Honey Bees Love ♥ LAVENDER

Latin Name: Lavandula
Color: Purple
Height: 18”  

How to grow: Lavender grows well in mediterranean climates.  Plant it in bright sun, in soil with good drainage. It can also be planted in a small pot, in a mixture of gravel and light soil.

The uses: Because of its soothing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender is excellent for the skin. After the flowers wilt, dry sprigs upside down. Once dried, collect just the purple heads and toss a handful into boiling water to use as a face steam bath. It is also edible and can be used as a spice, or added to tea for a calming evening beverage.

Photo credit: HoneyLover John Fedorowicz 

‘Beekeeper’s Daughter’ by The All-American Rejects

“cause you’re a pretty little flower
but i’m a busy little bee
honey, that’s all you need to see”

[posted by the hive via Macrophoto]

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
~Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

[via Eco-Vision Sustainable Learning Center]

“I’ve been searching for power-packed smoothie supplements to get me through the winter doldrums, and bee pollen keeps making an appearance in “superfood” lists. I finally picked up a small bottle from the honey stand at my local farmer’s market. Curious about these golden granules? Read on.

Bee pollen (not to be confused with airborne pollen, which causes allergies and hay fever) is what results when honeybees pick up flower pollen granules, mix them with regurgitated honey or nectar, and pack them into “baskets” on their hind legs to take back to the hive. Due to their impressive nutritional profile, bee pollen pellets have a serious superfood reputation. A tablespoonful of bee pollen contains about 45 calories and consists of 35% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins. Bee collected pollen also reportedly contains 8 flavonoids, at least 11 carotenoids, vitamins C, E, all the Bs, all free amino acids, minerals, more than 100 enzymes and several growth regulators.

Because of this, bee pollen is best consumed raw to preserve as many nutrients as possible. The taste varies according to the type of flower the pollen came from (obviously), but in general bee pollen tends to have a slightly sweet, slightly floral taste…”

[click here to read the full post on thekitchn.com]

LEGALIZATION UPDATE:

Last night the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council
VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUPPORTING URBAN BEEKEEPING IN LOS ANGELES!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support ♥ Yay bees!!!