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Healthy “Snickers” Frozen Yogurt Bars

Healthy “Snickers” Frozen Yogurt Bars

At P.R.I., we're all about savoring the sweet moments in life while nourishing our bodies. That's why we're excited to bring you a delectable wholesome treat: Healthy “Snickers” Frozen Yogurt Bars! These bars are not only scrumptious but also packed with ingredients that provide whole-body benefits. Bonus: they taste just like a Snickers ice cream bar!

Let’s dive into the beneficial ingredients and what they do:

1. Unsweetened Coconut Yogurt: Starting with a creamy base, coconut yogurt adds a rich texture while being dairy-free. It's also a source of healthy fats and probiotics that support gut health. Feel free to swap with regular, organic yogurt if you can eat dairy!

2. Peanut Butter: Peanut butter introduces a delightful nutty flavor, along with protein and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats to help keep you satisfied for longer.

3. Vanilla Protein Powder: Boost your protein intake with a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Protein aids muscle repair and keeps you full, making it an ideal post-workout snack. 

4. PRI Manuka Honey 500+ MGO: Our star ingredient, Manuka Honey 500+, infuses natural sweetness and its remarkable antibacterial properties. It's a delicious way to support your immune system and overall wellness.

5. Chopped Nuts: A blend of peanuts, cashews, and almonds provides a satisfying crunch and a dose of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Serves: 2 big ice cream bars or 4 small ice cream bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt
  • ⅓ cup runny peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp vanilla protein powder (optional)
  • 1 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 500+
  • 3 tbsp mini chocolate chips
  • 2-3 tbsp chopped nuts (we used a blend of peanuts, cashew, and almonds)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Mix unsweetened coconut yogurt, runny peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, and PRI Manuka Honey 500+ in a bowl. This blend delivers a protein-packed, probiotic-rich batter that's a feast for your taste buds.

2. Gently fold in mini chocolate chips for a burst of sweetness and crunch.

3. Spoon the mixture onto parchment paper in a circular shape, creating the base of your bars. Insert a popsicle stick and layer on more batter until it covers the stick.

4. Top your bars with a generous sprinkle of chopped nuts. Nuts not only add a delightful texture but also provide essential nutrients for overall well-being.

5. Freeze your bars for 1-2 hours until they become firm.

6. After your bars have firmed up, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth. Use this heavenly mixture to coat your bars. A chocolaty shell adds an exquisite touch to your creation.

7. Freeze your bars for an additional 10 minutes to set the chocolate.

8. Finally, remove them from the freezer, and voilà! You're ready to enjoy!

These bars are not only delicious but also a easy & fun!. They make for the perfect treat that brings joy to everyone. Tag us on social media when you make these bars. We'd love to see your creations!

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PRI: Meet The Brand

PRI: Meet The Brand

Pacific Resources International (PRI) - the name that first brought manuka honey to the United States market over 30 years ago. Where did it start? Warning: the tale is as gooey as the honey we sell!

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…also known as New Zealand, a young surfer named David Noll embarked on a vacation that would change his life forever. He fell head over heels for a Kiwi named Linda, her captivating country, and the remarkable benefits of manuka honey. What started as a holiday soon transformed into a 13-year journey filled with love, marriage, children, and close connections with some of the finest beekeepers in NZ.

When the time came for David and Linda to return to California in the 1980s, they carried with them a vision that was as sweet as the honey they cherished. David, fueled by his passion for manuka honey, began establishing the very first company to introduce this golden elixir to the U.S. market - Pacific Resources International!

PRI is more than just a company; it is a family-owned and operated business. We collaborate with multi-generational beekeepers who share our unwavering commitment to the well-being of bees. Every batch of our manuka honey undergoes rigorous independent testing to ensure both purity and potency, surpassing the standards set by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

Transparency is a core guiding principle, which is why each jar of PRI manuka honey features a QR code on the lid. By scanning it, you can access the test results for your specific batch and information about the MPI-approved lab that conducted the testing!

At PRI, we believe in protecting our future, educating our present, and preserving the health of our land, bodies, and spirits. Naturally.

Thus, we offer the broadest range of manuka products available on the market. From manuka and propolis oils, tinctures, cough, cold, and flu remedies to beauty products and delightful treats, you will find the right fit for your budget and health needs. 

