Honey, Put a Stop to Spring Sneezing

If you dread spring because of seasonal allergies, you might just be able to avoid sneezing up a storm this season. But you have to act now!

• Hightail it to your nearest farmers’ market, farm stand, or independently owned health-food store. Buy a jar of locally produced, raw honey, and start taking 1 tablespoon a day in whatever form you like.(The key to this is buying local honey — none of that grocery store stuff!)

• Your immune system will become accustomed to the neighborhood pollen contained in the honey, and your body will stop making such a fuss. You may not feel 100 percent allergy-free, but it’s highly likely that you’ll be a lot more comfortable.

And if you’re one of those folks who succumbed to the resurgence of this winter’s flu, whip up a batch of this Honey of a Hot Toddy, and keep it close at hand:

1 tablespoon of honey

½ cup of hot water

3 tablespoons of brandy*

3- by ½-inch strip of lemon peel

1 cinnamon stick

Stir the honey and water in a glass until the honey dissolves, and pour in the brandy. Twist the lemon peel over the edge of the glass, then add it to the drink. Stir the tea with the cinnamon stick, and drink to your good health!

(*you may substitute bourbon or scotch.)