By Chelsea Vincent
It’s a funky time of year. The weather can’t make up its mind, most of us are tired of being cold, and plenty of people are still down and out with illnesses.
So, while trying to stay proactive in my tea-and-honey winter health regimen, which has become a relaxing daily treat for me, imagine my total shock when I found out you can eat honeycomb. I’m dead serious.
As a kid, I loaded up on the sugary cereal of the same name, but I never dreamed that you could eat the real thing (which is infinitely healthier). Well, friends – the impossible is possible. After years of feeling guilty for awkwardly scooping around the honeycomb in the jar, I am a new, comb-loving person.
After a bit of research, it turns out there are several reasons eating honeycomb is something you should try in 2020. And hey, you only live once, right?
Honeycomb, which worker bees create while storing honey to nosh on later, is totally safe for human consumption. Although honeycomb may be slightly waxy, it is in no way dangerous to consume, and people have been doing so for hundreds of years. Honestly, the texture has even grown on me, and I now find it to be very satisfying.
Of course, everything is best in moderation, as it turns out eating too much honeycomb can clog your intestines, which sounds like an unfortunate experience. But as long as you’re enjoying appropriate serving sizes, you should be good to go.
Full confession: I’m an old soul at heart. So when I found out that people used to look for actual pieces of honeycomb instead of jars of honey, I was delighted to step back into a time-honored tradition.
It turns out that many honey products used to add corn syrup, so eating honey straight from the comb meant you were getting the real deal, pure and simple. As we’ve culturally shifted more toward natural, whole foods in the past decade, no wonder honeycomb in jars is popping up in stores and in farmers’ markets!
Not only does honeycomb look like modern art, but it also adds impressive flair to once-simple standards. Cut-up chunks of honeycomb these and multiple other dishes can add a touch of elegance, while also providing rich flavor and a straight-from-the-hive, natural appeal.
If you’re looking for ways to make boring recipes more inviting or appealing, honeycomb may do the trick. Try some honeycomb on a sandwich with brie, toss it in a salad with fresh fruits, greens, and feta, or make it the star of a charcuterie board at your next gathering. So. good.
I’m a try-anything-once kind of girl, so when I decided to give eating honeycomb a shot, I wasn’t expecting much. And now, a little nibble of it is honestly the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. The next time you’re feeling like a walk on the wild side, whip out a fork, and give it a go. Let us know your reactions to trying honeycomb below!
]]>By Chelsea Vincent
Honey’s many brain benefits both strengthen and reduce decline in our minds
Honey is getting a lot of buzz these days (see what I did there?). We hear a lot about it in beauty ideas and healthy recipes, but how often do we hear about what honey does for your brain?
There’s actually a name for the use of honey and medicinal applications – apitherapy, which comes from the word Apis, or the genus to which honeybees belong. Although honey has been used in traditional healing modalities for thousands of years, its popularity in the mainstream market has prompted the medical community to do some “official” digging.
As it turns out, the benefits of honey for equally impressive in formal studies as they have been in age-old healing customs.
You may have heard of flavonoids over the past few years, as they have become a trendy buzzword in health circles, and for good reason. Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, give fruits and vegetables (and honey!) their vibrant colors, and they also come with health benefits for your brain. Honey contains several flavonoids, including catechin, the same ingredient in green tea that delays memory regression.
Honey’s memory-boosting properties let us keep doing and sharing the things we love as we get older.
Impressively, a 2011 study featured in Menopause discovered that just 20 grams of honey a day could boost memory in postmenopausal women. In fact, women who followed this protocol for four months displayed better short-term memory than those who took hormone pills.
So while we all have to face getting older, honey can naturally help protect our brains – and memories – as we do so.
Our brains are consistently working, and, in order to do so, they require large amounts of oxygen. While this is dandy, as long as we’re breathing fine, it also means our brains are highly susceptible to oxidative stress or damage. (Think about how you might see rust form on a sunken ship over time, for example.)
