Pumpkin Muffin with Pumpkin Spice Honey Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

Use any spice cake mix. Follow the cupcake recipe on box.

Frosting Ingredients

1/2 cup pumpkin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup Sue Bee® Clover Honey or Sue Bee® Vanilla Honey
3/4 cup butter
1 tbsp milk – If necessary to thin out mix

Directions

Place all ingredients in the bowl of an electric stand mixer and blend until smooth.
Store in airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
Let sit for 30 minutes prior to frosting to soften.
Once piped on, place cupcakes back in fridge to set the butter cream.

Sue Bee® honey Helps Hawaii

From fresh produce drives to donating honey sale proceeds, Sue Bee is helping those affected by Kilauea.

We’ve been sharing all sorts of sweetness in Hawaii this week! Literal sweetness, of course – honey samples and honey apple canapes – as well as the sweetness of giving back.

How so? At each of our grocery store stops, we’ve been hosting donation drives. Meaning, for every bottle of Sue Bee® honey purchased, we donated a portion of the proceeds to The Food Basket of Hawaii—a food security and sustainability nonprofit—up to $1,500.*

But the sweetness sharing didn’t stop there. We were so impressed by The Food Basket, and moved by the need the eruption created, that we continued our partnership and hosted fresh produce drives benefiting residents displaced by the lava flows. Our first drive collected four full crates of fresh produce, and we collected three more on Wednesday.

The Sioux Honey Association Co-op is just one of many groups assisting with relief efforts, and displaced residents have been so appreciative. One Leilani Estates evacuee, Nicolette Douvris told us, “Seeing the community come together during this difficult time has been so encouraging. Compassion and comforting hugs from other evacuees and supportive community members have been a lifesaver during this time. Thank you all for helping.”

If you’d like to donate fresh produce, come find us at Hilo Farmers Market this Saturday, June 30. More donation drives will also be hosted at participating grocery stores throughout the weekend, so be sure to check the tour schedule at sharesweetness.com. We’d love to help the residents and beekeepers of Hawaii as much as we can!

We’ll also be collecting these non-produce items:

• instant soup
• chips/crackers
• boxed juice
• coffee
• canned tuna/chicken
• boxed milk
• baking soda
• cleaning supplies
• toothpaste/toothbrushes
• shampoo/conditioner
• honey, of course!

Mahalo!

If you’d like to learn more about The Food Basket, visit hawaiifoodbasket.org.

DISCLAIMER *Sioux Honey Association Co-op will donate up to $1,500 total from participating retail stops the weekend of June 29 through July 1.

Fresh Produce Drive to Benefit Those Affected by Kilauea Lava Flow

June 27 Hilo Event to Highlight Importance of Bees and Sharing Sweetness with Others

What

A fresh produce drive, in partnership with The Food Basket and the Hilo Farmers Market, will be held to provide fresh produce and financial donations that will be distributed to those displaced by the Kilauea lava flow. The event is a continuation of  Share a Little Sweetness tour presented by the Sioux Honey Association Co-op, which has beekeeper members across the U.S., including Hawaii.

How

The Hilo Farmers Market will provide a booth to act as a “food hub” to collect fresh produce, as well as monetary donations from the public on Wednesday and Saturday – its two weekly Big Market Days. The donations will be collected at a booth managed by volunteers for The Food Basket and Sioux Honey Association Co-op.

Editor’s note: Photos and background information are available for download.

Who

Sioux Honey Association Co-op beekeeper David Thomas, who had to move more than half of his hives to safe yards because of the lava flow.
Jo Ann Abiley, Operations Manager, The Food Basket.

Follow along on Sioux Honey’s Facebook  and Instagram using hashtags #SueHoneyHelpsHawaii and #ShareSweetness.

Why

To assist residents and beekeepers affected by the Kilauea volcano eruption. Bees and their beekeepers are vital to Hawaii food production. Bees account for one in every three bites of food we consume.

