INGREDIENTS
2 slices paleo bread, toasted
1 tablespoon granola butter
3 cherries, pitted and halved
bee pollen, optional garnish
METHOD
Spread granola butter on each slice of bread, then top with cherries and bee pollen.
Spread granola butter on each slice of bread, then top with cherries and bee pollen.
https://thefeedfeed.com/kweenandco/paleo-toast-with-granola-butter-cherries-and-bee-pollen
We are kicking up our health this week with this Bee Pollen Dragonfruit Strawberry Smoothie Bowl!
Let me just say that I was in a slump since January. I was down and lazy. I was trying to blog but I was too lazy. I was trying to work out and go to the gym but I was too lazy. Maybe it was the Christmas bug and I was having a hard time moving on from the holidays. I didn’t know what it was but I wasn’t inspired and I needed some motivation. Then the last week of February happened and suddenly I found myself motivating myself. I woke up inspired. All the things that needed to be done since January, I found myself working at it all week long. I felt recharged and ready to conquer the world.
Again, I didn’t know what it was but it felt like I was given a sudden jolt by life. I was injected with inspiration and suddenly felt motivated.
I also had this sudden urge to be extra healthy…
And so this smoothie bowl happened. I finally took out and dusted my blender. It’s a good thing too because I can feel it’s getting hotter these days. That means Summer is just around the corner. Smoothie breakfasts and snacks are a must all throughout this season.
Today’s smoothie is made up of frozen fresh strawberries, greek yogurt, dragonfruit balls, fresh strawberries, and bee pollen.
Bee Pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature’s most completely nourishing food and contains nearly all nutrients we need. So I’m kicking up our health a notch by adding it to the family’s smoothie! Woohoo!
Ingredients
2 cup frozen fresh strawberries
¾ cup greek yogurt
1 tbsp honey
½ cup skim milk
strawberry slices and dragonfruit balls for garnish
1 tsp Bee Pollen
Directions
Put the first four ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
Pour into a bowl and top with strawberries slices and dragonfruit balls.
Sprinkle with bee pollen
Enjoy!
Author: Peachy Adorn
Recipe Ingredients
What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds?
Bee Pollen Benefits
Although unknown to many, the bee pollen supplement market continues to grow as demand for the superfood increases [1].
The surge in its popularity isn’t surprising. More consumers are concerned with their health and wellness and are making a conscious effort to buy nutritious products that support that lifestyle. More knowledge, awareness, and accessibility allow people to make wise purchasing decisions that are valuable to their well-being.
Consuming bee pollen proves to be advantageous. There are several compelling and surprising bee pollen benefits with data to back their effectiveness. If you want to start a new year on a fresh foot, introducing bee pollen into your diet might be an appropriate step.
Of course, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with bee pollen and its benefits before doing so—which may even include speaking to your doctor. It’s always important to talk with a physician if you have questions or concerns.
In the meantime, with this guide, we attempt to highlight some of the most fascinating and illuminating benefits of bee pollen, informing consumers of their options.
Bee pollen is little flower pollen balls similar in shape and size to a mustard seed. It contains nectar, plant pollen, and bee saliva. Worker bees carry in the plant pollen and bring it back to their hive, where they pack it into honeycombs before it undergoes a fermentation process.
Its texture is soft, and it quickly dissolves in the mouth. Bee pollen should never be crunchy.
Bee pollen is commonly a shade of yellow, but its colors can vary—that’s due to the various flowers in which the bee collected pollen. So, you needn’t be surprised if you see a whole range of colors in one order of granules [2].
As long as humans have adopted beekeeping, the benefits of consuming bee pollen have existed. The advent of bee pollen for medicinal purposes traces back centuries. Along with bee pollen serving as the main component for various medicines, it is also commonly used as a flavor enhancer and general nutrition.
Human-made beehives contain pollen traps at the entrance to the hive. As the bee enters through the small entrance ways with their bodies covered in pollen, the pollen traps catch any pollen that falls from the bee’s legs upon entering the small space. The pollen is the result of the bee traveling from flower to flower, gathering nectar.
The pollen collections honey bees bring back to the hive can weigh up to half of the bee’s body weight. It’s important to note that bee pollen is not the bee’s food source; the primary food source for bees is the flower’s nectar.
