* Truly Pure & Natural *

Hemp-based foods a big hit at Farm Show

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:43:00 +0000

Hemp-based foods a big hit at Farm Show

Mark HallPublished: January 11, 2017, 10:58 pm Updated: January 12, 2017, 4:55 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation last summer that will allow hemp to be grown in Pennsylvania for research and development programs at colleges and universities in the commonwealth and the state Department of Agriculture.

Pennsylvania was once the leader in the country in producing industrial hemp, which is used in producing a wide variety of products including building materials and paper.

There are businesses at the Farm Show this week selling products that have hemp in them.

Nick Perna runs Truly Pure & Natural out of Montgomery County. This is his first year as a vendor in Harrisburg. He says that his honey hemp has sold out twice.

“I have to educate some people who think the honey will give them a high feeling,” Perna said. “I tell them there is a big difference between hemp and marijuana.”

Perna says his product is a healthy alternative for people looking for something different.

“Hemp is an option that is high in fiber,” Perna said. “It is high in protein and has all the omega 3’s.”

The hemp research legislation bill’s primary sponsor is Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon).

Americans import hemp products because the federal 1937 Marijuana Tax Act restricted industrial hemp production and the Controlled Substances Act in 1970 declared hemp to be illegal because like marijuana it comes from the cannabis plant.

The 2014 Farm Bill loosened restrictions on the production of industrial hemp and authorizes pilot programs.

Diamond called the new law a boon to the state economy and a triumph over more than 80 years of misinformation about the plant. He said hemp is biologically similar to marijuana but does not contain intoxicating levels of THC, the psychoactive chemical that produces a “high.”

http://abc27.com/2017/01/11/hemp-based-foods-a-big-hit-at-farm-show/

Transitioning to a Shampoo Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 21:24:00 +0000

I've been using our Shampoo & Body Bar for over a year now, and I absolutely love it. My hair is so soft and shiny, and our shampoo body bar is the only product I use on it. It just doesn't get simpler than that.

This isn't the first time I've used a shampoo bar; I tried one a long time ago. I used it once or twice, my hair didn't feel the same as it used to, so I put it aside, saying that it didn't work for me.

What I didn't know is that there's a transition period. It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month or more for hair to adapt after using hair products that are full of chemicals. We don't need all of those products, but skilled advertisers have certainly convinced us that we do!

This time, I knew to expect the transition, which took a couple of weeks. My transition went smoothly because this time, I transitioned to the shampoo bar from a natural shampoo and conditioner. I had given up using hair spray, mousse, and gels (even natural ones) a few years earlier, so I didn't have much chemical build-up in my hair.

My biggest complaint at first was that my hair didn't have that silky conditioner-laden feel that I was used to after I got out of the shower. However, I was surprised that my hair was still easy to comb.

For the first two or three weeks, I had serious fly-away hair, which I combated with the tiniest bit of coconut oil rubbed between my hands. I then ran my hands very lightly over my hair, paying more attention to the ends. I also brushed a lot between shampoos to distribute the oils from my scalp throughout my hair.

I made a point of not washing my hair every day. Instead, I washed it every two or three days. I used an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse after washing: one tablespoon of ACV to one cup of filtered water. I left it in for a few minutes while I washed up with our shampoo body bar, and then rinsed.

A couple of weeks later, my hair was gorgeous. Really. It still felt different after a shower, like it was going to be difficult to comb out, but nothing could be further from the truth. My hair was softer than ever before.

I continued to use the ACV Rinse once a week, then every other week, until I eventually stopped using it altogether. By that point, my hair looked and felt great without it.

My transition period was probably shorter than it will be for people who use a lot of products on their hair. It will take longer to get rid of the build-up, and, honestly, it may require a bit of patience to get through it. Trust me, though, it's worth it! It's been so freeing to use just one product, that also works wonderfully for washing my face and body, knowing that it's completely natural (unlike so many of the so-called natural hair care products on the market). The packaging is biodegradable and is one step towards reducing the number of toxic plastics in the home. Win-win!

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A couple more thoughts:

Worried that the essential oil scents - especially tea tree oil - may be too strong? Put it out of your head! The oils combine to produce a mild scent that doesn't bother people like myself who can't handle the scent of strong essential oils!

Our Shampoo & Body Bar also makes an excellent shaving lotion, eliminating the need to buy yet another product!

Nick's Asian Fusion Brussels Sprouts

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:47:00 +0000

1 lb brussels sprouts
1 Tbsp Truly Pure & Natural Creamed Raw Ginger Honey
2 Tbsp tamari soy sauce
2 Tbsp orange juice
3 shakes chipotle powder
3 shakes garlic powder
2 shakes smoked paprika
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Clean brussels sprouts; cut in half if large. Set aside to dry.

Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together Creamed Raw Ginger Honey, tamari, orange juice, chipotle powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fresh ginger, sea salt, and black pepper.

Add dry brussels sprouts and stir until they're evenly coated.

Turn onto a roasting pan coated with a silicone baking sheet. Spread out evenly so that they're not overlapping.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Stir. Roast for 10 minutes more.

Enjoy!

Sick & Tired!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 05:15:00 +0000

We make gift packs in different combinations of three jars of honey: Tropical Trio, Tea Lovers, Coffee Lovers, Healthy Trio, Home Sweet Home, Holiday Bliss, Berry Blend, and more.

Creamed Honey Gift Packs

We also have individual jars of honey on display so that our customers can create their own custom combinations.

We recently had a customer create the combination below: Cinnamon Honey Concentrate, Hibiscus, and Coffee.

She named it Sick & Tired.

She said that the Hibiscus helps boost her family's immune system, she uses the Cinnamon Honey Concentrate if the family does get sick with sore throats, and she keeps going after being up with sick kids all night with our Organic Coffee Honey!

We love the name, and are thrilled that she's found something that works for her and her family!

Sick & Tired

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What the Heck is Switzle?

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 04:32:00 +0000

In colonial days, when haying was done by hand, the workers would often get violently ill with nausea and stomach cramps after drinking too much cold water when they were so hot and parched.

So, the old-timers remedied that with a drink called Switzle (or Haymaker's Punch or Switchel) that the women made and had on hand for the workers. It could be considered the original Gatorade!

Switzle is generally made of water, vinegar, sweetener (sugar, molasses, maple syrup, or honey), and ginger powder. We make ours with filtered water, organic apple cider vinegar, organic raw honey, fresh organic ginger, organic lemon, organic strawberry, and organic hibiscus flower.

Switzle may be served warmed, chilled, or at room temperature. Just shake well and enjoy!

Switzle tastes delicious any time, but is especially good after being out in the hot sun. Kids love the taste, and it’s so good for them after playing sports or just playing hard outside.

The ingredients in Switzle may also help calm an upset stomach, soothe a sore throat, or even hydrate adults who may have indulged in a few too many alcoholic beverages!

While Switzle is delicious on a hot day, it’s equally yummy served warmed in a big mug when the weather is chilly.

No matter how you enjoy it, Switzle is a versatile, delicious drink that can be enjoyed by everyone!

Note: Switzle is currently available at our local events, and will be on our website soon.

Great Smelling Homes - At What Cost?

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:30:00 +0000

Advertisers have done an excellent job of convincing us that it's unacceptable for our friends to smell our food cooking or know that we have a pet. We're told to remove those smells with their products, convincing anyone who sets foot in our homes that we live in a tropical paradise, on a breezy beach, or in the midst of an orange grove!

What this multi-billion dollar industry doesn't tell us is that their products don't eliminate anything; they just overpower the existing spells with stronger smells, produced by chemicals, many of which are toxic to us (especially our children!) and our pets!

I'm not a chemist, but when I googled 'chemicals in air fresheners', I was inundated with information on the chemicals used in air fresheners and how those chemicals affect us.

I'm going to cite the findings of some government agencies about the dangers of the toxic chemicals that the manufacturers portray through advertising as safe, natural, and necessary for us and our families. The bottom line, though, is that these products are neither safe or natural, and certainly aren't necessary. The truth is that every time we spray, plug in, light, or set a solid air freshener on the counter, we're harming ourselves, our children, and our pets by breathing in the chemicals in these products.

An even simpler bottom line:

Don't Use Air Fresheners!

