1. Honey possesses large amounts of friendly bacteria, including Lactobacilli, which aids in inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
2. When compared to other sweeteners, honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.
3. Honey-based diets (versus sugar-based diets) have been shown to help reduce weight gain and body fat percentage.
4. Honey has been shown to be an effective cough suppressant in children.
5. The use of honey has been found to be an ergogenic (performance) aid in athletes.
6. Used topically, honey can be used as a wound healing agent.
7. Daily consumption of honey has been shown to raise levels of protective antioxidant compounds in humans.
8. In a series of experiments, honey reduced total cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol in healthy subjects, decreased total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol, and significantly lowered the rise in blood sugar in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

So find yourself a local source for honey, and start enjoying it’s healthful benefits (or order Bear Luv-Un Honey direct from Cream of the West.)

Start incorporating honey into your diet by trying some of our scrumptious recipes, like Honey-Mustard Salad Dressing!

• VitaminStuff – First on the list is an article on the benefits of chocolate!
• Prevention – By now you may have guessed that this website is my all-time favorite! It changes daily and is chock-full of interesting articles. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, or even start one, you’ll find the motivation you need here.
• Women’s Health Magazine – Another site always current in many issues concerning women’s health.
• Women’s Health Center at WebMD – WebMD is top-of-the-line! There is not a topic or question for which you can’t find an answer. Click on the “healthy living” tab for an staggering assortment of articles.
• Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – “The most reliable and current women’s health resource with information on more than 800 topics”… Their words – enough said!
• American Heart Association – A neat, intuitive site for living a heart-healthy lifestyle. An excerpt from their “nutrition fact” page on cholesterol, fiber, and oat bran reads, ”Many commercial oat bran and wheat bran products (muffins, chips, waffles) actually contain very little bran. They may also be high in sodium, total fat, saturated fat and trans fat. We recommend reading the labels on all packaged foods.” Here at COTW we say by all means read our labels!

Take a look at these sites; they’re a great way to motivate and educate yourself!

1. Prevention – 9 Power Foods That Boost Immunity – Oats and barley, number 2 on the list, appear to have a type of fiber, beta-glucan, with more antimicrobial and antioxidant punch than echinacea, says a Norwegian study. For the sake of your good health this winter, order extra supplies of “Montana Crunch”, a tasty, nutritional, and possibly flu-fighting, oat and barley snack. Pair twice a day with number 1 yogurt for a double boost of immunity!
2. Suite 101 – 10 Ways to Boost Immune Health – Squeeze lemon juice into your herbal tea, cut back on sugar and caffeine, don’t skimp on protein, nurture yourself, stock up on raw fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water (no brainer), and GET OUTSIDE!
3. Fox News – 9 Ways to Boost Your Immune System – Massage, relax, listen to music, laugh, sleep…this is my kind of immunity building! Bottom line – reduce stress and eat healthy.
4. World of Mysteries – 12 Vital Foods to Boost Your Immune System – We’re seeing many of the same flu-fighting foods over and over. This article adds pumpkin (or pumpkin seeds), ginger, oysters, and turmeric. I’m thinking pumpkin bread made with freshly grated ginger and a pinch of turmeric – pretty, too!
5. CNN – Arm Your Immune System to Fight Flu – This article advises lean protein, healthy fats, an array of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and plenty of rest.

Brilliant detective that I am, I see a pattern beginning to emerge. Eat a variety of healthy, whole (never processed) foods, exercise daily (preferably outside), drink plenty of water, and pamper yourself!

Health Related Articles

• WebMD – Breakfasts for Strong Bones – COTW says, “use milk instead of water to cook your hot cereal or make a breakfast partait using yogurt, Montana Crunch, and fruit.”
• Prevention – ‘Bone Vitamin’ Booster – Orange juice can be just as effective as milk as a vitamin D booster.
• Everyday Health – What’s So Great About Whole Grains? – This is a great article and a great site.  It covers the definition, recommended daily servings, and cooking ideas of whole grains.
• Prevention – Fuel Weight Loss/Fight Diabetes with Fiber – Another Prevention article suggesting 12 easy ways to get your fill of fiber (what a great site!).  Fiber is one of their “Fat Fighting Four” supernutrients – found in – you guessed it – ALL of COTW’s products!
• Heart Healthy Women – Fiber and Grains – Another great site targeted specifically toward women’s heart health.  This article covers the difference between whole and refined grains, and the benefit of eating more of the former.

Until next time…