Exotic Flowers in Boston

The holiday season is packed with celebrations amongst family and friends where we can enjoy one another’s company, sip champagne and feast upon the most delicious treats.  There’s the turkey at Thanksgiving, red velvet cake at Christmas time and for New Years, just about any decadent cuisine is up for grabs.  The holidays are wonderful but if you’re like most recovering from the festivities, you’re looking to pare down the calorie count and get back into those favorite jeans that have been on vacation in the closet.  So many people swear off dieting in January because they just don’t want to give up satisfying their sweet tooth just to dial back the numbers on the scale. I agree, it’s depressing but what if we could compromise by allowing dessert if we only swapped a few ingredients here and there?  Now I don’t mean eating strange non-dairy cheesecakes -we don’t have to get crazy to lose a couple of pounds.  I, myself, love a sweet morsel before bedtime and refuse to get weird when it comes to denying certain after dinner accompaniments.  This is what I’ve tried and amazingly, it works.  Give it a go and you’ll see you’ll be strutting your stuff in no time!

                              photo credit: Whole Foods Market

Berries, Berries, Berries

Berries are nature’s savior in the dieting department because they pack a ton of vitamin value and antioxidants (something many need after a little too much bubbly over the last month).  Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries (my favorite) can all be found in your produce department year round and can be mixed in with any dessert dish being served.  Blackberries are another yummy berry but can be difficult to find in New England grocery stores but if you do, ground the berries to make a natural, finishing syrup.   You don’t need to add any other flavoring or sugar and the beautiful color will top off any cake or soufflé magnificently.

Frozen Yogurt-You’ll Never Know The Difference

There is a long running argument that frozen yogurt can’t match the taste of ice cream but I strongly disagree.  Not only does the creamy consistency taste wonderful but you’re literally ingesting a quarter of the fat and sugar, therefore upping you metabolism to burn more wasteful calories.  You can select just about any flavor desired including chocolate chip, chocolate mousse and peanut butter cup.  Fantastic varieties include Breyers, Friendly’s and Edie’s, try them blind folded for an ultimate test.  You can’t go wrong with any of there products and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. 

Splenda Makes Splendid Treats

Splenda is a sugar substitute that many bakers have been using as a sweetener substitute.  Prepared within cakes, cookies, muffins and cupcakes, many speculated that Splenda wouldn’t deliver the “sweet” effect that consumers were yearning for.   They admitted their mistake when tasting that the low calorie sugar really did deliver and was pleasantly comparable with traditionally made desserts.  Although the ingredient was mainly implemented at first by pro-dieters and diabetics, the tasty confection has proved to be a big hit on the dessert menu!

 Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Suzie frequents Wilson Farm in Lexington, Market Basket in Waltham, and Roche Brothers in Westwood for fresh produce and quality ingredients for her and her family.

Christmas has come and gone but many New England companies have decided to bring the merriment into the beginning of the New Year.  Holiday parties used to be thrown solely in the month of December but with soaring costs and limited time within bustling schedules, many corporations have taken it upon themselves to change the rules a bit.  By arranging employee get-togethers after the traditional season, management departments have found that, attendance higher and party expenses drastically decrease.  Do you know that the rate to book a room in a hotel or restaurant for events in Boston decreases by 25-30% during the first few weeks of the year?   Let’s face it- it’s worth the wait. 

One factor does change, though, with this decision because different flowers are available during different months of the year.  Red, white and green are the number one shades for request during Christmas but do we really want to drag that into a January party?  I don’t think so.  There are ways to incorporate a holiday theme without duplicating the look.   Try using some of the previous seasonal colors with those new to your inventory now.  Some florists attempt to slip in items that didn’t sell for Christmas and in an effort to eliminate them, will place them in your event décor so keep a watchful eye for fresh and contemporary details.  Silver and gold make a wonderful impact since they can be celebratory of New Years but still remindful of previous holiday festivities.  Try to stay away from ornaments, wreathes and trees as decorations, they’ve been done to death at this point.  Select items such as white lights, sparklers and soft shades as accents for linens and dishware.  By using a delicate palette sans the sharpness of green and red, you’ll uplift your guests without weighing them down of memories associated with Christmas colors such as overspending, anxiety of family reunions and ridiculous seasonal tasks.  Leave it where it is and move on. 

