Bee Propolis Sparkling Lemonade Recipe

Did you know that bees give us more than honey? You may already know that honey has many immune-boosting benefits. However, you may be surprised to learn that bees also give us something called Propolis. In fact, bee propolis hosts a whole other list of superfood properties that you should know about! Propolis may also be referred to as “bee glue” because it is actually used to line the walls of the hive. It is collected from parts of plants and buds, but has a waxy texture that helps with the construction of the hive. In fact, the name propolis comes from the greek words “pro”, meaning “at the entrance”, and “polis”, standing for “city” or “community" (1). Today, we mainly use propolis for its antimicrobial properties, for everything from colds to wound treatments, and even skin repair. Historically, it has even been used by ancient Egyptians to embalm cadavers, and Greeks and Romans used it as a mouth disinfectant and an antiseptic in wound treatments (1). Propolis also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory because of its naturally-occurring components, including: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B7, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, etc. (1). So how can bee propolis help us in our daily lives? 1. Colds and throat infections At Organika, many of us swear by a few sprays of our Bee Propolis Throat Spray to ward off the first signs of a cold. With both antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, Bee Propolis can help to boost immunity. This lets us fight off colds a little easier and possibly keep us from catching it altogether! Alongside this, propolis is composed of a compound called caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) (1), which shows anti-inflammatory properties. With a cold, this inflammation can show up as a puffy face, stuffy nose, and irritated throat. 2. Allergies If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think that there is no hope. Sure spring flowers are beautiful, but a runny nose and watery eyes don’t feel so great. While there hasn’t been a lot of scientific research around this, many people find that bee propolis, honey and pollen are beneficial for allergies. By incorporating locally harvested honey, or bee propolis (Organika’s comes from the Okanagan in British Columbia!), you can expose yourself to some of the things that cause seasonal allergies to start with. You can also help to prepare your immune system for when allergy season hits. 3. Oral Health Our mouths are actually pretty gross. While it does a pretty good job on its own to clean everything out, bacteria and infections can be stronger than we think. This is especially important if our immune system is down. Bacteria can cause issues like halitosis (a nicer way of saying “bad breath”), gingivitis, and can create infection if you have any type of surgical procedures on your teeth or gums. Due to the antimicrobrial and antibacterial properties of propolis, it can help reduce our risk of mouth diseases and infections. 4. Wound Healing Bee propolis has long been used in skin care products. It has been used in both first-aid treatments and in our beauty care. With high levels of antioxidants, it works against free-radical activity that occurs in wounds, ultimately assisting with healing. There have also been studies that have shown propolis’ role in assisting with collagen production in the wound (2). There is still significant research to be done around the use of propolis to truly understand its various benefits. However, looking back on our history can give us a few clues like they have above. Try for yourself and see the effects of bee propolis!

Summer is here and with it, comes the need to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drinking enough water isn’t just a matter of staying fresh in the hotter months: keeping yourself properly hydrated is essential for keeping your body working as it should. We need to be extra careful about staying hydrated during the summer months, as the amount of water lost through sweating increases. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t need to stick with plain old water to stay hydrated. You can get water through your fruits and veggies… or try some of these recipes for refreshing healthy drinks! Plant-Based Collagen Booster Margarita Alcohol and hydration don’t really go together - alcohol suppresses your body’s antidiuretic hormone, speeding up the process of flushing water out. Not to worry though, this margarita recipe is 100% alcohol-free! Plus, it uses our Plant-Based Collagen Booster, helping your body increase its collagen production for better moisture retention in the skin. Ingredients (2 servings): 2 limes 2 cups club soda (plain or flavoured, liked La Croix) 2 tbsp. Plant-Based Collagen Booster 1-2 tbsp. raw honey 2 tbsp. hot water 1/8 cup sea salt Ice Directions: In a shaker bottle, add hot water and raw honey. Stir together. Add 2 cups of soda water of choice. Squeeze out juice of 2 full limes. Keep limes peels. Add lime juice to the shaker bottle with 2 tbsp. of Plant-Based Collagen Booster Put on lid and shake. As that sits, use the leftover lime and rim the glass you will use. Spread out salt on a plate, and rim the glass with salt. Add ice to the cup, and pour your shaken mixture in! Add a sprig of basil if you would like. Mermaid Lemonade What’s better than an icy cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day? Try this spirulina and apple cider vinegar infused lemonade for a powerful detox effect, lower blood sugar levels, and improved skin appearance! The mermaid vibes are just an added bonus. Ingredients (4-5 servings): 4 cups of filtered water 1 lemon, juiced 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar 1 tsp. agave nectar (or maple syrup) 1/8 – 1/4 tbsp. Organika Spirulina powder Directions: Mix all the ingredients together and pour over ice. Back-to-Balance Reishi Cacao Smoothie Nothing beats a good morning smoothie! With a dash of reishi powder, this cacao and peanut butter concoction is not only tasty but also full of adaptogenic goodness to reduce your stress. Add it to your morning routine to start your summer adventures off on the right foot. Ingredients: 1 ripe banana (frozen works well) ½ cup frozen zucchini (easiest to slice into disks and then freeze or buy pre-frozen) 1 tsp. Organika “Balance” Reishi Powder 1 tbsp. raw cacao powder 1 cup almond milk 1 tbsp. Peanut butter Optional: a few handfuls of ice Directions: Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until well incorporated Feel free to add more almond milk or a few splashes of cold water to the blender depending on how thick you like your smoothies Pour into large cup and sprinkle with raw cacao nibs or hemp hearts for extra goodness Matcha Collagen Latte Ditch your iced coffee for this healthier alternative, featuring Enhanced Collagen Vitality! The collagen and matcha combo will help you get a sustained boost in energy and strengthen your joints for an active summer. Ingredients (2 servings): 2 cups unsweetened almond or other dairy-free milk 2 tbsp. Organika Enhanced Collagen Vitality with matcha 1 to 2 tbsp. coconut butter 1/2 to 1 tsp. Organika Gelatinized Maca powder Stevia or sweetener of choice to taste Directions: Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until well incorporated

Summer is the perfect time of year for fresh lemonade! Give it a little boost with some Plant based Collagen Booster, like in this raspberry lemonade recipe from Meghan De Jong. Did you know that antioxidants are a great addition to your summertime routine? Spending time with friends in the sunshine, outdoor workouts, etc. can all lead to an increase in free-radical damage. By adding antioxidants to your diet, you can help to reduce free-radicals. But where can you find antioxidants? Well, mainly in fruits and vegetables - especially the bright ones! Berries, leafy greens and citrus fruits all contain a variety of antioxidants. We get it though, when you're having fun in the sun, the last thing you might be thinking about it how many antioxidants you consume. Try blending them up in a smoothie, or in a delicious raspberry lemonade! Raspberry Lemonade Recipe Serving size: single serving Prep time: 5 minutes Ingredients 1 Tbsp. Organika Plant Based Collagen 1.5 cups water 1/2 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen) Juice of 1/2 a freshly squeezed lemon 1/2 cup ice plus an additional handful for serving in glass Optional: 1 tsp raw honey Garnish: fresh mint or basil Instructions Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until well incorporated Taste test to ensure it matches your desired taste. If you want it more sour, add additional lemon juice and/or the flesh of the lemon. If you want it a touch sweeter add the honey. Continue to blend until everything is well mixed together Pour into a glass over ice and garnish with fresh mint or basil and a fresh lemon wedge Meg De Jong is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist located on Salt Spring Island. She has a passion for growing, cooking and baking delicious food! Follow Meg on Instagram, or check out her website. What's your favourite way to add antioxidants into your day? Tell us Instagram or Facebook!