We have just launched our new skincare balm! This balm is used to treat dry skin and in particular, dry hands. It is a soothing multi-purpose balm with lavender.

Made in Small Batches

It is handmade here at Millbee Studio in small batches using the purest natural ingredients. These ingredients which include beeswax, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and lavender oil leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft. 

Our balm comes in both a jar and tin, which are convenient options for both home and 'on the go' use. 

Sustainability

Here at Millbee sustainability is central to our ethos. Our jars can be reused or recycled and our labels are made from recycled paper. Our balm is carefully packaged and delivered in recyclable cardboard boxes and our glass jar is wrapped in an eco-friendly paper alternative to plastic bubble wrap. 

We are offering 5% OFF when you order both our jar and tin. 

Available to buy online here!

For many people adjusting to working from home with kids is a big challenge during Covid-19 lockdown. My kids are five and six years old and I know those of you with babies or older kids and teenagers will have different challenges. I'd like to share a few ideas which I hope might help some of you! 

1. Expect to be interrupted!

Many children don't understand why they need to be quiet all of a sudden when you are on a work call. They don't understand that their home is now your work environment. It will help you to be less frustrated if you see things from their end!

2. Create a work zone

Space can be tight in many homes but if you can at all, try to create a defined space to work from. Kitchen tables can be difficult as they need to be cleared often for eating time and there's generally lots of activity in the kitchen. You could place a small desk or table in the bedroom or upstairs landing.

3. Activities for kids

If the weather is bad or you really need some quiet time to focus on your work here are some activities for kids - Coloring / Lego / Jigsaws. I don't think there's any harm in putting on a movie during the day either!

4. Free resources

Now is a good time to avail of all the free resources online. Here's a couple I like -  Join the library for free audio books. Calm meditation

5. Get them outside

When we were kids we were told to just go outside and play for hours. Particularly, when the sun was shining! We didn't have swings or slides and loads of toys outside and because of that, we had to create our own games. This encourages creativity and it's also healthy to be outdoors. 

6. Routine

I haven't been very strict when it comes to a routine so far. My kids are young so I think allowing them lots of time to play is important. However, they are encouraged to tidy up after themselves to lighten our workload. Their school sent us worksheets which we are using. Also, I have created packed lunches using our Millbee reusable food wraps! Having a tasty lunch to look forward to is an incentive to get their school work done. 

This is a challenging time for many of us but I also think it's a unique opportunity to spend quality time with our kids. Let's try to embrace this!

Our new beeswax pillar candles are now available on millbee.com! These candles are handmade at Millbee Studio using 100% beeswax and cotton wicks so they are completely natural. Beeswax Candles have a subtle natural scent which makes them a popular choice with people who have allergies or sensitivities to strong scents.  They have a beautiful warm flame and the honeycomb texture glows at the top of the candle when lit. It really is very calming to look at!

Now, to create some Mindful Moments while you light your beeswax candle!

With all that is going on in the world due to the Coronavirus, I thought I'd share some calming tips to go along with lighting your beeswax candle. It's good to stay informed but constant scrolling for updates is not good for the mind! Take some time out to switch off. 

You could also try some relaxing activities such as baking bread, reading a good book or knitting or crochet.

More details on our beeswax candles here!

Happy International Women's Day to all you 'amazing' women and especially to those strong women gone before us. I was chuffed to have my story included in Humans of Offaly by Paula Nolan this week and to talk about my granny who was an inspiration to me. 

"I absolutely love nature. The first blossoms will be coming out soon on the trees in the garden and I can’t wait. I love organic food and doing my market in Tullamore. Most of us are lucky enough to have at least one person in our lives who make a lasting impression on us and for me, that was my granny Langton. I was one of her eldest grandchildren, which meant that I got to spend more time with her. She lived on a small farm where she foraged and enjoyed the nature around her. Her hens roamed freely and she grew all of her own vegetables. I remember picking wild strawberries from one of the hedges which was full to the brim every year. There was also a damson tree at the front of her house from which she made all of her own jam. Granny’s salad sandwiches were divine!

