GloryBee receives RE:Think Certification

GloryBee announced today that they have been awarded RE:Think certification from Bring Recycling as a testament to their commitment to conserve natural resources and reducing waste. The RE:Think award was presented to GloryBee by Bring Recycling in September, after completing the certification process which involved validation of actions by BRING recycling.

In order to qualify for RE:Think certification, a business is required to use paper products containing a minimum of 30% recycled content, use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners, and complete at least half of required actions in the categories of recycling, waste prevention, operations, energy, water conservation, and water quality.

Businesses are scored according to how well they meet the criteria. In all categories, GloryBee completed 182 of Bring’s RE:Think actions, for an average completion rate of 87% - much higher than the 50% required rate.

About BRING Recycling
In 1971, a group of volunteers decided to do something about waste. A few weeks later, BRING Recycling was born, one of many non-profit environmental groups inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970. That first year, the fledgling organization collected 400 tons of glass and launched the "reduce, reuse, recycle" way of life. Recycling is now a core value in our community. Bring is rated one of the 100 Best Green Oregon Businesses by Oregon Business Journal. Learn more about BRING recycling on their website at www.bringrecycling.org.GloryBee announced today that they have been awarded RE:Think certification from Bring Recycling as a testament to their commitment to conserve natural resources and reducing waste. The RE:Think award was presented to GloryBee by Bring Recycling in September, after completing the certification process which involved validation of actions by BRING recycling.

In order to qualify for RE:Think certification, a business is required to use paper products containing a minimum of 30% recycled content, use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners, and complete at least half of required actions in the categories of recycling, waste prevention, operations, energy, water conservation, and water quality.

Businesses are scored according to how well they meet the criteria. In all categories, GloryBee completed 182 of Bring’s RE:Think actions, for an average completion rate of 87% - much higher than the 50% required rate.

About BRING Recycling
In 1971, a group of volunteers decided to do something about waste. A few weeks later, BRING Recycling was born, one of many non-profit environmental groups inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970. That first year, the fledgling organization collected 400 tons of glass and launched the "reduce, reuse, recycle" way of life. Recycling is now a core value in our community. Bring is rated one of the 100 Best Green Oregon Businesses by Oregon Business Journal. Learn more about BRING recycling on their website at www.bringrecycling.org.

Scented Soy Pine Cones

Supplies needed:

Soy Pillar Blend Wax
Your choice of Fragrance or Essential Oils
Pine Cones
Pan lined with foil or wax paper
Colorant (Optional)
Berries, leaves, cinnamon sticks (optional)
Instructions: In a double boiler (with medium to low heat), melt the soy wax until it becomes liquid.

**Remember: You will need to melt enough wax to submerge a cone**

Add scent and color to the melted wax. Dip each pinecone and set aside. Once the wax on the pine cones has cooled a little, dip again into the blend of wax and fragrance.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – API VAR Mite Kill

I was checking my API VAR my second week of application and I noticed at that time I had a significant mite kill (see picture) in one week, the API VAR was gone. I needed to apply the next round of the three rounds.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles-Feeding Bees in Preparation for Colder Weather

I decided that as the fall weather was turning colder and I was no longer feeding my bees liquid bee food that I should start giving them different food. I started feeding the bees some granulated sugar to ensure that they will continue to be well fed heading into the winter. With my current set-up for the bees I put some sugar on the top of my inner cover as you can see in the photo, so that they could feed off of it.

California Landmark Initiative to Label GMO Food

GloryBee & Aunt Patty’s brands are proud to donate $10,000 to Yes on Prop 37. As a family owned company, we value the importance of healthy living and believe it is a God given right to know what is in our food and where it comes from. Labeling GMO products enables us all, as consumers, to make healthier educated choices for ourselves and our families. GMO’s also negatively impact the health, well-being and survival of the honey bee. This is a serious concern as honey bees are indicators of environmental health and sustainability.

We stand behind and support Prop 37, Food Democracy Now and the California Right To Know campaigns as they are in alignment with our company values.

We ask that you join us and tell your friends and family in California to vote YES on prop 37.

Follow us on Facebook for up to date information on Prop 37:
www.Facebook.com/GloryBeeFoods

What is Proposition 37?
According to the California Election voter guide, “GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS. LABELING. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Requires labeling of food sold to consumers made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways. Prohibits marketing such food, or other processed food, as “natural.” Provides exemptions.”

Proposition 37 is a November ballot measure in California that will help consumers make informed choices about the food they eat. Written with broad input from food groups, industry, science, legal and health experts Prop. 37 (The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act) requires clear labels letting consumers know if foods are genetically modified.

The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act is simple: The initiative would simply require food sold in retail outlets to be labeled if it is produced through genetic engineering, and would not allow these products to be labeled as “natural.” Prop 37 gives companies 18 months to change their labels, and allows for the GMO disclosure to appear wherever they choose on packaging.

Who Supports Prop 37?
Prop 37 was initiated by a grassroots organizing effort with the help of thousands of volunteers across the state, the Right to Know campaign gathered nearly one million signatures from California voters within a 10 week period. More than 2,000 organizations – including media outlets, food manufacturers and retailers, leading consumer, environmental, farming, health, faith-based, political and labor groups – have since endorsed Yes on 37.

www.carighttoknow.org/endorsements

We Have a Right to Know What's in Our Food:
Fifty countries around the world (closer to 61)—representing more than 40% of the world’s population---already require GMO labeling, including all of Europe, Japan, India and China. Polls show that more than 90% of Americans want to know if their food is genetically engineered. We are free to choose what we want to eat and feed our children. The free market is supposed to provide consumers with accurate information about products so we can make informed choices. http://justlabelit.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mellman-Survey-Results...

