One of my favorite times of the year is when Spring comes around and the first maples start to bloom. I can sit in front of a beehive and watch my bees flying continuously into their entrance with their pollen sacs loaded with colors you can only dream of. As amazing a sight it is to me, it is just what they do. Pollen is an integral source of nutrition for the honeybees to grow and survive. Do you think they even know that they are contributing to the sustainability of our ecosystems? I like to think so. In some countries, where pollinators are becoming more and more scarce, farmers are reduced to pollinating their crops by hand. This is the importance of increasing the biodiversity everywhere to support more pollinators. By supporting Chicago Honeybee Company, you are just as much a pollinator as my honeybees.

What is Local Honey? According to state regulations, it is honey which is harvested within 400 miles of the point of sale. 400 miles? We manage 50 beehives throughout Northbrook and Glenview, IL so that we can offer you a local honey that may even have nectar from the blooms in your garden!

What is Raw Honey? Unfiltered and unheated honey contains all the healthy benefits you could ask for. Enzymes that do your belly good. The antibacterial properties of propolis. Superfood particles of pollen. And did you know that raw honey contains hydrogen peroxide? Truly liquid gold..

Along with beekeeping, teaching has always been one of my biggest passions. Through Hives for Heroes, I have been fortunate enough to continue teaching. Hives for Heroes is a fantastic volunteer program to mentor veterans in the art of beekeeping. I have already met some wonderful veterans who I consider good friends now.

I don’t limit myself to spreading the art of beekeeping to just Hives for Heroes. If you would like to learn or even set up your own apiary, send me a message. It would be my pleasure to help get you started in beautifying your garden and community.

Honey is not the only gift that the honeybees share with us. If you dig through a beehive you will find endless health beneficial by-products.

Beeswax. Its been used to mummify and embalm pharaohs. Beeswax candles have been used for light since the birth of Christianity. For 1000s of years, many believed it had anti-aging qualities. I guess any millennium you are from, everyone wants to look young.

Pollen, or bee bread. If you never tried fresh pollen, you need to go find a beekeeper right now. This is truly one of the tastiest things on the planet. It is also a superfood loaded with amino acids, anti-oxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Propolis. This magical substance, or bee glue, is created by the bees from tree resin. This resin is used for multitude of purposes. Many believe propolis has healing properties, including antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor qualities. The bees use propolis as a disinfectant to keep their hive nice and clean.

Other by-products like royal jelly and bee venom are also finding great value in the health department.

Follow us on instagram, as we will look deeper into these other gifts from the bees.