The Benefits of..... Raw Honey

Raw honey isn't filtered, strained, or heated above natural hive temperatures (usually 115° F), a process used in conventional honey that can destroy beneficial enzymes, nutrients, and antioxidants.  

One step better is organic raw honey.  In regular honey, honeybees can sometimes carry back pollen from flowers that have been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides.  Buying organic, means that you're getting honey that is carefully harvested from remote, untouched areas where the bees' only option is wild growing chemical free plants.  

Organic raw honey has so many health benefits that it's truly a super-food, no wonder it's been used for thousands of years.

In my Oil Cleansing Method post, I mentioned that in the morning I cleanse my face with raw honey, and I still do!  But honey has so many more benefits beyond beauty.

source

 

ENERGY

Carbohydrates in the form of glucose and fructose supply the body and mind with energy which can boost endurance, and reduce muscle fatigue.  Many athletes use raw honey for an inexpensive, natural energy source to sustain them throughout their training.  Eating one spoonful is really all you need or, if you prefer, add it to your pre-workout smoothie.

WELLNESS

Since it contains antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, as well as vitamin C, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, sulfur, zinc and phosphate it's pretty much like nature's daily vitamin.  It also contains the flavonoid pinocembrin which promotes healthy enzyme activity.  And raw honey supports Bifidobacteria, by containing pre/pro biotics, which is essential for efficient digestion and good health.  That's why it's been known to help counteract ulcers and gastrointestinal issues. Raw honey's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties also make it perfect for treating minor abrasions & sores, as well as sore throats, laryngitis and pharyngitis.

Please keep in mind though that children under one year of age should not consume honey as it could contain Clostridium botulinum spores and toxins. This can cause infant botulism because their intestinal tract is not mature enough to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Honey tastes sweeter than sugar, so less is needed to sweeten baked goods and beverages.  Studies have actually shown that foods prepared with honey last longer as well, so it's sort of like a natural preservative.

I do like to add it to my green tea or on almond butter toast on occasion, but I especially like to eat some if I feel a sore throat or a cold coming on.  I feel like it lessens whatever I'm 'catching'.

ALLERGIES

Because of these anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, raw honey can also possibly help treat environmental allergies and asthma.  For example, a common folk remedy for hay fever is to consume honey that has been produced by honeybees in the area. Consuming the very thing you are sensitive to may seem crazy, but the idea behind this is to sensitize yourself to local pollens so that you eventually build up a resistance to it.

I haven't yet tried this out on my seasonal allergies...well at least not regularly enough to make a difference.  I think I'll start to eat a bit each day and see how I fare next season.

 BEAUTY

Raw honey is amazing for people with all types of skin types.  It's anti-microbial and anti-septic properties make it perfect for oily and acne prone skin, by attacking the bacteria that cause outbreaks.  It is also a natural humectant, meaning it has the ability to attract and retain moisture.  This is good for problem skin becasue moisturizing the skin aids in rejuvenation.  This also makes it great for people with dry and sensitive skin.  It's vitamin and antioxidant rich composition helps mature skin to combat signs of aging and to look more youthful and plump.  

All of these properties make it a great addition to your beauty routine and why I include it in mine.  It gets rid of impurities & bacteria and leaves the skin fresh & full of moisture.  Who doesn't want that?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Raw honey can be in a liquid or solid (creamed) form. If you purchase raw honey in the liquid form, it may crystallize or solidify over time.  It can be clear, or opaque, or milky, and most often contain bits of raw bee pollen.  Its color can vary from white, to various shades of yellow, and even brown.  All of this depends on the type of flower that the bees retrieved the nectar from. It is not possible to tell whether a honey is raw or pasteurized based on color, taste or form alone, so to be sure that your honey is raw, it must say so on the label.

WHERE TO GET IT

If you're looking for some good options, check these out:

YS Eco Bee Farms  (I like this one)
 

Tropical Traditions

Trader Joes

Or try to find it locally and buy from an independent farmer.  This way, you can you help boost your local economy. 

I hope this helped give a better look inside the wide world of Raw (Organic) Honey and maybe gave you a different view of it, other than just an additive to tea. 

