Honey has been used for generations as a remedy against different ailments. The product has a discernible sugar component, but some people believe that not all sugars are created equal; and this one, at least in certain instances can actually be beneficial.

What are some of the conditions this syrupy substance is purported to help? Let’s look at a few.

• Immune System. If our immune system is weakened, it becomes easier to contract various illnesses. Honey is believed to strengthen the immune system, likely because of the nutrients it contains.
• Energy. Want a shot of energy? Give honey a try. This natural sugar is thought to provide almost instantaneous results. And, besides an energy boost, it also supports exercise endurance.
• Oral bacteria. Did Mama ever tell you to take a spoonful of honey when you had a sore throat? Well, it seem Mama might have been on to something. This pleasant-tasting sweet is known for its germ-killing properties; and, it’s even supposed to fight unpleasant breath!
• Skin infections. Honey has repeatedly been used as a natural therapy for skin wounds. The low-level release of hydrogen peroxide is thought to be a reason it sometimes works. Certain studies have even shown that honey is a viable treatment for assorted skin conditions.
• Digestion problems. Do you suffer with IBS or digestive problems? Then you may wish to try a daily dose of this bee-produced food. Why? The iron and manganese in honey is thought to support better digestion.
• Toothache. A combination of honey and cinnamon distributed on top of a sore tooth is believed to sooth the pain. Actually, honey and cinnamon are considered impressive for a number of reasons.

There are other conditions that honey might help. Heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, and acne are believed to be a few. Naturally, first seek the counsel of a physician before attempting therapeutic measures on your own: your doctor is the best source to address any type of physical condition.

Yes, all this honey talk has likely intrigued a few minds, but commercial honey is not the type to get. It may taste pleasant, but the best kind to use for remedy purposes is raw, organic honey (it tastes yummy, too). Raw, organic honey does not undergo pasteurization; therefore, valuable nutrients remain in place.

Honey may be healing? Sweet!

For more articles on health and wellness, check out more Briar BLOG articles!

Yes, 2012 has officially arrived, and with it comes a new set of expectations we place on ourselves.  So, in honor of the New Year, here are twelve thoughts to consider.

1. Use a daily planner.  A daily planner keeps schedules organized.  Sometimes when we wing it (i.e., store things in our heads), we forget about important dates and events.  You certainly don’t have to make inserts every day, although some individuals will want to do so.  Still, the planner is there to keep plans orderly (and it does!).
2. Accept help from others. Some of us are only too willing to assist others, but we are exceedingly uncomfortable accepting help.  However, when we refuse support, we could be prohibiting other individuals from feeling valuable.  Naturally, each circumstance is different, but be open to help.
3. Keep pleasantries around.  Everyone has something that brings him or her joy.  For example, if thinking about the Red Sox pleases you, then keep a baseball image within eyeshot.  Each time you see the item, you’ll get a boost!
4. Approach projects methodically. Maybe the attic is cluttered or the basement is junk-filled.  Yet, just looking at the rooms produces angst.  In this type of situation, separate the room into sections and approach each part individually.  For instance, one day tackle the left corner of the attic, the next week tackle the right corner, etc.  In time the attic will be clean, and you’ll feel great!
5. Make concessions. People are imperfect.  Some of us may like to think we’re just right, but in truth, we all have idiosyncrasies.  Therefore, when appropriate (you’ll know when it’s right), give others a pass.  Heaven knows we’re all going to need one from time to time.
6. Meet up with friends. Sometimes we make plans in theory, but they never come to fruition.  If there is someone you’d like to connect with, do it (and jot the date down in your daily planner!).
7. Negotiate self-inflicted deadlines. Maybe you mentally planned to have all the seasonal decorations put away by mid January, but to do so would cause anxiety.  Give yourself time!  That does not suggest a license to procrastinate; it just means the world will not fall apart if you have to extend beyond your self-inflicted completion date.
8. Double check. When something doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t feel right.  When you get these types of feelings, double check.  The only thing you will have wasted if you’re wrong is a little extra energy.
9. Walk with optimism. Almost everyone has reasons to feel good and not so good.  Focus on the positive; it will absolutely add extra happiness to your life. For more information on health and wellness, check out the Health and Wellness section of our BLOG.
10. Teach by living. Certain people believe others should listen to their wise suggestions, but they don’t incorporate the advice into their own behaviors (e.g., telling people not to gamble when regularly partaking in gambling).  If we want to effectively teach, we should live what we say.
11. Say it gently.  Say what you mean, but say it gently.  For example, if someone hurts your feelings, you might think about retaliating.  Nonetheless, this approach will likely lead to conflict.  Instead, honestly explain to the person the reasons why you feel the way you do.
12. Pray or mediate. Despite our best intentions, life can be stressful.  Regularly praying or mediating allows us to see beyond our troubles and realize we are part of a much larger picture.

