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A 2013 review of 29 clinical trials involving more than 11,000 people showed vitamin C supplementation did not consistently affect the duration or severity of the common cold. 

The authors of the study state: "The failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the general population indicates that routine vitamin C supplementation is not justified."

So what should you reach for when feeling ill? Research says Zinc! There have been many conflicting studies about Zinc over the years until more recently when scientists discovered that the key is to take zinc within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms. Furthermore, the studies showed that supplementation of Zinc for five months reduced the frequency of colds and antibiotic use. 

Zinc can be taken as a supplement, in lozenge or liquid form; however, many report a lasting bad aftertaste and upset stomach with these methods. Additionally, the most bioavailable form of Zinc is in food. Foods high in zinc include meat, legumes, nuts & seeds, and our favorite: dark chocolate.

Of course, eating more fruits and vegetables and ensuring you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need, including vitamin C, are essential to your overall health and will affect how often you get sick. 

Instead of juice, eat the whole fruit. Fruit juice contains high sugar content without fiber and other nutrients needed to process the sugars slowly. Additionally, eating whole fruits and vegetables is the best way for your body to absorb nutrients. 

Based on these factors and the effectiveness of Manuka honey for cold & flu symptoms, our Manuka Honey Dark Chocolate Patties are a great way to supplement some of your DV of zinc and Manuka honey to reduce symptoms and get you well faster! Dark chocolate lovers & vegans will enjoy the delicious dark chocolate bars from  Solomon’s Gold.

You can also incorporate dark chocolate & Manuka into tasty snacks your whole family will love! Here are a couple of our favorite recipes:

#1 - Chocolate & Honey Rice Cakes: top them with seeds & nuts for even more zinc!

#2 - Coffee Sweet Potato Nice Cream: because dessert can be nutrient-dense, delicious, AND decadent.

#3 - Chocolate Caramel Popcorn: perfect for movie night or an afternoon snack!

It’s back to school and the season of snack swapping, make sure you give them something good. Bonus points if they don’t want to swap it 🤪 Maybe that’s wishful thinking? Creating snacks that are quick, inexpensive, nutritious and something all the kids want to eat can feel like a mythical quest. 

The great thing about manuka honey is that it’s packed with brain and body boosting benefits but it’s also sweet and tastes great with most everything (re: kid approved). For as little as $1/day you can incorporate manuka into your kid’s snack routine and it can help:

• Promote better sleep
• Support their immune system by fighting disease causing bacteria and promoting good gut bacteria
• Support brain function

Here are five easy snacks we think you and your kiddos will love:

1. Easy Air Fryer PB&H, three ways!
2. Honey PB Apple “Cookies”
3. Gluten & Yeast Free Soft Pretzels with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
4. Air Fryer Shiitake Mushroom Jerky
5. Peanut Butter Manuka Honey Cereal Bars 

Check out our reel for other fun ideas that don’t need a recipe! Or, if you want something super duper quick and portable, check out our manuka honey sticks!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• peanut butter 
• 1 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 60+
• sandwich cutter
• Optional fillings: banana slices, raspberries, jam
• Butter

Instructions:

Ingredients:

• 2 large red delicious apples
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup walnuts
• ¼ cup slivered almonds
• ¼ cup shredded coconut 
• 2 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey (or more if you like it sweeter)

Instructions:

• 4.5 cups oat flour
• ¼ cup tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp PRI Fine Sea Salt
• 2 tbsp PRI Manuka Blend
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut yogurt
• 1 ½ cups water (warm to the touch)
• ¼ cup baking soda (for the bath)
• 5 cups water

Toppings:

