Stress and Honey: In Honor of Bees


By now you may have heard that hundreds of honeybee colonies around the country (and Europe) are in great decline (the terms is bee colony collapse). Though the reasons may not be clear, much evidence is pointing toward pesticides. Some also say that cell phone towers may also have a role in this as well (and some say parasites). Honeybees pollinate the trees and plants that bear fruit (and even nuts) of great many foods that we eat. So important are these bees, that companies drive trucks with bee hives from farm to farm in California to ensure that pollination takes place. Not only do we benefit from the fruit born in the process, but some great honey as well. If you are a fan of honey, once again, let the buyer beware. A lot of honey sold in the country comes from China, and tests reveal that it’s not really honey. Moreover, industrialized honey (from big companies) are regulated to pasteurize (heat) the honey, which often kills valuable nutrients. Your best bet is to buy local from small farmers. How valuable are bees to your life? In the words of Albert Einstein, If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”
Stress Tip for the Day:
The last blog on sugar didn’t mention a sugar detox (oops), but as a continuation of that theme, consider substituting fresh honey for sugar. And when you start up your spring and summer gardens, do not use petrochemical pesticides (e.g., Roundup). Take time to appreciate the small parts of nature that make big contributions…. Give thanks to the honeybee this year.
Books, Movies and Links worth Noting:
Here is a description of Bee Colony Collapse
http://npic.orst.edu/envir/ccd.html
There is no shortage of links about the benefits of honey on the net.
Here are a few of my favorites:
And on a related note, if you haven’t see the movie, the secret life of bees, I highly recommend it.
Quote for the Day:
“Honey consumption (as compared to refined sugar or HFCS) leads directly to the formation of liver glycogen, thus stabilizing blood sugar levels. Honey thereby reduces metabolic stress and improves fat metabolism and disposal, thus combating two of the key parameters of the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes and obesity.” — Dr. Ron Fessenden
“The pedigree of honey does not concern the bee; A clover, any time, to him is aristocracy.” —Emily Dickenson
Photo of the Day:
While in Ireland last year, I happened to come across a wonderful garden, and even the bees thought so…. Notice the yellow pollen clump… Enjoy!
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 12 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7e) and the newly released, A Beautiful World: The Earth Song Journals. He can be reached through his website: www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

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