As I've fought a sore throat and now cough, I've included a few doses of raw, local honey in my diet. Not only can honey coat the throat, but raw honey provides immune boosting antioxidants and enzymes. Raw honey is also a natural antimicrobial and antiviral. Local raw honey has also helped many people with allergies.

These natural nutrients are stripped when raw honey is processed(not raw). You may also think that honey is just sugar, but raw honey does not even compare to refined sugar. Empty calories deplete the body whereas vitamins and minerals restore the body. Additionally, honey digests itself with all it's live enzymes and spares key nutrients needed for the body's fat metabolism. Therefore honey has been known as a helpful diet aid.

So, explore the benefits of raw honey! The benefits I've listed above are just a few! Prevent and treat....another option for optimal wellness.

Iron is necessary to ensure oxygen delivery to every cell in your body. Do you have low energy? Feel tired? Have trouble sleeping? Are you replenishing your iron stores to ensure you have oxygen for times of stress and illness? I do not have to explain why our bodies need oxygen. Low levels can manifest slowly as headaches, sexual dysfunction, irritability, swelling of the tongue, brittle nails, and lack luster hair to just name a few.

Iron can be obtained from your diet. Some examples of dietary sources include: red meat, lima beans, kale, spinach, watermelon, beets, prunes, clams, almonds, and chlorophyll. Check with your doctor if you need further supplementation.

Keep in mind just like any food you can consume it but are you absorbing the necessary nutrients? The tannins in tea, polyphenols on coffee, phosphates in soda, and calcium if taken within two hours of an iron supplement all impair iron absorption.

You subsequently can also increase iron absorption by combining foods rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, peppers, green veggies, citrus fruits) with iron rich foods.

I routinely boost my iron stores. Sometimes in the winter my lips crack in the corners. When I consciously increase my iron intake, I am able to avoid this. Women especially need to be aware of the benefits of iron very month. Your immune system will thank you. Prevention is the treatment!

One other tidbit I wish I knew earlier is if you aren't ensuring oxygen stores you will burn carbohydrates first instead of fat during exercise as it takes less oxygen to burn carbs. If you are exercising for weight loss ensure your body has plenty of iron.

Oxygen, oxygen, oxygen! The key to optimal wellness :)

A bit of information, to your health! Explore Iron! Questions welcome!