Stayia Farm

Stayia Farm is a small family bio farm on Evia. Our aim is to produce healthy bio organic food, free from any chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides or any other forms of suicides.

We believe in keeping our plants and soil bio organic as nature intended.

We invite you to taste the difference from our little piece of paradise.

Pasteli Vasilissa

The "Pasteli Vasilissa" is characterized by its unique preparation. 

It is a great sweet "snack" composed of natural products, namely roasted sesame seeds and pure honey.

 However, there are also kinds of Pasteli containing various kinds of nuts.

We produce our Pasteli in accordance with the traditional recipe. 

The origin of Pasteli goes back to Homer's Iliad. It's a tradition including the shades and flavors of an ancient era, which left despite all its difficulties a sweet and lively nostalgia in our hearts. 

This is caused by the fact that anything connected with traditions has to be based on values and principles in order to be continued.

Luxury department store Harrods is currently selling the world's most exceptional honey.

Harrods has embodied opulence, grandeur and premium retail service since it opened in 1834. The food halls at Harrods are renowned for stocking the best products the culinary world has to offer, both from its own kitchens to premium brands from around the globe, creating a perfect synergy with the Vasilissa Greek Honey.

Luxury department store Harrods is currently selling the world's most exceptional honey.The Greek Organic Honey from Greece is called Vasilissa and is produced in a very unique way.

Cleopatra's elixir!

Organic Thyme Honey infused with edible 24 carat GOLD !

This very special Organic Greek Honey is made by hand using only the most cared for thyme honey and 24-Karat gold flakes. Each drop of this luxurious honey will delight your palate and amplify your dishes.

Stayia Farm organic greek honey ελληνικό βιολογικό μέλι

Stayia Farm is a small family bio farm on Evia island that was founded in 2012 but is keeping a huge tradition that is passing from generation to generation sin

6 Delicious Health Benefits Of Vasilissa Organic Honey

The dangers of sugar have been so widely publicized that many people mistakenly think anything "sweet" equals bad news for the body. While refined sugar is indeed harmful, if not toxic, to your health, nature provides a wonderfully delicious array of natural sugars found in fruits, root vegetables and honey that nourish the body and promote good health.

Getting back to the rich abundance of nature, especially when it comes to the health benefits of honey, is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to protect your body. As Hippocrates said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

When using sweetener, always reach for raw, organic honey in order to reap the most benefits. Here are 6 delicious ways that honey improves your health:

1. It boosts your immune system.

Raw, organic honey is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which protect the body from bacteria and boost the immune system. Cold and flu symptoms, such as coughs, sore throats, and congestion are also kept at bay when treated with honey.

To improve your immune system, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to warm water daily. For an extra boost, add fresh lemon juice and a dash of cinnamon.

2. It helps you lose weight.

Drinking warm water with lemon and honey on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, is the main component of every detox program I offer my clients. Doing this on a daily basis is one of the best ways to cleanse the liver, remove toxins, and flush fat from the body.

For optimal benefits, add 1 tablespoon of honey plus the juice of one lemon to warm water every morning before breakfast. This is a very soothing and satisfying drink to end the day with, as well.

3. It reduces the risk of heart disease.

Honey mixed with cinnamon has been shown to revitalize the arteries and veins of the heart and reduce cholesterol in the blood by up to 10%. When taken on a regular basis, this honey-cinnamon mixture may reduce the risk of heart attacks and stop another from occurring in people who have already suffered one.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey with 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon to warm water, then drink daily.

4. It soothes indigestion. 

For those who suffer from indigestion, the antiseptic properties of honey relieve acidity in the stomach and alleviate digestion. Honey also neutralizes gas, becoming the ultimate stomach soother when it comes to overeating.

One or two tablespoons of honey before heavy meals is the best way to thwart indigestion, and if you’ve already overindulged, add honey and lemon to warm water to help move food through the digestive track.

5. It bolsters your energy levels.

The natural sugars in honey provide a healthy source of calories and energy for the body. Plus, using honey for an energy boost also answers the human body’s innate craving for something sweet.

Fight fatigue with nature’s answer to low energy. Instead of reaching for coffee, cakes, or chocolate to get you through an energy slump, try reaching for a tablespoon of raw, organic honey instead.

6. It clears up your skin.

Due to its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, honey is the ultimate organic skincare brand. Apply a dab of raw, organic honey directly to blemishes, and let the skin absorb its medicinal properties overnight. Wash it off in the morning, and after regular use, you’ll wake up to clear skin!

Honey is also an effective treatment for other skin conditions, such as eczema, ring worm, and psoriasis. Though honey does not CURE these conditions, it does soothe inflammation and relieve dryness.

