Recipes and Remedies: Using Honey and Other Bee Products to Sweeten Your Life

Table of contents :
Front Cover
Copyright
Title Page
About Beepods
Foreword
How to Use This Book
What You Need to Know
Where to Find Ingredients
Bath Products
Antioxidant Facial Toner
Bees are Busy for a Reason
Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
What's Up with Eating Pollen?
Honey and Beeswax Body Butter
Worker Bees are Busy From Day One
Honey and Oat Scrub
Bees Don't Pollinate Everything
Honey Egg Yolk Hair Softener
Why a Hexagon?
Honey Mint Lip Balm
Infused Honey: A Recipe Within a Recipe
Infused Aromatic Honey
Sunburn Relief
Flowers for the Bees
Honey Olive Oil Hair Conditioner
A Beekeeper's Journal: Entry One
Natural Remedies
Propolis Tincture
What is Propolis?
Propolis Infusion
The History of Propolis
Propolis Healing Ointment
What You Need to Know About Propolis
Herbal Propolis Mouthwash
Foraging Makes the Difference
Honey Propolis Throat Spray
How Can You Use Propolis?
Propolis Toothpaste
A Beekeeper's Journal: Entry Two
Sweet Recipes
Brian's Creamed Honey
Honey and Sugar Are Not Created Equal
Honey Apple Cider
Honey Gives You Options
Chewy Granola Bars
Not All Honey is Created Equal
Honey Bee Peanut Buzzers
So Your Honey Crystallized...
Lemon Lavender Scones
Tea and Honey
Honey Pumpkin Pie
Honey and Everything Sweet
Sam's Honey Sweet Chocolate
A Beekeeper's Journal: Entry Three
Savory Recipes
Honey Sesame Vinaigrette
Honey is for Everybody
Honey Turmeric Glazed Carrots
Honey Can Enhance Your Savory Dishes
Honey Oat Bread
A Beekeeper's Journal: Entry Four
Household Products
Old-Fashioned Candle in a Jar
A History of Candle Making
Beeswax Fire Starters
Tell Me About Beeswax
Beeswax Waterproofing Block
"Mind Your Own Beeswax": Fact and Fiction
Cutting Board Conditioner
Encaustic Painting
Winter Paw Balm for Dogs
What About My Dog?
Mustache Conditioning Wax
Mustache Shapes
Soothing Cough Syrup
The Healing Power of Honey
Hot Cold Killer
A Beekeeper's Journal: Entry Five
Back Cover

Citation preview

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Using Honey & Other Bee Products to Sweeten Your Life

Compiled, Written, & Designed by The Beepods Team

Copyright © 2019 by The Beepods Team All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information: [email protected] FIRST EDITION www.beepods.com

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Using Honey & Other Bee Products to Sweeten Your Life

Compiled, Written, & Designed by The Beepods Team Caitlin Knudsen, Sam Joseph, Brian Schweitzer, Brad James, & Erin Ylvisaker with Foreword by Alyssa Hartson

Beepods is a small team with big goals. We use a unique, top bar design for our beehives that helps bees go about their daily activities in the most natural way possible. We believe in beekeeping for the bees and prioritize education and community building as the foundation for what we do.

We work with private homeowners, schools, businesses, and nonprofits to make their beekeeping dreams come true and we know it changes lives - it’s changed all of ours! Beepods is a sustainable beekeeping company with a mission: • To educate others on the importance of using beekeeping practices that prioritize - always - the needs of the bees. • To innovate and provide researchers with the data they need to find creative solutions to preserve the livelihood of honey bee populations. • To encourage the beekeeping community to implement practices that benefit bees, the world, and all who live in it. We live by our values in all that we do: LEADERSHIP: We believe in our own personal growth and nurturing growth in those who work with us and alongside us. SERVICE: We believe in helping when we are able and that includes our customers, our community, and of course, the bees. SUSTAINABILITY: We use simple methods, minimally invasive techniques, and the least hazardous materials when working with our bees. ACCOUNTABILITY: We strive to embody integrity in everything we do and if we fall short, we will be honest and make efforts to improve. INNOVATION: We seek creative solutions to interesting problems. This requires us to be flexible in our approach, utilizing a mixture of traditional beekeeping methods and new techniques supported by current research. Beekeeping is what we do on the surface, but we also educate through our blogs, develop bee-related e-courses, track data, speak at events, provide gardening tips and tricks, and so much more. We know bees are amazing and vitally important to our survival and we hope you enjoy this labor of love we created with YOU in mind!

Foreword by Alyssa Hartson Alyssa Hartson is an educator who worked with the Beepods Beekeeping System from developing a proposal to a fully functioning (and buzzing) hive. With her insights into the many benefits of beekeeping, she continues to be a frequent collaborator and source of inspiration for the Beepods Team.

When I was a young kid, I would avoid bees. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to admit I would run far and fast the second a bee flew into my personal space. But since I had the privilege of becoming a beekeeper, I am frequently reminded bees add value to our lives, and sometimes in unexpected ways. There are the obvious benefits of bees, mainly that they pollinate basically all the food we eat, and the food that our food eats. But more than that, what makes a bee a bee is really quite incredible and can be a point of fascination, especially for young people. The biologist in me is awed by the sheer complexity of hive life - 20,000+ bees communicating with nothing more than chemicals, and a little booty shake here and there, all sharing a common goal with pointed efficiency. As a botanist, the effectiveness of honey bee pollination, and the co-evolution of plant and pollinator is a point of curiosity and respect. However, it was what I learned about bees after I decided to become a beekeeper that surprised me and took my appreciation of bees to a whole new level. When I found out honey bees can recognize their beekeeper and “dance” with each other AND cling to their sisters in a ladder-like, bee hand-holding phenomenon called festooning (don’t know what it is? Look it up. It’s adorable!), I realized there was so much more to these little ladies than what we see on the surface. I developed a love and esteem for the relationships and hard work happening around the hive that transcended my objective biologist’s approach to beekeeping. Let me back up. I never actually had a desire to be a beekeeper. This was driven by my students. I was lucky enough to be a high school science teacher, working outside of the traditional system in a project-based setting. I had a group of students who wanted to learn about beekeeping, and of course, one thing led to another and we ended up getting a grant of sufficient size that allowed us to acquire the Beepods Beekeeping System. I, as the adult supervisor, was really just along for the ride. What happened once we actually got our “little ladies” was completely unexpected. When students realized that they could learn the skills necessary to become a beekeeper, a flood of students signed up! I’ll never forget the day we installed our first nucleus hive (yes, we, unfortunately, have gone through a few.) I was blown away. I assumed they would stand back due to the general uneasiness of being around stinging insects. However, students pushed their faces near the bees, wanted to get their hands in the action, bravely anticipating potential stings while committing to getting the bees in as quickly and as safely as they could.

As the months and hive inspections passed, I saw a nurturing side to my students I had never seen before - and for bugs! They would put their hands down, let the bees crawl all over them, and they would share concern or disappointment when something wasn’t quite right with the hive. One student, in particular, seemed to really resonate with the art of beekeeping. Johnny started attending the school I taught in his sophomore year, so I got to know him quite well over the years. But if I had to sum him up in one word, it would be “Shoes.” Johnny LOVES shoes, and every pair he wears are super fly Jordans. No joke, he probably has 15-20 pairs of Jordans. And they are all pristine. He has a shoe cleaning kit in his desk, and actively avoids activities that get his shoes dirty. He also happened to be one of the original students that developed the bee grant project. Once we got the bees, he would start asking me on a weekly to bi-weekly basis, “Are we going out to the bees today?” so that he could bring a special pair of old sneakers especially for the hive inspections. He even went out in his pristine Jordans once because he forgot his dirty sneakers. Only once though. In a brief moment, the bees were more important to him than the items he felt defined him. The bees became foundational to the culture of our school. The whole school wanted updates on the queen, to know the amount of honey the bees produced, and to learn if the hive was growing. The hive became such a cornerstone of school culture that our queen has become the unofficial school mascot. Two years later, I have so much gratitude for the value these little ladies added to our community. Indirectly or directly, our school community learned several important lessons through our work with the bees. Whether it is the commitment of caring for the hive, harvesting honey, making candles out of the wax, or collaborating to make this a successful project, my students experienced learning that will translate into other areas of their lives. I personally feel an emotional attachment to the monumental efforts our little ladies put forth every day just to survive while allowing us to reap the benefits of their hard work. These days, instead of running away from a bee that has flown into my space, I pause, breathe, and send out a silent message of thanks for that bee being there at all.

Alyssa Hartson currently lives and works in Butte, Montana teaching yoga and renovating houses in Historic Uptown. She is a former teacher at MG21, the project based charter school in Monona Grove, Wisconsin where she worked to make science accessible to all of her students, encouraging participation in real world science outside of the classroom. Before teaching she was employed at a wilderness therapy company in Washington working specifically with at risk youth. Prior to that, Alyssa spent about 7 years popping back and forth from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere working seasonal jobs in the outdoor adventure industry, and the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Alyssa holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Science.

How to Use This Book

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION The Beepods Team loves working with bees so much, we had to create a recipe book showcasing all the neat things you can do with bee products. Bees produce more useable raw materials than just honey, so you will find recipes in this book for treats and eats as well as home remedies and household products using propolis and beeswax. Since this is much more than a recipe book for scones and chocolate (though those are pretty spectacular in their own right), we wanted to provide you with clear instructions for how to use this book so you get the most out of it. If you’re a beekeeper and you’re looking for more information on how to use the raw materials from your hive. If you’re interested in homesteading and want to learn how to make your own tinctures, balms, and other useful products. If you think bees are fascinating and want to express your love for them by making honey and beeswax-based recipes… This book is for you! Follow these instructions to thoroughly enjoy your experience: Read each recipe once through and then read it again.

Follow the recipes step-by-step.

Gather all of your supplies.

Send us your pics! Once you’ve crafted your recipe, take a picture of it and send it to us here.

If you need to purchase any additional supplies, check out our page”Where to Find Ingredients” for helpful hints and purchasing information.

Share your knowledge and your enjoyment of using bee products with your loved ones and people you know.

Take your time! Enjoy the process of making the recipe just as much as the recipe itself.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us and we’d be happy to speak with you. Email us at [email protected].

Any recipes that require you to heat materials to a specific temperature will benefit from the use of a candy thermometer. One final note: You will find recipes for a propolis tincture and a propolis infusion in the home remedies section. The propolis tincture will be used later in its section as an ingredient for other recipes. Both the propolis tincture and infusion are great to have on hand as part of your home stock of ingredients for home remedies. We hope you enjoy! - The Beepods Team

What You Need to Know BEE ALLERGIES:

Consumption of honey is considered generally safe. If you’ve eaten something containing honey before and had no issues, feel free to embrace our recipes fully. There is a small chance those with allergies to bees may have issues consuming honey. Additionally, if you have a bee allergy or somebody in your family has a bee allergy and you intend to share your recipe creations with them, anything containing propolis does have the potential to cause a reaction. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult with your medical provider for further advice. When using topical products, like the propolis ointment and propolis tincture, for example, you can always do a patch test before using.

PATCH TEST INSTRUCTIONS:

Take a small amount of the finished recipe and apply to intact skin on the back of the hand. Monitor over the next hour. If your skin remains the same - no redness, itching, hives, or any other abnormalities - you can proceed with use. If you do notice any abnormalities, abstain from use and consult with your medical provider.

FIRE SAFETY:

Many of these recipes require you to melt and mix materials over a heat source. We advise you to follow general fire safety measures, like making sure you don’t walk away from a recipe in progress, not leaving children unattended when making recipes with them, and having a fire extinguisher on hand in your household or apartment. When making recipes that require you to melt beeswax over a heat source, it’s important to know beeswax melts at 144 to 150 °F and should not be heated over 170 °F as it can burn. Keep in mind beeswax is flammable, so take care when crafting recipes using this raw ingredient.

