Organic Beekeeper Shares Behind the Scenes Photos & Video of Bees Making Honey

Lifestyle

Honey Bee Local Honey

Earlier this year I wrote about my family's fascination during our visit to a honey bee farm in New Zealand. Now here's an even more interesting post stateside about a mom of six who is also a professional beekeeper right here in the USA that I think you'll appreciate, especially if you are a parent.

Mom & Beekeeper, by Rachel Rovner Photography

"Any other moms or dads out there driving twin five-year-olds and 20,000 honeybees around town in their minivan?" That’s actually word-for-word what Ohio organic beekeeper Amalia Haas, the sole proprietor of HoneyBeeLocal posted as a Facebook status update recently.  The mother of a half dozen children from 5 years old through 18, this singer-storyteller-educator and serial environmental entrepreneur assures me that there is no reason to be alarmed: the ride home was very peaceful and the twins even fell asleep.

A look at her homegrown small business website shows why Amalia’s innovative, STEM- and narrative-based programs have her teaching schedule buzzing as much as her beeyards.  Not long ago I caught her in the act running gracefully from leading a Hands-on-Honey workshop (with 5th graders) to a presentation for adults on What’s Killing the Pollinators and How to Save them From Your Backyard.  But this fascinating and friendly mom turned professional beekeeper grows reflective when asked to describe how she got involved in the world of bees. 

"I was designing children’s gardens and programs," says Amalia, “getting kids singing, mimicking plants’ stages of growth, and working the soil.

Image by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

"When I became passionate about health and sustainability -- really wanting to see the best for the next generation -- I couldn’t help but notice the forgotten pollinators," she recalls. “Hardly a plant on earth would bear fruit were it not visited by a bee.  That’s when I felt the calling to begin keeping bees. But the devotion of the honeybees to their calling, the complexity of the workings of the hive, have inspired in me a humility and radical amazement I could never have anticipated.

"I have six children of my own," Amalia tells me, "but no matter what I am up to, my bees are always working harder. They don’t stop! And their work makes the world better for every living thing.  As I work toward my Master Organic Beekeeper certification, I love performing for groups -- both children and adults -- and inspiring an awareness of how the beehive, like human societies, is a socially complex and sophisticated community with fascinating parallels to our own.  It deserves to be protected and cherished, and in providing for the welfare of the bees, we are really ensuring the health of the world for us, our children and future generations.

Amalia Haas, by Rachel Rovner Photography

"In my chemical-free approach to beekeeping,” Amalia points out, “I am extremely careful to only harvest honey that is a surplus well beyond what the bees need for themselves. Furthermore, I never, ever utilize artificial food in a hive.  Real, whole food is what is best for us, and the bees flourish when they eat what is whole food for them: pollen and floral nectar.” 

Don’t miss this Midwestern bee lady's short video rescuing an endangered colony of bees -- it will literally blow you away with wonderment! For sure this live action mini film of nature at work is something you and your kids will be fascinated to watch together. I am so inspired by Amalia’s story and her love of the natural world, and I hope by reading this post you are too. Truly, there is so much we each can easily do to help the bees flourish: with simple practices such as replacing flowerless turf areas with native and perennial flowers, advocating for the planting of pollinator corridors and organic land management in our cities and suburbs.

Honey Bee Local Honey Hostess Set, Photo by Maria Alvarez 

For my own family I’ve already ordered the Honey Bee Local's three-jar hostess set you see pictured above (reasonably priced at $30 plus shipping) consisting of a trio of 8oz corked handpacked glass jars of light, medium and dark honeys and I can’t wait till it arrives. A variety of sizes, different types of honeys and packages are available ranging in price from $2.50 to $38 plus shipping. So, you might want to consider ordering some of these fabulous natural honeys, too.

About Honey Bee Local & Honey Bee Jewish 
Amalia is currently offering nationwide shipping of beautifully packaged jars of three types of varietal raw honey for Fall as well as for Rosh HaShanah, the upcoming Jewish New Year. Learn more about her educational and entertainment programs here including educational programs for teens and adults and programming for school and community organizations.

For those celebrating the holiday starting at sundown Sunday, September 13th, let’s hope that by pairing Amalia’s approach to beekeeping with all of us doing our share, her honey will truly be the start of a New Year that is both Sweet and Good.

Honey Bee Local

How to Order 

Natural Raw Honey 

To order your own organic honey from Amalia’s end-of-summer harvest, which is perfect straight out of the jar as a sweetener in drinks and food or in your homemade cooking and baking recipes, click here. But order soon because, as in past years, Honey Bee Local & Honey Bee Jewish honeys are expected to sell out. Note: For guaranteed Rosh Hashanah delivery online orders must be placed no later than Monday, September 7th (Labor Day).

