fruit arrangements, classes, and more!

Pomegranate Juice

2012-01-13T13:46:00.003-05:00

Many magazine articles and health journals have expounded upon the benefits of drinking Pomegranate juice. Not only does it taste good, but it is so good for you! An older article, published in a 2004 issue of Clinical Nuitrition, has associated drinking just 50 ml. of Pomegranate juice each day with some fantastic results.

We have heard about all the benefits that the anti-oxidants in deep dark chocolate and red wine can provide, well, it appears that drinking Pomegranate juice has many of the same positive effects. This particular study showed that drinking just 50 ml. per day of Pomegranate produced a very significant decline in the test subjects' bad LDL cholesterol levels. Could just adding a glass a day of this delicious juice make a measurable and sustainable difference to the heart health of a person? More clinical trials need to be completed, but the results of this research are very promising.

Now, if you would like to add the Pomegranate juice to your evening entertainment, here is a recipe for Pomegranate Mimosas.

Pomegranate Mimosas
Combine 1 cup Pomegranate juice with 1 cup Orange Juice.
Add 2 Tablespoons of orange liquour
Shake well
Fill your favorite champagne glass half way with champagne and top it off with the
Pomegranate juice/orange juice mixture.

Those Tart Little Red Berries

2011-11-29T15:48:00.000-05:00

The North American Cranberry

Thanksgiving is over, but for the next month, fresh cranberries will continue to be easily found in grocery stores and gourmet food emporiums. And that is good news!

Cranberries are one of the healthiest fruits that are available to us. Ok, so they may make you pucker up a little (is that a bad thing?) due to their tartness, but they are delicious and so nutritious. Packed with nutrients like antioxidants and other natural compounds, cranberries are a great choice for the health conscious consumer. In recent years we have even been able to enjoy sweetened, dried cranberries all year round.

Along with blueberries and the Concord grape, cranberries are one of 3 native North American fruits that are commercially grown.

According to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, “The cranberry helped sustain Americans for hundreds of years. Native Americans used cranberries in a variety of foods, the most popular was pemmican - a high protein combination of crushed cranberries, dried deer meat and melted fat - they also used it as a medicine to treat arrow wounds and as a dye for rugs and blankets.”

Contrary to popular TV commercials, cranberry vines do not grow in underwater. They grow in bogs and can live for a very long time. Some vines in Massachusetts are over 150 years old and they continue to produce fruit to this day.

Here’s a recipe for a delicious Cranberry Bread from the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association.

Servings: 1 Loaf

Ingredients:
1/2 C. Butter
1 Tbs. Grated Orange Peel
3 Large Eggs, Beaten
2 1/2 C. Flour
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 C. Fresh or Frozen Cranberries, Chopped
1 C. Sugar
1Tsp. Vanilla
3/4 C. Buttermilk
1/4 Tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Pecans, Chopped

Method:
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray bottom only of 9" X 5" loaf pan with cooking spray. Beat butter, sugar, orange peel and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt, add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating at low speed just until blended. Fold cranberries and nuts into batter. Turn into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes. Cool slightly in pan. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

See and Taste the Difference from the Fruit Arrangement Pros

2011-11-14T11:57:00.004-05:00

How many times have you heard, "Practice Makes Perfect"? Or been told to persevere, to keep working at something?

Here's an illustration of the difference between the pro golfer and the amateur.

How much of a spread do you think there is between the number of strokes that a top pro and a top amateur take in any given golf round?

Usually, it is only a few, 2 or 3 shots.

What makes the pro the odds on winner of the round? His quest for perfection.

The amateur practices until he can hit a shot right. The pro practices until he can't hit it wrong.

Like the pro, Flowers to Eat has practiced our art of fruit design to perfect the look and taste of our arrangements. We think you will be able to see and taste the beautiful, delicious difference.

The Foodie and the Health Nut Together At Last: Scrumptious Healthy Meal Ideas

2011-11-11T14:11:00.002-05:00

Thank you to contributing blogger, Carolyn Knight, for the following article on Healthy Eating!

The Foodie and the Health Nut Together At Last: Scrumptious Healthy Meal Ideas

It is unfortunate, but true, that plain veggies rarely inspire mouth-watering cravings, and French fries are not the best friend of hips and arteries. Do not despair. There is hope. Delicious food and healthy food are not mutually exclusive. Healthy meal ideas do exist to bring enjoyment, flavor, and nutrient-rich dishes to your table. If indulging in fatty foods can make you feel tired and cause long-term health concerns, then why not figure out a way to dress up disease fighting foods that will tempt your palate and leave you feeling energetic and guilt-free.

Even the healthiest of health nuts will cheat from time to time, so learning portion control can let you enjoy a taste without busting a seam.

1. Variety is the Spice of Life

Staring at a pile of boring lettuce will make anybody reach for the spaghetti; however, mixing all different kinds of flavors, textures, and food groups can turn a boring salad into a complex and interesting meal. Slice grilled flank steak, about 2-3 ounces per person. Then add it to a fresh salad with walnuts, dried cranberries, sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, and beets with a good homemade champagne-shallot vinaigrette for a colorful, well-balanced salad that tastes a little different with each bite.