Moreover, a portion of every honey purchase contributes to the Save the Bees Foundation. From our family to yours, we thank you for supporting our small business, our beekeeping partners, and the bees themselves. It is truly an honor to help you feel and do your best.

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Roadtrip Round-Up: 5 Fun & Healthy Snacks for Your Next Adventure

Roadtrip Round-Up: 5 Fun & Healthy Snacks for Your Next Adventure

It’s Summertime, and for many, that means hitting the road to go forth and see new sites! Did you know the United States boasts over 6,000 state and 400 national parks?! In California alone, we have the most state and national parks. Choosing our adventures with so many fantastic options can be pretty challenging!

Of course, the journey is just as important as the destination, if not more so. The more cool places we can stop along the way, the better. Our favorite hot spots to look for are natural hot springs and random kitschy roadside attractions. What do you take a detour for? 

Whether your drive takes you to a rustic campsite or a world-class hotel, there are two universally necessary things one needs for a road trip: 

  1. Gas (boo)
  2. Snacks (yay!)

And, while road trips are the perfect time to load up on your favorite but not-so-nourishing bites, we have five snack recipes that are delectable, easy to make, and will help provide sustained energy and some beneficial fibers to help break down those spicy Cheetos. No judgment here, only a friendly reminder to bring some Wet Wipes 😘#cheetofingers

So, on to the recipes!

1. Healthy Cooke-Dough Bites: Edible cookie dough, but make it portable and full of protein ✔️Easy to make free of the top allergens & customize too! 

2. PB & Honey Cereal Bars: Just 10 minutes of effort and a few nourishing, basic ingredients make these the perfect companion to your adventure. Add a banana for a quick breakfast on the go! 

3. Air-Fryer Shittake Jerky: A quintessential road trip and outdoor snack made vegetarian! If you haven’t tried mushroom jerky yet, you must not be such a fungi 🍄😉J/k, but seriously, you’re missing out, so try it already. 

4. Customizable Apple Cookies: This one is great at a rest stop. It lets you give the kids options, and no ingredients require refrigeration. We recommend cutting the apples before you go to make it even easier!

5. Honey Roasted Granola: Can you get more outdoor eating friendly than granola? It can be a snack or a meal, doesn’t need to go in the cooler, can be made in huge batches, and is easily customized to your needs and dietary restrictions. We love using sprouted seeds because they don’t just have more fiber but more insoluble fiber, making them an excellent prebiotic. Additionally, sprouting makes the seeds easier to digest and allows for better absorption of nutrients. 

Bonus Snacks: If you want to add pre-made snacks or treats the whole family will love, we have you covered! 

1 - Honey Sticks. Packed with natural energy and immune-boosting properties, our manuka honey sticks come in plain and Lemon Twist flavors. Pack them as snacks and in your First Aid Kit to treat bites, scrapes, stings, and burns!

2 - Nuggets. Hard candy with the added benefit of manuka honey! Great for when you need a little sweet treat in a pinch and consistently one of our top three sellers. They come in three flavors: plain, lemon, and ginger. 

 3 - Throat Soothing Lollipops. A treat that is also beneficial! Our lollipops harness the power of manuka honey and propolis to ease the dry throats and allergy symptoms you may experience outdoors. 

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The Real Fruit Roll-Up

The Real Fruit Roll-Up

All Dressed Up for Independence Day

Skip to Recipe

Does anyone else remember laying in the sun, unwrapping your roll of delicious sorta fruit with your friends and pretending you all had ridiculously long tongues? Just us?

You may even see us at the store on occasion, picking up a box of that big brand roll so we can fully immerse ourselves in sunny summer memories... but on other days we just make our own!

Since it is almost Independence Day, we had to go red, white, and blue, aka strawberry, apple, and blueberry. Of course, you can make them with pretty much any fruit you like... except watermelon, don't try watermelon. Cue endless amounts of straining for almost no end product

These are super simple to make and only have three ingredients: fruit, manuka honey, and lemon juice. The key ingredient here is patience as they will take 6-8 hours to fully dehydrate!

Our Real Fruit Roll-Ups are perfect for packed lunches, camping, hiking, road trips, BBQs, or just doing silly dances with your "tongue" out 🤪

Here are some directions in super long format, mostly for search engine purposes. Read on, if you love that stuff (no judgement) otherwise, click here to skip to the shorter version of this recipe!

