Saturday, January 23, 2016

Smelling Celebrities



Flowers and Names


You may have walked past and even gotten close enough to smell a Barbara Bush, Chevy Chase or Prince Charles without being aware of it. You may think this is impossible, but if you've ever been to a rose garden, the possibility of walking past a celebrity -- a celebrity-named rose that is -- is endless. Breeders have named hundreds of roses after famous people, real and fictional, from movie stars to entertainers and even royalty

Fictional Characters

The 'Sir Lancelot' floribunda rose features amber, peach and pink swirls. Both the tea rose and floribunda named after Snow White are, of course, pure white, while the miniature blooms on 'Cinderella' miniature are white with light pink markings. The 'Robin Hood' shrub blooms with small bright red roses while 'Othello' roses blend red with bright pink. A climbing vine honors ladies' man Don Juan and features romantic deep red, ruffled roses with an intense damask scent. 'Frankly Scarlet' honors the beloved "Gone with the Wind" heroine, and is, naturally, deep scarlet.

Artists, Composers and Authors

The 'William Shakespeare' rose blazes with burgundy red petals, while Chaucer's rose boasts a yellow center surrounded by light pink. 'Mozart' is bright pink with a white center on a modern shrub rose. Breeders recognized Michelangelo's contributions with two roses--an orange floribunda and a yellow hybrid tea. 'Agatha Christie' scrambles up pillars and posts in a climbing vine suffused with pale pink blooms.

Crooners and Rockers

Barbra Streisand's hybrid tea rose blends lavender and mauve, while Bing Crosby's tall shrub hybrid tea bears handsome dark orange blooms with a mild spice fragrance. Dolly Parton's spirit is embodied with a big-bloomed red-orange blossom suffused with a rose-clove fragrance, and fellow country singers Reba McEntire and LeeAnn Rimes are honored with an orange-red grandiflora and pink-yellow hybrid tea, respectively.

Royalty

Several roses have honored England's Queen Elizabeth and the various anniversaries of her crowning. The award-winning 'Queen Elizabeth' grandiflora offers striking pink blossoms which seem to let sunlight shine through the petals. 'Princesse de Monaco' celebrates the former Grace Kelly with a large-flowered hybrid tea in white with pink edging and a fruity fragrance. Princess Diana's legacy lives on with a blended-pink hybrid tea rose.

Movie Stars


The 'Ingrid Bergman' hybrid tea rose boasts masses of deep red blooms, while breeders celebrate Bergman's frequent costar Cary Grant with another hybrid tea, this one bright orange with gold streaks. Dramatic pink petals adorn the 'Elizabeth Taylor' hybrid tea. And while she usually graces the small, rather than silver, screen, Rosie O'Donnell gets the "a rose for a rosie" with a multicolored hybrid tea rose sporting red petals with bright yellow undersides. Marilyn Monroe lives on with a luscious apricot hybrid tea and Audrey Hepburn is remembered with a light pink hybrid tea. Vivacious Judy Garland gets an equally vivid rose named for her--a scarlet, orange and yellow floribunda.

Icons

Florence Nightingale's
floribunda fits nicely in a container, and bears ruffled, cream-colored blooms. Julia Child personally selected her legacy rose, a frilled floribunda colored in the warm tone of butter--of course--with a strong anise candy scent. The 'Amelia Earhart' hybrid tea sports
pointed cream petals on the outer petals, intensifying to a buttery yellow in the center.


For more info:

http://www.
allaboutrosegardening.com/Roses-named-after-famous-people.html

http://www.
famousbirthdays.com/names/rose.htm



208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)
http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Plant Doctor

Plants are powerful healers


There is general agreement amongst scientists that plants improve the indoor environment and are useful in fighting the modern phenomenon of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
No specific cause of SBS has been identified but poor air quality, excessive background noise and inadequate control of light and humidity are all thought to be important factors.
Because plants have large surface areas and exchange gases and water with their surroundings, plants can help tackle some of these issues.
Particular benefits of interior plants include:
1.    Reducing carbon dioxide levels
2.    Increasing humidity
3.    Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide
4.    Reducing airborne dust levels
5.    Keeping air temperatures down

House Plants do more than just brighten up a room with color and living energy. Along with being pleasing to the eye, they bring real health benefits to your body. Not only do complaints about headaches, stress, heart/circulation-symptoms and colds decrease when indoor plants are present.

The good news is that a classic NASA study found that common house plants could improve air quality. In fact, they reported that houseplants were able to remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours. The recommendation? Use 15 to 18 "good-sized" house plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers for an 1,800 square-foot house.

