How To Start Beekeeping

Posted by June Stoyer on January 4th, 2012

Welcome To The Bee-utiful World of Beekeeping!

Beekeeping can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Whether you are an avid gardener, a honey connoisseur or just want to do your part to help the bees, one of the best ways to learn about bees is to have your own hives. In areas such as New York City where they have lifted the ban on beekeeping, it has become a very popular hobby and for some, a new business venture.

Marina Marchese

Marina Marchese handling a frame from her hives.

However, beekeeping is not something that one simply signs up for like a spin class at the gym or can be done in a leisurely manner like a crossword puzzle. It is a big responsibility and is also something that requires a basic understanding of bees. It can also be quite costly if you do not know what you are doing or have good guidance.

In this special segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will be joined by Marina Marchese, author of Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper and Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture Magazine to talk about how you can learn to become a beekeeper. We will talk about options for purchasing equipment, kinds of bees, where to locate your hive, how to find a mentor and so much more! Click here to listen to the show or use the podcast player.

Listen to internet radio with The Organic View on Blog Talk Radio

More About Marina and Kim:
Marina Marchese, who wrote the book Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper is a true renaissance woman and is also an entrepreneur. From her love of honeybees, she discovered the medicinal benefits created by her beloved honeybees. She decided that this was something that needed to be shared with the world and launched Red Bee ® Artisanal Honey. Marina has created an entire line of skin care products that are derived from the honeybee. As a true lover and defender of honeybees, she also educates people about the many misconceptions about bees and why people need to embrace the power that these special beings offer.

Click here to buy Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper:

Kim Flottum is the editor of Bee Culture magazine, the author of The Backyard Beekeeper (Quarry Books, 2005), and an editor of the ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture, 41st Edition (A.R. Root Company, 2006).

Kim Flottum

Kim Flottum, Editor of Bee Culture Magazine

Click here to pick up Kim Flottum’s book, The Backyard Beekeeper:

Want to find a local bee club? Check out Bee Culture’s list:
Beekeepers and Bee Clubs

Interested in top bar hives? Connect with our friend and top bar hive expert, Phil Chandler at Biobees to learn more:

The Barefoot Beekeeper

Free Plans for building top bar hives

Beekeeping Forum

 

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The Boulder Brand

Posted by @TheOrganicView on December 26th, 2011

The people of Boulder County, Colorado have been working very diligently to promote what is referred to as “The Boulder Brand” in an effort to promote organic, good health and sustainable agriculture. After the December 20th deliberations in which the Boulder County Commissioners spoke to endorse genetically modified crops and systemic pesticides, it has been made very clear that there is a set agenda to approve the planting of GM crops on public land.

Although, there are many Boulder County residents who are outraged about this, the County Commissioners failed to step up to their responsibilities to protect the people, to protect the farmers, and to protect the land.

The Boulder Brand

Just how do the people feel about it? The commissioners, otherwise referred to as the “Gang of Three” are each paid $87,000 a year. With the current state of the economy, people ARE paying attention. People are upset and are not going to cower and remain silent. Although, the mainstream media simply refuses to acknowledge any of the opposition (because it is owned by the corporate oligarchy) one disappointed citizen has renamed them the “Gang Of Three “:

The Boulder County Ommissioners

o·mis·sion

noun?/??miSH?n/
omissions, plural

  1. Someone or something that has been left out or excluded
  • - there are glaring omissions in the report

 

  1. The action of excluding or leaving out someone or something
  • - the omission of recent publications from his bibliography

 

  1. A failure to do something, esp. something that one has a moral or legal obligation to do
  • - to pay compensation for a wrongful act or omission
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Liberty Devitto Talks About Why Little Kids Rock

Posted by June Stoyer on December 9th, 2011

It’s Not Just About The 3 R’s

When it comes to education, people tend to think of the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic. Due to the obesity issue with kids, there has been a great deal of emphasis on the importance of sports and fitness. People think that sports can also offer children opportunities to inevitably play in major league clubs, the Olympics, etc. and therefore athletic programs should not be cut. Unfortunately, when it comes to music, not much thought is given as it is often the first to go when it comes down to budget cuts for extra-curricular programs. However, music is something that is such a critical component of our lives. It has been used as a form of communication and is also found throughout nature.

Why Exactly Do Birds Sing?

painted bunting from cornell lab of ornithology

Painted Bunting (Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Birds put a lot of effort into singing, drumming, winnowing, and otherwise displaying. They are trying to impress mates and proclaim territories.*

Rock Me Amadeus

mozart

How different would our world be if Mozart did not receive a musical education?

During the time of Mozart as well as other Masters, one’s ability to sing or play a musical instrument also determined not only how one would be received into society but for women, how well they could marry.

Indeed, it is a critical component to well being and can literally change the course of one’s life. Such is the case with newly discovered artists such as Susan Boyle, Kelly Clarkson, etc.

Rock Legends React

Little Kids Rock

Little Kids Rock provides music instruction for public school students who have been left behind due to budget cuts.

There is a non-profit organization that is on a mission to change this called Little Kids Rock. It was founded by some of the greatest names in the music world. LKR currently reaches over 74,000 kids across America! When it comes to making sure every kid gets a first-rate education, music matters! LKR believes that learning to play a musical instrument can be a transformative experience in students’ lives, with the power to inspire the creativity and confidence that are critical to success in school and beyond. They are devoted to restoring and revitalizing music education in U.S. public schools. They bring free musical instruments and music instruction to underserved schools across the country. If you would like to find out about how you can get involved, visit LittleKidsRock.org and donate today!