DISCLAIMER:

We have to note, these recipes have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Where to Find Ingredients Some of the ingredients required for these recipes may be unfamiliar to you. You may have heard of them, but don’t know where to find them. Fortunately, bee products are widely available! Honey varieties vary based on geographical region. In Wisconsin, it’s common to find clover, buckwheat, and wildflower honey. You can embrace locality by purchasing varieties produced on the land where you live. You can always order honey online if you’re interested in a variety not found in your geographical area. Many vendors have websites and ship throughout the U.S. Beeswax can be purchased in large blocks for multiple uses or in pastilles. Some of the recipes require herbs and dried flowers. You can find bulk herbs at local cooperatives as well as online herb suppliers such as Mountain Rose Herbs, Pacific Botanicals, and Oregon’s Wild Harvest.

Tip: When purchasing honey, make sure to check the label and/or ask the vendor about the treatment of the bees and the hive products. Choose honey varieties produced without the use of pesticides. Ask if they do their beekeeping for the bees.

Generally speaking, you can find bee products in the following places: • Amazon • Etsy • Grocery stores • Specialty shops

Tip: With bee products as well as essential oils, store in a cool, dark place free from excessive moisture.

• Nearby farms • Farmers’ markets • Cooperatives

Some of our recipes call for essential oils. You can find essential oils in a lot of the same places you find bee products. Unfortunately, there is no standard definition of purity when it comes to essential oils. In general, purchasing from a vendor that specializes in oils may yield a better product as their company is focused solely on the essential oil trade. Additionally, look at the labels for information such as the botanical name, country of origin, and testing (specifically gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.) The more information available, the better. It requires large quantities of plant matter to produce a small vial of essential oil and sometimes this involves over-harvesting plants. This is something to keep in mind or to guide questions you may ask when looking to purchase oils. Making sure lots of plant matter is available for the bees is important! Finally, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier substance, so do not apply directly to your skin. Additionally, not all essential oils are safe for ingestion. Keep this in mind when reviewing the required ingredients for the recipes. We have noted recipes where you need to use food grade essential oils. Ideally, these oils should carry a nutritional label.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION

BATH PRODUCTS

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Antioxidant Facial Toner INGREDIENTS: 1 cup distilled or spring water 2 tsp loose green tea leaves 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp honey 5 drops lavender essential oil

Toners can be a great addition to your skincare routine. You can use them after you wash your face, throughout the day when you want to freshen up, and to pamper yourself after using face masks.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place tea leaves in a heat-safe container that holds at least 12 oz of liquid. 2. Boil the water and pour it over the tea. 3. Leave the tea to steep for 10 minutes, then strain out the leaves. 4. Add the honey while the tea is still warm, so it dissolves completely. 5. Add the remaining ingredients, and pour into a sterilized squeeze bottle or a bottle with a mister top. TO USE: After cleansing your face, apply the toner to a cotton face pad, and gently wipe all areas of your face while avoiding the eyes. If you have a misting lid bottle, you can simply mist your face, but still be careful not to get any of the toner in your eyes.

NOTES: Green tea and honey can be more than just a drink! The antioxidants in tea can do wonders for the skin when applied directly, and of course, the honey will soften and soothe. This toner should keep for up to a week when stored in a cool, dry place free from excessive moisture.

Bees Are Busy For A Reason There’s a reason people say, “busy as a bee.” Bees work tirelessly to collect nectar, keep their hives clean and their colony healthy. Their efforts produce useful and versatile products. Some bee products you may have heard of and some may be new to you in this book. All of these products are used by the bees themselves in some capacity and because we believe beekeeping should be for the bees - always - sourcing does matter. If you have a hive, only harvest honey, wax, propolis, and bee bread if there is a surplus. We don’t recommend harvesting royal jelly as it is an important source of nutrition for the growing bee larvae. Products that come from bees include:

PROPOLIS HONEY

BEESWAX BEE BREAD POLLEN

ROYAL JELLY

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

INGREDIENTS: ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp honey Squeeze bottle

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and malic acid. If you have sensitive skin or a preexisting skin condition, it can help to dilute the apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix the honey into the apple cider vinegar until dissolved. 2. Pour into a squeeze bottle for easy application. TO USE: Wet your hair and squeeze the product onto your scalp. Massage in with your fingertips, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing out. You can condition as normal after rinsing, however, it’s not necessary.

NOTES: Apple cider vinegar is an excellent ingredient in hair products, because it detaches mineral build up from your hair and washes it away. Honey nourishes and adds shine to your hair. This rinse will keep for one week in the shower and three weeks in the refrigerator.

What’s Up With Eating Pollen? Pollen for Human Consumption If you watch bees up close as they land on the flowers in your yard, you may notice their hind legs covered with a thick layer of bright orange powder. This is pollen! As the bees move from flower to flower, they transfer pollen from their legs onto each new plant they visit. It is through this dance bees pollinate the most beautiful flowers as well as some of our favorite fruits and vegetables. Bee pollen has grown in popularity in the last decade and can be found in local grocery stores and as a topping on smoothie bowls at the cafe down the street. But you may not know how the pollen gets from the legs of bees to a jar on the shelf. In order to obtain bee pollen for human consumption, beekeepers place a mesh trap on the opening of their hive. The bees must pass through this trap to enter the hive and in the process, large globules of pollen rub off on the mesh and into a tray. Unfortunately, harvesting pollen from bees before they get to use it can adversely affect the hive. The bee pollen you consume at the cafe is a mixture of pollen that comes directly from plants the bees visited and is not produced by the bees themselves. What do bees actually do with the pollen once they bring it back to the hive? Fresh pollen is a source of protein for the hive. Large portions of it will be diverted to feed developing bees. Bees will also take measures of the pollen, fill an individual honeycomb cell ¾ full, fill the rest with honey, and seal the whole cell with wax. The contents of the cell undergo fermentation and create what is called bee bread, or, a stored version of pollen for future use.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey and Beeswax Body Butter INGREDIENTS: ¼ oz beeswax ¼ oz cocoa butter ½ cup olive oil 3 tsp honey 10 drops geranium essential oil 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

This is the perfect antidote when the temperatures drop and your skin needs some extra love.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the beeswax and cocoa butter in a double boiler. 2. Heat until completely melted. 3. Stir in the honey until dissolved. 4. Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils. 5. Before the mixture sets, pour into glass or stainless-steel containers. 6. Let cool on a level surface for a few hours before sealing with a lid. TO USE: Apply to intact skin daily or as needed to moisturize.

NOTES: The honey and cocoa butter in this recipe will replenish nutrients to your skin, while the olive oil and beeswax lock in moisture. This product works great for dry, flaky skin needing some deep moisturizing. Apply after a bath or shower when skin is still slightly damp for optimal impact.

Worker Bees Are Busy From Day One From the moment they hatch until their time is done, worker bees have many responsibilities in and around the hive. They keep the hive running smoothly and ensure the continued proliferation of their colony. To understand and appreciate the products that come from bees - like honey and beeswax it’s helpful to recognize the diverse skill set of the worker bee. From the moment she is born, a worker bee gets to work: Cleaning the hive: When she hatches, the worker bee immediately cleans the cell where she began her life. The next three days are spent cleaning surrounding cells to prepare them for use by the queen for when she lays her next round of eggs. Tending to Larvae: After three days, her hormones send her signals to take care of the young; she will spend a week nursing the brood. This involves feeding the larvae a mixture of royal jelly, honey, and pollen, which is a nutritional powerhouse that helps the growing larvae mature. Aiding the queen: Some worker bees become part of the queen’s personal care team; they keep her fed and watered so she can focus on laying eggs. Producing wax: Worker bees excrete a substance from wax glands located on their abdomen. Once this substance is chewed and molded, it becomes honeycomb. Circulating air: As the worker bee ages, she may join a group of fellow seasoned worker bees near the entrance of the hive. These ladies beat their wings in unison to increase airflow cooling the hive and reducing humidity during warmer weather. Guarding the hive: Near the end of summer and into fall, bees from nearby hives may attempt to enter the hive and steal portions of the honey supply. Worker bees stand guard near the entrance to the hive and stymie any intruders. Foraging: Once the worker bee is around 41 days old, she leaves the hive to forage on nearby flowers. She senses she is nearing the end of her days and does not want to burden the hive with removing her body should she pass away inside.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey and Oat Scrub

INGREDIENTS: 2 tsp rolled oats, ground in a blender or coffee grinder 4-5 tsp honey 1 drop lemon essential oil 1 drop geranium essential oil

*Feel free to use the patch test technique for this recipe to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to geranium or lemon essential oil.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place oats and honey in a small bowl and mix into a paste. 2. Add more honey until it reaches a spreadable consistency. 3. Add the essential oils. 4. Mix to combine. TO USE: Apply with your fingertips, and gently massage over your face. Move in outward circular motions. For added benefit, you can leave for 2-3 minutes, then rinse if you want. Gently pat your face dry and apply a facial oil to moisturize your skin, if desired.

NOTES: The honey in this recipe will replenish nutrients in your skin, while the oats will gently exfoliate dead skin and debris. This is a single use recipe. If you want to save time, you can buy oat flour in place of the ground oats.

Bees Don’t Pollinate Everything Let’s be honest. There’s a lot of talk about pollinators and the plants they help reproduce. You’ve probably heard alarming statistics. You may have even seen a list somewhere of all the foods you would not be able to enjoy anymore should something truly devastating happen to our pollinators. Think about life without almonds, avocados, coffee, or berries, for example. As we were creating the recipe for our honey oat scrub, it got us thinking about what plants don’t need pollinators. Many crops undergo wind pollination, which means they depend on wind currents to carry their pollen from plant to plant rather than by the movements of pollinators. The scientific term for this is anemophily. You may notice the list of wind-pollinated plants is just as extensive as the list for bee-pollinated plants. It’s all food for thought. Grains: wheat, oats, barley, corn, rice, sorghum, and rye Legumes: chickpeas, beans, lentils, soybeans Herbs: lemon balm, peppermint Brassicas: broccoli*, cauliflower*, kohlrabi*, and cabbage* Root vegetables: carrots*, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and turnips Fruit: dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, oranges, and strawberries Nuts and seeds: hazelnuts, hemp, pistachios, poppyseeds, walnuts Vegetables: greens, onions*, garlic*, mushrooms, peas *Do require pollinators if grown for seed.

LEGUMES

BRASSICAS

GRAINS

ROOT VEGETABLES

NUTS & SEEDS

HERBS

FRUIT

VEGETABLES

Have you ever heard of mono-cropping? When farmers do not diversify the crops they plant on their land, it makes it harder for the bees. Bees are healthiest when they have access to a variety of plant sources of nectar and pollen.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Egg Yolk Hair Softener

INGREDIENTS: 1-2 egg yolks 2 tbsp honey

You can use your leftover egg whites for omelettes, meringue-based desserts, and even to coat granola when making it homemade in the oven.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix the egg yolks with the honey. 2. Lightly wet your hair. You can use a spray bottle for this if you don’t want to get into and out of the shower. 3. Apply mixture and massage into your hair. 4. Leave hair softener in for about 30 minutes. 5. Rinse hair softener from hair and shampoo as normal.

NOTES: This is for brittle or stiff hair. If you put chemicals or hair spray in your hair this is for you! This hair softener can also help improve greasy hair. Use this recipe immediately after mixing. It is not meant to be stored!

