Health Blog #2: Raw Honey

   
                    "Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey" -Exodus 33:3

Health Benefits of Raw Honey:
     *vitamins (calcium, iron, potassium, Vit. B complex, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium)
     *enzymes, which help with digestion
     *antioxidants "the nutraceuticals contained in honey help neutralize damaging free radical activity" (DrJoshAxe.com)
     *anti-viral
     *anti-bacterial
     *anti-fungal
     *strengthens the immune system
     *eliminates seasonal allergies
     *helps stabilize blood pressure
     *can calm nerves and may help with falling asleep faster
     *anti-inflammatory
     *expectorant
     *treats acne (have a pimple? Pat raw honey on it and cover it with a band aid before tucking yourself in bed.  Wake up in the morning and notice the difference :))
     *Blocks free radicals (yes, fights cancer - worth typing 2x)
     *maintains healthy heart by reducing homocysteine levels
     * reduces irritation in sore throat
     *promotes the growth of good bacteria in gut
     *helps with sunburned skin

     Conventional, processed honey has none of these benefits.  Buy RAW :)  When cooking, try not to put it in baked goods, as the heat dramatically decreases the nutrients and benefits.

     Honey was used in Ancient Greece and Egypt on wounds.  It has the power to dry out bacteria and kill microbes.  Greek Physician Dioscorides in 50 A.D. used raw honey for sunburn and infected wounds.  He was a renowned physician that traveled thoroughly through Greece and Rome searching for medicinal properties in nature.  He wrote a book, "the preparation, properties, and testing of drugs," that thrived in the field of medicine for the next 16,000 years. 

     Fast forward to Aug. 27, 1951 and Neosporin was patented.  Today it is the conventional and most used antibiotic cream in America.  It has been marketed and putting a pretty penny in corporate America's pocket for 65 years now.  Currently it is owned by Johnson and Johnson.

     A few facts about Neosporin:

    *Neosporin may OR may not "harm an unborn baby."  Therefore, pregnant woman are strongly advised not to use it.
    *One study showed using Vaseline is just as effective as Neosporin.
    *A prolonged time of using it, rarely, may cause a fungal or a different bacterial skin infection.
    *In a few cases, it has caused hearing loss.
    *I will never buy Neosporin again and haven't bought it in years.  When I had an infected blister, and later an infected would on my ankle, raw honey fought it hard and won!!
    *More common negative reactions are allergic reactions.  These include swelling, difficulty breathing, mild itching, rashing, and minor skin irritation.

     When I googled "allergic reactions to raw honey" I was given a list of articles on raw, local honey being effective in eliminating seasonal allergies.  It has traces of pollen that subjects the immune system to overcome it.  It's wise to start consuming small amounts.  Also, it's amazing that raw honey has "all the living enzymes needed to protect your body from a histamine overdose"  (DIYnatural.com).

   It is worth mentioning that children under one should NOT eat raw honey due to the slight risk of botulism poisoning.  The original source of this poisoning is a bacteria that can be found in soil.  Once children reach one their immune system can fight this and there is no danger in raw honey:).

   What's beautiful about raw honey is "bees spend thousands of hours collecting pollen from around 2 million flowers to make one pound of pure honey" (Dr.Axe.com).  I found and listed 17 health benefits of it and a 1 lb. jar costs about 9 - 12 dollars.  What are you waiting for???? Don't you want to beeeee happy and healthy:) 


Sources:
WebMD.com
NaturalNews.com
LiveStrong.com
Dr.Axe.com
DIYnatural.com
nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek

Learning

    "the nutraceuticals contained in raw honey help neutralize damaging free radical activity" (Dr. JoshAxe.com)  Did you know that?  I didn't until today.  This is what being healthy is all about, LEARNING.  It's about progression and working hard.  You can't be healthy, unless you are willing to learn.  I can't be healthy, unless I keep learning.  Unless we understand WHY we start or keep eating healthy foods, we will be prone to stop.  Let's face it, processed food is easier to prepare, saves time, and may even taste better. 

    The challenge is that I write a blog, once a week for the next year, that examines a food or a food group.  Through this, I want to portray why these food items should be eaten (or not eaten:)).  Knowledge of what you are eating will change what you eat.  I promise.  It will take time and sacrifices.  However, once the end result and purpose is laid on our hearts, food will make us thrive!!

   Not only is a growth of knowledge necessary, so is discipline. We can't be a slave to our taste buds.  We need to free ourselves from this.  Let's stay committed to what is true and what will lead us to healthier and happier lives.  Some days this will be hard when cravings and easy food fixes lure us in.  But, it's never too late to change and we all get grace for "hard and busy" days.  There is NO PERFECT DIET.  This is not to be a perfectionist, or fixated on a diet with fast results. 

  They say it takes two weeks for habit to stick.  I have found that a lasting, substantial diet change can take a year or many years.  This isn't about simply a habit, but an entire paradigm shift. 

"Get the Results You Want"

       
     Isn't this a motif in advertisements for weight loss, exercise programs, etc.?   What are the "results I want"?  A figure that isn't possible for me to have?  So, with this new found "health care" product  I am going to wake up every morning loving my body?  It seems like a good deal, as I wouldn't have to make any sacrifices, other than a payment using my VISA. 

     It won't work.  Our bodies are a result of exercise, diet, genetics, emotions (http://cortisol.com/), age, and sedentary behavior.

     You want to feel better about your body?  It's going to take time, energy, and effort.  In America I firmly believe it also takes commitment and perseverance.  This is because we live in a fast food, consumer valued, monetary driven society.  To be authentically healthy one has to go against "the flow" of America's norms.  Mentally we have to decide to commit daily and your gut will have to persevere against what it "wants to do."  (This might include eating nachos, watching TV for 2 hours, grabbing a candy bar, only running your comfortable mile, etc.)  Essentially, if you do what you want to do and seek out comfort your body's shape will not be headed in the direction you want it to go. (Disclaimer:  There are some out there who are obsessed with working out, eating loads of protein, etc.  This is does not contribute to healthy lifestyle either.)  I am referring to the general public's mindset.  Of course, if you think differently than what I have stated so far I would like to hear it. 

     Don't ever compare your body to anyone else's.  One of two things will happen - you will feel badly about your figure or you will think you are better than someone else for being skinnier or "buffer."  Both are disasters.  Because of genetics and age there will ALWAYS be someone out there with a better body than you.  Get over it.  Making healthier decisions is more like, "you vs. you."  What decisions will you make this year that were better than last year's?  How will you push yourself more today than you did yesterday? 

     This is where my idea to call my business "Uphill From Here" came into the scene.  I want my clients and followers to know that my perspective of a healthy lifestyle is that it's not easy (a.k.a. "downhill").  Making healthy decisions is about climbing up, reaching boundaries you didn't think you could reach,  getting stronger everyday, it's you vs. you.