2. Size Matters

Now, even if you have the whole eating healthy, balanced meals thing down, inevitably someone will walk into the office with cupcakes for no good reason whatsoever. You are facing a difficult challenge, teetering on the verge of well behaved eater and no-holds-barred-vacuum ready to inhale the entire tray. There is good news: portion control is your friend. Halve the cupcake, put it on a napkin, and walk back to your desk. If you go to a dinner party, and the host is serving steak, not to worry—just know your portion sizes. A 3-ounce cut of meat will look roughly like a deck of cards.

3. You Cook It, You Control It

When you cook at home you get to decide what goes into your dishes, as well as how much of your dish goes onto your plate. Try new things and liven up dinner time by stocking your spice rack and choosing vibrant, colorful produce. Yellow fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene and vitamin C, and blue and purple varieties house zeaxanthin, resveratrol and fiber.

Healthy meal ideas are the way to satisfy your appetite without feeling like ‘denial’ is your new food mantra. It is all about balance, portioning, and taking matters into your own hands. Fresh ingredients, variety, and spice are the key to boost flavor into an exciting and healthy meal, straight out of your very own kitchen.

Super Summer Seminar Sale!

2011-08-10T16:42:00.003-04:00

If you have been a fan of our website, our You Tube videos, or our facebook page, you know that Flowers to Eat offers comprehensive classes for budding entrepreneurs who want to start their own independent fruit arrangement business

As the summer winds down, we are offering a super savings on our 3 and 4 day classes.
If you register for either our 3 day or our 4 day class by August 31, 2011 and take the class by October 31, 2011, we will deduct $500.00 from the cost of the class.

Contact Nancy or Ruth at 814-341-2328 for more information, or send a note to info@flowerstoeat for all the details.

Selling Food Items from your Home OK'd in Florida

2011-08-02T14:04:00.005-04:00

Have you ever thought about starting your own food based business from your home?
When you looked into it, did you discover that you needed to use a commercial kitchen and be licensed?

Well, this has all changed, and budding entrepreneurs can now get their business started in their home.

On July 2, 2011, the Florida Cottage Food Act became a state law. This new law allows small businesses to prepare their food products in their own kitchens without obtaining a food permit from the Department of Agriculture.

The law allows cooks to bake cakes, cookies, or breads, create jams, jellies and vinegars, and a number of other products in their own home and market them.

There are a number of conditions that you need to be aware of, however.

1) Annual gross sales cannot exceed $15,000.
2) The products cannot be sold over the Internet or by mail order
3) The products cannot be sold wholesale to restaurants or food stores.

For more information, contact your local Small Business Information Center. They are running workshops to help budding entrepreneurs understand this new law and its caveats. In Hillsborough County, you can learn more by logging onto www.hillsborough-county.org/sbic or call 813-914-4028.

Basic information for this blog obtained from the In The Field Magazine, July 2011

Set off the Fireworks!!!!

2011-06-28T12:10:00.002-04:00

Let's celebrate the independence of the U.S. this weekend with a Stars 'n' Stripes bouquet from Flowers to Eat or your favorite arrangement in one of our Stars and Stripes vases.

We can also create custom berries dipped in white, milk, or dark chocolate and rolled in red, white, and blue sprinkles or laced with red, white and blue chocolate swizzles. They are a great addition to any 4th of July picnic or party.

Flowers to Eat's latest video

2011-06-21T13:29:00.004-04:00

Here are some of our most popular arrangements, set to music!
Copy and paste this url into your browser to see the video with all the text included:
http://youtu.be/q1Z3dB4NlRs
or
click here to view the bouquets.

flowers to eat

More PowerPoint presentations from Ruth Doroslovac

Thimbleberries and Cloudberries by Nancy Schramm

2011-05-24T09:05:00.006-04:00

Here in Tampa, we have had a beautiful spring. However, all good things must come to an end, at least that's what the saying claims. As May winds down, summer weather is already upon us. This means that local strawberries are pretty much a fond memory. Local blueberries are still available and there are nearby U-Pick blueberry farms in our area. Sweet blueberries are so good by themselves and they add a delicious shot of anti-oxidants to pancakes, waffles, smoothies, and salads.

While strawberries and blueberries may be the best known members of the berry family, and the ones that Flowers to Eat most often incorporates into our bouquets, trays and arrangements, there are many other types of berries available. Of course, there are the other readily available in grocery stores berries: raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. But have you tried Cloudberries, Thimbleberries or Loganberries?

If you have visited the upper pennisula of Michigan, you may have tried Thimbleberry jam. Because they are very delicate and do not pack well, they are seldom sold commercially other than in the local areas in which they are grown.

Cloudberries grow wild across most of Alaska, Canada, and some of the northern-most continental United States. It is a botanical vestige of the Ice Ages and is under legal protection in parts of Germany. High in Vitamin C, the ripe fruits are golden-yellow, soft and juicy. They are made into a special beer in Canada. Wikipedia states that they are made into 'Eskimo Ice-Cream' in Alaska by mixing them with seal oil or reindeer or caribou fat. Hmm, I wonder if Ben and Jerrys has heard of this flavor?

Anyway, as summer approaches throughout the United States, we hope you will experiment with at least one berry or fruit that is new to you. Happy Exploring!

The Most Fragrant Necklace

2011-04-13T10:37:00.003-04:00

My last blog entry talked about my recent trip to Hawaii, and the traditional Kalua Pork that we ate while there. There is even a delicious 3 ingredient recipe for Kalua Pork that received rave reviews at my house. If you have tried it, I hope you liked it as much as we did.