Check back over the next couple weeks for recipes of my homemade all-natural face mask/scrubs, 

made with raw honey!

 

SOURCES: 

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/07/23/the-health-benefits-of-raw-honey/

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-organic-locally-grown-raw-honey/

 http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/guest-authors-on-natural-health/raw-honey-the-complete-story

review // Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Shampoo & Conditioner - Drink It Up Coconut Milk

I'd been using my Carol's Daughter Shampoo & Conditioner for a while until I saw that my local Target was having a sale on their Alba Botanica products.  I was down to the last drips and drabs of my Carol's Daughter products and so I thought, why not give these a go?  I picked up the Drink It Up Coconut Milk shampoo & conditioner.

I've never specifically tried any Alba products before, but I've known that they were another company providing "natural, 100% vegetarian personal care products, [meaning they] DON'T use parabens, sulfates, or phthalates and don't test on animals."  Exactly what I search for in my beauty products. You can read more about Alba Botanica here.

PACKAGING

These shampoo & conditioner come in 12 oz. plastic bottles.  They seem substantial and sturdy...almost a bit too hard to squeeze.  But not impossible.  I've been using them for over 4 months (leaving them in the shower) and they don't leak and the plastic has had no issues with cracking....although the wrapper on the conditioner has wrinkled a bit.  I read on their website that their bottles are now 100% Post Consumer Resin, which greatly reduces their carbon emissions (perhaps that's why it's so sturdy?).

 PRODUCT

 The Shampoo has a clear loose, gel-like consistency and lathers okay.  Especially, compared to others I've tried.  The conditioner is white with more of a thick, creamy consistency.  The website lists their key benefits:

High in fatty acids and protein, coconut milk seals in moisture to strengthen and reduce split ends & breakage. Aloe, calendula and tropical oils nourish and protect from daily stress while also protecting from heat styling (conditioner).  

 I usually lather, rinse and repeat just to get rid of any hair product buildup.  After rinsing, my hair feels clean, but not straw-like or "squeaky".  Since this is a moisturizing formula and I have thin hair, I apply the conditioner just from my ears to my ends.  After rinsing the conditioner out, my hair feels silky not not heavy.  And after I style, my ends still feel moisturized.  But the BEST thing about this stuff is the SMELL.  Amazing.  They both smell like the most delicious piña colada you've ever had.  Or to me it smells just like our honeymoon in St. Lucia.  Their signature rum punch and the body care products in our suite smelled identical.  {SIGH}  So nice...

PRICING

$ out of $$$

 I based this off of the original $10.50 price, which I think is a great value since you get 12oz.  Me getting them for 15% off was just a bonus!

PURCHASING

You can purchase Alba Botanica on their website, at Target, most drugstores, amazon and many other health stores and websites.

 CONCLUSION

 I really liked this shampoo and conditioner and will probably continue to purchase it (mostly because I love the scent) but also as a nice moisturizing option between my other products.  I think it might be a bit too moisturizing for all the time on my fine hair, so maybe I'll try another line like their Body Builder Mango.  My selection was a bit limited and they didn't have this one at Target when I was there, but it sounds more up my alley.  

One thing is for sure, they ALL sounds like they smell glorious!

 

fabulous finds // OPI Nail Polish for $ 1.80!!

 

Yes, you read it correctly.  

And the real thing too, not OPL, or OBI, or something weird where who knows where the heck it came from.

I didn't believe it right away either, but it's true and it made me look like an 8 year old girl in the Barbie aisle... or a 20-something woman in Ulta?... anyhow, there was definitely some hopping around and high pitched squealing going on.