Section 1: Ingredients and Equipment

  • To make these delicious Real Fruit Roll-Ups, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:
    • 3 cups strawberries
    • 2 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 100+
    • 3 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 cups blueberries
    • 8 oz unsweetened applesauce or pear applesauce
    • Oven or dehydrator
    • Silpat mat or parchment paper
    • High-speed blender
    • Small saucepan
    • Baking sheet

Section 2: Strawberry Layer

  • Wash and chop the strawberries, then place them into a high-speed blender.
  • Add the PRI Manuka Honey 100+ and lemon juice to the blender.
  • Blend the mixture until smooth.
  • Strain the mixture to remove the seeds.
  • Pour the strained mixture into a small saucepan and heat it on medium/low heat until it thickens.
  • Let the mixture cool and set it aside.

Section 3: Blueberry Layer

  • Rinse the blueberries and place them in a high-speed blender.
  • Add the PRI Manuka Honey 100+ and lemon juice to the blender.
  • Blend the mixture until smooth.
  • Strain the mixture to remove any pulp.
  • Pour the strained mixture into a small saucepan and heat it on low heat for a few minutes until it thickens.
  • Strain the mixture again if needed and let it cool.

Section 4: Apple Layer

  • For the apple layer, you can use either unsweetened applesauce or pear applesauce. Choose your preferred option and set it aside.

Section 5: Assembly and Cooking

  • Preheat your oven to 170F or use a dehydrator.
  • Place a silpat mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet and set it aside.
  • Pour the strawberry layer onto the tray and spread it into an even layer using a spatula. Remember, the thicker the layer, the longer it will take to dehydrate.
  • Next, spoon the applesauce onto the tray and spread it into an even layer with a spatula.
  • Finally, pour and spread the blueberry layer onto the tray, creating the final layer.
  • Cook the fruit layers in the oven or dehydrator for 6-8 hours, or until you can peel the fruit leather back.

Section 6: Finishing and Enjoyment

  • Remove the tray from the oven or dehydrator.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper over the silpat mat and peel the fruit leather off the mat.
  • Roll the parchment paper with the fruit leather, creating a fruit roll-up.
Real Fruit Roll-Ups
Makes: 2 trays

Strawberry Layer:

Blueberry Layer:

Apple Layer:

  • 8oz unsweetened applesauce or pear applesauce
  1. Preheat the oven to 170F or use a dehydrator. Place a silpat mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Wash and chop strawberries and place them into a high-speed blender with manuka honey and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
  3. Strain the mixture to remove the seeds. Pour in a small saucepan and heat on medium/low heat until the mixture thickens. Let cool and set aside.
  4. Rinse blueberries and pour into a high-speed blender with manuka honey and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
  5. Strain the mixture to remove the pulp. Pour in a small saucepan and heat on low heat for a few minutes until the mixture thickens. Strain again if needed and let set aside to let to cool.
  6. Pour strawberry layer onto the tray and spread into an even layer with a spatula. The thicker the layer the longer it will take to dehydrate.
  7. Next, spoon the applesauce onto the next layer and spread into an even layer with a spatula. 
  8. Finally, finish with the blueberry layer, pour and spread into an even layer with a spatula.
  9. Cook for 6-8 hours, until you can peel the fruit leather back.
  10. Remove from the oven, place a piece of parchment over the silpat mat and peel the fruit leather off the silpat mat.
  11. Roll the parchment with the fruit leather until you have a fruit roll up and enjoy!

Our homemade Real Fruit Roll-Ups are not only delicious but also a perfect way to celebrate Independence Day. Recreate those nostalgic memories while enjoying the red, white, and blue flavors. Whether it's for packed lunches, camping adventures, road trips, or simply having fun, these roll-ups are sure to bring a smile to your face.​​

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Hot Manuka Honey Feta Brûlée

Hot Manuka Honey Feta Brûlée

Summer is a season we all look forward to, with its promise of exciting outdoor adventures and barbeques with friends and family.. While the usual grilling items take center stage, we believe that no BBQ is complete without a delectable cheese plate. Today, we want to share with you our favorite go-to recipe that effortlessly elevates any cheese plate and adds a touch of sophistication to your summer spread. As an added bonus, you can pull out that kitchen torch you got for Christmas 10 years ago! 

Introducing our Hot Manuka Honey Feta Brûlée recipe—a delectable combination of sweet, salty, and umami flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This extraordinary dish pairs perfectly with baked crostinis, crackers, and pita chips, but it also is a delightful accompaniment to chicken or lamb. 

