GloryBee Blog

GloryBee is the First Food Company in Eugene to Become a Certified B Corporation

Eugene, Ore. – February 25, 2016 – GloryBee® was founded on the core values of faith, genuine relationships, healthy living and stewardship. As of 2016, we are proud to announce that we have become a Certified B Corporation® because we believe that business can be a force for good and inspire change for the better. Attaining this esteemed B Corp™ certification is our way of demonstrating our resounding commitment to our core values.

Second generation owner and Executive Vice President, RaeJean Wilson, expresses “We believe that GloryBee is here for a greater purpose. While we have the privilege of selling natural, quality products to our customers, we believe that this B Corp certification has validated how we do business to ourselves and to our community.”

Being a Certified B Corporation indicates that we meet the rigorous standards of social and environmental performance. To us, this is much more than just a stamp of approval. Maintaining our B Corp certification will challenge us to improve on our sustainable practices as we grow and remind us to constantly consider how we are affecting the environment, the community, our employees and our clients.

Being a Certified B Corporation will give our business a road map for sustainable growth. At GloryBee, we will “Bee the Change” and work toward the one unifying goal that all B Corporations share – to redefine success in business.

About GloryBee

GloryBee started in the family garage of Dick and Pat Turanski in 1975 with a dream of providing natural, healthy ingredients for their community. That spirit remains strong today, and GloryBee is still a family-owned and operated business in Eugene, Oregon.

Pumpkin Honey Face Mask

Although this recipe may sound delicious, this mixture of three nourishing and moisturizing ingredients is a skin renewal ritual to work into your skin care routine. Use this mask once a week to unlock the complexion-enhancing properties of pumpkin, honey and coconut.

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp organic canned pumpkin puree
½ tsp GloryBee Raw Organic Clover Blossom Honey
½ tsp Aunt Patty’s Creamed Coconut

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine pumpkin puree, honey and creamed coconut in a small bowl. Mix until creamy in texture.
Wash your face thoroughly with your regular cleanser and pat dry.
Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area. Allow mask to set for 20 minutes.
Gently wash off the mask with a warm, damp washcloth and follow with a moisturizer.

Coconut Oil Biscuits

These easy coconut oil biscuits are made with ingredients you most likely have in your pantry already, and are ready in about 20 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ Cup Aunt Patty’s Virgin Coconut Oil (solid, not melted)
¾ Cup coconut milk (or any milk)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425° F.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
Add coconut oil to flour mixture, and use a pastry cutter or forks to cut the coconut oil into the flour until the mixture is the consistency of fine crumbs.
Stir in the milk until mixture forms a soft dough and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. Knead the mixture until combined, but be sure not to over-knead.
Place dough ball onto a lightly floured cutting board. Gently roll the dough out until it reaches about a ½-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter (about a 2-inch circle) to cut out the biscuits, and transfer to a baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the biscuits have risen slightly and begin to brown on top. Remove and serve immediately.

Sustainability Goal #2 – Improve Efficient Use of Resources

Post by GloryBee Sustainability Manager Shandy Carroll.

This is the story of how GloryBee came to be the proud user of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) distribution truck.

Improving efficiency is a no-brainer in the world of sustainability; using fewer resources typically costs less and leaves a smaller environmental footprint. At GloryBee, our goal is to improve our efficiencies across all facets of the company, and where better to start than our own truck fleet.

At GloryBee, our own fleet transports 65% of our products on 25 routes ranging as far away north as Blaine, Washington, east to Bend, Oregon, and south to the California-Oregon border. In 2015, our fleet accounted for nearly 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions and achieved an average of 6.5 mpg for the third year in a row. To improve our efficiency, and meet our sustainability metrics goals, we needed to look at new technology, especially on those long haul trips.

Next month, we will be leasing a brand new, specially outfitted CNG/Diesel dual fuel distribution truck. The dual fuel truck will be able to achieve up to 7.3 mpg and will be a member of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership. It will also emit 11% less CO2 than the truck currently running our long haul route. This means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, less fuel burned and a healthier route up and down the I-5 corridor.

Top 5 Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Beekeeping

Many beekeepers are interested in introducing their children to beekeeping. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in an activity the whole family can enjoy, all while creating an interest in beekeeping that can be passed along to the next generation.

Here are the Top 5 ways to spark your kids’ interest in Beekeeping

1. Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference – Teach kids the difference between honey bees and other insects, like yellow jackets, wasps, bumble bees and hornets. Often times, kids are fearful of all flying “bees” but this is because they misidentify the different types. Honey bees are out looking for nectar and pollen, and are not the bees that are disturbing your picnic. If you can teach kids to spot honey bees, they will forever be in awe of their gentle behavior when foraging for nectar or pollen.

