It's that time of year again - time to unveil what was featured in the Summer '16 YBC Mantra Box®. If you're new around here, the Mantra Box® is a quarterly discovery box program that shines the spotlight on small businesses in the health and wellness industries. Each box comes with a mantra to inspire your life both on and off the yoga mat. You're able to choose from Vegan/Vegetarian, Paleo friendly or "I eat all the things" boxes, if you're following a special diet. We only sell 150 of them, so if you're ready to pre-order your fall box, which will ship on November 30th, hop to it!

The mantra included in this box was: Enjoy the little things.

Because life is really all about the little things - a friendly smile from a stranger, an unexpected call from an old friend. These things warm us up from the inside out and make life that much more enjoyable. The trouble is that it can be tough to be on the lookout for the little things, so the contents of the box were a reminder to be on the lookout. The paper straws might inspire you to call up a few friends and go on an impromptu picnic. You might decide to heat up the brownie and enjoy a cozy night in with a good book. However people decided to use these goodies, I urged them to do it with joy in their hearts and acknowledgement of all their life's blessings.

Summer '16 YBC Mantra Box® Unveiling
Wearing: Forever 21 dress

Here's what we put in this season's box:

Small Businesses in the Summer Mantra Box®

Founders of Evo Hemp: Ari Sherman & Jourdan Samel

Why the company was started: Hemp Health LLC was founded by entrepreneurs in Boulder, Colorado. With a hunger for hemp seed nutrition and a desire to make the world a better place, they've always balanced achievement in business with a dedication to giving. Instead of just gauging success by numbers on a spreadsheet, they measure it by how much they give back to their communities and contribute to the world.

Personal mantra: "Ancient Superfoods for the Modern World"

What the company does to give back: We're helping facilitate the American industrial hemp movement by supporting non-profit organizations working to get legislation passed in favor of hemp farming. We have partnered with local businesses to create an industrial hemp supply that will be used for construction materials to build houses affected by forest fires. Another project we support is Climb for Conservation, a non-profit dedicated to protecting land and animals all over the world. And all of our personnel are continually finding new ways to give back - with initiatives to reflect what's important to them and the places they call home.

Product included in box: hemp bar

Retail value: 2.59

Coupon code: YBC for 15% off your order

Founder of Peace A' Cake: Vanessa Hentz

Why the company was started: Our products are created with love and made for anyone looking for a delicious snack or dessert made with minimally processed, REAL ingredients that can also give something nutritious and positive to their bodies!

Personal mantra: "Be honest to others and to yourself"

What the company does to give back: We believe that our society needs to learn a better relationship with food and also be educated from an early age on how to make better choices to fuel their bodies. We strongly defend Nutritional Education as a main tool for building a knowledgeable population towards an active, healthy and happy lifestyle.

Product included in box: double chocolate brownie

Retail value: $2.49

Coupon code: MANTRABOX15 15% OFF (30 days from date boxes are shipped)

Founders of Little White Feather Shop: Alyson, Jessica, Mary Frances, Sarah, Melissa

Why the company was started: Coming from a family of 5 girls, hair accessories were not a luxury, they were/are a necessity. We wanted to create a headband which could be worn from work, to working out to going out. Our lace headbands are the perfect accessory for any occasion.

Personal mantra: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life.” ― Elsie De Wolfe

Product included in box: stretched head band

Retail value: $11

Coupon code: YBC20, 20% off, expires July 30th

Founder of Vita Vis Nutrition, Inc.: Heidi Huntsman

Why the company was started: As a former scientist, breast cancer survivor, and mother, I became focused on eating for a healthy body, and a healthy life. After studying nutrition, I quickly became shocked at the nutrient deplete calories masquerading as “healthy food” that we are unwittingly putting in our bodies (it’s no wonder we have so many chronic health issues!!). While whole food is best, most of us are so busy we don’t always have time to prepare nutritious meals and snacks! I was determined to create an organic, nutrient dense, 100% whole food based option, that’s convenient and easy to grab-and-go!

Personal mantra: While not always easy, especially as an entrepreneur, I strive to savor each day and all the goodness life brings.

