Learn & Grow

Our "Learn & Grow" Blog

What to do is you are stung by a bee, a wasp or a hornet

March 16, 2023

It is not a big deal if you get stung by a bee, a wasp or a hornet if you know how to deal with such calamity quickly and properly.

There are certain things that you can do right away to neutralize the venom - you can use regular household items that everybody has at home.

Even if you are stung while camping I am willing to bet you will have at least one of these items with you.

You may erroneously think that the same remedies will help for all of these insect bites, which is not the case, except for onion.

ONION is great for both bee and wasp stings. Just cut it open and put a half on the affected area after you remove the stinger.

BAKING SODA paste (soda mixed with water) will help neutralize bee venom because this venom is acidic.

ACIDIC FOODS such as white and apple cider vinegars as well as lemon juice are great for wasp and hornet stings, because their venoms are alkaline. Soak a cotton pad in these acids and apply to the sting area.

If you have a severe allergic reaction seek medical help immediately.

Don't ever buy soy candles

February 25, 2023

Soy candles = death.

Well, not the candles themselves but the soy industry that produces soy wax for them.

When soy is grown it is sprayed with strong insecticides from airplanes. I lived in the Midwest for 10 years, I saw this horror with my own eyes.

These insecticides kill all insects not only above the soybean field but wherever the wind will blow them. These insecticides kill innocent honey bees!

But not only bees. These insecticides are also considered carcinogenic, therefore they kill people too.

If you buy soy candles you support the killing machine of the soy industry.

Furthermore, GM soybeans are a serious threat to honey bees. I am super proud of fellow beekeepers in Mexico who won a fight against Monsanto and its GM soybeans. You can read the full story HERE.

I urge you only to buy beeswax candles. Their production doesn't kill any living beings and they are also the healthiest of all candles - burning beeswax purifies the air.

You see, burning beeswax produces negative ions that don't cover up odors but actually clean your air of odors, pollens, smoke, dust, dust mites, and other allergens and hazards because these negative ions bind to all these microscopic particles in the air and then they drop to the ground.

Please, share this information with friends to help save the bees!

Don't buy infused honey

December 21, 2022

Infused honey: Yes or No? In my view it is a big NO.

Honey is a perfect product as nature made it. You can't make it better, only worse.

Infused honey is a marketing trick. Someone buys honey in bulk and then infuses it to "add value", which also, naturally, adds to the price compared to the original product. To me it is like infusing a perfect Pinot with rose petals and pretending it adds value.

That's why you typically will not see a reputable honey farmer selling infused honey on their farm, it is usually a reseller or someone who does not understand much about honey or someone who just wants to profit from YOU not knowing much about honey.

Also there are potential health risks associated with infused honey. While natural honey that was discovered in Egyptian tombs (that was 4000 years old!) was still good and edible, infused honey can become a breeding ground for bacteria and its shelf life is barely a year.

Turning a superpower product into perishable goods and charging extra for it - NO, thank you!

Educated consumer rules!

Why beeswax candles are the BEST and HEALTHIEST choice for humans and pets

December 14, 2022

Did you know that beeswax candles are the healthiest candles out of all candles on the market? They are actually air purifying! They are the only ones that you can use if you have certain health conditions and pets at home. Learn more below.

Beeswax candles are 100% Pure and Natural

Beeswax candles do not require chemical processing. Beeswax is one of the densest waxes and has a high melting point. So beeswax doesn’t need any hardeners, additives, or chemical treatments to make. Soy wax on the other hand will spoil if not treated with certain chemicals so soy candles are not chemicals free.

Beeswax candles are Air Purifying & Creativity Boosting

Unlike many other candles, burning beeswax actually purifies the air. Beeswax candles emit negative ions which bind with particulate matter in the air, causing the floating particles in the air to drop to the ground. So beeswax candles are perfect for people with sinuses issues, allergies, asthma or anybody who cares about the air they breeze in.

Some say negative ions also stimulate the pituitary gland, thus increasing creativity & intuition.

Beeswax candled are best for people with certain Health Conditions

As mentioned above beeswax candles are best for people with allergies or respiratory problems. But they are also the smartest choice for people who have health conditions with sensitivity to scents such as migraines, pregnancy, etc. I personally know people who actually develop severe headaches from scented candles.