Here are a few plants and one recipe that showcase their healing ability.

Aloe vera
Aloe is a cactus-like succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves. The aloe family probably originated in Africa, but it has been cultivated all over the world for centuries.
The gel from Aloe Vera leaves has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns and other skin conditions. It may also be the most important plant discovered for digestive health. More than 60 million North Americans suffer from frequent heartburn and drinking homegrown aloe juice will reduce the acid in your stomach immediately.
Directions for use:
· Using a sharp knife, peel away the rind from aloe leaves to extract six ounces of gel.
· Discard the rind.
· Peel away the top yellow layer (the aloe latex) and discard.
· Transfer the aloe gel to a blender and add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon and 1/2 cup of water.
· Blend on high speed until smooth (but not frothy). Drink immediately.

Haskap
These berries are touted to be the super berries of the coming years. It's known by the Japanese as the 'fruit of the longevity'. The Haskap fruit is similar to blueberries in colour, but it is elongated and slightly cylindrical - more like a mini plum. The Haskap berry is known to have five times the amount of anti-oxidant found in a blueberry, making it an antioxidant superfood. It helps prevent heart disease, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and osteoporosis. It's also well suited to the North American climate.
Directions for use:
· 1 cup haskap berries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp chia seeds
8 ice cubes
· In a blender, combine all the ingredients above (sweeten with honey to taste) and blend on high speed until smooth.

Comfrey
This plant is nature's answer to a band-aid. Comfrey's ability to help heal wounds comes from a compound called allantoin, which is believed to reduce inflammation and promote new cell growth.
Modern science seems to back up traditional beliefs. In one study, for example, a 35% comfrey cream applied topically to ankle sprains was very effective at treating tenderness, swelling, and pain even when compared with anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical creams.
Directions for use:
· In a blender, puree the comfrey leaves with enough water to make a thick paste.
· In a small heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water (acting as a double boiler), melt the coconut oil and beeswax, stirring occasionally.
· Add the pureed comfrey and mix thoroughly. Transfer the mixture to a small glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Once the cream has cooled and solidified, apply it liberally to the affected area. The cream will keep in a cool, dry place for a year.


Capsicum
This hot pepper has the ability to block “substance P”, capsicum is also helpful for metabolism and weight loss.
If you already “like it hot,” you may have an advantage when it comes to keeping off the pounds. Research shows capsicum can help you lose weight in three ways: by increasing your metabolism (you can burn an extra 50 or more calories per day), improving your energy expenditure, and reducing your appetite.

Directions for use:
· Consume 10 grams of cayenne pepper with food daily to eat less
· Alternative to having in your food, you can make your own easy-to-swallow capsules at home.
· 1,000 milligrams empty gelatin capsules (purchase at your local health food store)
· Sun dry 30 peppers and place in a blender, cover with the lid, and pulverize to a fine powder.
· Take 5 capsules twice daily with food to enjoy a significantly reduced appetite and an increased metabolism


208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)
http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

Friday, January 15, 2016

Turn up the heat





Hot sauce, also known as chili sauce or pepper sauce refers to any spicy sauce condiment made from chili peppers and other ingredients. Humans have used chili peppers and other hot spices for thousands of years. Inhabitants of Mexico, Central America and South America had chili peppers more than 6,000 years ago

At the wimpy end of the chart, the bell peppers in your garden rate a nice fat zero. Anaheim, Cherry, and Pepperoncini earn between 100 and 500. Kick it up to between 1,000 and 1,500 and you have your Poblano. Now we can start to feel the heat.

JalapeƱos are hotter but still rate at the lower end of the scale between 2,500 and 5,000. Dry and smoke a JalapeƱo, and you have a Chipotle and up to 10,000 Scovilles. Serrano, at 10,000 - 23,000, and Cayenne, at 30,000-50,000, pave the way to the big leagues.

We get serious with the Japanese Santake and the Thai, 50,000 to 100,000. The real bruisers, though, are the Jamaican Hot (up to 200,000), Scotch Bonnet (up to 250,000), and the Habanero at up to 350,000.

Of course, someone always has to break the mold (we should know). The Red Savina variety of Habanero is the current confirmed record-holder at 577,000.

Don't touch your eyes after chopping one of these babies. Better yet, don't touch anything!

Good for you!


This hot sauce is a good remedy for a stuffy nose. It may not seem real hot at first, but it will sneak up on you. If you don’t enjoy heat, this isn’t for you. There are hotter sauces out there I’m sure, but this isn’t for sissies. I eat it on many things, from meat to vegetables.

