Suburban Homesteading – Frugal Living

In the Bible, Israel was called the “Land of Milk and Honey”. There has to be something very significant about that, and I’m convinced it has to be the food value. Just a bit of an aside here: the Israelites did not drink cow’s milk; it was either sheep or goat milk. If I had to give America a label, it might be the “Land of coffee and sugar”.

Think about the nutritional value of honey versus sugar. Just think about it. I am not going to give you any scientific analysis here. We’ve all heard about the harmful effects of consuming too much sugar. I’ve concluded that honey is a food with extremely high nutritional value. Now, does that mean we abandon Starbucks in favor of milk and honey? Probably not, but as a self-sufficient homestead, small business or hobby, raising honeybees, or beekeeping, can be quite rewarding, both nutritionally and possibly even monetarily.

Did you know that Bee Pollen is just about the most perfect food there is? It has all the nutrients to give you what you need to sustain life. So, why not grow your own?

10 Healthful Reasons to Have Honey Around

• Honey is nonirritating to the lining of the digestive tract
• Honey is easily and rapidly assimilated
• Honey quickly furnishes the demand for energy
• Honey enables athletes to recuperate rapidly from exertion
• Honey is, of all sugars, handled best by the kidneys
• Honey has a natural and gentle laxative effect
• Honey has sedative value, quieting the body
• Honey will relieve an annoying cough (when mixed with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar)
• Honey will relieve the pain from a burn and promote healing of the burned area
• Chewing of capped honeycomb has been known to relieve sinus problems including seasonal hay fever

And here is something else to chew on (pun intended). While there is no scientific proof, those in the bee industry are fairly certain that eating honey from your local area may cut down on your seasonal allergies. That’s because the honey has bits of pollen in it that activate your immune system just like the allergy shots you get at the doctor’s office… only this is ALL NATURAL! It’s definitely worth a try, right? A teaspoon or two a day is all you need.

To try your hand at beekeeping or just get more information check out the links below.

http://www.honey.com/

http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/pests/g07600.pdf

http://www.beginner-beekeeping.com/?hop=wask21

http://img4.sunset.com/static/pdf/OneBlock_Bee.pdf

Honey and Lemon Sore Throat Remedy

I am one of those people who are prone to sore throats, especially during our windy seasons. This is the only thing I’ve found that helps soothe the pain.

In a large coffee mug or small tea pot, put in one thick slice of lemon and a heaping tablespoon of organic honey. Pour boiling water over and stir until honey dissolves. Sip while still hot, but not scalding. It may sting at first, but after a few sips your throat will be soothed. Drink often throughout the day (renewing lemon and honey with each batch); bacteria can’t adhere to moist throat tissue.

photo credit: San Diego Shooter