When

Wednesday, June 27, from 6 a.m. to noon, HST. Sioux Honey Association Co-op beekeeper David Thomas will be available for interview at 11 a.m. HST. Another drive will take place Saturday, June 30, 6 a.m. to noon.

Where

The Hilo Farmers Market located at the corner of Mamo and Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, Hawaii.

About Sioux Honey Association Co-op

The Sioux Honey Association Co-op began nearly 100 years ago by beekeepers with a passion for pure, honest honey. That passion remains today, and every Sioux Honey brand (Aunt Sue’s® honey and Sue Bee® honey) is held to the standards set in 1921 – standards our hundreds of independent beekeepers have helped us keep. Together, we continue to share a little sweetness with those affected by natural disasters while also educating consumers on bee-friendly behaviors, sharing recipes and delivering that same, delicious honey. For more information, visit www.sharesweetness.com.

About the Hilo Farmers Market

Since 1988, the Hilo Farmers Market is a must-see experience when you are on Hawaii Island where over 200 local farmers, crafters, food producers and retailers sell their products in a festive outdoor atmosphere. Our market highlights the “plantation” days of early Hawaii when different nationalities from around the world came together to help create the unique culture of understanding, delicious food and the Aloha Spirit that Hawaii exemplifies today. We want to perpetuate the Aloha Spirit in conjunction with Sioux Honey and The Food Basket with our Fresh Produce Drive to help those devastated by the recent lava flows. Visit at hilofarmersmarket.com and on Facebook.

About The Food Basket

The Food Basket is the sole food bank for Hawaii Island with offices and warehouses in both Hilo and Kona. We have been in continuous operation serving the emergency food needs in Hawaii County since 1989. Our mission is to “End hunger in Hawaii County” and serve on average 13,700 unduplicated individuals a month island-wide.

Road (and Ocean) Trip

Sioux Honey travels to assist those affected by Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano eruption

When Mt. Kilauea erupted on May 3, we immediately thought about David Thomas, a beekeeper on Hawaii’s Big Island who is a member of the Sioux Honey Association Co-op. He is based out of Keaau, which is just 8 miles from the current lava flow in the eastern rift zone near Kapoho in the Puna district.

The next thing we thought of: How can we help?

We called David and learned that he had to rush to relocate 41 of his nearly 100 locations, which held about 2,200 of his 5,200 hives. Since he moved those hives, 14 of the 41 locations are now covered with lava. David also lost one location – about 130 hives – in the devastated Leilani Estates area, which was destroyed by the lava flow.

“The bees that we moved were in an area of Hawaii that is a very good area for honeybees,” David told us. “They produce good honey, and they produce wonderful bees.”

“We pretty much lost that area, so now I’m in the process of trying to find new locations to put the bees where they can have some reasonable chance of making a honey crop.”

While Mother Nature knows best, there’s no arguing that the lava flows are wreaking havoc on the current ecosystem. Many of the areas devastated were vital food sources for David’s honeybees. Unique fruits and, consequently, unique honey flavors were often harvested there – lychee, longan, coffee plants and macadamia tree.

David is currently in the process of trying to find new locations. And, with a little ingenuity and some extra help, his honeybees should be happily producing honey and pollinating again soon.

We have lots more Hawaii stories to tell, and you can read them in our upcoming special edition of HIVE! It’s free and it’s delivered right to your email inbox each month. Sign up at SiouxHoney.com.

Here’s a sneak peek at the topics we’ll cover in the July 2018 edition of HIVE:

• Our “Share Sweetness” initiative in Hawaii, including food bank partnerships, honey donations and ongoing fundraising efforts to support those affected by the lava flows.
• An overview of how the Kilauea eruption has affected the ecosystem on the island, including the destruction of vital food sources for honeybees.
• An interview with David, who talked to us about his move to Hawaii six years ago from Louisiana and the difference between being a Sioux Honey beekeeper on the mainland and producing honey in Hawaii.
• Interviews with local farmers who rely on David’s honeybees to pollinate their crops – from native fruits like lychee and longan, to coffee plants and macadamia trees.
• Interviews with honeybee researchers who are working with David to develop of a breed of bees that are resistant to fatal Varroa hive mites.

