The New Way to Start the New Year

It's that time of year again, and we're sure you're thinking: "oh great, here's another brand talking about resolutions and how to be 'better' next year if we buy their products 🙄”.

Here's the thing, though, we're not going to. Well, we will do the first part, just differently from how you think. Bear with us here.

At PRI, transparency is one of our four core values. Often, that means transparency in sourcing, labeling & your ability to see your honey’s test results quickly. In our blog and social posts, it might translate into what words we use to describe our product’s abilities and ensure we are always sharing studies. It also means openness in sharing our beliefs & values to better connect with our partners and customers.

In our constant quest to be more transparent, we have many conversations about the meaning of words. Some words or phrases are defined in the dictionary in one way but used by the general public or brands in another way. Some examples you might be familiar with are “all-natural” or “made with organic ingredients.”

For instance, many products only need to contain 95% organic ingredients to be certified organic! 

After having those conversations, & rereading last year's blog post about our top tips for making realistic resolutions, we had a moment of clarity about two things. 

1 - Our tips culminated into one core feeling:  Positive Solutions > Resolutions.

2 - We've always known that we don't need to go on the newest diet, track every bit of food put into our bodies, or cause massive amounts of stress trying to cut out our favorite foods simply because someone said it was terrible for us. 

The missing first step.

Even so, we were still missing a critical first step: The need to approach WHY we want to change the things we want to change about ourselves. 

Which of our desired changes come from toxic societal influence or past trauma, and which will genuinely serve us in the long run? Once we've done that, we can look at what remains as a puzzle (not a problem) that we can only solve by creating positive solutions and showing kindness to ourselves. 

So, in 2023 our quest is to be vigilant: 

Vigilant against unrealistic resolutions.

Vigilant against negative self-speak.

Vigilant against the constant seeking of a perfection which does not exist.

Vigilant against applying restrictions to ourselves that don't honor our bodies, our souls & our heritage.

Vigilant in our defiance of fear. 

So how do you practice this in everyday life?

We asked our CFO Kristy and some of our friends to share their thoughts on resolutions, honoring yourself, and tips about using positive solutions to become the best version of yourself possible.

Here is what our CFO Kristy Oakley had to say about unrealistic resolutions & how to make real change instead: 

“Resolutions - realistic or not - I don’t make them. I never have and never will. My family and friends that have made them rarely keep them long and then feel bad or guilty for not. This is unneeded pressure and guilt for a change you THINK you need to make and declare to the world.  

Real change happens in those quiet moments by yourself when no one is looking, and you have come to a place where you are ready and able to make whatever change that may be. 

If you are not ready, it can be a constant struggle despite many best attempts! 

Don’t let what you think others think you should change be a goal. Start with loving yourself where you are right now. When going out into the world, you have to be happy with who you are right now….not who you were, not who you will be, but who you are today in each moment. 

In this mindset, amazing things can happen, and realistic goals can be made and achieved. You are your greatest cheerleader! 

This is a challenging task, as loving yourself can be one of the most complex hurdles to jump. And sometimes, it is a daily challenge. I remind myself constantly! 

My daily tips:

1 - Be aware of those around you, and help make someone’s day by just noticing them 

2 - Smile even when you feel crappy(surprisingly, this actually helps bring happiness into your day!)

3 - Be thankful even if just for waking up to a new day or that first cup of tea or coffee ...it has a knock-on effect, you will see!”

Body-Positive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & owner of Beautiful Eats & Things says: 

“This phrase “Vigilant against applying restrictions to ourselves that don't honor our bodies, our souls & our heritage” resonates with me. It reminds me that you don’t have to deprive or restrict yourself from things that bring you joy as a way to make positive changes. It also reminds me to be proud of who I am and where I come from.

Everywhere we turn, we face unrealistic body goals and unsolicited health advice encouraging us to fit society’s unattainable beauty standards. This year, challenge yourself to put YOU first and learn to appreciate YOU. This includes doing things that make you feel good—such as saying a few positive affirmations each morning before starting your day, giving yourself permission to eat and enjoy a meal instead of worrying about calories and weight gain, or simply telling your body, Thank You. Remember that you are enough, so start celebrating everything that makes you uniquely YOU!”

Lisa Fennessy, the founder of The New Knew, is on a mission to make non-toxic living the norm. Here’s her experience with defying fear and how you can too:

“I was terrified when I stopped dying my hair. I spent a lot of energy worrying about what I would look like and what others would think. I wavered, I wondered,d and I second-guessed myself again and again and again. Basically, I was living in a state of fear. 