The nectar that bees bring back to their hive accounts for the single and main ingredient for honey making. The produced honey the primary food source to nurture the bee offspring.
No, the collection of bee pollen is of no impact to the bees. The pollen is the result of bees gathering nectar and pollinating many flowers.
One tablespoon of bee pollen contains the following macronutrients:
It also contains zero milligrams of both sodium and cholesterol.
Other nutritional facts about bee pollen include the following micronutrients:
Its flavor is lightly sweet and floral in taste and aroma. It typically comes in jars, like spices. Now that you have a better understanding of what bee pollen is let’s get into its advantages.
How can this flower-forward pollen contribute to your life?
We explain a few reasons why below.
Just like other fermented foods and drinks, bee pollen also benefits from a hearty dose of antioxidants [3].
These natural antioxidants include:
And others.
These antioxidants are known to combat oxidative stresses that underlie many diseases, such as cancer or diabetes. They also have several therapeutic applications, with more current studies ongoing.
The effects aren’t always the same, as bee pollen varies depending on factors like geographic location, the species of bee, and even the seasons. Additionally, the fermentation process can affect the efficacy of bee pollen. For example, was it a natural and spontaneous fermentation process, or was bacteria added during the process?
In general, though, bee products such as bee pollen, royal jelly, or propolis are commonly used for medicinal reasons due to their well-documented antioxidant properties.
The utilization of bee pollen can lower Several heart disease risk factors [4].
Research has shown that bee pollen extract can reduce specific symptoms such as high blood lipids, lipid oxidation, or cholesterol—most notably, “bad” cholesterol [5].
Additionally, with the reduction of lousy cholesterol, vision typically becomes clearer. This benefit is great for those with nearsightedness caused by high cholesterol levels.
When something is high in antioxidants, there’s an additional benefit to be enjoyed—anti-inflammatory properties [6].
As well as being anti-inflammatory, the above study showed anti-angiogenesis effects. That means that bee pollen was able to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels. In this case, cancerous ones.
The various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in bee products have shown fantastic effects on inflammation. In one study, the bee pollen inhibited enzymes that were interfering with the inflammatory process [7].
If you or someone you know is experiencing the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), you’re likely looking anywhere for some relief. Some PMS symptoms include hot flashes, weight gain, and irritability.
Some early studies show supporting evidence that bee pollen can reduce the above symptoms when used in tandem with other products. As ongoing research continues, the initial results are promising.
In this instance, bee pollen compliments other bee products such as royal jelly.
Perhaps you already have a hearty diet, but you’re looking for more ways to make foods bioavailable to you. In some cases, bee pollen has shown to increase our ability to utilize nutrients, making their benefits that much more impactful.
Learn More: Bioavailability of Whey Protein Explained
Initial studies, albeit on rats, highlight the effects were worth noting. Bee pollen helped them metabolize a whole slew of nutrients—magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron [8].
The study was conducted by administering both bee pollen and iron to iron-deficient rats. When studied against the control groups, the rats that consumed both bee pollen and iron absorbed up to 66% more iron—in other words, a massive improvement that we hope translates to humans, especially those with anemia.
Bee pollen is also being research as an aid in the regeneration efficiency of hemoglobin. In general, hemoglobin levels begin to drop in individuals experiencing anemia; thus, bee pollen provides some new hope. In this application, not only does bee pollen help our bodies absorb nutrients, but it helps reduce the adverse effects of iron deficiency.
Bee pollen acts in this way thanks to its make-up of protein and amino acid contents.
Over time, various animal studies have recorded a positive response to immunity after using bee pollen [9].
In these studies, immune responses improved in the subjects. Additionally, many other positive benefits became recognized –
When mast cells are activated, they release chemicals that trigger allergic reactions. A study using bee pollen noted that bee pollen significantly reduced these mast cells’ activation. As such, allergic reactions became minimized.
Now more than ever, a robust immune system has high value. For a small but scalable boost in yours, bee pollen might be one solution to consider.
Also, suppose you are in the market for a homeopathic solution to combat the typical chemo-therapy related side-effects. In that case, although not proven scientifically, there exists a sizable population that genuinely believe in bee pollen to be impactful in this arena.
The immune-boosting impacts of consuming bee pollen stem from the multiple rich polyphenols that make up the pollen’s molecular structure. The polyphenol structure possesses robust anti-inflammatory characteristics, phytosterols, and fatty acids, known to work in anti-cancerogenic ways. Polysaccharides also naturally stimulate a beneficial immunological response.
