Maddox and Cayllen Purk with their great aunt Dawn. Photo by Sarah Purk

This was the second week of market. Twenty five flowers were planted by kids that came to market. They gave these flowers to their Mothers for Mothers Day. There were 16 vendors with tables full of bakery, eggs, noodles, plants, turnips, radishes, fresh herbs, dry herbs, nut meats, spinach, rhubarb, green onions, asparagus, and honey to sell. If you haven’t visited the Toledo Farmers’ Market you need to. There were the usual vendor faces and there are new vendor faces. One of the new vendors is Dale Fields owner of Fieldstone Farms of Clemons, Iowa. He raises bees and sells honey and bee pollen. If you get a chance, stop by his table and chat with him. I am sure you will learn something about bees you didn’t know.

The 3 key health benefits of honey are related to the fact that honey is nature’s energy booster, a great immunity system builder, and a natural remedy for many ailments. Honey is a great natural source of carbohydrates which provides strength and energy to our bodies. Honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance, and reduce muscle fatigue of athletes.

The natural sugars in honey help preventing fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost. The fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. Honey can also keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. Take a spoon of honey to enable you to go the extra mile before your workout. In the morning instead of reaching for that can of carbonated energy drink, try some honey. Make your kids some honey sandwiches to give them that energy they need to help them through the day.

Honey can be a powerful immune system booster. Its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve your digestive system and help you stay healthy. Start your day with a spoonful of honey and lemon juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water. This is a good cleansing tonic.

Honey is used by many as a natural home remedies treatment, anything from cuts, burns, hangovers, sore throats and sleeplessness.

Many people take bee pollen as an alternative to a multivitamin. While there are many bee pollen benefits, there are some people who can have an allergic reaction to bee pollen. As with any natural remedy, caution should be taken.

An amazing fact, it takes one bee working eight hours a day, one month to gather just one teaspoon of bee pollen granules. Come to market and talk to Dale and learn some interesting things. See you at market.