I found this amazing, FABULOUS find the other night when Brian and I stopped in our local Big Lots store after a dinner out.  I thought it'd be a fun, cost effective, adventure... plus a bit of exercise after the fried calamari we ate.  It really was.  We mosied through the car and toy sections, picked up almost half a dozen movies, each only about $4, some new toothbrushes and a doggy toy.  THEN.  There they were, just sitting on the shelf in the beauty aisle, glistening away.  I would have taken a picture of the container they were in, like a bucket full of jewels, but honestly I was a little overwhelmed.  There were about 10 different shades, all for only $1.80 each.  Say whaaaaat?!  These are normally $9.50 at Sephora.  [Stares wide-eyed, with mouth open]

Sooo, I picked up these three glitters.  G-listen to Your heart is a pink-tinted clear polish with different sized bits of fushia glitter, Only Gold for Me is a clear polish with different sized bits of gold glitter and then Spark-tacular! is clear polish with an overload of multi-colored glitter bits (it reminds me of party confetti).  They had other colors, a bright pink, lavender, dark blue, some taupe hues & a small set with base and top coat, plus a color and remover... but I don't have anything like these in my collection, so they really needed to come home with me.  ;)

I haven't yet tried them out, except for a sample swipe on one nail, but the first two look like they'd be great over another color or as just an accent on the tips of your nails.  Spark-tacular!  looks like it could also be layered over a color, but I think it could definitely stand alone, as well.

Now, in my research, I found out that Sephora by OPI is being distributed nationwide to ALL Big Lots locations.  I guess that means it'll be a regular on their shelves for right now.  Of course inventory can vary from store to store, so go get out there and check out what fabulous finds your local Big Lots is stocking.

Happy polishing!

unboxing // The Honest Company

I've dabbled in a few DIY natural cleaning products in the past, some of which I still make and use on a regular basis (I will definitely post on those later).  But for now, I'd like to share a company I am trying out who produces products that I don't necessarily want, or have the time, to make at home... i.e. toothpaste and laundry detergent.  Perhaps when I no longer have to work 40 hours a week (haha), I'll give it a go, but for now I'm really looking for affordable convenient solutions.

On one of my trips to Target last month, I picked up this book.

The Honest Company

This is how I was first introduced to The Honest Company.  Jessica Alba and her close friend Christopher Gavigan, the former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World (a national nonprofit empowering parents to protect their children from toxic risks) came together to found THC 2 years ago.  They were frustrated with the lack of healthy products on the market for their babies and familes.  So with that, and many years of research and trials (don't worry, not on our furry friends!) they came up with The Honest Company, dedicated to "delivering, not only effective, but unquestionably safe, eco-friendly, beautiful, convenient, and affordable family essentials straight to your doorstep."  If you are so inclined, you can read more about them here & here.

You can order single items from their website, but the best way to save money is to order by the bundle.  Basically, it is sort of like a 4, 5 or 6 week subscription service, but you actually get to pick the products you want to receive...no surprises.  You create your customized bundle (baby - $79.95, bath & body/ cleaning - $39.95, or health & wellness - $39.95) and pick how often you'd like them sent to you and then you're good to go.  You also have the freedom to change the products each time or add extra products to your bundle whenever you want.

Right now, they are offering a free trial, starting with 5 samples of their products.  I chose the sample Essentials Bundle, but there is also a sample Diapers & Wipes Bundle or a sample Health & Wellness Bundle.  

The sample Essentials Bundle includes:

Shampoo + Body Wash (2 oz)
Face + Body Lotion (.75 oz)
Laundry Detergent (2 oz)
Healing Balm (.75 oz)
Hand Soap (.75 oz)

Remember to cancel if you decide not to participate after you receive the free samples, otherwise they will charge & send you a full size bundle.  Instead, you can just order individual products, if that's more your style.  :)

I did not cancel, because I fell in love immediately!  For me, I loved the lack of dangerous ingredients, the performance (after a test load of laundry) and the price, so I got crackin' on customizing my first personal essentials bundle.

I decided to include mostly cleaning items, because for me those are hardest to find locally, at a reasonable price.  

My custom Essentials Bundle included:

Laundry Detergent (70 oz)
Dryer Cloths (32 cloths)
Multi-Surface Cleaner (26 oz)
Toilet Cleaner (27 oz)
Lemongrass Hand Soap (12 oz)
Toothpaste (6 oz) [This was my extra added item, you can add 3 to each bundle shipment]

 

Anyhow, I started using a few of these (laundry, multi-surface & toilet cleaner) this past week and so far they have great cleaning power.  I think I'll do an update post once I go through them all and let you know what I think at that point.  :)

Click here to get your own!