Learn More: 3 Types of Polysaccharides
Not only is bee pollen full of antioxidants, but studies have shown a significant amount of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [11].
When immunity receives a boost, unwanted bacteria struggle to thrive. The immunity benefits can have a slew of advantages, from preventing illnesses such as Salmonella and E.coli to reducing the chances of staph infections.
The antibacterial attributes of consuming bee pollen are primarily due to bee pollen’s fermentation process—all of which lead to the same results [12]:
The key is how bee pollen’s natural microflora contribute to its fermentation process. However, pasteurized bee pollen is known for being significantly less effective in these ways, despite offering a safeguard against unknown sourcing.
Have you ever seen a health and wellness trend advertised that was just out of your reach?
Perhaps it was too expensive, didn’t have enough supporting data, or just wasn’t accessible in your location. Maybe an advertisement for juice cleanses came up on your computer screen, and you sighed, knowing your allergies wouldn’t allow you to participate in that.
Unfortunately, many fads that claim to work just don’t—and in the meantime, they empty your wallet. In the case of bee pollen, the local drug store is bound to carry a brand or two and for relatively cheap (under $10).
Finding something that’s both nutritious and delicious shouldn’t be such a challenge, but it can be for many. When it comes to bee pollen, however, that’s not the case. Bee pollen is everything consumers want in a product, which is why its popularity continues to be on the rise across the world; Bee pollen is not very hard to find and exists where bees thrive.
So, when you’re looking for an affordable pick-me-up that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine, consider bee pollen. And if you need ideas on adding bee pollen into your diet, we discuss some options below.
How can you begin to introduce this superfood into your life?
One of bee pollen’s other benefits is its versatility. You can easily add bee pollen as a topping on a wide range of meals—from smoothies (like this bee pollen and chia seed protein smoothie) and bowls of yogurt to granola and acai.
You can also add to it several other dishes, such as salads, dressings, and soup [13]. So, don’t be afraid of getting creative!
However, one thing to note is that bee pollen’s benefits are most substantial in the raw state. When you add it to your daily smoothie or vinaigrette, you are locking in all the potential benefits. In this way, you reap the most nutritional value from it.
Start in small increments—think ½ of a teaspoon to a whole teaspoon to begin—and gradually build up from there if you’re enjoying it.
Now that you understand the benefits of eating bee pollen and how to do so, we explain some things to be cautious of next.
If you’re ever unsure of something, you should seek medical advice. While bee pollen offers much nutritional value, some individuals can experience adverse effects.
Like all nutritious consumables, efficacy and safety depend on sourcing and the individual response to the consumption.
Those with allergies to pollen might experience an allergic reaction after ingesting bee pollen. If you’re allergic to any pollen—dandelion, ragweed, etc.—you should make it a point to talk to your doctor about bee pollen first. The same rule applies to anyone allergic to bees or honey.
Others that should be cautious of eating bee pollen include those on blood-thinning medication, as bee pollen can interact with Coumadin. Bee pollen may also cause uterine contractions, which is something pregnant or breastfeeding women should consider.
Although bee pollen appears to be safe for most people as advertised, bee pollen can solicit life threatening allergic reactions. The severity of the allergy is dependent on many things however the immediate symptoms include:
According to various health experts, Bee pollen is not safe for pregnant women for the same reasons mentioned above [14].
In general, however, bee pollen is suitable for most people. It never hurts to get a second opinion from a medical professional. At AGN Roots, we have no skin in this game, nor do we make or sell bee pollen; however, we love researching answers for customers who have challenged us to incorporate nature’s best into our grass-fed whey protein recipes. In this case, bee pollen is no doubt a beneficial addition assuming you’ve done your research.
As this guide implies, the bee pollen benefits are plenty. The result of using it is a happier, healthier life, and hopefully, one with even more longevity (a widely studies topic lately).
This natural and organic product comes with a slew of health benefits—its sweet, floral flavor is a bonus. Not only is bee pollen nutritious, but it can elevate a ton of your favorite recipes. That makes introducing it into your lifestyle that much easier.
