Vegetarianism is growing in popularity for many reasons including weight control, organ health, animal conservation and dental hygiene. There are many different types of non-meat-eaters including those who eat fish and dairy but omit pork, beef and chicken. Due to this expanding range of vegetarians, several people are giving this diet a try because they’re able to tailor their food selection with omitting everything they like.
Lucky for many of us (I myself am a vegetarian), eliminating the meat and poultry from diets has gotten even easier because food companies, supermarkets and farmers are realizing the growing demand to eliminate fat and increase healthier eating habits. Grocery stores now offer a wide array of non-meat products such as veggie burgers and tofu based meals allowing us to find the foods that are nutritious and appetizing to our taste.
gree
With that said, is it possible to host a holiday dinner such as Christmas without serving any meat as a main course? Is the turkey and roast beef what makes this feast so special or can an all-vegetable menu still satisfy an entire house of guests?
I believe that it can if you take special care in selecting particular dishes that will both compliment one another as well as fill everyone’s bellies. Having platters of only raw celery sticks and carrots as appetizers may encourage a rumbling growl from stomachs and in all honesty, there’s a better way to go about it without having to starve. Over the years, I’ve collected some fabulous additions to my holiday fare that is both filled with vegetables and satisfyingly delicious! Here’s what I’ll be cooking in my kitchen this Christmas for both my meat eating and vegetarian guests.
The holiday season can be a wonderful time for most but for others, there’s a lot of stress and hard work involved. If you’re a local flower shop, you really understand this statement. Florists have to move a ton of product just to pay for the increase in overhead during the month of December due to heating, staff and wholesale product prices. For the larger floral operations, they have competition against supermarkets, truck stops and even buy-in-bulk stores like Cosco. There’s a constant price war and in the end-you’re lucky if you can break even. For the smaller flower shops who are struggling to sell their red amaryllis and rose arrangements, they too battle against lower quality look-a-likes sold by neighboring entities who can shove a few poinsettia plants in the window and call themselves a greenhouse. Plain and simple-it’s a tough time of year for these guys so they need to do everything they can to attract customers.
Thankfully, they’re doing a great job because business proprietors and employees have allowed themselves to think outside the box. With creative ideas that work to relax, enchant and excite potential patrons into choosing their store over the others, floral companies are effectively overcoming the saturation of the market during Christmas and are winning back the prestige of their seasonal décor as they should be. Here’s a few ways that are setting these guys apart from the rest!
Music is the Key
Music is the number #1 stimulator that encourages the emotion of happiness. Plug in those speakers and fire up Nat King Cole, Andy Williams or even “Alvin and the Chipmunks Holiday Sing Along” to alleviate tension and increase the spirit of the season! Both your customers and staff will thank you.
Something’s in the Oven
When you have something cooking in the oven, the scent works its way into our neuro-system releasing anxiety and frustration. When the food baking is something sweet, the effects are quadrupled. Offer a nice plate of Christmas cookies to all those who enter your store and make sure you have both gluten and sugar free options for those who prefer an alternative to sugar or have dietary restrictions.
The Wonder of a Flocking Machine
There’s nothing like watching a flocking machine do its magic on a tree farm! The buzzing sound coupled with the white flakes floating up in the air can make anyone smile so if you’re on the fence about making the investment-go for it!
Light It Up
It doesn’t matter if the lights are rainbow-colored, blue, purple, white, red or silver- bulbs are a must when decorating your business for the season. The effect promotes a sense of ethereal and softness curtailing those moods that might be a bit brittle during the month of December.
Celebrate Like It's Family
Do you realize that the people who choose your shop to do businesses with during this season are also welcoming you into their holiday celebrations? Your entity has become a part of their family’s festivities just buy purchasing the perfect Christmas tree, poinsettia plant or pinecone centerpieces from you!
Where There’s a Santa- There’s a Way…
Grab a person who works for you and put them in a Santa Suit! They don’t have to look the part, but they do have to smile and say “ho, ho, ho!” You wont believe how excited the younger customers will be and what it does for your company’s environment as a whole.
Don’t Forget It’s Called the “Season of Giving”!
They don’t call it the “season of giving” for nothing, you know! Contact your local non-profits and donate a few vases and plants for elder and homeless dinners or even ask your local library if you can participate in a free flower arranging demonstration! You’ll feel great and you might even stir a little interest you way!