Fast forward 2 years, and I had myself a cute gray shoulder-length bob, an attitude of gratitude, and a new frame of mind, and I loved the way I looked. 

Going from a state of fear about gray hair to absolutely loving my gray hair taught me so much. It blew my world open because something I 100% believed in was no longer true to me, and all of a sudden, I had power over it rather than it having power over me. 

I'm forever grateful for this experience because not only has it gifted me freedom in a way I never knew possible but it's invited me to examine other areas of my life a little more closely and to be able to separate fear from wants, fear from desires and fear from getting in the way of me living the biggest expression of myself. 

Want a few tips to do the same? Here's what helped along the way: 

1. Use the buddy system. Doing something scary for the first time? Find someone to do it with. There is strength in numbers, and this will hold you accountable.  

2. Change your reality. I never saw women my age with gray hair, so I started following them online and on social media. This normalized gray hair in my feed and, in turn, had a positive effect on my mindset. Something that looked so hard all of a sudden didn't seem so hard or abnormal anymore.  

3. Failure is not failure. Many of our journeys are not linear. I decided to go gray, and then I dyed my hair again. Was that a failure? NO! That was ultimately me getting one step closer to resoluteness. Go easy on yourself and know that vigilance can look like many things.”

50+ health, fashion, and lifestyle content-creator & founder of Life with Gloree B, Gloria Bissessar says: 

“In this virtual world where people usually show what is considered exciting or what may appear to be perfect lives, it is easy for us to want to be all those things, but the truth is, many aren't showing the less-than-perfect parts of their lives. 

This new year, I plan to show those less-than-perfect parts of my life so that others get a more realistic view of who I am. It is important to let others know that it is okay to have an extra inch or two on your waistline or to be struggling with accomplishing a goal. Instead of being consumed with what is not "perfect," let us focus on the good parts and maybe set smaller goals that can bring us closer to the bigger goal.  Let us celebrate all of our wins, from the smallest to the biggest, but most importantly, let us stop comparing ourselves to others. Embrace what is unique or different about you, and know that we are all special in our own way! Be kind to yourself and always be proud of doing YOUR best!!”

In 2023, we hope you’ll join us in vigilantly seeking positive solutions and giving ourselves grace. 

Celebrating Australia Day with a traditional dessert of… possibly...Australian origin. Why do we say possibly? There is much contention between Australia and New Zealand as to which country actually invented this delicious dish!

What is not a contentious fact is that this dessert (& several other dishes) were named after the beloved Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. She toured both Australia and New Zealand in 1926. Australians insist that the dessert was invented in a Perth hotel and named after a customer declared it “as light as {Anna} Pavlova.” Those in NZ say that a hotel chef in Wellington was inspired by Anna’s billowing tutu!

Either way, this dessert is found at pretty much every Australia Day celebration, so we’re topping it with our Australian Manuka to help combat the effects of the sugar on our oral and digestive systems and make it even more delicious!

Australia is home to 83 of the 86 known Leptospermum species worldwide, including the Leptospermum Scoparium species. Only one species is found in New Zealand, with the NZ species originating in Australia.  

Exceptionally high levels of MGO have been discovered in Manuka honey samples sourced in Australia (Cokcetin et al. 2016). The levels of DHA and MGO found in some Australian honey are comparable to or higher than those observed in New Zealand Manuka honey.  

Typically Australian Manuka is lower in cost due to there not being as many regulations as NZ. However, Since Australia doesn't have mandated testing, buyers should be more cautious when choosing which brand to purchase. Our Australian Manuka goes through the same testing process as our NZ Manuka, and each jar features a QR code that links to the test results for that batch so you can be sure that you are getting only 100% authentic Manuka honey.

What screams the holidays louder than a Trifle? If you live in New Zealand, home of Manuka honey and birthplace of our co-founder Linda, not much! 

Our CMO, Dominic, hails from England, the birthplace of the modern trifle. Since Dom is married to the CFO and founders’ daughter Kristy, that makes this recipe a verified P.R.I. family favorite!  

Now that the Noll family history lesson is over, we have to admit that we did tweak this a bit from your more traditional recipe by making it dairy free. Since an estimated 70% of people are lactose intolerant, it felt necessary. After all, everyone at your table deserves to enjoy all the delicious holiday goodies!

