Diaralia
    Cocojune: Vanilla Chamomile & Pure Coconut
    Good Catch: Fish-free Tuna
    Green Valley Lactose Free Butter: BACK IN STOCK!
    Holistic Hound: Full Spectrum Hemp & Mushroom Bites
    Hudson Green: Velvet Vodka & Meatless Bolognese
    Hybrid Remedies: HybridCR
    Zum Bar Soap: Frankincense-Lavender & Almond
    Oath: Indian Rose & Double Chocolate
    Prairie Melody Birdseed
    Pranarom Diffusion Blends: Meditation, Zen, Purity, Uplift, & Provence
    Rebel Green: Tree Free Toilet Tissue
  • 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

  • Now Available: Elderberry Gummy Kits!

    Now Available: Elderberry Gummy Kits!

    We are very excited to now be carrying Elderberry Gummy Kits from Fat Stone Farm- especially during this time of the year!

    Why elderberries during the winter? Well, elderberries are known to be the “natural medicine” for the cold and flu. Most people take elderberries when they first start to feel a cold coming on, as a protection against the germs. There are many benefits to taking elderberry. Including support for cold and flu relief, aiding sinus infections, helps encourage healthy skin, and helps boost your immune system to fight against allergies. Elderberries contain many antioxidants and vitamins that can help improve your overall health and immune system.

    There are multiple ways that you can take elderberry. Some ways are in a syrup/liquid form, gummies, bulk (to add to any recipe you may have at home), lozenges, extracts, crystals, and teas! Bonus– all of these are available at your local Basil Bandwagon Natural Market!

    Luckily for us, Fat Stone Farm has made a creative and fun way to take your daily dose of elderberry. Not only will it help you and your loved ones take elderberries, but your kids will love helping you make them too! Check out their new gummy kit below (supplies two tray’s worth of gummies but recipe below will only show ingredients for one tray’s worth):

    Ingredients

    -1 x reusable non-BPA silicone tray (15 fruit-shaped gummies)

    -1 x 60ml “mini” bottle of Fat Stone Farm’s Elderberry Apple Shots

    -1 x 60ml “mini” bottle of Fat Stone Farm’s Organic Maple Syrup

    -1 x envelope of kosher beef gelatin

    Method (to make 1 tray of the Gummy Kit- 15 gummies):

    1. In small saucepan, pour one 60ml “mini” bottle of Elderberry Apple Shot and add 1 ice cube. Allow ice cube to melt.

    2. Slowly add 1 envelope of gelatin over cold mixture. The gelatin will expand and will look wrinkled. Make sure each granule is soaked. Do not stir or the gelatin will clump. This takes a few minutes.

    3. Place saucepan on medium or medium-low heat. Let the gelatin dissolve. Stir as necessary. Use as little heat as possible to preserve the nutrients in the Elderberry Apple Shots.

    4. Stir in 1/2 of the 60ml “mini” bottle of Fat Stone Farm’s organic Maple Syrup.

    5. Pour the gummy liquid into the mold, filling up to the top of each one.

    6. The gummies will solidify in 10 in the freezer, 30 minutes in the refrigerator, or 1 hour at a cool room temperature.

    7. Once cooled, gently flex the molds to remove the gummies.

    NOTE: You may want to use a small tray or a dinner plate to transfer the warm gummies into the fridge or freezer.

    When you buy your Fat Stone Farm Elderberry Kit from Basil Bandwagon, make sure you post it on Instagram or Facebook and tag us! #elderberrykit #healthyfun #basilbandwagon

    Additional Resources:

    https://draxe.com/elderberry/

    https://www.fat-stone-farm.com/blogs/recipes

    https://blog.gaiaherbs.com/2017/11/08/4-reasons-to-love-elderberry/

    https://www.megafood.com/blog/elderberry-winter-immune-herb.html?q=elderberry

  • Combatting the Winter Blues

    Though we are in the home stretch as far as making it through the Winter here in northern New Jersey, the weather has still been cold, damp, snowy, foggy, cloudy, and wet. With the sun currently rising around 6:45am and setting at 5:45pm, we’re getting less than 12 hours of sunshine. Even the happiest of folks can struggle with low mood given these circumstances.

    If you’ve been feeling blue and at a loss of what to do, here are some tips from our resident Health Coach, Jenna:

    Be mindful of comfort food.