Yes, a New Year is here; thus, let’s make it Happy.

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close and a New Year will usher in.  Gosh, it seems like only recently summer was saying farewell.  Now, decorations dress the stores, holiday music fills our hearts, and year-end plans cross our thoughts.

Well, is there a local New Year’s Eve celebration that stands out?  Yes, First Night Worcester!  Here are some things to know about this exciting event.

• First Night buttons are currently available at assorted locations.  Buttons purchased before 12/25 are $10.  Buttons purchased between 12/25 to 12/30 are $12.  And buttons purchased on December 31 are $15.  Children 7 and under are admitted for free.

• First Night Worcester is a non-profit, completely volunteer extravaganza!  It is financed solely by button sales and the kind support of area businesses.

• First Night Worcester encourages multicultural participation and serves to reinforce community camaraderie through a celebration of the arts.

• First Night parking is available at downtown locations and certain venue sites for varying costs.

• First Night will be held regardless of the weather.  Activities take place inside and outdoors, so bundle up the children!

• First Night family entertainment includes music, fireworks, juggling, storytelling, mimes, and so much more.  Activities such as these typically take place earlier (e.g., 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)

• First Night adult-oriented performances cross a broad spectrum of entertainment genres like classical music, rock music, comedy, and magic.  These performances tend to occur in the evening (e.g., 7 p.m. to midnight).

• First Night volunteers will be on hand at site activities if participants have questions; volunteers will be wearing distinguishable First Night hats.

• First Night guests can swipe their WOO cards to receive 3 points (and be eligible for certain prizes!).

• First Night buttons afford discounts at some local businesses before and after 12/31: ask about button extras.

• First Night Worcester will celebrate at the Hanover Theater in honor of its 30th anniversary from 10 p.m. to midnight for an extra charge.  Multiple performers are lined up for this exciting New Year’s Eve event.  Admission is $30, but the cost is only $20 for individuals who flash a First Night button.  Limited VIP seating and a midnight champagne party are also available for $100 per person.  Cash bar opens at 9 p.m.

So much is happening at First Night Worcester, it’s nearly impossible for a few sentences to fully afford this talent-filled evening a proper account.  For additional information, go to www.firstnightworcester.org.

For more BLOG articles on Local Happenings, check out Briar Blog

A glorious period is upon us, and even though economic times are uncertain for a number of people, many of us have multiple reasons to be thankful.  We have a roof over our heads, clothes to keep us warm, and friends to send us cheer.  Therefore, as we immerse ourselves in the holiday season, let’s look at some ways to keep the spirit joyful.

• Put giving into perspective. Gifts mean different things to different people.  For some, it’s a small token to express how much the person means.  For others, it’s serious business that can affect a relationship.  If gift giving has come to control your understanding of the holidays, perhaps it might be time to step back and take a breath or two.  Sure, gifts are nice, but they shouldn’t dominate the season.  And, when materialism takes over, it tends to overshadow the more important festivities.  A thought?  In lieu of buying a loved one numerous or expensive presents, perhaps consider making a donation to a beloved charity in the individual’s name.  What could be more satisfying than knowing you’re helping to make a disadvantaged life brighter?