We also made it non-alcoholic by not soaking the sponge cake in sherry. If all of your party members are of drinking age, we recommend soaking; it is delicious! Simply cut the pound cake, lay it in a baking dish and add sherry until it is moist but not wet. Let it sit while you make the rest of the dessert. If boozy desserts are your jam, you might want to check out our Irish Porter Cake recipe too! 

Jello Layer:

• 4 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
• 3 cups raspberry cranberry juice
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1-2 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey
• 6 oz. raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ cup pomegranate arils

Custard Layer:

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy coconut cream
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup PRI Manuka Honey 
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg yolks
• pinch of salt

Other Ingredients:

• pound cake or angel food cake (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 - 10 oz. dairy-free whipped topping tubs (use Truwhip brand or make your own coconut whipped cream by whisking coconut cream, honey, and vanilla)
• 12 oz. fresh raspberries 
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds
• fresh mint leaves
• optional: meringue kisses

Custard Instructions:

1. Fill a large bowl with ice and water and set aside.
2. Pour coconut milk and almond milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium/low heat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together Manuka honey, whole egg, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt. Place the bowl near the stove for easy access to the milk mixture.
4. Once the milk begins to simmer, stir well to distribute the heat. 
5. Then turn off the stove and use a ladle to slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture while whisking simultaneously. Continue to do this until half the mixture has been whisked in, then pour the rest into the bowl and continue to whisk well until incorporated.
6. Pour the mixture back into the pot and turn the heat to medium-low. Continuously whisk the mixture as it begins to heat. You’ll notice thickening after 5-10 minutes of whisking. Once it starts to thicken, turn the heat to low and stir well until desired consistency. The custard should be thin but not runny. 
7. Remove the custard from the heat and stir in vanilla bean paste. 
8. Cool the custard by placing the bowl inside the ice water bowl and stirring until the mixture cools down. Then cover with plastic wrap and poke holes in the film and refrigerate overnight to thicken.

Jello Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring 2 cups of raspberry cranberry juice and 1 cup of pomegranate juice to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, pour 1 cup of raspberry cranberry juice and sprinkle four unflavored gelatin packets into the juice to cover the surface. Let it sit for a minute to bloom.
3. Pour the boiling juice into the large bowl with bloomed gelatin and stir well until dissolved. Then add the Manuka honey and stir until it is fully incorporated. This should take about 5 minutes.
4. Pour the jello mixture into a large trifle dish and then place in raspberries and pomegranate arils. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set overnight.

Assembly Instructions:

1. When ready to assemble, remove the trifle dish from the fridge and pipe or spoon the custard into an even layer.
2. Next, slice the poundcake into large or small cubes and fill the next layer with the cake pieces.
3. After the cake layer, spread whipped cream across the top and create a mound shape.
4. Finally, top with a large mound of fresh raspberries. Then sprinkle pomegranate arils and sliced almonds. Finish off with a few mint leaves. Top with store-bought or homemade meringue kisses to take it to the next level!
5. Serve and enjoy!

We might have buried the lede on this one. Not that we meant to, of course. For the record, we would never purposefully make such a delicious creation so hard to find.

Remember when we made that Dairy-Free Boba Recipe that tastes like store-bought boba? We couldn’t have made it without one key component - dairy-free sweetened condensed milk or, as some might say, “mylk.”

Your standard sweetened condensed milk contains over 160 grams of refined sugar per cup, making it both amazingly delicious & definitely not for regular consumption. Plus, an estimated 70% of people are lactose intolerant, so it’s important to find options everyone can enjoy - especially around the holidays! 

Since honey contains more fructose than glucose, it is naturally sweeter tasting. This means you can use less honey than sugar in your recipes to achieve the same level of sweetness. We typically swap one cup of sugar for ½ a cup of honey.

What makes it even better is the addition of Manuka honey! Manuka honey is unique because it’s the only honey in the world containing high levels of Methylglyoxal, aka MGO. MGO is the main medicinal component and makes Manuka a powerhouse of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Since MGO  is not killed off by heat, it’s a great way to sneak some health benefits into your desserts. Not only will no one complain, but they might even appreciate the deeper, more complex flavor that comes from using this fantastic sugar alternative.

Now, back to the tasty stuff! Read on to learn how to make an upgraded, dairy-free version of Sweetened Condensed Milk AND three new, delectable, effortless recipes you can create using it! Scroll down, or click below to view each one:

1-Base Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk

2-Manuka Honey Caramel Sauce

3-The Creamiest Hot Chocolate

4-Chocolate Fudge Truffles

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!