Have questions or would like more information? Reach out to Amalia Haas of Honey Bee Local and Honey Bee Jewish on the company's official site or by calling (330) 552-8BEE.

FTC Disclosure:  No payment or other compensation was received in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Winn-Dixie Rosh Hashanah Twitter Party with Prizes August 31 from 8:30-9:30 pm ET

Twitter Party

This is a sponsored post

You're not going to want to miss our Winn-Dixie Rosh Hashanah Twitter Party tonight, Monday, August 31 from 8:30-9:30 pm ET. We'll be talking about getting ready for the upcoming holiday with delicious recipes and creative entertaining ideas as well as giving away fabulous Winn-Dixie food giftbaskets and autographed copies of Jamie Geller's Joy of Kosher cookbook. 

This exclusive Twitter event celebrates the Jewish New Year which this year begins at sundown on Sunday, September 13th. Joining the party tonight is easy and fun. All you have to do is RSVP, join in the chat and enjoy yourself!

Date & Time

Monday, August 31, 2015
8:30 to 9:30 pm ET

Follow All Party Panelists

@JoyofKosher
@JoyofKosherMag
@TamarGenger
@JamieGeller
@WinnDixie
@MommyBlogExpert

Prizes

SIX (6) Winn-Dixie prize packs to WIN include giftbaskets plus signed Joy of Kosher cookbook by Jamie Geller.

Hashtag

#WinnDixieKosher

RSVP HERE

Find Lots MORE Twitter Parties w/ Prizes 

on MBE's Master Twitter Party Calendar

FTC Disclosure: I disclose I am being compensated for my involvement with the #WinnDixieKosher Twitter Party. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar with Prizes Aug 30

Twitter Parties

Master Twitter Party Calendar - Including USA & Canada

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Consumers:

Keep reading to get all the details in this free constantly updated Master Twitter Chat Party Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. A new weekly Twitter Party Schedule is published every Sunday at 9 am ET.

Be sure to check back often during each week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

The majority of parties are for U.S. only, unless indicated otherwise. Look for highlights in pink for Twitter Parties where CANADA residents are eligible for prizes.

Constant Updates plus Sneak Peek at Future Weeks

THIS WEEK

#WinnDixieKosher Twitter Party, Aug 31 at 8:30 pm ET

Sunday, August 30

Gerber Chew U Pinterest Party from 4 to 4:30 pm ET with @sitsgirls. Prizes: TWO (2) $100 Amazon giftcards, ONE (1) customized Gerber Chew U prize package ARV $300. #GerberChewU

Lunch With Minute Rice Sweeps Pinterest Party from 7 to 7:30 pm ET with @sitsgirls. Prizes: THREE (3) $100 Amazon giftcards. #LunchWithMinuteSweeps

Dove Speak Beautiful Live from the Red Carpet Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @dove @clever_network. Prizes: SIX (6) $100 American Express giftcards, ONE (1) Grand Prize $200 AmEx GC. #SpeakBeautiful

Gel Nails Chat Twitter Party from 9 to 9:30 pm ET with @melissaellefsen @fivemenandalady. Prizes: THREE (3) Jamberry nail products, ONE (1) Grand Prize $120 Jamberry gel nails kit. #GelNailsChat

Monday, August 31

G Free Pizza Night Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @freschetta @aleamilham @suburbiau and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Publix giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Publix GCs. #GFreePizzaNight

Nintendo 2DS For Less Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @momcentral. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 giftcodes, SIX (6) prize packs that include Nintendo 2DS portable game consoles + $50 GC. #2DSForLess

Sip Smarter Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @dawnchats @smashbravoteam @peanutsgang2004 and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, ONE (1) $150 VISA GC, ONE (1) $300 VISA GC. #SipSmarter

The Benefits of FiOS Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @theonlinemom. Prizes: ONE (1) Kindle Fire HDX. #VZWBuzz

Manwich Monday Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @crissy @parentpretty @simplystacienet. Prizes: FIVE (5) prize packs including Manwich swag, products + $50 giftcard - BOTH US & Canada residents eligible for prizes.#ManwichMonday

Winn-Dixie Rosh Hashanah Kosher Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET with @joyofkosher @joyofkoshermag @jamiegeller @tamargenger @mommyblogexpert. Prizes: SIX (6) Winn-Dixie gift baskets that include a signed copy of Joy of Kosher cookbook by Jamie Geller. #WinnDixieKosher

