Tag Archive | order flowers

Twenty One Rules of Edible Flowers


21 Rules of Edible Flowers

The use of flowers in food dates back thousands of years to the Chinese, Greek and Romans. And with the resurgence of the world’s desire to save the planet, the interest in edible flowers has become more desirable. In keeping with the current “trends” people may want to experiment with flowers and plants more as a food source.  However there are some rules or guidelines you must keep in mind when experimenting. First of all, remember that even if the flower isn’t poisonous does not mean it’s edible.

Before partaking of flowers , review these 21 simple rules:

  1. Before consuming any flowers,  consult a good reference book on edible flowers to be certain they can be used in your recipes and eaten.
  2. Choose flowers that are free from pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Opt for organic or grow your own in a controlled environment.
  3. Harvest flowers at their peak freshness for the best flavor and nutritional value.
  4. Be aware of any allergies you or your guests may have. Some flowers can trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals.
  5. Because some flowers may aggravate allergies, it is best to start small when introducing edible flowers into your meal plans.
  6. Not all flowers used as “garnish” or decorations on plates are edible. When in doubt, ask the server or chef or simply “throw it out.”
  7. When growing your edible flowers only use pesticides when necessary and only those  products labeled for use on edible crops.
  8. Do not eat flowers from florists, nurseries or garden centers. It is common for these flowers have been treated with pesticides that are not considered safe for edible crops.
  9. Never eat flowers picked from the side of the road.
  10. Eat only the flower petals and prepare according to recipes. Remove the pistils and stamens from flowers when preparing your dishes.
  11. Different flavors occur in plants when grown in different locations because of soil types, fertilization, and culture. Environmental conditions play a big role as well. What has excellent flavor at one time may taste different at the end of the season or the next year.
  12. Experiment with different flavor combinations. Some flowers have subtle flavors that can enhance both sweet and savory dishes.
  13. To avoid digestive problems, it is a good idea to introduce flowers into your diet in small quantities one species at a time. Too
  14. Collect flowers at the optimum time. Pick fully open flowers in the cool of the day. Avoid flowers that are starting to wilt.
  15. Sample the flower for taste. If it’s bitter and you expected it to be sweet, you may not want to use it just yet.
  16. Flowers mature at different rates (just like people) and depending on the soil, time of year and weather conditions, this year’s crop may have a totally different taste than those used in previous harvests. 
  17. Store edible flowers properly to maintain their freshness. Refrigerate them in a sealed container lined with a damp paper towel.
  18. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Edible flowers can add zest to your recipes, they add a whole new variety of flavors and colors that you may never have experiences. 
  19. Use edible flowers as garnishes to enhance the visual appeal of dishes. They can add a pop of color and elegance to plates.
  20. Take advantage of seasonal blooms. Different flowers are available at different times of the year, so adjust your recipes accordingly.
  21. Be aware of any regulations regarding the harvesting and sale of edible flowers in your area. Some species may be protected or subject to restrictions.

Have fun experimenting and experiencing the new dimension they can bring to your cooking.

Source: Horticulture News http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/7-21-1995/eatflow.html

Flower Study Unearths Buyers Generational Preferences





The Society of American Florists conducted research to find out what flowers “mean” to different generations. Here’s an excerpt of that study:

“SAF’s Generations of Flowers consumer research study, completed in January 2009, explores the motivations and barriers of how different age groups perceive, buy, and use flowers and floral outlets. Three generations of consumers were assessed through qualitative and quantitative measures: Generation Y (ages 18-30), Generation X (31-44), and Baby Boomers (45-60). The study methodology included:

Interviews with generational and gift giving research giants, Iconoculture and Roper
Two online focus groups of 57 individuals
Online survey of 1,557 flower consumers”

Key Inisghts Included Flowers and Gifting, Flower Purchase Behaviors and compared Boomers, Gen X’ers and Gen Y feelings toward flowers in general.

For instance when it comes to floral purchases

Gen Y is “most likely to purchase flowers in person and deliver flowers themselves. This echoes a “personalization” trend in gifting characteristic of this generation.”

And Gen Y is also “more likely to purchase flowers to impress guests in their home, significantly higher than other generations. This indicates an opportunity to reposition the value of flowers for the younger consumer.”

