Tag: health
Tips for Staying Healthy Through the Changing Seasons
Tips for Staying Healthy Through the Changing Seasons
As autumn changes to fall, and fall into winter, the days become shorter, the air becomes colder, and the leaves fall to the ground to decompose. Just as nature moves through seasonal changes, so too do our bodies. This is a time when we can turn inward to regain our strength through practices that ground and nourish us. Doing so will help us to reemerge in the spring with vitality and vigor.
Simple meal swaps that focus on seasonal offerings, grounding lifestyle practices, adaptogenic herbs, and the cultivation of balance, are all key ingredients to a staying healthy through flu season.
The seasonal transitions into the darker, colder months can leave your body feeling dry and depleted. Tending to your body’s needs for increased nourishment and more digestible foods is fundamental for a smooth transition between seasons, all year long. When you support a healthy digestive and immune system during times of seasonal change, you give your body the resources and “back-up” it needs to face any colds and flus headed your way. Focus on preparing meals with seasonal ingredients, like carrots, beets, pears, citrus, celery root, and more, and prepare them in ways that are grounding, like low and slow cooking methods, and in warming dishes like soups, stews, warm beverages, and more!
Luckily, many of the most beneficial herbs for cold and flu season are probably sitting in your spice cabinet or on your counter right now – making them the perfect immune-supporting addition to any breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Garlic, thyme, ginger, oregano, to name a few, are some of the most powerful and safest antivirals and antibacterial herbal medicines we have available. Cook dishes packed with antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral rich food choices, and your meals will not only be delicious, but nutritious and immune-boosting as well!
Delicious Ingredients with Medicinal Benefits
Honey: Not only is honey a superfood, it may also help prevent both viral and bacterial infections, including colds, flus, and more! Honey, especially raw/unprocessed honey, offers a wide array of nutritional benefits, makes a great sugar replacement in coffee or tea, and can be eaten right off the spoon as a delicious, throat-soothing remedy with immune-boosting benefits. Sunny Honey Miami only uses raw honey, infused with whole ingredients. https://sunnyhoneymiami.com/product-category/creamed-honey/
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Traditionally, sage was used to support upper respiratory distress and sore throats, move phlegm out of the body during sinus infections, and soothe the stomach when upset. The earthy-pine flavors make sage easy to incorporate into soups, stews, and a wide variety of sauces/gravies.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric is a well-known herb for its bright color, and without a doubt, this herb is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory botanicals recognized by modern research. Turmeric can be easily added to any cold or warm dish, giving any meal a pop of color and potent dose of antioxidants!
We hope you’ll put to use some of the strategies and tips from this article to help you minimize the chance of becoming sick this cold and flu season. Fall and winter are a great time to check-in on your health and tend to self-care habits that will provide a strong foundation for your mind, body, and soul to thrive throughout each season ahead.
Honey Glazed Walnuts (or any nuts of your choice)
Honey Glazed Walnuts
Ingredients
2 tbs butter
1/4 cups creamed honey
2 tbs sugar
1/4 tsp kosher or sea salt
2 cups walnuts or the nuts of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a pan melt the butter, add the sugar, the honey and the salt, mix to combine. This should take 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the nuts, mix well to coat them in the butter honey mixture.
- Lay this mixture as flat as possible on the lined pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until it starts to change color to a reddish brown.
- Let them cool completely before you break them into smaller pieces.
To serve: keep the Honey Glazed Walnuts in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks. Take them on a long hike for energy, add to salads, or toss on top of your ice cream or your favorite smoothie bowl.
Cacao Creamed Honey and Coffee Smoothie
I love coffee and chocolate equally. If you are like me, you will love this easy to make and really satisfying cacao and coffee smoothie
You will need
A blender
½ banana
1 coffee cup at room temperature
1 tbs of our cacao creamed honey
1 tsp raw cacao powder
½ cup milk of your choice
A dash of cinnamon, or chili powder
Blend all of these ingredients together, pour it in a tall glass and decorate it with some grated dark chocolate and a slice of banana. Enjoy!
Honey Mouthwash for Reduced Plaque
How many times have you heard from the dentist to limit the amounts of sweets you consume or you’ll end up with a mouth full of cavities?
