Saturday, June 2, 2012

Bee Luch Baggie


With friendly faces and matching zipper-pulls, Zoo Lunchies make lunchtime fun time! Sized just right for little kids, or a mom and baby on-the-go, these soft bags have a roomy main compartment that holds sandwiches, snacks, drinks and more. An insulated, wipe-clean interior keeps food and drinks cold, plus an inside mesh pocket holds lunch money, an ice pack or utensils. ZOO LUNCHIES coordinate with the entire line of ZOO PACKS little kid backpacks. The clip-on handle attaches securely to any backpack. Recommended for 3 and up.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Healing Properties of Honey



At a time when we only need to turn on the TV to hear the side affects associated with this drug or that one, it is no wonder that people are turning back to gentler healing remedies and alternative medicines. Certainly, western medicine has it's place in times of trauma. However, perhaps many of us could agree it's better for our health to work on the side of prevention of illness and disease.

One of the oldest remedies, of which western society is unaware, is the amazing healing properties of honey. A recent scientific study showed that honey worked well as a wound dressing. Honey not only cleared existing infection, but protected the wound from additional infection. Besides honey's anti-inflamitorial effects, it reduced scaring, speeded healing and stimulated growth. Scientists at the University of Bonn have been experiencing these positive results from the medical use of honey. Even when dealing with multi-resistant bacteria many times healed within just a few weeks.

Healing wounds with honey goes back to the ancient Egyptians. It was used on soldiers wounds as early as the last two world wars. It was phased out in preference to the rise of the use of new antibiotics. However, as we are faced with the "new germs" that seem to be resistant to any chemical antibiotic, perhaps it's time to take another look at this old remedy.

In addition to the above mentioned amazing healing properties of honey, it can be used to treat digestive problems, stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis. It's also a fast remedy for athletes foot. But use raw honey, organic if it is available as the heating during manufacturing destroy nutrients and enzymes.

Other Benefits of Honey

  • Affective against coughs with no side effects or worries about administering it to children.
  • Mixed with ground almonds, it makes a great facial scrub.
  • For dry patches on skin: combine 1 tsp. honey with 1 tsp. olive oil and ½ tsp. lemon juice. Apply to skin and wash off after 15 minutes.
  • For shiny hair: Mix 1 tsp. honey with 4 cups water and use as a conditioner.
  • Use as a lip balm. It's anti-bacterial qualities will heal chapped lips.
  • Use on acne, again because of it's anti-bacterial effect.
  • As a mouthwash, mix 1 tsp. honey with 1 cup warm water. It kills germs.
  • Although sweeter than table sugar, honey is low on the Glycemic Index because it is gradually absorbed into the blood stream.
  • The natural minerals and vitamins in honey help metabolize the "bad" cholesterol in our bodies.
  • And, there is nothing better than hot cornbread, right out of the oven, slathered in honey.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Definition of Honey and Honey Products

PART A: HONEY
I. Definition
Honey is the substance made when the nectar and sweet deposits from plants
are gathered, modified and stored in the honeycomb by honey bees.
The definition of honey stipulates a pure product that does not allow for the
addition of any other substance. This includes, but is not limited to, water or other
sweeteners.

II. Typical Composition
As a natural product, the composition of honey is highly variable.

References
F:G ratio, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose: White, J. W. Jr.
Detection of Honey Adulteration by Carbohydrate Analysis, Jour. Assoc. Off.
Anal. Chem. 63 (1) 11-18. 1980.
Reducing Sugars and pH: Calculated from data in White, J. W., Jr. et al.
Composition of American Honeys. Tech. Bull. 1261, Agricultural Research
Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 1962.
Protein: White, J. W. Jr., and Rudyj, O. N.
The Protein Content of Honey. Jour. Apicul. Res., 17 (4) 234-238. 1978.
Moisture, Total Acidity, and Minerals: White, J. W., Jr. , et al.
Composition of American Honeys. Tech. Bull. 1261, Agricultural Research
Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington DC 1962

III. Types of Honey
Comb honey: Honey presented in its original comb or portions thereof.
Extracted honey: Honey removed from the comb and presented in several
forms, as defined in the United States Department of Agriculture Standards for
Grades: (1) liquid, (2) crystallized or granulated, or (3) partially crystallized. This
is commonly known, and referred throughout the document, as "honey."

IV. Designation of Honey Sources - the source of honey determines many of
the attributes of honey, e.g., aroma, flavor, color and composition.

Floral: Indicates the primary flowers from which bees gathered nectar to produce
the honey.
Non-Floral: Indicates primary sources other than flowers such as extra-floral
nectaries and honeydew.
Geographic Origin: The name of an area of production (state, region) may be
included, provided the honey has been produced entirely within that area. Blends
containing honey of foreign origin must be labeled to indicate their origin(s), in
accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

V. Forms of Honey

Blended Honey: A homogeneous mixture of two or more honeys differing in
floral source, color, flavor, density or geographic origin.

Churned Honey: See whipped honey.

Cremed Honey: See whipped honey

Crystallized Honey: Honey in which part of the natural glucose content has
spontaneously crystallized from solution as the monohydrate. Also called
"Granulated Honey."

Filtered Honey: Honey processed by filtration to remove extraneous solids and
pollen grains.

Honey Fondant: See whipped honey.

Organic Honey: Honey produced, processed, and packaged in accordance with
State and Federal regulations on honey and organic products, and certified by a
State Department of Agriculture or an independent organic farming certification
organization.

Raw Honey: Honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction,
settling or straining without adding heat.

Commercially Raw Honey: Honey as obtained by minimum processing.
This product is often labeled as raw honey.