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Author Topic: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)  (Read 26276 times)

Offline Dane Bramage

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2007, 10:41:41 pm »
So Dane, after your post about your major flow, still think you won't get 112 lbs/hive this year? Sounds like you're gonna be giving it a good shot!

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=9674.msg62991#msg62991

heh!  Well, I've added 10 more supers.   8-)  I'll definitely have to keep up w/the accounting and see.  If it were just the blackberry I'd already be done with any surplus & anything near those #'s would be a pleasant surprise indeed!  The unexpected bonus is this purple loosestrife.  Having no previous beek experience and being unfamiliar with all the good bee-forage plants in my area, I've been a bit concerned about the late season nectar flow.  Winters are typically quite mild but can be long and wet here necessitating double 10-frame deep broods (or equiv).  Having all these first year hives my primary goal was to ensure they had sufficient stores to survive (preferably THRIVE) unto Spring.  The season's not through yet, but I think that has been accomplished.  ;)  Next year will hopefully really rock!

Thx Cindi ~> what do do with so much honey you ask?  You'd be surprised (or perhaps sickened, lol) by how much honey I can eat.  Smoothies every morning, blended honey-sweetened fruit juices (honey-aloe-raspberry-kombucha-lemonade, etc.,), teas, lattes, by the spoon mixed with organic raw nut butter (i.e. almond, walnut, cashew, etc.,), sauces (honey & pistachio hummus over salmon, etc.,), honey & milk b4 bed, honey for brewing the kombucha and perhaps mead & blackberry melomel if I've extra.  Add all the friends, relatives and... YOU (pm me, I'll send you a sample, lol) and I think I'll soon be longing for next year's harvest.  :-D

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Your lucky to have the mimosa tree.  Ive heard that in south america and in the middle east the mimosa is called the bee tree.  It has been immortilized in mythology because of its association with bees.  Mimosa trees have an alkaloid that is almost identical to human serotonin.  If not mistaken, the worlds most expensive honey comes from the saudi area where there is a cult associated with the tree and the honey it produces.  Mimosa trees also figure prominently in the masonic myth of hirim...but i digress...

Ah yes, that would be your classic Sufi Mimosa Satrori honey.  Beauty leads to Love and Love to Bliss. All duality melts (in your mouth!, lol). It's a natural anti-depressant.

haha j/k ~> thx for the most excellent info.  If I weren't in a rush I'd research that presently (truly fascinating).. but it will have to wait until after chores.  Btw - I DO feel blessed and lucky for so much!!  (loving life!)

Understudy ~> thx! & here's a pic of the honey harvested thus far (mainly Blackberry)


Offline Cindi

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #21 on: July 21, 2007, 11:47:55 am »
Dane, you have knocked my socks off!!!!  Kombucha!!!  I once upon a time had the mother.  I lost her.  I used to drink Kombucha regularly and miss this wonderful drink.  Do you know how to get the mother?  I don't think it can be made, but do you have insight into this?  I bet you could help me out here.  Have a wonderful day, great life.  I know you're lovin' this life you're livin'.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Dane Bramage

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #22 on: July 21, 2007, 03:45:03 pm »
Add Jasmine to the current nectar flow plants.  I have several bushes throughout my property which are starting to bloom strong.  The bees are foraging them aggressively in spite of somewhat inclement weather (bit rainy).
I am getting really curious as to what the post-blackberry honey harvest will be like: Purple Loosestrife + Mimosa + Jasmine + ??? honey should be interesting!  lol.  There are acres of dandelions and clover as well... seems no end to the nectar options atm.

Cindi ~> I ordered the mother online from Santa Cruz, Cali about.. hmmm.. 5 years ago now.  Unsure if shipping to Canada is a viable option but, as you likely already know, once you're brewing new mushies get created and you can use this as starter culture for new batch.  No local brewers who can give you one?  If customs isn't an issue I could send you one.
Kombucha made with honey is goooooooooooooood!
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Offline JP

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #23 on: July 21, 2007, 07:22:35 pm »
Never heard of Kombucha before this thread, did a lil googling and my curiousity is definitely up, will google some more. Dane, since you've been drinking it, you notice a difference? Is it just some type of mushroom you brew?
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Offline Bennettoid

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #24 on: July 21, 2007, 11:01:17 pm »
Are you guys, like, real live Hippies?

