Recipes with Rose: Sweet Summer Snacks to Stay Cool

It's been a while since we shared a recipe, but Rose arrived at BeeAlive this morning raving about the deliciously sweet, healthy desserts she and the triplets indulged in this weekend to stay cool during the heat wave.

What's so cool about them? Besides being frozen, each treat contains Royal Jelly to pack in extra nutrients. Pretty cool if you ask a health nut like me!

 

Without further ado, here are Rose's recipes for Fruity Royal Jelly Ice Pops and Royal Jelly Chocolate Shakes!

Fruity Royal Jelly Ice Pops

 

 

Source

Ingredients:

• Half medium seedless watermelon*
• 1/2 c. strawberries*
• 1 ripe banana*
• 1/2 c. frozen blueberries*
• 1/2 c. frozen raspberries*
• 4 tsp. BeeAlive Royale Raw Royal Jelly

Yields 12-16 ice pops.
*Ice pops may vary. Add whatever fruit you desire!


Cut watermelon into bite-size chunks. Add ingredients to blender. After fully blended, pour contents into ice pop mold tray, filling each mold completely. If you don't have a tray, you can fill small paper cups. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid (usually about 6 hours). If you have any leftover liquid before freezing, drink as yummy juice!

Royally Chocolate Shake

Source

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. almond butter
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 pint of So Delicious chocolate coconut milk ice cream
• 3 tsp. BeeAlive Royale Raw Royal Jelly

Yields approximately three 6 oz. servings (one for each triplet!).

Add ingredients to blender. Pour contents into tall glass and enjoy! Feel free to add garnishes such as a frozen banana, chocolate chips or sprinkles.

BeeAlive SERJ(es)OUT at Rockland Road Runners Race

At BeeAlive, we love getting involved in our local community. This past Saturday, July 13, BeeAlive participated in the Women's Distance Festival 5K run/walk at Rockland Lake in Congers, NY. For 26 years, the Women's Distance Festival 5K, presented by Rockland Road Runners, has been the only women’s running or walking event in Rockland County. All proceeds benefit the Rockland Family Shelter, now known as the Center for Safety and Change, a community organization that serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes.

Team BeeAlive arrived at the race bright and early to greet runners with vials of Energy SERJ, BeeAlive's natural energy shot, for a quick, caffeine-free pre-race boost. We "SERJ"ed out a table near the finish line, where race finishers quickly ran to rehydrate with Energy SERJ!

It was a great day. Thanks to Rockland Road Runners for hosting a fantastic race! We can't wait to get involved in more events! Check out photos of the event on our Facebook or the Rockland Road Runners site.

Tommy with his cousin!

Aimee with Evelyn & Julia!

Jen pumping up before she ran the race!

Proud mama Rose raced with her kiddies!

Our Energy SERJ table-topper poster!

In Wake of Massive Bee Kills, Oregon Temporarily Bans Some Pesticide Uses

Bees and other insects can breathe a little easier in Oregon -- for now. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has temporarily banned the use of dinotefuran pesticides responsible for the recent bumbleocalypse in Wilsonville, OR and another massive bee die-off in Hillsboro, OR.

For the next six months, it will be illegal in Oregon to spray Safari or other pesticides containing dinotefuran neonicotinoids. Oregon’s ban comes after more than 50,000 bumblebees and other pollinators were killed when Safari was sprayed over blooming linden trees to control insect plagues in a Target parking lot.

Environmental advocates sued the EPA earlier this year "for its failure to protect pollinators from dangerous pesticides," particularly neonicotinoids.

ODA Director Katy Coba said in a statement that she has directed the ban to help prevent further such “bee deaths connected to pesticide products with this active ingredient until such time as our investigation is completed. Conclusions from the investigation will help us and our partners evaluate whether additional steps need to be considered.”

Somewhat contradictory if you ask us, despite the fact that it will be illegal for landscapers and gardeners to use these pesticides, retailers will still be allowed to sell the products. From The Oregonian:

“We’re not trying to get it off the shelves, or trying to tell people to dispose of it, we’re just telling people not to use it,” said Bruce Pokarney, an ODA spokesperson.

While Pokarney acknowledged it would be difficult to cite individual homeowners, he said licensed pesticide applicators would be violating Oregon regulations if they use dinotefuran-based insecticides on plants in the next 180 days.

The temporary ban only affects pesticide use that might harm pollinators, like bumblebees. Dinotefuran use in flea collars and ant and roach control will still be allowed.

Guess who thinks the ban is not such a good idea?

“We do not believe the scope of these measures is necessary with the information available,” Safari manufacturer Valent said in a statement, “and we will work to get the restrictions lifted as soon as possible.”

At BeeAlive, we think the temporary ban is a step in the right direction. However, we feel a prudent course of action requires sales of the pesticides to be completely suspended until the ban is lifted to prevent uninformed consumers from unknowingly violating the law. At the bare minimum, all products on the shelf should be clearly marked about the restriction on their use.

