Blog
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My Chickens Are Obsessed with GrubTerra Black Soldier Fly Larvae!
My flock went wild when I introduced them to GrubTerra Black Soldier Fly Larvae! These sustainable, protein-packed treats are a game-changer for backyard chickens. Packed with protein and calcium, they’re perfect for healthy feathers and strong eggshells. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, aligning with our simple living ethos. Watch my hens cluck with joy and discover why GrubTerra is now a coop staple! [Read more or watch the video for the full scoop!]
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How to Freeze-Drying Fresh Herbs with a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
Discover the ultimate way to preserve your garden’s fresh herbs with a Harvest Right freeze dryer! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through harvesting vibrant herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary, preparing them for freeze-drying, and storing them for year-round flavor. With the Harvest Right freeze dryer, you can lock in the taste, aroma, and nutrients of your homegrown herbs, ensuring they’re as fresh as the day you picked them. Ready to transform your herb garden? Check out my full guide and explore the Harvest Right freeze dryer! #FreezeDryingHerbs #HerbGardening
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The Ultimate 5-Minute DIY Wasp Trap (That Keeps Your Bees 100% Safe!) Ep. 11
Want to eliminate wasps without harming your honeybees or garden pollinators? Learn how to make a 5-minute, budget-friendly DIY wasp bait using boric acid and fruit juice that targets the nest safely and effectively!
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 10 Honey Processing Day: How We Harvested Over 6 Pounds of Raw Honey Without an Extractor!
Harvesting raw honey at home without expensive equipment! Watch as we harvest 3 frames from our beehive using the crush-and-strain method, yielding over 6 pounds (12 jars) of pure honey. Includes tips on filtering with cheesecloth and letting bees clean the leftover frames.
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 9: The Sweet Honey Haul Begins in Colorado!
Step inside the apiary for Bee Wednesday Episode 9! Join me as we harvest frames full of sweet honey, inspect capped brood, spot newly hatching drone bees, and check on hive health right here in Colorado Zone 5b.
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 8: How to Make a Simple DIY Bee Watering Station
Give your backyard pollinators a safe place to hydrate! In this episode of Bee Wednesday, we’re sharing a simple, budget-friendly DIY Bee Watering Station using a shallow saucer, a focal rock, and affordable glass gems. It's a quick 5-minute project that adds a pop of color to your garden while protecting your bees from drowning.
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 7: Double Queen Cups & Honey Gold!
In this week’s hive inspection for Bee Wednesday (Episode 7), we tackle some major colony milestones and a little bit of backyard hive drama! From finding unexpected double queen cups to spotting the queen surrounded by vibrant yellow pollen, the bees are keeping things busy. Plus, we check in on our honey super and get a look at some gorgeous, shimmering capped honey that means harvest season is right around the corner!
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 6: Hive Buzzing with Action! (Spotting the Queen and Finding Queen Cups)
Get an inside look at a packed hive inspection! In this week's Bee Wednesday, we're diving into the boxes to spot our green-dotted queen, examining the difference between nectar and capped honey, and handling a surprise discovery: hidden queen cups.
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 5: First Queen Cup Surprise & Finding the Queen (1-Month Update)
One month into the beekeeping journey and the hive is absolutely buzzing! In this week's hive inspection, we're lighting up the smoker with a secret fuel combo, witnessing the magical moment of baby drone bees being born, spotting the elusive queen, and dealing with our very first queen cup surprise. Here is what a peek inside a thriving colony looks like after four weeks.
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 4: 🐝Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners: Inspecting the Hive and Checking the Super
Welcome back to Bee Wednesday! In Episode 4, we’re diving into our third official beehive check. Today is a major milestone for our backyard hive: we’re checking on the honey super for the first time to see how our bees are building out their comb and managing their space. Whether you’re a beginner beekeeper or just love watching a thriving hive, join us as we smoke the hive, inspect the frames, and look for signs of a healthy colony!
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7-Night Caribbean Cruise Review: Sailing on the MSC Seashore
If you’re planning a Western Caribbean itinerary or considering sailing with MSC Cruises out of Port Canaveral, we’re sharing all the highlights from our 7-night adventure aboard the MSC Seashore! Day 1: Embarkation at Port Canaveral We arrived at Port Canaveral early to kick off our second cruise with MSC. The boarding process was smooth, taking about 45 minutes from arrival to stepping onto the ship. After settling into our balcony cabin, we headed up to the deck for the Sail Away party to watch the coast fade into the horizon as we set sail. Days 2 & 3: Two Days at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas) One of…
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 3 Second Beehive Check: Honeybee Progress & What to Look For
Welcome back to another episode of Bee Wednesday! If you’ve been following along, we recently installed our new honeybee colonies, and today it’s time for our second official hive inspection. Regular hive checks are crucial, especially in the early weeks, to ensure the colony is thriving, building out comb, and—most importantly—rearing new generations of bees. Let’s dive into what we found during this week’s check and what you should be looking for during your own inspections! Prepping the Hive and Staying Calm Before opening up the colony, it’s always important to fire up the smoker. A little bit of cool smoke helps calm the bees by disrupting their alarm pheromones,…
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 2: Our Very First Hive Check & Expanding the Hive! 🐝✨
Suited up, smoker lit, and hive tool in hand—we officially tackled our very first beehive check! Opening the hive for the first time was an absolute whirlwind of excitement, but the real magic was seeing just how busy our workers have been. To keep up with their rapid growth and prevent swarming, we officially expanded their living quarters this week by adding a brand-new deep box and a honey super. Click through to see exactly what we found inside, how our queen is doing, and the step-by-step process of scaling up the bee yard!
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Bee Wednesday Ep. 1: Prepping My First Beehive & Installing the Nuc!
The wait is officially over! In Episode 1 of my new weekly beekeeping series, I’m taking you along as I prep my hive components, handle the arrival of my first nucleus colony (nuc), and share the nerve-wracking but magical experience of transferring the frames early in the morning. Come see how we spotted capped brood, fresh eggs, and got our colony officially settled in!
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Welcome to Ryan & Kristin Travel: Our Next Big Adventure Begins!
We’re almost empty nesters and ready for our next big chapter! Welcome to Ryan & Kristin Travel—your new go-to hub for cruise reviews, road trips, packing hacks, and travel rewards. Come explore the world with us!
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Getting Started with Bees for Beginners
Embark on the sweet journey of beekeeping with me every Wednesday! In this inaugural "Bee Wednesday" post, I'll share my beginner's guide to starting your own beekeeping adventure, right from setting up in your backyard or even integrating with your chicken coop. Learn about essential beekeeping supplies, the ideal hive location, and why beekeeping might just be the hobby you've been looking for.
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Butter Garlic Herb Sourdough Recipe
This rich and buttery sourdough garlic bread is loaded with so much delicious garlic flavor.
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2024 Top Ten Read Blog Posts
Happy New Year! I thought it would be fun to look back at my top ten most viewed blog posts from 2024 https://livesimplywithkristin.com/2024-top-ten-read-blog-posts/