Compared to Gen X which “most likely purchases flowers as a traditional holiday/occasion gift for someone else, as a “just because” pick-me-up gift, and for home decoration.”

The Baby Boomer Generation “is significantly more likely than other generations to keep flowers in their consideration set when purchasing a gift, and to find flowers appropriate for a broad range of gifting situations.”

To read the rest of the study visit http://www.canadiangardencentre.ca/content/view/2017/38/

To order flowers visit: Eden Florist Today!

We Specialize in DOGHOUSE REPAIRS





"We Specialize in DOGHOUSE REPAIRS - doghouse logoEver since the dawn of time, people (mostly men) have been in the doghouse.  Imagine how much trouble Adam would have been in if he had not eaten that apple!  He might have had to spend the night (or several) in the dogasaurus cave! But that’s another story….

For as long as I can remember, people (mostly men) have been coming into my florist and saying “Help, I’m in the doghouse.”  In fact, I can remember the very first time a customer said that to me, I replied, “No problem, we specialize in doghouse repairs.”

And so began what would one day become a national holiday. Now Get out of the Doghouse DAy is not really a celebration.  I mean how could it be?  Its more of an observance. Because most of the time people (mostly men) are looking for something to “smooth things over.”  While flowers can certainly help get back in the intended’s good graces, it is easier to be forgiven when the offender is remorseful, sincere and he (or she) ads a dash of romance.

Now, I’m not suggesting you BEG Forgiveness (unless the situation warrants it), I am suggesting that bringing home a bouquet and being open to talking it out will give you a better chance of “getting out of the doghouse.”

In 2002 my staff and I conducted a survey and a majority of women said that although they preferred to talk about their troubles, they also thought flowers were a romantic way to ask for forgiveness. For men the answer was much simpler. They prefer make-up sex. Maybe adding a petals around the house and on the bed would satisfy both!

So next time you are in the doghouse think of flowers as a start… flowers suggest romance and let’s face it, romance is what most people (mostly women) really want.

So next time you are in the doghouse, bring home a bouquet and a willingness to talk things out and you could find yourself out of the doghouse and back in the Main House.

And remember, Eden Florist specializes in “doghouse repairs.”

To read some fun doghouse stories visit: https://tulipstalk.com/category/doghouse-stories/

To submit YOUR Doghouse Story (and enter our doghouse competition) visit: https://tulipstalk.com/DoghouseSurvey.pdf.

Florascope – Aquarius





Aquarius

January 20-February 18

A friend to all, you know no strangers, only friends you have yet to meet.  You are an idea person, an inventor, a good communicator and one of your strengths is your ability to listen and learn.  You can be brilliant and sometimes erratic, however most happy when following your passions.

The flowers that best represent you are tulips and mums.

Need to order flowers for the Aquariun in your life?  Visit EDEN FLORIST

Get Out of the Doghouse with Flowers





"We Specialize in DOGHOUSE REPAIRS - doghouse logoWE SPECIALIZE IN DOGHOUSE REPAIRS

And today is the 15th Anniversary of the Get Out of the Doghouse Day and Month becoming an OFFICIAL HOLIDAY.  And it all started when a customer came into Eden Florist and said “”Help, I’m in the doghouse.”   I replied, “No problem, we specialize in doghouse repairs.”

This may come as no surprise to you that ever since the dawn of time, people (mostly men) have been in the doghouse.  Imagine how much trouble Adam would have been in if he had not eaten that apple!  He might have had to spend the night (or several) in the dogasaurus cave! But that’s another story….

For as long as I can remember, people (mostly men) have been coming into my florist and saying “Help, I’m in the doghouse.”

And so began what would one day become a national holiday. Of course, Get out of the Doghouse Day is not really a celebration.  I mean how could it be?  Its more of an observance. Because most of the time people (mostly men) are looking for something to “smooth things over.”  While flowers can certainly help get back in the intended’s good graces, it is easier to be forgiven when the offender is remorseful, sincere and he (or she) ads a dash of romance.

Now, I’m not suggesting you BEG Forgiveness (unless the situation warrants it), I am suggesting that bringing home a bouquet and being open to talking it out will give you a better chance of “getting out of the doghouse.”