Source:- http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8743/6-delicious-health-benefits-of-honey.html

A Brief History Of The Health Support Uses Of Gold

Gold has been used as an ingestible tonic by emperor's and royalty for thousands of years and today many eastern medical practitioners believe in its health properties.Our aim is to spread the excellence and quality of traditional Greek products, helping people from all over the world to become acquainted with the beauty and culinary traditions of our land.

This is why we created Vasilissa Thyme Honey with 24K edible Gold our first product of haute gastronomy for those of you who demand the highest quality.

Gold as the symbol of perfection is the ideal way to express your love and to celebrate success. Using edible gold flakes, Vasilissa aims to become the ambassador of peoples’ emotions worldwide. Experience the magic of our gold goods, all deriving from the fertile Greek land, and celebrate life with elegance and glamour.

A Brief History Of The Health Support Uses Of Gold

The earliest records of the use of gold for medicinal and healing purposes come from Alexandria, Egypt. Over 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians ingested gold for mental, bodily and spiritual purification. The ancients believed that gold in the body worked by stimulating the life force and raising the level of vibration on all levels.

The Alchemists of Alexandria developed an "elixir" made of liquid gold. They believed that gold was a mystical metal that represented the perfection of matter, and that its presence in the body would enliven, rejuvenate, and cure a multitude of diseases as well as restore youth and perfect health.

As many as 4,500 years ago, the Egyptians used gold in dentistry. Remarkable examples of its early use have been found by modern archaeologists. Still in favor today as an ideal material for dental work, approximately 13 tons of gold are used each year for crowns, bridges, inlays and dentures. Gold is ideal for these purposes because it is non-toxic, can be shaped easily, and never wears, corrodes or tarnishes.

In medieval Europe, gold-coated pills and "gold waters" were extremely popular. Alchemists mixed powdered gold into drinks to "comfort sore limbs," which is one of the earliest references to arthritis.

During the Renaissance, Paracelsus (1493-1541) - who is considered the founder of modern pharmacology - developed many successful medicines from metallic minerals including gold. One of the greatest alchemists/chemists of all time, he founded the school of Iatrochemistry, the chemistry of medicine, which is the forerunner of pharmacology.

In the 1900s, surgeons would often implant a gold piece under the skin near an inflamed joint, such as a knee or elbow. As a result, the pain would often subside or cease altogether.

In China, the restorative properties of gold are still honored in rural villages, where peasants cook their rice with a gold coin to replenish the mineral in their bodies, and fancy Chinese restaurants put 24-karat gold-leaf in their food preparations.

Colloidal Gold

If metallic gold is divided into fine particles (sizes ranging from one to one hundred billionths of a meter) and the particles are permanently suspended in solution, the mineral becomes known as Colloidal Gold and exhibits new properties due to the larger amount of gold surface area available.

Colloidal Gold was first prepared in a pure state in 1857 by the distinguished English chemist, Michael Faraday. Many uses were found for the amazing solutions of "activated gold."

In the nineteenth century, Colloidal Gold was commonly used in the United States to cure alcoholism (then called dipsomania , defined as the uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors), and today it is used to reduce dependency on alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and carbohydrates.

In the United States, as far back as 1885, gold had been known for its healing capabilities for the heart and improved blood circulation. And gold has been used to treat arthritis continuously since 1927.

Europeans have long been aware of the benefits of gold in the system and have been buying gold-coated pills and 'Gold Water' over the counter for well over 100 years.

In July of 1935, Clinical, Medicine & Surgery had an article entitled "Colloidal Gold in Inoperable Cancer" written by Edward H. Ochsner, M.D., B.S., F.A.C.S. which stated, " When the condition is hopeless, Colloidal Gold helps prolong life and makes life much more bearable, both to the patient and to those about them, because it shortens the period of terminal cachexia (general physical wasting and malnutrition usually associated with chronic disease) and greatly reduces pain and discomfort and the need of opiates (narcotics) in a majority of instances."

Modern Uses

Today, medical uses of gold have expanded greatly. It is used in surgery to patch damaged blood vessels, nerves, bones, and membranes. It is also used in the treatment of several forms of cancer. Injection of microscopic gold pellets helps retard prostate cancer in men. Women with ovarian cancer are treated with colloidal gold, and gold vapor lasers help seek out and destroy cancerous cells without harming their healthy neighbors.

Every day, surgeons use gold instruments to clear coronary arteries, and gold -coated lasers give new life to patients with once inoperable heart conditions and tumors.

Gold has become an important biomedical tool for scientists studying why the body behaves as it does. By attaching a molecular marker to a microscopic piece of gold, scientists can follow its movement through the body. Because gold is readily visible under an electron microscope, scientists can now actually observe reactions in individual cells.

