Labor Day Weekend has come and gone, and just like that it's almost the end of summer! It's also the perfect time to unveil the surprises packed inside the Summer 2018 Mantra Box®. The YBC Mantra Box® is quarterly discovery box that gathers health and wellness goods from small business that we feel have the YBC® community's best interest at heart. Each product, and the company behind it, is chosen because we feel it has the elements to inspire your practice, fuel your body and engage your mind, and we really hope you enjoy! Check out the video below to see all of the surprises we included, and read below to find out more about the companies and their efforts and inspiration behind their products, as well as the discount for YBC® readers. Please comment below to let us know what you'd like to see featured in a YBC Mantra Box® and don't forget - you can already pre-order next quarter's box!

Company: Vital Proteins

Founder: Kurt Seidensticker

Why the company was started: Vital Proteins was created to help others live their best lives through sustainably-sourced, clean collagen protein. As we begin to age, our body's ability to produce collagen begins to decrease, leading to some of the ailments we face as we get older. Supplementing our diets with collagen is just one natural way to help combat this process - and Vital Proteins' collagen powders are an easy, near effortless way to do so.

What the company does to give back: At the very core of the Vital Proteins mission is a commitment to helping others live full, vibrant lives – a commitment that stretches far beyond the products we produce. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to flourish, and we recognize the importance of partaking in this promise through community-based charitable work with the Primo Center for Women and Children.

Product included in box: Matcha Collagen

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off

Retail value: $4

Instagram: @vitalproteins

Company: BaeBlu

Founder: Moriah Rader

Why the company was started: BaeBlu was born to revolutionize a paradigm shift in the beauty industry. We've harnessed the power of nature to create a skin care and cosmetic line free of damaging toxins. Our commitment is to YOU, to our ENVIRONMENT, and to our PLANET.

What the company does to give back: I believe that giving back doesn't just necessarily mean donating money or products. As a start-up, we haven't had a lot of extra room to donate either of those things. We did a small donation of products last year to an event called Project Pink. All the proceeds from the raffle items go to helping people with Cancer. That was so amazing to be a part of, even as we were starting out. This year BaeBlu is going to take care of a family for Christmas. We will go all out and provide food, necessities like clothes, and some fun stuff for the family (and a pet toy if they have a pet!). My goal is to increase that number every year. My business partner and I are also going to hand out food at a local food bank during the holidays. We realize that even though money in a start up is tight, we can still make an extra effort by donating our time to others in need. Our long term goal is to start our own foundation with the focus being on helping children. We've heard of really cool programs thus far that build schools abroad, or help people get clean drinking water etc. We would love to sponsor a trip like this in the future, and then hopefully one day have our own foundation where we do this at a much larger scale.

Product included in box: Natural Vegan Eye Pencil

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off

Retail value: $12.99

Instagram: @BaeBluBeauty

Company: DrawingBoardShop

Founder(s): Co-founders Erika Prafder and Dina Jacobs. Co-founding artist, Wendy Welz

Why the company was started: While our dad was ill, my sister and I encouraged our mom, and first art teacher to paint as a positive distraction. She did, and it became a coping tool during a hard time. Impressed by her art, we decided to share our mom's creative gifts with the world. Through our e-commerce and content site, our first line of note cards celebrates the beauty in, and every day gifts of life.

What the company does to give back: Select cards are delegated as "Cause Cards," which means, we donate a portion of profits from such items to causes we support.

Product included in box: Yoga Note Cards

Code: YOGA10 for 10% off

Retail value: $4.50/individual card/envelope

Instagram: @drawingboardshop

Company: Clever Yoga

Founder: Ellie Teng

Why the company was started: As a very active yogi, I know yoga practice can benefit everyone who is open minded and willing to improve their lives. It can be a challenge to pick up the right yoga props and accessories with quality and affordability. We combine meticulous market research with strict quality control and testing to create high quality products at affordable prices. I want to provide all level yogis the best products and services. The products should be environmental friendly on the way too.

What the company does to give back: Very actively involved with Annie Okerlin's Exalted Warrior Foundation by donating our new product launch proceeds to the foundation monthly. The Exalted Warrior Foundation facilitates an adaptive yoga instruction program that is designed for wounded warriors in the active military, veteran hospital facilities, and veterans within communities around the country. We recently also involved with Garrison Elementary School Fundraiser project and are happy to help. We will continuously help our community in our capability.