• Minimize the pressure. Some individuals have multiple chores to accomplish during this cheerful season.  Nonetheless, many of the expectations we believe we have we place upon ourselves.  Therefore, relax.  For example, if you are hosting a holiday dinner, accept participation from those around you so your tasks are not as plentiful (yes, we can rewrite our own rules!).  If that does not seem feasible, then have some of the food catered.  If that is not possible, then create dishes that are easy to prepare.  Essentially, remove the weight from your shoulders.  In the long run, you’ll have a better time.

• Encourage participation. If there are several duties on the holiday list (e.g., decorating, shopping, cooking, wrapping), ask your husband, wife, children, and/or other loved ones for help.  Occasionally we assume that others should know when we are becoming overwhelmed, but they may not see it that way.  A simple request like, “Honey, do you think you can set Sunday afternoon aside and help me?” can go a long way in getting the assistance we need.  Nonetheless, if the person is not receptive, only do the duties you can comfortably accomplish.  For example, if lights don’t end up on the outside tree, so be it.  This is a time for joy, not angst.

• Enjoy the moment. Oftentimes there is one aspect of the holidays that truly warms our hearts.  Yet, we never come to experience this happiness because we’re too busy doing other things.  Thus, if you love holiday music, pretty storefront windows, decorated churches, department store Santas, the town’s grand Christmas tree, lighting the Menorah, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, walking under mistletoe, etc., revel in these things.  Sometimes we become so rushed we forget how to take pleasure in the activities that really mean something to us.

Pretty lights, melodic bells, festive music, colorful decorations, stunning candelabras, happy children, yes, they’re all around.  Even so, a spirit of joy can exist at any time of the year.  So, now and always, let us count our blessings and rejoice!

For more holiday articles, check out more  Briar Blog articles.

Worcester is brimming with exciting things to do, and this is especially true during the holidays.  Actually, this fascinating city knows how to celebrate!  So, as a joyous season quickly approaches, let’s look at some interesting activities taking place.

• Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road.   What can be more pleasurable the weekend after Thanksgiving than to scope out some unique holiday gifts?  Amazing crafts will be available at the Worcester Center for Crafts as different artisans display their unique wares.  There will be jewelry, metals, pottery, woods, ceramics, and so much more!  A $5 admission cost goes toward WCC programming, and public WOO cards get double WOO points.  This talent-filled festival runs Friday, November 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For additional information, go to www.worcestercraftcenter.org

• Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street.  Ready for some remarkable entertainment like Handel’s Messiah performed by the Worcester Chorus, holiday favorites sung by the Salisbury singers, family photo shoots, fabulous decorations, Victorian caroling, holiday-themed tours, and a medley of other fantastic offerings?  Then come to The Worcester Art Museum during the holiday season.  An assortment of joyful events will be available, and there’s sure to be something for everyone.  The fun begins on Friday, November 25 and extends through Saturday, December 31.  For a calendar of events, go to www.worcesterart.org/Events/holiday_at_wam.html

• Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge Street.  Can anyone imagine the holiday season without The Nutcracker?  It’s definitely difficult to envision.  Even if we don’t see the show, just knowing it is available warms our hearts.  Fortunately, one need not travel beyond Worcester to enjoy this classic favorite.  Why?  The Ballet Arts Worcester is presenting this enchanting extravaganza performed by the Youth Ballet Company of Ballet Arts and joined by the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful Hanover Theatre.  The performances take place on Friday, November 25 at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 26, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $24 to $36, and certain discounts are available.  For further details, go to www.thehanovertheatre.org.

Yes, the holidays are quickly approaching, and so are some thrilling happenings.  From concerts, to caroling, to crafts, to theater, to ballets, to shows, to family cheer, wonderful times are ahead.  Hence, dust off your celebratory hats and let the excitement begin!

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away.  It seems like only recently the warmth drenched our skin, children reveled in outdoor activities, and almost everyone was sporting shorts.  Now, the first significant snow has already fallen, temperatures hover in the 40’s, and people are preparing for the festive season ahead (once Halloween passes, the holidays come so quickly!).