At the forefront, are phthalates. Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects and reproductive problems, in addition to attributing to allergic symptoms and asthma. When we use air fresheners containing phthlates, minute particles enter our noses. If you think that chemicals entering our bodies that way isn't a big deal, think cocaine, and how that affects the body by way of the nose. Phthlates can also be absorbed through the skin.

For a detailed report, go to National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and learn more about phthlates and which air freshener brands contain the most.* You can read that report here: Protect Your Family From the Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that there are four basic ingredients in air fresheners: formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene, and aerosol propellants.

Formaldehyde: According to the National Cancer Institute, Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen (simply put, it causes cancer!) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Petroleum Distillates: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Petroleum Distillates can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat; dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and dry cracked skin.

p-Dichlorobenzene: Again, I checked the CDC, which states that this chemical can cause eye irritation, swelling around the eyes, profuse rhinitis (chronic sneezing and a congested or drippy nose), headache, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, cirrhosis, liver and kidney damage in animals, and is a potential carcinogen.

Aerosol Propellants: Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) from the 1970's stated that Aerosol Propellants are rapidly acting and potent cardiac toxins, calling for further studies.

My go-to source for learning about which products contain toxic chemicals is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). There, you can see which brands are the most toxic and which chemicals are contained in different brands of air fresheners.

EWG recommends avoiding air fresheners. For a list of air fresheners by name and which chemicals each contains, go here.

Here are some thoughts on air fresheners from EWG:

33- Do air fresheners destroy odors?

No, they just cover them up. They also contaminate the air, exposing people to a host of undisclosed, untested and potentially toxic substances, including phthalates, synthetic musks and allergens. Identify, clean up or remove odor sources. Open a window! An open box of baking soda can eliminate odors safely. Investigate persistent odors. They might be caused by inadequate ventilation, mold, mildew, pests or vermin.

34- What about scented candles?

Skip these too. Just like air fresheners, scented candles release mixtures of undisclosed fragrance chemicals into the air to cover up other odors. There’s no evidence to indicate that scented candles are any safer than any other type of air freshener.

One thing to note is that Fragrance, which sounds so innocent and harmless, is a term that encompasses many chemicals. There is nothing natural about the ingredient Fragrance. I avoid it in all products, using only products that contain Essential Oils, which are extracted from plants and truly are natural. Make sure that they're pure Essential Oils, and not Fragrance Oils, which are made from chemicals.

A couple of great sources for Essential Oils are:

Young Living

doTERRA

I will be the first to admit that our houses don't always smell the best. Certain foods can smell pretty darned bad. On nice days when my kids are reluctant to go outside, I've been known to steam some broccoli or cook some cabbage. Before long, there are groans and complaints, and before I know it, they're all outside! Works every time!

What can you do when the air in your home really doesn't smell the best?

Open a window!

Simmer some cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmeg in water on the stove.
   (Keep an eye on it, replenishing water as necessary!)

   Place some baking soda in a bowl and add a few drops of an essential oil.

   Light a Beeswax Candle (without colors or fragrances) with a lead-free wick.

       You could also put baking soda and oils in a mason jar and punch holes in the lid.

   Place a few drops of our Wholesome in your vacuum cleaner bag or container.

     Use one of our Room Sprays, made with essential oils, distilled water, and alcohol.
   (For sale at local shows; coming soon to our online store.)

   Clean your house. (Yes, I intentionally put this one last!)

There are so many simple, inexpensive ways to deal with undesirable odors if you don't want to smell them. Choose the simple route instead of harming the health of your family!

Our Holiday Essential Oil Room Sprays

Candy Cane Joy: Invigorating, uplifting Mint Essential Oils

Home for the Holidays: Homey Essential Oils of Vanilla, Cloves, and Orange

Peaceful Lavender: Pure Lavender to help with relaxation after a stressful day

*I read that Walgreen's pulled some of their air fresheners in response to that report to have them analyzed. I don't know what, if any, action they took after that, though.

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TPN Whipped Shea Body Butter Ingredients

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 18:27:00 +0000

Several people in our home have sensitive skin, are chemically sensitive, and have skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea, and are irritated by conventional skin creams. Plus, the skin is the body's largest organ, and the products we apply to it are absorbed into our bodies. For those reasons, we carefully chose the most healthy, soothing, gentle ingredients we could find for our Whipped Shea Body Butter.

Shea Butter

· Used for centuries in Africa to moisturize and heal damaged skin

· Protects, soothes, hydrates, revitalizes, and conditions skin

· Anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effects

· Intensive dry skin moisturizer

· Rich in Vitamins A, E, and F

· Mild sunscreen (SPF-6) – Use before and after sun exposure to keep skin moist

Coconut Oil

· Great general moisturizer for all skin types

· Recommended for sensitive, inflamed, or irritated skin

· Provides a protective layer, helping to retain skin’s moisture

· Prevents dryness and flaking of skin

· Delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of aging skin

· Helps in treating eczema, rosacea, and other skin infections

Apricot Kernel Oil

· Soothes sensitive and prematurely aged skin

Mango Butter

· Natural emollient and regenerative activity

· Softens, soothes, moisturizes, and protects skin

Vitamin E Oil

· Anti-oxidant

· Preventing rancidity in body butter

Lavender

· Skin healing properties

· Promotes calmness

Spearmint & Peppermint

· Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties

Honey Coconut Granola

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:08:00 +0000

This granola is so simple and so delicious! It's completely grain-free, nut-free, and free of refined sugar, and is safe for the GAPS diet.

The only tricky thing about this recipe is remembering to keep a close eye on it while it's baking because honey burns very easily. Do not let it overbake at all. It will be moist when it comes out of the oven, but will harden as it cools.

Enjoy!

2 cups organic unsweetened coconut flakes (we used the fine flakes from Wilderness Family Naturals)
2 cups raw organic pumpkin seeds
2 cups raw organic sunflower seeds
1 cup TPN Local Raw Honey
2 Tbsp organic Vietnamese ground cinnamon (we use Frontier brand)
1 Tbsp TPN Vanilla Extract (available at local shows and markets)
1/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Oil two baking sheets with sides with TPN Coconut Oil. We used Pampered Chef Stoneware Large Bar Pans.

In a large bowl, mix together coconut, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

In a small saucepan, mix together and gently warm the honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt.

Pour the honey mixture over the coconut and seeds, mixing well until seeds are completely moistened.

Divide mixture between the two prepared pans.

Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Honey burns very easily, so you may want to stir it every five minutes at the end, and be sure to keep a close eye on the granola so that it doesn't get too dark.

Remove from oven promptly, and stir frequently while it's cooling to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

Store in an airtight glass container.

Eat as a snack or serve as a cereal with freshly made Coconut Milk.

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Coconut Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:00:00 +0000

This coconut milk is so simple to make. We don't add any flavorings or sweeteners to it. We use it solely for baking, and it works well and adds a nice subtle coconut flavor to recipes.

3 cups fine flaked coconut
6 cups warm water

Place coconut and water in Vitamix. Stir and let sit for 30 minutes.

Blend for 3 minutes.

Strain through a fine sieve or a nut bag into a large mason jar.

Cool, cover, and refrigerate. Shake well before using.

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TPN Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:12:00 +0000

One of the best things about fall is undoubtedly pumpkin pie spice! Even people who don't care for pumpkin usually love the taste of pumpkin pie spice in baked goods and drinks. Today, we came up with this TPN Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte. It took a few attempts (which is why my hands are shaking so much that writing this is difficult!), but we agree that this is delicious.

4 oz strong brewed organic fair trade coffee
1/2 cup organic plant-based milk (or organic dairy milk)
1 Tbsp Truly Pure & Natural Creamed Raw Honey & Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/8 tsp Truly Pure & Natural Vanilla Extract
Organic pumpkin pie spice

In a small saucepan, warm milk until hot but not boiling.

Transfer to the Vitamix or other blender and carefully blend on high until nice and foamy. (If using a blender other than the Vitamix, be sure to vent the lid and put a kitchen towel over top of the blender to allow the steam to escape.)

Meanwhile, pour coffee into coffee cup; add Creamed Raw Honey & Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice and Vanilla Extract, and stir until honey melts.

Pour the milk over top, holding a silicone spatula against the rim of the blender to let the milk pour out first. Remove the spatula to allow the foam to top the coffee.

Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and enjoy. Happy Three Days until Fall!

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Introducing: Raw Chocolate Agave!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 22:41:00 +0000

To say that people love our raw creamed honey is an understatement! But, there are some people who, for various reasons, cannot or choose not to eat honey. With those people in mind, we created Raw Chocolate Agave!

We realize that there are those who have doubts about agave, based on various articles that have been written in recent years. We addressed the reasons that we use, trust, and love organic raw agave nectar in this post:

Why We Choose to Use Raw Organic Agave Nectar

As much as we like plain agave nectar, we were amazed at just how delicious chocolate agave is! It only has two organic raw ingredients, and it just doesn't get simpler, richer, or more delicious than this!

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Why We Choose to Use Organic Raw Agave Nectar

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:52:00 +0000

Over the past several years, agave nectar has come under scrutiny, in part as the result of an article written by Dr. Mercola, who claimed that it can be even worse than high fructose corn syrup! We, along with many other people, were shocked when we first read his claims. We’d been using agave as a natural sweetener for our family, and we suddenly became very concerned.

We started reading and researching, and what we learned is that, like many other products, agave can be produced in different ways. Some agave is highly processed, using a gamut of chemicals. It is true that the result is a product that is just as unhealthy as high fructose corn syrup. We wouldn’t touch a product like that!

The agave nectar that we use is a raw, organic, non-GMO, unrefined, natural sweetener, imported from Mexico. It is dark in color because it is unfiltered and is the least processed of any agave product. While standard agave is made at 160 degrees F and takes about 16 hours to produce, the agave we use never gets above 104 degrees and takes 4-5 days to produce. The entire process is completely natural. Absolutely no chemicals, enzymes, or bacteria are used. Inulin from the Pina of the Blue Agave plant is simply extrapolated into water by soaking, and then, over a period of days, naturally occurring enzymes contained in the Pina break down the inulin into simple sugar. The result is a delicious, completely natural, and unadulterated agave nectar!

Read more about the agave nectar that we use:

The Organic Agave Nectar we use is not a purified substance, such as high fructose corn syrup or white sugar. This agave is non-GMO and it is certified organic.

Agave Nectar is a sweet concentrated syrup made from the Agave plantwhich thrives in the central semi-arid desert of Mexico. To produce this syrup, first the "pina" or "pineapple-like center" is soaked in purified water. Then natural enzymes, already present in the "pina," are allowed to break down the inulin (complex carbohydrates) into monosaccharides (simple sugars). These sugars are predominantly composed of fructose and glucose.

The Organic Agave Nectar we use is not heated during processing and it is considered raw. The natural fermentation of the inulin water, because the temperature is kept low, takes 4 to 5 days. Concentration of the nectar occurs solely by the use of a vacuum to remove excess moisture after fermentation. Once a specific concentration of sweetness is reached, the syrup becomes shelf stable at room temperature and does not require refrigeration or any special storage.

The Organic Agave Nectar we use is dark in color because it has the least amount of processing of any Agave product. Lighter Agave Syrups can be produced by faster processing (which requires temperatures of 160 degrees or more) and heavy filtering. Raw agave, sold by other suppliers, if light in color has been filtered many, many times. Repeated filtering removes flavor and color.

The manufacturing plant in Mexico offered our supplier five different shades of agave to choose from. Each sample had a slightly different taste, with the strongest flavors coming from the darkest agave. The difference in the shades came solely from the number of times the agave was filtered and the fineness of those filters. They chose to purchase only the agave which sees the lowest temperatures and the least amount of filtering.