• Egg wash (1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp water)
• PRI Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF, and line your baking sheet with a silpat mat or parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: oat flour, tapioca or arrowroot, baking powder, cornstarch and sea salt.
• Next, pour the dry mixture into a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
• Pour in the warm water and turn it on low speed.
• Slowly add in the manuka honey, let it mix for a few seconds and then very slowly add in the coconut yogurt, increase the speed to medium.
• The dough should start to come together and resemble a yeasty dough. If it’s too wet add 1 tbsp of oat flour at a time, if it’s too dry add in 1 tbsp of water at a time.
• Once the dough is formed into a ball. Let the dough sit for 5 minutes. While doing this, bring 5 cups of water and ¼ cup of baking soda to a boil.
• Slice the dough into 8 sections, roll each section in a long rope and then form a horseshoe shape, cross the ends over the other and make a loop, then twist the ends again and loop up to create a pretzel shape. Complete until you have all your pretzels shaped.
• Next, once the baking soda bath has started to boil, drop in 1-2 pretzels at a time with a spatula with holes. Cook each pretzel until it starts to look brown 1-2 minutes, you can flip if you’d like for an even bake and coating.
• Continue until all the pretzels have soaked in the baking soda bath and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
• Create an egg wash but combine 1 egg yolk with 1 tbsp water, and brush it on. Top with PRI Flaky Sea Salt. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Once golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool before serving with honey mustard dipping sauce. Feel free to add more salt if preferred at this point. Store in an air-tight container or ziplock bag.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup dijon mustard (with or without seeds)
• 3 tbsp  PRI Manuka Honey
• ¼ cup mayo (dairy free works great too!)
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix the dijon mustard with the honey and vegan mayo. Stir until well combined.
• Next, add in yellow mustard, the lemon juice and optional chili powder.
• If your dijon mustard has seeds, throw it in a high speed mixer and blend until more smooth.
• Pour into a sauce dish and dip your pretzels in! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 - 8 oz. packages of shiitake mushroom
• ½ tbsp toasted sesame oil 
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 60+
• ½ tsp liquid smoke
• ½ tsp soy sauce 
• ¼ tsp minced ginger
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder 
• ¼ tsp PRI Chipotle BBQ Salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

• Rinse the mushrooms and pat them dry with a paper towel. 
• Next, create your marinade by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and stirring until well combined. 
• Place your mushrooms into a glass container with a lid and pour in your marinade. Place the top on and refrigerate overnight (preferred) or for at least a minimum of 2 hours. Shake the container regularly so the marinade is distributed throughout. 
• Next, remove your mushrooms from the fridge, they should have absorbed most of the liquid, but strain whatever excess marinade there is.  
• Place the mushrooms on a paper towel and pat dry again. 
• Next, place your mushrooms flat in the air fryer and airfry at 180F for 60 minutes. Spray with cooking spray.  After 30 minutes, flip the mushrooms over so they can cook evenly. At 60 minutes, check if they are your desired texture, if not, keep in the airfryer until desired consistency. Remove from airfryer and place on a paper towel one last time to absorb the excess oil. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 6 Cups Of O-Shaped Cereal
• 1 Cup Unsalted Peanut Butter
• ¾ Cup PRI Manuka Honey
• 2 Tbsp  Coconut Oil
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• ½ Tsp PRI Fine Sea Salt 

Instructions:

• Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• 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). 
• 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.
• Pour the cheerio mixture into the parchment lined pan and refrigerate overnight or for a few hours until firm.
• 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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You may have noticed the rise in popularity of jerky made with mushrooms but have you tried it yet? We’re here to tell you it’s worth ALLLLL the hype. Here’s our favorite recipe to get you started but the flavor combos you could create are infinite! 

Air Fryer Shiitake Mushroom Jerky

Ingredients:

• 2 - 8 oz. packages of shiitake mushroom
• ½ tbsp toasted sesame oil 
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 60+
• ½ tsp liquid smoke
• ½ tsp soy sauce 
• ¼ tsp minced ginger
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder 
• ¼ tsp PRI Chipotle BBQ Salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Rinse the mushrooms and pat them dry with a paper towel. 
2. Next, create your marinade by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and stirring until well combined. 
3. Place your mushrooms into a glass container with a lid and pour in your marinade. Place the top on and refrigerate overnight (preferred) or for at least a minimum of 2 hours. Shake the container regularly so the marinade is distributed throughout. 
4. Next, remove your mushrooms from the fridge, they should have absorbed most of the liquid, but strain whatever excess marinade there is.  
5. Place the mushrooms on a paper towel and pat dry again. 
6. Next, place your mushrooms flat in the air fryer and airfry at 180F for 60 minutes. Spray with cooking spray.  After 30 minutes, flip the mushrooms over so they can cook evenly. At 60 minutes, check if they are your desired texture, if not, keep in the airfryer until desired consistency. Remove from airfryer and place on a paper towel one last time to absorb the excess oil. Enjoy! 