As we ready ourselves for family gatherings and cheer, let’s look at some reasons to be thankful.

• Life. Everyone’s life is precious, no matter what stage a person is in.  Therefore, we should reflect upon this gift with gratitude, happiness and certainty in knowing that despite our occasional missteps, we are worthy.
• Shelter.  Each morning we wake up to walls we recognize and a roof that shelters our heads: we call this place home.  In this recognizable space, whether modest or grand, reside our hopes, dreams, and feelings of security.
• Family.  We’ve all heard the saying, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your relatives.”  Sure, we may not always see “eye to eye” with all of our family members, but chances are we wouldn’t pick anyone else to take their place.
• Friends. So, we do pick our friends, but aren’t we blessed to have them?  Friends share our laughter, our tears, and our joy.  They support us in good times, lend a listening ear in difficult periods, and just seem to make life better!
• Food.  Each day we stare into our refrigerators and pick out what we want to eat.  Sadly, some individuals scrounge for every morsel.  Let us always be thankful for the food we have before us.
• Flowers. Flowers do more than give us oxygen; they dress the landscape with color and beauty.  And, while they visually adorn the earth, we are afforded the opportunity to inhale their splendor!  Isn’t it impossible to imagine a world without flowers?
• Creatures.  We observe our furry and feathered friends scurry across the lawn; instinctively, many of us smile.  Their simplicity and innocence seems to make stresses a little less burdensome.

The above are a few of the many reasons to live a spirit of Thanksgiving.  True, there will always be someone with more money, better health, greater intelligence, and higher achieving children, but should that matter?  A fundamental ingredient to happiness is to be thankful for what we have.  And, when many of us stop to reflect, we realize we have a lot.

The last time we examined a few ways to cut costs during leaner times.  This week we will continue with some additional economical ideas.

• Pay the mortgage bi-weekly.  If you pay a monthly mortgage, you may be able to reduce the number of payments by checking with your lender to find out if they have a bi-weekly payment plan (you pay the same amount, only half of the mortgage is submitted mid month).  Still, in order for this type of arrangement to fully work in your favor, the lender must immediately credit the mid month payment (so be sure to carefully explore the lender’s guidelines).  The result if done properly?  Impressively fewer mortgage payments!  For example, a 30-year loan may take only 24 years to pay off!

• Visit the library. So, you enjoy reading, watching movies, and even downloading books onto your e-reader?  Then dust off your library card (assuming it’s dusty) and borrow the items for free.  Taking advantage of town benefits always makes sense, but it especially prudent when money is tight. A bonus?  No one will rush you out the door if you want to stay for a while.  You can peruse the book shelves, sit and read for hours, or grab a novel and run; it’s completely up to you.  An added perk?  You can extend the length of time you have access to the books you checked out simply by calling the library.  And movies?  There’s typically an impressive collection, although the borrowing window is generally much shorter.

• Entertain at home. Years ago, friends loved to congregate at each other’s homes and enjoy an evening of fun.  They shared a cocktail or two, played bridge and other interesting games, or just chatted about worldly events while savoring wine and munchies.  In recent years, meeting up outside the home for dinner and entertainment has become more fashionable, but this can be pricey, especially if it happens regularly.  In fact, many restaurants charge in the vicinity of $10 for one glass of wine.  Multiply that by a table of 4, and there goes $40 just for drinks (and that’s not including the tip!).  Then, if bowling, dancing, or movie tickets are thrown into the mix, the evening becomes even more expensive.  Because of this, consider bringing back the entertainment patterns of the past, at least some of the time.  You will not only save some money, you’ll also have a lot of fun!