Back to School Challenges at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @meganshamy and others. Prizes: $250 TownePlace Suites giftcard. #TMom #TMomMilitary

#FunFestiveBday Twitter Party, Sept. 1 at 1 pm ET

Tuesday, September 1

Erase Stress Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @pilotpenusa @outnumberedmama @donnahup and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #EraseStress 

Elmers DIY Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Elmers. Prizes: THREE (3) Elmer's prize packs. #ElmersDIYParty 

Fun Festive Birthday Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @teleflora @somedayilllearn @mommyblogexpert. Prizes: $850 VISA giftcards including SEVEN (7) $50 GCs, TWO (2) $100 GCs, ONE (1) $300 + TEN (10) Teleflora bouquets. #FunFestiveBday

So Fab U on the Road Atlanta Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @sofabuniversity @sofabuotr @themommyfiles and others. Prizes: FOUR (4) Passes to SoFabUOTR ARV $99, ONE (1) $100 gas card, ONE (1) $250 Walmart GC, ONE (1) 16 GB tablet mini tablet + more. #SoFabUOTR

Love One Today Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @haasavocados @candicekumai @momcentral. Prizes: EIGHT (8) $50 giftcodes. #LoveOneToday

Clean Slate Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @crowdtappers @whitneymws @stacieinatlanta and others. Prizes: $750 in giftcards. #CleanSlate

Airbrush Perfect Legs Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @sallyhansen_np @influenstervox. Prizes: TBA. #AirbrushPerfectLegs

IoTForHome Twitter Party at 7:30 pm ET with @verizonwireless @merrittlbliss @itsfreeatlast and others. Prizes: ONE (1) Belkin Wemo light switch, ONE (1) Jawbone Mini Jambox Graphite Facet, ONE (1) Chamberlain MyQ Garage Operator. #IoTForHome

Homeschool Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ihomeschoolnet @apologiaworld @writewellapp and others. Prizes: TBA. #ihsnet

Wednesday, September 2

Happy Blending Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @chobani @dodomesticdad @kristak2 and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Kroger giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Kroger GCs. #HappyBlending

One Stop Shop for Baby Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @thesimpleparent @littlemamajama @dentistmel and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Babies R Us giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Babies R Us GCs. #OneStopShopForBaby

Zingspiration Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @zingstevia @clever_network.  Prizes: SIX (6) prize packs including $50 Walmart giftcard + Zig swag and product. #MyZingspiration

We Love Mr Robot Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @beinglatino @lancerios and others. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 VISA giftcards, ONE (1) $100 VISA GC, ONE (1) $200 VISA GC. #WeLoveMrRobot

It's OK to be a Gamer Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: ONE (1) MOGA ProPower Wireless Controller, ONE (1) LG G4 smartphone to win at the Twitter Party plus chance to win another LG G4 at the Video Chat immediately following. #VZWBuzz

Forward Banking Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @tangerinebank. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 giftcards - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #ForwardBanking

Trymester App Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @linkedmoms @downshiftingpro @trymesterapp and others. Prizes: ONE (1) iPad Mini - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #TrymesterApp

Peanut Power Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @peanutrd @katiemorford @peanutfarmers. Prizes: Georgia Grinders peanut butter, Mighty Nut powered peanut butter and more. #PeanutPower

Right Plan Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @techlicious @sprintnews @travelingmoms. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners will get their choice of an Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, or Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone, plus ONE (1) Grand Prize family 4-pack of smartphones ARV up to $3000 will be awarded. #RightPlan

Purell at Target Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @stacieinatlanta @kellystilwell @7onashoestring and others. Prizes: SIX (6) Purell prize packs, ONE (1) $100 giftcard, ONE (1) $200 GC. #PurellChallenge

#FindYourAXE Twitter Party, Sept. 3 at 8 pm ET

Thursday, September 3

Count Me In Carters Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @momcentral @carters. Prizes: EIGHT (8) $50 Carter's giftcards. #CountMeInCarters

Music Together Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @kiwimagazine @momsmeet. Prizes: $50 giftcard. #MusicTogether #sweepstakes

Effortless Meals Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @mycokerewards @blm03 @laughwithusblog and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #EffortlessMeals

AXE Men Back to College Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @momspark @momsparkmedia @mommyblogexpert @notasupermom. Prizes: SIX (6) Sam's Club cards $75-$175, AXE prize packs, a pair of high performance headphones. #AXETeamApollo #AXETeamPhoenix #FindYourAXE

Friday, September 4

Sip and Be Fit Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @freebies4mom @ruralmoms @smashbravoteam. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #SipAndBeFit