It looks like you can cross honey off that list as honey doesn’t contribute to cavities says a new study. In fact, it appears to have significant dental health promoting properties.
Scientists set out to compare the effect of honey versus a chlorhexidine mouthwash and a xylitol chewing gum/chlorhexidine mouthwash combination on dental plaque levels in ninety dental health students.
Chlorhexidine is a common ingredient you see in mouthwash products and is designed to reduce dental plaque and oral bacteria. The issue I have with over the counter mouth wash products is that virtually all of them have artificial color or food coloring agents in them (there is a reason they are bright blue or yellow). Scope contains Blue 1 and Yellow 5. They also have chemical preservatives in them like sodium benzoate and benzoic acid and artificial sweeteners like sodium saccharin, again all contained in Scope.
Xylitol on the other hand, is a naturally occurring sweetener that is found in many fruits and vegetables. You can find it used in many natural toothpastes and mouthwashes and in sugar free recipes as it is a popular, low glycemic sugar alternative.
The subjects were randomly divided into three groups for the study:
- the honey group
- the chlorhexidine mouthwash group
- the combination of xylitol chewing gum and chlorhexidine mouthwash group
What the study found was that all three groups were effective in reducing dental plaque in the students. Honey however was significantly more effective than the chlorhexidine (over the counter mouthwash) group and was reported to cause a significant reduction of plaque over 30 days. The xylitol group was also more effective than the chlorhexidine group.
Why Is Honey Good for Your Teeth?
The study didn’t get into how or why honey works well for reducing dental plaque but I suspect it is related to the lactic acid bacteria found in honey. A study done in Tehran found that honey prevents cavities by inhibiting Streptococcus mutans.
The scientists set out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of honey on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. These bacteria are the evil little devils that cause cavities and a mouth full of fillings, not to mention the pain and suffering that accompanies the trip to the dentist.
Over the last several years, raw, unpasteurized honey has been shown to have very strong anti-bacterial activity. Could consuming honey contribute to fewer trips to the dentist along with much smaller dental bills?
In this study, solutions containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% natural honey were prepared in a test tube. The cavity causing bacteria were then exposed to the different concentrations of honey for 24 hours.
What the scientists found was that the honey had significant antibacterial activity on Streptococcus mutans in concentrations more than 20% and on Lactobacillus in 100% concentration.
So it seems that the antibacterial activity of honey could be used for the prevention and reduction of dental cavities. More studies need to be done but this is very promising as we discover more about the dangers of processed, refined sugars and convert to more natural sugars such as honey. Don’t go brushing your teeth with raw honey just yet but the day of honey infused toothpaste just might be closer than we think!
Honey and Your Teeth
So how can you use honey in your daily routine to limit plaque and reduce cavities? Easy. First off, ditch your bottle of Scope or Listerine and the toxic ingredients contained in those products. Switch to a xylitol toothpaste that is fluoride free and contains propolis. Next, try this home made honey mouthwash that I have created. It tastes great and only takes a minute to prepare:
Honey Mouthwash for Reduced Plaque
- 1/2 cup filtered water (luke warm if possible)
- Dissolve 1 tsp of our plain creamed raw honey into the water. It is very important to use unpasteurized honey. Pasteurized honey will have no living bacteria in it which I believe are the mechanism by which honey works to reduce plaque.
- Stir to help dissolve
- Bonus:add one packet OR 1/2 tsp of xylitol to the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into your mouth and rinse as you would a regular mouthwash.
- Since honey kills Streph, I recommend gargling with the rinse to keep your throat clear of infections.
- After thoroughly rinsing, spit the mixture into the sink.
- Do NOT rinse your mouth out after spitting. I believe there may be some value in having the honey (and xylitol if you use it) remain on your teeth for several minutes to let the ‘good bacteria’ do their work.
10 Raw Honey Health Benefits
Nearly 8,000 years ago, honey harvesting was already a key practice. Cave paintings just outside Valencia show an individual working to gather honey from the bees. Humans and honey share a history predating many other foods, including farmed fruits, vegetables, and grains, and even domesticated animals.