She was the one person who stirred my interest in crafts. She taught me how to patchwork and helped me with my Home Economics projects, especially the sewing side.
Before Granny got married she worked for the Midland Health Board as their seamstress. She married at 20 in the early 1950s and like all women of that time had to leave her job. She went on to have ten children and she made all of their clothes. Back in the early 70s, because confirmation only happened every three years, she had four children for confirmation. She made all four outfits. My mother clearly remembers getting dressed for her confirmation and absolutely loving her salmon coloured dress complete with a cape that her mother had made for her. With her family reared, granny returned to making things like patchwork quilts, cushion covers and tea cosies. She went on to sell them at the market at the Tullamore Court Hotel at Christmas. She was so proud of her work and had no problem selling it at the price that she felt it deserved. She knew her worth which makes me so proud. She made everything by hand and was not afraid to let consumers know that the price reflected the time that went into making each piece. She was so clearly ahead of her time and a strong saleswoman. I’d like to think I inherited my creativity and entrepreneurialism from her and I know she would be very proud that I am in some way following in her footsteps. After all, she was my inspiration”.

Humans of Offaly ~ Jennifer Doyle

This day last year we launched Millbee! 

Looking to play your part in conserving our planet as you start your annual Spring cleaning? It can be a daunting task but you can always start by making small changes in your home. If you would like to cut down on single-use plastics you can switch to reusable beeswax food wraps to preserve food instead of using clingfilm. 

Beeswax wraps are an ideal substitute for clingfilm. Unlike clingfilm that cannot be recycled, beeswax wraps can last for up to one year and are biodegradable, preventing any form of ecological damage. Moreover, Millbee wraps have a breathable quality, unlike clingfilm which suffocates your food. This means your food is kept fresher for longer! 

One question we often asked is "How do you wash and care for beeswax wraps?"

To answer this question, here are a few tips on how to care for your wraps and make them last longer.

• Clean Gently

Beeswax wraps cannot be placed in dishwashers or washed in hot water. Wash them gently using cold water or submerge them in a sink filled with mild soapy water. Scrubbing too hard might peel off the wax.

• Dry & Store

In case you need to use your beeswax food wrap right away after washing it, dry with a towel. If not, you can let it drip dry naturally. Store them in a dry, clean and enclosed space to avoid direct sunlight or any form of heated surfaces.

• Avoid Oil and Sauce Stains

It is highly recommended that you keep beeswax wraps away from certain sauces and oils to avoid staining them. If you are covering a bowl of oil-based foods leave a gap between the food and wrap so the food is not directly touching your wrap.

Restoring Your Beeswax Wraps

Wondering how to revive your beeswax wraps if the wax starts to crinkle or flake off a little? For an instant remedy, re-melt the wax in an oven to smoothen crinkled beeswax reusable wraps. Make sure that your oven is on low heat to prevent damaging the wraps. Place your wrap on some parchment paper on a tray. This may take just one minute so keep an eye on your wrap. You just want to remelt the wax! Remove from the oven and quickly grab the two top corners with your fingers (be careful you don't burn your fingers) and wave to air dry. 

Wear and Tear

Frays, stains and rumples on your beeswax wraps are signs of a well-used wrap. However, our wraps have a pinking edge which means they are less likely to fray compared to straight-edged wraps. If you wish to clean stubborn stains without scraping off some wax from your wrap, use these amazing cleaning products from Lilly’s Eco Cleaning range. Some foods with strong colors such as turmeric and beetroot stains are difficult to avoid! 

Nevertheless, refreshing and cleaning your wraps is very simple and with a little care, your beeswax wraps will last longer.

Learn more about Millbee's Irish made beeswax wraps here!

2 0 1 9  was a busy first year for Millbee. In the 9 months since we launched we packed in a lot! We started with just one product - our beeswax food wraps variety pack which was only available on our website. Soon after, we introduced our bread wrap and lunch pack.