Fortunately, honey contains several powerful antioxidants to combat such mental rust, like the polyphenols we touched on earlier, as well as things like apigenin and caffeic acid. Consuming these wonder ingredients improves our brain’s defenses against oxidative stress, while reducing destruction or deterioration of cells due to free radicals. In other words, your brain gets stronger, while damage is reduced.
While honey is still being studied for other potential benefits, another promising area is that of honey’s effects on our actual mental state.
Tests using mice and rats have established strong evidence that honey is able to reduce the effects of some barbiturates. In the subjects which ate honey, they slept less, their anxiety improved, and they had fewer convulsions, possibly due to opioid receptors in the brain.
Obviously, further human-focused studies in this area need to be conducted, but it’s incredible to think that honey could potentially help with our own such nervous system issues someday.
With such a range of scientifically impressive ingredients, it’s no wonder honey has been a prized part of many cultures for thousands of years. So the next time you enjoy a bit of the sweet stuff, know that your brain is doing a little happy dance, too. Woop!
By Chelsea Vincent
In today’s era of social media, it seems like everyone is obsessed with having flawless skin, hair, nails – the works. But rather than opting for expensive (and possibly scary) cosmetic procedures like surgery, have you tried using honey to get gorgeous?
Although we normally associate honey with tea, delicious treats, or spring bees, honey is also a wonder ingredient, when it comes to looking your best. Here are some simple ways to infuse your self care regimen with honey, to get your glow on this spring.
The powerful antioxidants in honey make it an exceptional-yet-natural choice for moisturizing and soothing flaky, dull, or uneven skin. And if you’re tired of shelling out for lotions with ingredients you can’t pronounce, rest assured that honey is body- and planet-friendly.
To bring moisture back to your face after a day at the beach (or to even out some of that redness), simply cleanse your face with a gentle cleaner, pat dry, and spread 1-2 teaspoons of honey on your face and neck. After 15-20 minutes, rinse your face, then apply a gentle face lotion. For some added vitamin C, you can also try combining 2 Tablespoons of honey with a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Ahh.
Say what? Most people are surprised to find that honey has healing properties which have made it a key ingredient in various forms of medicine for thousands of years. Thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey is a great way to help heal pesky pimples.
Rather than applying harsh, abrasive ingredients to angry pimples, try dabbing a bit of honey on a pimple (after cleaning the skin) and gently rinsing the honey away after 15 minutes. You can follow that with a bit of tea tree oil, and you’ll notice your skin calm down nicely.
Your face isn’t the only part of you that can benefit from a little honey-lovin’ R&R. Using honey as a shower scrub can help remove dead skin, especially from naturally dry areas, like elbows, knees, and feet.
To create your own honey scrub (which could also be a fun DIY experience with some friends), combine two parts honey with one part oats, plus one part baking soda. Then, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and you’re ready to rock your loofah. (We love lavender and orange essential oils, but play around to discover the perfect scent for you!)
While you’re in the shower, you can also use honey to nourish your hair, either as a shampoo, or as a silky-smooth conditioning treatment. Because honey is an emollient, it will seal moisture into the hair shaft, creating gorgeous, touchable hair. Plus, you’ll steer clear of sulfates and other harsh ingredients (which can actually make hair more frizzy), and your tresses will smell like heaven.
For some deep conditioning, mix 2 Tablespoons each of honey and coconut or olive oil together, plus a teaspoon of almond or argan oil. Apply to clean, damp hair, then cover with a plastic shower cap for half an hour. Rinse and enjoy!
If you’re wanting to get back in touch with natural products and feel stunning at the same time, honey’s many uses make it a must-have for all your home beauty recipes. The next time you’re in need of a little pampering, try grabbing a bottle of honey to get your moxie back.
By Chelsea Vincent
As a kid, most of us knew that honey comes from bees. Whether we watched Winnie the Pooh or saw bees buzzing around flowers in the spring, we came to understand that the magic of honey was indebted to these tiny, flying creatures.
But how is honey made, exactly? Most of us know it involves beekeepers – in what look like HAZMAT suits – and we love to slather honey on or biscuits or sweeten our tea with it, but the process behind it is actually quite interesting.