Ever since our first trip to Hawaii, I have loved the fragrance of Plumeria flowers. Whether they are pink, yellow or white, most of them smell absolutely wonderful. To me, their fragrance will always remind me of the islands and the first lei that my husband bought for me on our honeymoon.

On our way to our first Luau, Dan bought a beautiful lei made up of 35 – 50 white and yellow plumaria blossoms. The fragrance was heavenly, and I loved having it around my neck……..for the first hour or two.

The perfume of large number of plumaria flowers can actually be overpowering. I found the best way to resolve the super strong fragrance, and still let Dan know how much I liked his present. This was by taking the lei off from around my neck and wrapping it several times around my wrist. Now I could enjoy the fragrance, it wasn’t too strong but just right, and I was still wearing this lovely gift.

It wasn’t until a later island visit that I learned how to extend the life of any plumeria or orchid lei. I was told to spray it lightly with cool water, put it in a plastic bag, leaving the bag slightly open at one end. The directions then instructed me to wrap a towel around the plastic bag and place the whole thing in a cooler or refrigerator. By following these directions, I was able to wear my subsequent leis several more times. In fact, they lasted about a week, with the orchid leis sometimes lasting even longer than that.

Coming back to my home in Tampa, I brought several cuttings of Plumeria, or as they are called back here on the Mainland, frangi-pangi. They were really easy to root and several of them have grown to be large trees with a trunk circumference of 8 – 10 inches. They really do not like the frost, however, and even though I live in central Florida, I need to be protect them during the winter.

So far, I haven’t had enough blossoms all at one time to make my own lei, but I do cut the flowers and bring them into the house to enjoy that wonderful natural Hawaiian perfume.

One Yummy Pig

2011-04-04T12:50:00.003-04:00

I know that we usually talk about fruit or vegetables on this blog, but earlier this month, my husband and I celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Hawaii. This actually wasn’t our first trip there. Our previous visits included our honeymoon and a trip for one of our sons who was married there.

However, we had not gone to a Luau since our honeymoon, and we thought it would be fun to do again.

My memory of the first Luau dinner was lots of fresh fruit, delicious tropical drinks, very good Kalua pork, and purplish wallpaper paste, or as they billed it, poi. I apologize to all the poi lovers out there, my palate just is not refined enough to recognize the subtle nuances of taste and flavor in the poi that I have had.

This year’s Luau was very similar. The food was delicious; the entertainment was a combination of my husband being part of the onstage hula lessons and a very good ‘history of the Hawaiian people’s arrival to the islands’ with wonderful Hawaiian music.

The focal point of the dinner was the roasted pig, ceremoniously unearthed from his underground oven or Imu, and carried to the carving table. It was delicious, tender, moist and flavorful. My husband loves this ‘other white meat’.

When we returned to the Mainland, I decided to try my hand at cooking Kalua Pork…..but without the underground cooking. On the web, I found an excellent recipe that had only 3 ingredients (including the pig) and lots of rave reviews. I did have to purchase Hawaiian Salt, all the reviewers who used either sea salt or regular salt said the meat was too salty. Hawaiian Salt actually includes some clay with the salt (there’s my piece of earth in the recipe).

I tried the recipe last week and it was delicious, just as good as that which we enjoyed at the Luau. So, for all of you who want to try a bit of Hawaiian pork at your home, without digging up your backyard, here are the directions I followed:

1 6 lb. pork butt

1 to 1/12 Tbs. Hawaiian Salt

1 Tbs. liquid smoke

Pierce the pork butt all over with a knife or fork

Rub the Hawaiian Salt and liquid smoke into the meat

Place meat in your slow cooker set to low heat

Allow to cook on low for 16 – 20 hours

Remove from cooker, shred the pork and serve with rolls, if desired.

Kiwifruit update

2011-03-21T12:53:00.002-04:00

Way back in December, 2009, I wrote a blog entry about the health benefits of the fruit of the kiwi.

Not only are they cute (in a fuzzy kind of way), really attractive in a bouquet (the bright green, white and black make them an outstanding component of a fruit arrangement), and delicious, but we are now learning about additional health benefits.

According to a recent study, done by researchers at South Korea's Seoul National University, kiwi could play a roll in helping some of the 300 million people worldwide who suffer from asthma.

The March Dole Nutrition News described the study, saying that researchers administered kiwifruit extract to mice which were later exposed to allergens, then monitored for roughly three weeks. Compared to a control (placebo) group, the kiwi-fed mice enjoyed a 47% decline in asthmatic symptoms – plus a 48% reduction in white blood cell counts (which marshal in excess among asthmatic and allergy patients). Kiwi’s powerful enzyme – actinidin – may play a role.

If you haven't yet subscribed to the Dole Nutrition News,
http://www.dole.com/NutritionInstituteLanding/NutritionNews/tabid/1060/Default.aspx,
you may want to check out their website. The monthly newsletter is always full of interesting facts, stories and new research on fruit and nutrition.

In the meantime, keep enjoying those cute, fuzzy green kiwifruits!

Tropical Flowers and Fresh Fruit Bouquets

2011-03-03T21:17:00.001-05:00

What is the most common characteristic of tropical flowers?