What the company does to give back: We will donate 1% of our profits to organizations whose focus is to educate families, especially children, in the importance of good nutrition, and how to make healthy food choices.

Product included in box: Belicious

Retail value: $3.99

Coupon code: ybc25 25% off; one time use; expires July 31

Founder of Nature's Party: Adam Merran

Why the company was started: Nature's Party is an American brand, part of the family-owned French company First Pack, which has been a leading manufacturer of innovative food service products for over 35 years. The idea is simple: we create value using natural, organic and recyclable materials. Our smooth and elegant finished products make the food you serve more enticing, all while preserving the environment.

Product included in box: eco-friendly straws

Retail value: $2.99

Coupon Code: YogaByCandace for 10% off through August 15th, 2016

Founder of Sahajan: Lisa Mattam

Why the company was started: The company was started when I came home to find my two year old covered in my face cream. After thinking she was so cute, I got immediately panicked by what the chemicals in my products were doing to her young skin. I directed her to the products that I used on her- that had been in my family for generations- that contained ingredients I trusted. I was struck by the fact that I had such different standards for her than I had for myself- and that I had somehow forgotten these gorgeous and potent ingredients from my heritage and I wanted to bring them forward to the world. Ayurveda of its many benefits is known for uncovering powerful plant based ingredients that can transform the skin.

Personal mantra: "Self-care is a divine responsibility."

What the company does to give back: We are now starting meditation pop-ups and educational sessions to teach people the importance of self-care.

Product included in the box: restorative eye cream

Retail value: $45

Coupon code: YBC2016- July 31, 2016 15% off

Founder of Primally Pure: Bethany McDaniel

Why the company was started: Primally Pure was founded by Bethany McDaniel, a farmer's wife with a dream of creating skincare products as squeaky clean + healthy as the meat sold on her family farm. After over a year of research and experimentation, Bethany began selling natural deodorant, body butter, lip balm and a few other products on her family farm's website. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that she soon started a website exclusively for Primally Pure and began formulating additional natural skincare products for customers to use and enjoy. Primally Pure continues to offer effective products that work by nourishing the skin, body, and self – products that promote health and vitality instead of taking away from it.

What the company does to give back: Primally Pure is proud to donate products and funds to various non-profit organizations including Fikisha (which helps to get kids in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya off the streets and into schools) and the KICKcancER Movement (an organization dedicated to helping families affected by childhood cancer thrive).

Product included in the box: deodorant

Retail value: $12.00

Coupon code: Coupon code "YBC" will give users 10% off both regular and sensitive deodorants from now throughout the end of August!

Founder of King & Bride: Candice Yoo

Why the company was started: Prior to joining the world of skincare artistry, I was a medical student studying Naturopathic Medicine. It was there that my eczema became significant and severe(due to stress and lack of sleep), and I was forced to take a medical leave from school. While healing myself naturally through diet and lifestyle changes, I looked for natural soaps, but was disappointed in the options available. I eventually took a class, made them vigorously to perfect the craft, and shared them with family and friends who found them beneficial for their various skin conditions. My friends and family initially suggested that I sell them, and I also wanted to help others with skin conditions because I know from first hand experience, the joy that comes with finding a product that helps. And so, King & Bride was launched in late 2014.

Personal mantra: "Love God, love others, value every individual including myself."

What the company does to give back: King & Bride products are donated to families who cannot afford basic necessities or natural products. We currently volunteer with animal rescue by transporting dogs rescued from high kill shelters to their new foster or adoptive family. We also intend to donate a portion of our sales to the humane society or rescue groups in the future.

Products included in the box: lady rose oil, loxx oil, and

Retail value: $58

Coupon code: YBC2016; 20% off entire order EXPIRES: Dec. 31, 2016

The Next YBC Mantra Box®

The next box is now available for pre-order! You're able to choose from Vegan/Vegetarian, Paleo friendly or "I eat all the things" boxes, if you're following a special diet. We only sell 150 of them, so if you're ready to pre-order your fall box, which will ship on November 30th, hop to it!