Saturday, September 5

Saying Goodbye Book Launch Twitter Party at 5 pm ET with @jenniferlott. Prizes: $5 Amazon and Starbuck giftcards, coffee mugs, copy of ebook A Soul to Shine. #SayingGoodbye

NEXT WEEK

Monday, September 7

Label Day Weekend Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @mabelhood. Prizes: TBA. #LabelDayWknd

Tuesday, September 8

I am Protective Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @protectivelife @freebies4mom @dentistmel and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #IamProtective

Orange Tuesday Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @costumeexpress @momtosprouts. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 CostumesExpress.com giftcards, ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 CostumesExpress GC. #OrangeTuesday

Wednesday, September 9

Refresh The Routine Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @coryanneettiene @stonefirenaan. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 VISA giftcards, ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 VISA GC + Anolon cookware set. #RefreshTheRoutine

Green Back to School Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @greenmomsco @pongcase @r3volved and others. Prizes: ONE (1) Pong Case, ONE (1) bundle R3volved school supplies, ONE (1) Green Moms Collective lunch gear prize pack - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #GreenBTS

Care Bears Share Your Care Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @blogginmamas @carebearfriend @heloenterprises and others. Prizes: SIX (6) Care Bears prize packages TBA. #ShareYourCare

Music Arts Back to School Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @thenetworkniche @therockfather @optimistic_mama and others. Prizes: Music Arts giftcards plus TWO (2) winners will get a musical instrument of their choice. #MusicArtsBTS

Thursday, September 10

Sam's Club Baby Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @amomsimpression. Prizes: FOURTEEN (14) prizes including FIVE (5) $45 Sam's Club Membership giftcards, FIVE (5) $100 Sam's Club GCs and more - see RSVP link for full prize descriptions. #SamsClubBaby

Friday, September 11

Towards a More Connected Home Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TBA. #VZWBuzz

COMING SOON 

Monday, September 14

Manwich Mondays Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @moderndaymoms. Prizes: TBA. #ManwichMondays 

Taste of Canada Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @foodbloggersca. Prizes: Two (2) tickets ARV $100 to Taste of Canada and various cookbooks - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #TasteCanada2015

Tuesday, September 15

Responsible Pet Owner Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @charlottereed @petrendologist and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, ONE (1) $25 VISA GC and more. #PetrendsTweets

Wednesday, September 16

PlayDoh Twitter Party with @modernmom and others. Time and Prizes TBA. Follow hashtag #PlayDoh

Thursday, September 17

RESP with RBC Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @sweetmamabrady @rbc and others. Prizes: SIX (6) $150 VISA giftcards - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #RESPwithRBC

Friday, September 18

Preparing for Emergencies Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TBA. #VZWBuzz

Doctor Who Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @officialfye. Prizes: TBA. #DoctorWhoFYE

Tuesday, September 22

Supporting Friends Struggling to Conceive Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC

Thursday, September 25

TBA

Friday, September 26

Apps for a More Organized Life Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TBA. #VZWBuzz

Tuesday, September 29

UNT Beautytalk Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @shespeaksup and others. Prizes: TBA. #UNTBeautyTalk

Wednesday, October 7

Kale Day 2015 Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @motherthyme @produceforkids @nationalkaleday. Prizes: TBA. #KaleDay2015

Tuesday, October 13

Happy Pet Halloween Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @charlottereed @petrendologist and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, ONE (1) $25 VISA GC and more. #PetrendsTweets

Wednesday, October 14

Healthy Mind & Body Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC

Tuesday, November 10

Safe Pet Holidays Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @charlottereed @petrendologist and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, ONE (1) $25 VISA GC and more. #PetrendsTweets

Thursday, November 12

Fertility Issues & Relationships Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC


About this Weekly Twitter Party List

Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Master Twitter Party Calendar, the most comprehensive, constantly updated Free resource of its kind online. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar.

For Brands

How to Add a Twitter Party

to the Calendar

Add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Master Twitter Party Calendar FREE by emailing janis at janiselspas.com with "Twitter Party" in subject line including all details and links in the body of your message.

Hire MBE to Plan, Promote and/or 

Host Your Twitter Party

Also available, for a nominal fee, to plan, promote, host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please janis at janiselspas.com for information with "Twitter Party Consulting Query" in the subject line.


FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a consultant, host, co-host, and/or panelist for others. Except for the #WinnDixieKosher Twitter Party on 8/31/15,  the #FunFestiveBday Twitter Party on 9/1/15, and the AXE Men Back to College Twitter Party on 9/3/15, I am not receiving payment or compensation associated with any party on this calendar. See complete FTC disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.