Surprising Ways to Use Honey

This article was on the Today.Com site.  It's gives us Ladies, and some men too, multiple uses of Honey.  I personally am looking forward to trying some of these.

MOISTURIZER

Experiencing a rough patch? Mix equal parts olive oil and honey to create a thick lotion. Rub on dry skin and let sit for 10-20 minutes before rinsing the area for smooth (and staying) results.

LIP BALM

This use of honey for skin brings a little sweetness to your lips. Combine 1 teaspoon of honey with 1/2 cup of natural beeswax (grated), 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 drops of vitamin E oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Once blended into an even (and creamy) concoction, separate mixture into small containers with lids (should make about 12 mini batches).

DEPILATORY WAX

Combine 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of water in a microwave-safe container, then heat in the microwave or above the stove until the mixture turns brown (approximately 30 seconds). Let cool, thinning the mixture with more water if it appears too thick. Use a small spatula to thinly apply wax to skin, then apply a muslin cloth strip, pressing and smoothing in the direction of hair before peeling back in a swift motion.

HAIR REPAIR

Add a teaspoon of honey to regular shampoo to smooth damaged tresses, or combine with a teaspoon of olive oil for deeper conditioning. Apply to hair and let soak for 15 minutes (add 10 minutes for more damaged strands) before shampooing as usual.

BATH SOAK

Combine 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 cup hot water and let solution dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil, then pour in bath water.

ACNE SOLUTION

Reserve a little dab of honey for skin and apply to blemishes, then keep covered with a Band-Aid for 30 minutes. (Honey also works as an antiseptic for burns and abrasions.)

FACIAL

Combine 2 teaspoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey. Smooth solution over face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off.

CUTICLE CREAM

Melt 1.5 ounces of beeswax and 3 ounces of apricot kernel oil in the microwave. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and, once cooled, divide into small tins for quick cuticle repair on the go.

BODY SCRUB

Stir a couple pinches of ground nuts into a tablespoon of honey (adding a squirt of lemon juice). While the ground nuts exfoliate and the lemon juice brightens, the honey will moisturize for a smooth surface.

WART REMEDY

Using honey for skin doesn't just involve softening. Proving one of the easiest (and better smelling) wart removers, apply honey to problem area twice a day until you see results.

FRIZZ FIGHTER

Add a tablespoon of honey to a liter of water and, after shampooing, rinse your hair with this concoction to tame fly-aways. THROAT SOOTHER: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 cup of water. Heat and stir.

How to Dodge the Flu

It's too late for me since I'm just getting over the flu but hopefully this information from the Today Health will help you.  Here’s how you can minimize your chances of getting the flu:

1. Wash your hands. It’ll protect you from all sorts of nasty bugs, from influenza to one of the hundreds of common cold viruses. Viruses and bacteria are most often carried on your fingers – they can live on surfaces such as table tops and get carried to the eyes, nose or mouth.

A quick rinse isn’t enough. You’re trying to remove sticky germs, so lather up, wash the whole hand and sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice (to yourself if you don’t want people staring at you) while soaping and rinsing. Schools, especially, should encourage and facilitate frequent hand-washing, public health experts say.

2. Get vaccinated. The flu vaccine isn’t a perfect match for all the flu circulating this year, but it can protect against some of the strains. Flu vaccines are formulated to protect against either three or four of the circulating flu viruses. And experts say even if you get infected, having been vaccinated can reduce the severity of illness.

3. Clean, clean, clean. It doesn’t take much to kill or remove most germs. Schools should take special care to encourage daily cleaning of desks, doorknobs and keyboards. At work, the coffee pot and computer keyboards are usually the germiest places – elevator buttons and light switches are less likely to be contaminated. 

Flu viruses don’t live long out in the open –maybe two to eight hours, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises. So the best time to clean is after people have been present for a while – a first-thing-in-the-morning clean might be a waste of time, whereas a lunchtime sweep with disinfectant wipes might be perfect.

4. Keep your distance. It may seem obvious but people can spread flu and other germs by sneezing, coughing or even just by talking. Flu, especially, can spread before people show symptoms and after they are feeling better. But the virus particles do not spread far – a few feet should keep you safe.

5. Use hand sanitizer. Soap and water is best for removing germs and washing them down the drain, but alcohol-based hand gels can work in a pinch. They don’t kill all germs effectively, the CDC advises, and “natural” products such as witch hazel don’t kill them much at all. It’s important to use enough of the product, also – you have to really soak your hands in the gel or foam for it to work. Medical-standard agents such as chlorhexidine, triclosan or benzethonium chloride can also be effective.  