Tis’ the season of giving and if you’re like the rest of the world, you’re probably starting to feel a little anxious about how all of the shopping will get done! The truth is, there’s just not a whole lot of time left to purchase all of the holiday presents written on your list so you’ve got to come up with a realistic plan. Gifts should be thoughtful, accommodating and affordable for your friends and loved ones. Forget the expensive trinkets, useless junk and endless hours spent waiting in long lines and try something new!
Floral gifts are beginning to make a gigantic comeback as 2015’s gift of choice and there’s no doubt why. Flowers are both cost efficient, easily attainable and pleases a wide variety of people, particularly the fussy ones who are hopeless to buy for. Select varieties that are compatible to the giftee (no scent for those who dislike strong odors, plants for those who might be allergic to blooms) and watch them praise you for the heartwarming sentiment!
When selecting the right floral product, you want to keep in mind a few factors. Not every arrangement is appropriate for everyone so you’ll want to do your research first. What colors do they prefer? Do they like Christmas décor or subtle non-denominational pieces? Is the climate chilly or hot and do they prefer sweet aromas as apposed to fruity? It might seem silly but there are many instances where it is of the utmost importance to do your homework before calling or ordering on line. For example, you wouldn’t want to give a poinsettia to someone who has a nippy cat or dog for a pet since this species must be kept inside from the cold weather and are poisonous to ingest. The best gifts during the season are ones appropriate for the entire household’s enjoyment and safety.
Now that we’ve nailed down the basics of gifting with flowers, how about we browse the possibilities and head to our local florist!
If you’re mulling over the idea of picking a wedding date before the year is over, you might want to contemplate saying, “I do” on December 24th or 25th. Sound like a ridiculous idea? There are actually several positive aspects of throwing a Christmas Eve/Day ceremony including wider availability, lower costs for reception halls and higher accessibility to bridal vendors (eg. wedding planners). Another bonus is that you’ll be choosing an important spot on the calendar, which decreases the likelihood of one of you forgetting your anniversary (trust me, it happens).
For many couples who debate booking their nuptials in December, fear commonly derives from the flowers having to be an all white, red and green color palette but I assure you there are other options. While it is true that these shades are abundant during the yuletide season and more affordable, florists can still create bridal worthy floral work without making the church or event room look like a lit up Christmas tree. Keep in kind there will be varieties intertwined that are accustomed to the holiday product line but use this to your advantage. Foliage such as pine is a lot cheaper than other greenery such a hosta leaves or ruscus. In the long run, it will save you money so be aware of what your florist is carrying this month and compromise additions withinpew markers and boutonnières. From bouquets to table centerpieces, let these stunning samples convince you of the vast possibilities that await a holiday wedding celebration!
The trick to making a December wedding not look “Chrismasy” is to keep all three of the red, white and red color combination out of your bridal work. One or two shades are okay but a third will bring you right back to the holidays and that’s what you want to avoid. This bouquet features white ranunculus (luckily available at this time) and white hydrangea. Place pearl pushpins in the center of the heads and you’ll dazzle with this stunning all-white-wedding theme.
For those who desire a sultry style, you may want to go for the deep reds and burgundy color tone. Not only is the look both wedding appropriate and beautiful, florists will be able to utilize the abundance of berries, amaryllis and roses that are popularly shipped into Boston during December. Candlelight works really well against this sexy platform as well and inspires a romantic feel for both newlyweds and guests.
You can’t get more glamorous than a thick bunch of green cymbidiums for a bride and her maid’s hand held bouquets. These orchids are fabulous year round and also enhance an exotic appeal. You might be worried that you can see white in the center as well as a touch of pinkish red but in no way does this pretend to be a Christmas inspired presentation. The cymbidium bouquet is sleek and tropical so there’s no mistaking its bridal worthy effects.
I love the holiday season and I appreciate all of the different decorations, lighting, snowfall and foods associated with this time of year. Our brains actually recognize these as triggers, letting us know what we can expect. When we see a pine tree on top of a car, we know that it will be soon be twinkling with ornaments and when we hear the jingle of bells, we know that Santa and his reindeer must be near. We link these characteristics together as “hints” that Christmas time is approaching and we watch for more of these signals to guide us through the traditions and festivities.