Is it their heady fragrance, maybe their prolific nature? I think it is their vibrant colors.
Whether you are looking at a beautiful yellow, orange or red hibiscus or marveling at the outstanding colors of the paper thin bracts of a bougainvillea, there is no doubt that you are looking at a tropical plant. Did you think those beautiful ‘blossoms’ on the bougainvillea were it’s flowers? Actually, the flower is the little white tubular blossom in the center of the colorful bracts. They are small, but big enough for hummingbirds and other pollinators to find them.

Following the lead of tropical flowers, today’s fruit bouquets and arrangements are also composed of colorful flowers made from bright yellow pineapples, vibrant pink watermelon, orange cantaloupes, and the green honeydew. Then when you add purple grapes, bright orange citrus, green and black kiwifruit, bright red strawberries, and blueberries, you have a tropical bouquet that is also edible!

Keeping with the tropical theme, Flowers to Eat has added some vibrant new arrangements to their product line. Take a moment and look at the new Sensational Starburst, packed with color, flavor and creativity! Let us know what you think of this and our other new designs.

IT's Strawberry Season in Florida!

2011-02-17T13:47:00.004-05:00

Wow, Valentine's Day has come and gone, and we want to thank all our customers and clients for their orders.

The strawberries were super sweet and large. The gourmet chocolate was smooth and delicious.

We are now entering the best season for Florida strawberries. (There's a reason why the Florida Strawberry Festival is held the first week of March!). The berries will be prolific and very tasty.
Whether you like strawberry shortcake, strawberry smoothies, or strawberry cheesecakes, the freshest, most delicious and healthy berries are readily available! Enjoy!

Early Bird Savings

2011-01-24T13:40:00.002-05:00

We are offering a 10% discount to anyone who asks for it and who places their Valentine's Day order by Monday, February 7th.

Whether you are going to order gourmet chocolate covered strawberries or a fruit or vegetable arrangement, order early and save!

And if you choose to pick up your arrangement on Friday, February 11th, Saturday February 12th or Monday, February 14th tell us you would like a free I Love You or Happy Valentine's Day balloon and we'll have it blown up and ready for you.

Order early and Save!

Snowy Days, Citrus Fruits and Baboons???

2011-01-12T15:50:00.001-05:00

The 2010 winter holidays are past. Mother Nature is definitely telling us that the winter of 2011 will be snowy, cold and possibly one for the record books.

I read today that Florida is the only state in the Union with no snow. Even Hawaii has snow on the mountain peaks!

Well, we here in Florida have some sunshine that we can export to our fellow citizens who are snowbound throughout the country; our Citrus Fruit!

Take your pick, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tangelos, tangerines, clementines; they are all available now, sweet and juicy, bursting with flavor and vitamins. The way to reap the largest amount of vitamins and nutrients is to eat them whole and fresh, but freshly squeezed orange juice tastes soooooo good too.

We’ve been experiencing our second really cold winter in a row, here in the Tampa Bay area, but so far, the citrus crop has not been adversely affected.

If you are looking for a fruit arrangement that is bursting with citrus flavors, Flowers to Eat has their Tropical Fruit Explosions and our Chocolate Orange Blossom. How good is that; dark chocolate and fresh, juicy Navel Oranges. YUM!

For a wild new cultivar, see the Times Live article at the link, below. Apparently, the wild baboons in South Africa have identified a single Minneola orange tree in an orchard that underwent a spontaneous mutation to produce minneolas sweeter than those on all the surrounding trees. “The troop always selected one tree amongst thousands of trees in one of our orchards and devoured all the fruit before our season really got going.”

Read the whole story at:

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article846316.ece/Baboons-discover-new-citrus-fruit-in-W.CapeSt

Stay warm and enjoy your citrus fruit!

Healthy or Decadently Delicious?

2010-12-18T10:03:00.000-05:00

Healthy or decadently delicious?

Thinking of our healthy fruit and vegetable arrangements, and our decadently delicious chocolate covered fruit, I've told our customers that Flowers to Eat products can be either.

We've all heard about the benefits of the antioxidents in dark chocolate. Today's Tampa Tribune 4You section has an article that says that dark chocolate, that is 70% cocoa or more, actually has been shown to reduce blood pressure. An ounce a day has healthy benefits.

Moderation in everything, but enjoy your dark chocolate!

National Cover Anything in Chocolate Day

2010-12-14T15:46:00.002-05:00

Do you believe there is actually a designated National Cover Anything in Chocolate Day? This year it is Thursday, December 16th.

It sure surprised me, but as a lover of good dark chocolate, now that I think about it, I think it is a great idea. Let's face it, if you attend State Fairs, the Florida Strawberry Festival and other events like these, you have seen all kinds of things covered in chocolate and up for sale.

Holiday Insights says it is a great day to "binge, indulge, pig-out and otherwise consume to excess, your favorite food....chocolate'. Check out what else Holiday Insights says about this wonderful day at http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/chocolatecovered.htm

And, if you are in our neighborhood on Thursday, December 16th, stop in at the Flowers to Eat store and ask for your free corsage box of 2 deliciously dipped chocolate covered strawberries. One freebie per person, please.

Ruth's Gourmet Peppermint Cookies

2010-12-10T13:37:00.003-05:00

With the holidays just around the corner, we wanted to share one of our favorite cookie recipes with you. They are quick and easy to make and bake, and delicious with their holiday peppermint chips.

If you look at our website, www.flowerstoeat.com, you'll see some of our newest holiday arrangements and products. Mention this blog entry and receive $5.00 off of an arrangement.

