Valentine's Day: 5 Reasons to Fall in Love with Honeybees
"Beekeeping is not just a hobby, it will suddenly consume you then make you fall in love with bees."
My eyes are wide open and all of my senses are on overload, beekeeping was my introduction into
the natural world and made me who I am today. I will always be passionate about the environment, growing and preparing good food, and educating others about the magic of honeybees. It is no surprise that I am obsessed with the weather, curious about which flowers are in bloom and above all passionate about what real honey should taste like!
My fondness for bees began with a visit to my neighbors apiary, there I feasted on one precious drop of warm honey that landed on my tongue then blew my mind. The flavor was deeply complex and the texture hugged my mouth like a cashmere blanket. The entire life's work of one honeybee devoured in a single gulp but not easily forgotten. At that instant, I realized that I lived nearly half of my life and had never tasted pure honey. This experience is where my journey began, ultimately changing the course of my life from designer to beekeeper and the founder of Red Bee honey and I never turned back.
As Valentine's Day approaches, I want to share with you my 5 top reason to fall in love with honeybees...perhaps you will too! And a surprising recipe that marries honey, chocolate and cheese!
1. Honeybees are docile and gentle...really!
They do not eat meat or other insects and you will not see them at your 4th of July BBQ. Honeybees spend their time visiting flowers foraging for nectar, water or pollen and when they are not in the field, honeybees are inside their hive, raising young or simply making honey.
2. Honeybees directly connect us to our food!
Plant all the seeds you want but unless a honeybee pollinates the flowers, we will not have apple or blueberry pies, figs, eggplants broccoli, almonds and hundreds of other fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices and oils not to mention my favorites: chocolate, coffee or cotton for blue jeans and bed sheets. Honeybee pollination also provides food for wildlife, birds and other beneficial insects that contribute to our entire eco-system to maintain a healthy vibrant planet. So plant a garden, even if it is a few herbs you let go to flower and support our Save the Bees campaign.
3. Honeybees gives us a magical elixir called honey.
It is nature's oldest and only raw sweetener which also has super natural health benefits. Other sweeteners are just plain sweet however honey has a multitude of flavors depending upon they type of flowers bees visit. Honey is produced in every single country on the planet so you can travel around the world and never taste the same honey twice. Honey is fat, gluten and cholesterol free.
4. Honey is good inside and out...
It has been proven that honey has anti-bacterial properties for a few reasons. Because of its low pH (average 3.5) and water absorbing properties, many types of bacteria are unable to survive inside of honey. The natural occurring pollen in honey can help boost the immune system by providing a complete protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. So eat your honey but also it can relieve cuts, scrapes and burns by keeping them clean and preventing scarring.
5. Support a beekeeper...
Most people do not know that honeybees need beekeepers to care and manage them, we are necessary for their survival. Honeybees are considered domesticated livestock and like chickens and cows are susceptible to pest and diseases that can wipe out an entire bee colony if left unattended. The most common pest is a varroa mite that attaches itself to a bee and compromises its immune system. Beekeeper s must manage this pest to keep their bees healthy. Support beekeepers by purchasing honey directly, it is our reward and incentive to carry on this ancient art.
Learn more about beekeeping in my book HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
Order on line and get 20% off at checkout with coupon code ACCIDENTALBEEKEEPER
Looking for a RED themed honey to compliment your Valentine's Day?
Try our Red Currant or Raspberry Blossom honeys.
Goat Cheese Truffles Recipe - YUM & So Easy!
Ingredients:
1 Goat cheese log, store or farm bought, 12 oz
1/4 cup Cacao powder
1/4 cup Hazelnuts, chopped
Method:
Unwrap cheese and place in large bowl.
Let cheese sit 15 minutes until pliable and room temperature.
Add most of the cacao powder (saving a few tablespoons to roll finished truffles) and mix by hand or with a fork until blended well.
Cover bowl with mixture and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Remove and hand roll into one inch balls
Roll balls into remaining cacao powder or hazelnuts to coat.
Plate finished truffles and return to refrigerator to stay firm and cool.
Garnish plate with raspberries and serve.
