Substitute Sugar With Honey

By Tamryn J 

I'm always looking for ways to be just a little bit healthier. Just small things that are easy to fit into everyday life. Something that I have wanted to do for quite a while is to cut out, or at least cut back on, sugar.
Now, I didn't want to be so strict with myself that I never even allow myself a cupcake, I love them by the way, but who doesn't! No, I just wanted to try and find a healthy substitute for regular,
processed white sugar.

Just a note: Brown sugar is not healthier than white sugar. I was fooled too!

My decision to cut out white sugar was not so much a decision as something I was forced to do. It was the Thursday evening before Good Friday this year and I was innocently making myself a cup of tea when I realized that we had run out of sugar. If you are a tea addict like me and you like sugar in your tea then you will understand why I was just a little upset. I have to have my cup of tea before bed, but didn't fancy a bitter cup of tea.Want to know the worst bit? All the stores were closed and the next day was a holiday. Oh the horror...

I was desperate at this point and decided to substitute sugar with honey. I sniffed my tea skeptically and took a sip, and another, and you know what? It wasn't half bad. I usually take one teaspoon of sugar in my tea so I decided to take the same amount of honey, one teaspoon. It wasn't as sweet as one sugar usually is so I added a little more, about another half a teaspoon. It was actually good! I didn't really taste any distinct honey taste until the last few sips. I was impressed! With the taste and maybe a little with myself too.

I drink quite a few cups of tea a day, which usually means quite a lot of sugar. I can happily report that I have been having honey in my tea for two weeks now and I feel great. There is another substitute called agave nectar that is very good for you and tastes more like sugar. I have tried it before and liked it, but you have to use very little as it is sweeter than sugar.

You can also use honey instead of sugar in recipes. I made a delicious healthy banana bread the other day and you would never have been able to tell it was made with honey instead of sugar.

In the meantime, if you're still not sure about honey or agave in your tea, try the "sticks." They are convenient, super cheap, and they come in many flavours!

Find more articles like this on health and well-being at the authors personal blog http://totallytamryn.com While you're there, subscribe to the RSS feed to get instant updates first.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tamryn_J

Honey and Cinnamon For Weight Loss

By Alex Boylin 

Many claims have been made that there are plenty of health benefits for using the honey and cinnamon diet for weight loss.
Firstly let's look at the health benefits of honey:
Honey is natural, made by bees, and can provide a quick boost of energy as it is a simple sugar.

The Ten Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Naturally Sweetened With Raw Honey

By Albert K J 

Fruit juices taken in its natural form will give you the best results. This is what you may have comes across and knowing the fact how fruits are to be eaten that will give you the maximum benefit. Fruits consumed in its wholesome form will truly provide the greatest health benefits in terms of holistic wellness. In relation to rejuvenating a youthful looking appearance and enjoying a tint of glowing skin health, here is a special recommendation. By drinking lemon water or juice mixed with honey, you will discover the many benefits that come along with drinking it regularly. Henceforth, I would have readers here to re-look at the 10 benefits of drinking lemon water or juice. How you can experience the youthful looking vibrant glow of health that you are entitled to no matter what and where you belong to, is what I am sharing in this article.

Honey and Cinnamon For Weight Loss

By Alex Boylin 
Many claims have been made that there are plenty of health benefits for using the honey and cinnamon diet for weight loss.

Firstly let's look at the health benefits of honey:
Honey is natural, made by bees, and can provide a quick boost of energy as it is a simple sugar. But unlike sugar it has antibacterial properties and is an antioxidant with antiseptic qualities.

It is made of fructose and glucose (unlike sugar) as the bees add a special enzyme which means our bodies absorb these two simple sugars quicker. Honey is processed in your body the same way as sugar, by
releasing insulin which in turn controls your blood sugars. Honey can also be used for medicinal purposes to aid with sore throats and can be rubbed into minor burns and cuts. It is safe on sensitive skin.

One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories whereas one tablespoon of sugar contains 46 calories. However you need much less honey if used as a sweetener therefore using fewer calories. Honey also has a lower GI rating meaning that the sugars are released slower into the bloodstream which can aid a healthier digestive system.

Honey (unlike sugar) contains nutrients and minerals and has a unique flavour. It is far superior to sugar in many foods and drinks. After people have over-eaten and feel bloated a small amount of honey with warm water will aid digestion naturally and is classed as one of the complex carbohydrates rather than an "empty" carbohydrate or calorie like sugar.

Now let's look at the health benefits of cinnamon:
Cinnamon has been used for centuries to cure many illnesses - Egyptians used it for embalming 4 or 5 thousand years ago. Cinnamon can suppress bacteria in the urinary tract and digestive system and can actually lower cholesterol as well as combating insulin resistance.

Cinnamon is a good source of manganese, fibre, iron, and calcium and also contains antioxidants which again can regulate blood sugars. Therefore it is claimed that benefits of a honey and cinnamon for weight loss will help cleanse parasites, fungus and bacteria in your digestive system and could lead to an increase in energy thus burning more calories. Taking cinnamon regularly, i.e. mixed with low-fat spread on toast, sprinkled on your favourite cereals or porridge could help you to lose weight by regulating insulin levels. High insulin levels mean that your body stores fat-especially on hips and stomach.

Honey and cinnamon for weight loss can be used as one part honey to two parts cinnamon. After drinking a mixture of cinnamon and honey claims have been made that inches have been lost as this formula blocks your body from gaining excess fat if taken as part of a healthy diet. The mixture of honey and cinnamon for weight loss can also be added to fruit juice, sauces e.g. apple sauce. It is also claimed that this mixture, taken before a meal as a drink or with your meal as a spread or on cereals, can suppress the appetite-which can only be a good thing!

This article was written by Alex Boylin, who lives in the UK. If you found this article helpful, you might like to read Alex's other articles here at Ezine and his eBook "The Truth About Weight Loss" which can be found here http://www.quickandeasyweightlossme.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Boylin