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Honey bee life span are 50% shorter today than they were 50 years ago

A new study by University of Maryland entomologists shows that the honey bee life span for individual honey bees kept in a controlled, laboratory environment is 50% shorter than it was in the 1970s. When scientists modeled the effect of today’s shorter lifespans, the results corresponded with the increased colony loss and reduced honey production trends seen by U.S. beekeepers in recent decades.

Colony turnover is an accepted factor in the beekeeping business, as naturally age and die off. But over the past decade, U.S. beekeepers have reported high loss rates, which has meant having to replace more colonies to keep operations viable. In an effort to understand why, researchers have focused on environmental stressors, diseases, parasites, pesticide exposure and nutrition.

This is the first study to show an overall decline in bee potentially independent of environmental stressors, hinting that genetics may be influencing the broader trends seen in the beekeeping industry. The study was published November 14, 2022, in the journal Scientific Reports.

“We’re isolating bees from the life just before they emerge as adults, so whatever is reducing their lifespan is happening before that point,” said Anthony Nearman, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology and lead author of the study. “This introduces the idea of a genetic component. If this hypothesis is right, it also points to a possible solution. If we can isolate some , then maybe we can breed for longer-lived honey bees.” Continue reading Honey bee life span are 50% shorter today than they were 50 years ago

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3 Sweet & Spooky Honey Recipes for Halloween

Happy Halloween

Here are three great recipes that will make your home based Halloween party a ‘howl’!

Peanut Butter and Honey Fudge BarHalloween Honey Bars

Recipes for Halloween – Peanut butter and honey go together like ghosts and haunted houses. This amazing concoction can be customized with your favourite Halloween candy! Use peanut free candy and sunflower seed butter if you’d like to make a nut free version.

1 cup of pitted dates (soaked for 20 minutes in warm water if they are not tender)
¼ cup organic coconut oil, melted
¼ cup BeeMaid Creamed Honey
½ cup smooth peanut butter (nut-free option Sun Butter)
1 ½ cups of cacao powder
1¼ cup crushed walnuts (optional)
½ tsp large flake sea salt
½ cup of your favorite Halloween candy
Line an 8×8 baking tin with parchment.
Add the dates to a food processor and pulse until the mixture sticks together and the food processor will no longer “blend”. You almost want a ball to form.
Remove the lid and add the coconut oil, BeeMaid Honey, peanut butter, cacao and walnuts. Pulse the mixture till smooth should take around 20-30 seconds.
Now dollop the mixture into the pan, and pat down with your hands till flat.
Push down the Halloween candy of choice!   Finish this with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Place in the freezer for at least two hours, and cut into squares and serve!

Caramel ApplesHoney Caramel Apple

Recipes for Halloween are as traditional at Halloween as carving a pumpkin.  Using BeeMaid Honey instead of sugar gives your caramel a smooth, creamy texture without any sugar graininess. This recipe is super simple, just watch your caramel carefully!

Continue reading 3 Sweet & Spooky Honey Recipes for Halloween

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CITRUS FRUIT SALAD WITH HONEY MINT LIME SYRUP

YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
For Honey Mint Lime Syrup:
1/4 cup – Pahrump honey
1/4 cup – fresh lime juice
2 T – mint, chopped
For Citrus Fruit Salad:
2 – navel oranges
1 – white grapefruit
2 – pink or red grapefruits
DIRECTIONS
Cut and peel, removing white pith of oranges and grapefruits. Cut between membranes to release citrus segments and add all fruit to a large bowl. (Can prepare this a day ahead of time and refrigerate).

In a medium bowl, whisk Pahrump honey, lime juice and mint together. Pour honey mint syrup over prepared fruit and toss gently until all fruit is combined and coated. Let citrus salad stand for about 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with mint before serving.

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No CRUST LEMON-HONEY CHEESECAK

CRUSTLESS LEMON-HONEY CHEESECAK

YIELD: Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups – plain 2% greek yogurt
1 cup – non-fat cream cheese
1 tsp. – vanilla
1/4 cup plus 1 T – honey
3 – egg whites, (9 T if using the kind in a carton)
1/4 cup – arrowroot starch or cornstarch
1 T – lemon zest
1/4 cup – lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Whisk together yogurt and cream cheese in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. It will look thin and watery, but that’s ok.

Pour mixture into a greased 8-by-8-inch circle pan (springform is best). Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven.

Chill in fridge overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

After chilled, cut into 8 slices and serve. Store leftovers in the fridge.

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HONEY-ORANGE GINGER FIZZ

Honey ginger fizz

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

For Honey Berry Syrup:

1/2 cup – Pahrump honey

1/2 cup – filtered cold water

2 cups – 100% orange juice

1/4 cup – fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

2 cups – fresh stawberries, thinly sliced

3 cups – sparkling water, chilled

For Garnish:

4 – fresh orange slices

1 cup – fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

4 – large fresh mint sprigs

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Honey calms coughs better than cough medicine

Honey helps cough

Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.

In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep. In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.

However,  never give honey to a child younger than age 1.  And remember: Coughing isn’t all bad. It helps clear mucus from your airway. If you or your child is otherwise healthy, there’s usually no reason to suppress a cough.      Mayo Clinic  Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.


Further, coughing is a common problem for children with upper respiratory infections. These infections can affect sleep and quality of life for both children and parents.

However, common cough medications are not always effective and can have side effects. Interestingly, honey may be a good alternative, with evidence indicating that it’s an effective treatment option. One review of several studies on honey and cough in children found that honey appears to be more effective than diphenhydramine for cough symptoms. It may also help reduce cough duration.

Another review noted that it may also improve sleep quality among children with coughs, as well as their parents. Further, unlike some cough medicines, honey doesn’t have any side effects.

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Honey Barbecue Short Ribs

Honey Ribs

This recipe provides the simplest way to fall-off-the-bone ribs in the oven. We love the meatiness of short ribs; you get more bang for your buck.

  • 1/4 cup sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 4 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons dry oregano
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 pounds short-ribs (flanken), bone-in, cut into 5- to 6-inch strips
  • 1/2 cup honey