If you find yourself enamored with the Hot Manuka Honey, don't hesitate to make extra! Try drizzling it over pizza or  wings for a delicious, unique twist!. We even like to add it our chai tea for a little extra warmth!

In case you don’t want to make your own hot honey, try Capilano Chilli Honey from Australia. This fantastic product comes in a convenient squeeze bottle, allowing you to easily add its spicy sweet goodness to any dish or beverage.

Hot Manuka Honey Feta Brûlée

Hot Manuka Honey:

Feta Brûlée:

  • 1 block authentic greek feta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Homemade Hot Manuka Honey
  • 1-2 tsp granulated sugar 
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • fresh thyme

Hot Honey Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine manuka honey, red pepper flakes and hot sauce.
  2. Stir well on low heat, once it starts to bubble up (around 3 minutes) turn the heat off and continue to stir.
  3. Strain the honey over a mesh sieve to remove the pepper flakes and transfer to a jar to cool. Set aside.

Feta Brûlée Instructions:

  1. Remove the feta block from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Place parchment in your air-fryer and place feta in the middle. Brush with olive oil and cook at 380F for 10 minutes. Let cool and then carefully remove from the air-fryer.
  2. Place the feta block on a heat-resistant plate. Drizzle a generous layer of hot manuka honey over the feta and spread evenly. 
  3. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the honey in an even layer. Immediately use a kitchen torch to brûlée the sugar until it starts to caramelize and bubble. 
  4. Top with chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Garnish with fresh thyme.
  5. Your Hot Manuka Honey Feta Brûlée is now ready to be savored. Serve it immediately with freshly baked crostinis, crackers, or pita chips to allow the warm and creamy feta to contrast with the sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors of the honey. 

 

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Exploring the Potential Benefits of Manuka Honey and Propolis for Arthritis Relief: What the Science Says

Exploring the Potential Benefits of Manuka Honey and Propolis for Arthritis Relief: What the Science Says

Exploring the Potential Benefits of Manuka Honey and Propolis for Arthritis Relief: What the Science Says

  1. What is Arthritis?
  2. What is Manuka Honey?
  3. Benefits & Mechanisms of Action of Manuka Honey for Arthritis
  4. How to Use Manuka Honey for Arthritis
  5. What is Propolis?
  6. Benefits & Mechanisms of Action of Propolis for Arthritis
  7. How to Use Propolis for Arthritis
  8. Disclaimers & Known Drug Interactions

1. What is Arthritis?

An estimated 58 million adults in the U.S. have Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation. This painful condition can significantly affect one's quality of life. Medications might provide some relief but have many side effects, especially when taken regularly. Many individuals are seeking natural remedies to alleviate their arthritis symptoms. Two such remedies that have gained attention are manuka honey and propolis. In this blog post, we will explore the potential benefits of manuka honey and propolis individually for arthritis relief based on scientific research.

2. What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is made in New Zealand & Australia by bees who pollinate the Manuka tree and contains MGO, short for methylglyoxal, a compound not found in other types of honey. This compound gives manuka honey unique antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

3. Benefits of Manuka Honey for Arthritis

  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: Manuka honey has exhibited anti-inflammatory effects (1) by reducing the production of inflammatory markers in the joints. 
  • Antioxidant Activity: Manuka honey is rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, such as methylglyoxal (MGO). It can scavenge harmful free radicals that contribute to joint inflammation and damage in Arthritis.

Mechanisms of Action of Manuka Honey:

  • MGO: Manuka honey's unique antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to its high methylglyoxal (MGO) content. The antibacterial & anti-inflammatory effects of MGO may help reduce joint inflammation and alleviate arthritis symptoms.

4. How to Use Manuka Honey for Arthritis:

  • Consuming Manuka Honey: You can consume manuka honey orally by incorporating it into your diet, such as by adding it to your tea, yogurt, or as a sweetener in recipes. You can also take one tablespoon a day straight up!
  • Topical Application: Manuka honey can be applied topically to the affected joints as a natural topical ointment. We recommend mixing the honey with a carrier oil such as castor. You can also add propolis and even manuka oil.

5. What is Propolis? 

Propolis is a bee-made resin using plant resins, a bit of honey, and a little bee saliva. They use it to fill in small cracks in the beehive. It also helps maintain the hive temperature, prevents predators from entering, and protects against dangerous microbes and fungi.

