Cherries

Cherries are a delicious source for anthocyanins and melatonin.  These antioxidants have been linked to all sorts of health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease and relieving inflammation.

Honey 

Honey has always been regarded as a food which provides health advantages and as a product which has 'healing qualities'. You may think of honey as just a natural sweetener, but there are many more redeeming qualities than just great taste! Pure, unprocessed honey is loaded with good stuff such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. No wonder honey is known as the "ancient healer"!

Medical evidence of honey's importance as a health food has not existed until recent times although its value as part of folklore medicine has always been recognized. Today, reputable research organisations around the world now take seriously both the health benefits and healing properties of honey.

As a natural, unprocessed and easily digested food, honey can be regarded as an important part of our diet.

There are over 300 different varieties of honey produced in the United States, each having it's own distinct color and flavor. The characteristics of honey are determined by the different floral sources from which the honey bees gather their nectar.


Did you know?

• Honey is antimicrobial due to it's high sugar content, low pH and the presence of organic acids (Use it to treat cuts, scrapes and burns as well as to prevent scarring!)
• Honey may help treat your allergies!
• Honey is high in carbohydrates and is therefore a great energy source.
• Honey contains the vitamins B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.
• Honey contains the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and zinc.
• The natural antioxidants found in honey are chrysin, pinobanskin, vitamin C, catalase and pinocembrin.
• Generally, darker honeys and those with higher water content have stronger antioxidant potential. The antioxidants identified thus far in honey are pinocembrin, pinobanksin, chrysin and galagin. Pinocembrin is unique to honey and found in the highest amount relative to the others. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), catalase and selenium are also present.
• Diabetics must control their total intake of carbohydrates, not the type. Therefore, honey may be included in a diabetic diet. They must, however, comply with the medical regime and diet instructions prescribed by their individual healthcare providers to keep blood sugar levels under control.
• Honey is used as a hair and facial treatment due to the fact that it attracts and retains moisture.
• Use honey, instead of other sweeteners, in your baked goods.  The flavor of cakes and biscuits, particularly those which use fruit, is enhanced with honey and will keep them moist for a longer period of time.
• Substitute honey for sugar in a cake. Use the same weight measure of the sweetener but reduce the liquid in the recipe by one quarter. For example, you would use 3/4 cup of milk instead of one cup. Reduce recommended cooking temperature by 15^oC.
• Honey is the only food produced by insects that is eaten by man!
• Add honey to plain cuts of meat to make exotic dishes. When basted with honey, vegetables will always be exciting if tossed in honey and butter.
• Add honey to creamed cheese as a spread, use it on grapefruit or as a topping for ice cream for extra goodness and flavor. Use it in your tea or coffee, cordial or cocktails.
• Take honey by the spoonful to give yourself extra energy in training. Honey in water makes an excellent healthy sports drink with the honey replacing glycogen levels.