Nancy Phillips

I make ghee all the time, and I make medicated (herbal infused ghee) as well (as in Ayurveda). But I start with making heavy whipping cream made into yogurt first,  then whip the 'yogurt' cream into butter, with the remaining buttermilk being heavenly (takra) and wonderful for the gut. (old way)

I don't skim the top, but let the solids fall to the bottom and get dark golden brown. The ghee and solids should smell toasted, but definitely not burnt. The milk solids can be eaten as a snack or fed to pets. At first, the cooking ghee will have big bubbles as the water boils out, then goes quieter with just foam and small bubbles. Be careful of not burning the ghee and bottom solids at this time, stirring often, going slow.

Some people use a crockpot. If your ghee is grainy, it has just cooled too slowly. You can re-melt the ghee by running the closed jar under hot water, then sticking it in the fridge for faster cool. If the ghee starts turning white and has an off smell, it has gone bad.

Hi Ray! Spilanthes is the 'toothache herb', I'm growing some now.

You can chew on the little ball shaped flower, it zings sim to Echinacea, and numbs the mouth.

You can prob find a tincture. I would make a tea/mouth swish with it along with clove buds, maybe yarrow.

I had a crown fall off,  its a little exposed and will start to get inflamed and hurt. Using this and Thyme herb tea (to drink, and also make a mouth swish

with salt) took care of it right away.

Thanks for your reply Ernie! I have no idea about the kind of mothballs. They were in baggies or loose on top of the frames. They just really smell bad. I was wondering if flame would help?

Hey All!
I recently received a donation of a langstroth hive, many boxes, nice....but they were stored with moth balls. I was very upset when I discovered this....as mb make me ill, let alone small bees. I don't use ANY chemicals in my beekeeping.

My question is - is there any hope for this hive? I'm going to cut out all the wax and foundation from the frames ( I prefer natural comb anyway) but what about the wood? They are currently out in the sun, rain and alt cold and warmth.

I otherwise have 3 Warre' hives and wanted to experiment with a lang.

Thanks so much for any thoughts.

Nancy

Woo Hoo! Thanks Todd! It will be awesome!

Jeff.....I had NO support or help here regarding natural beekeeping, though lots for conventional. So I finally brought someone here from Oregon who is a biodynamic farmer and beekeeper. She did a consultation for me and it really helped. I am hosting her for a 2 day natural beekeeping class in October. (There is a flyer up under Regenerative Beekeeping thread).

I've really been lucky with low varroa count and not done any treatments.

Thanks Bill!

I'm adding the jpg of flyer then, if you don't mind

Having trouble - this is off a FB page. I'm having trouble getting a proper address from my picture files.

https://www.facebook.com/GreenFriendsChicago/photos/a.815430728536150.1073741832.518623611550198/911534352259120/?type=1&theater

Nancy

Hi Jeff!

I keep bees in Warre' hives here Elburn, IL which is mostly west of Chicago near st charles and geneva.

These colonies overwinter beautifully....I think the design overcomes many of the Langstroth box winter challenges. The Warre quilt with wood shavings and dimensions seems to nip pesky condensation/wettness issues in the bud. I also keep my bottom screens open all year. Their varrhoa levels are super low.

The guy who tests our water supply keeps langs on site. He unfortunatly lost all 8 of his hives one winter, lost a 2 one year, 4 another.
Warre' no winter losses.

All this being said...I'm thinking about experimenting with a log hive in a tree, maybe golden hive.....and a kind of shelter open on the south. We have really bad wind problems here.

Do you have Warre's or just thinking about them?

Nancy

Hey All!

I live and volunteer at a Humanitarian NFP site, 142 acres here in Illinois. We are doing lots of things, permaculture, organic CSA to feed people, started a Monarch release project as beginning to other butterfly restoration. Two acres of echinacea is going gung-ho....Medicinal Herbs expanding next season. We are in our 3rd year, so much done yet still just setting up and getting started.

I take care of our bees in Warre Hives. It's super hard to get support out here in what I'm trying to do....let alone mentoring, so I've been having someone come out to help. She is amazing and I was blown away by her insight and confidence I gained.

If anyone is interested, We are having a Restorative Natural Beekeeping seminar this October 17-18th. Is 2 days, one long one shorter.
For new beeks, bee fans and conventional beekeepers wanting to learn about natural, biodynamic and bee restorative practices.
Both days, including vegetarian meals and overnight in a pretty spiffy urban-y lodge is $140. Is $90. w/o lodging, and 65/35 if you can only make one of the days.
Being taught by Kerry Jehanne, was mentioned in Queen of the Sun. She is a biodynamic farmer and beekeeper of over 14 years. Lives in Southern Oregon now.

You can contact: Events.MACC@gmail.com, or me....
I can also try and post a flyer here if allowed.

Please Please please...any illinois res...let me know if/when any natural beekeeping stuff is happening! Here in the epicenter of GMO fields! Luckily we are mostly surronded by DNR prairie restoration and a national park.

Bee Love!! Nancy

Hi Dave!

I just got through my first year of beekeeping in a Warre' hive,..outside of Chicago on a 141 acre site owned by a NFP. We're doing all organic, permaculture etc.
Chicago has been extremely bitter and am hoping for the best. They were really strong going in. I've been following the info from Jacqueline Freeman on forum, and interested in the bee hut idea. When reading about location and going to local meetings, I heard so much about importance of sun. They say Warre takes care of ventillation/helps cooling in summer so can take more direct sun than lang. So I'm confused about its use here vs sunny west coast. I'll get to ask her...if all goes well she'll be giving a talk at our place in August.

How is your winter going so far?