Happy Holidays, from your friends at Flowers to Eat.

Ruth's Gourmet Peppermint Cookies

1/2 stick of salted butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbs. vanilla
2 2/3 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 bag Andes Peppermint Chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend softened butter, the sugars, eggs and vanilla with mixer.
Add baking powder and baking soda and continue mixing with mixer.

Add Peppermint chips and stir with spoon.
Add flour and stir till mixed.

Drop by tablespoonfuls (I use a small ice cream scoop for consistent sizing of the cookies)
onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 min. 30 sec. if you want a soft cookie.
Bake for 2 additional minutes if you prefer your cookies to be harder.

I leave the cookies on the hot cookie sheet for 8 - 10 minutes after removing them from the oven.
I then let the cookies cool completely on a rack.

My nieces and nephews love it when I sandwich them with Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting or your own cream cheese frosting.

I finish the cookies by drizzling melted white chocolate across the cookies sandwiches.

Of course you need to taste test several of the cookies before sharing them with your family and friends........just to be sure they are as delicious as you thought they would be.

The Ubiquitous Pumpkin

2010-10-30T14:45:00.002-04:00

Wherever you look this week, you will find real or real-looking pumpkins. This bright orange, nutritious member of the squash family enjoys its greatest popularity in the month of October. While they have been around for centuries and enjoyed by Native Americans, the art of pumpkin carving has been raised to new levels.

Pumpkins are ever present this week, in any direction that you turn. Grocery stores have fresh whole pumpkins for those not able to go to a pumpkin patch and choose their own right off of the vine. Farm stands have displays of pumpkins large and small, for carving, decorating or eating! Every discount store and craft store has displays of pumpkins, real or not, but all are guaranteed carvable.

Remember when it was enough to just carve 3 triangles (eyes and nose) and either a happy or scary mouth?

Those days are definitely gone. With the advanced carving tools and patterns available today pumpkins have turned into a work of art. The Food Network even had a pumpkin carving ‘Challenge’ with the winner taking home a check for $10,000. Now those carvings were unbelievably intricate. The winning “Medusa” pumpkin had 5 pumpkin carved snakes protruding from her detailed face, with several of them battery powered and moving! What a fantastic display of talented carving!

With all this focus on carving pumpkins their high nutritional value can get lost. Like other brightly colored fruits and vegetables, pumpkins are high in beta-carotene., an important antioxidant. Beta-carotene is converted by our bodies into vitamin A. There have been numerous articles relating foods high in beta-carotene to providing some protection against developing certain types of cancer, and against heart disease. They are low in salt, have zero cholesterol, and lots of fiber and vitamin C.

Pumpkins have also been associated with strange properties, none of which are proved. At one time they were thought to remove freckles, and were once, for some people, a remedy for snakebites!

If you are a Food Network junkie, every major chef has had Autumn or Halloween focused episodes with some acknowledgment of the popularity and importance of the pumpkin. There are pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pies, and let’s not forget pumpkin seeds! Yum!

While we are talking about pumpkin pies, according to pumpkinnook.com, the folks in New Bremen, Ohio baked the world’s biggest pumpkin pie. It weighed 3,699 pounds! Where did they find a pan big enough for it? Pumpkinnook also publicized the new world record holder for the biggest pumpkin. Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wi. won this honor in 2010 by growing a pumpkin that had a recorded weight of 1,810.5 pounds. Now that pumpkin would make a lot of pies!

Whether your preference is to eat them, carve them or grow them, this is the season for the rotund orange pumpkin.

Newest Creations

2010-10-19T14:06:00.003-04:00

Anticipating the smaller strawberries that will be in season for the next 6 - 10 weeks, Ruth, our creative diva, has developed several new arrangements whose focus relies less on strawberries and more on the other fruits that are still abundant. They are all delicious and beautiful to look at.

Soon, we will have our holiday arrangements and products available also. From custom platters of fruit and vegetables, to hand decorated berries, apple wedges, Banana Bites and Raspberries, the designs will be ones that you would be proud to give and delighted to receive!

In the meantime, we did create our Sports Berries, for the athlete in your life or the athlete in you!
Strawberries decorated as baseballs, basketballs, and footballs will set the mood for any tailgate party.

Shattering Barriers - McDonald's Training Center Benefit

2010-10-08T12:08:00.004-04:00

Last night was the Shattering Barriers benefit was held at the Pepin Hospitality Center.
Over 450 people attended to support this excellent cause. Local restaurants provided attendees with entree selections, and Flowers to Eat was there handing out chocolate covered strawberries, raspberries, grapes, apple wedges and Banana Bites.

School of Fruit Design

2010-07-22T11:23:00.001-04:00

Let your inner budding entrepreneur bloom when you learn to design edible fruit arrangements offered at the school of fruit design. Flowers to Eat is an independently owned and woman operated business specializing in gourmet fruit gifts. From fresh fruit bouquets to edible vegetable arrangements, you can learn to artfully craft beautiful arrangements of your own. Tap into this emerging retail market and open your own business. As the country makes a more health-conscious shift and the art of gift giving becomes ever more painstakingly difficult, give customers a unique and healthy alternative with your independently owned, edible fruit arrangement store.

