Bee Wise

Happy Wednesday, friends! We're thrilled with all of the positive feedback over the new blog and we are so thankful for this space to share. Thank you for being here! Today I want to take a little time to go deeper into who we are and how/why we've been inspired to create 

HOME IN THE HIVE.

The history: A few years ago I was really getting into organic gardening and I began learning about the importance of plant reproduction through the act of pollination. By observing this process in my own garden, I came to the awareness that the human race and all of Earth's ecosystems would not survive without our precious pollinators, namely the honeybee. 

To give you an idea... in a 2011 press release from the U.N., the statistic was revealed 

"...of the 100 crop species that supply 90 percent of the world's food, bees pollinate more than 70 percent."

Honeybees have inhabited the earth since prehistoric times. Ancient Egyptians were believed to be the first beekeepers. Beeswax was used for embalming and mummification. We now use the honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis created by bees in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. 

Over the years I have come to love bee-related products, and to rely on the countless holistic benefits brought to Earth by the honeybee. We'll be talking much more about all of those benefits in future posts, so stay tuned!

The impact: Shortly after learning the importance of honeybees and hearing about the Colony Collapse Disorder I began my research into backyard beekeeping. Although I have not yet been blessed with a space that allows me to do so, what I have learned about the mechanics of a honeybee hive has inspired my life in great ways. The honeybee colony is one of nature's most complex and beautiful animal societies. Thousands of bees integrate together to function as a whole to collect nectar, pollen, and water needed to sustain the life of the hive. They communicate through dance, compose their hives of scientifically perfect formations, and strive for immaculately clean living. And that's just the beginning! Over the next few weeks I'll be continuing to highlight the amazing attributes of the honeybee society. 

How it all relates: In his book, Honeybee Democracy, world-renowned animal behaviorist Thomas Seeley concludes that "...what works well for bees can also work well for people: any decision-making group should consist of individuals with shared interests and mutual respect, a leader's influence should be minimized, debate should be relied upon, diverse solutions should be sought, and the majority should be counted on for a dependable resolution." 

As Oscar and I embark on the adventure of starting a family, we find our intentions to be of the upmost importance. By modeling our home after that of the honeybee hive, we believe that peace, cooperation, and productivity will be in abundance. It is our greatest desire to live from a place of holistic wellbeing and to remain true to our naturally-born roles within the home. We are so proud to be building our HIVE and can't wait to share in the journey with you!