2. Knowledge is Power – Honey bees are fascinating creatures and the source of endless education. Whether kids are interested in bee biology, colony behavior, beekeeping as a hobby or just interested in where honey comes from, the amount of information is limitless. GloryBee carries many books that might be of interest for kids including: Jump Into Science: Honey Bees, The Life Cycle of a Honeybee or even Beekeeping for Dummies.

3. Hands-On Experiences – Bees are like pets in the sense that they need care and attention to truly thrive. We recommend the proper protective apparel for children so they feel comfortable in approaching the beehives. GloryBee offers youth beekeeping suits, youth beekeeping jackets, and youth gloves. Some of the tasks children can accomplish include mixing the sugar water during feeding season, assisting with smoking bees, keeping the smoker going, helping with other equipment in the bee yard and assisting during extraction time.

4. Kids Just Want to Have Fun – Beekeeping may be a science, but there are many ways to make it fun and exciting. For instance, teaching kids about the “waggle dance” that bees perform when coming back to the hive is always an amusing activity. This teaches kids how bees communicate with each other when they return to the hive after collecting nectar or pollen. The more vigorous the dance, the higher the likelihood other bees will follow their suggestion. Kids love to perform the “waggle dance” and teach their friends as well. Other fun activities include “Pollen Transfer” relay races, craft projects and silly bee songs – websites such as Pinterest and YouTube have all kinds of fun ideas to teach your kids all about bees and beekeeping.

5. Food for Thought – With so many crops pollinated by honey bees, it is easy to teach kids to appreciate the wide variety of foods they eat. Crops like apples, cranberries, melons, broccoli blueberries and almonds are among the many crops pollinated by bees. What would your plate of food look like if there were no honey bees? Healthy living starts with eating healthy and honey bees help us have the food we need to be our best.

Whether you have children who are interested in beekeeping or just curious about honey bees, there are many activities that will inform and educate kids on the importance of our favorite pollinators, the honey bee!

Lavender Scented Lotion Bar

Alleviate your dry skin this winter, the natural way. Almond oil and coconut oil act together to moisturize the skin, while the beeswax seals in that moisture for long-lasting smoothness.

INGREDIENTS

4oz GloryBee Beeswax
½ Cup Aunt Patty’s Almond Oil
½ Cup Aunt Patty’s Virgin Coconut Oil
GloryBee Lavender Essential Oil

DIRECTIONS

Melt beeswax in a double boiler. Add in the coconut oil and stir until melted.
Add the almond oil and essential oil one drop at a time until desired level of fragrance is achieved. Stir until combined.
Pour Mixture into a bar mold pan.
Let sit overnight then twist pan like an ice cube tray to pop bars right out.
Makes around 4 bars.

“4C” Cornbread Muffins

This recipe was developed by Aunt Patty and her grand daughter Ellie. It's designed for a young person to be able to make start to finish! Wondering where the name came from? The ingredients: Cornbread mix, Coconut oil, Coconut sugar, and Coconut flakes!

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ Cup of Bob’s Red Mill Stoneground Cornbread Mix
½ Cup of low fat cottage cheese, rinsed and drained
½ Cup of low fat organic coconut milk
¼ Cup of crushed pineapple drained, press out the excess moisture
¼ Cup of Aunt Patty’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
¼ Cup of Aunt Patty’s Almonds, blanched and chopped
¼ Cup of Aunt Patty’s Dry Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
3 Tbsp of GloryBee Pacific Northwest Blackberry Honey
1 large organic brown egg

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400° F.
Line muffin tins with muffin cup liners, if desired.
Using a spoon, mix all of the ingredients until combined and smooth, do not over mix.
Fill muffin cups evenly (fills 12 cups).
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, check at 12 minutes for doneness.

TOPPING

Optional, prepare ahead of time

Toast coconut flakes until lightly brown (you can also toast with some nuts if you'd like).
Dissolve coconut sugar for a glaze: 1-2 Tbsp warm water + 2 Tbsp of Organic Coconut Sugar.
Brush top of muffin with glaze, top with toasted coconut.
Serve with honey or just as is.

Beeks in California: Be on the lookout for Thieves

With California’s almond bloom in full swing, nearly 90% of all commercial hives in the United States will make a pilgrimage to the Golden State to help pollinate this important crop.

Almond farmers are paying up to $200 per hive for pollination, and with such a large amount of money changing hands, comes the unfortunate increase in bee theft.

CNBC reports:

At least a half dozen honeybee thefts have been reported this year in five counties — Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Kern and Sutter. Some beekeepers have estimated their losses could reach $100,000 for the theft of hundreds of hives they rent out to pollinate almonds and other crops…

The Butte County Sheriff's Office said on Feb. 2 it obtained "information that over 500 beehives have been reported stolen in two separate incidents which took place in two neighboring counties over the last two weeks." One instance involved 280 hives on Jan. 30 in Colusa County, while the other was about 200 hives stolen in Butte County.