• Leave credit cards in the drawer.  At one time, people relied on cash.  If they didn’t have the money to buy something, they didn’t buy it.  Today, that mentality is passé.  What changed?  Well, credit cards are relatively easy to get and even easier to pull out.  And, where individuals used to have one card they carried with them on special occasions, countless people today carry multiple cards and use them freely.  As we know, the funds do not have to be sitting in the bank to cover the purchase because the bill doesn’t arrive until the following month.  Nevertheless, once it does come, some cardholders pay only the minimum due, and interest rates inflate the balance.  Yes, plastic is convenient, but it’s not always wise.  An exception?  When you use credit cards primarily for essentials and pay the complete balance at the end of the month (so interest does not accrue); credit cards can then work for you instead of against you.

Thriftiness makes sense, especially during uncertain times.  Carefully monitoring your cash flow can leave you feeling a little more secure.

Few people can say we’re not living in uncertain times.  The stock market is erratic, banks seem unstable, jobs are scarce, sure things are not so sure anymore; and, at least for some, the Golden Years are not so golden.

What can we do?  Here are some money-saving tips.

• Downsize.  You have a three-bedroom home with a sizable yard and multiple bathrooms, but the kids are gone and it’s only the two of you?  Then consider downsizing.  True, it’s not a seller’s market right now, but if you’re using the proceeds from the sale to purchase a smaller property, then you will likely make out on the buying end.  An added bonus?  Fewer square feet means lower property taxes, lower heating costs, and a lower electric bill.

• Dine out less often. Eating out is kind of fun because you are waited on, you have so many food items to choose from, and you don’t have to cook.  Still, frequent restaurant stops can add up.  If this is an area you feel you can compromise, make an effort to dine out less often.  Case in point?  If you eat out four times per week, try to cut it down to two or three.  If you eat out twice a week, attempt to go out only once.  It’s amazing the amount of money you can save when you dine in.

• Redevelop your wardrobe. Some people love buying new clothes, but this can get expensive, even when the items are on sale.  A thought?  Stay away from stores as much as possible and keep your good-condition clothing clean and ready to wear.  For example, a dark-colored suit, little black dress, brown pants, and gray skirt are all pretty universal.  Instead of buying replacements, spruce up what you already own with alternating accessories.  Rotate the shirt, belt, jewelry, tie, etc., so every time you wear the outfit, it looks fresh and exciting.  Even coats we’ve had for years seem more thrilling when paired with changing scarves.

• Go economical. If your car is paid off and running well, you probably don’t want to invest in another, even if the gas mileage isn’t so great.  However, when it does come time to trade in your vehicle, search for a car that is good on gas.  Filling a tank these days can cost in excess of $70.  If you drive 300 to 350 miles per week (and that’s how far your tank will get you), then you’re spending $70 a week on gas.  Yet, if you choose a car that goes 650 miles on a tank of gas, you’re spending $70 every other week; and that’s a savings of $140 a month!  Even some luxury automobiles now offer impressive gas mileage.

• Resist impulse purchases.  We live in a consumerism environment, and little is going to change that fact.  Still, we control of our finances, so there are certain things we can manage.  If you find yourself regularly drawn to gadgets, golf balls, software games, clothing, books, and other types of goods you may not need (or already have), wait a day or two before making the purchase.  Sometimes when we pause, the merchandise no longer looks as desirable.  Even if we rationalize the item is only $10, $10 multiplied by twenty items we could have done without equals $200!

There are many ways to cut back in harder times.  And, once we get used to the newer behavior, many of us adjust quite nicely.

Next time we will continue with some additional money saving tips.   But until then, enjoy the foliage!

Do you want to carry your own personal library in a backpack, purse, pocket, or computer bag?  Do you want the collection to have remarkable storage space?  Do want to take in excess of 100 books with you on any given journey?  Hmm, then maybe e-books are for you.

The earliest manifestations of electronic books date back decades.  However, this primitive ancestor to the current e-book was typically read on computer screens and developed mainly for specialty markets.

When did the modern e-book hit the marketplace?  As we saw before, Amazon introduced Kindle in 2007.  This e-reader was a hit, and e-books took on a life of their own.
But print books are great, so why would anyone want an e-reader to read e-books?