Let’s start with a little plant science 101. We all know that plants need sunlight to grow, and they actually use that energy derived from sunlight to create sugar. When leaves gather light from the sun, water and carbon dioxide are combined to make sugar, during the process we call photosynthesis (you probably remember that word from your school days).
"The chemical compositions of nectar varies slightly from one plant to another, which is why you may notice different types of honey can have different tastes."
This sugar then moves to other parts of the plant, where it is used to fuel the plant (like glycogen, which comes from sugar, fuels human muscles). Specialized cells release sugar as a secretion known as nectar, which mammals, bugs, and birds all seek out.
(Fun fact here: the chemical compositions of nectar varies slightly from one plant to another, which is why you may notice different types of honey can have different tastes. For instance, clover honey and orange blossom honey have distinctly different flavor profiles.)
Alright. So flowering plants have now produced nectar, which delights bees (and anything or anyone who likes sweetness). At this point, forager bees swing by and drink the nectar with their long tongue, then store the honey in a special honey stomach, known as a crop.
The crop is like a fanny pack for a bee, as no digestion takes place here – it’s simply for storage. During the time the honey is stashed away in the crop, it mixes with enzymes from the forager bee, which enable it to be stored long-term.
Now things start to get really exciting, as the bees bring the bounty home. The forager bee brings the nectar back and regurgitates it to the crop of another bee, called a processor bee. (Yep – there’s a lot of sharing going on.)
The processor bee then whisks the stored nectar away to the honeycomb and regurgitates it into a wax cell (the shapes you see in the honeycomb). It’s a bit like depositing money in the bank. At this point, the nectar starts to earn interest, or, in other words, ripen.
Thanks to an enzyme supplied by the processor bee, when the honey ripens, it changes from sucrose and water to fructose and water. Basically, the honey goes from being the same compound as table sugar to the sugar found in fruit.
As the honey ripening progresses, bees fan their wings, and excess water evaporates, a bit like a shop vac. This process helps to dry out the nectar, so that is achieves the texture we eventually see in honey jars.
After the shop vac action is completed, the honeycomb cell is sealed off with a wax seal from the bee’s abdomen secretions. This airtight seal keeps the honey from having fungus or bacteria grow with it.
As long as the honey steers clear of air and water, it can be stored long-term. Thus, when the winter comes around and there aren’t flowers in bloom the bees still have an accessible food source. In this way, it’s just like when people can or jar foods for the winter. The seal must be tight enough to guarantee an extended shelf life, and as long as the jar isn’t open, the food can be enjoyed throughout the winter.
The final phase in honey’s journey, as far as a final human destination, includes the beekeeper. The beekeeper gathers the frames of honeycomb from boxes made just for the bees.
Finally, the wax caps are scraped off of the honeycomb cells, so that the honey can be extracted from the structure. Honey is then strained and added to bottles, labels are added, and the products are shipped far and wide for people to enjoy eating or for beauty purposes.
Knowing the fascinating story behind how honey is made makes it that much sweeter, and the next time you enjoy the rich, golden taste, you may find yourself thinking back to just how much love and time went into making such a lovely and healing treat.
]]>Many people do not realize just how versatile beeswax can be. This by-product of honey production is a favourite in the candy industry, used to seal flavour and give texture to a lot of delicious, chewy treats like gummy bears and jelly beans. Beeswax has been commonly used to make drip-free, fragrant candles that burn longer and brighter than ordinary wax candles. But there are many other ingenious uses for this beautiful golden wax. If you're looking for a more natural alternative to a lot of today's toxic, chemically-laden products on the market, beeswax is a great choice.
Beeswax has been used in carpentry for many years to lubricate machinery. It also serves as a great wood finish or polish when added to boiled linseed oil. Applied beeswax also has a lot of convenient household uses like unsticking zippers, window sills and drawers.
