No one knows for sure yet what’s causing Colony Collapse Disorder, but the use of pesticides is suspected. Contaminated water or a new pathogen are other possibilities. It’s a mystery that started in the US and has spread to several other countries.

What’s happening? Honey bees, known for being such hard workers, are disappearing. They just simply aren’t returning to their hives. And the colony, with only a queen and a few immature workers, collapses.

To put this disorder in terms everyone (well, nearly everyone) can relate to, think of it as ice cream.

According to a recent CNN article, the bee disorder is affecting 40% of Haagen-Dazs’ 73 flavors. We need honey bees for ingredients like almonds, strawberries and cherries.

What are some things you can do that might help the bees?

• Opt for organic herbicides in your lawn and garden. (See the Nature’s Avenger post.)

• The USDA suggests avoiding the use of pesticides mid-day when honey bees are most active.

• Buy from local organic farmers.

• This might seem silly, but rent Bee Movie! No, that won’t physically assist the bees, but it might help you and your family appreciate bees a bit more. I won’t give away the plot in case you haven’t seen it.

• Eat some Vanilla Honey Bee Ice Cream from Haagen-Dazs. They’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to fund honey bee research at the University of California, Davis and Penn State University.

Are you concerned about rising food prices due to Colony Collapse Disorder?

Image via Haagen-Dazs.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

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If you need a picture to take to your baker, and you want something with a natural theme then I’d visit Wildflowers – one of the most beautiful cake shop in the world (IMO). Not just cakes either. Wildflowers creates amazing baskets filled to the brim with sugar flowers, leaves, berries, and more.

Individuals in New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland can order cakes from Wildflowers, but outside of the area, you can still order custom toppers or a collection of flowers for your wedding. And believe me, you’ll want to after you see these cakes. Or rather works of art. Wildflowers creates both Wedding Cakes, Special Occasion Cakes, and Garden Cakes, and most would work for a natural themed wedding.

Here are just a few examples of these beautiful cakes…

Bride Magazine named the cake below as one of America’s 50 most beautiful cakes in 2008 – not very surprising.

Fall Apple Basket for an autumn wedding table. Beautiful sugar work.

Lilacs! My favorite – this was a birthday basket, but it could so be in a summer wedding.

I’m not sure how you could slice into this lavender and lilac watercolor wedding cake – seriously. It’s so pretty.

I have to say if I ever have a wedding, I’d have to get some sugar flowers from Wildflowers. Or heck, maybe skip the wedding, and just get a cake.

To learn more about these wonderful cakes visit Wildflowers.

[images via Wildflowers]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

They have higher priced goods that would make great heirloom gifts for a new baby such as amazingly simple yet gorgeous hemp/organic cotton wall prints. My personal favorite is this little turtle:

They also have prints of the same line (so like-wise colors and look) but in bunnies and deer.

Or you could go with beautifully made, inexpensive, handcrafted wooden baby rattles. Made from wood offcuts and filled with Indian corn. To top it off they’re polished with baby safe mineral oil and bees wax. Available in Maple or Black Cherry.

Last up a super sweet baby gift — and at a great price. These Organic Baby Bunches contain clothing made with 100% super-soft unbleached organic cotton set among recycled paper leaves and colored flowers. Each Organic Bunch Includes: One Bib, One T-shirt, One Hat, Two pairs of socks and One Onesie. Plus how cute is the box! Available in Apricot, Pink or Blue.

If you know a baby (or happy parents) in need of a wonderful gift this season you can’t do much better than Wildflower Organics.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family