Offline Dane Bramage

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re: Kombucha
« Reply #25 on: July 21, 2007, 11:25:41 pm »
Greetings JP ~> Kombucha is a fermented tea that is non-alcoholic (<1%) and probiotic, as you've no doubt read by now.  Probiotics are likely the main contributing factor to the reported health benefits, though there is other good stuff in there as well.  Given what and how the majority of people eat and medicate, and the resulting toxicological effects, this is not surprising.  I've been on a 100% living foods (non-cooked, live-enzyme) diet with many probiotic sources (yogurt, kefir, HSO supplements, gardening, etc., in addition to Kombucha) for almost 5 years now so I can't attribute any specific benefits solely to Kombucha personally.  I am nearing 40 and in perfect health.
The "mushroom" is actually the culture and composed of bacteria and yeast.  Brewing is a very simple procedure though there is room for creativity with different teas and sources of sugar, etc.,.  I like to make a rooibos, sencha, jasmine & honey brew mostly atm though I've used a myriad of teas and blends, organic agave syrup, etc.,.  Check if your local health-food store carries any of the commercial kombucha beverages available and see if it appeals to you.  I like it. :)

Are you guys, like, real live Hippies?

lol!  Do I look like a hippie?
I'd venture more like Post Apocalyptic Renaissance men & women.  Seeking out knowledge and truth where-ever it may be, self-reliant and responsible and taking complete ownership over our lives.  One can not get stoned, drunk nor even have an hallucinatory out-of-body experience on kombucha.  Shame that.  ;)

Offline Bennettoid

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #26 on: July 21, 2007, 11:31:07 pm »
One can not get stoned, drunk nor even have an hallucinatory out-of-body experience on kombucha.  Shame that.  ;)

Bummer.

Edit:

Surfer Dude, maybe.

Offline Cindi

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #27 on: July 22, 2007, 11:05:11 am »
Dane, when I fermented the mother, I only used black tea, I loved to drink the Kombucha.  It was a staple in our diet.  I don't know what happened but the mother one day went by the wayside.  I think one of our foster children thought it was some kind of evil old food, living in our fridge.  That was a sorry day.  I will ask around, probably my cousin, who is very much into alternative lifestyles would turn me onto some of the mushroom. 

As an aside, I have never seen anything in my life so ugly as the mother that the Kombucha drink is fermented from.  It really does look like nothing on this earth.

Dane, if I cannot get hold of some mother in my area, I will contact customs and if it can be imported from the U.S., I will call on you to help me out here.  I appreciate that you are willing to extend yourself like this.

Nope, not hippies, was "one" once upon a time, so many years ago, but these days, just people who know about some very special life enhancing alternatives.  Have a wonderful day day, and enjoy our beautiful lives.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline papabear

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #28 on: July 22, 2007, 11:28:39 am »
Really awsome pics. I love taking pics of everything in the wild. Mostly the sky in late afternoon.
"IF YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR U, YOU WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."

Offline JP

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #29 on: July 22, 2007, 11:49:09 am »
"Hippie" has never been a term that anyone has applied to me, eccentric, now I have been referred to as eccentric. Usually the term is applied by those who are less willing to venture 100% down a path unknown.

Dane, I applaud your spirit, initiative, and more than anything, discipline, to live the way you do. I've tried kefir (just don't like drinking any kind of yogurt drink) My wife is diabetic, and we have the lite, organic argave, its pretty good, I prefer honey though. I shop whole foods markets a decent bit. I'm not wealthy by any means, and I like fair prices, so I pick and choose what I buy there, but I am 100% in favor of organic products, John Robbins's Diet For A New America had a big impact.

Cindi, both you and Dane have stirred the pot on this idea of Kombucha, which now, I have to check into a little more. Also, just wanted to say, I like the way the two of you think.
Ok, perhaps I do have a little hippie in me, I was raised by hippies for God's sake! :-D
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Offline JP

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #30 on: July 22, 2007, 04:53:12 pm »
Well, Cindi and Dane, I tried Komucha, and it was nasty! Until, I added some agave syrup to it, and now I like it, very sudsy like a soft drink, but of course better for you. How often and how much do you drink it?
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Offline Dane Bramage

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #31 on: July 22, 2007, 07:11:40 pm »
Hiya JP ~>  we should probably split the kombucha off into it's own thread over in general discussion (attn mods: lil help here plz).  But to answer your q ~> I usually mix 8oz of kombucha (sometimes + 4oz aloe vera juice) + 8oz fruit juice (orange, etc.,) + 16oz water (or cold tea) + tablespoon of raw honey, blend thoroughly.  I have this 2-3 times/day & drink quarts of water otherwise (drink 1 gal total/day).  Straight kombucha is a bit strong for my palette.  Which did you try?  I like GT's synergy kombucha fairly well (not as good as my own though).
Thanks for the kind words on your previous post!  It actually does require a bit of discipline to break habits, especially bad ones! lol ~ reminds me of a book by a local (Oregon) author that approaches a living foods diet like breaking an addiction (to cooked foods) .  After all this time it is a fairly routine practice but the lure (of pizza!) is always there. ;)

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Offline JP

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #32 on: July 22, 2007, 07:37:57 pm »
Dane, the kind I bought is indeed GT's. They have different flavors and this one is blueberry, but I am enjoying it with the agave syrup as I mentioned. As Cindi would say, have a healthy day.
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Offline Cindi

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #33 on: July 23, 2007, 09:56:12 am »
JP, if you ever get a chance to "brew" Kombucha, it is an experience within itself.  The mother looks like nothing on this earth, let alone her baby.  I am sure that is why one of my foster kids thew the mother probably deep dark into the woods by our place.  More than likely into the dark, deep ravine, to slip slide away in the little stream to who knows where.  I am sure the mother has had little babies all over the place way down deep in the dark of the woods.  Ooops, now I have gone to the other side, the side of embellishment.