Beeswax fillings may be the oldest hint of therapeutic dentistry recorded. A cracked tooth from a Slovenian man over 6,000 years old was discovered filled with beeswax. Due to the fractured nature of the tooth, scientists suggest that beeswax may have used as far back as this neolithic man for tooth pain relief [1]. For those with a cavity who cannot immediately get or afford a dentist appointment, beeswax may serve as a temporary at-home tooth filler. While it won't stop decay on its own, some use it to ease pain until they can get the cavity properly cleaned and treated.
Beeswax is often used in salons for creating dreadlocks. When applied to the hair it helps you shape the hair the way you want, whether it is straight or curly, and helps to hold the hair together. Because of the natural moisturizing properties of beeswax, it helps keep hair moisturized and gives it a desirable smell.
Chewing gum or tobacco aren't the only things to help fight your smoking habit. Chewing tobacco is even harmful because of its link to mouth and throat cancer. Some people prefer to chew all natural beeswax with a little honey in it, or buy a natural beeswax chewing gum. A quick recipe for beeswax chewing gum is a ½ cup of beeswax and three tablespoons of honey.
Water damage to leather can be frustrating and costly. Wet feet from leaky boots can also lead to unsightly health issues. Beeswax is great for waterproofing leather shoes or boots. Coat the shoes or boots all over with beeswax and either melt it into the fabric with a blow-dryer or leave it on overnight in a dry place, wiping off any excess wax the following day. If your boots are synthetic or of a combination material, play it safe by using a water-based wax waterproofer specifically designed for that material.
If you have dry, rough skin, beeswax may be a good addition to your skincare regime. It has natural moisturizing properties, and because it is an emulsifier (which means it stops other ingredients from separating and also seals them well), you can combine beeswax with your own favourite nourishing oils like palm oil, olive oil, and almond oil to make great soaps or lotions.
If you've ever used earplugs, you know the irritation that comes with trying to find a perfect, comfortable fit. Beeswax earplugs are becoming more popular because they're softer and more workable than some other harder plastic materials. New products claim to allow a custom fit every time as your own body heat molds the plugs "exactly" to the contours of your ear canals [2] . Beeswax earplugs may just be the comfy fit you need for your next good night's sleep.
Beeswax candles work as an air purifier. While regular paraffin candles may release other allergens and toxins into the air, 100% all-natural beeswax candles purify by releasing negative ions into the air which bind with toxins and help remove them. People with allergies or asthma may find more daily relief by switching to beeswax candles [3].
Whether you're looking to add a few more healthy alternatives into the home or just looking to get a little bit closer to Mother Nature, beeswax on its own has a lot of great uses. When combined with more of Mother Nature's gifts like pure oils, beeswax may work even better. Unless you suffer from an allergy to bees, why not give beeswax a try for your needs?
REFERENCES
[1] Bernardini F, Tuniz C, Coppa A, Mancini L, Dreossi D, et al. (2012) Beeswax as Dental Filling on a Neolithic Human Tooth. PLoS ONE 7(9): e44904.
[2] Earplug Station Online. 30 July 2014.
[3] Wright, Jonathan V. "Beeswax Benefits--Beat Nagging Allergies and Sinus Problems." Tahoma Clinc Blog. 30 July 2014.
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Honey is a rather miraculous food that has been in use since the earliest days of human history. It was referenced in ancient cuneiform text from Babylonia, used to create mead (the nectar of the gods), and according to legend, was used by Cupid as well (to dip his arrows into before shooting them at unsuspecting lovers). Throughout history, honey has been prescribed for nearly every ailment imaginable, having served as a pain reliever, laxative, sleeping aid and even a cure for snake bites.
While many of these supposed healing properties have long since been discredited, there are many benefits that modern science has confirmed. For example, honey's value as an anti-fungal or anti-bacterial treatment holds sway, given that bees add an enzyme to the mixture that creates hydrogen peroxide. Likewise, honey's helpfulness in treating sore throats and coughs has been repeatedly validated, with some studies showing it to be more effective than mainstream cough medicine. If you are suffering from throat irritation, try making a hot herbal tea (caffeinated tea can have adverse effects here) and stirring in a teaspoon of honey.