Why a Hexagon? Why do bees build honeycomb using a hexagonal shape? It’s a marvel to look at and is nothing less than a precise, architectural feat executed by a small, striped insect. It’s a question many have asked over the centuries and in order to begin to understand the answer we have to go back in history. The Roman philosopher Marcus Terentius Varro, born in 116 BC, proposed what is called “The Honeybee Conjecture” to elucidate the behavior of honeybees. He surmised the purpose of the hexagon was to optimize honey storage while minimizing the required building materials. Varro believed the hexagon was more compact than other polygons and would require less wax to build, which is important because bees need to consume eight ounces of honey in order to produce just one ounce of wax.

Efficiency is key to preserve resources. Charles Darwin took it a step further and theorized the hive that wasted the least honey in the process of creating wax would be most likely to survive. Thus, a hive that found a way to construct the most compact shape would require the least amount of honey to produce it. In 1999 a mathematician named Thomas Hales was able to prove hexagons are indeed more compact compared to other polygons. He proved the conjecture Varro proposed over 2,000 years earlier. This proved the benefit of incorporating a hexagon into bee engineering, yet didn’t answer how bees decided to utilize it in the first place. While dozens of scientists have studied the behavior of bees over the years, there still is not a conclusive answer as to why bees build their hives the way they do. Keep in mind the process of building a hive is the work of a collective and not one individual worker bee; observation shows a simultaneous rather than sequential process, another marvel of bee behavior. Recent research has explored another line of inquiry to the question of how bees know what size to make the hexagonal cells: bee antennae appear to be almost an exact match for the width of each honeycomb chamber. Is it possible bees use their own anatomy to measure as they build? Even if their behavior remains somewhat of a mystery, we can continue to seek the answers to our questions while appreciating the inspired structural engineering of bees.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Mint Lip Balm INGREDIENTS: ¼ oz beeswax ¼ cup olive oil 1 tsp honey 5 drops peppermint essential oil

What’s better than receiving a homemade gift from somebody you love? Consider making multiple batches of this recipe to have tins of lip balm to give to friends and family throughout the year.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat the wax over a double boiler until completely melted. 2. Add the olive oil and stir. 3. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. You can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature, which needs to be below 100°F so that the honey doesn’t overheat. 4. Stir in the honey and peppermint oil. 5. Carefully pour into small glass jars or tins. Avoid plastic. 6. Allow the balm to cool on a flat surface before sealing the lids.

NOTES: Peppermint is a nice, refreshing option for lip balm, but if you’re so inclined, you can try other essential oils. If you want to play around with your creative side, you can find vintage makeup containers in thrift stores and on Etsy to add a more personal touch to your creations.

Infused Honey: A Recipe Within a Recipe Besides having a better nutritional profile, honey offers more dynamic flavors than cane sugar. One way to get creative with your honey is to infuse it with dried flowers or herbs, which means endless opportunities to add flavor to your life. You can even play around with infusing herbs into different varieties of honey. Infusing honey with herbs yields a fragrant syrup you can add to hot tea, baked goods, or to sweetened sauces. You can even enjoy a spoonful plain for an herbaceous treat. We recommend a no-heat method for infusion as this preserves the beneficial qualities of raw honey. You can choose any flowers, herbs, or spices you like, but be sure they are dry; the water content of fresh herbs and flowers can encourage bacterial growth during infusion, which initiates the process of fermentation. While a mead-like substance is enjoyable in its own right, it’s not the desired outcome of this process.

Aromatic recommendations: • Rose petals • Lavender • Elderflower • Hibiscus • Vanilla bean • Cloves

• Cinnamon • Cardamom • Orange peel • Sassafras • Spearmint • Chili flakes

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Infused Aromatic Honey INGREDIENTS: 2 cups dried herbs, flowers, or spices (aromatics) 2-3 cups raw, local honey (enough to cover aromatics) You’ll also need: Quart-sized glass jar with a lid

This recipe is adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs. Infused honey has many different uses, including as a sweetener for tea, as a spread on scones or toast, or as a drizzle over your favorite yogurt or ice cream.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Ensure your glass jar is clean and dry. 2. Add aromatics until the jar is about halfway full. 3. Cover herbs with honey. You will notice the honey gradually seep to fill the spaces between the aromatics. 4. Cover the glass jar and place in a sunny, protected windowsill. 5. Each day, turn the jar over to ensure adequate mixing of the honey and the aromatics. 6. Allow the honey to infuse for at least one week and up to four weeks, per your preference; a longer infusion will yield a more intense flavor profile. 7. When the honey is infused to your taste, strain out the herbs using a fine mesh strainer. 8. Store infused honey in a cool, dark place and make sure the jar is completely sealed.

NOTES: Once the honey seeps into the aromatics, it may leave portions exposed in the jar. Feel free to top it off with more honey to keep the aromatics covered. You can explore single aromatic infusions or delve into more complex combinations of two or more aromatics.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Sunburn Relief INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp dried calendula flowers 2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 oz beeswax 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp aloe gel 4 drops lavender essential oil

Calendula, also know as marigold, and chamomile are flowers known for their calming properties. Besides use in this soothing balm, both calendula and chamomile make delicious, naturally sweet teas.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Pour the olive oil into a sauce pan with the calendula and chamomile. 2. Heat on medium until gently simmering. 3. Let simmer for two minutes, then remove from the heat. 4. Cover with a lid, and let the flowers infuse for about two hours. 5. Once the infusion is cool, strain through a mesh strainer, squeezing out the flowers to collect as much oil as possible. 6. Over a double boiler, melt the wax, then add the infused oil. Check the temperature of the mixture using a candy thermometer. 7. Once it is below 100°F, add the honey, aloe gel, and lavender essential oil, and whisk it all together. 8. Pour into small jars, and allow to cool on a level surface before sealing with a lid. TO USE: If sunburned, apply to irritated and inflamed skin as needed or up to three times daily. Do not apply to areas of broken skin.

NOTES: This recipe requires you to first make an herbal olive oil infusion. This will take a couple of hours, so plan ahead! You can double the ingredients in the olive oil infusion and save the extra for other recipes! This product will keep for three months in a cool, dark place free from excessive moisture.

Flowers for the Bees Through their movements, bees transfer pollen from one plant to another, which helps plants reproduce and leads to the beautiful flowerbeds we know and love. However, pollination is not intentional and bees have another objective in mind when they collect pollen on their legs. Bees take pollen home with them to the hive as a source of nutrition for the mature bees as well as the brood; pollen is high in protein and serves as a food source for the developing larvae. When it comes to the flowers bees prefer, not all flowers are created equal. Many of the flowers you can purchase at your local garden store are hybridized; flowers are selectively bred to produce multi-layered blooms. While they look beautiful and are highly sought after by the decorative gardener, bees will bypass these flowers in lieu of a much simpler option. Though nice to look at, the downside of choosing to plant these flowers is they produce less nectar and the nectar and pollen they do have are not as easily accessible to bees underneath dense layers of petals. When planting your garden, choose a variety of single bloom flowers. If you take a close look, you should be able to easily see a single stalk topped by a single flower with pollen clearly visible. If you are in doubt, you can always ask somebody at your local gardening store or get in touch with a master gardener. Some examples to consider are sunflowers, zinnias, phlox, nasturtiums, and Black-eyed Susans.

COSMOS

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

ECHINACEA

BORAGE

ASTERS

BUTTERFLY WEED

CALENDULAS

NASTURTIUM

LEMON MINT

SUNFLOWERS

HYSSOP

CHIVES

BEE’S FRIEND

ZINNIAS

POPPIES

PHLOX

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Olive Oil Hair Conditioner INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup olive oil

Olive oil is a great natural moisturizer. If you’re in a bind, you can always substitute melted coconut oil.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix the olive oil and honey in a small bowl. 2. That’s it! TO USE: Massage into wet hair, and pull up with a loose hair clip. Put on a shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Finally, rinse your hair and shampoo as usual. As olive oil will adhere to your hair strands, you may have to do a double shampoo if you want to remove all residue. Otherwise, wash once and enjoy the continuing benefits of this conditioner until you wash again at a later date.

NOTES: This is an effective, all-natural hair conditioner for revitalizing lifeless, limp and dull-looking hair! This is for single use only. You can apply this hair conditioner once a week for deep conditioning.

A Beekeeper’s Journal Sam Joseph is an artist and beekeeper. Constantly immersed in the ambiguity of art, she turns to science as a logical counterweight. Bees enchanted her the moment she encountered them, and she is delighted to finally be working with them. She began volunteering with Beepods in 2016 as a beekeeping assistant and content writer, and she plans to stay on board to help and grow with the company in any way she can. This excerpt comes from Sam Joseph, one of Beepods’ beekeepers. It explores her burgeoning interest in beekeeping and one of the experiences that led her to join the Beepods team and immerse herself in all things bees.

A few years ago, I went to visit a cousin working on a bee farm in Corvallis, Oregon. I would later learn that this was called an apiary, but all I understood at that point was that it was a farm. He had lived in several farms previously, so I didn’t think twice when we turned off the hilly country road onto an even hillier country road and started winding our way toward his house. Nor did I think twice when we came upon the most perfect little cottage. It sat on the top of a soft hill overlooking rows of grapevines followed by a small pasture of goats. The cottage was a teeny little thing, with just enough space, and no more than that. Out on the patio was a bathtub that you could fill with warm water and sit in while picking grapes from the vines that hung overhead. The space alone was enough to make me want to stay forever, but the space was soon upstaged by the bees that inhabited it. It started as a hum. We wandered the landscape for the first hour of our visit. The seasoned grapevines, the comical goats, the sturdy garlic patch, and the rolling hills charmed me. The farmers had all kinds of fruit trees, laden with blossoms, a vegetable patch, little baby chickens. It was the perfect little farm. But there was something more to it than what I could see. An ethereal presence followed us over the land. The place was blanketed in a calmness that was hard to put your finger on. After a short time, I connected it with the persistent hum coming from what seemed like everywhere. I knew there were bees at this farm; that wasn’t a surprise to me. I just didn’t expect them to be such a big part of the atmosphere, to affect the mood of the entire place, the entire group. I might have thought before that bees would bring a little tension to a party, but rather, they enveloped us in their world with the sound of their wings. They were at no point threatening. They just went about their business with uplifting energy...

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION

NATURAL REMEDIES

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Propolis Tincture

INGREDIENTS: 1 part by weight propolis powder 6 parts by weight grain alcohol

You can find recipes that use this tincture in several recipes in this book.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Put the propolis powder and grain alcohol into a jar and seal with an airtight lid. Shake to combine. 2. Let the mixture sit for a week, giving it a shake a couple of times a day. 3. Strain the mixture through a coffee filter. This will take a long time, and you’ll need to keep stirring. To keep from getting bored, do this while cooking! TO USE: This recipe is used as an ingredient in other recipes. Generally speaking, a tincture is used to concentrate plant extracts into a carrier liquid, typically alcohol. We use this tincture in many home remedies.

NOTES: You can purchase propolis powder online, but if you have a hive and harvest it from there, you will need to grind it into a power. It’s easier to grind propolis if it’s cold or frozen. Once you grind it, store the leftover powder in a jar in your freezer to use later.

What is Propolis? Propolis might be a new term for you and it can feel intimidating to incorporate into your DIY projects, but knowing what it is can help you conceptualize how to use it. Propolis is a resinous substance bees collect from trees, plants, and bark. Not every worker bee will be tasked with collecting propolis, but for the few that do, it’s a unique process. Resin collection happens on warm days only as resin quickly solidifies into a hard, unworkable substance in the cold; heat makes it more pliable. When bees are foraging and find a rich source of resin they signal to their hive mates through dancelike movements. The designated collector bees receive the signal and go to the source of resin to chew off a chunk. Once the worker bee has chewed the resin, adding her saliva to the mix, she transfers it down to her pollen basket, or corbicula, which is a storage area located on the tibia of her hind legs. Back in the hive, the worker bee will take her resinous load and mix it with saliva and beeswax. This new product, created with a worker bee’s touch, is used to repair cracks in the hive and seal openings that may leave the occupants vulnerable to weather and intruders.