1 (28 ounces) can whole canned tomatoes, peeled
4 jalapeno peppers
3 habanero peppers
2 cubanelle peppers (can use any mild & flavorful pepper) (optional)
2-4 cloves garlic
salt (I use kosher)

1. Boil peppers in water for about 10 minutes, or until jalapenos turn from deep emerald-like green to an olive green (They should be soft, but not mushy).
2. Remove peppers from water and cut off stem caps, but do not remove seeds.
3. Place peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and a teaspoon of salt into a food processor.
4. Blend in the food processor for 20-30 seconds, depending upon desired consistency.
5. Taste the sauce, and if necessary, add more salt (pulse-mix a few times to stir in any added salt).
6. Pour into a re-sealable container or jar and enjoy with chips or use as a condiment.
7. When sinuses begin to”clear up,” and they will, use kleenex.
8. NOTE: After using the food processor, it is sometimes best to open in a well ventilated area.
9. The fumes from processing boiling hot peppers can take your breath away.

by Mark Hendricks

Read more: Sinus-Aid Hot Sauce | Hot Sauce Blog - Hot Sauce Reviews & More!Hot Sauce Blog http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/sinus-aid-hot-sauce/#ixzz3xLVthBwb

208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)
http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina


 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

More about love: A lovely place to live!


More about love:
           A lovely place to live

A few of these romantic or Valentine's Day towns no longer exist, while others have dwindled to just a few buildings. But they're all actual places, whose names have come to be linked with Valentine's Day or romance.

 Place names associated with Valentine's Day or romance

Valentine, Shelby County, Alabama, U,S.A.
Valentine, Mohave County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Pulaski County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Valentine
, LaGrange County, Indiana, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Aitkin County, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Fergus County, Montana, U.S.A.
Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska (named for Edward Kimball Valentine, a judge and three-term Republican Congressman who represented Cherry County from 1879-1885)
Valentine
, Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Shelby County, Ohio, U.S.A. (historical)
Valentine
, Hampton County, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Valentine
, Jeff Davis County, Texas, U.S.A.
Valentines
, Brunswick County, Virginia, U.S.A.
Valentines Beach
, Onondaga County, New York, U.S.A.
Valentine Creek
, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Romance
, White County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Romance
, Ozark County, Missouri, U.S.A.
Romance
, Noble County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Romance
, Jackson County, West Virginia, U.S.A.
Romance
, Vernon County, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Cupid
, Winneshiek County, Iowa, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow
, Nez Perce County, Idaho, U.S.A.
Cupid
, Harper County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow
, Pike County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Cupid
, Frontier County, Nebraska, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow
, Maury County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Romeo
, Conejos County, Colorado, U.S.A.
Romeo
, Marion County, Florida, U.S.A.
Romeo
, Macomb County, Michigan, U.S.A.
Romeo
, Greene County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Mount Juliet
, Wilson County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Love
, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Love
, Bureau County, Illinois, U.S.A.
Love
, Butler County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Love
, DeSoto County, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Love
, Cass County, Texas, U.S.A.
Love
, Augusta County, Virginia (after all, as their motto says, "Virginia Is For Lovers!")
Lovers Leap
, El Dorado County, California, U.S.A.
Love Canal
, Niagara County, New York, U.S.A.
Love Hill
, Houston County, Alabama, U.S.A.
Love Lady
, Pickett County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Love Lake
, Macon County, Missouri, U.S.A.
Love Point
, Queen Anne's County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Loveville
, St. Mary's County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Loveville
, Davidson County, Tennessee, U.S.A. (historical)
Lover
, Washington County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Loving
, Fannin County, Georgia, U.S.A.
Loving
, Warren County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Loving
, Eddy County, New Mexico, U.S.A.
Loving
, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Loving
, Young County, Texas, U.S.A.
Loveland
, Larimer County, Colorado, U.S.A.
Loveland
, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, U.S.A.
Loveland
, Tillman County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Loveland
, Pierce County, Washington, U.S.A.
Loveland Park
, Ohio, U.S.A.
Loveladies
, Ocean County, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Heart
, Fulton County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Heart Butte
, Pondera County, Montana, U.S.A.
Heart Lake, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

PUNCTUATION NOTE: The U.S. government does not use possessive apostrophes in U.S. place names. Even when proper punctuation would call for the use of a possessive apostrophe in a city or town name, they are not used. When the name of local businesses, or street names incorporate the town's name, that specific usage may utilize an apostrophe.

The Flower NOOK
 208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)
http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina