Honey - A Sweet Term of Endearment

The most common term of endearment I have for my husband is "honey". In fact it actually feels strange to call him by his first name. We use terms of endearment to show our love and affection for those we care about. The word honey not only implies affection referring to the nature of our relationship, but also has reference to a sweet taste. I am always trying to find new ways to use that sweet, sticky substance we call honey.

It is much more than that bottle or jar that sits up in your cupboard, hidden behind spices and sauces. That is where my jar used to be, but now it is either right in front or left out on the counter, and gets refilled often. My newest favorite is to sweeten grapefruit and all kinds of fruit instead of using sugar -- fabulous! I eat a lot of oatmeal and honey is my favorite sweetener. Blending honey in with butter makes a fantastic spread for just about anything! If you happen to get a bee sting, apply some honey. Have you ever tried using honey to remove a fruit stain on your clothing? If you need a quick boost of energy anytime during the day, honey can work just as well as caffeine. This means energy without chemicals, but with healthy nutrients and vitamins!

It is hard to have that perfect cup of tea without a little squeeze from the honey bear. Have you ever tried a little bit of honey in your coffee? With all the artificial sweeteners that have become 

so popular, I will continue to choose this "nectar of the gods", as Aristotle called it, any day.

This wonderful product can be found all over the world--naturally! If you decide to go find that bottle of honey that has been hidden in the back of your cupboard and it looks a little funny, don't be alarmed. Honey in sealed vats was found in King Tut's tomb after thousands of years, and it was not spoiled. Crystallizing is part of the natural process of preservation. If your bottle of honey looks like it has crystallized, simply place the bottle in a pan or bowl of hot water and it will soften and be ready to use.

And don't forget about honey in your skin care products. It absorbs and retains moisture and can help with those aging skin problems by keeping your skin hydrated and fresh.

So dig through all those spices, seasonings and bottles of things in your cupboard, look way in the back for that jar of liquid gold and use it! Honey and natural skin care products made with honey can be found at my website: http://deesbeeboutique.com.

Natural Skin Care - What is the Difference?

Have you ever wondered why you should consider using natural products on your skin? Just what is the difference anyway? Our skin is the largest organ we have and what we put on the outside of our body can be absorbed into our bloodstream. Think about the external patches that are used on the skin for birth control or to help stop smoking.


When I look at the long list of ingredients on the back of one of my favorite lotions I previously used I can't pronounce many of them and have no idea what they are. One of them has over 30 ingredients listed. Do you know what Propylene Glycol, BHT, and Methylparaben are and why they are needed?

So I ask myself this question: If I can use a product that is made with ingredients found in nature that I know and understand, and it works as well or better than what I have been buying, then why not give it a try? What can it hurt and how much difference could it possibly make? I know what these products are:

Shea butter: Naturally rich in Vitamins A, E and F. Helps heal cracked and chapped dry skin, hydrates and moisturizes.

Cocoa Butter: Used as a moisturizer for dry skin and to prevent stretch marks. Cocoa Butter can also help with eczema and dermatitis.

Beeswax: This wonderful natural product has been around as long as the honeybee. Beeswax contains a lot of vitamin A and helps soothe and soften skin by keeping natural moisture in.

Honey: This nectar has been called liquid gold because of health benefits inside and out. A natural, organic product that has no chemicals or preservatives. It hydrates the skin and helps with aging because of its antioxidants.

Sweet Almond Oil: Helps skin stay supple, silky and soft. Who doesn't want that!

With all that being said, have you ever tried a solid lotion bar? No water is added to these natural ingredients, so no preservatives are needed. These wonderful beeswax lotion bars stay soft while left sitting out at room temperature. They last a long time and you can tell a difference in your skin right away. They help keep your rough, dry skin soft, smooth and silky! I would recommend giving this simple luxury a try!

You can learn more about these natural lotion bars at DeesBeeBoutique.

http://deesbeeboutique.com/

Young Beekeeper Scholarship Programs

We went to one of our local beekeeping meetings this weekend.  This is the first time we have met for a few months, and it is always nice to catch up and visit with fellow local beekeepers!  Needless to say, about this time of year we are all looking forward to warmer days and hearing the buzz of bees.

Part of this meeting focused on the Youth Scholarship Program we have in our state.  They had 2 boys that had participated in the program last year speak and share their experiences.  It was simply delightful listening to these boys and their enthusiasm!  I was talking to the Grandpa of one of the boys and he said their grandson had always loved any kind of insect so they thought he might be interested in attending beekeeping classes.  The whole family ended up getting involved!  They had a great first year and even caught a couple of swarms, and are looking forward to adding a few more hives this coming spring.

I know that many states have a program similar to this, and it is a wonderful way to get young people involved in beekeeping.  If you know someone who might benefit from something like this, you might try to contact your county extension office for some information on who to contact in your particular state.

Here are a couple links that might also be helpful.  It is just as rewarding for the mentor as it is for the schloarship participant.  They are the future beekeepers and the younger they can get started the better!

Youth Scholarship Progam
Young Beekeeper Program 

Love Is In The Air

I love discounts and free shipping!  I have several sites that I order from over and over again just because of their free shipping offers.  A few clicks on my keyboard, not leaving the comfort and warmth of my house, and a few days later  what I ordered is delivered to my door!  The picture above is just one of five lotion bars that I am offering free shipping on right now.

I have been adding several new products to my website this week and wanted to let you know about the deal I have going on over there.  I have a Heart Collection and a Massage Bar lotion bar - all of which would be perfect for yourself or someone special.  These are made with wonderful, natural ingredients with yummy fragrances if you like scent.  And - I am offering free shipping on these through February 15th!

Come over to deesbeeboutique and look at my new products!

Get a head start on that Valentine Day giving and treat yourself to some natural, soothing goodness!

Faith

                                                              
William Wordsworth defines Faith is a passioniate intuition.  When I think about the things that I am passionate about - honeybees is one of them.  I enjoy everything about the process and never cease to be amazed with what I learn and observe along the way.

We started a new adventure this year and sent our hives to Califnornia to help pollinate almonds, blueberries, oranges, and avocados.  So as I look out the window on this snowy day I think about our honeybees on a warm, sunny day busy at work.  So this journey  is a small leap of faith for us and we look forward to spring when they are back home and busy pollinating and making honey once again.

I received a new mold as a Christmas present from a good friend and I just love it!  Beautiful, carefree daisies accented with the word "Faith".  Filled with beeswax and natural butters and oils this butter bar is a treat for rough, dry skin and a reminder to have passionate Faith!

http://www.deesbeeboutique.com/