Australia Day is originally focused on the First Fleet from Britain landing in Sydney Cove. For many people, Australia Day eventually became the day to reflect, respect and celebrate its nation, people and achievements. We like to celebrate Australia Day with our Australian Manuka Honey! 🎉Just like it’s New Zealand counterpart, Australian Manuka Honey is produced by the bees from the nectar of the Manuka Tree. Australia is known to have 84 of the 87 Leptospermum species, including the Leptospermum Scoparium species in NZ. This is the only honey that exhibits non-peroxide activity due to the MG component only present at high levels in Manuka Honey. This makes honey unique because of its antimicrobial and nutritional properties. 

For centuries, Manuka Honey has been popular for its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is generally used for treating wounds, burns, and other many other conditions both internal and external. Using Honey can accelerate healing, pain relief and decreased inflammatory response. You can apply a thin layer of Manuka Honey on a bandage before putting it on the affected area. 

Manuka Honey is produced by the bees from the nectar of the Manuka Tree that originated from New Zealand and Australia. MGO stands for Methylglyoxal, it is the compound that makes Manuka Honey unique. Manuka is the only honey that exhibits non-peroxide activity due to the MG component that is present. Manuka honey comes in a range of MGO ratings. The higher the number on the label, the higher the concentration of MGO. For external uses, especially for burn treatment, we recommend an MGO rating of at least 200+. 

Burn is a damaged tissue, after contact with heat and this can happen in many circumstances. Burn treatment depends on the type of burn. There are four types for burns below. 

• First-Degree Burns or Superficial Burns are mild. These cause pain and reddening of the outer layer of skin or epidermis.
• Second-Degree Burns or Partial Thickness Burns affect the outer layer of the skin or epidermis and lower layer of the skin or dermis. These cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
• Third-Degree Burns or Full Thickness Burns go through the lower layer of the skin or dermis and affect deeper tissues.
• Fourth-degree burns go even deeper than third-degree burns and can affect your muscles and bones. Nerve endings are also damaged or destroyed, so there’s no feeling in the burned area.

It appears that using Honey can heal Superficial or Partial Thickness Burns and when applied to the skin it helps to regenerate burn surface or tissue forming in wounds, reducing infection, providing relief and speeds up the healing process. 

If you feel your burn is severe, or just aren’t sure, please seek medical attention.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941901/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK78502/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25742878/

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-caused-by-burns

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6023338/

This is the cuticle oil for longer, stronger nails & healthy cuticles, .naturally! We all have had cuticle and nail issues and understand we need to take care of them…but what really are the purpose of our cuticles?

Cuticles are actually part of your skin that grows over the bottom of your nail and covers your nail matrix. The nail matrix is the part of your nail that grows so, the cuticle acts as a very important protective barrier for your nails!

This cuticle oil is  a SUPER simple DIY & another great natural health hack!  All you need is:

• Manuka Honey - (1) Honey is a humectant, which basically means it locks in moisture. (2) Manuka is also full of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Manuka Oil - (3) Shown to be 33x more effective against most bacteria than tea tree oil & also helps retain moisture. It can also help with brittle nails.

• Coconut Oil AND

• ACV - Both of these ingredients are packed with essential nutrients to help keep your nails strong and repair chipped or brittle nails.

All of these ingredients work together to create a hydrated nail bed, free from invasive bacteria and fungus. Simply mix the ingredients together and you’re done! While you can get inexpensive cuticle pens online and in lots of stores it is optional, just make sure you store the oil in a container with a lid. 

Simply rub into your cuticles and nails, leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse! Do this daily or, if you have problem nails, up to 3x a day.

Resources:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5038978/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941901/

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7694078/

What food most says Spring to you? For us, it’s shortbread. We don’t know what it is, but the turning of the season makes us crave these buttery, flakey treats so we just had to share our favorite recipe! 

