Good Carbs, Bad Carbs, and Bees

There has been a lot of news lately about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), where honey bee colonies mysteriously die off. It’s been getting worse over the last 6 years or so, and the scientists have not been able to pin down a specific cause. Theories include pesticides, mites, viruses, nutritional deficiencies, and cell phone signals. The latest research is showing that it might actually be a nutrition issue. Comercial bee hives are typically fed high fructose corn syrup in the winter so that more of their honey can be harvested. Numerous studies show HFCS doesn’t kill bees. But when bee’s eat HFCS instead of nectar, they are not getting an enzyme that comes in the pollen that tags along with the nectar, and this enzyme strengthens the bee’s immune system so that it is better able to resist the effects of pesticides, mites, and viruses.

What does that mean to us? It means that when you start stripping down foods and providing just the base macronutriants, like protein or carbs or fat, you lose potentially important food components. Things often present at very low levels, with unknown interactions with the complex biology of a human being. It’s why I strive to each whole foods. Processed food may not kill you, but you are not eating the things that keep you healthy.

Roy makes wonderful waffles every so often… they are a real treat with berries and maple syrup… or honey!

Buttermilk Waffles

3/4 cup flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
1/3 cup peanut or other neutral oil
2 eggs

After getting out ingredients, plug in waffle maker.

In a large bowl with whisk, mix dry ingredients. Add buttermilk, oil, and eggs and whisk until thoroughly blended.

Pour batter into waffle maker (ours takes a 1/2 cup), close and cook until the light goes out or until done. Remove with a fork and eat immediately.