National Hot Toddy Day

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By Diane Forrest

The University of Mississippi is a major university in our state.  They have a chant at football games that says,

Hotty Toddy Gosh Almighty

Who in the hell are we??

Flim Flam Bim Bam

Ole Miss by damn!

I think of this chant every time I see the words hot toddy.  However, this hot toddy is not a football chant, but a drink.  A Hot Toddy is made with honey, lemon, hot water and a choice of rum, whiskey or scotch.  You can also include coffee, tea or cocoa too.  A hot toddy is a favorite drink of those who have cold weather and signs of a cold or sore throat.

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According to punchbowl.com, hot toddies originated in Scotland sometime during the 18th century. While the exact details are unknown, historians believe that the recipe was developed to make the taste of Scotch whiskey more palatable. (Apparently the women of the day didn’t care for the smoky, peat flavor.) One theory suggests that the word “toddy” evolved from “Tod’s well” (also known as Todian Spring), the water supply for Edinburgh.

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So today, on National Hot Toddy day, try a favorite warm drink to knock off the winter chill, and get rid of those nasty cold bugs!

National Honey Month

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By Diane Forrest

You'll be my soft and sweet

I'll be your strong and steady

You'll be my glass of wine

I'll be your shot of whiskey

You'll be my sunny day

I'll be your shade tree

You'll be my honeysuckle

I'll be your honey bee

Those words are a part of a song by Blake Shelton, the video is even cuter, and you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZjosn2u1gA

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When my husband was growing up he constantly had coughs and sore throats.  My husband wasn't a sickly person, he just happened to like the medicine.  His Grandmother used to fix a jar of honey and whiskey to soothe a sore throat or cough.  Each time some of the symptoms were exhibited, she would pop a large spoonful of medicine down his throat.

Honey is one of the world's perfect foods.  Not only is it used as a natural sweetener, but it also lasts forever, never spoils.  Honey has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, from gastric disturbances to ulcers, wounds and burns, through ingestion or topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained.  I even read that honey may also help those suffering from allergies.  It was said that taking a spoonful a day of locally produced honey will help build up immunities to local pollen, thereby decreasing allergy symptoms during seasonal outbreaks.

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Honey is produced by bees after they collect nectar from flowers.  Each type of honey has its own unique flavor. Honeys may range from clover and eucalyptus to orange blossom, buckwheat and sage. Generally, lighter colored honeys are milder in flavor, while darker honeys are usually more robust.

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Americans consume nearly 1.5 pounds of honey per person annually – mixing it into sweet and savory recipes, adding spoonful’s to tea and other beverages, and drizzling it over biscuits, toast and muffins.

Honey is also beneficial as a beauty treatment. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This makes honey a natural fit in a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners.

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September is National Honey Month.  If you get a tickle in your throat, or want a honey mustard dip for your chicken wings, or a nice smooth facial, pick up a jar today and give honey a try.  You won't be disappointed.