Some researchers are placing gold on DNA to study the hybrid genetic material in cells. Others are using it to determine how cells respond to toxins, heat and physical stress. Because it is biologically benign, biochemists use gold to form compounds with proteins to create new lifesaving drugs.Gold has been known down through the ages to have a direct effect on the activities of the heart, and helps to improve blood circulation. It is beneficial for rejuvenating sluggish organs, especially the brain and digestive system, and has been used in cases of glandular and nervous congestion and lack of coordination.

The body's temperature stabilizing mechanism is restored to balance with gold, particularly in cases of chills, hot flashes, and night sweats.

Colloidal Gold has a balancing and harmonizing effect on all levels of body, mind, and spirit. It is used to improve mental attitude and emotional states.It has been reported to promote a feeling of increased energy, will power, mental focus and libido.

According to many studies, colloidal gold increases mental acuity and the ability to concentrate. Colloidal gold is thought to strengthen mental function by increasing the conductivity between nerve endings in the body and on the surface of the brain.

Gold is an all-natural mineral that is non-toxic and exhibits no interactions with other drugs, and is easily tolerated by the body.

The fabulous healing properties of gold are slowly but surely being rediscovered, as modern scientists and physicians uncover what the ancients seem to have known all along: 

That gold is indeed a very precious metal.

Honey vs Sugar - Are There Really Any Differences?

Honey is considered by many to be the world's oldest sweetener. The health benefits of honey have been noted by many people over the centuries. Even the ancient philosopher, Aristotle, wrote about the many nutritional and medicinal benefits of honey. Most people use sweeteners everyday so it's important to learn how honey differs from sugar.

The Main Differences Between Honey vs Sugar

Honey is regarded as a natural product while sugar is a man-made, highly processed product. Both of these sweeteners have glucose and fructose in them. In granulated sugar, the glucose and fructose are bonded together, these components in honey are separate. Fructose is more sweet tasting compared to glucose, and this is why so much fructose is being put into our processed foods today.

Fructose doesn't convert to energy very fast like glucose does. Because of this, processed foods that contain high amounts of fructose will be converted to fat more easily than honey. If you are trying to improve your diet or lose weight, you should avoid those kinds of food products. 

The manufacturing process for sugar often eliminates many healthy components, such as protein, vitamins, minerals, organic acids, and nitrogen elements. Honey, doesn't go through this type of process and is usually only subjected to minimal heating. Honey contains other beneficial ingredients that have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that aren't contained in sugar.

Caloric content of table sugar differs from that of honey. One teaspoon of sugar has about 16 calories, and one teaspoon of honey has about 22 calories. Although, honey does have more calories, many people use less of it because it's sweeter. Because they use less, they often end up consuming less calories too.

Honey has a glycemic index that is lower than sugar and this means it's absorbed at a slower rate compared to sugar. Since sugar has a higher glycemic index it can increase your blood-glucose levels which could cause you to overeat. This is another reason why honey is healthier for you, especially if you are trying to shed those unwanted pounds.

Important Nutritional Facts and Health Benefits

There are several nutritional facts about honey that will certainly make you feel good about using honey instead of sugar. The single most important reason to eat honey is because of its many health benefits. It contains many minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium chlorine, phosphate, sulphur, and iron. 

Most types of honey contain B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and C vitamins. It also has choline which is important for cell membrane growth and it has to be consumed because your body can't produce it. Acetylcholine is also found in honey and it works as a neurotransmitter. Sugar doesn't contain either one of the compounds.

The glucose in honey can be quickly absorbed into your body which will result in you having more energy. Fructose in honey will help your energy levels last longer compared to sugar. Studies have shown that honey increases the performance and endurance levels for athletes because it lowers muscle fatigue.

Scientists have stated that honey has many anti-bacterial properties that are powerful for fighting different types of bacteria. You can also use it to treat burns and other wounds because it promotes healing and helps to prevent infections. Many people use honey to treat their sore throats and it is also effective for treating upset stomachs.

Now that you have read the above, you know why so many people prefer using honey instead of sugar. These important health benefits can help you not only feel better if you are sick, but also help you lose weight faster. The very next time you are shopping for a sweetener, remember that honey is a wonderful natural product that contains far more nutritional ingredients than processed sugar.

Honey nutrition facts

The National Honey Board has done extensive study and research about the history, nutrition and medicinal properties of honey and have compiled huge resource of information. For more information about honey, please visit the National Honey Board website.

What's in Honey?

Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution with approximately 17.1 percent water. Fructose is the predominant sugar at 38.5 percent, followed by glucose at 31 percent. Disac- charides, trisac -charides and oligosaccharides are present in much smaller quantities. Besides carbohydrates, honey contains small amounts of protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Honey is known to be rich in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including catalase, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and alkaloids. Although appearing only in trace amounts honey also contains about 18 different amino acids. Crane, E. 1976. "Honey: A Comprehensive Survey," Corrected edition. International Bee Research Association/Heinemann, London; Berenbaum, M., Robinson, G. and Unnevehr, L. 1995-1996. Antioxidant properties of Illinois honeys. University of Illinois.