Are you interested in eating or consuming bee pollen? Now you can make an informed decision on what to buy.
https://agnroots.com/blogs/articles-info/bee-pollen-benefits
Quick & Healthy Dinner: 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
This honey garlic shrimp is one of the most popular recipes on this website because it’s not only lip-smacking delicious, it’s a very quick and easy dinner recipe. Ready in 20 minutes, this healthy dinner will join your regular dinner rotation. Serve with brown rice and vegetables, grill on skewers, or serve over salad.
I wish I could tell you that I’ve been cooking up all of these wonderful and gorgeous meals lately because I’m a food blogger by day and food blogger by night. But my reality: we’re getting ready to move and my energy to cook wonderful and gorgeous meals = dwindling. So maybe you’re like me and need a super quick and healthy dinner this week? A healthy recharge, a quick & easy meal, lip-smacking saucy shrimp? I have it all for you today.
The combination of honey and garlic is music to everyone’s tastebuds, but you know what’s even better than that? We have a 20 minute dinner on our hands tonight. That’s why I love cooking seafood for dinner so often: it’s quick. The shrimp takes a whopping 5 minutes to cook on the stove, while the marinating takes another 15. Ok ok so whisking the marinade together will take an extra 12 seconds, but whatever.
In the marinade we have 3 familiar favorites: honey, soy sauce, and garlic. For a little extra flavor, I added some minced fresh ginger, but that’s optional. I just really love honey + garlic + ginger.
I’d say the minimum marinade time is 15 minutes, but you can let the shrimp marinate all day long when you’re at work if that’s easier/if you can stomach the look of raw shrimp at 7am. The marinade serves 2 purposes. Not only will the shrimp take a soak in it, but it’ll be added to the skillet for a minute or 2 at the very end. Then you can serve it as a sauce over the shrimp/veggies/rice/whatever’s on the side. (Like what we do with the maple sesame salmon!) So not only is this dish healthy and quick with minimal ingredients, its convenience level is 10+++.
What might be my favorite of all is this little part: wonderful caramelized bits of honey and garlic stick to the pan and edges of the shrimp. Scrape it all up because YUM.
Easy healthy quick dinners = my saving grace right now!!
This honey garlic shrimp is one of the most popular recipes on this website because it’s not only lip-smacking delicious, it’s a very quick and easy dinner recipe. Ready in 20 minutes, this healthy dinner will join your regular dinner rotation. Serve with brown rice and vegetables, grill on skewers, or serve over salad.
Ingredients
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (I use reduced sodium)
1 Tablespoon jarred minced garlic or 2 teaspoons fresh*
optional: 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 lb medium uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 teaspoons olive oil
optional: chopped green onion for garnish
Instructions
Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger (if using) together in a medium bowl.
Place shrimp in a large zipped-top bag or tupperware. Pour 1/2 of the marinade mixture on top, give it all a shake or stir, then allow shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or for up to 8-12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the rest of the marinade for step 3. (Time-saving tip: while the shrimp is marinating, I steamed broccoli and microwaved some quick brown rice.)
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. (Discard used marinade.) Cook shrimp on one side until pink– about 45 seconds– then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1 minute more.
Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce and a garnish of green onion. The sauce is excellent on brown rice and steamed veggies on the side.
Notes
Garlic: If using refrigerated jarred minced garlic, use 1 Tablespoon. If using fresh garlic that you mince yourself, use 2 teaspoons.
Shrimp: You can remove the tail or leave it on. Whatever’s easiest! I recommend using fresh shrimp, but you can use frozen. Thaw before marinading and cooking. If using frozen cooked shrimp, thaw, marinate, and cook as directed. You’ll really just be heating the shrimp up in the sauce.
Using leftover marinade is a debated topic. While you could boil it to rid any contamination, the flavor could possibly change. But do what you’d like. Usually I just make a little extra (like we do here) to use as the sauce.
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/quick-healthy-dinner-20-minute-honey-garlic-shrimp/
Learn More at thebeepollen
Honey-Butter Breakfast Honey Muffins you will make again and again!
Nutrition Facts
1 muffin: 179 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
Total Time
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Makes
1 dozen
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, butter, and honey. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-18 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled muffins in freezer containers. To use, thaw at room temperature or, if desired, microwave each muffin on high until heated through, 20-30 seconds.
Make It A Good Day 🌴
Spicy, tangy, and caffeine-free. More soothing and warming than your fuzzy socks. Keep your tummy happy.
