I'm so pleased to share the reveal of the 2018 Winter Mantra Box® with you guys and let you know that we set one aside for a giveaway! The Mantra Box®, in case you're new around here, is a quarterly discovery box curated by the YBC® team, in which we include products from small businesses in the health and wellness industries that we love and would buy for ourselves. The contents of the box are a surprise until you receive it, but you have to be quick because we sell out each quarter! You can now pre-order your Spring 2018 Mantra Box® and if you missed out on this quarter's box, you can enter below to win!
To enter to win this quarter's box, simply tell us what products you'd love to see in future boxes down in the comments section and use the Rafflecopter widget below to record your entry. A winner will be picked next Thursday and announced here on the blog and via email. Thanks for supporting YBC®!
Grandy Oats
Company: GrandyOats
Founder: Aaron Anker and Nat Peirce
Why the company was started: The story of the REAL GRANOLAS who run GrandyOats started in the lakes region of Western Maine in 1979, when a homegrown enterprise was nurtured with mountains of organic oats, nuts and honey, and with the firm belief that business is more about having fun than it is about making money. For us, business has also become an intentional way of life that we believe can and should nourish people, the planet, and our communities. This, among other reasons, is why we call ourselves REAL GRANOLAS.
What the company does to give back: In 2015, GrandyOats purchased and renovated an abandoned elementary school in Hiram, Maine, converting it to a state-of-the art, solar-powered facility that is now our new home. We're proud that this custom-designed solar system powers our ovens, our computers, our forklifts, our lights, our heating, and our cooling. Yes, that means no carbon fuel on the premises! With this move, GrandyOats also became the largest employer in Hiram, and we’re proud to provide living-wage jobs and a new spirit of optimism to this beautiful town. We expect to be here making organic granola and all kinds of delicious foods for a very long time to come!
Product included in box: ORIGINAL COCONOLA (vegan boxes: SUPER HEMP COCONOLA)
Retail value: $7.99
Instagram: @grandyoats
Nicobella Organics
Company: Nicobella Organics
Founder: Nichole Dandrea-Russert, Registered Dietitian and Certified Yoga Instructor
Why the company was started: Nichole created nicobella out of a love for whole plant-based foods and dark chocolate. She combines the two to make healing and delicious treats and uses nicobella as a platform to inspire and educate the community about the benefits of plant-based eating for health, the environment and animal welfare.
What the company does to give back: Nicobella donates 5% of sales to animals organizations such as Full Circle Farm Sanctuary and Farm of the Free.
Product included in box: 2 ounce bag of omega munch
Retail value: $5.49
Coupon Code: YOGA15 for Free Shipping with orders $50 or more
Instagram: @nicobellaorganics
Bombas
Company: Bombas
Founder: Dave Heath and Randy Goldberg
Why the company was started: Dave saw a quote on Facebook that socks are the #1 most requested item in homeless shelters. He and Randy wanted to solve this problem so they started Bombas socks.
What the company does to give back: For every pair of socks that we sell, we donate one to someone in need.
Product included in box: Gripper Socks
Retail value: $12
Coupon Code: YOGA15 for 15% off
Instagram: @bombas
OilivingLife
Company: OilivingLife
Founder: Patricia J Cattarini
Why the company was started: OilivingLife was created by a girl that struggled all her life with extremely sensitive and redness prone skin and tried every product and medical treatment you could possibly imagine. None of them effectively treated me with success. That's when I decided to give all-natural homemade skincare a try, and the rest is history. OilivingLife was created with passion and commitment to deliver clean skincare and lifestyle products that are non-toxic, safe for all skin types and highly effective.
What the company does to give back: We believe that ethical beauty is a movement and we embrace it all the way bringing awareness about not only how conventional cosmetics are toxic but how companies are not sensitive to our environment. That's when OilivingLife embraced PETA Beauty Without Bunnies cause... NO animal testing on any finished product or ingredient, NO animal testing conducted by our suppliers and NO animal testing conducted by third parties on behalf of our company ever! OilivingLife commits not only for safety of our products but with our environment as well.
Product included in box: ScalpGlow Toner
Retail value: $22
Coupon Code: YOGA15 for 15% off
Instagram: @oilivinglife
Smoothie Beauty
Company: Smoothie Beauty
Founder: Stephanie Peterson
Why the company was started: Our founder, Stephanie Peterson came up with the concept for Smoothie Beauty when she was making fresh face masks for her health/beauty blog, The Global Beauty. Whenever she made fresh face masks she loved using them, but the time it took to source the ingredients and prepare them was very time-consuming. So she thought to herself, "I wish I had these all of the time" and that's when she had her 'aha' moment. Stephanie realized that nothing like this currently exists on the market and that other people must feel the same way. Wanting to have fresh skincare, but not having the time or know-how to make them. Therefore, we do it for you and deliver our skincare to you fresh, chilled, and ready to use.