Honey Characteristics

Each variety of honey has characteristics that make that each one unique. Some of the main characteristics are color, granulation, moisture content, Levlose (fructose sugars) levels and Dextrose (glucose sugars) levels. Honey color is always graded with a number. A low number indicates a light color and the higher the number the darker the honey. Granulation is also given a number value to rate at which point the honey tends to crystallize or granulate. Levlose, dextrose and moisture levels are based on a percentage.

Raw Honey

Honey that is sold as raw contains all the pollen, enzymes and other micronutrients that are usually filtered out or destroyed by heat when the honey is processed. Traditionally, honey is heated and filtered so that it will remain liquid much longer. Raw honey will crystalize quickly due to the fact that it is unfiltered. GloryBee offers several varieties of raw honey, which are never heated above 115 degrees. Many people believe that raw honey contains additional health benefits over traditionally processed honey.

Uses

Honey has been used for everything from skincare to mead (honey wine). Honey is widely preferred as a sweetener because it is also a flavor enhancer. The wide variety of flavors available from different honeys makes honey a gourmet's delight.

Storage

If properly stored, honey will not spoil: A pot of honey found in an ancient Egyptian tomb was proved to be as wholesome as fresh honey. However, honey will ferment if it is diluted by moisture from the atmosphere or by other liquids. Prevent fermentation by keeping honey containers tightly sealed before and between uses.

Parents Warning

Honey is not recommended for children who are less than a year old because their digestive systems may not be mature enough to digest it. It can cause infant botulism which is a rare but serious disease.

Honey Facts

There are over 25,000 species of bees worldwide.

An adult worker bee's lifespan is about 45 days during summer months.

A typical Bee colony consists of 30,000 to 60,000 bees.

Male bees are called "Drones" and they do not have stingers, their only purpose is to mate with the queen bee.

A queen bee can sting multiple times without dying.

99% of the bee colony is made up of female bees known as worker bees.

The average honey bee's wings flap over 183 times per second.

Bees have an excellent sense of smell which allows them to find their hive.

Honey Bees actually dance when they return to the hive to tell the other bees where the flowers are.

Honey is the ONLY food source produced by an insect that humans eat.

Worker honey bees transform the floral nectar the gather into honey by adding enzymes to the nectar and reducing the moisture.

For more fun and educational information you can use to teach your kids about honey bees, check out the "The Honey Files: A bee's life" brought to you by the National Honey Board. This fun guide has interactive games and quizzes as well as fun diagrams and drawings to help kids learn.

Honey Nutrition

Honey is much more than just a simple sugar. Rich in minerals and nutrients, honey also has some antibiotic properties that may aid in the healing process. For thousands of years honey has been used by mankind in many capacities to help give the human body energy and health. Below are the nutritional facts for Honey.

Substituting Honey for Sugar

Replace 1 cup of sugar with 3/4 cup of honey and reduce the liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup. Add a pinch of baking soda to recipes that do not call for sour cream or sour milk, so as to reduce the acidity of the honey. 

Cook jellies and jams at higher temperatures when you replace sugar with honey.

Beat honey candies longer, and seal them more tightly when storing them to keep the honey from absorbing atmospheric moisture.

Baking Tips

When baking with honey, lower the oven temperature by 25° to 30° F to prevent over-browning.

When measuring honey, first coat the measuring utensil with a small amount of oil so the honey will not stick.

Store honey at room temperature rather than in a refrigerator. Keep it tightly covered and in a dry place.

If honey granulates, place its container in hot water until the honey re-liquefies.

Honey, because it is hydroscopic, tends to keep foods moist and tender. Therefore, if you are baking goodies for kids away at school, service members overseas, or friends out of town, always bake with honey to ensure freshness.

Granulation (or crystallization)

Is defined as a natural occurring process of honey that changes it from liquid to solid. Some people think the honey is spoiled as it crystallizes but according to the chart, crystallization in honey occurs when the honey molecules are at optimum temperature. It then begins to crystallize. This has a lot to do with how you store you honey. If you store your honey above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (or in a certain containers the optimum is 57 to 58 degrees) it will crystallize. Levulose and dextrose levels affect crystallization also, so typically the one with the higher dextrose will crystallize more quickly; for example, Clover and Alfalfa crystallize more quickly than Orange Blossom or Blackberry. Also larger quantities will crystallize if they are stored on a concrete floor and the cold temperatures are drawn up into the container. If the honey re-crystallizes very quickly it only means that the honey did not get properly liquefied which means that the sugar crystals did not get dissolved. So if you place your honey in a pan of water and heat it slowly making sure you dissolve all the crystals you can slow crystallization or it will re-crystallize within just a few days.