There are great options for flowers in the month of January so don’t forget to spend an adequate time investigating your Boston florist.  White in particular, is seen in expansion within tulips, roses, lilies and freesia.  If you’re looking for a bolder look, think about using a mixture of cream and purple to create a dramatic appeal within your arrangements.  You’ll find that amaryllis is grown in deep shades of maroon and is still available during the colder portion of the year.  Gerbera daisies, alstroemaria and Asiatic lilies also offer a comparable presentation but with a lesser cost.  Another idea is to go for a blue theme where you can ask for stems of delphinium or hydrangea to fill the table vases.  Blue is an excellent color that gives centerpieces a “pop” and is representative of the pleasures that the New Year will bring!

 Suzie and Rick Canale, Westwood, MA December 2014

Suzie is already planning her garden for this summer.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a celebration honoring the birthday of one of America’s most beloved icons.  Celebrated on the 3^rd Monday of every January (although his birthday is officially on the 15^th), the nation pays homage to King’s detrimental efforts towards the civil rights movement against racial discrimination.  The act to officially observe Martin Luther King Day came after King’s assassination in 1968 but it wasn’t until 1983 when it became a federal holiday.  Signed by Ronald Regan who initially opposed the bill, the act became effective after the president realized that he was severely outvoted by the House of Representatives. Although the bill had been mandated, there were still a few states, which were reluctant towards calling the holiday by its legal name, and instead, combined Martin Luther King Day with other nearing holidays.  It wasn’t until the year 2000 when all 50 states came together and agreed to reserve the event solely for Martin Luther King, Jr.  

People around the United States choose to participate in this occasion throughout many ways including re-listening to his infamous speech, “I Have a Dream”, which still emanates the strength, courage and determination within the words that have said “to appeal to the most sacred touchstones that there are in the United States”.   Bostonians, too, have the opportunity to engage within events set up around the city that propel Mr. King’s profound symbolism of “Let Freedom Ring”.  City officials have elected to put forward great efforts within erecting more and more opportunities for both children and adults to learn the importance of understanding who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he stood for.  Check out your local paper and Boston.com to find events thematic of this special day honoring the momentous leadership efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Boston Holiday Highlights

Dr. King lived in Boston for several years studying for degrees received at both Harvard and Boston University so you know that there will be lots of events to attend honoring this special day!  Here are some that have already been listed:

“Free At Last Sculpture”

Boston University

Free

Boston University Annual MLK Commemoration

1 pm 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston University

Free

Museum of Fine Arts MLK Day

Speeches, films, exhibits,

Free Admission

Museum of African American History

Beacon Hill Walking Trail

Free 

 Suzie Canale, Westwood Public Library, 2014

Visit Suzie in the children's department of the Westwood Public Library for children's books about Martin Luther King Jr.

Parental Advisory Warning: the following is not fit for all readers so if you don't care for soap boxes and thinly veiled adult language, move on. I only do this about once a year.

I am naive. Today for the first time in my life I actually had to rebuff the explicit and pointed persecution by an attorney for my choice to be a career musician. He laughed at my colleague's claim that he worked full-time as a performing musician and told him "don't you think you could at least get a part-time job" to cover the debts in question. In his brilliant edict against our position he cited his own stint, in college, as a "bar band musician" and scoffed at my claim that it was a full-time job reminiscing that his time as a guitar player in college was hardly, (wink, wink) even part-time.

I invite him to eat my a$$. If it had been my fight to begin with, I would have been more brazen, though i never thought the conflict was with the attorney to begin with. Rather he seemed, accidentally, to expose what the plaintiff, and apparently secretly he, both harbor against working musicians.

I would have shouted in his face: Throw out all of your CDs, records, cassettes and 8-tracks, all your sheet music. Forget every song you ever heard on those albums. Have your musical memory erased, you're so cavalier about it, so you cannot whistle a tune, or hum a note in private comfort or celebration with yourself. Have erased from your memory every concert you attended, every symphony, every opera, every child's music lesson and recital, every jam session and summer concert series. Then I would invite him to re-live every memorial service, wedding or graduation he's ever attended, without music. Then, sit down to your myriad of movies and TV shows you cherish, and try to watch them again, without music. Then I would tell him, 'Turn off your radio and unsubscribe from all the free streaming music suppliers, like Pandora, whom you depend on for your musical relief. Spend a week without music. Any of you. I dare.'