Prep Time 30 mins
Servings: 1
Ingredients
1 sachet Pique Ginger Digestion Elixir
1½ cups hot water
1 to 2 teaspoons dried dandelion leaves
1 teaspoon raw organic honey or more to taste
1 teaspoon bee, pollen
Instructions
Steep dandelion leaves in hot water with honey for 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove dandelion leaves and let the mixture sit to reach room temperature.
Add in bee, pollen, and Pique Ginger Digestion Elixir and stir to dissolve.
Place in fridge for 15-20 minutes until cool before serving.
https://blog.piquetea.com/recipes/ginger-tea/bee-pollen-ginger-tea/
Learn more ar thebeepollen.com
Banana Smoothie with Yoghurt, Honey + Bee Pollen, the perfect Winter smoothie to boost your immune system!
Don’t we all spend most of Winter trying to avoid getting sick or trying to get rid of a lingering cough or kid’s runny nose! This smoothie was designed as an added fight against all those germs with the added superfood bee, pollen.
Bee pollen is a pollen ball packed by worker honey bees into an edible little pellet and is collected from hives. It has a sweet honeycomb flavor and is perfect when added to smoothies to help boost your immune system and energy levels, improves skin and is a source of antioxidants. Start with very small amounts as this is a condensed form of pollen made by bees, so could cause serious allergies. I started the kids with just one tiny ball at a time and don’t go above 1 teaspoon in a day.
This smoothie made with raw honey, bananas and bee, pollen is the perfect recipe to fight off cold and flu viruses, boost your kid’s energy in the morning and keep them feeling full for longer and it’s so easy to make!
Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and blend 1 min/speed 9.
Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blitz until smooth and creamy.
To avoid risk of allergic reaction, start with just 1 or 2 tiny balls of bee pollen and slowly build up over time.
You’ve probably seen jars of bee pollen available at your local health food store, and it’s becoming more popular on menus as a smoothie add-in, salad ingredient, or finishing touch to an açai bowl. Proponents of the powdery substance say it has tons of health-boosting benefits ranging from immune support to heart health. But how can you benefit from bee pollen, exactly?
Bees collect pollen from flowering plants and mix it with digestive enzymes. They then transport this mixture, known as bee pollen, back to beehives and store it there as a source of food for the rest of the hive. The substance, along with other bee-related products like honey and beeswax, have long been collected and used as a natural health supplement.
Because many of the studies supporting the potential benefits of bee pollen were performed on rodents, we don’t know how much those results apply to humans. “There aren’t any benefits supported by a robust evidence base,” explains Ryan Andrews, R.D., of Precision Nutrition. That doesn’t mean bee pollen is useless, per se—it just means much more research is needed in order to establish definitive claims. But here’s what we know so far:
Bee pollen is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Though the exact nutritional makeup of bee pollen depends on which plant the pollen was taken from, a 2012 analysis published in Molecules found that 22 samples of organic bee pollen collected in Portugal averaged 67.7% carbohydrate content, 21.8% crude protein, 5.2% crude fat, and 2.9% ash. The samples also contained substantial phenolic compounds, including flavonoids—the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University notes that flavonoids might be linked to vascular health, blood sugar control, and other health benefits.
“Many people use bee pollen to treat seasonal allergies,” says Sofia Norton, R.D. Studies on the anti-allergic properties of bee pollen in humans are limited, so most allergy-related claims stem from research performed on rodents. For a 2008 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers gave bee pollen phenolic extract (BPPE) to mice and rats with ovalbumin-induced allergies. Data showed that BPPE reduced the production of IgG1 and IgE antibodies, both associated with allergic reactions, and helped protect the rodents against anaphylactic shock.
“Bee pollen is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are antioxidant compounds that inhibit the action of inflammatory enzymes in your body,” Norton explains. A study published in the International Journal of Advanced Research in 2015 found that bee pollen improved inflammation in albino rats with prostatitis (a swelling of the prostate gland).
bhofack2Getty Images
A 2016 study published in the Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences found that bee products, including bee pollen, helped rats heal from liver damage. Researchers think that this is linked to the antioxidant properties of bee pollen. A 2013 study, also performed on rats, found that bee pollen helped protect liver cells from oxidative stress and promoted cell healing.