At Millbee, we are focused on sustainability and in particular cutting down on single-use plastic but the amazing bees are also central to what we do. So we launched our raw Irish honey as well as beeswax candles and gift sets for Christmas. Millbee Studio also joined the Irish Pollinator Plan. To learn what you can do to help our bees there's lots of great resources on the Irish Pollinator Plan website. 

Behind the scenes, it's mostly me working on Millbee but I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband, family and friends who have supported me. I am also collaborating with some very talented people who have worked with me on everything from product development to branding and content. It is a real team effort! Also, behind the scenes are my two young children - Jane and Matthew. They are both in primary school now which makes it easier to start this new venture but there's lots of juggling as you'd imagine. 

Markets and Gifted Christmas Fair 

I set up my stall in a good few food markets and events around Ireland as I believe it is so important to get out and speak to customers and gain feedback. Markets are great fun (once it doesn't rain if outdoors!). Aside from meeting new and old customers, I also love to meet the other traders and learn about their products. We ended the year at Gifted in the RDS which was busier than I imagined. We sold out each day and had to work very late into the night to restock. The feedback was amazing and I do hope we will be there next year and meet all our wonderful customers again. 

Millbee at Tullamore Food Fayre 

Awards

One of the highlights of 2019 was to be shortlisted for the National Startup Awards and receive silver in both categories. These prestigious awards included a high standard of Irish startup's. For Millbee, to be recognised at such an early stage of our business is a big boost. We were also delighted to be shortlisted in the Irish made awards from Irish Country Magazine. It was a good first year for awards and recognition! 

Millbee win silver in the Social/Sustainable Startup Category - Irish Start Up Awards 

Overall 2019 was a great start for Millbee. We are delighted to now have our beeswax food wraps stocked in a number of retailers around Ireland. Our wraps are available in a variety of shops from independent food stores and cafes to gift shops, eco shops and garden centers.

2 0 2 0

In the coming year, we plan to grow our list of stockists. We will have our stall in a number of markets around Ireland and we will also be  focused on our growing online community. 2020 is going to be a significant year for change as we try to tackle climate change. We believe that sustainability and cutting down on single-use plastic is a journey for many people as well as for businesses. We will do our best to support you and we also hope to inspire people to start making changes today. On a final note, I would like to thank all of you who have supported Millbee to date. It is much appreciated! 

We are delighted to introduce our new lunch pack of beeswax food wraps. This pack includes three large square sizes which are ideal for families or you can rotate your wraps during your week. We have heard many people say they feel guilty using clingfilm for their lunches but it keeps their sandwich fresh! Well, isn't it great we now have a natural and reusable alternative that also keeps your sandwich fresh? Our beeswax wraps are made from organic cotton fabric which is infused with a blend of beeswax, organic jojoba oil and resin. They can last for up to 6 months or longer and have multiple uses. Our lunch sizes are ideal for covering and keeping fresh bowls of your leftover meals of food prepared in advance. I often use this size for wrapping a half soda bread. It seals to itself easily and keeps your sandwich and all its fillings intact. 

Cleaning Your Beeswax Wrap

To clean your wrap wash or rinse with cold water and use a gentle eco-friendly washing detergent. If you use pestos or any other oil-based dressing try to keep in the centre of your sandwich to avoid spoiling your wrap. We suggest washing only if needed so your wrap will last longer.

Easily Wrap Up Or Create A Sandwich Pocket

Check out our 'how to' video below!

We are delighted to have a stall at this year's Savour Kilkenny Food Festival. The festival takes place 22nd - 28th October and we will have a stall in the market this Saturday and Sunday. 

Savour Kilkenny is now one of Ireland’s leading food festivals. The event celebrates local produce and food culture, local artisan products and a vibrant restaurant and café culture which has seen the area become a leading food destination. 

The festival also features the fast-growing brewing and distilling industry locally with a craft beer and spirit tent on the Parade and expert tasting events taking place across the city too.

FOOD WASTE & HOW TO PREVENT IT

Also at the market, you can meet the team of Ireland's National Waste Prevention Programme - FoodWaste.ie and learn how we all can play our part in how we eat, produce and waste food and some of Kilkenny’s Master Composters who have undergone training throughout the year and established a community compost facility.

