Get sweet on honey, the versatile star of a swarm of local pampering products

Honey isn't usually included in articles about "superfoods," but as far as I'm concerned, it should be. It smells better than broccoli, is tastier than sprouts, and lacks all those teeny pomegranate seeds. And not only is it edible, you can smear it all over yourself in various forms for softer skin. Here are just a few sweet ways locally to enjoy the bounty of the worker bees.

Eat
Try one of 14 different Golden Harvest honeys available at the Ballard Sunday Farmers Market. Beekeeper Tom Schioler brings the fruits of his (and his bees') labors every week from his "bee ranch" on Whidbey Island. Among the honey varieties are buckwheat, citrus, fireweed, raspberry, clover, wildflower and vanilla -- a favorite among market goers. Don't be distressed if you open it and find what looks like a dirty stick floating around. It's actually a fragrant piece of vanilla that gives the honey a heavenly flavor. Jars run from $8 to $12.

Store
The plastic bear bottle can be cute, but if you want something a little less kitschy, choose from ceramic honey pots by local artists Sarah Woodson and Barbara Dunshee. Woodson's chubby little off-white pots are simple and clean, with white, gray or brown stripes ($26 each). Dunshee's pots feature swirls of color on neutral backgrounds and can double as sugar bowls ($40 each). Pots from both artists are available at Jaywalk in Madrona.

Wash
After eating all that sticky sweetness, you'll need something to wash your hands with. Pick up a bottle of the deliciously scented Orange Blossom Liquid Honey Hand Soap from The Savannah Bee Company. Avoid putting this attractive container on the table -- the amber-colored liquid could be mistaken for an edible. The soap is $12.75 for 8 ounces at Jaywalk.

Beautify
For dewy summer skin, head to High Maintenance Skincare Studio on Capitol Hill and experience their new hydrating Honey Dew facial. The secret ingredient is Manuka honey from New Zealand, lauded for its beneficial health properties. The facial includes a honey hydrating cream cleanser, brightening scrub, fruit peel, massage with botanical oils, Manuka honey mask with massage and pressure point skin-lifting, a serum and other nourishing therapies. The 60-minute facial is $115.

Slather
Red Bush & African Wild Honey Shea Butter body lotion from Shea Terra Organics is rich, creamy and naturally almond scented. It not only makes your skin feel smooth, the combination of wild African honey and shea butter has double the softening properties or ordinary body lotion. The red bush tea is full of skin-saving antioxidants. The lotion is $12 for 8 ounces at www.lacremebeauty.com, a local online fragrance, bath and beauty emporium.

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