Raw honey would have been one of the sweetest treats available to early man, and it would go on to become part of folk remedies, early medicine, and much more. In fact, even today, raw honey holds a place of power for many people in their lives, and with good reason. It means amazing benefits.
Toward a Definition
It’s important to understand that raw honey isn’t what you might purchase from a grocery store shelf. Instead, it’s the pure stuff that bees make as they gather nectar from the flowers around them.
Raw honey is usually unfiltered and unpasteurized, which means that it hasn’t been through the heating process that kills many of the benefits that come from this valuable substance. Instead, the nutritional power of the honey remains intact, ready to work for you. What can raw honey do when you begin to consume it regularly? Take a look.
The Healthy Raw Honey Benefits You’ve Missed
Raw honey has long been a powerful option for many, and one quick glance at its biggest benefits and you’ll quickly realize why.
Offers More Antioxidants:
You’ve likely read quite a bit about antioxidants in recent months. Everyone has free radicals inside their body, but they can be quite dangerous if the levels become too high. They have continually been shown to be higher in those who suffer from ongoing health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
While your body has antioxidants to fight those excess free radicals, supplementing those is a way to maintain the right balance. Raw honey is a good way to do just that. In fact, some types contain as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables do, and that can help protect the cells in your body from any damage the free radicals might cause.
In turn, that could keep you healthier and prevent chronic disease issues. In fact, one study found that the antioxidant polyphenol, which is found inside every bottle of raw honey, can actually play a role in the prevention of heart disease.
Fights Bacteria and Fungus:
Another one of the many raw honey benefits you might discover is the fact that it has been known to have both antibacterial and antifungal properties. Research shows that raw honey has hydrogen peroxide inside naturally.
Hydrogen peroxide works as an antiseptic, which can help kill unwanted bacteria or fungus on or in your body. Honey works in another way to fight bacteria and fungus, though. It also helps keep wounds moist and creates a protective barrier thanks to its high level of viscosity, which essentially seals out infection.
Promotes Healing:
Along with the fact that raw honey has the power to kill bacteria and fungus that could create a further infection in wounds comes the fact that it actually promotes healing. Over the past several years, researchers have found that raw honey has the ability to boost healing time on wounds because it can help regenerate the tissue that has been injured. It has even been shown to create pain relief in seriously injured burn patients because it helps to decrease inflammation.
Provides a Good Source of Phytonutrients:
Plants contain thousands of chemicals that help protect them as they grow, and phytonutrients are one of them. While there are many different kinds of phytonutrients, one of the largest groups is flavonoids.
Research has found, though, that finding the right source of phytonutrients like flavonoids to add to your diet can help to enhance your body’s own processes and keep it working well. Raw honey contains flavonoids. In fact, it’s one of the two major bioactive molecules packed inside, and that means it could be useful in keeping your body incredibly healthy.
Acts as a Digestion Aid:
Having stomach issues? You’re not alone. Every year, 62 million Americans are diagnosed with serious digestive issues, and honey has been shown to treat many problems. It has long been known as a prebiotic, which means that it actually builds the good bacteria that already live in your intestines.
Prebiotics work a bit like a fertilizer in that they ensure the good bacteria have the ability to grow in your digestive system. Raw honey is a great source of prebiotics, which can help prevent digestive problems if you’re already suffering from them. It can also help you deal with them, though, after you already have a problem.
In fact, studies have shown it’s even been shown to be an effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori, which is one of the most common causes of stomach ulcers today.
Fights Cold and Flu Symptoms:
Not only can raw honey help you stay healthy, but should you struggle with common problems like the cold and flu, honey can help. You may even be already using it! If you’ve ever added honey to your hot tea when you have a cold, you’re likely doing it because it makes you feel better.
It’s an age-old sore throat remedy, and it can also function as a natural cough suppressant. In fact, some studies have shown that it’s just as effective as ingredients in over-the-counter cough medications when you swallow one or two spoonfuls.
Works as an Excellent Vitamin and Mineral Enhancer:
One tablespoon of raw honey means access to lots of different vitamins and minerals you may already be supplementing through other means. When you start consuming raw honey, you begin to enhance the amount of niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc in your body. All of those are key to keeping you healthy.