Flowers to Eat will share their secrets for success when you sign up for the school of fruit design. Learn professional techniques for creating one of a kind designs. This is not a franchise. You will not have to pay any franchise fees or monthly royalty payments. This school is geared towards self-motivated, energetic individuals looking to open their own business. The business opportunities are endless when you learn to design your own fruit bouquets. With the option to open up your own corner store, or work right out of your own kitchen, shipping or locally delivering your artful designs, be prepared to be your own boss. From market area, to personally designed bouquets, and food suppliers to equipment providers, you can build your own business from the ground up.

As a student at the school of fruit design, you can express your creative side by learning how to make a fruit bouquet, how to make fruit arrangements, how to make vegetable arrangements, and how to design chocolate covered fruit using professional techniques. Not only will you learn how to craft beautiful arrangements, but you will also learn the secrets to success that Flowers to Eat discovered on its road to profitability.

For more information, or to sign up for the next school of fruit design session of classes offered, see http://www.flowerstoeat.com/. Click the Let Us Teach You How! link on the home page to find out more! Fill out the form at the bottom of the information page so a qualified representative can contact you regarding the next class offerings. Remember, this is NOT a franchise. You will never be asked to pay franchise fees or monthly royalty payments. Own and operate your own business! Sign up today and be on your way to a successful future owning your own edible fruit arrangement business.

Berry Interesting

2010-06-15T13:34:00.002-04:00

This is the time of year that you can grab your pail or bucket and pick your own berries. Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Strawberries are all available at ‘u-pick-um’ farms throughout the U.S.

Flowers to Eat has a new arrangement called Oh! Raspberry which includes raspberries and blueberries, as well as strawberries, into its design. It is unique in this way with these fruits that are known for their healthy characteristics.

Raspberries are an excellent source of fiber, manganese and vitamin C. They are a good source of vitamin B2, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium and copper. In addition, they contain significant amounts of the anti-cancer phytochemical ellagic acid.
Raspberries possess almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwis, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes, shows research conducted in the Netherlands and published in the journal BioFactors.

Blueberries are super nutritious too. There are only 80 delicious calories per cup and virtually no fat. A serving contains almost 25% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C. They are also a good source of Manganese, dietary fiber and antioxidents.

And they make a great parfait! See the June 11 recipe in our blog.

According to wisegeek.com, there are over 20 different types of unusual berries in North America alone. This does not include many fruits that have the name "berry" but actually do not belong to the same family, such as is the case of strawberries, blackberries raspberries, and boysenberries. These four fruits, which are sometimes considered part of the group of unusual berries, are actually aggregate fruits.

Let’s see how well you know these unusual berries. See if you can match the berry name with the interesting fact about it in the right column:

1. Seaberries
2. Mulberries
3. Tayberries
4. Bumbleberry
5. Wolfberry
6. Boysenberry

A. Mixture of berries combined in recipes
B. Used in traditional Chinese Medicine to improve eyesight and liver function
C. Soft, semi-sweet and fragile in nature; seldom found in grocery stores
D. Created as a cross between loganberries, blackberries, & raspberries that are characterized by a soft center with not seeds
E. Grow in cold weather and popular in tea in Russia
F. Hybrid berry created by cross-breeding a blackberry and a raspberry originating in Scotland

(Answers to the quiz are posted at the bottom of the Blueberry Parfait recipe in our previous blog entry)

Blueberry Parfait

2010-06-11T13:37:00.002-04:00

Now that berry season is here, try this yummy parfait from the August, 2009 issue of "Self Magazine"!

BERRY PARFAIT
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups skim milk
• Juice and zest of 3 lemons, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 pint blueberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
PREPARATION
1. Whisk milk, juice and zest of 2 lemons, sugar and cornstarch in a pot over medium heat until mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes. Whisk in yogurt. Cook blueberries, juice and zest of remaining lemon, and sugar in another pot over medium heat, mashing until a chunky sauce forms, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide graham cracker crumbs and sauce among 4 glasses; top each with 1/2 cup yogurt pudding. Chill 1 hour.
The skinny
243 calories per serving, 1.7 g fat (0.4 g saturated), 51.8 g carbs, 2.6 g fiber, 7.5 g protein

Answers to the Berry Interesting quiz: 1E,2C,3F,4A,5B,6D to be coming in our next blog

Thank you Small Business Commerce Association!

2010-06-02T14:52:00.002-04:00

We just had to share the good news! Thank you friends and customers for your continued enjoyment of our products. We appreciate each and everyone of you.

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is pleased to announce that Flowers To Eat has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Flowers, fresh category.

The SBCA Best of Business Award Program recognizes the best of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback and other research, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports . Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

Easy Strawberry Tarts

2010-03-08T11:58:00.003-05:00

It's strawberry season here in Florida, and inspite of the near record cold winter that we have had, there are numerous strawberries available. If you are tired of Strawberry Smoothies and Strawberry Shortcake (is that possible???), you might like to try this recipe for strawberry tarts. It is quick and easy to make, and really tastes yummy.

Easy Strawberry Tarts

Use your favorite pastry recipe for the tart shells or buy frozen tart shells at the grocery store.

Ingredients:

1 small package of French Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 ½ c. whole milk

1 c. whipping or heavy cream

¼ c. confectioners sugar

1 pt. of strawberries

Wash, hull, and slice strawberries in half.

Follow directions on pudding package to make the French Vanilla Instant pudding using 1 ½ c. of whole milk instead of 2 cups.