For some kids, these “hints” are harder to connect to so they need a little help identifying special traits to let them learn how to react to special occasions. A great way to do this is to find children’s picture books, which teach them about what a holiday means and how we celebrate them. Stories are capable of connecting ideas when associated with indicators illustrated on the pages.
Luckily, families will have a wide variety of new titles to choose from since this has been a very busy year of publishing Christmas themed books. From picking out a wreath and tree to sending grandma a holiday card, you’ll be able to select any aspect you wish! Vivid pictures, poetic phrases, funny storylines and magical adventures all await you so browse this list and find your perfect Christmas read!
There’s only one thing left to buy for decoration and that could only be…The Christmas Tree!
It’s the most important display item of the holidays, the star of the show, the Pièce De Résistance! Selecting the perfect tree is a monumental decision, which can sometimes even decide the whole décor feel for your holidays! Do you like them furry, fragrant or with a particular green hue? With so many varieties to choose from such as the Noble, Balsam and Douglas fir, the selecting process can become a bit overwhelming! There are a multitude offactors that go into deciding what type of tree is right for your familyso you might need advice on where the best places are to go looking…
Lucky for Bostonians, we have many tree lots within our vicinity, which carry several different species along with affordable ornaments and lighting options. Depending on your budget and preference, you’ll surely be able to find the ideal specimen for your home to enjoy throughout the season!
Christmas is rated one of the most likely holidays to be proposed to, following right behind Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s the glow of the lights or the feeling of cheer but whatever the reason may be, the yuletide season is very popular month to pop the question! When you know the time is right and you’ve finally found that perfect person to share the rest of your life with, it’s important to do things right. Sure, bending down on one knee is sweet and all but why not go the extra mile and come up with a plan that makes your proposal a truly memorable event in his or her life?
photo credit: HuffngtonPost.com
I get it-subtlety is your thing but I assure you that there are several ways to make the experience unique and creative just by using some festive themes that Christmas already brings us! Utilizing décor, color and festive traditions associated with this time of year can not only “wow” your soon-to-be but can also take the pressure off having to come up with something on your own. These are some of the most successful ways to propose to your significant other, each having a high rate of acceptance as apposed to rejection. So once you have the little box in your hand, try one of these romantic and clever strategies to hear an “I do” this Christmas.
Dress Up as Santa Claus
I know, I know this has been done before but dressing up as Santa Claus is a solid way to go and has extremely promising outcomes. All you need is a red suit, beard, hat and sack and voila- you’ve made the perfect outfit! Don’t forget to say “Ho Ho Ho” and bring along a little mistletoe!
An Ornamental Ring
This is a sweet gesture for those who love to decorate and we all know-a little added glitz for our Christmas trees is what its all about! Find some delicate twine or string and simply hoop through the ring, tying a knot on the end. Make sure the area you want to hang the ring isn’t cluttered with other ornaments that could be distracting and watch her become awed over your gesture!
Okay, this is for the fiancé/fiancée who likes a little adventure mixed in with their romance. Wrap different sized presents, all containing items that can be associated with getting married. Try to place them in a line so the hunter is being led to the really big gift-the ring!
“Future Mrs.” T-shirt
If you think she’ll think it’s funny and she has a great sense of humor, try buying her a “Future Mrs.” t-shirt that you can either buy off the internet or have made at any local printing shop. The benefit of this approach is that you’ll know right away what her answer is by whether she tries it on or not!
Light It Up
Mr. Griswold would love this fun idea of stringing Christmas lights on your roof or lawn that say, “Will You Marry Me?” Wait until it becomes dark outside, tell her you want to show her a treat and flick on the switch to watch her heart melt at this sentimental display.
An “Advent” Calendar
For those who enjoy the countdown to Christmas, you might want to think about using this method of placing a ring inside an advent calendar! She’ll have fun opening up each day of December and get an extra special surprise on the 24th!
Pretty soon, we will be entering the season of poinsettias and this year you will be pleasantly surprised by the incredible varieties that will be available! The plant otherwise known as the “Christmas Flower” has long been a true symbol of the yuletide holiday and is still ranked as one of the top items bought for gifts. If you’re not familiar with the poinsettia, here are a few facts that you’ll enjoy learning, which make this plant so special.
