The season of change
I currently store most of my hives inside for the winter. I keep the bees in single deeps for the most part. I try to make a certain weight with feed and plenty bees for each hive, also making sure that they are as healthy as possible. However, there is always concern during the winter months (6) if they are going to make it. I have had some fantastic success with this method, however last year was not one. I know what happen and such as life a learning experience. This past summer was a rebuild on the most part, and considering the dry weather, I was able to get a a nice honey crop. At this time the bees are 95% ready for winter with one more check before I put them to bed. Plans for next season are in the works.
Health benefits of Honey
Honey is a biproduct of nectar. The enzymes of the honeybees intenstenale tract converts the nectar into honey. The bees take moisture out of the nectar so it does not ferment and is the consistency of syrup. It is capped with wax in the honey comb and is opened when needed. Honey has a complex composition of elements(organic acids, peptide enzymes) that vary from plant to plant and from region to region. Studies have shown that honey acts like a inhibitor to bacteria, fungus and to several virus’s. Back before antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, honey was used on wounds and diseases of the gut. Through out the ages people from around the world have prized honey using it for food and medicinally. Stone age paintings of over 8000 years have shown pictures of people with what archeologist believe to be honeybees.
Honey recipe- Butternut squash soup
1- Butternut squash 2- Celery stalks 6 cups Chicken broth
2- tablespoon of Butter 1/2 cup Honey
1- Onion 1- Potato
2- Garlic cloves 1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme
3- Carrot diced 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon - Salt and pepper to taste
In a soup kettle, start melting your butter first. Add your onion next and cook until the onion starts to soften at a low heat. Add your vegetables next along with your broth. Add your honey and seasoning when the soup starts to warm up. If you like the taste of garlic, add at the end. Bring the soup to a boil and let simmer for a hour. This recipe also works well in a crock pot on low heat.