Improves Memory:
The memory-related section of your brain is subject to an incredible amount of stress, not just from the world around you but also from problems like air pollution and much more. Raw honey, though, has the power to reduce that stress by actually reducing inflammation in your brain. This means that it could offer real enhancement in your ability to remember more and move forward in today’s ever more complicated world at a faster pace.
Assists in Weight Management:
More than one-third of people in the United States today are obese, and that means thousands are continually looking for a way to better manage their weight. Many studies have found that replacing sugar with raw honey helps to lower blood sugar, triglycerides and even suppress appetite.
A small University of Wyoming study found that appetite responses were measured in both women who ate honey with breakfast and those who ate sugar, and they found that honey could actually protect women from overeating thanks to the glycemic response triggered in the body after consumption.
Offers Allergy Relief:
More than 60 million people a year suffer allergy symptoms throughout the spring and fall, but raw honey can actually offer some relief for those allergies. Raw honey is packed with bee pollen. As the bees nearby go from flower to flower, they collect pollen from each, just a tiny bit.
When you eat the raw honey, you also eat that tiny bit of pollen that gives you so many allergy symptoms. Over time, consuming raw honey with that same pollen in it can help you experience fewer allergy symptoms because your body actually develops a more reasonable response to it as it gets desensitized to the pollen itself.
Raw honey offers amazing health benefits, but it’s important to note that it is still a source of sugar. As a result, if you suffer from a condition like diabetes where sugar levels must be carefully monitored, check with your doctor before you begin adding raw honey to your diet. Additionally, children under one should never consume raw honey.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of raw honey in a way you never thought possible, try Sunny Honey! Pure, raw, and wholly unfiltered, it’s an amazing opportunity your body will absolutely love, thanks to the fantastic health benefits.
Uses of Raw Honey | Raw Honey Benefits For Health
Uses of Raw Honey
Over the past several years, much press has been given to raw honey, and for good reason. Not only is it a well-known folk remedy dating back thousands of years, but it’s also a well-studied substance in today’s world that may have some real benefits for your health. Just what are the raw honey benefits for health that you can expect once you start using this amazing source of nutrition? Take a look.
Get More Antioxidants:
Raw honey has lots of different plant chemicals inside that act as antioxidants. In fact, some brands contain as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables do. If you’re not familiar with the power of antioxidants, you should be. They can actually help protect your cells from the damage that excess free radicals can cause, and that may help prevent serious diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Heal Faster:
Raw honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, thanks to the hydrogen peroxide that occurs naturally inside. People have used it for years to help heal wounds and fight infection. In fact, today, medical-grade raw honey is still used in many hospitals thanks to its powerful ability to not only heal wounds but also reduce pain and inflammation in seriously injured patients like burn victims.
Stop Digestion Issues:
Many studies have found that raw honey is a great way to treat digestive problems like diarrhea. In fact, it’s even been shown to be a powerful treatment for Helicobacter pylori, which is a leading cause of stomach ulcers in many people. What’s more, though, is that it can work as a prebiotic, so it helps feed the good bacteria in your intestines, so you’ll improve your overall digestive health.
These are far from the only benefits raw honey can provide for your health. In fact, it can do so much more, like help you manage the weight loss process and even fight seasonal allergies.
A Quick Note About Raw Honey vs. Pasteurized Honey
Raw honey isn’t what you might find on the shelves of your local grocery store. Instead, that tends to be carefully filtered, pasteurized honey. When honey is being gathered for bottling and shipping to local grocery stores, it’s filtered multiple times to remove things like beeswax and dead bees; then, it’s heated to an incredibly high temperature to help kill any unwanted yeast and extend the shelf-life.
However, raw honey is gathered in its natural form, then placed in a container for your consumption. While you might see chunks of wax or honeycomb in your honey, it’s important to realize that those are all part of the package, and in fact, they actually enhance the nutritional benefits of consumption.
How to Use Raw Honey to Make Your Healthy
You can use raw honey in a number of different ways. You can simply swallow some each day, but you can also mix it in your smoothies, pour it on your fruit, or even use it as a sandwich topping. No matter how you use it, though, it’s certain to make a delicious, healthy treat for your body.
Ready to try raw honey in your life? Check out what Sunny Honey has to offer!