The Interview

In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will be joined by the legendary rock drummer, Liberty Devitto (known for his tenure with Billy Joel) to discuss his work with Little Kids Rock! Click here to listen to the LIVE interview.

Liberty Devitto

American Legend, Liberty Devitto

A Little More For Liberty Devitto Fans:

Liberty Devitto is legendary American Rock Drummer from Brooklyn, New York and loved by all New Yorkers, especially the folks from Long Island, where he grew up. Although he is best known for his work as the drummer for Billy Joel’s band, he has played with the biggest names in the music industry such as Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Snow, Richie Supa, Felix Caveliere’s Rascals, Mitch Ryder, Billy Joel/Elton John, Paul McCartney, Billy J. Kramer, Ronnie Spector, Joan Jett, Jeff Carlisi, Rob Auther, Peter Frampton, Will Lee, Mitch Ryder, Tone Loc, Denise Williams, Wild Cherry, Sam the Sham, Patty Smyth , Louis Prima  Jr, Doctor Hook, Shelia E and so many other talented performers.

He continues to play with the NYC Hit Squad and has been a session drummer on recordings of other artists. He is a Drummer, Clinician, Lecturer, Songwriter, Producer and clearly a man of many talents. His latest project is called Camp Jam, which is America’s most comprehensive rock camp. Guitar players, bass players, keyboard players, drummers and vocalists can unleash their inner rock star at Camp Jam. This isn’t just limited to kids either! They have programs available for all ages and ability levels! Here is a video of Liberty Devitto’s song, Money In A Card©. Now doesn’t this song put you in the Christmas spirit?

Money In A Card

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The Mar-TEA-nee Recipe

Posted by June Stoyer on December 3rd, 2011

What’s red and orange and absolutely the BEST way to have a little cheer this Christmas and New Year’s Eve? It’s an organic “Mar-Tea-nee” of course! This featured recipe also includes products from The Organic View Radio Show’s “Best of 2011” nominations! I personally love my martini’s stirred, NOT shaken. Just a little gentle stirring is all that is needed to allow the flavors to incorporate. Evidently, James Bond didn’t appreciate organics the way my organic good food friends and I do.

The Mar-TEA-nee!

by

CHARTREUSE Organic Teas

- A Chicago HIT -

 

martini recipe

Photo credit: June Stoyer, The Organic View Radio Show©

Ingredients:

  • 4oz Chartreuse Organic ‘Tucson Bold’ Herbal Tea
  • Bainbridge Distillers Organic ‘Legacy’ Vodka
  • 2 cubes of Native Forest Organic Pineapple
  • 1 Uncle Matt’s Organic Orange

Directions:

  1. In a well-chilled Martini glass, add 4oz of chilled, strong brewed Chartreuse Organic ‘Tucson Bold’ Herbal Tea, add 1oz of chilled Bainbridge Distillers Organic ‘Legacy’ Vodka, two cubes of Native Forest Organic Pineapple on a little pick in the glass (instead of an olive) and a slice of an Uncle Matt’s Organic Orange on the rim of the glass.
  2. Stir, serve and enjoy!
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Carousing Cucumber Rounds with Rummy Hummus

Posted by June Stoyer on November 28th, 2011

When people think of vegan food, they often think it is going to contain the stereotypical granola, bean sprouts and tofu. However, there are a lot of plant based dishes that can be deliciously prepared with a splash of alcohol!

Author John Schlimm Photo credit Steven K

Author, John Schlimm "The Tipsy Vegan" Photo credit Steven K

Listen To John Schlimm, author of The Tipsy Vegan

(published by Da Capo Press, available December 1, 2011!)

In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will be joined by special guest John Schlimm to talk about the never ending happy hour that takes place inside the world of The Tipsy Vegan! Click here to listen to the interview!

Carousing Cucumber Rounds with Rummy Hummus Recipe

Recipe courtesy of Da Capo Press.

These little ditties will have you and your guests spinning round, round, round while the good times roll. The crunchy cucumbers cool down the assertive and spicy, lightly rummy hummus, bringing balance and satisfaction to your tummy.

The Tipsy Vegan

Carousing Cucumber Rounds with Rummy Hummus

Always use locally produced organic indgredients!

Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can of organic chickpeas, rinsed and drained thoroughly
2 canned organic chipotle peppers, stemmed if necessary, with a teaspoon of the adobo sauce they were canned with (add more peppers, if desired)
1 large organic garlic clove, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh organic lemon juice
3 tablespoons organic tahini (mixed well before measuring)
2 tablespoons organic extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white rum (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 large English (seedless) cucumber
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted in a dry skillet just until golden brown

Directions:
In a medium bowl, place the chickpeas, chipotles, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, white rum, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Puree with an immersion blender, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, about 2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Or use a standing blender (see note below).

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the cucumber skin lengthwise at 1/4-inch intervals to create a striped pattern around the circumference of the cucumber and slice it crosswise into 1/4-inch rounds. If the cucumber skin is tough, peel the entire cucumber. Arrange the cucumber discs on a platter.

To assemble, just before serving, lightly salt the cucumber rounds. Top each round with a generous teaspoon of hummus. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Yield: ABOUT 35 HORS D’OEUVRES

Note: Don’t be tempted to use a food processor to make this spread because you won’t get that perfectly smooth texture.

 

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