1. The Basics
2. The Compounds that Make it Special
3. What is a Certified CL level
4. Propolis Tincture Vs. Propolis Extract
5. Uses of Propolis:
    5a - Burn & Wound Treatment
    5b - Acne & Other Skin Concerns
    5c - Oral Health
    5d - Cold & Flu Symptoms
    5e - Diabetes Management
    5f - Brain Health
    5g - Gut Health
    5h - Upper Respiratory Infections
    5i - Natural Antibiotic
    5j - Candida
    5k - Nail Infections
6. How to Use Propolis & Our Top 5 Propolis DIYs
7. Disclaimers & Known Interactions

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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Over 500 compounds have been found in propolis so far!! Many of them have anti-inflammatory benefits, but which compound is the superstar?  Flavonoids. 

Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, and they protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to disease. Propolis is a super concentrated form of antioxidants. 

So, beyond the concentration, what makes the antioxidants in propolis different from, say, the ones found in blueberries? The bees do, of course! 

The mixture of plant resins, honey, and bee saliva adds antibacterial and antiseptic properties that simply cannot be matched!

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3. What is Certified CPL Level?

The certified CPL level ensures that you get a high, consistent level of flavonoids per gram of the finished product. Because propolis must first be broken down with alcohol and then with water, and all propolis has naturally varying levels of flavonoids, we must blend and test them to achieve consistent levels. This means you always know you are getting therapeutic levels of flavonoids in every bottle of  P.R.I. propolis.

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4. Propolis Extract Vs. Propolis Tincture

Propolis extract is water-based, while the tincture is alcohol based. You might have read that extracts are more potent than tinctures; however, with our certified CL levels, you will get the same potency no matter which base you choose. 

In its base form, Propolis can only be broken down with alcohol. The extract is then put into large vats and continuously beaten with water until the alcohol dissipates.  

We recommend the tincture for external uses like cuts, bites, acne, and wounds, but the extract is much more versatile and an excellent choice for small children and those who cannot consume alcohol. 

Additionally, if your recipe is oil-based, such as face oil, use the tincture, as the extract will not blend with the oil. 

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5. Uses of Propolis

Ancient cultures used propolis to treat wounds and abscesses on the skin and mouth. It was even used in the first and second World Wars to prevent infections and speed healing. Since then, we’ve found many more wonderful uses of propolis. Here we will attempt to cover them all:

As mentioned above, propolis has been used on wounds for quite some time, but our knowledge of how it works and its applications have expanded. Researchers tested propolis against several dangerous microbes and have found it very effective against aggressive bacteria.

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5b - Acne & Other Skin Concerns 

Propolis’ complex anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties make for an excellent natural acne treatment and preventative. Propolis is now in many skincare products & has proven to help lock in moisture and regenerate the skin. One study showed that propolis could reverse UV damage to the skin. Additionally, a combination of Olive Oil, Beeswax, Propolis, and Honey has been found very effective against diaper rash. 

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5c - Oral Health 

Over the last several years, the link between overall health and our oral health has become impossible to ignore. This knowledge and growing concern about fluoride exposure and toxicity has increased the popularity of natural oral care options. Did you know that children ingesting fluoride toothpaste are the #1 reason for poison control calls? (1) (2) Unbiased studies show fluoride doesn’t prevent any harmful bacteria, now is the time to switch to a natural oral care routine. Propolis has shown to be a fantastic natural addition to oral care that will actively fight harmful bacteria. Recent studies show it can also help protect against oral disease, reduce plaque and treat canker sores. 

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5d - Cold & Flu Symptoms 

The antiviral and antibacterial properties of propolis have made it a common natural treatment for cold & flu symptoms worldwide. It has even recently been studied against COVID. While further studies must be done, initial studies show that propolis may be part of a very effective treatment. 

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Propolis was first acknowledged in 1988 to act in an anti-hyperglycemic capacity, thus stabilizing blood sugar glucose. Since then, many more studies have shown that propolis may inhibit enzymes that increase blood sugar. 

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5f - Brain Health

Propolis is showing great promise in treating many brain conditions ranging from detoxification, oxidative stress,  neuroinflammation, brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy models, depression, cytotoxicity, cognitive improvement, and brain infections. These benefits are thought to be caused by propolis’ unique and highly potent anti-inflammatory properties.