There will also be workshops, talks and kids events.  For more information and to check out the line-up visit Savour Kilkenny.  If you are visiting, come and say hello and learn about our beeswax food wraps - the natural, reusable alternative to clingfilm. 

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Raw Irish Honey.

Our honey is sourced from Irish bees that feed on Spring and Summer blossoms. It is 100% pure Irish Honey, with no unnecessary additives or external honey sources. All of our honey can be sourced back to the beekeeper and apiary. 

Why Local and Raw Irish Honey?

When you buy from a local honey producer you know where your honey is coming from. Often in supermarkets, we think we are buying Irish honey when we are not. The labelling can be misleading. Our current batch of honey is coming from Offaly beekeeper Niall O'Reilly. It is raw & Irish and it tastes delicious.

With Raw honey some Crystallization may occur. This is a natural property of raw honey. To clear place in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes and stir.  

Sustainability

Here at Millbee sustainability is central to our ethos. Our label is made from recycled paper and we used a water soluable adhesive so it's easier to remove and recycle your jar. Our honey is carefully packaged and delivered in recyclable cardboard boxes and wrapped in an eco-friendly paper alternative to plastic bubble wrap. 

To celebrate the launch we are offering 5% OFF when you order two jars!

Available to buy online here!

One of the most popular uses for beeswax food wraps is to wrap lunches. Some of our suggestions include wrapping sandwiches, snack bars, fruit pieces or covering your salad bowl. Instead of using tinfoil of clingfilm, these beeswax food wraps are a wonderful reusable alternative. If you like to be organised you can even wrap sandwiches the night before and keep in the fridge to retain its freshness for the following day. With Irish schools becoming more environmentally conscious and some even banning single-use plastics altogether beeswax food wraps are an ideal solution. 

Seen as it's September and many school children are starting back to school I thought I would share some easy lunch recipes I use for my kids. 

Rhubarb Yoghurt Pot

Yoghurt pots are a great way to reuse old jars and experiment with flavours. I use organic natural yoghurt with different combinations of fruit, nuts or granola. For this week's lunch, I am using stewed rhubarb which we have grown outside. Add four sticks of rhubarb to a saucepan and stew for about 10 mins with around four tablespoons of sugar. When cool just add to the jar and top with yoghurt. Chill in the fridge overnight for lunch the next day!

Granola Bars

I make these regularly using a mixture of nuts, oats, seeds or dried fruit. It's a great way to use up some of these ingredients you have lying in the pantry for a while. I generally don't measure but try to get the right consistency of wet to dry ingredients for a nice chewy bar. 

For these bars I used the following:

100g oats 

100g quinoa puffs

80g dried apricot

70g pumpkin and sunflower seeds

150g butter 

90g honey 

90g golden syrup

Melt the butter with honey and golden syrup and then add to dry ingredients. Then stir to mix. Press into a loaf tin lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 160°C. 

We also have apples and plums growing in our garden which are delicious picked ripe this time of the year!

If you are looking for some more ideas on healthy kids lunches, here are some useful  resources: 

https://www.mummypages.ie/lunch-box-solutions

https://www.schooldays.ie/articles/Lunch-box-ideas-for-kids

Some great healthy eating ideas here - https://www.thecoolfoodschool.ie

As Plastic-free July comes to an end here are some reminders on how to stay involved and do your bit to be kind to the earth! Zero Waste Ireland takes a '6 R' approach. Plus we have included some other great advice that ZWI prescribes! 

Join Jennifer, founder of Millbee Studio for a discussion about cutting down on plastic waste in the home and a demo on using beeswax food wraps (a reusable and natural alternative to clingfilm).

Where: Tullamore Library, O'Connor Square, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland

When: Tuesday 30th July | 6-7pm

Free. Booking essential as spaces are limited.

To Book Contact: Tullamorelibrary@offalycoco.ie  or Tel: 057 9346832