In separate bowl, beat the whipping cream until light and fluffy. Add ¼.c of confectioners sugar slowly, and continue beating until it holds soft peaks.

Fold ½ of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture, and divide between 4 – 6 tart shells (depending on the size of each tart). Top each tart with several sliced strawberries arranged decoratively. Add a dollop of whipped cream to each.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve

OOOPS

2010-01-27T11:07:00.002-05:00

Sorry, I left off the the place in the Caribbean that banana rootstock were first received.
The full answer for number 4 is : Tomas de Berlanga, a Portugues Monk, in 1516 delivered banana rootstock to the island of Santo Domingo.

And the Winner Is!!!!!

2010-01-27T10:54:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to AC, winner of our Banana Quiz. AC you have won a corsage box full of our delicious Banana Bites. Yum!!
Give us a call for when you want to pick them up, they will be fresh made that day.

For those of you who submitted answers but didn't win, the correct answers are as follows:

1) Which country is experiencing a blossoming of the ‘Morning Banana Diet’?
Japan

2) True or False: Bananas tend to increase blood pressure in adults?
False

3) Who is credited with bringing the banana from India to the Western World?
Alexander the Great in 327 BC

4) Which Caribbean Island was the first to receive banana rootstock in 1516?
Tomas de Berlanga, a Portuguese Monk, in 1516

5) True or False, the banana tree is related to the orchid and the lily.
True

6) True or False, Bananas contain an equal amount of potassium and sodium?
False, an average sized banana contains 467 mg of potassium and 1 mg of sodium

7) True or False, The origin of the word ‘banana’ comes from the Chinese word for finger?
False, it comes from the Arabic word for finger

Going Bananas!!!

2010-01-12T09:17:00.002-05:00

Going Bananas!!!

Included in this blog entry:

Fun facts about bananas!

Banana quiz with fantastic prizes!

Banana salsa recipe

We have previously talked about strawberries and apples here on our blog, and the lowly banana was feeling left out. As you know, at Flowers to Eat we have several arrangements and products based on this wonderful fruit and our creative uses of it, so, let’s talk for a few minutes about the fruit eaten by more people in the U.S. than any other.

Bananas come gift wrapped in their own thick peel. Their creamy flesh is enjoyed by men, women and children of all ages.

The banana plant grows 10 to 26 feet high and produces clusters or “hands” of 10 to 25 fruits. It‘s not a tree, it is actually the world’s largest herb!

While bananas were enjoyed by people in Asia and Africa several thousand years ago, they were introduced to the U.S. in the late 19^th century.

In spite of their thick peel, bananas are really fragile in nature and quite perishable. They need to be handled gently. Bananas were originally enjoyed in the U.S. only by people who lived near the seacoast towns where the ships, delivering them from the tropics, would dock. With today’s rapid transportation methods and refrigeration, bananas are now easily transported around the world.

Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. The potassium found in bananas may also help to promote bone health. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets typical of most Americans, thus helping to prevent bones from thinning out at a fast rate.

They are also a good source of vitamins B6 and C. They have been tied to new diets, touted as a means of losing weight when combined with a glass of room temperature water. Bananas have also been associated with ameliorating the potassium depleting effects of heavy soda drinking, with assisting babies and very young children suffering from intestinal disorders, with providing soothing protection from ulcers, and possibly with reducing your risk of age related macular degeneration.

Talk about a single food item providing so many benefits to us! Bananas are a gold-mine of goodness!

Do you think you know a lot about bananas? Take our quiz below by cutting and pasting it with your answers into an email. Send it to info@flowerstoeat .

If you answer all the questions correctly, we’ll give you a 4 piece box of our delicious Banana Bites! I’ll publish the correct answers to the questions next month on our blog.

Banana Quiz

1) Which country is experiencing a blossoming of the ‘Morning Banana Diet’?

2) True or False: Bananas tend to increase blood pressure in adults?

3) Who is credited with bringing the banana from India to the Western World?

4) Which Caribbean Island was the first to receive banana rootstock in 1516?

5) True or False, the banana tree is related to the orchid and the lily.

6) True or False, Bananas contain an equal amount of potassium and sodium?

7) True or False, The origin of the word ‘banana’ comes from the Chinese word for finger?

Banana Salsa

2 medium-size ripe bananas, chopped

½ c. chopped green bell pepper

½ c. chopped red bell pepper

3 green onions, chopped

1 Tbs fresh cilantro

2 Tbs light brown sugar

3 Tbs. lime juice

1 Tbs oil

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)

Combine first 10 ingredients, stirring gently.

Add jalapeno pepper, if desired.

Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Excellent on Redfish and other light fish.

See our latest Press Release

2010-01-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

Click on the following link to see our latest press release!

http://www.1888pressrelease.com/flowers-to-eat-now-offering-nationwide-shipping-to-meet-grow-pr-176368.html

Kiwifruit, the Super Fruit for today's health conscious consumer

2009-12-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

Super Fruit now included in Flowers to Eat bouquets!

Did you know that the kiwifruit has been named number 1 for nutrition, and awarded SuperFood status?

According to a Rutgers University study of the 27 most popular fruits, kiwifruit was first; bite for bite, it provides more nutritional punch than all the rest!

Just one serving of kiwifruit contains more potassium than a banana, the vitamin C of two oranges, and all the fiber in a bow of Bran!

Flowers to Eat now has 4 arrangements that include this Super Food. Beautiful to look at, delicious and healthy to eat!