Aloha!

The Share Sweetness team is back in action and on the road, bringing a little extra sweetness to the great state of Hawaii. We’re sharing free Sue Bee® honey samples and tasty honey recipe ideas across the big island over the next couple of weeks. In addition, we’ll be donating honey to the Food Basket and collecting other donations to forward on to relief efforts to help those displaced by the lava flows.

You might ask, why did we come all this way to share a little sweetness? Well, the Sioux Honey Association Co-op is a cooperative, not a corporation, owned by our member beekeepers across the United States. One of our very own co-op beekeeper owners, David Thomas, runs 5200 hives across the big island from his operation based in Keaau. As a result of the eruptions and lava flows, he’s had to relocate half of his hives to safer bee yards on the island.

An important part of being a co-op is we help each other out, so here we are – to lend a hand, to help David tell his story, and to help the many others affected, while sharing a little of our sweetness.

How can you help? Be sure to follow our tour updates, share our posts, and if you’re in the neighborhood, visit one of our tour stops for free honey samples and recipe ideas, and drop off your donations for the relief efforts.

Some of the items most in need include: instant soup, chips/crackers, boxed juice, coffee, canned tuna/chicken, boxed milk, baking soda, cleaning supplies, toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner – and of course, honey.

Thanks for your help, and Aloha from your friends at Sioux Honey Association Co-op.

#ShareSweetness #HoneyHelpsHawaii

Fruit Torte

Ingredients

Shell

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup Sue Bee® Clover Honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp milk

Glaze

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• ¼ cup plus ¾ cup water
• 1 tbsp honey

Directions

Shell

Generously grease and flour a torte pan, especially the flutes.

Cream together the butter and honey until mixture is smooth and fluffy.

Add in vanilla and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

Add half of the flour mixture to the bowl and mix well.

Add the milk and mix, then add the remaining flour and mix again. Mixture will be thick.

Spread evenly in pan and bake for 20 minutes at 375º F.

Let crust cool for 10 minutes, then remove from torte pan onto serving dish.

Once cooled, refrigerate until you are ready for the next step if necessary.

Filling and Glaze:

Use any combination of fresh fruit that you like, just make sure the fruit is drained well and dried on a paper towel before you place it on the torte crust. Completely cover the crust before glazing.

Dissolve gelatin in ¼ cup water.

Heat remaining ¾ cup water and honey in a saucepan until boiling.

Remove the water/honey mixture from heat and add gelatin, stirring until all gelatin has dissolved.

Cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly. (Check often! Consistency should be such that you can spoon evenly over the torte without soaking into the shell.)

Refrigerate torte until ready to serve.

Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Sue Bee® Original Style Honey Barbecue Sauce
1 can pineapple chunks (reserve juice)
4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1” cubes
1 cup mushrooms, halved
1 red bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 red onion
3 tbsp soy sauce
Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce and chicken cubes in bowl or large bag.
Marinate for at least 30 minutes or in refrigerator overnight.
Preheat oven to 425º F.
Thread ingredients onto skewers and place on a foil-lined baking pan.
Brush with BBQ sauce and bake for 10 minutes.
Rotate, brush once more and return to oven for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through and veggies start to char.
Brush once more with sauce and serve.

Cinnamon Honey Syrup

Ingredients

1 tsp cinnamon

3 tbsp unsalted butter

5 tbsp Sue Bee® Clover Honey

2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Melt butter in a saucepan.

Add cinnamon, honey and lemon juice. Stir until well combined.

Slowly add cream while stirring constantly.

Slowly bring to a boil and stir for another minute.

Serve over our Honey Flapjacks, or let cool and serve over ice cream or yogurt.