6. Benefits of Propolis for Arthritis 

  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: Propolis has exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of inflammatory markers in the joints. 
  • Antioxidant Activity: Propolis is rich in bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, with antioxidant properties. Flavonoids can scavenge harmful free radicals that contribute to joint inflammation and damage in Arthritis.

Mechanisms of Action of Propolis:

  • Flavonoids: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of propolis are attributed to its high content of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce joint inflammation and alleviate arthritis symptoms.

7. How to Use Propolis for Arthritis:

  • Consuming Propolis: Propolis is best taken in the morning. While there are no official dosage recommendations, ½ - 1 dropper daily is ideal. Place the propolis under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Those who dislike the flavor recommend placing the propolis in a glass of juice. Drink slowly.
  • Topical Application: Propolis can be added directly to the skin, though we recommend mixing it with a carrier oil such as castor. 

8. Disclaimers & Known Drug Interactions

As always, we strive to provide you with the best information backed by scientific studies. However, we are not doctors and cannot recommend any treatment for specific concerns. Talking to your doctor about any concerns you might have is important. 

That said, here is what we think you need to know:

Neither Manuka Honey nor Propolis has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs. 

Take caution when combining propolis with medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs). Propolis is thought to slow blood clotting, though more studies need to be conducted on the topic.

Allergic reactions (skin or respiratory symptoms) may occur, particularly in people who are allergic to bees or bee products.

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Peanut Butter Manuka Honey Cereal Bars

Peanut Butter Manuka Honey Cereal Bars

What makes the perfect snack? We like ours to be healthy, tasty & not straight out of a box. If we already have the ingredients, that’s an added plus! 

We hope these PB-MH Bars check all of your boxes too. It only requires about 10 minutes of your time and then a bit of patience while they firm up in the fridge. This is also a great recipe for the kids to help with and is easily customized. Here are some ways you could switch it up:

  • Use your favorite cereal
  • Use your favorite nut or seed butter
  • Add nuts, seeds or dried fruit
  • Melt your favorite Manuka Dark Chocolate Patty flavor over the top!

Any way you do it, they make a tasty part of a balanced breakfast, after-lunch dessert or on-the-go snack.

Here is what you need:

Instructions:

  1. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine peanut butter with manuka honey and coconut oil and stir on low heat until well incorporated throughout (2-3 minutes). 
  3. Turn the heat off and stir in vanilla and sea salt. Then add in 3 cups of cheerios and stir until they are covered in the peanut honey mixture. Pour in the remaining 3 cups and gently stir until well incorporated. It should be similar to rice crispy treats and stick together.
  4. Pour the cheerio mixture into the parchment lined pan and refrigerate overnight or for a few hours until firm.
  5. Slice into bars and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the fridge to enjoy for a week or freeze to enjoy later.
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Hot Manuka Honey Salami Pizza

Hot Manuka Honey Salami Pizza

Spicy, savory, salty and just the right amount of sweet - this pizza has it all! Using store bought crust makes it a quick & easy weeknight meal but we also included a link to our gluten free dough recipe in case you want to go all in.

If you’ve never tried hot honey on your pizza please be aware that it is highly addictive. Customize the spice level to your preference or just serve it on the side for those who can’t handle any heat. They’ll never know what they’re missing out on. 

Pair it with a simple side salad and you have a well-rounded meal and we’re not just talking about the shape of the pizza! 

Hot Manuka Honey

Pizza Ingredients:

  • 1 lb store-bought or homemade pizza dough 
  • 1 jar pizza sauce (use as needed)
  • 1 ½ cups low moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 5-8 slices calabrese salami
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • fresh basil, thinly sliced for topping
  • red pepper flakes, for topping
  • 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning, for crust (optional)
  • homemade hot manuka honey

Hot Honey Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine manuka honey, red pepper flakes and hot sauce.
  2. Stir well on low heat, once it starts to bubble up (around 3 minutes) turn the heat off and continue to stir.
  3. Strain the honey over a mesh sieve to remove the pepper flakes and transfer to a jar to cool. Set aside.