Honey is a healthy food even aside from its medicinal utility. Honey contains antioxidants (flavonoids) which have been linked to a reduced risk of strokes, heart attacks and some cancers. It has also demonstrated effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. And since honey can remain fresh indefinitely when sealed and stored in a dry spot, it's an excellent sweetener for people who are allergic to food additives and other preservatives.
When used as a replacement for artificial sweeteners or white sugar, honey can also help the body to better regulate its blood sugar levels. The composition of pure sugar is so simple that it is almost immediately broken down, causing a spike in blood glucose levels which then gets converted into fat if not burned off. Honey, while also composed of the simple sugars glucose and fructose, contains other sugars which are more complex, as well as dextrin, a type of fiber. This unique composition means that honey requires more energy to break it down, thus providing less of a jolt to the body's blood glucose levels.
As with practically any other food, the quality matters. Many commercial honey products are actually diluted with syrup or harvested from pesticide-ridden flowers, thus greatly lessening their beneficial impact. To get the maximum benefit from your honey, look for local, farmer's market varieties or organic honey that was produced from flowers free of pesticides and herbicides. Choosing the right honey to replace your normal sweeteners is an excellent way to enhance the quality of your food and improve your health.
While honey is certainly a better sweetener than sugar, it is still a sweetener and should, therefore, be consumed in moderation. However, using honey to replace the normal use of white sugar or artificial sweeteners is an excellent step towards a healthier lifestyle.
Be sure to check out Don Victor Honey (with honeycomb!), available right here in our store!
]]>Outside your window, snowflakes drift to the ground. The steam from your favorite hot beverage is drawing patterns in the air. Of course, it's brewed in your favorite mug. Soon, you'll feel the richness of raw honey on your tongue.
Right now, you take in a deep breath. Your body relaxes, and you let the tension go. You smile to yourself as you change to your next yoga pose. Yes, this feels good...
That's the beauty of winter. This is the time for you to turn inwards and take care of yourself. It's the period to cut off all the noise. Winter is when you can look at everything that matters to you without ignoring any of your needs.
Gift yourself with the benefits of gentle yoga. If you love another form of exercise that comforts you, that's fine too. Do what feels right to you. What matters is that you allow yourself to be present in your body.
You can also use the winter season to change how you nourish your body. For instance, you may want to trade carbs for foods that contain more fats and proteins. Proteins are the main building blocks of your body so it makes sense to eat more of them.
Honey is an effective remedy for winter colds and coughs. Yet, it's only raw natural honey that offers these benefits. The good news is, you can treat yourself to authentic raw honey from Forever Bee. You'll receive all the health perks and more.
You and your family deserve is the warm feeling that comes from real raw natural honey. Treat yourself to a special flavor too. How about a spoon of tantalizing Forever Bee cinnamon honey? The cinnamon comes to you from an organic farm in Sri Lanka. As you share the golden liquid with your family, you'll feel how much care is put into every single drop.
Here is a plan for a winter evening. Take a sip of your drink mixed with some honey. Allow the warmth to wash over your body. Then, sit still and listen to your innermost feelings.
]]>If you've ever been in the United Kingdom or Ireland, you'll know that the hot toddy is one of the preferred winter warmers. It is also considered one of the best medicines for the common cold. There's nothing quite like feeling the warmth pool in your belly as you sit beside a fire in an ancient pub while the wind blusters outside.
The hot toddy has been around for a while. In Ireland and Scotland, they start by using a peaty single malt in each drink. When it comes to a hot toddy, the stronger, the better, much like with any other kind of medicine. Taste is important, as is a drink that warms you inside and out on a cold, damp evening. The combination of other ingredients can differ from person to person, but this surefire treatment for the common cold is enjoyed whether a person is hale and hearty or has come down with a winter bug.
A hot toddy consists of adding boiling hot water to a glass consisting of a finger of whiskey and a spoonful of honey (and if you're adventurous, a slice of honeycomb), then adding cloves directly to a slice of lemon cut into quarters. Sometimes people add other ingredients, like cinnamon or vanilla, depending on their tastes. A hot toddy is a great way to warm yourself while the rest of the world is wrapped in snow and ice. Keep out the chill this winter by finding your perfect hot toddy recipe, and fall asleep by the fireside with this delicious traditional drink.
