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Raw honey and other unprocessed sweeteners like agave nector, raw sugar, and brown rice syrup can replace processed sugars. That's a good thing considering that refined sugar has an extremely high glycemic food index and can have a severe impact on your blood sugar, insulin levels, digestive enzyme count, weight, and pancreas. It has also been associated with other health problems. Raw honey, on the other hand, contains enzymes and other compounds derived from natural sources, i.e., bees and flowers.
A University of California-Davis study detected higher levels of polyphenolic antioxidants in participants after just one month of honey supplementation. Other studies confirm that honey contains numerous antioxidants, including chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin. Each of these help to prevent and repair cellular damage. So stick to honey! Buy honey in its rawest form at your local farmers' market to ensure that all the precious healing vitamins and minerals are preserved. While you're at it, try these honey fried bananas:
Honey-Fried Bananas
½ lemon, juiced
4 organic bananas, cut in half lengthwise
2 oz local butter
1 oz flaked almonds
2 tbsp raw or organic honey
1 oz organic graham crackers, crushed
Organic vanilla ice cream
Method:
1. Douse the bananas with lemon juice.
2. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the bananas, and fry them, turning once, until browned on both sides.
3. Transfer to a warmed serving plate, and add the almonds to the butter remaining in the pan until lightly browned.
4. Stir in the honey and heat through.
5. Top bananas with almond/honey mixture and graham crackers. Add a scoop of ice cream. Serve immediately.
Yield: Serves 1 to 2
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