If however, he felt a pang of conscience in leaving this session with me, I would suggest to him this path for redemption: Pay double the asking price for every cd you buy from now on; pay twice as much at the door or two times the price of a concert ticket; tip the band as much as you spend at the bar; buy merch at every show; empty your pockets in the buskers guitar case; pledge a donation to every crowd-funding musical project; and finally, fast from music for one week. Then come back to me and beg me for a tune, a lick, a chorus - I'll charge you $300 an hour - solo.

Until this day, in my 41 years of living, I still NOT ONCE have had to pay a lawyer for getting me through my day with his lawyerly services. Yet every day of my life, i have hummed a tune…

And finally I say to the starry-eyed potential suitors, the like of which who started this particular trouble: we were musicians when you met us. If you don't like the way we live, don't live with us.

Quenby Iandiorio

all photos in this post came from quenbywowband.com 

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

For all of you football fans getting ready for Sunday’s big game, here’s a sure fire hit to add to your menu of tailgating foods!  Authentic to the New England region and delicious to boot, this recipe is both easy and quick to cook up for the big game day.   Try this New England Clam Chowder soup for your friends and family and get ready to cheer on the Patriots!

Ingredients

4 Red Potatoes                                                          3 Tbsp Flour

½ Gallon of Half and Half Cream                            4 Tbsp of Butter

2 Bottles of Clam Juice                                              1 Tbsp of Dried Rosemary

4 lbs of Clams                                                                        1 Cup of Chopped Parsley

2 Celery Chopped Stalks                                          Salt

1 Yellow Chopped Onion                                          White Pepper

Directions

Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.   Slowly add flour creating a roué, which will start to thicken the mix of vegetables and butter.  Once the flour has been soaked up, slowly add in the cream taking rests to stir the chowder. 

 Take a knife and pierce the red potatoes, then place them in a microwave for 4 minutes.  Slice the lightly softened potatoes into rough cubes and add them into the pot. 

 In a separate pan, boil the 2 bottles of clam juice.  Place the clams in the heated liquid and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, afterwards straining the excess juice and adding the cooked clams to the chowder. 

 Add the 1 Tbsp of rosemary and cup of chopped parsley to the pot then season with salt and pepper to taste.  The chowder will thicken and the temperature should be dropped from medium to low for approximately 40 minutes.  Serve piping hot!

The holidays are over,

It’s the start of a new year,

Time to make our resolutions,

And really kick them in high gear.

For some of us, we’ve promised,

To shed those extra pounds,

Or form a stronger backbone,

By standing firmer on their grounds.

We promise to be nicer,

To our neighbors and our friends,

Maybe try to be more neater,

By taking care of odds and ends.

But whatever deals we make this time,

Remember to have fun,

This should be what we all put first,

On our lists as number one!

So as we start the first month,

And attempt the unforeseen

I wish to you a healthy, happy,

And exciting 2015!

 photo credit Flower Factor / Aboutflowers.com

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

If you’re anything like me, the winter season is seen as cold, dark and depressing and not just because of that white stuff falling from the sky.  There’s no gardens, no growth, no beauty, which perks up from the earth.  Yes, it only lasts for four or five months in New England but still, what’s a girl gotta do for a little flower fix?  It might sound bleak but in actuality, Bostonians do have a few resources at their fingertips when it comes to floral supplies.  Now, don’t get me wrong, you aren’t going to find summer blooms that have any longevity in their stems until June or July but there are other options out there if you are willing to be a bit flexible within your taste.  Here are a few options and locales that carry beautiful blossoms, particularly during the chillier months of the year.

If you're in Boston, look no further than Exotic Flowers in Roslindale. Their flagship operation is also their base of operations where thousands of flowers arrive daily from all over the world. If you're on the north side of route 128 then Wilson Farms in Lexington, MA, for one has a yearly display of stunning blooms that are native to this environment, many in fact that are grown by them.  Specialties include poinsettias, Christmas Roses and other bulb like plants that are being harvested within their greenhouses as we speak.  This local farming business also imports flowers such as roses and delphinium, which are durable enough to withstand some colder temperatures.  If their selection isn’t enough to entice you, trot on in to their bakery and fresh produce store that is open year round and filled to the brim with delicious choices for your dining pleasure.