In 2002 my staff and I conducted a survey and a majority of women said that although they preferred to talk about their troubles, they also thought flowers were a romantic way to ask for forgiveness. For men the answer was much simpler. They prefer make-up sex. Maybe adding a petals around the house and on the bed would satisfy both!

So next time you are in the doghouse think of flowers as a start… flowers suggest romance and let’s face it, romance is what most people (mostly women) really want.

So next time you are in the doghouse, bring home a bouquet and a willingness to talk things out and you could find yourself out of the doghouse and back in the Main House.

And remember, Eden Florist specializes in “doghouse repairs.”

To read some fun doghouse stories visit: https://tulipstalk/category/doghouse-stories/

To submit YOUR Doghouse Story (and enter our doghouse competition) visit: https://tulipstalk/DoghouseSurvey.pdf.

Today is Plant a Flower Day… In Honor of Earth Day





"Today is Earth Day and Plant a Flower Day"

“Flowers are good for the Earth AND for the Soul” Heidi Richards Mooney

Remember when you were a school girl (or boy as the case may be) and your teacher gave you a project of planting a seed in a paper cup? I do, I think the first time we did that was in 1st grade and the nuns (did I mention I’m a recovering Catholic? *SMILE) gave each student a paper cup, and some seeds which I don’t even recall what they were. We marched outside to the school yard, hoes in hand and began digging up the earth so we could put the dirt in our humble paper cups, add seeds, a little water and then wait.  We waited for what seemed like eternity (probably only a few days in adult time) as the paper cups sprouted little green leaves.  I remember how proud I was of that little plant… that I (and God) could actually create a living thing!  In fact, it is probably the only good memory I have of Catholic School.  This is, I am sure what started my love, awe and respect for flowers.

 

According to the National Gardening Association, gardening is one of the nation’s most popular pastimes. One in four Americans says that gardening is a real hobby or interest of theirs. About one in four spends four or more hours per week tending lawns, flowers, and vegetables.  It makes me wonder how it is around the world? In some parts the numbers are probably much higher!

 

It got me thinking about how flowers affect us in such profound ways. 

In Honor of Earth Day and Plant a Flower day….. Here’s a story Gloria Mount shared on the WIN network on RYZE Social network shared about how flowers have impacted her life:

 

THE FAMILY ROSE by Gloria Mount

Elizabeth is standing along side of what we are now calling, “The Family Rose”, at our home in California.

It was just a nice little red rose bush, to begin with and suddenly, it has taken on a life of its own.

It began with Liz’s wedding back in December 2004. The morning of her wedding, for various reasons, I was not able to attend her “original” ceremony. That morning, when I went to get the morning paper, I was heavy hearted.

Then I noticed this red rose, in full bloom….in the dead of winter, the only plant in the garden blooming. I was amazed, but knew the Lord was comforting me.

Come February 2005, the morning of my Mother-In-Law’s funeral….suddenly in our barren rose garden was this Red-Rose in full bloom!!! We cut it and took it with us to the services.

When Baby Luke was born, Oct. 2005 there was this Red-Rose!!

December 2005 when Christina was here for Christmas holidays, the day we took her to her Grandma’s grave site….here was this red-rose in full bloom!! We cut it and Chris put it on Grandma Mount’s lovely grave.

Now, May 2006, the morning of Liz’s Bday. I walked outside and saw 2 brilliant red buds….by the time we came back from her Bday breakfast…there was the Red Rose, in full bloom !!!!

Now, I’m wondering how Christina came to name her website….Cyerra Rose…I’m sure Chris wasn’t thinking of our roses here in Whittier….but “Some One” had guided her heart and mind.

As I’m writing this, the connection, now is amazing.

Cyerra Rose was always a beautiful name, but, now it all makes sense with our “Family Red Rose”.

God loves to delight us!!!!

If you’d like to stop by Gloria’s page and say HI and thank her for her story, it’s here: http://www.ryze.com/go/Italianmamma

In case you’d like to read about the other benefits, check out a post I wrote last month entitled “NATURES BENEFITS” at  http://tulipstalk.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/natures-benefits/

And if you like flower humor, here’s one for you:

What did the bee say to the flower?


“Hey bud, when do you open?

 

Time to get out the shovel … Happy Plant a Flower Day!

 

Heidi