Six Easy Ways to Stay Hydrated

With summer comes the hot hot heat! Hydration is essential to our bodily function when enjoying the active (and sometimes lazy) days of summer. According to the Institute of Medicine, on average, men need about 12 cups of fluids per day, and women need about 9 cups of fluids. Keep in mind that this is just a general rule of thumb; individuals' fluid requirements will vary depending upon body size, activity level, climate, fiber intake and a number of other factors. Follow these six easy tips to make sure you have the energy for a fun, healthy summer, free of any H-2-Oh-No moments!


Six Easy Ways to Stay Hydrated

1. Create a routine! Try to create “re-hydrating” rituals centered around breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plan to drink eight ounces after a workout, or sip while you do the dishes. Whatever activity you do regularly, associate drinking fluids to it and you’ll be much more likely to follow through.

2. All fluids count! We have all heard about the importance of drinking water, but rest assured that fresh juices, smoothies, protein shakes, milk, seltzer, tea and coffee (in small amounts) are also efficient hydrators. However, try to drink water most of the time -- it's naturally calorie-free, sugar-free and super refreshing.

3. Load up on fruits & veggies! According to the Institute of Medicine, 20 percent of your water intake comes from food sources. Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, grapefruit, broccoli and tomatoes, contain 90 percent or higher water content by weight. These foods can act as an all-in-one meal and beverage, providing essential minerals, natural sugars, amino acids and vitamins that are all lost when dehydrated.

4. Add some flavor! You can infuse water with many fruits and veggies listed above, or jazz your beverage up with a squirt of lemon or lime, or a sprig of mint. Still bored? Create a spritzer by adding a dash of lemonade or limeade to sparkling water or a bit of fresh fruit juice to plain water.

5. Drink in style! Splurge on a fun water bottle you'll want to carry around with you everywhere.

6. Keep it handy! Where do you spend a lot of time? At your desk, in the car, chasing the kids or reading in bed? Keep a glass handy at each location and make a point of filling it before you settle in. Sip while you work, wait, chase or read, and you’ll stay hydrated without even knowing it. Better yet, keep a 20 ounce water bottle at your side and you'll consume even more!

Celebrate Freedom from Mosquitoes this Independence Day!

It doesn't fully feel like summer until the Fourth of July. Whether you're leaving early to stake out a spot at the local fireworks show, splashing in the pool or grilling with friends and family, you're most likely going to be outside, which means falling prey to mosquitoes. Remain mosquito-free while you celebrate your freedom with these tips to combat mosquitoes naturally.

Freedom from Mosquitoes... Naturally

1. Turn On a Fan

Mosquitoes are lightweights. A fan blowing at a speed of two miles per hour is overpowering to a mosquito. Strategically place fans around your deck or patio to get a good bug-free breeze going. Your guests will thank you!

 

2. Plant Lemon Grass

Thai lemon grass contains citronella oil, which has a strong scent that makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to find you. Lemon grass also happens to be a beautiful mounding perennial. Plant some on your property wherever your family and friends like to hang out for a beautiful, bug-free zone.

 

3. Dress Appropriately

Certain species of mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black, blue and red (which can limit your Fourth of July fashion choices). They are also attracted to heat. Stay cool by wearing lighter colors. While you're at it, avoid wearing any scented perfumes or lotions (whose artificial fragrances are not the best for you anyway!).

 

4. Change Your Lightbulbs

Mosquitoes are not attracted to all kinds of light -- just some. Instead of standard bulbs, opt for LEDs, yellow "bug lights" or sodium lamps to reduce the number of mosquitoes swarming as you go in and out of the house during evening hours.

 

5. Apply Catnip Oil

The essential oil in catnip, nepetalactone, repels mosquitoes more effectively than the unhealthy chemical DEET. We can't promise it will keep your neighbor's cat away, but it does serve as an effective insect repellant.

 

6. Build a Bat House

A bat can eat hundreds of insects, mosquitoes included, in under an hour. Build or buy a bat house, hang it in a well-ventilated area, and let those web-winged creatures become your private body guards.

 

7. Spray On Garlic

That's right -- garlic not only repels vampires, but insects, as well. Mix one part garlic juice with five parts water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz yourself as needed.

 

8. Remove Standing Water

Standing water is where mosquitoes breed more mosquitoes. Avoid by clearing your gutters of clogs, filling in sunken parts of your lawn and regularly changing the water in your bird bath or kiddie pool.

 

9. Use A Natural Insect Spray

Before heading outside, put together your own natural bug repellant or pick up some at your nearest health food store. Essential oils and vinegar are great natural alternatives to chemical-based bug sprays that will keep sneaky mosquitoes away -- as long as you reapply every two hours.

 

These tips are a sure-firework way for you to stay safe, happy and healthy this Independence Day... the American Dream!

 

 

 

Source: http://homes.yahoo.com/news/10-ways-to-combat-mosquitoes-naturally-160831018.html?page=all