Here are some reasons:

• You can take e-readers anywhere you go (e.g., planes, trains, doctors’ offices, automobiles).
• Storage capacity from one e-reader to another varies but is typically amazing.  For example, you can amass a sizable book collection that weighs less than 10 ounces.
• E-books save trees.
• A simple touch of the e-reader screen can transport you from Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities to Bell’s (a.k.a. Bronte) Jane Eyre.
• You can adjust the font size; if it’s too small, make it bigger, if it’s too big, make it smaller.
• You can read in bed without bulky book jackets or featherweight pages flipping all over the place.
• E-books tend to be less expensive.
• Some e-readers now allow you to borrow e-books from the library (naturally, you will need a library card).

What about the cons?  Here are a few.

• E-books do not wrap well, so giving them as gifts is not exciting.
• They need to be charged; if there’s a power outage and the battery is dead, find another activity to pass the time.
• Certain e-books may eventually need to be converted to other file styles.
• Some formatted e-books are not adaptable to all e-readers.
• You must pay for an e-reader to read the e-book (unless you choose to get an e-reader application on your computer or mobile device).
• Like any other electronic device, e-readers can break down.

Since Kindle’s arrival, other e-readers have entered the scene.  In 2009, Barnes and Noble put out The Nook, Sony released The Reader Touch and The Reader Pocket Edition, Amazon introduced the Kindle DX, and Bookeen  launched Cybook Opus.  In 2010 and 2011, additional newcomers graced the shelves.

E-books are still not as popular as print books; in 2010, they represented less than 9% of the market.  Nonetheless, they maintain a loyal following, and the numbers are rising.

So, are e-books the literary future?  Who knows?  However, if the current information is correct, it appears they’re here to stay.

Recent studies have indicated that chronic inflammation could in part be responsible for the development of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What causes chronic inflammation?  Assorted factors apparently are to blame.  For example, toxins, stress, inactivity, poor diet, and genetics are some of the suspected culprits.

How can chronic inflammation be addressed?  Here are some dietary ways to reduce the risk.

• Food choices. What we put in our bodies plays a significant role in our well-being.  People who regularly consume fast food, processed meats, fatty snacks, and greasy meals do not fare nearly as well on the health scale than individuals who eat more wisely.  In fact, these people are leaving themselves open to an increased risk of obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other unwanted conditions.  In short, food matters!  Which selections tend to be best?  Fermented soy, leafy vegetables, assorted mushrooms, fresh fruits, extra-virgin olive oil, cold-water fish, green and black tea, nuts, and red wine (in moderation) are good choices.  At the same time, it is also important to buy organic whenever feasible.  As we know, organic crops are those that have not been sprayed with pesticides.

• Vitamins and nutrients.  Naturally, the optimal way for getting essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the body is by eating whole foods: fresh vegetables and fruits are especially good choices.  Still, regular access to fresh food is not always possible for some people.  Because of this, high-quality supplements may be needed.  Which types are best in fighting inflammation?  Ones that contain vitamins C, D, and E, folic acid, selenium, carotenoids, fish oil, coQ10, tumeric or cucumin, garlic, and ginger.  NOTE:  Always check with your doctor before taking supplements: certain types may interfere with medication or exacerbate the effects of certain drugs (like blood thinners).

• Fiber. Fiber deserves a category all its own because its benefits are amazing.  Regular intake of this wonder has been thought to decrease conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, and certain cancers.  Which type of fiber is best in combating inflammation?  The soluble variety like those found in beans, oat bran, lentils, apples, nuts, seeds, and strawberries.  Insoluble types like those found in whole grains and wheat bran also serve a purpose because they tend to get things moving along in our digestive tract.  Taking in between 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day, with approximately 2/3 coming from the soluble assortment, is thought to be positive.  Interestingly, while other carbohydrates, like white flour and sugar, should be shunned as much as possible, soluble fiber carbs are definitely not bad guys.

There are other ways to minimize inflammation in addition to food.  Exercise, yoga, and tossing the cigarettes (if you smoke) reinforce an anti-inflammatory diet.

Chronic inflammation?  Who needs it?