Pollen: 5%

Organic Compounds: 5%

Essential Oils: 10%

Scientific studies have shown propolis is used by bees to maintain an aseptic environment in the hive, protecting the livelihood of the brood. Wax: 30%

Many say propolis has a distinct, pleasant scent.

Resins: 50%

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Propolis Infusion INGREDIENTS: 10 grams propolis powder 7 oz cold-pressed olive oil You will need: A candy thermometer

A propolis infusion can be used as a component of many home remedies, including lotions and salves.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix oil and propolis together in a double boiler. 2. Heat the mixture carefully. Use a candy thermometer to monitor, and ensure that it does not get hotter than 122°F. If it gets too hot, the beneficial properties of the propolis will be destroyed. 3. Keep the temperature stable for 10 minutes. The propolis will not dissolve. 4. After the mixture cools, strain it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. TO USE: This infusion is used as an ingredient in other recipes in this book. Generally speaking, the infusion process is used to extract plant components into a carrier oil. We use infusions for home remedies, but infusions can be more innocuous - they are also used to infuse oils with herbs for culinary purposes.

NOTES: Propolis has amazing healing properties, which we have learned from the bees, who use it medicinally in the hive. Alcohol and oil both help make those benefits available to us.

The History of Propolis From the Egyptians to Aristotle The use of bee products goes back thousands of years and propolis is no exception. Samples from over 6,000 years ago show traces of propolis in the embalming materials used by Egyptians to mummify remains. Egyptians frequently utilized beeswax to soak the linen strips used in mummification and even to seal coffins. In Hebrew, the word for propolis, tzori, connotes medicine. There are many mentions of its therapeutic applications in the Old Testament. The Greeks used propolis as an ingredient in a commonly used perfume, called polyanthus and in book IX of the Historia Animalium, the author (unknown) described propolis as a treatment for bruises and infected wounds. Hippocrates himself was said to have used it as a treatment for wounds. Later in 50 AD, Pedanios Dioscorides in his De Materia Medica described medicinal uses of propolis. He noted its utility in removing splinters and as a treatment for abnormalities of the skin as well as coughs. Cornelius Census, of Roman origin, wrote De Medicina and in it, he described propolis as a treatment for abscesses. Few texts mentioning propolis use survived the Middle Ages, however, a manuscript from the 12th century detailed its use in for oral wounds and infections. Propolis was found in many pharmacopeias in England in the 17th century and was often an ingredient in healing salves. Humans have used propolis for thousands of years and often for similar ailments!

Propolis comes from the Greek “pro” meaning defense and “polis” signifying city, or a beehive in this case.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Propolis Healing Ointment INGREDIENTS: 5 tsp beeswax 1 tsp propolis powder 1 tsp honey

*If you notice signs of infection including redness, swelling, foul-smelling drainage, or a fever, please discontinue use and consult with a medical provider.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Melt the wax in a double boiler. 2. Add the propolis and keep it on the heat for five minutes. 3. Remove from heat, and add the honey. 4. Stir consistently until the mixture cools and thickens. 5. Pour into small jars or tins that can fit in your first aid kit. TO USE: Apply to small, uncomplicated cuts and abrasions after thorough cleansing and cover with a bandage.

NOTES: Propolis can stain fabrics and skin, similar to iodine, so keep that in mind. Tip from a certified wound nurse: do not cleanse your wounds with alcohol-based products or hydrogen peroxide. A simple saline solution, distilled water, or gentle, antibacterial soap without fragrance work just fine.

What You Need to Know About Propolis While the history of propolis use is extensive, our modern medical system has not extensively researched its potential applications and as such, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an FDA approved usage. There have been three notable studies with specific dosages tested and these were for cold sores, a herpes outbreak, and as a rinse following oral surgery. However, more evidence is needed to determine safety, efficacy, and clear guidelines for recommended usage. Propolis is considered relatively non-toxic, unless you have a preexisting allergy to bees or bee-byproducts, including honey as well as Balsam of Peru and poplar trees. In fact, you likely consume small amounts of propolis if you consume honey. Apiary workers are more likely to develop an allergy to propolis as they are frequently exposed to it through hive maintenance. This presents as a rash on the skin. Propolis contains a compound called pinocembrin which appears to have antimicrobial properties. This may be why a consistent use throughout the ages was and continues to be wound care; maintaining a clean, microbe-free wound base can accelerate wound healing and minimize complications. Some considerations to keep in mind: there is a chemical in propolis that may slow blood clotting. Therefore, if you take blood-thinning agents or are scheduled for surgery, it’s best to abstain from usage. Likewise, propolis use has not been studied extensively during pregnancy. Finally, some experts suspect propolis may exacerbate existing asthma symptoms. Since you can purchase propolis on many websites and in health food stores, home use is available and up to your discretion. Please consult with your medical provider if you have any questions. Tip: Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, itching, eczema, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the affected portion of the body. Please seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.

Propolis can range in color from amber to brown to black.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Herbal Propolis Mouthwash INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup vodka 2 dropperfuls echinacea root tincture 1 dropperful myrrh tincture 2 dropperfuls propolis tincture 1 drop food grade peppermint, clove, cinnamon, or spearmint essential oil. Your preference!

*Use food grade essential oils for this recipe. Echinacea has been used for thousands of years as a home remedy for the common cold, coughs, and upper respiratory infections.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place all ingredients into a jar. 2. Shake vigorously. TO USE: Swish mouthwash for 30-60 seconds before spitting into the sink. Be sure not to swallow the mouthwash. You can use twice daily or as needed up to three times a day. Traditional use of propolis mouthwash is for oral pain, minor oral ulcerations, and dental pain. If your symptoms worsen or do not resolve within 1-2 days, please consult with a medical provider.

NOTES: This recipe will keep for one month when stored in a cool, dry place free from excessive moisture. You can purchase myrrh tincture and echinacea root tincture from Amazon.com or from online herbal apothecaries.

Foraging Makes the Difference Bees are master foragers and the collection of resin to make propolis is a reflection of their finely-tuned skills. We know bees find sources of resin from leaves, trees, and bark and those sources vary by geographical region. The main source of resin for bees in North America, parts of Europe, and New Zealand is the poplar tree. Samples of propolis from Russia contain compounds from birch trees. The primary source of propolis in Brazil is Baccharis dracunculifolia. In Cuba, bees harvest resin from Clusia rosea (autograph tree.) The specific combination of plant sources of resin can impact the antibacterial effects of the resulting propolis. A study from 2005 found variations in antibacterial properties of the propolis created by three different species of honeybee. As additional research comes out, we may learn even more about how the choice of resin impacts the composition, and, consequently, our use of propolis.

More than 300 individual compounds have been identified in propolis samples.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Propolis Throat Spray INGREDIENTS: 3 tbsp propolis tincture 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp water

If you have a sore throat, you can also get yourself onto the road to recovery by enjoying a cup of tea with a spoonful of honey. Honey has antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that help soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. Plus, the tea (if decaffeinated) will help replenish much needed fluids when feeling ill.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. 2. Shake vigorously. TO USE: Spray in back of throat as needed. If you experience a worsening of symptoms or minimal relief over the course of a couple days, it’s best to check in with a medical provider. We don’t recommend giving children under the age of one anything containing honey as honey sometimes contains clostridium botulinum spores, a type of bacteria that can cause botulism in those with underdeveloped or impaired immune systems.

NOTES: Honey and propolis work together to soothe sore throats. This product will keep for three weeks when stored in a cool, dry place free from excessive moisture. Sore throats have many different causes including upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, and allergies.

How Can You Use Propolis? In the 1970s, the Danish biologist Dr. Karl Lund Aagard observed the effects of propolis on over 50,000 patients in Scandinavia. From his observational studies, he felt propolis could be beneficial in the treatment of various maladies, including urinary tract infections, infected wounds, colds, influenza, cancer, periodontal disease, and pneumonia. Essentially, conditions involving infections and/or inflammation seemed to respond to propolis as a treatment. For the purposes of this book, applications are either oral or topical. When using any of the recipes, apply a small amount of the recipe on intact skin to check for any reactions. If after an hour there are no alterations in skin sensation or appearance, proceed with use. You would be looking for redness, hives, itching, pain, or anything out of the ordinary and if you notice any abnormalities, abstain from use. A generally accepted use of topical propolis is minor, uncomplicated wounds or burns of the skin. Oral use is common for dental pain, oral ulcerations, and oral infections.

Don’t have a hive? You can purchase propolis powder online.

When purchasing propolis products, you may find it in the form of a salve, tincture, oral rinse, spray, or in a capsule.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Propolis Toothpaste INGREDIENTS: 5 tbsp baking soda 4 tbsp coconut oil, melted 2 tsp propolis tincture 1/4 tsp kaolin clay 1/4 tsp stevia (optional ingredient, added to improve flavor) 15 drops food grade cinnamon essential oil 15 drops food grade orange essential oil

*Use food grade essential oils for this recipe. Many natural toothpastes contain baking soda, which removes stains from the surface of your teeth in addition to maintaining an alkaline environment in your mouth, making it hard for bacteria to thrive.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat coconut oil in a double boiler until completely melted. 2. Combine baking soda and kaolin clay in a mixing bowl. 3. Mix in the liquid coconut oil until everything is thoroughly combined. 4. Add the tincture and essential oils (and stevia if you are using it.) 5. Keep stirring the mixture periodically until it cools. You should be left with a thick paste. 6. Store in a glass jar.

NOTES: Did you know sugar doesn’t directly cause cavities? Cavities are actually caused by acid produced by the bacteria in your mouth. However, the bacteria in your mouth produce more acid when they have more to feed on - namely - sugars! Stevia is a glycoside, which means it has a similar chemical structure as sugar, but it doesn’t spike your blood sugar or feed the bacteria in your mouth.

A Beekeeper’s Journal Sam Joseph talks about the first time she interacted with a hive and how she quickly learned how to accommodate a swarm of aggressive bees.

In Dretzka Park Golf Course, Beepods used to keep a large portion of their nucleus hives, and it is also the place where I was first introduced to their lovely buzzing bees. Without a doubt, my body buzzed too, as I prepared for the day, with anticipation and excitement. I spent the drive to the nursery in breathing meditation in an attempt to get myself into some semblance of a zen state of mind. I had met with Laura, the [former] head beekeeper, a few days prior just to get to know each other, and talk about bees. Among many mind-blowing facts, she told me that bees have the capacity to remember interactions with people and that over time, a colony will get to know you. The bees will also, to some extent, mimic your attitude. If you’re calm, they’re calm, nobody gets hurt. What I took from this conversation was that I needed to make a good first impression— hence the meditative breathing. I am thankful for this foresight. After I parked my van at the nursery, Laura came out to meet me and walk me back to the patch. As we walked, I continued my slow, deep, calming breaths, bringing my buzz down to a hum. Laura said, “put on this veil, stand back, and don’t move…” I can’t say I was ready for such a warm welcome, but the reason for it presented itself immediately. It looked like my first ever hive was going to be an aggressive one. I did as I was told, and stood “like a tree.” When bees are on high alert, they consider any movement a threat, so I stayed like that, and spent the next ten minutes just observing Laura’s next actions. I had arrived in the middle of Laura’s inspection of the first hive, and the bees in it looked exactly like you would imagine an angry hive to look—a tornado of movement, zooming this way and that in a huge radius around the hive. Ever so slowly, Laura approached the hive, lifted the lid off the ground, and gently set it back in place. She walked away slowly and deliberately, bees cautiously following her all the while. Once she was about fifty feet away, she stood still like me and waited. I was amazed to see how long the bees stayed with her. Their defense system is serious. Even after she backed away, they sent two bees with her to “track” her. Another bee even came over to track me as well. All of a sudden I heard a buzzing in my ear and felt a little bump on the top of my head, which I learned is a bee’s warning. If they don’t sense an immediate threat from you but suspect you are up to no good, they’ll nudge you before they sting. I mean come on, how cute is that?...

