Our beautiful, busy bees.

This week is all about our beautiful, busy bees... from protecting them to ethically sourced honey, recipes and more!

Hello there, Fellow Wanderers,

This week’s blog post is close to my heart, the 20th of May is World Bee Day and at present there are already several species of bees listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Endangered list is defined as a species having a very high possibility of extinction, data is collected on how this species and its habitat have had changes over time. As of 2023, there are 18 species of Bee on the IUCN endangered list and a further 9 listed as critically endangered and 16 species as vulnerable.

The idea for World Bee Day came from a meeting at the International Conference on Pollinator Conservation in 2015. A group of beekeepers, conservationists and researchers met to discuss the best way to celebrate bees and their vital role in our food systems. It was decided that creating a World Bee Day would be a great way to raise awareness about how important bees are for our ecosystems and economies.

World Bee Day was officially launched in 2016 by Friends of the Earth International with support from many other groups, such as Greenpeace International, Friends of Nature (China) and PAN - Pesticide Action Network-International (Europe). This decision was formalized by the United Nations in 2017 and the day has been celebrated around the world ever since.

Growing up many of us are taught to be mindful of the bee and its sting, swat away at all chances but seldom is the importance of this little bee highlighted. Bees are responsible for producing 1 in every 3 mouthfuls of food we eat, as well as being vital for the pollination of crops such as fruit and vegetables. They also play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. Additionally, bees produce honey and beeswax, which have numerous uses in food, cosmetics, and medicine.

Their honey is a delicious source of natural sweetness for me, in coffee, tea, on toast or in treats. Over the years as more information has become available on the threat to our bees, it has become increasingly important to consider where and how you source your own honey, for most its simply off the shop shelves without much thought but this needs to change. When buying honey, look for labels that indicate the honey is sustainably sourced and produced without harming bees or their environment. Additionally, consider purchasing honey from local beekeepers or farmers to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. Finally, avoid purchasing honey from brands that have a history of unethical practices or unclear sourcing.

When sourcing Capegypsy honey both for my own use and in our online shop, I am mindful to source only ethically produced, sustainable honey from a local supplier I know well. Ethically produced sustainable honey is honey that is harvested in a way that prioritizes the well-being of the bees, the environment, and the people involved in the production process. This includes practices such as using natural and non-toxic beekeeping methods, protecting the bees' habitat, and providing fair wages and working conditions to beekeepers. Certification programs like Fair Trade and USDA Organic can also help ensure that honey is ethically produced and sustainable.

Now that we are aware of the dangers to our bees, how can we go about protecting them in our own lives?

Here are some ways to protect bees:

1. Support local beekeepers and buy local honey.

2. Encourage your community to create bee-friendly habitats.

3. Spread awareness about the importance of bees and their role in our ecosystem.

4. Support organizations working to protect bees and their habitats.

5. Plant a bee-friendly garden.

Here are a few ways to turn your own garden into a bee friendly garden:

1. Plant different types of flowers that bloom at different times of the year to provide food for bees all year round.

2. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides that can be harmful to bees and other pollinators.

3. Provide a source of water such as a shallow bird bath or fountain for bees to drink from.

4. Leave some bare soil patches for ground-nesting bees to use as nesting sites.

5. Install bee houses to provide shelter for solitary bees.

6. Choose plants that are rich in nectar and pollen, such as lavender, sunflowers, and wildflowers.

7. Avoid planting hybridized or sterile plants as they may not produce as much nectar or pollen as their wild counterparts.

8. Consider adding flowering herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and mint to your garden, which are not only attractive to bees but can also be used in cooking.

These suggestions will allow you to sit in the sun surrounded by beautiful flowers and watch the magic of bees at work. It also creates an environment for children to learn about bees and watch them from a distance go about their pollen collecting. Teaching them the amazing process of where our honey comes from and the wonderful things, we can do with it.

Here's an easy recipe for healthy treat using honey that your little ones can make with you. Delicious bites for the lunch box.

Honey Almond Energy Bites:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond butter

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Roll into bite-sized balls. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!

For those, like me who truly love all things honey and would like to be a bit adventurous, pop into the kitchen and give the below recipes a try!

Honey Glazed Salmon:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

• Mix together 2 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of soy sauce, and 1 tbsp of olive oil in a bowl.

• Place a salmon fillet on a baking sheet and brush the honey mixture on top.

• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.

• Optional: sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with your favourite vegetables. Enjoy!

I am and always will be obsessed with mini desserts, so here's a quick and easy recipe for a Mini Honey Dessert:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of honey

• 1/2 cup of heavy cream

• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• Mini phyllo cups

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat until it starts to bubble.

2. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract to the saucepan and stir until combined.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

5. Spoon the mixture into mini phyllo cups.

6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your sweet and delicious mini honey desserts!

Now that Winter has crept in quietly and the mornings are seriously chilly, this is a hot drink I like to start the day off with:

1. Heat up 1 cup of water in a saucepan.

2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey and stir until dissolved.

3. Add your preferred tea bag or herbal infusion and let steep for 3-5 minutes.

4. Remove the tea bag or infusion and enjoy your delicious honey hot drink!

So, on this important World Bee Day, I hope you join me by sitting among the flowers with your honey treats and appreciating the busy buzzing of this beautiful creatures, hard at work. Let me know if you choose one of the above recipes and how they turned out.

Next weeks blog will continue to appreciate all that is honey and provided suggestions are recipes that are easy to make at home. See you then!

Take care,

Gwen

Nature's Bee-autiful Box

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