Honey

The benefits of consuming honey have been a topic of medical and scientific research for decades. However, the discovery of Manuka honey has further extended the scope of study owing to its several benefits in the human body. While this honey is used to treat several diseases and enhance the body’s immunity, it is also used for curing wounds. Thus, Manuka honey serves to be an all-encompassing natural food that helps individuals in several ways. Therefore it is often called a ‘superfood’. Here are some of the features and benefits of Manuka honey that prove it is a wonder drug. Health benefits While all kinds of honey contain anti-microbial properties, Manuka honey contains natural chemicals beneficial for the body. Manuka honey helps in curing several ailments like diabetes, cholesterol, and allergies. Manuka honey is known to boost the body’s immune system and enhance the performance of white blood cells in protecting the body from several diseases. Unlike other varieties of honey that might not be recommended for diabetes patients, Manuka honey is beneficial. It helps in regulating various systems of the body. People also prefer Manuka honey because of its detox properties. Thus, this honey helps in maintaining the glow of your skin and prevents split ends. Overall, Manuka honey ensures a healthy life by enhancing the performance of several body parameters. Wound care Manuka Honey has high anti-microbial properties. In addition to other varieties, this variety of honey contains hydrogen peroxide that prevents the growth of microbes in wounds. Though honey was often considered a traditional and worthless way of treating injuries, medical studies have proved it different in recent times. The high sugar content and the low pH levels of this honey helps in the growth of bacteria and protect wounds from being infected. Thus, Manuka honey is also preferred for wound dressings and faster recovery. Manuka honey also fastens the tissue and cell-growing process in wounds. Hence, applying Manuka honey on wounds has resulted in quick healing. The anti-inflammatory properties of this honey have also provided considerable relief to the patients as it helped reduce the pain and inflammation caused due to wounds. Anti-bacterial properties An in-depth study of Manuka honey reveals its ability to fight bacteria like streptococcus and staphylococcus. Certain microbes are resistant to antibiotics and other drugs and are called superbugs. These pathogens can be prevented or killed using Manuka honey owing to its high anti-bacterial properties. What’s more? It is surprising but confirmed that the superbugs that resist several antibiotic drugs have no resistance against Manuka honey. Thus, this variety of honey can tackle the deadliest microbes. Protects the digestive system Manuka honey is known to strengthen the walls of the intestine and prevent several digestive problems. It treats diseases like gastroenteritis, indigestion, and others with excellent efficiency. Patients prefer shifting to this natural treatment mode rather than depending on artificial medicines because of the minimum side effects of Manuka honey. While, on the one hand, certain drugs might cure diseases but have several other side effects, there are no such chances in consuming Manuka honey. Thus, it has been proven to be one of the most efficient and natural ways of treating several diseases. Conclusion We at Healthy Planet provide you with a range of health and nutrition products. If you are looking for authentic Manuka honey, we serve as one of the most authentic stores selling it. We also ensure our products are cheap and affordable.

Everybody’s favourite season has arrived! Why not FALL in love (pun intended of course – I’ll work on it) with health conscious seasonal recipes while we have the time!  For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Cass. I am a Holistic Nutritionist obsessed with creating healthier favourites for myself, friends and the Health and Wellness Community.  I am a sucker for all things baking, making, creating and of course photo styling my creations before I demolish whatever it is I have made. Join Healthy Planet and myself as we create some unforgettable recipes that will certainly keep you coming back for me. Enjoy! If you love pumpkin, cookie dough and a guilt-free way to eat the entire batch of something you have created, then you have come to the right place!  Even as a child I ALWAYS loved cookie dough, this lead to my love/hate relationship with cookie dough. My friends and I would always go to the store, grab a tube of cookie dough and sneak it into the basement to eat it, RAW! Yum…but, not very nutritious. Growing up there weren’t many “healthy alternatives” for treats like cookie dough in a tube. Not only are these filled with grams and grams of sugar, they also have absolutely zero nutritional value to them. So what if I were to tell you, you could revisit your childhood, sit on the couch and snack on RAW HOMEMADE COOKIE DOUGH that will satisfy your sweet tooth without all the sugar! I say heck yes! What about you? Check out my recipe below and enjoy the guiltless snacking! Ingredients 3 cups Bobs Red Mill GF Oat Flour 20 large pitted organic medjool dates (soaked 20 minutes before) 4 tbsp organic pumpkin puree – add 1 tbsp afterwards until well mixed like sticky dough 3 tbsp Nuts to You Cashew Butter 3 tbsp organic raw honey 1.5 tbsp Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice  ¼ cup Lily’s Sweets Chocolate Baking Chips Directions add oat flour and medjool dates in a food processor or blender blend until dates are chopped up  add pumpkin puree, raw honey, cashew butter, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice blend until you get a nice dough ball. You may need to add more pumpkin puree if too dry or more oat flour if too wet. Scrape down the dough from the sides as it may get stuck, this is ok. Blend until combined, we want all the ingredients to be thoroughly mixed so each ball tastes the same! Repeat steps 4-6 until you reach ideal consistency/cookie dough texture Add chocolate chips in last to avoid chocolate melting/balls turning brown Remove from blender/processor and roll into balls (the fun part is you can choose the size) – I like to make a variety as your needs can change depending on cravings. Added bonus: feel free to roll the balls in cacao powder, melted chocolate, maca powder, etc for an added nutritional kick Tips on how to store Refrigerator – store in air tight jar or container, glass is best (I find the taste changes in plastic after 2 days).  Freezer – store in airtight jar or container, tempered glass is best. Good for up to 2 months depending on your freezer quality. I like storing mine in a tempered glass container in the freezer. I will take out a few at a time and keep in the fridge for easy access. Follow @healthyplanet for more Health and Wellness Recipes from yours truly! You can also follow me @the_nourishingproject for past Health and Wellness Recipes! Happy sweet eatin’ from yours truly!