Top 10 Foods Highest in Potassium

Every new year millions of us make a resolution to eat better.  I'm one of those so I've 

Every new year I, as well as millions, make a resolution to eat better.  To do this I decided to check the foods that will benefit me the most and try, really hard, to include them in my diet.  I'm not one who eats that many bananas, which I know are a good source of Potassium so my 1st check was to see what other foods might benefit me in this area.  A site called HealthAliciousNess.com provided me with the following information.

Potassium is an essential nutrient used to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. A deficiency in potassium causes fatigue, irritability, and hypertension (increased blood pressure). Unless you are on dialysis, or have a special condition, overdose of potassium from natural sources is nearly impossible; however, it is possible to consume too much potassium via potassium salts which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and even cardiac arrest. High potassium foods from natural food sources like beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, squash, yogurt, fish, avocados, mushrooms, and bananas, are considered safe and healthy. The current daily value for potassium is 3.5 grams.

#1: White Beans

Potassium in 100g	1 cup cooked (179g)
561mg (16% DV)	1004mg (29% DV)

Other Beans High in Potassium (%DV per cup): Adzuki (35%), Soy (28%), Lima (28%), Kidney (20%), Great Northern (20%), Pinto (18%) and others at an average of 15% DV per cup cooked.

#2: Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach)

Potassium in 100g	1 Cup (30g)	1 Cup Cooked (180g)
558mg (16% DV)	167mg (5% DV)	839mg (24% DV)

Other Greens High in Potassium (%DV per cup cooked): Swiss Chard (27% DV), Kale (8% DV), and Collards (6% DV).

#3: Baked Potatoes (With Skin)

Potassium in 100g	Average Potato (173g)
535mg (15% DV)	926mg (26% DV)

Warning: Potatoes are high in simple carbohydrates and not recommended for people with diabetes. Sweet potatoes are actually better for regulation blood sugar, an average baked sweet potato with skin (114g) provides 542mg (15% DV) of potassium.

#4: Dried Apricots

Potassium in 100g	1/2 cup (65g)
1162mg (33% DV)	755mg (22% DV)

Other Dried Fruits High in Potassium (%DV per 1/2 cup): Peaches (22% DV), Prunes (20% DV), Raisins (18% DV).
Warning: Dried fruits are high in sugar.

#5: Baked Acorn Squash

Potassium in 100g	1 cup cubed (205g)
437mg (12% DV)	899mg (26% DV)

Other Squash High in Potassium (%DV per cup baked): Hubbard (21%), Butternut (17% DV), Zucchini (14% DV), Average Winter Squash (10% DV).

#6: Yogurt (Plain, Skim/Non-Fat)

Potassium in 100g	1 cup (245g)
255mg (7% DV)	625mg (18% DV)

Other Yogurt High in Potassium (%DV per cup): Whole-Fat (11% DV), Chocolate Yogurt (24% DV).

#7: Fish (Salmon)

Potassium in 100g	1 3oz fillet (85g)
628mg (18% DV)	534mg (15% DV)

Other Fish High in Potassium (%DV per 3oz fillet (85g)): Pompano (15% DV), Lingcod (14% DV), Halibut (13% DV), Yellowfin Tuna (13% DV), Anchovies (12% DV), Mackerel (10% DV), Herring (10% DV) and most other fish at an average of 10% DV.

#8: Avocados

Potassium in 100g	Average Avocado (201g)	1/2 Cup Pureed (115g)
485mg (14% DV)	975mg (28% DV)	558mg (16% DV)

An average avocado provides 322 calories, half a cup purred contains 184 calories.

#9: Mushrooms (White)

Potassium in 100g	1 cup sliced (108g)
396mg (11% DV)	428mg (12% DV)

1 cup cooked sliced white mushrooms contain 28 calories.
Other mushrooms high in potassium (%DV per cup sliced): Portabella (9% DV), Brown or Crimini (9% DV), Enoki (7% DV), Shiitake (5% DV), Maitake (4% DV).

#10: Bananas

Potassium in 100g	Average Banana (118g)	1 Cup Mashed (225g)
358mg (10% DV)	422mg (12% DV)	806mg (23% DV)

An average banana provides 105 calories, 1 cup mashed contains 200 calories. 

To Refrigerate or not To Refrigerate

This article came to me via Today Health and I thought it worthy of sharing.