                           photo credit:flower Factor/ Aboutflowers.com 

   They say that you never have to look further than your own backyard for inspiration and in this case, they might be right!  Many of us live in areas where pine and berries grow, the ideal combination for a lovely seasonal centerpiece.  Scout out your perimeters and look for healthy spikes of life that can be easily cut and arranged in a vase.  Not sold on this yet?  How about the fact that most of these cuttings have little droppings during aging so it makes for an effortless cleanup once the times comes.  Plus, you can’t beat the price because everything that you place in the vase is yours and free.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match with floral options available in local stores.  You can always combine a bunch of roses with some clippings of fir or Frasier to make a beautiful centerpiece.  One word to the wise is be very careful of poisonous flora and fauna that may be present and could harm pets or small children if kept in their reach. 

  Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA

Suzie always has fresh flowers and plants in her Westwood home. Orchid plants are always present.

On January 10^th, movie and TV lovers crowded around their television sets with anticipation to see which of their favorite on screen stars would walk away with a golden globe.   The excitement of the speeches, the glamour of the gowns and the glitter of the sets make this event one of Hollywood’s most grandeur evenings.   Little do we know that in order to orchestrate such a massive undergoing, specialists from around the country must be recruited for their special expertise in lighting, staging, catering and of course, floral design!  But who is chosen and how are the styles and designs selected?  The stakes are high in the competition to snag this gig but this year’s winner went to Mark’s Garden Floral Design of Sherman Oaks, California.  This company has a long, standing history of appeasing the floral tastes of the rich and famous of Hollywood Hills including Charlize Theron, Michael Douglas and Kate Hudson so he was more than ready to tackle the enormity of designing the Golden Globe centerpieces.

                               photo credit: Mark's Garden, Los Angeles CA

Every year is different and every ceremony has its own specific theme where vendors are asked to reflect within their work.  This time, there was a bright and colorful feel, focusing on the beginning shades of the spectrum of yellows and pinks. 

                                   photo credit: Mark's Garden, LA, CA

Blooms consisted mainly of roses whose varieties all contained curled petals that gave off a wonderful, accentuated presentation.  Red, yellow, orange and green roses were placed in a ring - like formation forming a rounded mound of beauty.

I love this look but because the pieces are relatively low so that guests can still hobnob with one another without having to stretch their necks around designs that are too bulky and tall. 

                            photo credit: Mark's Garden, Los Angeles, CA

Another lovely touch were a few delicate pink orchids protruding from the tight European design.  These flowers were a great choice because not only did they allow for an fuss- free presentation, they are also long lasting and tolerable for warm temperatures.  The Golden Globe function hall keeps the climate pretty steamy for the actresses who don less fabricated clothing designs so the flowers have to hold their resistance.

 Mark’s Garden and Floral Designs did a fantastic job, which was truly worthy of the glitz and glamour this event is built upon.  I can’t wait to see what next years presentation will be!

 Lance,Rick, Suzie and Ryan Canale Selfie, 2014

Suzie is a movie buff and celebrates Oscar night every year.

 The cold weather has fallen upon us and Boston is getting colder by the second!  Not only do we have to be mindful to wear extra clothing, bring extra safety precautions when traveling and be vigilant abut approaching storms, New Englanders also know that this is the time of year that we must protect our skin.  Ailments in this area arise from exposure to frigid outer elements that attack the surface and create sores, blemishes and painful chaffing.  Dermatologists recommend loading up on lotions, which heavily moisturize to prevent these serious medical conditions.   As a lover of flowers, how many of you know of the amazing healing properties that many blooms carry within their biological make up?  There are hundreds of flowers that are not only adequate but superior in proactive remedies for dry skin inflammations.  Derived from the powerful extracts of both the petals and stems, here are a few of the top flowers that might save you a trip to the doctor’s office this winter. 