Health Benefits of Honey Honey is much more than a natural replacement for refined sweeteners. From ancient Egyptians to new age chefs, this pantry staple has been valued for thousands of years as both a traditional herb and culinary ingredient. But how can something so sweet benefit your health? Here’s how. Natural energy boosterHoney is a naturally high source of carbohydrates and a readily available source of energy. It is made up of approximately 80 % glucose and fructose and up to 20 % water.[1] It is particularly beneficial when you need to boost your energy levels before or during a long workout or endurance race. Supplies antioxidantsNatural, unpasteurized honey supplies a valuable range of antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamin C, vitamin E compounds, and more. The combined antioxidant effects of these compounds can provide significant benefits by helping to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Source of trace nutrientsThe balance of nutrients in unprocessed honey varies with its origin and the plants from which it was made. Overall, honey is a reliable source of trace nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids.[2] Throat soothingThe World Health Organizations acknowledges honey’s value for soothing irritated throat membranes. Honey’s ability to form a soothing coating over your throat is why Natural FactorsEchinamide® Quick Blast Chewable Softgels contain a honey base. Is honey part of your health strategy? Let us know in the comments section below.

When we think of honey, our minds automatically go to that little plastic bear filled with a thick, brown syrup-like substance. But what if I told you that stuff is not even really honey? What if I told you that the honey we grew up eating and learning about is vastly different from the real, pure, raw honey that our ancestors most likely used in their healing teas and tinctures? Raw honey is honey that has not been heated, pasteurized or processed in any way. There's a huge difference between raw and pasteurized honey. Raw honey contains the vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and other natural nutrients that make it such a wonderfully healing food. Pasteurized honey, on the other hand, has been stripped of these beneficial properties through the process of heating, making it just as unhealthy as refined sugar. While pasteurized honey looks clear and syrupy, raw honey is more solid and opaque, and often contains small pieces of beeswax and pollen. We refer to raw honey as "liquid gold" in our home because of its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. It also strengthens the immune system and is a great topical remedy for skin wounds and infections. Raw honey has become a staple in our kitchen. It's so versatile and we use it in so many different applications around the home! Here are my 10 favorite ways to use raw honey around our home: Soothe sore throats and coughs: Honey's antibiotic and antiviral properties make it great for treating sore throats and coughs. It coats the throat and helps reduce irritation. Add a spoonful into a warm cup of lemon tea, or just eat it right off the spoon! Treat cuts, burns and scrapes: Smooth a thick layer of honey over minor cuts and burns, and it acts as an antibiotic ointment to help kill any bacteria, reduce inflammation, and protect the exposed skin from dirt and debris. Spread it on your toast: Because it's thicker than regular, pasteurized honey, I love spreading it on a piece of toast, with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon in the morning. It's a great energy boost to start off your day on the right foot! Replace the processed sugar: Instead of granulated sugar, use raw honey to sweeten things like yogurt, smoothies, and almond milk, or stir a spoonful into your morning cup of coffee or tea. If replacing the sugar called for in a baked recipe, it's better to use just regular, pasteurized (organic, if possible) honey, since it will be heated during baking anyways. Wash your face: Raw honey, softened between your palms, and massaged all over your face, first thing in the morning, on a dry face - try it and you'll love your sparkling, soft skin. It can even help with acne - just apply a small amount to blemishes every night, and you should notice results within a week. Treat allergies: Raw, local honey taken a couple times a day, starting a few month before allergy season has been found to relieve seasonal allergies. It must be local honey, however, since it will contain tiny amounts of pollen from local plants, which will act as a sort of vaccine against the allergens found in that plant. Improve your sleep: Add some honey to a warm glass of milk or tea (or on it's own!) right before bedtime for a better night's rest. Honey helps your body release melatonin into the brain, which promotes a deeper, more restorative sleep. Support good bacteria: Honey contains probiotics that help support the growth and activity of good bacteria in our gut, making it very efficient for digestion. Since it doesn't ferment in the stomach, it's easily absorbed and be used to treat indigestion. Relieve constipation: Make a warm tea by mixing a spoonful of raw honey and a couple spoons of raw apple cider vinegar into warm water, to help naturally relieve constipation. Make an exfoliating sugar scrub: Mix some raw honey with a bit of sugar, and your favorite moisturizing oil, and massage the mixture all over your body, in the shower, for a gentle, exfoliating, all-natural body scrub. A word of caution: Since honey contains natural botulism spores, make sure not to give honey to children under the age of 1 year, as their intestinal tract is not mature enough to inhibit the growth of botulism. You can order good quality raw honey right at the Healthy Planet website! Resources:http://www.draxe.com/the-many-health-benefits-of-raw-honey/http://www.naturalnews.com/035493_raw_honey_health_benefits_antibacterial.htmlhttp://www.livestrong.com/article/266247-benefits-of-local-raw-honey/http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-organic-locally-grown-raw-honey/