For more information on the kiwifruit, and delicious recipes, go to www.familykiwi.com

Health Benefits of the Strawberry and a Yummy Recipe

2009-11-13T11:16:00.000-05:00

Did you know that adding fresh strawberries to your diet, whether they are in salads, smoothies, or on their own, is a great way to get the servings of fruit that are recommended for a healthy immune system? With all the concern about influenza of all types, this can be especially important at this time of the year.

What's so nutritionally good about strawberries?
Strawberries contain a range of nutrients, with vitamin C heading the group. They also contain significant levels of phyto-nutrients and antioxidants, which fight free radicals. These antioxidant properties are believed to be linked to what makes the strawberry bright red.

In addition to vitamin C, strawberries also provide an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

So many uses for strawberries!
Strawberries are among the most versatile of fresh fruits. As you can see from our website, we use them in our fruit bouquets as well as in our Gourmet Chocolate bouquets, giving you plenty of variety to choose from. Look them over and choose your favorite to boost your consumption of fruit each and every day.

To your Good Health!

Recipe for a Strawberry Banana Smoothie
1 medium banana, peeled and quartered
8 medium strawberries hulled and rinsed
1 cup low-fat or skim milk
1 container (6 ounce size) Vanilla Yogurt
1 Tbs. protein powder (optional)

Blend together for a healthy and nutritious start to your day.

Triple Chocolate Mousse is now here!

2009-10-28T11:30:00.001-04:00

Remember the yummy Triple Chocolate Cheesecake we used to sell?

I know many of you were disappointed when it was no longer available. But we now have an even tastier individual Triple Chocolate Mousse ready to tickle your tastebuds.

Think layers of white chocolate mousse, milk chocolate mousse, and dark chocolate mousse atop of a tasty foundation of chocolate cake! Then top it with a Flowers to Eat gourmet strawberry!

Pretty to look at and delicious to eat. AND, we can ship these throughout continental U.S.!

Bosses Day, Friday, October 16th!

2009-10-07T11:32:00.000-04:00

Bosses Day is Friday, October 16th this year.

2009 has been challenging to many businesses this year, to employees and employers alike.
Show your boss that you appreciate his/her efforts to keep things running smoothly with an arrangement from Flowers to Eat.

If he or she is a chocolate covered strawberry fan, we have bouquets that feature berries simply dipped into white, milk or dark chocolate. Then again, we have really gourmet berries that are not only dipped, but double dipped and laced or even berries filled with cheesecake, then dipped in white chocolate and toasted coconut. YUM!

If they like fruit without chocolate, our Melond Daisy Bloom, Sunflowers in Bloom or Applelicious might be just the answer.

Bring a smile to your boss's face on their day, Friday, October 16th.

All That Glitters was a Sparkling Success!

2009-09-28T13:42:00.001-04:00

The MacDonald House benefit, All That Glitters, dealt up fun and feasting for all who attended.

Close to 300 signed up as VIPs, making additional donations for the ability to enjoy an additional hour at the event. Between the food, drink, silent auction, and entertainment, a grand time was experienced by all.

You are Invited!

2009-09-24T13:41:00.000-04:00

Saturday, Sept. 26th is the benefit for the MacDonald Training Center.

All that Glitters is being held this year at the Pepin Hospitality Center, starting at 7 PM

Flowers to Eat will be there handing out samples of our gourmet strawberries, apple wedges and banana bites. Many community restaurants will also be there, as well as musical entertainment.

Tickets are still available. Please contact Marilyn Monoc at the MacDonald Training Center for more information. 813-870-1300 ext. 283

Shipping Now Available!!!

2009-09-14T13:38:00.000-04:00

Flowers to Eat has just announced the capability to ship products throughout continental United States.

While we have been delivering our bouquets in the greater Tampa Bay area for almost 5 years now, we have recently begun overnight shipping of our boxed items. Strawberry Samplers, Banana Bites, Apple Samplers, Gourmet Whole Apples, all are now shippable throughout the United States.

Learn more about this new capability at www.flowerstoeat.com

2009-09-14T13:30:00.000-04:00

Is a Franchise the right Business for YOU?

If you want to be your own boss and have the ability to decide for yourself what you will create, how you will create it, and how you willl sell it, is a franchise really the best business choice for you?

If you are the creative type of person with some business experience, Flowers to Eat has classes that can help you start your own, independent fruit and vegetable arrangement business.

We are not a franchisor.

With Flowers to Eat's classes there are no upfront franchise investment fees or ongoing monthly royalty fees. Once you have learned our techniques, you are free to modify the arrangements that you have learned and to build upon them in anyway that is beneficial to your market. We do not restrict where you can sell your products, what new designs you want to create or what suppliers to purchase from. Our goal is to give you the knowledge and tools to create beautiful arrangements while leaving you free to use your own business acumen and familiarity with your customer base to tailor your store to your market.

Contact us for news about upcoming classes at www.flowerstoeat.com

2009-01-03T09:39:00.000-05:00

We are now offering classes in Fruit Arrangement Design that range in "just for fun" to "starting your own fruit bouquet business" View our website with all the info at www.flowerstoeat.com

Take the plunge

2009-01-03T09:20:00.000-05:00

We have just introduced classes on Fruit Bouquet Design and can help you start your own businuess. Check out our website (http://www.flowerstoeat.com)and/ let me know what you think.