August is here and so are new items!

I hope you are staying well and mentally healthy, the best you can. These times sure are something for the books! Soon the sunny, hot days and nights full of musical sounds will wind down and the season will change, as will our health.

If you aren’t sneezing and rubbing your eyes from allergies you probably know someone that is doing so daily. Next thing we know those sneezes and scratchy throats will be from other fun visitors, not the pollen that is currently floating about, but fun “back to school” and “hello fall” colds and viruses. The regular run of the mill every year stuff!

I am happy to tell you the elderberry syrup will be steadily and readily available to help you and yours during the upcoming cold and flu season. You will be able to find many tonics, syrups, oxymels and even shrubs in the coming weeks. I love experimenting with these tried and true, old fashion, natural health remedies. Made from fruits, vegetables and herbs these alternative infusions make a great health tonic and offer a nutritional boost to your daily diet. Not only by the spoonful or in a beverage but they can be included in your culinary preparations. You can use them in a tea, mix with sparkling water for a natural soda, take by the shot glass, or add to a favorite dish. Drizzle over salad, try on your chicken dish or even in a soup recipe. Try experimenting. Look up recipes. Oxymels, tonics, syrups and shrubs allow many ways to incorporate botanicals, vinegars and herbal infusions into your daily routine and better your health and wellness.

If you haven’t heard I discovered a beekeeping family that infuses their wildflower honey with fruits and vegetables for the most amazing, delicious flavors you could imagine. These have been a hit and flying off the shelves. No worries. I plan to keep them stocked. There are 15 flavors to choose from. Here’s a sampling: apple, caramel, ginger, lemon, razzleberry, smoked and even watermelon. And that’s just a start.

Lastly, I came across another beekeeper (see the theme here) that makes these really delicious and unique beverages sweetened with honey. How about a Honey Sparkling Water or Honey Cream Soda? There even is a Honey Ginger ale.

More and more doctors are telling their patients to find honey for their sore throat, nagging cough and even laryngitis. After all, honey is a natural food with proven health benefits, also known as a functional food.

The North Bee in the village of Webster hopes to help you and your family nourish your mind, body and soul this upcoming season. I look forward to seeing you.

One year already! Come celebrate with me.

It was just a quick, short year ago that I was sitting in traffic daydreaming about what was always on my mind……having my own place to melt beeswax, share my passion for bees and honey and sell my creations. I happen to look over to my right while waiting for the light to change and there was a FOR RENT sign on this cute little white house in the heart of the Village of Webster.

What? Could it bee?

No more packing and unpacking crates and totes, no more multiple trips up and down the stairs and packing the car the morning of a show, because you can’t leave beeswax or honey in the car - might be to cold for the honey or too warm for the beeswax. No more melted wax in random places of the kitchen, like the counter, floor, or stove top. Yes, my husband could have the kitchen table back, instead of just his spot. Most of all, I could talk about bees, share my passion and relay the importance of bees to adults and kids of all ages. I could even make a room just for the kids to take in all things bee, and let the grownups take in all the Handcrafted Goodness of the Hive.

Yes, it was.

I had found that spot by chance and I have been making it work ever since. Each month has been change and growth. I am happy to have this opportunity to be your stop for local honey and handcrafted beeswax products. Including skincare, pet products, candles, beeswax home decor, honey from across the country, gift giving items, natural wellness and select lines of hemp CBD wellness items.

For all the local folks that would like to celebrate with me stop in the store at 27 North Ave, Webster to enter your name for a chance to WIN my GIVEAWAY basket (worth $165) full of goodies!!! Look through the photos here to see the basket. Next time you are in the store to restock your honey, skincare or CBD products fill out an ENTRY CARD and pop it in the cute mailbox by the door on your way out!

The GIVEAWAY runs through December 4th. Drawing in store on December 5th.

Thank you everyone for helping to make this first year a success.

Local honey for your health and wellness needs

It’s that time of year to be searching out the raw honey. I am happy to be your one stop for not only unique handcrafted gift items, but also raw honey. Local honey and honey from across the country can be found in my store located in the village of Webster in Western NY.

Did you know there are over 300 types of honey produced by the bees here in the US? This is due to the different nectar sources available to the bees for forage. Different areas of the country provide different plants which in turn makes the difference in honey - light, dark, sweet, bold, molasses tasting or perhaps even cotton candy. Have you heard of Star Thistle, Avocado, Buckwheat, Meadowfoam, Tupelo or Ulmo honey? Those are just a few types of what you will find available to taste and purchase. You can always find local honey here.

Summer and Fall local, raw honey is now available in my Webster store.

The honey tasting table always holds over 25 different jars of honey; varietals (single source nectar), infusions, blends, creamed, whipped, liquid, crystallized, comb, sticks and polyflorals from across the country and my own backyard! I even carry honey from the Patagonia Rain forest in Chile, South America. I am certain you will find a favorite honey and even a backup or two.

Honey has been used for thousand of years to treat coughs and sore throats among other ailments. People may also use honey to treat allergies and for that local honey is first choice. You can be sure to find local honey most anytime of the year at the store.

However, for your seasonal sore throat and that cough from the cold you are sharing with the family ANY raw honey is best. Raw is preferred because once honey is processed, meaning heated or filtered, it loses any health benefits and is just a sweetener at that point. When it comes to raw honey I’m sure you will find one that suits your taste buds.

I hope you will keep The North Bee in mind this upcoming season and all year round for all your local honey and health and wellness needs.