Pizza Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 475F, let pizza dough sit according to package instructions. 
  2. Lightly flour a cutting board and roll out dough or use your hands to form the shape of pizza desired.
  3. Place parchment paper over a pizza stone or pizza pan, then transfer the pizza dough onto it.
  4. Cover the pizza with sauce, using as much or little as you like. Then top with a generous amount of low mozzarella, calabrese salami and red onion. Brush olive oil on the crust and sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on the edges.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is golden and the cheese has melted.
  6. Remove from heat and top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes and a generous drizzle of hot honey over top.
  7. Slice and enjoy!
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Sweets For Your Sweet: 5 Easy Treats Anyone Can Make For Their Honey

Sweets For Your Sweet: 5 Easy Treats Anyone Can Make For Their Honey

Sweets for your sweet: 5 easy treats anyone can make for their honey.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's time to start thinking about something special you can do for your honey or yourself! 

Whether they enjoy something sweet, tart, chocolatey, crunchy, or boozy, we have you covered with our Valentine’s Day recipe round-up.

Here are five of our most popular easy treats anyone can whip up:

#1 - Chocolate Fudge Truffles: starting with our dairy-free sweetened condensed milk base, this no-bake recipe might have you drooling over the pan. 

#2 - Peach Pistachio Cardamom Honey Tart: if you want a treat that looks and sounds fancy but is secretly simple, this recipe is for you! 

#3 - Honey Buns: The name alone makes this the perfect Valentine's Day treat. Plus, what's better than the aroma of freshly baked buns, especially when you can make them in your air fryer? 

#4 - Chocolate Caramel Popcorn: Perfect for an intimate movie date and just fancy looking enough to show you put in some effort! This recipe uses our chocolate patties which come in six flavors so that you can pick their favorite. 

#5 - Strawberry Honey Lime Mimosas: If a special cocktail is more your jam, these mimosas taste amazing and are pretty too!

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Manuka Honey for Burn & Wound Treatment

Manuka Honey for Burn & Wound Treatment

Evidence of honey used for burns & wounds can be traced back centuries. From the Sumerians of Mesopotamia to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Medicinal honey use has been mentioned in the Bible & Quran and is ingrained in ancient Ayurvedic & Chinese medicine practices. Today, it is recommended by dieticians, and holistic doctors, used in hospitals, and even prescribed by some MDs! 

In this article, we will tackle the following topics:

The difference between raw manuka & the manuka used in hospitals:

You likely know what raw honey means: pure, unadulterated, not pasteurized or ever heated above hive temperature.  You might not know that the only difference between raw manuka & the manuka used in hospitals is that the latter is typically treated with high heat or gamma radiation to “sterilize” the honey. 

When it comes to the honey itself, there is no such thing as “medicinal or medical grade” honey. All real manuka honey from New Zealand has to meet strict testing & reporting requirements to leave the country. You can also find high MGO strengths in raw and sterilized honey options. 

Sterilizing does kill the raw benefits, affecting the honey’s ability to provide nutrients like amino acids, vitamins & minerals, which speeds healing. However, it does not affect the MGO content, which is one of the reasons manuka honey is used in hospital settings vs. other honey types. 

Since manuka has a potent antibacterial effect, why does it need to be sterilized? If you ask, we don’t think it does. Numerous clinical trials use untreated honey, and none of the participants experienced infections. Additionally, raw honey has been used for so long on so many people without adverse side effects.  

The other reason it is the honey of choice in medical settings is that manuka is the only honey with high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is the anti-bacterial/microbial/inflammatory component of manuka. 

Other honeys’ properties come from peroxide activity, which is short-lived in your body and is killed off by high heat. MGO has also been found to be more effective than standard honey for most medicinal uses. 

What Strength Should You Use?

The strength you choose can vary depending on the severity of what you are treating. For instance, we use a low MGO (60+) on kitchen burns and minor scrapes, which works great. More severe cases might warrant higher activity. 

Even though “medical grade” is not a recognized grade or system, you’ll still see the term floating around on a lot of packaging. We’ve seen it on the strengths of MGO 400+ and up, while other brands don’t disclose what strength manuka they are using. So, even if a product is labeled medical grade, you must always look for the MGO content to know what you are getting. 

At PRI, we carry grades up to 1000+ MGO, which would be great for new surgical, severe, and non-healing wounds, in addition to the treatment recommended by your doctor. 

Generally speaking, honey with an MGO of 400+ and up is recommended for either external purposes or more severe internal issues like significant inflammation, injury to the stomach lining due to other digestional problems, chemotherapy, and more. If your nutritionist wants you on an anti-inflammatory diet, adding high MGO-content honey to your routine could be very helpful. 