Honey Flapjacks

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup flour

4 medium eggs

4 tbsp Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey

2 tbsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp real butter

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a blender for a light, fluffy texture.

Pour onto a buttered electric griddle – preferably set at 325° – or a buttered pan.

Cook slowly until golden brown.

Serve with warmed honey and/or Cinnamon Honey Syrup.

We know where our honey comes from … by name.

Knowing the “who” behind your food has been a growing trend for years now. It makes sense; there’s comfort in the fact that the broccoli you’re steaming came from a family farm just 15 miles away. It’s how it should be, and it’s why we never left.

You see, we’ve been carrying the farm-to-fork – or in our case, hive-to-table – tradition for a while now. Since 1921, in fact, when five humble American beekeepers got together and started the Sioux Honey Association Co-op. The idea? A beekeeper-owned co-op would allow our beekeepers to pool resources and knowledge while maintaining the integrity of their honey. Nearly 100 years and 200+ beekeepers later, we’re still doing just that.

As more imported and adulterated honeys flood the market, it’s become more important than ever to know where your honey comes from. And that’s the beauty of our co-op. Not only do we know where our honey comes from, but we know them by name.

Like Will Nissen, for example. Nissen runs Five Star Honey Farms in Minot, North Dakota, and his beekeeping has turned into a full-blown family affair. All three of his sons followed him into the honey business, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t pleasantly surprised.

“I figured one of them would stick around, for sure. But I think they can see there’s a future in bees, and it’s a good, solid future.”

Darrel Rufer, a seasoned chef turned beekeeper, is now one of the top honey producers in our co-op, with more than 5,500 colonies in Minnesota and South Dakota. Joining our co-op in 2003 was one of the biggest decisions he ever made for his business, but he says he’d never go back.

“Sue Bee is synonymous with quality and with values – high values – so it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to be a Sioux Honey member.”

Bill Lemmons, ever a wise beekeeper, says the most important quality for a successful hive is a terrific queen. “That’s the same with the family,” he adds, “and we got it.” Even after over 50 years in the beekeeping business, Lemmons’ love for bees and their honey hasn’t ebbed a bit.

“You’ve got to have a dedication and love bees and the work that they do. They’re a creature that very few people understand.”

So, next time you purchase our honey, know you’re not just buying honey. You’re supporting American beekeepers like Nissen, Rufer and Lemmons, keeping family farms in the family and putting premium U.S.A. honey on your cupboard shelf.

Thanks for supporting our beekeepers. Click below and take $1 off.

Print this $1 off coupon for your next store visit.

Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey can be found in most local grocery stores.

Use our store finder to find one near you.

Sweet & Savory Bourbon Bacon Jam

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb bacon, diced

2 cups shallots, finely chopped

1 cup Vidalia onion or any sweet onion, finely diced

3 tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

4 oz bourbon

1 cup Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions

For the bacon:
Over medium heat, cook the bacon until brown.

(Pro tip: Cook in small batches for best results. You’ll want the bacon to be nice and crispy.)

Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess fat, leaving 2 tbsp of fat in the pan for later use.

To make the jam:
Pulse shallots and onions in food processor, or cut by hand.

Add shallots and onion to pan with leftover bacon fat.

Cook over medium heat until they start to caramelize.

Add garlic, cook for about 1 more minute.

Add chili powder and smoked paprika, stir to combine.

Increase heat to high, slowly and carefully adding bourbon and honey.

Bring to a boil, stirring often (about 3 to 5 minutes).

Add balsamic vinegar and continue to boil for about 4 minutes.

Add bacon and reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and starts to resemble jam.

Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup Sue Bee® Clover Honey

Directions

Add all ingredients to bowl and whisk until smooth.

Serve with any fruit or cookie you’d like!

Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Grapefruit Paloma with Honey Blood Orange Simple Syrup

Ingredients

2 oz silver tequila

3 oz fresh grapefruit juice (about half a grapefruit)

1 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)

3 tbs honey blood orange simple syrup (see below)

1 oz club soda

For the honey blood orange simple syrup:

2 cups Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey

1 cup water

1 cup fresh blood orange juice

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup Sue Bee® honey with 1 cup fresh blood orange juice and bring to a boil. Simmer to reduce, stirring occasionally. Strain and let cool before serving.

Directions

In a shaker or a large glass combine the tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and honey simple syrup.

Shake or stir to combine.

Pour over ice into a salt or sugar-rimmed glass, leaving enough room at the top for the club soda.

Top with club soda and stir to combine.

Garnish with additional lime or grapefruit slices.

Serve and enjoy!

Random Acts of Kindness Day

It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day, and we can’t think of a better time to share some sweetness! Inspired by our Share a Little Sweetness tour, today we’re sharing a few ways you can pay it forward.

1) Send someone a handwritten note to let them know you’re thinking about them.

Like these cards we delivered to the Children’s Hospital of Colorado:

2) Offer to babysit so your family or friends can have a night out.

Helping children affected by the hurricanes was one of the highlights of our trip:

3) Whip up some honey-sweetened treats for your four-legged pals.

This adorable fur baby and her friends stole our hearts while on the road:

4) Email or write to a former teacher who made a difference in your life.

We loved giving back to educators we met last summer:

5) If it’s warm where you live, set up a bee bath in your bee-friendly garden. Use a shallow container (like a plate), place some marbles or rocks on it for bees to land and add water.

While we were in Phoenix, everyone was feeling the heat, so we made a stop to deliver water and honey to people in need:

Share your ‘random act of kindness’ with us by using the hashtag #ShareSweetness.

Brown Sugar Honey Body Scrub

Every once in a while, we need a day to treat ourselves. Body scrubs are a great way to relax and reward our skin. Sugar scrubs are a great way to help exfoliate your skin and help with the hydration process.

This Brown Sugar Honey Body Scrub uses simple ingredients – like our Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey – that you might already have at home. It’s easy to make for yourself or great as a gift. This recipe makes a small cupful at a time, so it stays fresh for you to use at your leisure.

Ingredients

2 tbsp Sue Bee® honey
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a small bowl and stir until you have equal consistency. Apply to skin and let sit for at least 10 minutes.

Homemade Honey Hand Balm

Our rich Honey Hand Balm is easy to make, helps tackle dry skin, and has multiple uses other than a hand balm. Use it as a lotion, hair conditioner, or cuticle cream. It can even help soothe a sunburn after a pool day in the summer!

You’ll need:

½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup almond oil
5 tbsp beeswax pastilles
1 tbsp shea butter
1½ tbsp Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey
10–20 drops of lavender essential oil
8-ounce glass jar, or several small tins with lids

Directions:

Combine all ingredients, except the honey and essential oils, into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals for two minutes, or until all ingredients have melted. Mix in the honey and essential oils and immediately pour into the jar. Let cool to room temperature.

To adjust the texture, melt the balm again and add either more beeswax or more essential oils.

How do you use honey to pamper yourself? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Honey Snack Mix

Ingredients

1 large box of Crispix or Chex

1-lb bag M&Ms

1 lb nuts of your choice (we recommend cashews)

1 cup butter

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups Sue Bee® honey

Directions

Place cereal, M&Ms and nuts in a large brown paper bag.

In a large pot, slowly bring to boil butter, salt, baking soda and honey.

(*Pro Tip: Use a larger pot than you think you need. Mixture will expand when you add the baking soda.)

Once mixture comes to a boil, boil for 90 seconds, stirring continuously.

Remove from heat and add baking soda.

Allow mixture to bubble while stirring.

Pour liquid mixture over cereal mixture and shake vigorously.

Microwave bag and contents for 1 minute and shake again. Can be repeated if necessary.

Transfer to cookie sheets to cool.