Beeswax candles are the safest choice of candle as a gift to people whose health history you don’t know too well like teachers, co-workers or your spouse’s distant relatives.

Beeswax candles are Healthiest for Pets

Beeswax candles get their natural scent from the nectar and honey that was originally stored in the honeycomb. Candles that use added scents in them often cause irritation in cats and dogs so scented candles are not recommended in homes with pets.

Beeswax candles have Brighter, Longer Burn

Beeswax candles emit light that is similar to the light spectrum of sunlight. This is thanks to beeswax’s high melting point of about 149° Fahrenheit, a higher melting point than other waxes, so it emits the brightest, most warm-toned flame. Beeswax candles also last longer than most other candles. Because beeswax is so dense, it burns slower and drips less, so beeswax candles are considered to be drip free.

Beeswax candles make great gifts for the holidays and we have a huge selection. Check them out in our Bee Museum during the farm tour or reach out to me at mycaliforniafarm@gmail.com, I can ship in the U.S.

What you need to know about colloidal oatmeal and Vitamin E

November 22, 2022

Colloidal oatmeal is a great natural product for your skin, especially if it is sensitive and prone to irritation. It does not cure your skin condition but what it does is it clings to your skin forming a soothing protective layer and gives it a chance to heal. You can learn about this fabulous ingredient HERE.

That's why we use colloidal oatmeal in our new Vanilla Oatmeal Soap for sensitive and eczema prone skin. In addition to this ingredient we use shea butter soap base, which is known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties and Vitamin E.

Did you know that Vitamin E is found in our own sebum (skin oil)? It stops skin from losing moisture, softens it and protects skin cells from damage. You can learn more about Vitamin E HERE.

Too bad we constantly wash our hands and destroy our skin's natural protective layer... To address this issue we packed our soap with all these perfect moisturizing and protective ingredients. We did not add any coloring, just a a couple drops of organic vanilla essential oil for aroma therapy effect.

***************

So our Vanilla Oatmeal Soap looks and smells like a Christmas cookie and wraps your skin in a big protective hug - isn't it a perfect holiday gift? You can buy it on our farm during a tour of e-mail me (mycaliforniafarm@gmail.com) and I can ship it to you in the U.S. (Price: $8)

Happy holidays!

Why you should not be buying honey in a store

October 24, 2022

Here is a proof why you should buy honey only from the actual honey maker (honey farm, apiary) not in the store: we recently received an apology e-mail from Costco basically saying they were using false advertising claiming they were selling "local" honey when, in fact, it was not local at all (God knows where it came from!)

At least Costco was honest in the end and apologized but how many stores would not tell you the truth? Can you trust them?

And just to clarify how we ended up with Costco honey: no, we don't buy store honey to eat it, we bought it as an experiment. You see, unprocessed, unheated honey should crystalize within 6-8 months (processed, heated honey has all the good stuff killed in it but it looks clear and stays liquid) We wanted to see what will happen to a store bought honey in the long run. It did not crystalize in 2 years... That is another reason to avoid store bought honey.

Make your choices wisely!

P.S. You can see an easy to read version of the Costco email HERE.

New Insights into the Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Royal Jelly

September 24, 2022

How much do you know about Royal Jelly? It is one of the lesser known bee products and yet it is one of the most magnificent. The French started using Royal Jelly in beauty products in 1960s but the U.S. has only recently started to catch up.

There is still not enough research done on Royal Jelly but what has been discovered so far is summarized in THIS ARTICLE published by the National Institute of Health. In my view it would have been easier to list where Royal Jelly does NOT help - the list would have been much shorter. :-)

Learn more about this amazing substance which is great for your health and beauty.

Health Benefits of Honey - Research Summary

August 19, 2022

Did you know about beneficial role of honey polyphenols against some human degenerative diseases? I just found a reference to this amazing ARTICLE on PubMed, a database of research papers curated by US' National Institute of Health.

Of course we all knew that honey is great when you have a cold or a sore throat. But it turns out honey polyphenols go beyond that and may have effect on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

You have to have special access to the database to be able to read the full article (and lucky you - our family has!) so we reviewed it for you.