Unopened salami or pepperoni: Room temperature
Whether part of a gift basket, or purchased for a cocktail party, all unopened salamis and related versions can be stored at room temperature. Once you've opened them, store them in the fridge, as they're susceptible to bacteria and mold from the cut end, even if most of it remains wrapped.

Leftover can of frosting: Refrigerator 
An open can of frosting needs to in your fridge. Unopened, it's fine in your pantry, but once you've used it, it's prone to spoilage and bacterial contamination.

Peanut butter (processed commercial brands): Room temperature
Traditional peanut butters like Jif or Skippy are processed for a long shelf life, even after opening. And any additives used to stabilize the products are FDA approved, and have used safely for decades.

If your peanut butter is a processed commercial brand, store it in the kitchen cabinet.

Peanut butter (unprocessed brands) : Refrigerator

Sometimes referred to as "natural" peanut butter, this version of peanut butter is only ground peanuts, and nothing else. It's best to refrigerate because the oils can become rancid and spoiled when left at room temperature for weeks. 

To soften, remove from the fridge 30 - 60 minutes prior to using.

Coconut oil: Refrigerator

All oil can become rancid when stored at room temperature for too long. This is particularly true for oils used less often, including coconut, sesame, and walnut oils. To ensure freshness, store in the fridge. Coconut oil is already a solid fat at room temperature. Sesame and walnut oils become solid in the refrigerator, but return to a liquid at room temperature without a change in taste or texture.

Coffee beans: Room temperature 

If you're looking for optimal taste and aroma from your morning joe, keep the beans at room temperature. Coffee beans can pick up moisture from the fridge, and compromise flavor (but it doesn’t alter the caffeine content). 

For storage longer than a few weeks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freezer bags, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Soy sauce: Room temperature 

Soy sauce is a fermented product of soybeans, and once opened can safely remain at room temperature.

Hot sauce: Room temperature

Hot chili pepper sauce.

Hot sauces are generally a mixture of vinegar, hot peppers and seasonings. Because vinegar is a mild acid, these sauces can be stored at room temp without spoilage. If you choose to store it in the fridge, warm to room temperature for optimal flavor before using.

Leftover pie: Refrigerator

Because the crusts and sometimes the fillings contain butter, cream, and eggs, store leftover pie in the fridge to avoid spoilage.

Mixed nuts: Refrigerator

Nuts contain heart healthy oil that can become rancid when stored too long at room temperature, especially in a warm kitchen. Store your leftover nuts in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. For longer term storage, wrap carefully and store in the freezer for several months.

Balsamic vinegar: Room temperature

All vinegars — plain and specialty types like balsamic or tarragon —are stable at room temperature. Vinegar is a mild acid which deters bacterial growth.

Butter: Refrigerator

Even if your mother kept the butter on the kitchen counter, you should store it in the fridge to prevent spoilage.

As a dairy product, butter must be stored in the fridge to prevent spoilage. While "butter crocks" can be a good idea for short term storage of several hours, for longer storage without spoilage, keep it in the fridge.

Foods that Help you Sleep

At some point in time most of us have those times when we just can't seem to sleep at night.  I know I do and am always looking for a safe way to let me get those much needed hours of rest.  Below is what I found on one of my favorite sites - Grandparent.com.  I've listed the items, how much you should eat and when.  Go to the site link to learn why these foods work.

Nearly 60 million Americans wake up tired and irritable every morning due to lack of sleep.  Aside from feeling cranky and lethargic, not getting enough sleep can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, depression, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and even weight gain. 

The good news is that small changes in your lifestyle and diet can have a tremendous effect on the quality of sleep you get each night.  So, Grandparent.com has rounded up some of the top foods that can help you catch those Zzzz's.  Just remember, if you experience chronic sleepless nights that impair your mood or ability to function in any way, you should make an appointment to see your primary care physician.

Oatmeal with Milk and Honey - Eat 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal, 1 cup of milk and 1 tsp. of honey 90 minutes before bedtime.

Banana and Almonds - 1/2 medium banana and 23 almonds (approx. 1 ounce) 90 minutes before bedtime.

Tart Cherry Juice - 8 oz. each - 1 glass in the morning and 1 glass 2 hours before bed.

Rice and Beans - 1/2 cup cooked rice and 1/2 cup cooked beans with dinner or at least 4 hours before bedtime.

Cheese and Crackers - enjoy 2/3 ounce cheese and 2 - 3 small crackers at least 30 minutes before bedtime

Sweet Potatoes with Dark, Leafy Greens - 1 medium sweet potato and 1/2 cup cooked greens at least 90 minutes before bed.

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