For burns & wounds, it comes down to how your injury affects your quality of life & what you can afford to incorporate into your ongoing routine. We see many success stories with lower MGO content honey, while others need to step it up. 

The importance of further studies relating to manuka honey, burns & wounds.

There are centuries of data on the use of honey for medicinal purposes, along with a good number of promising current studies. It is clear we need more research on this topic, especially given what many experts are now calling the biggest threat to global health: antibiotic resistance. 

Antibiotic resistance is thought to be caused by the extreme overuse of antibiotics and the ability of microorganisms like bacteria to evolve to survive. More and more organisms are becoming antibiotic resistant every day. This issue will affect everyone worldwide with higher death rates, higher costs, more hospital stays, and a wider spread of drug-resistant infections. 

On the other hand, honey has never caused bacterial resistance and has been shown effective against many antibiotic-resistant organisms. Pseudomonas (the bacteria that causes pneumonia), staph infections, and MRSA are just three examples of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that manuka honey can treat.

Burns vs. Wounds

Below we will explore the different types of burns & wounds and when to seek medical attention. The practical functions of manuka honey on both types of injuries are the same, as well as how one would use honey to dress the injuries. 

Different types of burns & when to seek treatment

A burn is tissue damaged by heat. Burn treatment depends on the type of burn. Here are the four types:

  • First-Degree Burns or Superficial Burns are mild. These cause pain and reddening of the outer layer of the skin or epidermis. Examples of these burns would be minor cooking burns or a good sunburn. No medical treatment is needed for these types of burns.
  • Second-Degree Burns or Partial Thickness Burns affect the outer layer of the skin or epidermis and the lower layer of the dermis. Examples of these burns could be from boiling water, chemical heat packs, curling irons, or friction burns. Typically, no medical treatment is needed but use your discretion. 
  • Third-Degree Burns or Full Thickness Burns go through the lower layer of the skin or dermis and affect deeper tissues. These burns require immediate medical attention and could be caused by prolonged exposure to scalding liquid, flames, or electric or chemical sources. 
  • Fourth-degree burns go deeper than third-degree burns and can affect your muscles and bones. Nerve endings are damaged or destroyed, so there is no feeling in the burn area. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience this type of burn. Prolonged flame exposure, scalding oils, and electric or chemical sources typically cause these burns. 

Types of wounds & when to seek treatment:

There are two main types of wounds: penetrating and closed wounds. They each have their subsections & ranges of severity. Use discretion as to whether your injury is severe enough for medical attention. 

When in doubt, get checked out!

Penetrating wounds can be:

  • Surgical wounds and incisions
  • Puncture wounds
  • Thermal, chemical, or electric burns
  • Bites and stings
  • Blunt force trauma
  • Abrasions
  • Lacerations
  • Skin tears

Closed wound examples are:

  • Contusions 
  • Blisters
  • Seroma 
  • Hematoma
  • Crush injuries
  • Ulcers

How manuka helps treat burns & wounds and related studies. 

The application of honey to burns & wounds has shown the following functions:

-a reduction in inflammation

-a reduction of scar contractures

-a neutralization of free radicals

-a stimulation of processes that initiate tissue repair

-a high antibacterial effectiveness 

-a stimulation of immune-strengthening processes

-creates a moist environment, promoting the regrowth of skin cells

-faster healing through the provision of necessary nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins & minerals

-a physical barrier of protection from infection

-the cleaning and deodorizing of wounds

-promotion of epithelialization

-a soothing effect which reduces pain

There are often multiple studies related to each function. You can see all of them, along with descriptive processes, here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158441/.

We also found this study on manuka honey for non-healing wounds interesting, though the mechanisms of healing are the same: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386265/.

How to use honey for burns & wounds:

First, the area must be cleaned. You can do this with a diluted honey & water mixture or a saline solution. 

Next, you apply the honey to the injury. You can do this either:

  • Directly by simply coating the area with clean or gloved hands
  • By adding it to a sterile bandage first & then applying it to the injury
  • Or by mixing the honey with a carrier oil (we like castor for this purpose) to create a thinner solution that can be applied directly to the injury without needing to cover it. Note that if you do not cover the area with a bandage, make sure any clothing that goes over it is clean.

 

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Children's Dental Health Month

Children's Dental Health Month

Manuka, Propolis & Sea Salt for Natural Oral Care

Do you know what the #1 reason for poison control calls involving children is? Ingestion of fluoride toothpaste. If that isn’t a reason to switch up your kid’s oral care routine, we don’t know what is! 