With the simple addition of edible flowers, these classic cookies are instantly made into a feast for both the eyes and the tastebuds. Make them gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo or..none of the above - any way you go they’re sure to impress your Easter guests!

Edible Flower Honey Shortbread Cookies 

These delicious cookies are perfect for spring time and can be made both dairy-free and gluten-free! Use grass-fed butter for a paleo option.

Ingredients:

• ½ Cup Vegan Butter Or Grass-fed Butter
• ½ Cup PRI Manuka Honey 5+
• 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1.5 Cups Cassava Flour (Add In 1 Tbsp At A Time If Needed)
• ¼ Tsp PRI Fine Sea Salt
• 1 Egg (Egg White Only) + 1 Tbsp Cold Water
• 1-2 Packages Of Edible Flowers

Instructions:

1. In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, combine softened butter with manuka honey and vanilla. Whisk until the butter and honey are incorporated. You will need to scrape down the sides continuously.
2. Next, add in the cassava flour and sea salt and continue beating until a dough ball forms. If the batter is too wet add 1 tbsp of cassava flour at a time, if it’s too dry at 1 tbsp of honey at a time.
3. Place the dough ball in plastic wrap and let it chill for at least 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place parchment paper or a silpat mat on two baking sheets.
5. Roll out the dough on parchment paper and use a cookie cutter for your desired shape. The cookies should be at least ¼ inch to ⅜ thick.
6. Place them on the baking sheets spread out, but these cookies will not spread.
7. Whisk the egg whites of one egg with 1 tbsp cold water. Use a brush to brush on the egg wash on the cookie and then place an edible flower on top. Finish with more egg wash to seal it in.
8. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges become golden. 
9. Finally, let the cookies cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Make Up Remover

Ingredients:

• ⅓ Cup Witch Hazel
• ⅓ Cup Rose Water
• 2 Drops PRI Manuka Oil
• 2 Tsp Coconut or Sweet Almond Oil

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together
2. Stir the mixture
3. Pour into bottle
4. Shake well

Manuka Honey Face Mask

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 25+
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp Turmeric

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together
2. Stir the mixture
3. Transfer to jar

Manuka Facial Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle PRI Manuka Oil in Sweet Almond Oil
• 5 Drops PRI Propolis Extract
• 5 Drops Essential Oil (Optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together

These DIY gift ideas are so simple and easy to make, perfect for holidays or any gift giving occasions and can be customised with any special name, message, date or anything else important to you. Don’t forget that there’s so much more to self-care than bubble baths! When it comes to self-care products, natural really is the best!

The dog days of summer are officially here 🥵. Whether you are keeping cool by the pool or crowded around the air conditioner, keeping hydrated is key. Especially if pool time involves margaritas 😉 

We love a good electrolyte drink to keep us in tip top shape but what we don’t need are unnecessary artificial dyes and ingredients…yuck! Thus, we took one of our favorite flavors and gave it an upgrade which, of course, we just had to share with you!

You might ask: why are electrolytes important anyway and how do they work? Well, electrolytes play a critical role in balancing your body’s pH and in moving nutrients to your cells. They also help balance the water level in your body and regulate your heartbeat. (1)

When you are low on electrolytes you can experience all sorts of issues like blood clots and muscle contractions. Luckily it’s so easy to avoid by simply drinking enough water and incorporating this drink into your summer routine! (2)

Pro tip: if you don’t like fruit punch, you can make it with any juice you prefer. Citrus is also a very refreshing choice! 

Recipe: 

1-2 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Filtered Water
• 1 Tbsp Manuka Honey
• ½ Cup White Grape Juice
• ¼ Cup Apple Juice
• ¼ Cup Concord Grape Juice
• 2 Tbsp Orange Juice
• 1 Tbsp Pineapple Juice
• ½ Tsp PRI Fine Sea Salt
• ½ Tsp Beet Powder (Optional; For Color)

Instructions:

1. Add 2 cups of water to a large mason jar. Then add in 1 tbsp of manuka honey.  Secure the lid and shake well until the honey is mixed into the water. The liquid should be yellow in color.
2. Remove the lid and add white grape juice, apple juice, concord grape juice, orange juice and pineapple juice. Next, add in sea salt. If you prefer it less salty add ¼ tsp at a time of sea salt.
3. Secure the lid and shake well. If you want the color to be a more true red like classic electrolyte drinks add in ½ tsp of beet powder for color. Optional, but recommended!
4. Shake well and enjoy by itself or served over ice!

