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After a year of beekeeping disappointment, it looks like I
am back in business. Anacostia Honey is back! I have been a backyard beekeeper
going on three years now. Yeah, the stings suck, but I have a greater appreciation for God’s perfect bug – the Honeybee.
Just how important are honeybees to our diet? According to
the USDA these
under-appreciated workers pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops which
constitute 1/3 of everything we eat.
Losing them could affect not only dietary staples such as
apples, broccoli, strawberries, nuts, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers, but
may threaten our beef and dairy industries if alfalfa is not available for
feed. One study estimated that honeybees annually pollinate $14 billion worth
of seeds and crops in the U.S. Essentially, if honeybees disappear, they could
take most of our insect pollinated plants with them, potentially reducing us to
little more than a water diet.
See You Saturday,
Charles E. Wilson aka "The Honey Man"
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| My four bee hives |
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| Some don't believe I actually have beehives in my backyard. For some odd reason, I could not get any friends or neighbors to take a pic of me in front of the hives as proof so I had to take a selfie. LOL |
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| Get your $10 8oz jar of Local Honey this Saturday at the Ward 8's Farmer's Market TheARC - 1901 Mississippi Ave SE  |
Benefits of "Local" Honey
Allergy Protection
Some research supports the theory that local honey – obtained as close as possible to where you live – may help build immunity to seasonal allergies. Honey made by bees in the vicinity of the allergenic plant will contain tiny amounts of pollen from that plant. This honey will act as a sort of vaccine if taken in small amounts – a few teaspoons per day – for several months, and can provide relief from seasonal pollen-related allergies
Antioxidants and Phytonutrients
Honey is also reach in powerful antioxidants and cancer-fighting phytonutrients, which can be found in propolis, or “honey glue” that the bees use to sterilize the beehive. Raw honey contains some of these compounds while pasteurized honey does not
Digestive Aid
In its natural, raw state, honey contains many enzymes that can help some people digest food more easily so it may also help treat ulcers and diarrhea
Vitamins and Minerals
The nutrient content of raw honey varies, but a 1-ounce serving contains very small amounts of foliate as well as vitamins B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. Minerals including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc can also be found in raw honey in small amounts.
Topical Salve
Honey can be uses as medicine. It has anit-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. For this reason it can be applied topically to treat burns.
Cough Suppressant
Honey has also been found to be especially useful
in treating upper respiratory infections. |
| See you this Saturday at the Ward 8 Farmer's Market TheARC - 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE |
