One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by. — Jeannette Walls

Time to Relax – Maybe a Little

August is a time for a little more relaxing than what we experience with the excitement of new things happening in the spring, the exhaustion of picking strawberries everyday for a month, and the hectic hurriedness of the fall harvest. It's a time of maintenance. Moving livestock to fresh pastures regularly and doing the last round of weeding in the gardens.

Martin has had time to give more thought to the details for the new beef cow shelter and to gather the building materials for it. Sometimes, planning a project takes more time and energy than the actual building of it does.

The garlic is harvested and curing in the shed. Potatoes and onions are being brought to the store for sale. Garden greens, zucchinis, and cucumbers are seasonal treats we all enjoy.

Talking about enjoyment on the next level…the guys extracted honey last week. And there was a lot! And it is the best honey we've ever had! The bees are liking their super insulated hives and rewarding us with a copious amount of their work.

Honey has been used throughout the world for thousands of years, not only for the pleasure of eating, but also for its health benefits. Raw honey is more than a sweet treat. It is rich in antioxidants and contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Some studies have shown that raw honey may help with reducing the effects of seasonal allergies, healing wounds and burns, preventing acid reflux, fighting infections, relieving cold and cough symptoms, improving heart health, and managing and improving blood sugar levels.

However, it must be RAW honey, not pasteurized. Raw honey contains specific components that offer health benefits. Pasteurization and other processes remove or reduce some of these elements.

Some regular honey you find may contain sugars and other additives. Although it is illegal, it still happens. Raw honey does not contain any ingredients other than the honey from the beehive.

And not all organic honey is raw honey. Organic honey may still have undergone some processing and pasteurization.

Harvest Haven Honey is not only RAW, but it has absolutely no chemicals, not even those approved by organic certification. Our bees forage on our chemical-free fields and are not exposed to formic acid and oxalic acid, which organic certification allows to treat varroa mites.

Most people think the greatest threat to the honey bees are the chemicals used in agriculture, when in reality the greatest threat to the bees is modern beekeeping. No other agricultural profession suffers such tremendous losses without anyone even hearing about it.

Fifty percent of Alberta honeybee colonies perished in the winter of 2020-2021. And so far, we haven't heard of anyone rethinking modern beekeeping practices. The devastating losses are continually blamed on bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Apparently, nothing can be done, except use more chemicals. Noticeable amounts of these contaminants can be found in the honey from all treated hives.

We've been determined to solve this problem and recently designed new hives that allow the bees to keep the hive exactly at their preferred temperature and humidity. So far, it's been successful. The conditions the bees engineer when given the resources are far too warm and humid for mites to proliferate. Therefore, we don't need to treat the hive with any miticides, which also harm the bees. Our bees are far heathier and more productive without using any chemicals at all.

Harvest Haven Honey is hands down the real deal.

Yes, zucchini is nutritious. Known for its profusion and endless jokes about being shared with everyone in the neighborhood, this mild flavored summer squash is packed with many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Zucchini contains zeaxanthin and several other compounds that can play a role in preventing oxidative stress. This, in turn, may limit the likelihood of developing cancer. Zeaxanthin and lutein reduce the risk of developing cataracts and other eye-related health problems.

Its rich in vitamin B6, which helps with regulating blood glucose and may even play a protective role against diabetes.

Because zucchini is high in fiber and low in calories, it aids digestion and may limit suffering from a variety of GI issues.

So, the next time you pass along that abundant zucchini harvest know that you are sharing health with the wealth.

Fresh organic BC fruits are here!

Enjoy nutritious, delicious Blueberries and Cherries, and juicy Peaches now.

Nectarines, Plums, and Pears are coming and will continue into September.

We can order cases for you but won't know the prices until the list comes from our supplier. Let us know what you would like, and we can get the price to you when it is available.

Harvest Haven Pastured Chicken Breast – Tender, moist, tasty, and so easy to prepare for that special dinner or a quick meal for the family on the go. Great on the barbecue.

Bioitalia Organic Olive Oil, 750 mL – This delicate oil is made from the best selection of organic olive varieties in southern Italy. Their origin is guaranteed by a system that follows the product from the field to the table.

Harvest Haven New Potatoes – Every summer we wait impatiently for these gems of pure delight. There's nothing else like boiled new potatoes with fresh cream and dill.

Valley Pride Organic Whipping Cream, 500 mL – There is no substitute for real whipping cream. So good simmered on fresh-from-the-garden veggies, poured on raspberries, blueberries, or other fresh fruit, or added to your cereal for a rich flavor. And what would pies and puddings be without a big dollop of whipped cream?

BC Organic Peaches – The taste of summer - sweet, juicy, and mmm…good. Peaches are great for pies, cobblers, and smoothies, sliced on cereal, and as a refreshing snack.

Organic Brown Sugar, 454g – This soft, moist, and fine-grained sugar is perfect for all your baking needs, and is especially good in cakes, cookies, pies, and candies. Great on hot cereal.

Wholesome Sweeteners has a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture. In adherence to strict organic standards, the sugar cane fields are green-cut and are not burned or treated with herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. This is better for the environment, which ultimately is better for everyone. This also creates the highest quality, most delicious-tasting, unrefined brown sugar you can find. No chemicals, bone char, or animal by-products are used to make or de-colorize this sugar.

Please note, all ingredients in our recipes are organic.

Harvest Haven Pasture-Raised Beef

Not all pasture-raised beef is the same. At Harvest Haven we've applied procedures in raising our beef that produce quality meat, as well as enhance the environment. The resultant pasture-raised beef is tender, tasty, and healthy for the consumer. This method of raising livestock improves the grasses and forbs on the pastures, provides habitat for wildlife and flowers for the bees, and sequesters a huge load of carbon dioxide. It's Heaven on earth!