Lavender

Lavender is one of the widest used flowers for healing purposes because it contains a multitude of soothing and relaxing qualities.  Sometimes referred to as an herb, the stem is long and slender with small pods that look similar to a grape vine.  Lavender can be found in shades of dark purple to light blue and often grow wild in the New England area.  Having over 150 compounds, lavender can heal skin problems including eczema, burns, dry skin, eczema, sunburn, seborrhea and dry skin.

Calendula

This traditional but stunning flower has a long history of protective and curing powers because of anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and antifungal features. It has been used for generations to mend severe burns, scrapes, insect bites and yes, dry skin.  Grown in colors ranging from orange to yellow, the calendula is sometimes affectionately called the “marigold” in some parts of the country.  The petals are also transient of the particular variety where they can be either flat or succulent.  The properties of the flower are so strong that extracts can either be made into lotions or ingested directly by boiling water and mixing in the petals.  One word to the wise, the safe approach is to buy the oil from a licensed herbologist instead of direct ingestion since there could be unforeseen insecticides or poisons used to grow the flowers.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a favorite amongst dermatologists for several reasons including its low rate of allergic reactions in patients, it’s anti-inflammatory agents and high product availability since it is grown widely in Asia, Europe and North America.  The flower’s appearance is delicate and natural, resembling the white daisy.   Although chamomile is white with a yellow center, the extract is tinted in a dark blue, which is easily mixed to provide cooling lotions.  The most popular types are German Chamomile and Russian Chamomile, the German being more astringent and more effective for healing skin irritations.  The flower contains the compound Azulene, the component that makes chamomile one of the top suggested medicinal extracts for those who suffer winter skin ailments. 

 Suzie and Lance Canale, Westwood, MA 2014

Suzie grows many of her own herbs and flowers in her garden in Westwood.

It’s cold outside and Bostonians are searching to find their favorite foods that will comfort them through the next few months.  January, February and March can be bitter and icy, the kind of weather where we need a little extra cushion in our stomachs to brave the season.  For some it’s a decadent dessert while others prefer an entrée of rich cuisine but whatever you favor, I think we can all agree that we need some extra meat on our bones during this time of year.   City restaurants can have just what you’re looking for or maybe you would rather opt to stay home and create your own menu?  Here’s a bit of fare facts to help you explore and enjoy some of the top comfort foods for winter 2015.

Top Comfort Foods

1. Pasta has got to be the number one “go-to” food when we need a “calorie hug” and there is an extraordinary array of options open to you.  Tortellini with sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes is delicious and carries very little prep time.  Stuffed shells are another fabulous comfort meal because you can alter the variations of ricotta cheese and add whatever fillings you like such as mushrooms, extra tomatoes, onions and spinach.  Alfredo, chicken and broccoli is another classic that actually contains healthy vegetables and protein so it’s a little more “guilt free”.
2. Soups are number two on my list because (if prepared right) you can get your bones warmed without eating an excessive amount of fat.  Excellent varieties include creamed corn, cream of broccoli and chicken noodle soup.  Some of these are quite simple to make in a crock pot or can be interchanged with bases replacing a heavy flour roué with a blended rice, celery and onion substitution (I use this when making my cream of broccoli recipe).  Soups are also ideal because you can throw in whatever veggies you have left in your fridge to make scrumptious bowls of yummy and heart healthy soups.

Best Winter Cookbooks

There are millions of wonderful cookbooks out there and all contain some useful tricks from the trade to help you whip up five star meals.  My favorites include “How To Cook Everything”, “The Joy of Cooking”, William Sonoma food guides and “Martha’s American Food”.  Trust me on the last one and look up her recipe for macaroni and cheese.  You’ve never tasted anything like it, I assure you!

Try Em’ and Dine In Em’

If cooking is just not your thing, have no fear because Bean Town is home to some spectacular restaurants, bistros and cafes.  How about chicken potpie found at “Henrietta’s”, French onion soup from the “Capital Grill” or a burger from “Tasty Burger”?  Don’t forget we are famous for the world’s best clam chowder so treat yourself with a sampling from my favorites “Union Oyster House”, “Legal Seafoods” and “Grill 23”.

 Suzie launched her third children's book, The Candy Roses of Cape Care at the Union Oyster House in 2013.