Honey, honey

We've all had a good peanut butter and honey sandwich, right?  Or perhaps you like some honey with a good cup of tea.  We like to eat a spoonful every now and again.  Most of us are used to our honey looking something like this...

That cute little bear, all full of sweetness.  It's not something that most of us use on a regular basis, but something that we all typically have on hand.  Well, I want to expand your thinking on honey.  If you haven't already looked in to the wonderful benefits of real honey, I would love to be the one that opens your eyes as someone once opened mine.

I used to think that honey was honey, it didn't really matter where you got it from and that it was just another form of sweetener.  I was seriously wrong.  Honey trumps its competitor sugar by a landslide and also has many other benefits as well.

Did you know that the glucose in honey is quickly absorbed by the body and the fructose slowly absorbed, which means that it gives you extended energy as opposed to sugar? 

Honey is an immune system builder.  It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that improve the digestive system.  This, in turn keeps you healthier and better able to fight off disease.

Honey has antiseptic properties.  It will fight yeast infections, athletes foot and is excellent in wound infection prevention.

More commonly known, honey is excellent for sore throats.  The antimicrobial properties not only soothe the sore throat, but can also kill certain bacteria that are part of the cause of the sore throat.  I have used honey when I have a sore throat and it's amazing.  Definitely has soothing powers.

Honey contains Vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Now, let's address what kind of honey one should buy.  The cute little picture above of the bear filled with honey....yeah, don't buy that.  That honey has been heated, pasteurized and filtered in order to make it more beautiful for you when you purchase it.  It will be lacking the necessary enzymes and vitamins that will give you all the wonderful benefits I have listed above.  If you want good honey, you must find local honey from a source that keeps it 100% RAW.  There are a ton of places you can get this honey from, such as local farmer's markets or health food stores.  I purchase mine from Bridgeport Farm and Garden out towards Falls City.  Please buy local.  Those beekeepers need your support and they are doing a very important job!

So, simply put... raw honey is way better for you than sugar.  The more you can substitute honey in to your diet in lieu of sugar is a good thing.  Go for it!