Queen Bee Foot Rub

I know winter has officially arrived when my skin is dry and my feet begin to crack and peel. Nothing makes me feel better than my own home made Queen Bee Foot Rub. This easy to make product requires a few simple ingredients and can be whipped at home in less than 30 minutes. If you notice that store bought moisturizing products simply sit on your skin then wash off later as a waxy mess. This is PARAFFIN wax...or simply industrial waste! It never penetrates your skin and actually prevents the beneficial oils from moisturizing. My wax of choice is pure beeswax. It's is pure, natural and emollient. Beeswax completely dissolves allowing the moisturizing oils to penetrate your skin and promote relief and healing. You will feel the difference!



Try this recipe:



Ingredients:

6 ounces olive oil

1 ounce beeswax

1/4 teaspoon lemon essential oil

1/4 teaspoon peppermint essential oil



Tools:

Wire whisk

Heat proof glass bowl

Cooking pan with water or double boiler

Stainless teaspoon



Method:

1) Measure the oil and beeswax to a heat proof measuring glass bowl and place the bowl into a bath of boiling water.

2) Mix well with a wire whisk until the wax is nearly completely melted. Remove the bowl from the water and stir the ingredients to thoroughly combine. Add the essential oils with teaspoon and stir well.

3) While still warm and liquid pour into small plastic or glass jars being careful not to spill. Mix will harden slowly as it cools. Place caps on jars when mixture becomes room temperature.

This recipe can be easily adapted to your own preferences in scents by adding in your favorite essential oils. I use peppermint to aid in circulation and lemon as a natural antiseptic. Enjoy!

Queen Bee Foot Rub

I know winter has officially arrived when my skin is dry and my feet begin to crack and peel. Nothing makes me feel better than my own home made Queen Bee Foot Rub. This easy to make product requires a few simple ingredients and can be whipped at home in less than 30 minutes. If you notice that store bought moisturizing products simply sit on your skin then wash off later as a waxy mess. This is PARAFFIN wax...or simply industrial waste! It never penetrates your skin and actually prevents the beneficial oils from moisturizing. My wax of choice is pure beeswax. It's is pure, natural and emollient. Beeswax completely dissolves allowing the moisturizing oils to penetrate your skin and promote relief and healing. You will feel the difference!



Try this recipe:



Ingredients:

6 ounces olive oil

1 ounce beeswax

1/4 teaspoon lemon essential oil

1/4 teaspoon peppermint essential oil



Tools:

Wire whisk

Heat proof glass bowl

Cooking pan with water or double boiler

Stainless teaspoon



Method:

1) Measure the oil and beeswax to a heat proof measuring glass bowl and place the bowl into a bath of boiling water.

2) Mix well with a wire whisk until the wax is nearly completely melted. Remove the bowl from the water and stir the ingredients to thoroughly combine. Add the essential oils with teaspoon and stir well.

3) While still warm and liquid pour into small plastic or glass jars being careful not to spill. Mix will harden slowly as it cools. Place caps on jars when mixture becomes room temperature.

This recipe can be easily adapted to your own preferences in scents by adding in your favorite essential oils. I use peppermint to aid in circulation and lemon as a natural antiseptic. Enjoy!

Honeybee Apiaries at UCONN

Yesterday afternoon, just before my book talk and honey tasting I had the great pleasure to visit the two apiaries at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. I was greeted by Suzy the event planner at their coop store who took great care of all of the details of my visit. Beekeepers and resident chefs, Amy and Steve were my tour guides. I had read about the honeybees at UCONN and saw pictures of the hives that were lovingly hand painted by the students so I was thrilled to have a private tour with their own beekeepers.

Here are photos of both bee yards where you can see the hives are wrapped for the winter. This helps keep the hive warm throughout the long cold New England winters. We spied a few girls gathered at the entrance. Unfortunately, the artwork was covered up but when we visited their bee barn where the equipment was stored I got a glimpse of the art first hand. This is truly where art meets beekeeping and science!

Here you see two honey filled frames ready to be extracted. Lucky to have a honey harvest kitchen all to themselves, Amy and Steve gifted me with a jar of UCONN's own spectacular honey. This is just the sort of thing us beekeepers rhapsodize over. Afterwards we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the bookstore where a group of beekeepers, honey lovers and enthusiast and listened to my stories and experiences as a beekeeper then enjoyed my own honey offerings. Promising to keep in touch, I hope to visit the apiary again this time in spring when the bees are flying!

Honeybee Apiaries at UCONN

Yesterday afternoon, just before my book talk and honey tasting I had the great pleasure to visit the two apiaries at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. I was greeted by Suzy the event planner at their coop store who took great care of all of the details of my visit. Beekeepers and resident chefs, Amy and Steve were my tour guides. I had read about the honeybees at UCONN and saw pictures of the hives that were lovingly hand painted by the students so I was thrilled to have a private tour with their own beekeepers.

Here are photos of both bee yards where you can see the hives are wrapped for the winter. This helps keep the hive warm throughout the long cold New England winters. We spied a few girls gathered at the entrance. Unfortunately, the artwork was covered up but when we visited their bee barn where the equipment was stored I got a glimpse of the art first hand. This is truly where art meets beekeeping and science!

Here you see two honey filled frames ready to be extracted. Lucky to have a honey harvest kitchen all to themselves, Amy and Steve gifted me with a jar of UCONN's own spectacular honey. This is just the sort of thing us beekeepers rhapsodize over. Afterwards we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the bookstore where a group of beekeepers, honey lovers and enthusiast and listened to my stories and experiences as a beekeeper then enjoyed my own honey offerings. Promising to keep in touch, I hope to visit the apiary again this time in spring when the bees are flying!