HONEY!

Sisters,

I have looked a great deal for a source of raw local honey and while I have found sources, I am not willing to pay those prices. This has been very disappointing as everything I have found is $6-$11 dollars a pound! I have never paid that and would never pay that if I could help it! I am the ward emergency preparedness leader and I feel the extra nudge to find an affordable source for all who are interested. Those that use honey know of its value and some even realize its many healing properties. Many of you have asked me questions about the differences in honey and pricing. "isn't honey, well, honey?" I have considered even doing a class on honey to dispel any questions and share what I know (which isn't much, but I'll share) but to simplify all of our lives, I will just add the information for those that are interested in this email. One of my friends and a granddaughter to the original founder sent me attachments of her information that you might find helpful/interesting. You can read on to learn interesting facts about honey or if you don't care-no worries! 

In Utah I used to get honey at Cox Honeyland (Cache Valley Utah) and I grew up on Cox's creamed honey (Idaho). These two companies are different but they are related. When our family moved I just had these companies ship honey to us. In Las Vegas, we were lucky enough that our wards throughout the valley there did bulk orders from Cox's honey. I lived 40 minutes from Henderson which is where they were delivering all the orders for the valley. I didn't see a need for all of us up north to drive down and called and offered to meet them off the freeway so that I could distribute to those who lived near me. I did this for free and had the opportunity to meet a lot of neat people. Because I couldn't find a source that was local, raw AND affordable, I asked them if we could do the same thing here and ship bulk orders to us here just like they did in Las Vegas. They agreed! Because it is bulk, we will get a better price than their internet listing. However, our order needs to be large enough to make it worth their time so feel free to spread the word and this email to anyone you think may be interested so we can place a bulk order. If you have a better source-PLEASE let me know. Again, this is the best source I have found. I am acquainted with the family and I trust the product. 

- Sister Alena Ericksen Columbus 4th ward 

Email me with any other questions: 8ericksens@gmail.com

Call (435) 881-6028

Ok, here is ordering information:

On the website a case of creamed honey which is 6 5 pound buckets is $150. That is $5 a pound. The great news is, if we order bulk we can get the same case for $130.50 which is $4.35 per pound. Plus this includes shipping and no tax. They sent me samples of this and if you want to try, let me know. I will warn you-it's addicting!

Liquid raw honey is $140 for a case of 6 5 pound jugs online, but we can get it in bulk for $124.50 which is $4.15 per pound.

There are other sizes available of both the creamed and liquid-the above is just the best deal as packaging always adds to the cost. If you don't want a case you might want to consider splitting a case with someone. The prices are as follows:

6 5 pound pails of creamed-$130.50 ($4.35 per pound)

6 5 pound liquid jugs-$124.50 case (4.15 per pound)

6/40 ounce creamed cups ($5.05 per pound) $75.84 case

12/20 ounce creamed cups ($5.59 per pound) $83.76 a case

12/32 ounce squeeze bottles ($4.85 per pound) $116.52 case

12/24 ounce squeeze bottles ($4.97 per pound) $89.40 case

12/16 ounce squeeze bottles ($5.32 per pound) $63.84 case

12/12 ounce squeeze bears. ($5.76 per pound) $51.84 case

For those who are adventurous they even have honey comb available-$16 for a 4" by 4" square.

You can visit their website at coxshoney.com to see the containers.

I need to turn orders in by March 15 so they can schedule a delivery. If I have your orders with money included (cash or check-make the check out to me Alena Ericksen and I will give them one big check) then we can secure your order and pay the driver when it's delivered. Typically they schedule two big orders a year-spring and fall. 

When placing your order please indicate what ward/unit you are in. When the honey comes in everyone can arrange to pick up the honey from my home, or each ward can designate someone to pick up their ward orders and distribute from another location. 

To learn more about Cox's Honey click on the link below.

http://youtu.be/oi_2Rs8Gohk

Fun Honey facts: (most information below applies to raw honey)

-Raw honey is honey (nectar from flowers) that is pure, unheated, unpasteurized and unprocessed. This is perhaps one of the most important characteristics and health benefits of the final product, as it preserves all the natural vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients and other nutritional elements. True raw honey is quite different from processed, commercial honey for these main reasons.

-Raw honey comes in different forms. It cannot be heated above 116 degrees or it is not considered raw. 

-Comb:It can be straight from the comb-which is healthiest but also pricey. Our source can sell this. This is straight from the hive with the wax intact.

-creamed: The next healthiest is "creamed", "whipped" or "butter honey" which isn't really butter but is described as such because of its creamy texture. This is our favorite and I have samples of this one if anyone wants to try it. This is a process where the honey granules from the hive are spun and the end product is white honey-nothing added and nothing removed.

-Liquid: Finally liquid honey which if it is raw is warmed gently around 85 degrees and gravity is used to filter it through a mesh.

-Commercially they pasteurize honey to liquefy it and prevent it from crystalizing. Honey does NOT contain bacteria and will last "forever" under good conditions. If your honey is crystalizing that is a good sign. Unfortunately, pasteurization destroys many of the healthy benefits of honey.

-Commercially honey companies can add up to 25% corn syrup and still call it "pure honey". There is also a lot of imported honey that has been altered. It's good to know your source, especially if you're paying a honey price for it. Many of you have asked me about store honey. You may find this article interesting on the problem with "unknown" sources of store honey. This includes tests on Costco, SAMs, Walmart and most big retailed honey sources. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/#.VOqXMDuhzsh.mailto. 

-Honey is the only food that includes several substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water; and it's the only food that contains "pinocembrin", an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning. (This reminds me of John the Baptist living off of Locusts and wild honey)

-The average worker bee produces about 1/12th teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.

-It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee's flight around the world. This would explain the quick boost of energy people and especially athletes get from honey.

-Honey is a miracle food; it never goes bad. It was reported that archaeologists found 2000 year old jars of honey in Egyptian tombs and they still tasted delicious! Many people find it rather surprising that bacteria cannot grow in honey because all things being equal, bacteria loves sugar. The unique chemical composition of low water content and relatively high acidic level in honey creates a low pH (3.2-4.5) environment that makes it very unfavourable for bacteria or other micro-organism to grow 

- Due to the fact that honey is very low in water content and very high in sugar content, this makes it undesirable for microbial growth. However, in rare cases endospores of Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that can cause botulism) have been found. This is normally never a problem for an adult digestive system, but the reason why honey should not be given to infants.

-The colors of honey comes from the nectar of the plants. The lightest colors of honey have the mildest flavors, while the darker colors have fuller flavors.

-The vitamins present in honey are C, B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids. The minerals found in honey include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.

-cooking with honey I use half the amount of sugar called for and reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees. I cook mostly with honey and find it adds a depth of flavor to yogurt shakes, stir fry recipes, soups, homemade salsa, baked goods and deserts. 

-to easily measure honey oil your measuring cup before and the honey will come right out. 

-I have never heated my honey as I find it is just as easy to measure in the creamed form. 

-Honey has a healthy glycemic index meaning that its sugars can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream to result in better digestion. 

-We have experienced putting raw honey on wounds and they heal faster. When my children are sick I give them a spoon of raw honey and fresh squeezed lemon juice in warm water to sip as it sooths the throat and helps them get better quicker.

-Many people have considered honey needing to be local to benefit allergies, there is no proof of this, though honey has helped with allergies

-If there are any questions just ask! I will check with the company if I don't know them. I appreciate everyone!