A 2016 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine studied the healing of burn wounds on two pigs. Researchers found that topical application of bee pollen sped up healing time when compared to untreated wounds, wounds treated with a salt solution, and wounds treated with silver sulfadiazine (a common burn wound disinfectant). Study authors believe bee pollen could be available in burn therapy, and have called for further research in this area.
According to research published in Phytotherapy Research in 2007, bee pollen extract might cause prostate cancer cells to die. The research was conducted on isolated cells in test tubes rather than on humans or live animals, meaning that considerable further research is needed to see if bee pollen could help treat cancer.
Animal studies suggest that bee pollen extract might help lower LDL cholesterol levels (a.k.a., the “bad” cholesterol). A 2017 study in Nutrients observed mice that were fed a high-fat diet to induce atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty material on artery walls). Mice that were also given bee pollen extract were less likely to have atherosclerosis, and had much healthier cholesterol levels.
JLGutierrezGetty Images
The Mayo Clinic notes that bee pollen allergies are rare, but says they can cause adverse reactions including wheezing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmia. A 2012 case study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal details how a 30-year-old woman experienced an anaphylactic shock after taking bee pollen supplements, causing facial swelling, shortness of breath, hives, trouble swallowing, and lightheadedness. The patient was successfully treated with epinephrine, diphenhydramine, and IV fluids, and advised to stop taking bee pollen supplements after a skin allergy test showed a strong reaction to bee pollen.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you should be cautious about taking bee pollen if you already take warfarin, prescribed to treat blood clots. Bee pollen can interact with warfarin and increase your chances of bruising or bleeding.
“Make sure to avoid supplement companies acquiring pollen in a way that’s destructive to bee populations,” Andrews says. “Bees are an essential part of earth’s biodiversity. While some of the pollen bees collect from plants will be mixed with salivary gland secretions or nectar and stored back at the beehive—this is bee pollen—some of this pollen is necessary for plant pollination, and it will be transferred to different plants to allow for fertilization. As humans, we want to avoid interrupting this process of pollination.”
If you’re interested in trying bee pollen supplements, experts say you should consult your doctor first to see if it can interfere with any medications or health conditions. The NIH rates bee pollen as “possibly safe” when taken by mouth for up to 30 days at a time, but it should be avoided if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to pollen.
https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a33300915/bee-pollen-benefits/
Packed with protein and bee pollen (superfood!), these breakfast bars are a healthy and convenient way to start off the day. Best part: they aren’t crazy sweet and would go great with your morning coffee.
SERVING SIZE:
makes approximately 10 bars
1 cup oats (quick or old fashioned)
1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons bee pollen
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit)
1/4 cup creamy almond butter (we used Full Belly)
2 tablespoons honey
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, combine the quinoa, oatmeal, almonds, salt and cinnamon and stir to combine. Whisk the eggs until beaten and pour over the quinoa mixture. Stir to coat. Add in the bee pollen and dried cranberries.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the honey and almond butter and stir to combine. Pour that over the quinoa mixture and stir until everything is fully coated. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and pour the breakfast bar mixture into the baking dish. Press the breakfast bars into the pan – pressing them will make them stick together better.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and let cool. Once cooled, slice into 10 breakfast bars. They will keep for a few weeks on the counter or in the fridge.
https://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/recipes/292/quinoa-breakfast-bars-with-bee-pollen
Getting a good amount of your fruits and veggies isn’t the easiest to do when your schedule is packed and you have limited time to prepare healthy meals and a family to care for. This smoothie combines a large serving of fruits and vegetables with their essential vitamins and minerals, while also providing some protein from the hemp seeds to get you ready for your day, or give you a mid-day boost. Plus, bee pollen adds an extra dose of antioxidants that are effective in alleviating allergies.
Recipe by Lindsey Love
Lindsey is the food editor at Thoughtfully Magazine and the author of Dolly and Oatmeal, her fresh-ingredients oriented food blog. Her first cookbook, Chickpea Flour Does It All, was published in April 2016.
ERVES: 2 PREP: 5 mins COOK: 1 mins TOTAL: 6 mins
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup broccoli rabe
1/2 banana or 1 small banana
3/4 cup frozen raspberries
3/4 cup fresh strawberries
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
1 tsp bee pollen, plus more for topping
1 tsp maple syrup
ice