Aunt Sue’s Dry Skin Moisturizer

When your hands become dry and uncomfortable, turn to one of Aunt Sue’s® homemade moisturizers.

Add some olive oil and lemon juice to Aunt Sue’s® Raw & Unfiltered Honey and this lotion will help leave you feeling fresh and moisturized.

Aunt Sue’s^® Dry Skin Moisturizer

 Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Aunt Sue’s^® Raw & Unfiltered Honey
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Juice from half a lemon

Directions

• Mix honey, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl.
• Apply lotion to dry areas and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Wipe off with a warm washcloth.
• Repeat as needed.

6 Homemade Skin Products Made With Honey

It’s no secret that skin products aren’t cheap, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what ingredients are really in them. So why not make your own? Whether it’s a cleanser, face mask or a night cream that you’re after, we’ve got a variety of different skin products for you to try. And many of them made with simple ingredients – from honey to oatmeal to aloe to lavender – as well as a few household basics, so you can easily try any or all of them to see which you prefer for your skin type.

1. Turmeric and Honey Face Mask
   If you’ve got a little downtime over the weekend, kick back and relax after applying this face mask from Dear Crissy, so you can start off the week with a refreshed face.

2. Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser
   Honey, aloe and nourishing oil make up this amazing facial cleanser from Live Simply. With only those simple ingredients, there’s no excuse not to add this cleanser to your beauty regimen.

3.  Oatmeal Honey Face Scrub
   Ever feel like your face needs a deep scrub after a long week? Dabbles and Babbles shares this recipe for a face scrub that is made up of ingredients like honey and oatmeal.

4. Honey Lavender Night Cream
   After you cleanse, scrub or tone, you can’t forget to moisturize! Add this homemade night cream from Premeditated Leftovers to your nightly routine.
   

5. Papaya and Honey Face Mask
   With papaya and honey working together, your skin is going to thank you for using this face mask from Beauty Munsta.
   

6. Milk and Honey Body Wash
   Honey doesn’t have to be just for your face … it’s great for the rest of your body, too! Try using this body wash from Live Simply during your next shower.

What did we miss? Share your favorite homemade skin products that use honey with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

Helpful Skin Tips Using Honey

Who doesn’t want soft, clear skin? Sue Bee® honey and Aunt Sue’s® honey can be a great way to help give your skin that boost you’ve been looking for. Pamper yourself at home with these simple, helpful DIY beauty recipes using ingredients that may already be in your pantry.

Facial Masks

Mix together 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of buttermilk and 1 egg yolk and then apply the mixture to a clean face using circular motions. Then sit back and relax. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

Facial Treatment

For a simple facial treatment, start by slicing a lemon in half and removing the seeds. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to one of the lemon halves and rub it on your face. Let sit for five minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Facial Cleanser

Say goodbye to makeup residue. Use honey and coconut oil to create a spreadable mixture and rub it directly onto your skin. The ingredients will work together to help loosen the makeup. Rinse with warm water after all the makeup is removed.

Body Scrub

Try not to eat too much of this natural body scrub before you apply it your skin! Combine equal parts honey and ground almonds to form a paste. Rub it on your face, arms, legs or wherever you choose before rinsing with warm water.

Exfoliate Skin

Mix two parts honey with one part baking soda to create a skin exfoliator that can be used on your entire body twice a week.

Skin Lotion

Create your own skin lotion to help prevent dry skin by mixing 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a drop or two of lemon juice. Rub the lotion on dry skin – or areas that are prone to being dry – and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water or using a warm, damp washcloth to wipe the area dry.

Bath Soak

Dissolve 1 cup honey in a cup of boiling water before adding 2 cups milk. Draw yourself a bath and dissolve 1/2 cup sea salt and 2 tablespoons baking soda in the warm water. Add the honey-milk mixture to the bathwater along with 10 drops of vanilla oil. Spread the mixture throughout the bath and soak for up to 30 minutes.