]]>The time of year when the seasons change is a risky one for colds and flu. Bodies already stressed by the temperature and barometric changes encounter viruses and BAM, you or your children are sick. It's miserable. What can you do?
This allows your body to apply more energy to healing. Avoid going to the store, to parties, or out with friends, both to conserve energy and to keep from spreading the infection.
Avoid soda or sugary drinks like energy drinks. Sugar knocks down your immune system. Drink clear liquids like water, tea, pure fruit juices, and broth. Pineapple juice, dark grape juice, apple juice, cranberry, and pomegranate juices are particularly helpful.
Mix a spoonful of salt in with warm water and gargle several times a day. This can soothe an irritated throat, and the salt can help kill germs.
Take a hot shower (this also relaxes tight muscles. For more focused steam, heat a pot of water to boiling, drape a towel over your head, and breathe in the steam until it cools. Add essential oils such as eucalyptus, balsam, and sage to increase the effectiveness of the steam in relieving sinus symptoms.
Goldenseal and echinacea tea, vitamin C, and zinc all help aid your immune system. Garlic has antibiotic properties. Licorice root tea with some Don Victor Honey can soothe a sore throat. Eucalyptus clears sinuses. Ginger tea can help settle an uneasy stomach.
Neti pots help relieve congestion and can prevent or aid with healing of sinus infections. Follow the directions carefully.
Avoid junk food. Eat lightly and avoid bogging down your system with heavy foods. Eat fruits and vegetable juices. Yes, chicken soup can be helpful, but you want the kind with lots of garlic, turmeric, chilis, and vegetables in it. You can even skip the chicken and make a healthy veggie soup. Dry toast, crackers, applesauce, blueberries, bananas, and yogurt are also easy foods on a sick stomach.
If you have trouble breathing, hallucinations or difficulty remaining conscious, go to the ER or urgent care. If you have a fever of over 104 or a fever that lasts more than three days, you develop wheezing or severe localized pain, you have unrelenting vomiting, or symptoms increase in severity rather than start to improve after a few days, call your doctor. If it is a child with the 104 fever, go to the ER.
Honey is one of the oldest foods known to humankind, with evidence of its use dating as far back as 8,000 years. Ancient Egyptians used it for cooking, but also for religious ceremonies. Ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated honey, even moving their hives over great distances to take advantage of seasonal cycles to improve production. Ancient Indians found both religious and health uses for honey, as outlined in the ancient Vedas and Ayurveda texts. It seems that wherever human culture sprung up around the world, honey was an important part of flourishing civilizations.
And for good reason. Honey is one of the healthiest foods you can have in your pantry. But there are added benefits for eating the honeycomb—the natural wax that bees form and is harvested with honey. To the surprise of many, the honeycomb is also edible and has very high health value. Let’s take a closer look at why you should incorporate honeycomb into your diet.
Honeycomb is made up of fatty acids, similar to those found in fish. Findings from some studies suggest that consuming honeycomb can actually lower the bad type of cholesterol while slightly raising the good type, and that it can help reduce a person’s body mass index (BMI) when replacing sugar.
Honeycomb is rich in antioxidants that can actually improve the quality of your blood. What does that mean, exactly? Basically, the compounds found in honey can help reduce risks associated with heart disease by improving blood flow, reducing platelet clots, and preventing the bad type of cholesterol from oxidizing in your bloodstream. In short, healthier blood = a healthier you!
The same antioxidants in honeycomb that help reduce the risks of heart disease also can help you maintain a normalized liver function. Your liver detoxifies chemicals, metabolizes drugs, produces proteins, and regulates sugar in your body. When your liver isn’t functioning properly, your whole body can feel out of whack. The antioxidants in honey, though, keep your liver functioning properly so more of the bad stuff goes out and the good stuff stays in.
Honey is a well-known home remedy for sore throats, but eating honeycomb can also help you avoid the common cold. Packed with powerful antimicrobial agents, eating honeycomb can help prevent bacterial infections, both internal and external. It’s even been found to help treat wounds and burns!