The Organic Agave Nectar is coming from a new, state-of-the-art plant with very tight quality control. Because our supplier visited the plant, they give their personal guarantee that the agave is raw and not heavily filtered or processed with added enzymes, chemicals or other materials. It is:

Completely natural - no chemicals or enzymes are added during processing, only natural fermentation and simple filtration.
Completely raw - no heat is used during processing.
Great for baking and cooking as well as for raw dishes
Does not contain any chemicals, toxins, or preservatives.
75% sweeter than sugar: fructose is 42 percent sweeter to the human brain than granulated sugar, less is needed to achieve the same level of sweetness

If you’re interested in learning more about natural agave production, here is an article that we found very interesting and informative:

Agave Report: Uncovering the Truth about Sweeteners

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Philadelphia Honey Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 00:02:00 +0000

Fri, Sept 5th: The Wagner Free Institute, 1700 W Montgomery Ave, Phila, 5-7 PM

Sat, Sept 6th: Wyck Historic House/Garden/Farm, 6026 Germantown Ave, Phila, 10 AM-4 PM

Sun, Sept 7th: Bartram's Garden, 54th St & Lindbergh Blvd, Phila, 10 AM-4 PM

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Happy National Honey Bee Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 23:53:00 +0000

No Bees

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:46:00 +0000

New Exclusive Glass Drinking Straws!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 01:23:00 +0000

As much as we love Glass Dharma straws, it's important to us to buy locally. So when we discovered Glass Workz, we asked if they'd make straws for us. We absolutely love them and can't wait to see what other designs they come up with for us!

Two New Raw Creamed Honey Flavors: Turmeric and Hibiscus!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 22:56:00 +0000

We've created two new Raw Creamed Honey flavors, and people are going crazy for them!

First, there's Turmeric Infused Raw Honey...

Turmeric has so many health benefits. Here are just a few of them:

Arthritis Reliever - anti-inflammatory
Improves Digestion - helps with stomach upset
Helps with Weight Loss - helps increase the flow of bile, an important component in the breakdown of dietary fat
Helps with Diabetes Control by helping to moderate insulin levels
Helps boost Immune System
Helps reduce Cholesterol
May help relieve Fibromyalgia pain

Next, there's Hibiscus Infused Raw Honey...

Not only is this honey pretty to look at, its taste is amazing! Like turmeric, hibiscus has so many health benefits, including:

Full of antioxidants
High in Vitamin C
Boosts energy
Slows aging
Helps with Hot Flashes
Helps with Acne
Boosts immune system
Helps maintain fluid balance in body, helps with water retention
Speeds up metabolism
Helps lower cholesterol
Helps lower blood pressure
Helps maintain healthy hair
Helps maintain body temperature, draws out heat in hot weather
Helps with digestion, helping an upset stomach
Supports heart health (antioxidants)
Used traditionally for its antifungal and antibacterial properties
Used traditionally to help treat fevers and coughs

Glass Honey Bears

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 00:31:00 +0000

Meet the newest addition to our honey family: Glass Honey Bears filled with 12 oz of local raw strained honey! So cute...and so much healthier than plastic!

Wholesome ~ So What Do I Do With It??

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 16:01:00 +0000

Health:

Rub into the soles of feet daily to help with protection from colds and flu.

Massage into chest and throat for colds and bronchitis.

Inhale for congestion; massage into chest and put a dab under your nose.

Inhale when you have allergy symptoms.

Inhale and apply topically (keeping away from eyes) when you have sinus headaches.

Carry roller bottle with you and apply to hands. Rub and then cup hands together and inhale.

Diffuse (in a diffuser or in a pot of simmering water) in your home to sanitize the air.

Travel:

Carry roller bottle with you and apply frequently, especially when flying.

Carry spray bottle and spray on hands, on shopping cart handles, and other dirty surfaces.

Put a few drops on a tissue and place near heat/AC vents of a hotel room.

Topical Uses:

Use externally on cold sores.

Apply to warts.

Massage into sore joints.

Apply to insect bites and bee and wasp stings.

Apply to poison ivy rashes.

Apply to acne.

Apply to the toes and feet for foot fungus.

Cleaning/Disinfecting:

Put a few drops in your vacuum cleaner bag.

Put a few drops in your carpet steamer.

Spray on surfaces to help disinfect. (Be careful with floors; the oil will make them slippery!)

Diffuse for 30 minutes daily to help with mold problems in the home.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Wholesome is a potent blend of essential oils. Do not touch Wholesome to eyes, nose, or any sensitive skin. For external use only. Not for infants. Keep out of reach of children. Pregnant women should consult their health care professional before using.

Introducing: Wholesome

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:10:00 +0000

Wholesome, a blend of essential oils in jojoba oil, helps eliminate airborne bacteria and boosts the immune system. Our Wholesome Essential Oil offers a safe and powerful approach in the battle against bacteria, germs, fungus, and viruses all year-round.