What the company does to give back: In collaboration with One Tree Planted, we plant a tree for every Earth fresh face mask that is purchased. We also donated a percentage of our company towards funding future female entrepreneurs through the Startup Girl Foundation.
Product included in box: Smoother Boosters
Retail value: $8.90
Coupon Code: YOGA15 for 15% off
Instagram: @smoothiebeauty
Epsom Salt Council
Company: Epsom Salt Council
Founder: Jim Hill, the president of the Epsom Salt Council
Why the company was started: Eager to let everyone know the benefits of our product, the Epsom Salt Council was formed in 1993 to help spread the word about the wonder that is Epsom salt. You see, we’re wild about this pure, time-tested mineral compound and its dozens of uses. And after exploring all the ways it can help improve your health and daily living, we think you’ll agree.
Product included in box: A 1-lb. sample of Epsom salt in a carton that illustrates the most popular uses of Epsom salt.
Retail value: You can find Epsom salt at your local pharmacy or grocery store for about the cost of a cup of coffee.
Instagram: @epsom_salt
Vedic Botanicals
Company: Vedic Botanicals
Founder: Rachel Warnock
Why the company was started: Rachel was initially working as an Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant and started making products to treat her clients' specific ailments. Eventually, more and more people wanted her products, and Vedic Botanicals was born. While she still works as a personal consultant, Vedic Botanicals has expanded and her products are now sought out nation-wide.
What the company does to give back: Vedic Botanicals has a strong sense of sustainability and makes a point of making eco-friendly choices, including producing all of our products in a solar-powered facility, and by composting our non-recyclables. We also make a point of investing in our workforce by making their employment experience as educational as possible- teaching them how to think proactively and take charge, not simply go through the motions. The idea being that no longer how long they work with us, and no matter where they go afterwards, they will be more empowered and capable leaders in their communities and workplaces.
Product included in box: Recovery Aide
Retail value: $16.97
Coupon Code: VedicVegan
Instagram: @VedicBotanicals
Voula Beauty
Company: Voula Beauty
Founder: Voula Fotiou
Why the company was started: Voula, the founder of Voula Beauty, wanted to bring something to the beauty industry that she felt was missing. Armed with a passion for bio-active botanical ingredients, high-performance formulations, and the belief that luxury cosmetics should blend perfect pigments, incredible finishes, and extraordinary ingredients, she created the brand she had always dreamed of.
What the company does to give back: Voula Beauty regularly donates to various organizations around the world.
Product included in box: The Serum Foundation
Retail value: $50
Coupon Code: YBC50 for 50% off
Instagram: @voulabeauty
Bhu Foods
Company: Bhu Foods
Founder: Laura Katleman
Why the company was started: Bhu (pronounced “BOO”) is a Sanskrit word that means “of the earth.” We believe that food is grown (of the earth), not made. Our calling is that fundamental. It is a sacred trust: honoring the earth that supports all life and serving her people. We do this by lovingly creating superfood alternatives to sugary snacks at prices that are affordable for everyone.
What the company does to give back: We donate to various charities including Bahia Banderas Act-Now Project, NewDharmaYoga.com – Supporting the Evolution of Consciousness on The Planet, Leftovers of Love, and we support local or small groups when possible.
Product included in box: The Vegan Pea Protein Apple Cinnamon Nutmeg bar
Retail value: $2.49
Coupon Code: Yogabhu
Instagram: @Bhufoods
U-Konserve
Company: U-Konserve
Founder: Chance Claxton & Lynn Julian
Why the company was started: To offer solutions to reduce the staggering amount of trash that ends up in our landfills and oceans because of single-use food packaging.
What the company does to give back: Through 1% for the Planet and several non-profits, we have committed to donate a portion of our sales to environmental organizations that share our mission.
Product included in box: Food Kozy Snack Bag
Retail value: $3.95
Coupon Code: YOGA15 for 15% off
Instagram: @kidskonserve
Adoratherapy
Company: Adoratherapy
Founder: Laura McCann - CEO and Co-Founder
Why the company was started: Having power over our moods is the greatest way to create the life we want to live. When we love ourselves through the practice of rituals of self care designed for inner beauty we transform our possibilities. We call our products Mood Boosts, organic, vegan, cruelty-free essential oil synergies designed to shift you in the moment through breath, intention and the power of plant oils. We call this ritual “ Scent with Intent”. Every box we sell has our tagline “ Adore Yourself!” as a reminder to start with you everyday.
What the company does to give back: We are generous with our product and our time supporting women, entrepreneurs and the community we live in through education and product contributions.
Product included in box: Chakra Spice Boosts
Retail value: $30
Coupon Code: WEADOREYOU18
Instagram: @Adoratherapy