For all the health benefits that honey and honeycomb offer, it’s important to remember that it’s also delicious! Honey is an excellent substitute for sugar, and honeycomb can add an extra, luxurious layer of flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. We recommend trying it with yogurt for a tasty breakfast, but also consider mixing it with savory dishes, like on a charcuterie board.
If you’d like some ideas on how to incorporate honey and honeycomb into your diet, check out our site for recipes, along with a variety of craft ideas and beauty tips using honey!
]]>Yes, you read that right. It is not, in fact, a typo or a misleading headline, #fakenews, or anything of the sort. This is, no lie, one of the cutest little snowmen made of honey, ever, and that is coming from someone who is not exactly the most crafty type . So, coming from that perspective, let me begin by telling you that this little project meets my core crafting requirements.
Who doesn't love a fun, EASY activity that ends up being a super cute and useful gift? Total win, am I right?
So, on to the important parts... How do we make these things and where do we find this magical honey, right?
The first step is the base, which is our honey - Don Victor Honey with Comb in a 16oz glass globe jar.
The honey itself varies slightly from jar to jar, but is typically a beautiful amber color with a giant piece of honeycomb that you can see clearly through the globe, making it a beautiful presentation all on its own.
You can purchase the honey at Walmart stores nationwide on the Hispanic aisle. It is also carried by Kroger in Southern California, as well as many other retailers and local Hispanic bodegas nationwide, or, it is readily available online. Average price is between
$7.50-$9.50.
Other Materials:
Instructions:
1. Place a glue dot or a dab of hot glue on the backside of the buttons and stick them onto the honey jar.
2. Using the glue dots or hot glue, stick the large white ball on top of the honey jar to create the snowman's head.
3. Using the glue dots or hot glue, stick a snowflake onto the black hat.
4. Glue the hat on top of the snowman's head using glue dots or hot glue.
5. Cut strips of red felt to create a scarf, then wrap it around the neck of the honey jar. Tie it in a simple knot.
6. Glue eyes and nose on the snowman's head to make a face.
7. Your snowman is now ready to gift and enjoy!
Enjoy anytime a sweet relish is wanted, such as with pork tenderloin, sliced roasted turkey, or other poultry.
]]>The perfect charcuterie board should be a pleasurable indulgence for all the senses. The textures should contrast from soft to crisp and the flavors should range from mild to spicy with both pungent and sweet touches to accentuate it with. Serve with your favorite bottles of wine for the ultimate party platter that everyone will keep coming back to all night long.
Here is our list of everything you need to hit all the right notes with your charcuterie board in the height of the holiday season.
Say Cheese
One of the stars of the board is the cheese you serve. Go for the highest quality and you’ll be rewarded with the richness of flavors and textures. The perfect charcuterie board should have three different types of cheeses. It’s best to vary them by both flavor and texture. Ours has brie, a soft, smooth and creamy cheese that spreads with little effort; colbyjack, which is equal parts mild and sharp; and pepperjack, which adds a hit of spice.
Let There Be Meat
As meat is one of the key players on this platter, you’ll also want to choose the best in quality. It truly makes a difference in the taste. We’ve used both hard salami and Genoa salami. They look remarkably similar but the difference is in the taste of each of these robustly textured meats. Hard salami is smoked while Genoa salami is cured so each one lends a distinctive flavor and paired with the cheeses and other heavenly items on the charcuterie board, you’ll discover just how sublime they each can be.
Add Some Crispness
A charcuterie board would be absolutely naked without crackers or artisan toast posing as a vessel for your cheeses and meats. They add that crunchy crispness to the experience and allow for more toppings from the board that will enhance the flavors of the meats and cheeses.