If you have any knowledge about these thefts, the California State Beekeeper Association is offering rewards up to $10,000.

In addition, if a farmer reports that they have stolen a hive, the owners of the hive will allow the hives to stay for the remainder of the bloom. The goal isn’t to punish farmers for doing the right thing.

Click here to learn more about the rewards from the CSBA and see photos of some of the stolen hives.

Citrus Scrub

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup coarse sea salt
½ Cup raw Demerara sugar
½ Cup Aunt Patty’s Coconut Oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil10 drops sweet orange essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the sea salt and sugar in a small jar (do not fill to the top).
Heat coconut oil on low heat until it becomes a liquid.
Remove coconut oil from heat and add essential oils. Pour mixture over the sea salt and sugar ingredients (do not stir ingredients).
Apply to body and massage into skin for a few minutes. Rinse.

Quinoa Pizza Crust

Happy National Pizza Day! Here's a better-for-you homemade quinoa crust idea to try for your next pizza night. To make personal-sized pizzas for picky eaters or a pizza making party, you can cook multiple crusts at a time and once cooked, place on a cookie sheet for everyone to top their own.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup quinoa
1 Cup water warm
1 Tbsp Aunt Patty’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp coconut flour (not homemade flour)
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp unrefined salt
2 Tbsp Aunt Patty’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-2 Tbsp Aunt Patty’s Avocado Oil

DIRECTIONS:

Preparation:
Combine the quinoa, warm water, and apple cider vinegar. Cover, and leave in a warm place for 12 to 24 hours.

Cooking:

Preheat the oven to 450° F, placing the cast iron pan(s) in the oven in the top third of the oven to preheat as well.
Drain the quinoa well in a fine sieve and rinse well to remove any bitterness from the quinoa.
Combine quinoa in a food processer with the rest of the ingredients, except the olive oil. Blend until well combined. Add the oil and blend just enough to combine.
Remove pan(s) from oven and add enough avocado oil to completely coat the bottom. Add some (or all) of the batter, depending on size of pan. Spread out with a heat safe utensil, evenly. Place back in oven.
Cook for about 7 to 10 minutes for smaller sized crust, or 10 to 15 minutes for larger pans, or until the bottom of the crust is browned. Once desired browning is achieved, flip the crust and cook for another couple of minutes.
Remove pan(s) from oven and add desired sauce, cheese and other toppings. Return to oven to heat through (enough to the melt cheese).
If you're making multiple crusts, place on a cookie sheet to top separately and cook together.
Serve immediately.

Super Snack Bowl Ideas

For many Americans, football is more than just a game — it’s a tradition where friends and family gather to watch the most viewed telecast of the year and consume some of the most calorie-dense foods imaginable. The average football fan munches on an entire day’s worth of calories in just a few hours on game day. Instead of packing on the pounds, try packing in the nutrients of delicious dried fruits and nuts with a few of our better-for-you snacking items.

Mt. St. Helens Trail Mix
Aunt Patty’s Mt. St. Helens Trail Mix is made with raw, local ingredients — Pacific Northwest cinnamon-infused apples, Pacific Northwest cranberries, raw walnuts, raw almonds and raisins — blended for the perfect balance between sweet fruit and crunchy nuts.

Pistachios
It’s not uncommon to find a bag of pistachios on the table this time of year. A self-serve snack during the holiday season, these small nuts contain protein, fiber and a wealth of vitamins and minerals.

Eat a handful of pistachios for a snack, or sprinkle the nuts into a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast. Add pistachios to your favorite muffin and bread recipes, or top a serving of frozen yogurt with chopped pistachios, or add them to a tossed green salad.

Sustainability Goal #1 – Reduce Food Waste

Post by GloryBee Sustainability Manager Shandy Carroll.

It’s a New Year, and time to start working on those New Year’s resolutions. One of the top sustainability goals at GloryBee is to reduce food waste. In the USA, 30-40% of our food supply is wasted, throughout the supply chain. This means that every stage of food production, 30-40% is wasted and ends up in landfills, where it adds to methane emissions (Methane is 40 times more potent of a greenhouse gas than Carbon Dioxide).

At GloryBee, we are working to reduce food waste in much the same way you could at home:

Plan: We try to buy only what we need.
Storage: Packaging is important! Correct packaging prevents food from going bad unnecessarily.
Manage leftovers: Left overs in a tote, drum or bag are tracked and donated to Food for Lane County or the Eugene Mission before they expire.
Compost what is left.

Bonus step: Measure what matters! Keep a spreadsheet of food waste and aim to reduce that number every year.

To learn more, here’s an interesting podcast on ending food waste.