Photo credit: flower factor
* A poinsettia’s leaves are bright in color and can be white, red, pink, red or peach. New species are cultivated yearly so be sure to check with your florist about any new shades that may be soon available.
* The leaves are called “bracts” because they are tinted instead of simply being green. The reason why the bracts are colored is to attract pollinators to the plant’s flower.
* Although the poinsettia looks like only a plant, there is a small bloom located in the middle of the plant bracts. The bloom has a special name called “cyathia” which is where bees and other insects produce pollen.
* The poinsettia actually dislikes the cold weather even though it is primarily popular during the icier months of the year. Originally, the plant was found in Mexico by a botanist named Joel Roberts Poinsett in the 1820’s. With the specimen, he returned to his home in South Carolina and began to cultivate the plant.
* and no the plant is not toxic to cats or people.
It’s getting chilly outside and for most of us avid gardeners; we’re a little depressed over our season coming to end. The leaves are falling from the trees, the flowers have died back and we know all to well that snowflakes will begin to fall very soon.
But is that any reason to put away our “Green Thumbs” until next spring? Heck No!
There is plenty to do while the forecast turns dismal, many of which we can do right in our homes! Just because our backyards will be off limits for months, doesn’t mean that a windowsill in our kitchen or living room won’t provide the perfect space for a new garden to flourish! True, you’ll need the right amount of warm light, potting soil and adequate containers to grow your fruits, flowers and vegetables but its all possible if you select the right varieties. Some types of plants just don’t do well inside, so it’s important to recognize these in advance and select other options that will otherwise benefit from being placed in this specific environment. Order online or visit your local garden center to pick up these seeds to harvest (promising to live well with the proper care) in your house this winter!
Avocados
These fruits are great to grow during the colder season because all you need to start is the pit of an old avocado. Cut the pit open and place toothpicks through the center, placing over a bowl of water. Once sprouts begin to grow, place in a pot with a sunny view. Make sure the planter is well drained and add a little sand to the soil to cultivate a healthy root system.
Potatoes
Grab your old spuds and place them in a bin full of well-drained soil. When you see their “eyes” peek above ground level, a plant will soon emerge, which is fun in itself to watch grow. Once the plants are about a foot tall and their white flowers have died back, its time to go digging! You’ll love their fresh taste and the fact that they long outlive your groceries store’s selection.
Lettuce
Lettuce is quick and virtually effortless to grow when you have a well-lit area and a soil rich in compost. Select a hardy variety such as red or Boston lettuce and watch them sprout almost as quickly as you planted the seeds. This veggie is perfect for salads or to simply brighten up a room!
Carrots
These are so much fun to watch grow and easy, too! Make sure you plant the seeds in a container at least a foot and a half deep to ensure a healthy veggie size. They love to be regularly watered and are ready to be plucked free from the earth when they are ¾ inches in width across the top.
Petunias
There’s a reason why petunias are the first flowers to arrive in the markets once the spring comes around and that’s because they are easy-peasy to grow in colder temperatures. Find an area of your home that produces a lot of sunlight and water the plantings regularly. Pretty soon you’ll find you have a beautifully colored flower garden all to yourself!
I talk about movies almost as much as I talk about flowers. The two subjects just fascinate me and have become the areas in life, which I enjoy the most. So for people like myself, wouldn’t the concept of comparing and coalescing the factors seem anything less than perfect? Lucky for us- screenwriters, producers and directors have done just this throughout several of their most magnificent masterpieces!
The Great Gatsby
Throughout Hollywood’s history, thousands of movies have been made which have brilliantly combined these two topics to create epic silver screen hits! For Boston florists, this can be actually helpful, particularly when the design is exhibited during a wedding or funeral scene. Believe it or not, customers will sometimes request duplicate arrangements and bouquets that have appeared in major motion pictures in order to copy the “feel” or “sentiment” present within the storyline.
American Pie III
Although you might think this could be problematic for shop owners, it can actually be seen as a teaching tool as well as a marketing campaign to please movie buffs like me. Be careful not to limit yourself to a specific genre such as the romance realm because you’ll be surprised to know that many horror, thriller and comedy scripts also have used flowers during climatic scenes! Take a look at these Hollywood hits that show the best of both flower and cinematic worlds!