*Content edited for style and length.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION

SWEET RECIPES

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Brian’s Creamed Honey INGREDIENTS: 1 part crystallized honey 1 part liquid honey (see instructions below)

We like to eat our creamed honey on toast, biscuits, scones, bagels, chocolate, and added by the spoonful to coffee or tea. You can even eat it by the spoonful - it tastes different than regular honey!

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place both types of honey into a blender or stand mixer. 2. If using a blender, use the lowest speed for 15 minutes. If using a standing mixer, mix for 20 minutes. The longer you mix the creamier it will be! To Make Liquid Honey: 1. Use a portion of crystallized honey in a glass jar. 2. Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water and place on the stove. 3. Place the jar of honey in the saucepan and turn the heat on medium-low. 4. Heat for 10-20 minutes or until honey is clear and liquid.

NOTES: This simple recipe takes crystallized raw honey and turns it into something even more delightful. Plus, it’s an easy way to wow brunch guests. Be careful not to let your honey get too hot when making liquid honey or its nutrients will be largely cooked off.

Honey And Sugar Are Not Created Equal Sugar has a higher glycemic index than honey, which means it will raise blood sugar more quickly. Buckwheat honey may have more antioxidants than lighter honey varieties.

Honey is made of 40% fructose and 30% glucose. In order to maximize the nutritional benefits of honey, consume raw varieties instead of processed.

NUTRITIONAL BREAKDOWN OF HONEY VS. SUGAR Vitamins Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Folate Pantothenic Acid Choline Betaine

Honey 0 IU 1.7 mg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mcg 0.1 mg 0 mcg 0 mcg 0.1 mg 0.4 mg 6.8 mcg 0.2 mg 7.5 mg 5.8 mg

Sugar (granulated) 0 IU 0 mg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mcg 0 mg 0 mcg 0 mcg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mcg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mg

Macros Sample Size Calories Carbohydrates Protein Fat

Honey 1 cup 1031 1027 g 1g 0g

Sugar (granulated) 1 cup 774 774 g 0g 0g

Minerals Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium Fluoride

Honey 20.3 mg 1.4 mg 6.8 mg 13.6 mg 176 mg 13.6 mg 0.7 mg 0.4 mg 0.3 mg 2.7 mcg 23.7 mcg

Sugar (granulated) 2 mg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mg 4 mg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mg 0 mg 1.2 mcg 2 mcg

Table and information courtesy of The Neighborhood Hive https://www.neighborhoodhive.com/ ehoney-vs-sugar

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Apple Cider INGREDIENTS: 1 gallon apple cider 1 can lemonade concentrate 2/3 cup honey 12 whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 2 cups water

For the adults: if you want to make this recipe even spicier, add a shot or two of your favorite rum or whiskey after adding the cider and reducing the heat - you don’t want to boil off the good stuff!

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large pot or electric coffee urn, combine water, honey, cinnamon, and cloves. 2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Add lemonade concentrate and continue to simmer until fully melted. 4. Add cider and keep on the heat until the whole mixture is steaming and warm. 5. You can strain out or remove the spices with a slotted spoon when ready to serve. 6. Drink up and enjoy!

NOTES: This is a favorite fall drink. It’s sweet, a little bit spicy, and it’s wonderfully warming on those cold autumn days. To serve: pour into a cozy mug and adorn with a fresh cinnamon stick. This will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks.

Honey Gives You Options When cooking with honey, the possibilities are endless. Think about how you enjoy coffee or wine - chocolate even! From the plant to the table, the terroir impacts the flavor of the end product and can yield a range of tasting experiences. Honey isn’t different; honey derives its flavor profile from the wide variety of plants bees visit. Some of the most commonly available honey varieties can change the flavor of your dishes and playing around with your choices can greatly enrich your cooking experience.

There are more than 300 unique honey varieties available in the United States

When shopping for honey for your recipes, consider these honey varieties and how their flavor profile may influence your finished dishes.

Alfalfa: Yellow to amber. Mild. Less sweet. Spice notes.

ALFALFA

Sage: Light amber. Heavy mouthfeel, yet light flavor. Floral aftertaste. Slow to crystallize. Clover: White to amber. Mild. Floral. Crystallizes quickly. Tupelo: Light golden amber. Heavy bodied. High fructose content. Complex fruity and floral flavors. Eucalyptus: Light to dark amber. Herbal upfront. May taste faintly medicinal.

SAGE

CLOVER

Buckwheat: Deep mahogany. Rich. Malty. Bitter notes. Lingering mouthfeel.

TUPELO

EUCALYPTUS

BUCKWHEAT

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Chewy Granola Bars INGREDIENTS: 2 cups rolled oats ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup (shelled) roasted sunflower seeds ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter ½ cup honey ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp sea salt

To keep these granola bars delightfully chewy, be sure to wrap them in wax paper as soon as you cut them. We recommend reusable beeswax wraps, widely available on the Internet and in retail stores. You can also make your own if you’re feeling crafty!

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the oats, cranberries, and sunflower seeds in a medium bowl and set aside. 2. Place honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. 3. Allow to boil for 1 minute. 4. Reduce the heat and stir in the peanut butter and salt. Immediately pour over the oat mixture. 5. Stir well, coating all the ingredients evenly. Work quickly as the honey will cool and become stiff. 6. As soon as the oat mixture is completely covered, pour the mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, and press firmly. Make sure to pack the mixture down completely. 7. Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes, then lift the bar brick out of the pan and cut into bars with a large, serrated knife.

NOTES: These are a great alternative to store-bought granola bars. They are still sweet, so kids will love them, but the sugars in honey are digested differently and won’t spike your kids’ blood sugar. Plus, cranberries have antioxidants to keep them feeling good. Because we are boiling the honey, it will lose some of its healthful properties, but that’s the only way to give the bars their chewy consistency. These bars will keep for two weeks when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Not All Honey is Created Equal Besides a smattering of vitamins, raw honey contains polyphenol, a known antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from causing oxidative damage to your body’s cells. Translation: antioxidants are something you want to consume frequently. Studies show the antioxidant content of honey varies depending on what plant matter the bees consumed during their foraging process. Yet, buckwheat honey, a darker variety of honey, contains higher levels of antioxidants in general. Raw honey also contains beneficial enzymes, including diastase, invertase, and glucose oxidase. These enzymes have different functions, but all of them help process sugars down into more usable components in your body. Most varieties of honey you can buy at the store are processed. What this means is the honey harvested from hives is pasteurized to kill off the small amounts of yeast present in raw honey and to make the product more shelf-stable. Through the heating and filtering process, propolis, hive debris, and pollen are also removed. While there are no large-scale studies comparing the micronutrients of raw honey versus processed honey, there are studies showing the antioxidant content of other food products decreases with extensive heating. Plus, with the removal of propolis and pollen in processed honey, there is no possibility of enjoying their health benefits. Many of the micronutrients present in raw honey, such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and antioxidants may be lost through the process of heating. If you purchase raw honey and want to preserve its potential health benefits, refrain from heating it. Bottom line: It pays to buy raw honey at your local grocery store or co-op. Look for the wording “raw” on the label to ensure you’re optimizing the nutritional benefits you get from honey.

When substituting honey for sugar in recipes, use 1 cup of honey for every 1 ¼ cups of sugar. When baking with honey, add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to reduce the acidity (honey has a pH of 3.9.) Honey causes more browning than sugar. To prevent undesirable browning, reduce the required oven temperature by 25°F.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Bee Peanut Buzzers INGREDIENTS: 1⁄2 cup peanut butter 1 tbsp of honey (local honey preferred) 1⁄3 cup nonfat dry milk 3 tbsps of crushed graham crackers or oat cereal Cocoa powder (for creating stripes) Sliced almonds

These are the perfect treats for kiddos and adults alike. Send them with your kids as a snack for school or have a small container of them handy during family outings when you know somebody will be looking for a snack.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter (or a substitute) and honey together. 2. Stir in nonfat dry milk and crushed graham crackers or oat cereal. 3. Shape spoonfuls of the mixture into bee-shaped ovals. 4. Place onto a sheet of wax paper on a small tray. 5. Dip a toothpick in cocoa powder and press lightly across the top of the bees to make stripes. 6. Use the tip of your toothpick to press two, small holes into one end, making indentations for eyes. 7. Stick sliced almonds alongside the body for wings. 8. Chill for 30 minutes.

NOTES: If you don’t like peanut butter or have a peanut allergy, you can use sunflower seed butter or any other nut butter. Keep these in the refrigerator where they will best hold their shape. Eat within 5-7 days, though we doubt they will last that long!

So Your Honey Crystallized… It’s Sunday and you want to bake something to have on hand for the start of the week. You find a great new recipe for some delicious muffins sweetened with honey and you’re excited. You go to your cupboard to get out ingredients and notice your jar of honey is crystallized! Is all hope lost? Do you have to throw the whole jar away? Absolutely not! It’s normal for honey to crystallize after a period of time and certain varieties of honey crystallize faster than others - clover honey is known for crystallizing somewhat quickly while sage honey crystallizes slowly. Whatever varieties you like to keep on hand for baking and enjoying, it’s a good idea to know what to do if crystallization does occur. Fortunately, there is a straightforward process for removing crystals from your honey.

1. Place your jar of honey in a saucepan. 2. Fill the saucepan with water so it comes up to at least the level of the honey in the jar; you want the water to heat through the honey. 3. Remove the jar of honey and set aside. 4. Place the saucepan on the stovetop and heat until nearly boiling. 5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and place the jar of honey in the hot water. 6. We like to remove the lid from the jar, but if you are concerned about debris, you can lightly rest the lid back on top of the jar. 7. Allow the honey to sit in the hot water for about 20 minutes. 8. Check the honey. There may be a solid mass of crystallized honey in the middle of the jar. 9. Stir the contents of the jar until relatively uniform. 10. Repeat the process as needed until all the honey is smooth and uniform and no crystallization is noted.

Keep in mind, crystallized honey is not contaminated or unsafe to eat in any way; you can always eat the crystallized honey as is and it can be a great spread for toast, scones, or biscuits. You can always reserve it for making Brian’s Creamed Honey (page 43.)

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Lemon Lavender Scones INGREDIENTS: 2 cups flour 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 2/3 cup milk 1 tbsp dried lavender 1 egg, beaten

Try serving these scones with a smear of butter, honey, and/or clotted cream. With a mug of Earl Grey tea, they make the perfect mid-morning snack. We have a recipe for creamed honey earlier in the book that would work perfectly as a spread!

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. 3. Add butter and mix together with your fingers until it forms a coarse meal. 4. Stir in honey. 5. Make a crater in the center of the flour mixture and pour in milk and lemon juice. 6. Mix with your hands until combined. 7. Add lavender and mix until smooth. 8. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a round shape maintaining 1-inch thickness. Score the dough round for easier division once baked. You can divide however you’d like - 6, 8, or 10 scones. 9. Put round onto a floured baking pan and brush the surface with beaten egg. 10. Top with more lavender flowers and bake for 7-10 minutes. 11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15-30 minutes. 12. Gently slice round using score marks and serve as desired.

NOTES: This recipe makes a wonderful treat to pair with coffee or tea. They’re not overly sweet, and the lavender lends a fantastic floral flavor, which pairs well with the tart lemon. Before adding the lavender, we recommend rubbing the flowers with your hands to release the oils - it will make for a stronger flavor!

Tea and Honey: Was There Ever a More Perfect Marriage? While it’s hard to pinpoint the exact origins, it’s certain we’ve been drinking tea with honey for hundreds if not thousands of years. It’s one of the best combinations, up there with chocolate and peanut butter, chips and guacamole, and grilled cheese and tomato soup. Since taste is subjective, can we even say what tea should go with honey? There is a system of belief that single-origin, painstakingly cultivated tea should be consumed plain, without any sweetener or milk, so you are able to appreciate the full flavor profile of the tea itself. However, if you want an added flavor boost, to enjoy the health benefits of honey, or to soothe a cold or sore throat, honey with tea can be indulgent and calming. We’ve provided some of our favorite tea and honey combinations below, but think you should play around with combinations that sound good to you. Keep in mind honey goes well with most herbal teas, but may tarnish the taste of a more pungent green tea, like a genmaicha, and may cover the nuances of a more subtle tea like a jasmine green tea or a peony white tea. How do you take your tea? Click here to send us your favorite combination.

TEA VARIETIES:

• • • • • • • • • •

(from lowest to highest caffeine content)

Chamomile Lemon Ginger Rooibos Matcha Sencha Darjeeling Masala chai Earl Grey English breakfast

• For an extra luxurious drink, add a splash of cream, milk, or plant-based milk to your tea and honey.

• You can explore taste even more by trying different honey varieties with different types of tea.

• More of a coffee drinker? Try a teaspoon or two of honey in your coffee to add a different flavor to your morning brew.

• Stone Age paintings depict human use of honey. That’s 8,000 years ago!

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Pumpkin Pie INGREDIENTS: CRUST 1 tbsp honey ½ tsp kosher salt 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for surface 6 tbsps chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1 large egg, beaten to blend

FILLING ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp allspice ¼ tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree or 2 c. homemade pumpkin 1 cup honey (can also use ½ c. honey and ½ cup pure maple syrup) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup cream

DIRECTIONS: CRUST 1. Combine honey, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. 2. Add butter and knead until mixture resembles a coarse meal. 3. Add egg and mix. 4. On a floured surface, knead dough until smooth, then shape into a circle. 5. Chill until firm. 6. Press crust into pie pan.

FILLING 1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 2. Heat honey and vanilla extract in saucepan to boiling, then bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. 3. Remove from the heat and add cream. 4. Stir until smooth. 5. Whisk honey and cream mixture into pumpkin puree. 6. Pour filling into crust. 7. Bake for 55 minutes.

NOTES: With the crunching leaves and a crispness in the air, it’s definitely the season for pumpkin pie. This recipe uses honey instead of sugar, making it even more delicious (and healthy!) than the traditional pumpkin pie. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra dose of yumminess!

Honey and Everything Sweet When baking with honey, the options are nearly endless. Honey has a beautiful, rich flavor profile that works well as a substitute for sugar in many common dishes. But does honey work with a variety of flavors? It absolutely does. When deciding what recipes you’d like to make, it can be helpful to consider some of the most tried and true flavor combinations involving honey.

Honey shines with: • • • • • • • •

Almonds Cream Salt Apples Apricot Vanilla Blueberries Mascarpone

• • • • • • • •

Strawberries Oats Ginger Cinnamon Bananas Yogurt Allspice Mint

For a great breakfast or snack, drizzle honey over a serving of granola or yogurt with fresh berries.

• • • • • • • •

Pecans Pears Pistachio Figs Turmeric Chocolate Cardamom Grapefruit

As the weather gets chilly, try making your own hot cocoa with one cup of your milk of choice, 1-2 tbsp of high-quality cocoa powder, 1 tbsp of honey to sweeten, and a pinch of salt. You can heat all ingredients together in a saucepan until simmering and mix in a blender to create a frothy, decadent beverage.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Sam’s Honey Sweet Chocolate INGREDIENTS: 1 cup coconut oil (room temp) 1 cup cocoa powder ¾ cup honey

DIRECTIONS:

Before placing in the freezer, you can sprinkle the chocolate with add-ins like shaved coconut, cocoa nibs, crushed pistachios, or dried goji berries for added flavor. If you like sweet and savory combinations, sprinkle the chocolate with flaked sea salt prior to freezing.

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, or use a silicon baking sheet to eliminate the need for lining. 2. Combine all Ingredients in a standing mixer, and mix until they form a homogeneous paste. 3. Pour into your baking sheet and smooth out to desired thickness. 4. Freeze for 30 minutes. 5. Take out and score the top to form a grid. 6. Place back in the freezer for 2 hours. 7. Remove and break up into squares. Store in a sealed container in the freezer! These will soften or melt at room temperature.

NOTES: While these chocolate bars may look a little messy, they are the best melt-in-your-mouth-don’thave-to-control-yourself treat. Don’t melt the coconut oil ahead of time or it won’t combine with the honey properly - it will settle at the bottom of the pan.

A Beekeeper’s Journal Sam Joseph reflects on the stings she’s received and how much beekeeping involves mental fortitude.

Three is the highest number of stings I’ve been given at once. One on my wrist, one on my forearm and one on the front of my shoulder. When I think about the number, it seems like small potatoes, especially when I consider a friend of mine who once took fifteen bees to the face and head. Compared to that, three on a limb is no big deal. But when I think about how I felt on that day, the event looms so much larger. It was my first day opening a hive on my own. My beekeeper trainer was on the site, but she was not within eye or earshot. Until this day, everything had been smooth sailing. But as it slowly dawned on me that I was on my own, a thin veil of panic wrapped itself around me. I didn’t say anything, and I tried to deny it to myself. I was so into bees, and I’d proven myself to be a natural beekeeper, who stays calm even when stings occur. But all through the inspection, I couldn’t shake my anxiety. The bees could obviously sense it because they were on edge too. They were bumping me the whole time, making my movements jerky and awkward, escalating the situation. It’s a vicious cycle, beekeeping when you’re anxious, and it feels impossible to stop once it starts. Halfway through the inspection, I dropped the bar I was holding when a bee bumped my hand. I inhaled the world as I watched the bee covered comb topple and smash sidelong into the dirt, and I came back to earth when a sting rang out hot on my arm. Hyperventilating, I stumbled back, trying and failing to not trample the sweet little herbs in the bee garden. As I frantically swiped at the bee on my arm, two more zaps swelled through my skin, and hot tears came to my eyes. After hiding behind a fence and trying to calm down for a few minutes, I returned to the fallen comb and picked it up as tenderly as I could. It was relatively intact, so I placed it back in the hive, and closed everything up quickly and sloppily. I wanted to get out of there, and for a while, I didn’t want to go back. So much of this job is mental. The bees depend on me to keep a level head, so I don’t make mistakes and hurt them or their home. I depend on them to let me into their home without stinging the crap out of me. When I can reverse the imagery in my mind, and picture a good day with calm and healthy bees, the day usually goes smoothly. If I take stock of all the stings I’ve received, it really doesn’t add up to much. I am attacked more often by my own mind. I can only really protect myself by making space for good positive thoughts to avoid a spiral of anxiety. And just to be safe I always wear a veil to avoid a face full of bees.

*Content edited for style and length.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION

SAVORY RECIPES

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Sesame Vinaigrette INGREDIENTS: 1 clove of garlic, crushed 1/2 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tbsps honey 1 tbsp water 2 tbsp sesame oil 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, optional

When you store this vinaigrette in the refrigerator, some natural separation may occur. Simply shake the container vigorously before using.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Prepare the garlic and ginger as described. 2. Add all ingredients to a large bowl. 3. Whisk to emulsify. You will need to put some oomph into your mixing to truly emulsify the mixture. 4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. TO USE: Drizzle over salads or use as a marinade for fresh poultry or fish. Salmon and tuna pair particularly well with this dressing.

NOTES: All salad dressings are made better by a touch of sweetness. Honey lends sweetness plus healthy enzymes! You can also emulsify the mixture by adding all ingredients, save the olive oil and sesame seeds, to a blender and slowly drizzling the olive oil in through the top while the blender is on low. Toss in the sesame seeds after the mixture is emulsified.

Honey is for Everybody You can find examples of different cultures using honey on nearly every continent on the planet. Unfortunately, bees cannot survive the harsh conditions on Antarctica, so that’s our one exception. For example, honey collectors in Nepal use bamboo ladders to access beehives located in cliff faces. It’s not for the faint of heart! The Hadza people of Tanzania consume honey as a major portion of their diet - 15% - in order to acquire the necessary carbohydrates for energy to go about their daily activities. Honeyguide birds, a small bird species adept at locating hives, deliberately lead the people from this tribe to beehives; they take leftover grubs and honeycomb after their human followers take their share of the honey. For Maya beekeepers in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, beekeeping originates with the Mayan civilization thousands of years ago. Known for keeping stingless bees, these people utilize their inherited knowledge to pollinate agricultural crops and produce honey, which is used medicinally in addition to cooking. In Greek traditions, many of the most recognizable desserts, like baklava and kataïfi, are made using honey as a sweetener. Poland is currently the only country in the European Union to harvest honey from wild honeybee hives. Poland has a long tradition of honey use and even has mead, a honeybased fermented beverage, registered as a traditional beverage by the EU. It is common for traditional Polish recipes to contain honey as an ingredient. Honey truly is for everybody.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Turmeric Glazed Carrots INGREDIENTS: 10 carrots peeled and julienned (½ inch thick) 3 tbsp melted butter or olive oil 2 tsp turmeric 1/3 cup honey 1-inch ginger root, peeled and grated 1/2 lemon 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper

This makes a perfect side for the holidays or a great dish to pass at a potluck.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Put a cast iron skillet over medium heat and warm the pan until evenly heated. 2. Add the butter or oil, and warm for 30 seconds, then add the carrots and salt. 3. Sauté until carrots are evenly coated, then add the honey, ginger, turmeric, and pepper. 4. Once the color of the carrots starts to deepen and become slightly translucent at the edges, raise the heat to medium high, and cook for 2-3 more minutes, until just beginning to brown on the edges. 5. Before serving, squeeze generously with fresh lemon.

NOTES: While our recipe calls for carrots, these seasonings work with other vegetables as well. Try making this with cauliflower, golden beets, sweet potatoes, cubed butternut squash, or even parsnips. Turmeric tends to go well with rich, robust vegetables that can stand up to its intense flavor.

Honey Can Enhance Your Savory Dishes Honey is sweet, sweet, sweet. It’s even sweeter than sugar itself, which is why you need less honey than sugar in your recipes. It may seem counterintuitive, but adding honey to savory dishes can enhance their flavors and bring a new dimension to your cooking. Even a small drizzle or drip of honey can change your dish completely. An easy way to add honey to savory dishes is to consider adding honey to marinades, dressings, sauces, and glazes. • Try adding a tablespoon of honey to your pizza dough for a pleasant flavor - you can even drizzle honey on your finished pizza for a sweet and salty treat. HONEY & SAVORY FLAVORS: • Tahini • Mustard • Lime • Garlic • Chili pepper flakes • Salmon • Corn • Cheese • Parsnips • Sweet potato • Chicken • Shrimp • Beets • Butter • Bread • Balsamic vinegar

• Cheese and honey pair perfectly together. Some cheeses that naturally pair with honey are ricotta, mascarpone, pecorino, manchego, chevre, feta, and blue cheese.

• When entertaining, create a simple cheese plate with 2-3 varieties of cheese, one soft, one aged, and one hard and fill out the rest of the platter with sliced apples or pears, nuts, and a jar of honey. Your guests will not complain!

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Honey Oat Bread INGREDIENTS: 1 cup rolled oats ½ cup honey 2 tbsp butter 2 tsp salt 1 package yeast (2 ¼ tsp) ½ cup warm water 4 cups flour

Looking for something to spread on this delicious bread when it’s fresh out of the oven? Try Brian’s Creamed Honey (page 45) if you’re feeling sweet and salted butter if you’re feeling savory - or you could combine the two for a sweet AND salty treat.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, combine oats, honey, butter, and salt. 2. Boil two cups of water and pour into mixture. 3. Let sit for 30-60 minutes. 4. Add yeast to warm water and let sit for 10 minutes, or until frothy. 5. Combine oat mixture and yeast in a large bowl. 6. Stir in flour ½ cup at a time until it forms a smooth and sticky dough. 7. Dump dough on a floured surface and knead until elastic (about 10 to 20 minutes.) 8. Put dough in lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth. 9. Let the dough rise in a warm place for one hour. 10. Punch the dough down and move to a large, oiled cast iron skillet or into two bread pans. 11. Cover with a cloth and allow to rise again for about 40 minutes. 12. While the dough is rising for the second time, preheat the oven to 350ºF. 13. After the second rise, lightly mold the dough into a rounded shape within your chosen skillet or pan. 14. Put the cast iron skillet in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes. The bread should sound hollow when knocked on. For bread pans, bake for 30 to 40 minutes.

NOTES: This recipe makes an absolutely delicious bread which is great with both sweet and savory spreads or dips, or just enjoyed on its own! You can bake it in bread pans for smaller, more uniform loaves or in a large cast iron skillet for a more rustic loaf. The bread is best when eaten within five days.

A Beekeeper’s Journal Sam Joseph discusses what spring is like in beekeeping, a time of assessing the hive’s condition after the winter cold and helping the surviving bees to enter the busy season successfully.

Springtime is the moment of truth in beekeeping — did our bees survive the winter or did they freeze their little bee heads off? When you keep as many hives as we do at Beepods, there are almost always going to be some hives that don’t make it. But since it’s my first spring as a beekeeper, it was hard not to get emotional every time we opened up a deceased hive — bodies frozen in time, each lil’ gal having worked until her last breath. But death is a major part of life, and a beekeeper must keep on keeping. Our survivor bees will go on to multiply and create stronger genetics for the future generations of midwestern bees, and that is exciting. At this early stage in my career, it is easy to see the great leaps I have made in skills, but everyone — even the most experienced keeper, I would imagine — can hone their techniques further each year. And of course, every cloud has a silver lining. The good thing about a bunch of dead hives? The massive amounts of honey we harvested from the now-empty hives of the non-survivor colonies. Big thanks to the girls in black and yellow who gave their lives so that I could have this experience. Last fall, we ended up with more colonies than we had full Beepods, so we had to overwinter several colonies in our Harvest Boxes. We were nervous about this, because they are not designed to protect from harsh weather, and it turns out we were right to be because almost none of the colonies in nucs survived. That meant a lot of cleaning, but also a lot of leftover honey. This was a point of interest because it meant they did not starve, but that something else killed them. One thought we discussed was the strange winter temperatures we had this year. Since we had such drastic fluctuations, it was possible that the bees had left the hive on a warm day and did not have time to get back in their cluster, where they keep each other warm, by the time the temp dropped to bee-freezing. Once I got over the sadness of it all, it was actually a pretty fun day, although that may have had to do with the awesome people I work with. We had to remove the bars off from each hive, and sort them into the empty comb and honey-filled comb. Some we kept for ourselves, but we saved the straightest comb for the bees we would be receiving this spring, to give them a jump start on the work it takes to start their new homes.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Old-Fashioned Candle in a Jar INGREDIENTS: 1 lb beeswax ½ cup coconut oil 3 half-pint Ball jars 60 ply cotton braided wick #4 Three popsicle sticks (or clean sticks roughly the same size)

This is the pour method for making homemade candles. A more ancient method is to dip the wick into a large container of melted wax and, layer by layer, build a candle. Because this method requires more steps, it is easier to add different colored waxes as you go.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler. 2. While the wax is melting, cut three pieces of wick about 6 inches long. 3. Once the wax has melted, stir in the coconut oil until combined. 4. Use a spoon to scoop about a quarter inch of wax into the bottom of a jar. Then take one wick, and press it into the wax using your stick. Hold the wick for a minute or two until it remains in place. 5. Repeat for the other two jars. 6. Let the wicks cool for 5-10 minutes, to ensure that they are stable and in place. 7. Wrap the ends of the wicks around a stick until they are taught, pointing straight up from the bottom of each jar. Rest the sticks across the top of the jars. 8. Carefully pour the remaining wax into the jars. If the wick sticks need to be repositioned so that the wicks are centered, do so now, but be careful not to dislodge them from the cool, but now softening layer of wax at the bottom. 9. Leave the jars where they are, and let them cool completely. It can take several hours, so it’s best to leave them in a place where they won’t be bumped. 10. Once cooled, trim the wicks to a ½ inch above the surface of the cooled wax and they are ready to burn!

NOTES: Remember, wax can burn if heated over 170°F, so be sure to keep an eye on your wax as you melt it. These make great gifts for friends and family for the holidays! You can decorate the jars with colored string or ribbon to add a personalized touch.

A History of Candle Making While some attribute the first candles to the Egyptians, it was actually the Romans who created candles by dipping papyrus into tallow or beeswax. The Egyptians had their own version of candles too and throughout ancient history, many cultures of the world created candle-like objects using waxes from plants, tree nuts, and insects. Candles were used to provide lighting, to aid in travel, and to accompany religious ceremonies. While they are no longer used for lighting purposes, the flame of a candle has a distinct ceremonial design even today; nothing creates a warm, welcoming ambiance in one’s home like a handful of lit candles. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles became more widespread in Europe, though they were mostly only used by the upper classes as beeswax was expensive. However, it was favored over tallow because beeswax burns brighter and with less smoke than tallow and has a much more pleasant smell; tallow burns with an acrid, foul odor. A tallow candle was a far cry from the vanilla-scented candles of today. Tallow candles remained popular for many years and candlemaking didn’t see a major change until the 18th century. Spermaceti, a wax made from crystallized sperm whale oil, became a mainstay because it burned without a repugnant odor, like beeswax, but remained hard at higher temperatures. Beeswax and tallow candles would soften in the summer heat. In the mid 19th century, paraffin was used to make candles. With the addition of stearic acid, it made for a relatively stable and economical candle; it was a bit of a chore to extract oil from sperm whales to make candles. Most recently, in the 1990s, soy became a source of wax for candles. It yields a softer and slower burn compared to more traditional materials. With the growing interest in all things bees, beeswax candles are enjoying renewed fervor. Beeswax is a relatively nontoxic, readily available, and easy to use source of wax if you are curious about making your own candles.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Beeswax Fire Starters INGREDIENTS: Leftover beeswax An egg carton Lightweight material (sawdust, coffee chaff, chopped straw, or shredded newspaper)

This can be a great project to do if you have a child in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or your family enjoys bonfires in the backyard and camping in the great outdoors.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the wax in a pot on the stove and heat on medium until melted. 2. Fill each egg carton compartment to the top with your lightweight material of choice. 3. Carefully pour the wax over the material in the first divot. 4. Press the material down with an old teaspoon. 5. Add more material to the divot and continue to pour wax and compress until you cannot compress anymore. 6. Repeat the process with each of the divots. TO USE: Tear off one egg compartment at a time and use to help you start a campfire.

NOTES: Make these when you want to use up leftover beeswax from old candles, or if you have chunks leftover from other recipes. Be sure not to overheat the wax as it can burn. When pouring the wax into the divots, the lightweight material should absorb the wax and should not be soggy.

Tell Me About Beeswax Beeswax is a versatile and ancient material, used by humans for thousands of years in many applications from embalming to lighting to art. What makes beeswax special isn’t one thing: there are many reasons why beeswax is a cherished raw material used in everything from candles to personal care products and more. You might wonder why beeswax is such a coveted product with a multitude of uses. It is in part because of its unique and desirable properties. Here are the facts: • Beeswax is a reflection of the foraging activity of bees; the subtle and pleasant scent of a beeswax product comes from the variety of plant matter the bees consume. • Remember, bees consume honey in order to produce beeswax. It takes 8 ½ pounds of honey to produce 1 pound of beeswax. • Beeswax is relatively stable and the chemical composition does not change drastically over time. • Beeswax is insoluble in water. • Beeswax melts at 149° Fahrenheit. • Beeswax becomes soft and pliable around 95° Fahrenheit. Note: the internal temperature of a beehive is often around this temperature due to the activities of the bees. • Beeswax becomes hard and brittle at and below 65° Fahrenheit. • Beeswax emits negative ions into the air when burned. • Beeswax gets its light yellow to amber color from pollen and propolis. • The white coating that sometimes develops on beeswax candles is called bloom. It will not affect how your candle burns.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Beeswax Waterproofing Block INGREDIENTS: 1 lb beeswax 4 oz boiled linseed oil 4 oz turpentine

You can use this waterproofing block on leather shoes, canvas utility bags, canvas jackets, and related products.

You’ll also need: Silicone ice cube tray

This product can leave a film, so be sure to test on a small section of the fabric first.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat beeswax on medium until completely melted. 2. Turn off flame and move pan with beeswax to a new surface. 3. Mix in the turpentine and linseed oil. 4. Pour the mixture into the silicone ice cube tray and let harden. TO USE: Rub onto whatever material you want to waterproof. Once thoroughly covered, use a heat gun or a hair dryer to melt and infuse the material with the wax. Let the material dry thoroughly before using.

NOTES: Linseed oil and turpentine are extremely flammable, so you must use extreme care. Turn off the heat and move to a different surface before adding the oils. If you don’t have a silicone ice cube tray you can line a baking pan with parchment paper, and pour into that instead. You can cut it into manageable pieces once it cools.

“Mind Your Own Beeswax”: Fact and Fiction There are a lot of references to bees in popular culture and literature, but perhaps one of the most recognizable is the turn of phrase, “mind your own beeswax.” A common misconception is this bee-related phrase began as a retort in the 1700s. Smallpox was a dreaded illness at the time and as the story goes, women who recovered from an episode of the disease would have long-lasting effects from the sores they suffered through. Women would cover these pockmarks on their faces with beeswax, which is known to have skin-softening qualities when used topically. If they would go to close to a fire, the beeswax would begin to melt and of course, somebody had to say something to them to let them know. These women would respond: “Mind your own beeswax.” While interesting, this is widely accepted as a false origin. In fact, “mind your own beeswax” first appeared in a children’s book in 1929. The true origin: beeswax sounds close to “business” and was a natural substitution to entertain the young audience of the book. “Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.” Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” Mary Kay Ash “Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.” John Muir “One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care.” Leo Tolstoy “That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.” Marcus Aurelius

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Cutting Board Conditioner INGREDIENTS: 5 tbsp beeswax 2 tbsp sunflower oil 6 tbsp walnut oil ¼ tsp food grade lemon or orange essential oil

*Make sure you use food grade essential oils only when making this cutting board conditioner. Citrus oils have antibacterial properties to keep your cutting board clean and smelling fresh. In between conditionings, you can rub half a lemon across the board to oxidize bacteria and fats.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a double boiler, heat the beeswax until fully melted. 2. Add the sunflower and walnut oil. 3. Remove from the heat and add the food grade essential oil. 4. Pour the mixture into a glass jar, and allow to cool before putting on the lid. TO USE: Grab a lint-free cotton rag. It will be totally saturated after this, so plan to keep it with your jar to reuse every time you apply the conditioner. Use the rag to scoop out some product and rub it onto the board. Cover every inch of the board, including the bottom, and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Get a fresh cloth (also reusable!) and wipe off the excess. Buff, and you’re done!

NOTES: If anybody in your family has a nut allergy, you can use fractionated coconut oil or linseed oil in place of the walnut oil. You should condition your cutting board every two to four months.

Encaustic Painting Encaustic painting is an ancient technique used to create dynamic pieces of artwork. Originating in Greece, encaustic painting developed by way of ship travel; the Greeks would use wax to caulk ships and the use of wax evolved into creating designs on their warships. The word encaustic means “to heat or burn in” and the process involves using beeswax and dammar resin, which is a crystallized tree sap, to create pieces of art. The beeswax can have pigment added to it or it can be used for its natural transparency or as an adhesive. Traditionally, encaustic painting was done on prepared wood, but artists also use canvas or other materials.

Once one layer of wax is applied to the surface of choice, additional layers are heated to fuse them to previous layers. While this process was incredibly time-consuming thousands of years ago, it’s much quicker today with the use of modern heating elements and materials. One of the more famous examples of ancient encaustic painting are the Fayum funeral portraits done by Greek artists in Egypt during the 1st through 3rd centuries AD. This technique is known for creating startlingly lifelike images and is used today by abstract artists to add texture, specifically to oil-based media.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Winter Paw Balm for Dogs INGREDIENTS: Infusion: 2 cups olive oil 2 oz plantain leaf 2 oz marshmallow root 2 oz mullein 2 oz calendula

Balm: 4 tbsp herbal infused olive oil 4 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp shea butter 4 tbsp beeswax

DIRECTIONS: FOR THE INFUSION: 1. Place all ingredients in a crock pot and heat on low for at least 3 hours or overnight. 2. Strain out the herbal matter. 3. Store in a clean, airtight jar. FOR THE BALM: 1. In a double boiler, heat the beeswax until melted. 2. Add the coconut oil and shea butter. Stir until melted. 3. Remove from heat, and let cool for 5 minutes. You don’t want the wax to solidify. 4. Once slightly cooler, add the infused oil and stir to combine. 5. Pour into a small jar and let cool on a level surface before sealing with a lid.

NOTES: Going for walks in the winter can mean cracked and painful paws for your pup! Protect those paws with this beeswax balm. The wax protects, the oils condition, and the herbs heal! Put it on before and after winter walks. This recipe includes an oil infusion, which takes a few hours to make. You can make the infusion ahead of time, and save the extra to use in other healing recipes.

What About My Dog? With the multitudes of anecdotes about the healing powers of honey, it’s natural to wonder whether the same benefits could apply to your canine companions as well. As we noted earlier, there are not a huge amount of well-designed and definitive studies on the benefits of honey for humans and there’s very little for dogs as well. There are multitudes of historical examples of use and personal anecdotes. Nonetheless, honey is generally safe for consumption by both humans and dogs, but there are a few things to keep in mind when sharing a sweet treat with your best friend. • Honey is generally safe for dogs but in small quantities. Dogs are not meant to eat huge amounts of sugars and they can have an adverse effect on their health. If you do feed your dog honey, keep it in small amounts and as a rare treat, not an everyday thing. • If your dog has any health conditions, especially diabetes or obesity, it’s best to avoid use. • Raw honey should not be given to puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems for the same reasons it should not be given to babies; some honey contains spores of clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can be dangerous for those without fully functioning immune systems. • Too much honey can cause tooth decay in your dogs. Regular brushing can keep their teeth and gums healthy. • With anything you’re considering adding to your dog’s diet, it’s always safest to consult with your veterinarian.

Beeswax is safe for topical use for your dog. Many dog-friendly salves and balms are made with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax.

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Mustache Conditioning Wax INGREDIENTS: ½ cup beeswax pellets ¼ cup coconut oil 10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Some options for essential oils are vanilla, clove, orange, or sandalwood, but feel free to experiment with scents that resonate with you.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a double boiler, heat the wax until melted. 2. Add the coconut oil and stir until combined. 3. Remove from heat, and let cool for 5-10 minutes. 4. Before it solidifies, add the essential oils, and stir to combine. If you add when the mixture is too hot, the scent can evaporate. 5. Pour into a small jar, and let cool on a flat surface before you put on the lid. TO USE: Dip a fingernail in the wax and smooth between your index finger and thumb. Start at the middle of your mustache and work towards the tips until evenly applied and shaped how you like.

NOTES: Depending on how much conditioning and malleability you want, you can adjust your wax to coconut oil ratio. This is the ratio that works best for us. When using, you want to make sure the wax is properly warmed by your body heat for optimal effectiveness.

Mustache Shapes Here are some incredibly stylish and dignified mustache styles you can try out to enjoy using your homemade mustache wax even more.

Ever thought about people you recognize just by their mustache? Some examples of famous men known for their fabulous facial hair designs are: • • • • • •

Charlie Chaplin Tom Selleck Freddie Mercury Burt Reynolds Salvador Dali Yosemite Sam

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Soothing Cough Syrup

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup honey, raw or organic 1 yellow or red onion 2 – 4 drops of food grade essential oil (lemon and orange are a good choice)

*Use food grade essential oils with this recipe. Onions have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and are a natural decongestant.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Slice the onion into rounds. 2. In a small, shallow pan, add the onion and add just enough honey to cover the slices. 3. Simmer on low until onions are translucent and separated (about 10 to 15 minutes.) 4. Add essential oils to taste while keeping the syrup warm. 5. Store in a small jar in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep the onions in the syrup. TO USE: Adults can take 1 teaspoon orally, warm or cold, once an hour or as needed.

NOTES: This is a remedy for congestion, sore throat, or other cold symptoms. A sliced onion stays fresh in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. It’s best to use the syrup over the course of a few days. You can always make another batch if necessary.

The Healing Power of Honey Even though science hasn’t caught up yet, humans have used honey as a source of comfort and to treat maladies for thousands of years. Many of the most respected philosophers and medical minds throughout history respected bees and frequently recommended the use of their products to facilitate healing. One of the most common threads for the use of honey throughout mankind’s history is to fight bacteria. Honey, in part because of the propolis content, contains antibacterial properties. It’s no surprise it’s historically been used to treat infections of all kinds. A specific variety of honey from New Zealand, manuka honey, is often considered of particular interest when it comes to antibacterial properties. If you’ve ever had it, you know it smells like it works; manuka honey has a distinct medicinal smell. Honey contains antioxidants, which protect the body from oxidative damage and reduce inflammation. Many illnesses are related to inflammation in the body and if honey can reduce inflammation, it’s no wonder many use it for this reason. Some studies show honey may increase or sustain athletic performance in athletes when given as a source of quick carbohydrates during activity. You can make your own replacement beverage for working out by mixing a teaspoon or two of honey in water with a pinch of sea salt. You can add protein powder for added nutrients. Honey is used as a natural remedy for allergy relief. The theory behind this is raw honey contains local pollen and when consumed in small quantities, the pollen causes exposure to allergens and teaches the body to respond differently over time. It’s like nature’s allergy shot. Perhaps most recognizable is the use of honey to alleviate cough and cold symptoms. A spoonful of honey in a cup of herbal tea or warm water with lemon can soothe the throat. Honey and warm water can also help reduce symptoms of acid reflux. Finally, honey can be used to tone and soften the skin. It is a common ingredient in homemade face masks. A specific type of honey, Leptospermum spp., has antibacterial activity on over 60 types of bacteria. It’s commonly used as a wound care treatment and is impregnated into dressings or used in gel-form directly applied to the wound base. You may recognize this as medical-grade manuka honey!

RECIPES & REMEDIES

COLLECTION Hot Cold Killer INGREDIENTS: 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root 2 cloves of garlic (or more if you can handle it) 1 tbsp honey (or more to taste) ¼ of a lemon 1 cup water

For thousands of years, garlic has been used to ward off evil, whether it was by midwives preparing birthing rooms, Europeans protecting against vampires and werewolves, or Koreans to scare off tigers. Today, we recommend the use of garlic to keep colds at bay!

DIRECTIONS: 1. Grate the ginger root using a microplane or ceramic ginger grater. 2. Press the garlic cloves, or chop as finely as possible. 3. Place prepared garlic and ginger in a mug. 4. Squeeze the lemon into the mug and add the honey. 5. Boil the water and pour into the mug. 6. Allow ingredients to steep for 3-5 minutes, and enjoy! It’s not as funky as you’d think.

NOTES: Garlic packs a powerful antimicrobial punch. Ginger is great for nausea and stomach upset. Add soothing honey and you’ve got one tough, cold-fighting beverage. When you start to notice the first signs of a cold, whip this up and drink it down. It will nip that cold in the bud.

A Beekeeper’s Journal As Sam Joseph enters another season of beekeeping, she reflects on how her passion has taken on new meaning.

One of my favorite things about being a beekeeper is teaching other people about bees. When you do something so often, it can be easy to forget the reason you started on that fateful day long ago. After an incidental visit to an apiary, I became intensely fascinated by the facts and mysteries of the honeybee. I was intoxicated by the scent of the honeyed wax in the yards and the soft undulant buzz of the wings in a bee-filled cherry tree. So when I got the chance to start working with Beepods, I jumped at it, and that’s how I became a beekeeper. But after several years, the dingy shimmer of excitement gets a polish when I get to teach a new beekeeper about what I’ve learned. Honeybees are basically a treasure trove of fun facts. I relish watching a face light up when I explain, for example, that newly emerged virgin queens will fight to the death, after emitting a high pitched piping sound, leaving the victorious queen to take over the colony. I am always brought back to my own wonder and amazement when I see those faces and hear their exclamations. I hope everyone is lucky enough to get to teach someone about their chosen field of study or work. Even the most monotonous jobs can seem new and exciting when seen through a fresh set of eyes. If Sam’s words got you interested in taking up Beekeeping, congratulations! It’s a worthy pursuit that will bring great meaning to your life. Beepods offers all-in-one beekeeping, which means we are with you every step of the way - from assisting with grant proposals (for schools), helping you set up the hive, and being a quick phone call away when you need troubleshooting advice. Beekeeping is a commitment of time, energy, and resources. It isn’t a set it and forget it kind of thing, but that’s what is so great about it - bees become part of your life! You will likely be stung at some point, not because honey bees are inherently aggressive, but because there may be a moment they feel threatened and are compelled to react. Remember, honey bees die after they sting, so it isn’t a choice they take lightly. Learning about bees is essential and irresistible. We call it The Rabbit Hole. If you want to get started with your learning, check out our blog. It’s a great resource for anything and everything bee-related, from movies to recipes to updates on current research. Got questions? You can always Ask a Beekeeper. Otherwise, send us an email at [email protected] to get started on your beekeeping journey!

In their first recipe book compilation, The Beepods Team shows you how you to express your love for bees and the products they create - honey, propolis, and beeswax. In an engaging visual journey with recipes, bee facts, and stories from a beekeeper, The Beepods Team: • Helps you refine your self-care routine so you can worry less and relax more

Beepods Headquarters 222 S. 3rd St., Suite 1206 Milwaukee, WI Beepods.com

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Keeps you and your family feeling healthy when the unexpected happens

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Gives you the confidence to make your own household products

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Shows you how to make treats and eats you can feel proud to share with your family and friends

By the end of your journey into the world of bee crafting, you will have a newfound appreciation for our favorite small, striped insects AND for everything you’ve learned how to create.