Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is an essential component of the mixologist's repertoire.  Typically made with granulated sugar and water, it is used to sweeten iced drinks and cocktails alike.  This recipe is just as easy to prepare, and will add depth of flavor to any beverage.

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Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Honey (works best with a low viscosity honey, such as Love a Bee Smokey Sage)
• 1/2 cup Hot Water

Instructions:

1. Measure honey and transfer to a mixing bowl or jar. 

2.  Add the same amount of hot water (from the tap – boiling water can destroy the beneficial properties present in raw honey).  If using a bowl, stir with a fork or a whisk until combined.  If using a jar, screw the lid on tightly and shake for twenty seconds.

Honey Oatmeal Cookies

Anytime of year, anytime of day, any kind of occasion, any kind of mood, cookies always make sense.

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Also, if you're looking to make them a tad bit sweeter, feel free to add however many semi sweet chocolate chips in as well! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup honey (San Joaquin Flame, highly recommended) 
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Beat together shortening, honey, egg, water, and vanilla until creamy. Add combined remaining ingredients; mix well.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

Honey Mustard Rosemary Glazed Carrots

This healthy, easy, and oh-so-delicious recipe was adapted from thehealthyfoodie.com . Carrots are jam-packed with beta carotene, or Vitamin A -- great for the skin, hair, nails, and eyes. Beta carotene is an antioxidant, so you'll be fighting free radicals as you enjoy this delicious meal or side dish.

Image courtesy of me! 

Ingredients:

• About 2 pounds medium sized carrots (I used multicolor)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Love A Bee honey (we recommend San Joaquin Flame)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp Himalayan or fine salt
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• A handful of chopped fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F
2. Brush the carrots under running water. Cut them in half lenghtwise and place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a seperate bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, rosemary, mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Mix until very well combined and pour over reserved carrots. Mix to coat evenly and spread in a single layer in a shallow baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once or twice, until the carrots are tender and have taken a nice golden coloration.
5. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Honey and Pollen Granola Bars

Goodness to go.
Peanut butter, pollen and honey, what could be better?

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Ingredients:

1 medium, very ripe banana, peeled cups raw oat flakes

1 cup raw almond butter or natural peanut butter

1/4 cup raw Love a Bee honey- we recommend our Sunflower Honey

2 TBSP love a bee pollen

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Coconut oil, raw and unrefined

Instructions:

1. First, combine banana, oats, nut butter, honey, pollen, vanilla, and cinnamon in a food processor, or mix by hand in a large bowl. The second method will preserve the flakes of oatmeal in the granola bars.

2. Next, coat a large pan with coconut oil, and oil your hands well. Spread the dough evenly on the bottom of the pan. Cover with wax paper and place in the freezer for 24 hours; the dough should become firm and chewy.

3. After 24 hours, cut the bars into preferred sizes, and store the bars in a sealed container in the freezer. Enjoy!!

Recipe adapted from sparkrecipes.com

Hot Water, Lemon, and Honey: The Cure

It's that time of year again! That's right, cold season. No one likes having a bad case of the sniffles, but it's a good excuse to try this warm and soothing drink made with real honey!

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Ingredients:

1 c. water

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 1/2 tsp Love A Bee honey

1 small pc. ginger root (optional)

dash of cayenne powder (optional)

Instructions: 

1. Boil water and add ingredients, stirring to mix. When fully combined, pour into a mug, stir in honey, and enjoy!

Acai Bowl Topped with Raw Honey

Even with winter approaching, we can't get enough of this frozen treat. Made with the super-food acai and drizzled with antioxidant-rich raw honey, this bowl is the ideal snack, and it's healthy, too!

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Ingredients:

To Blend:

1 packet of frozen acai (can be purchased in the frozen foods section of most grocery and health food stores)

1/2 c. frozen mango

1 banana

1/4 c. fresh strawberries (optional)

1-2 tsp. apple juice or almond milk

Toppings:

1/4 c. natural granola

1/2 sliced banana

1-2 tsp. Love A Bee honey

1 tsp dark chocolate chips (optional)

coconut shavings

Instructions:

1. Blend acai, banana, mango, berries, and apple juice/almond milk in smoothie blender until fully combined with a thick consistency.

2. Pour into bowl and top with granola, fruit, and chocolate as desired.

3. Drizzle some raw honey on top for sweetness! Enjoy!

Honey Pecan Butter

This rich honey-infused butter can be used as a cooking base or a buttery spread, and makes a perfect pairing for both sweet and savory treats! 

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Ingredients:

8 tsp. (1 stick) sweet/unsalted butter, room temperature

1 c. pecans, halved

1/4 c. Love a Bee honey- we recommend San Joaquin Flame for sweetness

Instructions: 

1. Combine all ingredients in food processor, and pulse several times until blended well

2. Pecans should remain as small chunks. Enjoy!

Tip: Try substituting 2 tsp. orange zest for pecans for a citrus-y spread!

Adapted from original recipe "Honey Pecan Butter" in "The New Basics Cookbook", by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins.

Pumpkin Honey Bread - Seasonal

With fall festivities approaching quickly, this seasonal recipe will make the perfect snack, gift, or Thanksgiving treat, using sustainable and natural honey!

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw Love A Bee honey
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. In large bowl, cream honey with butter until light and fluffy, then stir in pumpkin.

2. Beat in eggs one at a time until thoroughly mixed. Sift together remaining ingredients and stir into pumpkin mixture.

3. Divide batter equally between two well-greased 9 x5 x 3-inch loaf pans.

4. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let loaves cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert pans to remove loaves and allow to finish cooling on racks.

ENJOY!

Honey Healing Mask

The soothing healing properties of raw honey have been used by beauticians for centuries; why not try them out with this easy home-made facial?

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Ingredients:

1 teaspoon raw Love A Bee honey

1 teaspoon mashed avocado

1 teaspoon plain whole milk yogurt

Instructions:

1. Mix mask until smooth, and apply to cleansed skin. Let mask sit for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Results: 

This mask softens skin with toning honey, moisturizing avocado, and lactic acid that refines and smooths pores.

Recipe courtesy of livingthenourishedlife.com