Wholesome is based on a blend of aromatic herbs used by the thieves of 15th century France.

The History of Thieves

Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century. During the Plague of the 15th century, certain thieves robbed the dead without becoming infected. Finally, four thieves were captured in Marseilles, France, and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims of the plague.

At the trial, the magistrate offered them leniency if they would reveal how they managed to avoid contracting the dreaded infection, in spite of their close contact with infected corpses. It was disclosed that these thieves were perfumers and spice traders who had rubbed themselves with a concoction of aromatic herbs.

Wholesome Roll-On (Purse Sized)

Wholesome Foaming Hand Soap, Roll-On, and Bar Soap

The name Thieves has since been trademarked by Young Living. Wholesome can be compared to Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend.

Honey

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:41:00 +0000

Local Raw Honey & Comb and

Local Raw Creamed Honey with Honey Dippers

Introducing: Hottie Honey!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 15:28:00 +0000

We have another winner in the honey department: Hottie Honey! It's a combination of creamed local raw honey and arbol peppers.

As of a few months ago, I didn't even know what arbol peppers were! Since then, I've discovered that they're called Chile de arbol, and they're a small, red Mexican chili pepper. Oh, and they're hot! They have a Scoville rating of 50,000-10,000, which equates to a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1-10. (By comparison, jalapeno peppers are 3,500-8,000.)

I love them in chili and Mexican dishes, but I have to be careful to use just a little bit. Otherwise, it's too much for me.

But something magical happens when they're mixed with honey. Everyone who has tasted it has said basically the same thing: first you taste just the honey, then the peppers start warming up in your mouth, and the heat escalates. But, before it becomes too intense, the honey takes over again, cooling off the heat. You're left with a great taste and just a little bit of heat.

We took our Hottie Honey to our first show recently, and we sold out! People tried it, loved it, and bought it! Now we want to hear how people are using it. If you try it, let us know!

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New! Creamed Raw Honey Gift Packs!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:36:00 +0000

I've really neglected this poor blog! We've been busy with lots of changes and new products. We're going to different local events each weekend, selling our wares. We're focusing on our own products: Raw Creamed Honey, Coconut Oils, Wholesome Essential Oils, Whipped Shea Minty Lavender Body Butter, and Insects Away! We also have additional homemade products at our local shows.

Our newest creation is our Creamed Raw Honey Gift Packs. People love being able to choose different honeys, and we can't keep these in stock! They make great gifts and people are already stocking up for the holidays.

We have six different gift packs:

Coffee Lovers: Cinnamon, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Chocolate

Tea Lovers: Ginger, Mint, Lemon

Home Sweet Home: Vanilla, Chocolate, Cinnamon

Naughty & Nice: Chocolate, Mint, Raspberry

Berry Mix: Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry

Holiday Bliss: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie Spice

We also have a feature on our site where you can design a custom pack by choosing your own three flavors! Check out our website, or if you're local to the Philadelphia area, stop by one of our local events!

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Crunchy Cabbage Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:57:00 +0000

1/2 med head red cabbage, finely chopped
1/3 c diced apple
1/3 c organic raisins
1/3 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c raw apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp Vegenaise
3 Tbsp raw Ginger Creamed Honey
1/4 tsp sea salt

Place red cabbage, apples, raisins, and sunflower seeds in a medium-sized bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Vegenaise, honey, and sea salt until smooth and creamy.

Pour dressing over cabbage mixture. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Enjoy!

Adapted from Cook It Allergy Free

Nick's Roasted Brussels Sprouts

noreply@blogger.com (Denise) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:55:00 +0000

1 lb Brussels sprouts
1 Tbsp Ginger Creamed Honey
2 Tbsp low sodium wheat-free tamari
2 Tbsp freshly-squeezed orange juice
3 shakes garlic powder
2 shakes smoked paprika
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
3 shakes chipotle pepper powder to taste
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Wash Brussels sprouts; cut in half if large.

Mix together remaining ingredients; toss with Brussels sprouts.

Roast at 415 degrees F for 10 minutes; stir. Roast 10 minutes more.