In case you do need more convincing or just love to learn, let’s take a look at the growing evidence between overall health and our oral health. Many issues, such as cardiovascular & respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, dementia & more, have been linked to periodontal diseases.

Unbiased studies show that fluoride does not prevent any harmful bacteria. This knowledge and growing concern about fluoride exposure and toxicity has increased the popularity of natural oral care options. 

If you have explored the world of clean oral care, you’ve likely heard of oil pulling and various essential oils to incorporate into your routine. 

What you may not have heard of are the wide-ranging oral benefits of Manuka Honey, Manuka Oil, Propolis, and Sea Salt. In fact, you can replace your family’s entire routine with these ingredients!

Let’s start with the benefits of each ingredient:

Manuka Honey: This is probably the most surprising out of the group because of its natural sugar content. Yet, study after study shows that manuka helps reduce plaque by preventing the development of biofilms, which is what makes plaque so hard to remove. It also restricts bacteria formation preventing tooth cavities and other gum problems like periodontal disease, gingivitis, bleeding, receding gums, dry mouth, and bad breath. This is not for use on children under one-year-old. 

Manuka Oil: If you haven’t met Tea Tree Oil’s more powerful cousin, let us introduce you! Manuka oil is shown to be up to 33x more effective against most bacteria than tea tree oil. It has also been tested alongside peppermint oil against two of the most common oral pathogens and again found more effective. Manuka oil is generally considered one of the most antibacterial & antimicrobial oils in existence. 

Propolis: another amazing compound with the ability to prevent plaque formation! Plaque is considered to be the main cause of most oral diseases. It also fights bad bacteria and canker sores.

Sea Salt: many use a salt gargle for sore throats, but it can also help soothe bleeding gums and heal canker sores faster. It may also speed recovery after dental surgery. The thought is that a sea salt rinse can balance your mouth’s pH levels, making it an inhospitable environment for bad bacteria. 

Now that you know why to use these four key ingredients, let’s discuss how to use them.

There are a plethora of ways you can incorporate manuka honey, oil, propolis, and sea salt into your & your child’s routine. To some extent, how you use it will depend on just how DIY you want to go.  You can find a ton of natural oral care recipes online, such as these from our friend Stacy of No Fuss Natural.

Here we will explore a simple routine to use the products without full-blown recipes:

Step one: Add one drop of manuka oil to one tablespoon of coconut oil.**

Step two: Swish the oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes - or for as long as they can do it. Some swishing is better than none! Make it a game and see who can go longer.

Step three: Spit oil into a trashcan (it can clog your pipes!) 

Step four: using a clean finger, apply manuka honey to your teeth and gums and gently brush your teeth using a toothbrush

Step five: add a quarter teaspoon of sea salt and 5 drops of propolis to a cup of warm water.

Step six: gargle & swish the salt rinse. Spit out when done!

**Note: Oil pulling is best for older kids as you do not want to swallow the oil once done.

We’d love to hear what you do to a gold star at the dentist's office! Write us a note and let us know.

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Air Fryer Recipe Round-Up

Air Fryer Recipe Round-Up

Ahhh, the indomitable air fryer. If you don't get it, you've never had one. Some love it as a healthier way to fry your favorite foods, and some for its convenience. The air fryer can replace your toaster and oven, making it the hero of many kitchens, especially small ones. Plus, it saves you a ton of oil. 

From poached eggs to baked cakes, you can make almost everything with this popular appliance. Here is a round-up of our favorite air fryer recipes:

  • Fluffy GF Bagels - Gluten and yeast free, but you'd never know it. This bagel's texture is on point.

  • Sticky Buns - Your favorite breakfast treat, made better with manuka honey! You really can't beat that fresh-baked smell.

  • Shiitake Mushroom Jerky - Our version of this trendy snack will never go out of style.  Warning, though, you'll eat the whole batch at once!

  • Honey Apple Pie Bombs - Tasty handheld apple pies with no pastry experience necessary?! Yup, these are all that.

  • Air Fryer Sammies - Classic sandwich combos get upgraded with a sandwich cutter & the perfect level of toastiness. Your kids will ask for these on repeat.

  • Carrot Bacon BLT - The carrot bacon in this BLT is also great on salads, pizza & more! 
What is your favorite air fryer recipe?

 

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