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5g - Gut Health

Studies on propolis and gut health abound, showing great promise in the treatment of many conditions as well as general maintenance. A rich source of probiotics, propolis acts in our gut, much the same way as it does in the hive, creating an intestinal barrier and preventing toxins and bacterial dislocation from the gut to the blood. Propolis also has shown great success in treating GI diseases such as oral mucositis, oral microbiota, ulcerative colitis, and gastric ulcers.

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5h - Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs)

Many studies have been done on children and adults, showing that propolis is highly effective against URTIs. URTIs are ubiquitous, especially in children; some have become antibiotic-resistant. Current drugs for treatment are high in cost and have serious side effects in children. Propolis is shown to work on antibiotic-resistant infections. 

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5i - Natural Antibiotics

While we’ve touched on this above, it is essential to note this use, especially since more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Probiotics are crucial while on antibiotics. Propolis is a powerful probiotic and natural antibiotic in one! Not only shown to protect against the spread of harmful bacteria, but propolis can also prevent it from taking hold to begin with. Studies indicate that this is because propolis can break down and prevent the spread of biofilms, which harmful bacteria use to take hold and spread. 

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5j - Candida

While this could fall under gut health and skin health, we thought it necessary to highlight, given that candida is found in most of the population. There are different types of candida, such as Candida albicans, which typically manifests in the genitals and mouth, and Candida tropicalis, which occupies the intestinal tract. Studies show that propolis is effective against many candida types.

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5k - Nail Infections

The most popularly prescribed treatment for fungal nail infections is resistant to seven common nail funguses AND not nearly as effective as propolis on the non-resistant fungi.

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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.

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6a - Antibacterial Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of Distilled Water
• 2 Drops of Manuka Oil
• 4 Drops of Propolis Tincture
• 1 Tsp of Microplastic-Free Sea Salt
• ½ - 1 Tsp of Manuka Honey

Put all ingredients in a bottle and shake before use. Avoid swallowing. If swallowing is a concern, such as with young children, simply remove the manuka oil from the recipe.

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6b - Propolis & Manuka Oral Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 Two-Ounce Spray Bottle
• 4 Tsp of Manuka Honey
• 2 Tsp of Propolis Extract
• 2-3 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (Optional)
• Distilled water

Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake. Spray as needed for sore throat, fresh breath, or after meals when you can’t brush.

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6c - Propolis & Manuka Diaper Rash Treatment

Ingredients: 

• 2 Tbsp Manuka Honey
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Dropper of Propolis Extract

Mix all ingredients. Clean and thoroughly dry the affected area. Apply ointment to the affected area and allow it to dry slightly before diapering. Honey & propolis are safe to use externally on children of all ages, provided they do not have an allergic reaction to bee products.

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6d - Steroid Free Nasal Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Distilled Water
• ½ Tsp of Microplastic-Free Sea Salt
• 2-3 Drops of Propolis Extract
• ½ Tsp Manuka Honey

Shake or blend all ingredients. Use it in your Neti Pot or a similar device. 

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6e - Three Ingredient Facial Oil

Ingredients:

• 2-Ounce Dropper Bottle
• 5 Drops Propolis Tincture
• Bottle of 10% Manuka Oil in Sweet Almond Oil
• 2-4 Drops of Essential Oils of Choice (Optional)

Add essential oils and propolis to the dropper bottle. Fill the rest of the way with the Manuka in Sweet Almond Oil. Shake well before each use. 

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7. Disclaimers and 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. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have. 

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

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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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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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!

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

This recipe is a little more time consuming than our usual, but it’s just too good not to share, plus it’s not technically difficult and it only has three ingredients, one of which is optional!

Our Honey Candied Orange Peels may be a little different from the ones you’re used to. The honey gives them more of a jelly texture vs the dryer texture you get when candying with sugar but many who try them say they prefer a softer texture.  

For these, we used our Leatherwood Honey. Leatherwood Honey is considered to be one of the rarest honeys in the world. The Leatherwood tree is mostly found in remote areas of Tasmania and takes 80-100 YEARS to flower! 

Technically, you could use any of our honey for these candied peels but if you have never tried Leatherwood it is definitely an experience and, especially for its rarity, is quite reasonably priced. We put it on ALL the fruits!

We finished these by dipping them in melted Raspberry Manuka Chocolates. This part is optional…though your taste buds may disagree.

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!