Prop. 37 Doesn’t Ban the Sale of Any Foods:
Prop 37 would not ban any foods. It merely requires that GMO-containing foods be labeled with the phrase “partially produced with genetic engineering” anywhere on the front or back of packages.

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Molding Figures with Latex Molds

These easy-to-use latex molds are a fun and economical way to create detailed soaps and beeswax figurines.

Trace open end of mold on piece of thick cardboard.
Cut shape 1/8" inside line creating a smaller hole than mold rim. Insert mold into cutout.
Lip of mold should be supported by cardboard cutout.
Place in container deeper than mold but not wider than cardboard.
Fill mold half full of soap or wax. Knead gently to loosen air bubbles.
Fill the rest of mold with soap or wax. Tap mold to loosen remaining air bubbles.
Let cool until completely hard.
To remove casting, lightly coat outside of mold with liquid soap.
Peel mold from cast by rolling mold down casting.Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Bees & Wax

What is happening: I went into my "Swarm hive" and noticed the entire upper box was filled with honey (no brood) so I checked the bottom box and identified eggs which meant the queen was laying.

What I am doing: I decided to remove 4 center frames of honey and put in undrawn foundation to give them a chance to build it out so the queen can lay eggs in the upper chamber. (I am saving the 4 frames of honey for winter feed for bees.) As the nectar flow is mostly over I needed to put in a feeder so they could draw out the comb but did not have time to install and feed. One week later I checked and they had already drawn out all 4 frames of undrawn foundation.What is happening: I went into my "Swarm hive" and noticed the entire upper box was filled with honey (no brood) so I checked the bottom box and identified eggs which meant the queen was laying.

What I am doing: I decided to remove 4 center frames of honey and put in undrawn foundation to give them a chance to build it out so the queen can lay eggs in the upper chamber. (I am saving the 4 frames of honey for winter feed for bees.) As the nectar flow is mostly over I needed to put in a feeder so they could draw out the comb but did not have time to install and feed. One week later I checked and they had already drawn out all 4 frames of undrawn foundation.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Fall Bee Treatment

What is happening: The honey supers are all off of the hives and I am down to two deep supers for brood chambers on all three hives.

What I am doing: I am preparing my bees for fall/winter by inspecting them and treating them to make sure they remain healthy. I inspected all hives for signs of the queen laying eggs and also for sign of mites (I did see signs of mites in two hives, in one of them I actually saw a mite on a bee.) I am working to treat my bees with all natural treatment methods. I am applying Api Var in between my two supers. I am also removing a frame from the top deep super, adding an inside feeder and feeding them sugar syrup with vinegar.What is happening: The honey supers are all off of the hives and I am down to two deep supers for brood chambers on all three hives.

What I am doing: I am preparing my bees for fall/winter by inspecting them and treating them to make sure they remain healthy. I inspected all hives for signs of the queen laying eggs and also for sign of mites (I did see signs of mites in two hives, in one of them I actually saw a mite on a bee.) I am working to treat my bees with all natural treatment methods. I am applying Api Var in between my two supers. I am also removing a frame from the top deep super, adding an inside feeder and feeding them sugar syrup with vinegar.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Inspecting for Honey Harvest

About a week and a half prior to preparing for honey extraction, I wanted to see what kind of honey harvest I was going to get. As you can see with the bees on the frames, I am going to get some honey!

After I had removed the bees from my honey supers using the bee escape board, I pulled out the frames of honey to inspect what kind of a honey harvest I was going to get. Oh what a beautiful sight to see that white capped golden honey in the frames.About a week and a half prior to preparing for honey extraction, I wanted to see what kind of honey harvest I was going to get. As you can see with the bees on the frames, I am going to get some honey!

After I had removed the bees from my honey supers using the bee escape board, I pulled out the frames of honey to inspect what kind of a honey harvest I was going to get. Oh what a beautiful sight to see that white capped golden honey in the frames.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Honey Extracting Party

We recently had a honey extracting party at my parents home. The beautiful sweet honey you see pictured is some of the fruits from the bees. My wife and sons look forward to the honey harvest and extraction every year!

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Beekeepers Visit

My son and I recently paid a visit my friend Paul to check out how his bees were doing and see if he needed any assistance with his bees. Paul is a first time beekeeper, so I stopped by to see if I could give him pointers. My son decided to suit up and help as well, and we found Paul's hive to be healthy with the queen still laying eggs and his western honey super about 50% full of honey.

Alan’s Bee Chronicles – Oh Sweet Honey!

I decided to check on the swarm hive that I captured recently to see how they were as I had added a honey super. I noticed that the bees were "hanging" on the outside during the day, and found that the entire second box of the brood chamber had been converted to honey storage by the bees. The photo above is of one of  the beautiful honey frames that they built, filled and capped. I decided to remove some of these frames and put in new frames so that they will work on building those out and filling with brood so the colony remains strong enough over the winter.