I have no clue where mother went, but Dane has also rekindled a "love" of mine of the past.  Kombucha....gotta love it, gotta love what it does to one's health.

I agree with you, Dane has an intriguing lifestyle and I admire that too.  Have a wonderful day, great life, searching for mother  :)  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline reinbeau

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #34 on: July 23, 2007, 10:33:38 am »
Cindi, here's a Kombucha starter kit that can be shipped outside the US.  I'm going to Good Health today to buy some of the Millenium brand mentioned by Dane to try!

And Dane, just so you know, I've suffered from dane bramage for years - I love that you picked it for a nym!  ;)

Offline Cindi

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #35 on: July 23, 2007, 10:38:00 am »
Ann, wonderful, thank you for taking the time to get the site.  I am firstly going to ask my cousin.  It is her deceased Mother that actually gave me the mother so many years ago.  She may even have this mushroom brewing in her fridge.

You made a funny, I think that I have had dane bramage for years too  :roll: ;)  Have a wonderful day, a beautiful life to boot.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Bennettoid

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #36 on: July 23, 2007, 12:04:37 pm »
Cindi, here's a Kombucha starter kit that can be shipped outside the US.  I'm going to Good Health today to buy some of the Millenium brand mentioned by Dane to try!

And Dane, just so you know, I've suffered from dane bramage for years - I love that you picked it for a nym!  ;)

OK, I'll have to give it a try. I'm a bit of a "Hoopie". In W. Va. thats what we called the long haired Rednecks that lived off the land. They weren't quite Hippies because of their politics, more like Daniel Boone types that looked and smelled like Hippies.

Offline LocustHoney

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #37 on: July 23, 2007, 10:18:40 pm »
If you guys are serious about health the you need to try thebestfoodever.com. What is the kombucha thing?? A tea made from a fungus??? What is the fungus made from??? I am very interested. Please respond.

Offline Cindi

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Re: Flow ~> *Accelerating* (image intensive thread)
« Reply #38 on: July 24, 2007, 03:19:45 am »
LocustHoney.  Mysteries to be solved.  Cindi2.
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Dane Bramage

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More flow pics (IDs needed)
« Reply #39 on: July 27, 2007, 02:04:47 pm »
Hi all!  Thanques for all the kind words.   :-D  &, yes, be careful of that Cranial Trauma Dyslexia!! (it hurts!!!, lol)

Back to topic ~> this flow is just not slowing down.  I harvested another 18 frames and most of it was identical to the very light incredibly aromatic honey I had previously harvested but I am also seeing (& tasting) some darker honey now.  There was even one cell (& only one cell, lol) with red honey, which was interesting.  Ok, onto the pics! (I thumbnailed them this time).

First up is the jasmine.  I've several bushes of this (some quite large) throughout the yard and they are popular with the honeybees, bumblers, and humming birds.
<img src="http://i10.tinypic.com/4ys7zba_th" border="0"> <img src="http://i16.tinypic.com/68ktim8_th" border="0">

Next up is an unknown wildflower/weed (ID pls) which is growing fairly prolifically and very popular with the honeybees.
<img src="http://i14.tinypic.com/6gsjlm0_th" border="0"><img src="http://i13.tinypic.com/4m36smb_th" border="0"><img src="http://i11.tinypic.com/5zenrma_th" border="0">

Here is the Purple Loosestrife which the bees are just attacking!  There's loads of this in the wetlands and it looks like it will be long/late-season flowering (hope so!).
<img src="http://i17.tinypic.com/52b89xd_th" border="0">

There's a large section of these (unknown ornamental?) flowers that are being well worked.
<img src="http://i18.tinypic.com/5x5x5d4_th" border="0"><img src="http://i15.tinypic.com/63ilp2c_thh" border="0">

Lastly (for now) is another (unknown) huge flowering bush (I want to call it a tree, lol) - a good 15' tall and 10' wide loaded with big flowers that the bees seem to enjoy.
<img src="http://i17.tinypic.com/54kf08z_th" border="0">
<img src="http://i15.tinypic.com/52em6xf_th" border="0">

I've left out the clover (white & crimson) as well as dandelion and loads of other weeds/wildflowers... There's huge patches of yellow flowers on the far side of the wetlands I need to go photograph.  Save those for next update.  8-)

Cheers,
Dane

 

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