BOTTOM LINE: not all honeys are created equal, only certain flower honeys actually have these amazing health effects, such as eucalyptus, rosemary, rapeseed, lavender and orange. Plus some very unique Australian and Tunisian honeys that you cannot buy in the U.S. Manuka honey is not on the list, so forget all the hype!

GREAT NEWS FOR YOU: our farm's spring wildflower honey is actually dominated by eucalyptus and rosemary so we are able to provide you the unique honey concoction with proven superpowers!

Next spring honey will be available in May - stay tuned! I suggest you follow our Instagram page to be notified first of all our farm updates including honey release dates.

Miracle Salve

June 15, 2022

Which hand salve is the nurses favorite? The one that moisturizes and heals at the same time with only natural, organic ingredients. I have crafted our miracle hand salve from organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil and our own beeswax.

If you try our hand salve once you will neve go back to any other hand cream. I even have customers that swear that it heals sever eczema. People who had bleeding wounds report astonishing results within 2 weeks!

Here are some of the reviews from our customers:

Naranjo Hills Farm: "After suffering with farmer's hands, dyshidrotic eczema, and cracked hills for over a decade, I decided to give this hand salve from My California Farm a a try. I have tried everything: natural goat milk lotions, chemicals laden lotions for extreme dry skin, different oils, dermatologist's prescriptions, etc. I was constantly slathering these lotions on several times an hour as they would soak in and my hand would be dry again. I am happy to report that the skin salve from My California Farm started working to heal my hands and feet after the first application. I only have to put it on at night and it lasts all the following day. My eczema is healing and my dry skin is now gone. I have also started using it as a nightly lip balm and I no longer have to keep chapsticks in every pocket, bag and car. Try it out if you haven't found anything else that works to repair dry and cracked skin"

Olga K. :" I'm always in search of the next best hand product because I work with my hands all day long. I've tried many different creams non of which I'd say "wow" about. A few days ago I tried you hand slave concocted from organic ingredients. That was a WOW! Very rich and smooth, it made my thirsty skin super soft within seconds of application. Made from just 3 natural ingredients, one of which is cocoa butter, it makes your hands smell like fine chocolate. LOVE it!"

To learn more about the slave and how to use it check out our new VIDEO

If you would like to get a jar of our miracle hand salve, please, e-mail mycaliforniafarm@gmail.com

Did you know that bees understand mathematical concepts? May be not the way we do, but still, researchers think that bees are very, very smart. Learn more about this fascinating bee research HERE.

Smart Bees

May 27, 2022

1 Year Anniversary

May 8, 2022

We have recently celebrated 1 year anniversary of our farm! We created a video report on everything that happened on the farm in the last 12 months: projects completed, skills earnt, and much more. Check out of video up-date HERE.

Champagne of Honeys

November 12, 2021

Have you heard about Yellow Starthistle honey? Probably not, as it is very rare and super hard to find. It is rare because yellow starthistle is an invasive species and typically people just get rid of it if they find it on their property. Another caveat is that this flower only producers nectar when the temperatures reach 90F +. Our Paso Robles climate is perfect for yellow starthistle because it is 90F+ here for most of June - September. And we have the whole big field of this flower on our property! Yellow Starthistle honey is also very hard to get because it sells out very quickly: it is one of the most delicious honeys there is and therefore the Food and Wine Magazine calls it "The Champagne of Honeys". It is not overly sweet and heavy as other honeys, it is light & bright and full of delicate aromas. We harvest this honey end of August - beginning of September. Follow us on Instagram to receive timely notifications of when it is available for sale!

Educational Resources

October 16, 2021

Have you checked out our educational YouTube channel already? We have lots of videos with tips and hacks on various topics: gardening, beekeeping, raising chickens, cooking on the farm with kids (simple, healthy and delicious) as well as fun experiments and crafts for kids, farm style and holiday decor and much more!

Our First Blog Entry

September 15, 2021

Welcome to our blog! Be the first one to learn what's happening on the farm and learn tips & tricks and news & research that will help you make wise choices as a consumer of various products.