Resources:

(1) https://med.libretexts.org/Courses/Sierra_College/Sierra%3A_NUTF10_(Teh)/09%3A_Nutrients_Important_to_Fluid_and_Electrolyte_Balance/9.05%3A_Electrolytes_Important_for_Fluid_Balance

(2) https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=QX9_BZvlItgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=When+you+are+low+on+electrolytes+you+can+experience+all+sorts+of+issues+like+blood+clots+and+muscle+contractions&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSsfjXhPb4AhWZCIgKHeg2CLEQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q&f=false

Why does your face break out more during the holidays? 

It’s annoying, frustrating, and, well, a little bit our own faults - helloooo cookies! But here’s the thing - you should TOTALLY eat those cookies. There are many contributing factors as to why most people experience more inflammation and acne in the winter and, especially, during the winter holidays and most are external factors that can be naturally managed or even prevented entirely. 

One of the main reasons is simply that your skin produces more sebum in the dry winter weather. What is sebum you ask? Sebum is oil your skin glands produce and, while they help to keep your skin soft & supple they sometimes overproduce causing the cells to stick together and clog your pores.

Most sebum glands reside in the infamous “T-zone” aka your forehead, nose, and chin. The dryer it is, the more sebum your skin produces. 

Add to this the other factors that come along during the holidays such as:

• Increased stress
• Traveling to different climates 
• Eating far more sugary treats
• A less routine skincare regime
• Heavier make-up use 

Remember: Trying to overly restrict your diet can oftentimes lead to increased stress. Instead, go for balance, give yourself a little grace, and use manuka honey to help decrease the chance of breakouts and easily, naturally, treat any pimples that do arise. 

Here are a couple of ways you can help stop or reduce holiday breakouts before they start:

• Add 1/2 tsp of manuka honey to your face wash OR use the honey alone to wash
• Gently exfoliate 1-2x week using the honey tapping method to clear pores

If you do get any breakouts, help them disappear faster by:

• Spot treating the pimple. Simply dab a small amount of manuka (with clean hands) on the pimple and allow it to dry.
• Manuka honey face mask. Apply a thin layer of manuka to clean skin and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. Simply rinse or use a damp soft cloth to remove.

Want a natural cereal option that is also packed with flavor? Upgrade those bags of puffed rice with nutrient-dense and health promoting benefits of manuka honey, nuts & seeds! All you need are a few easy-to-find ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time.

Make it your own with your favorite seeds and nuts or even add some fruit, either way you’ll get a much healthier version of one of American’s favorite breakfasts. Try it with our lower MGO manuka honey like the 5+ or add a bit of citrus with our Lemon Twist manuka honey!

Homemade Manuka Honey Cereal

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Puffed Rice Cereal
• 1/2 Cup PRI Manuka Honey 5+
• 1/2 Cup Slivered Almonds (And More For Topping)
• 1/2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine puffed rice with manuka honey. Stir until the puffed rice clumps up. Then add in almonds, chia seeds, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir again until well combined. Then transfer the mixture to a baking sheet with a silpat mat or parchment paper and spread evenly. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven, let cool and enjoy!

Have you been celebrating National Ice Cream Month? It’s so easy to make your own, even if you don’t have an ice cream maker! Here are our top four recipes to keep you cool:

1 - Coffee Sweet Potato Nice Cream: We really think we cracked the code on this one. It honestly tastes JUST like regular ice cream except you could literally eat this every day for breakfast and feel great!

2 - Dairy-Free Spicy Mexican Chocolate Soft Serve: Because some like it hot AND sweet! Soft serve is even easier to make without any gadgets or constant stirring and this one is dairy free too!