Winnie the Pooh: “That buzzing noise means something. Now, the only reason for making a buzzing noise that I know of is because you are…a bee! And the only reason for being a bee is to make honey. And the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.”

I can’t say enough good things about honey. We are a lovin’ honey family and there is nothing I won’t try honey in.  Knowing that I wanted to share all the uses I have found for our favorite gold in a jar…honey.

For your health

• Use it to soften your lips
• Take a tablespoon of honey before your next workout to boost your performance
• Use honey as an antiseptic to clean cuts and scrapes
• Soften dry elbows – rub in and leave on for 30 minutes then wash off
• Morning energy boost – mix a tablespoon into a cup of herbal tea
• Sooth a sore throat – mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice mix until blended and drink
• Sleep better – A spoonful of honey before bed is a natural sleep remedy that can help you relax and fall asleep faster.
• Weight loss – 1/2 hour before breakfast, on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water.

In the kitchen

• Mix equal parts honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil into a jar, mix until blended
• Substitute honey for up to ½ of the sugar in most recipes.
• Reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used in baked goods.
• Add about ½ teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used in baked goods.
• Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning of baked goods.
• For easy removal, spray measuring cup with vegetable cooking spray before adding honey.
• Select mildly flavored honeys, such as clover, for use in cooking where delicate flavors predominate.
• Use strongly flavored honeys in spreads or other recipes where a distinct honey flavor is desired.

Storage

• Honey will keep in the pantry for up to one year
• Clear honey has a tendency to crystallize over time; just put the jar in a jug of hot water for a minute or so and it will return to its clear and liquid state.
• Crystallization does not affect the honey’s quality
• Honey should be stored at room temperature

Please note…Honey should not be fed to infants under 1 year of age. Honey may contain bacterial spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious disease that affects the nervous system of young babies.

We are still working our two bee hives. Last year we lost our hives but this year hubby is working hard to keep them happy and healthy. As soon as the weather turns cold and the pollen has long frosted away hubby will be feeding our bees in hopes they have enough in the hive to get them through the winter.  Hubby says we will not have honey this year but hopefully next year. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.