     

    Many foods we tend to reach for instinctively in the hopes to heighten our mood are full of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat. Pastas with cream sauces, baked goods, and potato chips are popular examples. Adopting a sense of mindfulness when making food choices for meals and snacks is an important part of ensuring your body remains nourished and your blood sugar levels stay steady. This can help prevent mood swings.

    Instead of the pasta, opt for a superfood shake full of proteins and greens and void of common allergens. We recommend Navitas organic essential superfood blend for it’s 12 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar (derived from monk fruit – for those of you who are opposed to the taste of stevia).

    Instead of the baked goods, opt for a QUALITY chocolate bar with REAL ingredients. We recommend local brand, Mishti organic and handmade chocolate with fair trade cocoa beans. If you haven’t heard, chocolate does help lift mood 🙂

    Instead of the potato chips, opt for a crispy snack of a different sort. Seasnax makes a organic, gluten free, roasted seaweed snack that is as addicting and snack-worthy as potato chips. A great natural source of iodine and other sea minerals, its a delightful way to eat more mindfully.

     

    Keep on top of your vitamin D levels.

    If you’re not sure where they stand, check with your healthcare practitioner. A simple blood test can provide an answer. Our bodies derive vitamin D from sun exposure, which many of us get less of during Winter months. The solution is to supplement with a proper dosage. Collaborate with your healthcare provider to determine this.

    Watch your caffeine intake.

    When the weather is cold, many of us reach for coffee, tea, or, hot chocolate regularly throughout the day. Not only can this impact your sleep schedule, but it can throw your mood out of balance. If you are feeling agitated, consider opting for a decaffeinated or lower caffeinated herbal tea to support your energy levels and mood. We like Yogi’s Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy tea, which offers a bit of an energy boost without an overpowering punch of a caffeine.

     

    Keep your gut bacteria in check.

    We know that beneficial bacteria in the gut help promote reduced inflammation, digestive regularity, immune health. But what you might not know is that beneficial bacteria in the gut also promote healthy mood. We recommend a quality refrigerated variety with at least several dozen billion live and active cultures of various kinds. Megafood makes several great options.

     

    Feed your body with healthy fat.

    Omega 3 fatty acids are critical to balancing your body’s mood among other critical functions like your cardiovascular system and immune system. Many of us can benefit from supplementing with a quality EPA supplement – which is one of the two main constituents of Omega 3 fatty acids. We highly recommend Nordic Naturals’ EPA soft gels, which deliver a significant dosage of 850 mg.

     

    Stay hydrated!

    I find myself saying this a lot to folks – since the statistics out there show that many of us are walking around mildly to severely dehydrated on a daily basis unknowingly. Dehydration has an incredibly negative effect on mood. The heat of Summer months often helps instinctively remind us to drink more water, but in Winter months, we tend to neglect this in a state of pseudo-hibernation. Boost your water with a quality electrolyte formula like Superieur’s Fresh Citrus mineral powder complete with Vitamin C, which can help promote healthy immune function.

     

    Count on herbs.

    If the blues are hitting you hard and you feel like you could benefit from a boost, know that there are herbs clinically shown to support a positive mood. Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort, and Ashwagandha root are just several examples. Oregon’s Wild Harvest has capitalized on these beneficial beauties, by blending them into a tasty, naturally-flavored lemon liquid tincture appropriately called “GoodVibes”.

     

    Consider smart supplements.

    At Basil Bandwagon, we stock a variety of pure and effective supplements formulated specifically to help support healthy mood. Natural Factors makes a blend called “Mental Sunshine” that contains Vitamin B6, Inositol, 5-HTP, and Saffron, which, separately, and collectively have been clinically proven to support a healthy mood.

     

    Limit your screen time.

    Cold weather generally means more time indoors for most of us. And more time indoors generally means more screen time for most of us.  While the internet, telephones, tablets, and televisions can provide entertainment, valuable information, and efficiency, too much time spent hunched over a screen doesn’t contribute positively to our emotional health. Make time for no screen time!

     

    Optimize activity and adventure.

    Prioritizing regular adventure into your life can help promote positive emotions as you begin to look forward to activities that engage your thought or your physical body. Whether a mini road trip, a skating experience at a local rink, or a cooking class in a studio, new and exciting activities can help bring joy and inspiration to your life when things are feeling a little low.

  • Winter Skin Woes

    Winter Skin Woes