Change the Mood
Now comes the real fun of the charcuterie board…dressing up your meat and cheese-topped cracker. Giving your guests an interesting array of choices is a must when designing the perfect charcuterie board. On ours, we’ve included both green grapes on the vine and grape tomatoes. Both have that solid texture on the outside with a burst of juiciness on the inside however one is more savory and the other lends more sweetness. Nuts add an earthy crunch while Don Victor piquin peppers really heat things up. An array of Mediterranean olives provide a pungent hit with a seductive texture. And if you really want to sweeten the deal, add Don Victor pure honey complete with pieces of honeycomb which will give it a rustic charm and a textural sensation that brings bliss with every bite.
]]>Honey fоr Yоur Skin
Uѕіng honey аѕ а skin treatment іѕ рrоbаblу іtѕ mоѕt common uѕе аѕ а beauty product. Honey hаѕ bееn uѕеd іn thіѕ role fоr thousands оf years аnd рrоvіdеѕ а number оf benefits tо one’s skin. Honey іѕ а natural moisturizer, whісh аlоng wіth іtѕ thick consistency mаkе іt аn excellent аll аrоund facial cleanser аnd treatment. Honeys stickiness аllоwѕ іt tо lift dirt аnd oil frоm thе skin, leaving іt fresh аnd clean. Honey mixed wіth а lіttlе bit оf аn abrasive substance, mаnу people uѕе finely chopped nuts, іѕ а perfect аll natural exfoliating scrub. Mаnу people swear thаt honey mixed wіth corn starch іѕ аn effective treatment fоr acne. Honey іѕ аlѕо naturally anti-bacterial, whісh wіll aid іn healing minor cuts аnd abrasions whеn applied tо thе skin. Pеrhарѕ thіѕ explains іtѕ effectiveness аѕ аn acne treatment.
Honey fоr уоur Hair
Honey саn аlѕо dо wonders fоr уоur hair. Honey mаkе а vеrу good conditioner thаt leaves hair moisturized аnd soft. Honey саn bе applied alone, but mоѕt people find іt works bеttеr іf іt іѕ combined wіth аnоthеr substance. It саn bе combined wіth уоur regular conditioner tо add а lіttlе kick, оr уоu саn mix іt wіth olive oil tо mаkе уоur vеrу оwn conditioner thаt wіll leave уоur hair shiny аnd soft. Sоmе people add а lіttlе lemon juice tо honey tо gently lighten hair. Honey аlѕо adds а mild, natural fragrance tо уоur conditioner thаt wіll leave уоur hair smelling great.
Honey fоr Hair Removal
Anуоnе whо hаѕ еvеr endured thе uѕе оf hot wax fоr hair removal wіll quickly learn tо аррrесіаtе honey аѕ аn alternative. Women іn thе Arab world hаvе uѕеd caramel tо remove unwanted facial аnd body hair fоr thousands оf years. Honey іѕ easily substituted іn place оf thе sugar іn thеѕе recipes аnd іѕ mоrе effective. Aftеr cooking thе honey wіth а lіttlе water аnd lemon juice, іt cools іntо а sticky, gum-like substance. Thіѕ mixture іѕ applied tо thе skin аnd uѕеd іn hair removal, јuѕt lіkе іn waxing. Thе difference іѕ thаt thе honey nееd nоt bе hot. A fеw minutes оf kneading іn thе hands leaves іt supple еnоugh tо apply. It relies оn іtѕ stickiness tо remove thе hair аnd mоѕt women ѕау іt іѕ painless compared tо wax. An additional benefit іѕ honey’s anti-bacterial properties whісh disinfect thе skin аѕ уоu remove thе hair, preventing breakouts suffered bу mаnу women. Thе skin іѕ аlѕо moisturized аnd left exfoliated.
Bесаuѕе honey іѕ аn аll natural beauty product, experimentation саn bе а safe, rewarding experience. Honey аѕ а beauty remedy/treatment іѕ аlѕо good fоr thе earth, unlіkе thе chemicals thаt уоu wіll find іn mаnу оf thе products thаt аrе оn thе market today (that subsequently еnd uр gоіng dоwn уоur bathroom drain). If уоu аrе lооkіng tо gо “green” аnd reduce уоur carbon footprint, trу tо thіnk оf nеw ways уоu саn uѕе honey іn place оf уоur traditional products.
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