Product included in box: Mat strap

Code: YBC15 for 15% off

Retail value: $9.49

Instagram: @gocleveryoga

Company: Organic Spices Inc. DBA Spicely Organics

Founder: Bijan Chansari

Why the company was started: Spicely Organics, a family owned business, brings creative thinking to the Organic Industry with, eco-friendly packaging and marketing prowess to “the longest standing food business on the planet”. Our core: Spicely Organics features a wide variety of Organic and Gluten-Free spices, from around the world, that allows families to feel creative in a culinary sense and empowered by good health in the kitchen. Shortly, Spicely Organics embraces sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical practices – always.

What the company does to give back: We believe in creating good, feeling good, being good. We believe in caring as much as you do.
We believe in nourishing the mind, body, and the earth. The way we do this is by supporting and partnering with small, independent farms.
We use renewable energy to run the factory. 0.25% of sales go to charities to help children without homes.

Product included in box: Organic Poultry Seasoning + Vegan - Organic Herbs de Provence Seasoning

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off

Retail value: $2.99

Instagram: @spicelyorganics

Company: Welo

Founder(s): Stef Prodea and Jack Baker

Why the company was started: Jack was always creating these amazing functional foods that were high in protein, low in sugar and high in fiber. At the same time, Stef was having digestive issues, so she visited a naturopath – this appointment changed her life because she learned that everything starts in the gut, all of her other symptoms she was experiencing were related to my gut health. She started taking probiotics and noticed changes within a few days. While she loved the changes, she didn’t love the price and wouldn’t always remember to take the supplements. Combining Jack’s love for creating functional products, with Stef’s love for probiotics the idea for Welo was born!

What the company does to give back: Welo donates a portion of all products sold to water wells or food distribution projects in Kikima, Kenya.

Product included in box: Probiotic Bars

Code: YOGA20 for 20% off

Retail value: $2.99

Instagram: @drinkwelo / @welokids

Amazon: Amazon Prime Welo Bars

Company: Avistar

Founder: Boris Berjan

Why the company was started: Boris looked for an industry that wasn't being served well online and decided he would be the one to make oral care sexy and innovative.

What the company does to give back: Avistar has introduced multiple products that are more natural or eco-friendly and many of their toothbrushes are actually used at homeless shelters or sent abroad for first aid relief in war torn countries.

Product included in box: Bamboo Toothbrushes

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off

Retail value: $4.99

Instagram: @avistarcare

Company: Well Told Health

Founder: Monica Ruffo

Why the company was started: When founder Monica Ruffo was battling breast cancer a few years ago and began exploring the world of nutrition, she wasn't able to find any supplements on the market that didn't have fillers, synthetics or isolates. Monica began researching the supplement market extensively - doing consumer studies, analyzing 100 of the top brands, she even completed a program at Cornell in plant-based nutrition. Two years and 37 manufacturers later saying it could not be done, Monica has created a line of 100% clean supplements that come in convenient capsule form (they are also vegan, organic, non-GMO and free of soy and gluten).

What the company does to give back: Well Told Health donates 1% of all sales to non-profit organizations that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to families in "food deserts". These are areas in North America that don't have fresh produce available within convenient traveling distance.

Product included in box: The Energy Booster and Sleep Booster samples

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off

Retail value: $1.49

Instagram: @welltoldco

Company: Michele's Granola

Founder: Michele Tsucalas

Why the company was started: In her early 20’s, Michele spent a coastal New England summer waiting tables and devouring fresh-baked granola bars from the neighborhood bakery. When she returned home to Maryland, she missed the granola even more than the beach and began experimenting with her own homemade cereal baked with quality ingredients and no filler. Granola-making became her favorite hobby, and it wasn’t long after launching at a farmers market that she had a booming business. Today, Michele and her team of 40 prepare about 12,500 pounds of award-winning granola each week in her small batch bakery in Timonium. The company distributes it to more than 500 natural food retailers, food service facilities and online.

What the company does to give back: We believe everyone deserves good food. That’s why Michele created the Give One for Good Food® program through which we donate 1% of our sales, as well as employer-paid volunteer time, to organizations leading the way towards a healthier, more equitable food system. To date, we’ve donated over $50,000 to help nourish and unite people with nutritious, fresh, local food. We are also committed to treading lightly on the Earth: Our bakery facility is powered with 100% wind power, and we divert as much waste from landfills as possible by recycling and composting. We source local, organic and GMO-free ingredients, which are grown through agricultural practices that promote long-term environmental sustainability.

Product included in box: Michele's Toasted Muesli

Code: YOGA15 for 15% off (9/30 exp.)

Retail value: $2.00

Instagram: @micheles_granola