Have you ever heard the expression "Flower Power"? Often, we think of the 1960's and hippies wearing embroidered flowers as a way of expressing peace and happiness. As members of the flower industry, we have always had an inkling that there may be something more behind flowers and happiness. After all, we get to witness first-hand how flowers can bring happiness and smiles to a person.
In fact, the slogan has roots of truth, according to a 10-month behavioral study conducted by Rutgers University. The study was aimed at exploring the link between flowers and life satisfaction, and according to their findings, flowers are apparently a natural moderator of moods and they even have strong positive effects on emotional health.
The subjects of the Rutgers’ study received deliveries of flowers and other gifts, such as candles and fruit. As can be expected, most gifts received a positive reaction; however, the highest response rate occurred when receiving flowers, and their studies showed that the positive feelings lasted two to three days.
Violet has a calming effect on the mind and nerves. It is uplifting, and encourages creativity.
Astrantia Purple Joyce Patty's Plum Poppy
Tricytris "Dark Beauty" Toad Lily
Yellow, psychologically, is the happiest color in the spectrum. It symbolizes the sun, and invokes happy and radiant feelings. It is a friendly color that encourages communication. Yellow also stimulates the memory and the nervous system.
Exotic Sun Double Orienpet Lily Garden Treasure Itoh Peony
Orange conveys optimism and encourages socialization. It is also associated with determination and success.
Tiger Lily Orange Glow Oriental Poppy
Blue is most often named as a favorite color. Just as the blue sky and the blue ocean are considered constants in our world, blue is perceived as dependable and trustworthy. Blue invokes feelings that are calm, cool and sedate.
Delphinium Blue Indulgence Concord Crush Iris
Pink is associated with joy. Brighter pinks, similar to reds, stimulate energy, increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat and respiration. Softer pink hues convey a sense of sweetness and romance.
Pink Saffire Oriental Lily Joop Oriental Lily
White symbolizes openness. White blooms are most often associated with purity, honesty and perfection.
Casa Blanca Oriental Lily Polar Star Double Oriental Lily
Do you know someone who could use a lift today? Or maybe you could use an emotional boost yourself. Draw upon the power of flowers to improve your emotional health, or that of someone you love.
]]>Once you have all your ingredients, follow this recipe:
Two parts Hawthorne berries
One part St. John's Wort leaf and flower
One part Lemon Balm leaf,
One part Violet leaf
One part Eleuthero root
Layer the herbs in jars like this:
Fill your jar or jars about 1/2 to 3/4 full, as the dried leaves and berries will expand after you add the alcohol.
Add your 40% vodka to the very top, and shake well to combine
Put the jar in a cool, dark place and shake well once in a while, for 4-6 weeks. Keep an eye on the expanding herbs in your jar. If they have expanded so much that the liquid no longer moves around the jar when you shake it, scoop out some plant matter, and refill the jar to the top with alcohol.
After 4-6 weeks, use a cheesecloth or brewer's bag to strain the alcohol from the herbs. Transfer to dark amber dropper bottles, taking care to label them with the name and date.
I like to take 2-3 dropper-fulls of tincture 2-3 times daily for 5 days, then decrease use to 2 dropper-fulls daily for several weeks or even months, as needed.
I hope you enjoy this Happy Tonic, and stay healthy this holiday season!
Which Lilies Are Edible?
It is difficult to distinguish what people mean when they say "lily," as many common garden plants bear that name: Calla lily, Lily of the valley, Toad lily, Peruvian lily, Daylily, the list goes on and on. When we say "edible lilies," we are talking about true lilies, members of the genus Lilium. (Daylilies, Hemerocallis, are also edible, and in fact are rather tasty. Check below for some recommended recipes if you wish to nibble them!) Many plants in the Liliaceae family are edible. Think onions, garlic, chives, shallots. Delicious plants, all members of this large family. Interestingly, the Liliaceae family is also home to some of the most toxic plants in the world. But right now, we will focus on the plants that won't kill us.
Edibility
All plants in the Lilium genus are edible, and all parts of the plant can be eaten. The young shoots, the leaves, and the flowers. But what is most nourishing is the bulb of this beautiful plant. Some lily species have been harvested for their bulbs for thousands of years. Native Americans revered their native lilies for their culinary and medicinal uses, and would ensure the success of these species by performing prescribed burns in areas in which they grew. Wild species in North America that were favored for their edible qualities are L. paradalinum, L. columbianum, and L. canadense. The tiger lily, L. lancifolium, originally from Asia and used for thousands of years in cuisine, is now naturalized to many parts of North America and is popular among gardeners wishing to experiment with this other side of lilies.
Toxicity
Many people believe that Lilies are toxic. That is a common myth because they are very poisonous to cats. Hemerocallis, or Daylilies, are also highly toxic to cats. They both cause acute kidney failure, even in very small amounts. But cats will very likely never eat these plants, they are somehow aware of their toxicity.
Other Uses
Who knew Lilies could serve any other purposes, but another interesting thing about them is they are also quite medicinal. They were traditionally used in Native American cultures for coughs and sore throats, and as an expectorant. They are also known for their cardiac benefits.
How to Eat Lily Bulbs
Most edible lily bulbs which can be purchased in a market are mostly imported from mainland China. Many Asian cultures use the lily bulb, especially Lilium lancifolium, in traditional cuisine to this day. Thus the recipes are often Oriental in nature. Cooked Lily bulbs resemble turnips in flavor, crunchy, sweet, and starchy in texture, often used as a substitute for potatoes. Some say that the taste of the bulb also takes on a mild chestnut flavor, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. They are often used in stir fries, boiled in soups and stews, and even baked.
Try these recipes for cooking your lily bulbs:
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/737816351429774381/
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The pumpkin centerpiece is very simple, absolutely stunning, and so festive! Best yet, it is doable within an hour and it is such a fun DIY for the family!
1. First carve out the pumpkin like you would a jack-o-lantern, with the insides scooped out, and a large hole on top. For this arrangement, I chose a rounder, more shallow pumpkin, so as to create the largest hole in the top. I recommend doing this project outside, or spreading newspaper to avoid a mess with the clean-up.
2. Place a water-filled vase inside the pumpkin. You can also use a chunk of oasis, if you have it. I used a ceramic dish that fit perfectly inside the pumpkin, then used an oasis cube inside of the dish. Be sure to fill your vase with water.
3. Arrange your flowers, leaves, and other found objects inside the vase. Fall is a great time of year to find truly beautiful foliage. There are still some plants blooming as well, such as dahlias, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, etc. Sometimes it's fun to add in baby corn, or a small gord or pumpkin in the mix if you have a space that needs to be filled. If you need a little more color in your arrangement, go to your local flower shop and pick up a small group of flowers to add to the gathered items.
4. Enjoy! When you have all your foliage and flowers arranged the way you like it, take a step back and marvel at your creation.
Now it's time to set the dinner table. All your guests will compliment your creativity, and your fall flower arrangement will be the talk of the party!
Now you can put this fun project on your To-Do List for your next Fall event!
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