Biophilia – The Nature Attraction

There’s no doubt we’re all born with the desire to connect to nature! This deep-rooted attraction to the outdoors is called biophilia a term is derived from the Greek words for “life” and “love” making its precise translation “love of life.” Biophilia is more than just an idea, it has been found to support both physical and mental health. Since the average the person spends more than 75 percent of their life indoors, establishing a biophilia environment would have significant results.

This explains why flowers and plants can instantly invigorate your mood and lift your spirits. The calming qualities of nature can be enjoyed through soothing colors + interesting textures. And there are plenty of ways to satisfy your nature craving, and we know just how to help you bring the outside in.

As the human population grows and access to nature becomes limited, incorporating nature into your home and work environments becomes more and more important. Regular exposure to natural elements supports longevity and helps ensure that future generations will maintain an affinity with nature as well.

January Articles of Interest

IN THE GARDEN
Tricks to grow proteas away from their home

Growing proteas, pincushions and leucodendrons is a challenge in our part of the country, as the care you render to your usual garden plants here is rejected by the protea family.

For instance, feeding proteas with fertiliser as you would any other plant may be likened to letting a child loose in a sweet store. Unlike other plants the protea plant cannot control its uptake of nutrients - gorging itself to the detriment of the plant growth and sometimes leading to its demise.

Read more here.
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5 flower trends expected to surge in popularity in 2021

'Receiving or giving flowers and making your home beautiful will continue to be important next year,' says Larry Walshe, celebrity London florist and founder of Bloom.

'Following two national lockdowns, we have all learned that flowers are not just a luxury, but rather a necessity that bring joy, pleasure and a boost to wellbeing. The use of plants and flowers in the home is beneficial for both our physical and mental health, thanks to the air-purifying qualities of blooms and their ability to help reduce stress and anxiety.'

Take a look at the flower trends set to surge in popularity...

Read more here.
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Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World

The 24 hours of affection known as Valentine’s Day originated in Europe more than 1,500 years ago as a Christian feast commemorating the martyrdom of Rome’s St. Valentinus. However, the earliest known mention of Feb. 14 as an actual celebration of love occurs in 1375 AD within medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s Parliament of Foules, a work that cites the 14th as the day both birds and humans are most likely to find mates.

American Valentine’s Day expressions of endearment include everything from greeting cards, love letters, and heart-shaped chocolates to a dozen roses, teddy bears, and balloons. It’s a day of marriage proposals, weddings, and nights dining out. But the United States isn’t the only country to celebrate romance. Nations around the world have spent centuries developing their own unique ways to mark love’s holiday. Here’s how some countries across the globe celebrate the day of love.

Read more here.

Flower News: August’s Stories of Interest from Around the World

Why Florists Are Loving Dried Flowers Right Now

The antique-inspired variety is having a moment
and it isn't just because of Instagram.

If there's anyone who knows a thing or two about flower trends, it's Chris DeMeo, wholesale florist at N.Y.C.'s Dutch Flower Line. He's privy to what all of the city's top florists, stylist, and event designers are buying and has been in the business for more than 20 years. In other words, he's seen it all (or, quite a lot). Right now, he says, dried flowers are having a moment. "It all started because people are going for colors that feel a bit antiqued with a patina to them, and there are only so many [fresh] flowers in that palette. So, people became more and more creative and started using dried elements—to give their arrangements that vintage vibe," says DeMeo.

Read more here.
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The power of flowers — how they accompany us,
heal us and ‘make us gasp with pleasure’

‘Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower,’ wrote Hans Christian Andersen. Jay Griffiths explores their emotional pull.

‘Archangel,’ said a friend, picking one of the plentiful wildflowers in my garden and introducing me to it as to another friend.

Flowers are companions for us. They can be company in a lonely present, witness to memory and a promise for the future. They are characters: the chalk-pale, but still courageous snowdrop, the irrepressible daffodil, the flamenco-dancing fuchsia or the loyal nasturtium.

Read more here.
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Heat-Resistant Wedding Bouquets Perfect for Summer

Finding the perfect can be a challenge, whatever the season. But what about sourcing buds for a celebration that takes place, when the weather adds an extra variable to your decisions? That makes things even more difficult. If you're planning a celebration in a location known for its summer heat waves, it may be in your best interest to pick an arrangement that'll stand up to the sky-high temps.

Read more here.
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Flower power: how they improve emotional well-being, and which ones to pick for happiness at work and home

• Science shows that having bright and fragrant blooms around your home can reduce your anxiety, make you more compassionate and boost your energy at work

• One study even suggests flowers help in the healing process after hospital surgery. So which kinds should you pick for a happiness-inducing arrangement?

Ellna Yu Chun-ha loves flowers. They bring her joy and enhance the look of her home.

“Just looking at a pretty arrangement relaxes me instantly, which is just what I need after a long and stressful day,” says the safety instructor, who lives in Hong Kong. “And no matter where I place the arrangement, it has the effect of brightening up the space and making the area look more inviting.”

Read more here.

Flower News: May’s Stories of Interest from Around the World

South Africa wins gold
at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

South Africa just won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show for the 37th time. This is reportedly the 37th time in 43 years that SA has been awarded Gold at the international flower show.

Kirstenbosch – who is representing South Africa on the show’s world stage – was awarded their 37th gold for their stunning floral kingdom display – ‘Mountains of Abundance’, reports Traveller24. Kirstenbosch received the award at the 2019 RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show in the UK today.

Read more here.
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A Luncheon With CA Grown & Husbands That Cook

Celebrating the fresh seasonal produce grown in California!

This spring, #TeamFeedfeed traveled to sunny Los Angeles where we hosted an amazing luncheon to highlight vibrant seasonal produce from CA Grown and to celebrate Husbands That Cook's newly launched book.

The setting was Adam and Ryan’s very own breathtaking backyard overlooking the city, filled with beautiful flowers and plants. They have many trails with fruit trees, herb bushes, huge succulents and monumental blue agave plants (I was so tempted to take some succulents back to New York with me!). It was a perfect day filled with lots of sunshine, birds chirping happily and great company. The wonderful and gracious co-host Rebecca Firth, who is a long time friend of Feedfeed and Husbands That Cook, arrived early to welcome the guests and share a few appetizers and salads.

Read more here.
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June: California Grown Flowers Month

For the fifth year in a row, the California Legislature will honor the state’s flower farmers and recognize their contributions to the state’s economy and workforce by declaring June California Grown Flowers Month.

State Sen. Mike McGuire is again putting forth the resolution to “honor the men and women of the California grown flower industry for their dedication and productivity.”

Read more here.
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Research Says Having Fresh Flowers in Your Home
Can Actually Reduce Levels of Pain

Sending flowers to your sick or sad friend might be a universal go-to gift, but the heartwarming gesture is actually more helpful than you think. I know it may be surprising, but there are more to flowers than just a sweet smell and a pretty face—they can have some seriously positive effects on our health, too.

The American Society for Horticulture Science performed a study evaluating if plants have therapeutic influences on surgical patients, and the results are honestly kind of shocking. 90 patients were split into rooms either with plants or without plants, and those with some kind of foliage had wildly different results than those who had not.

Read more here.

Artwork We Love: Flowers & Inspiring Words

Inspiration – to breathe life into.

Flowers and inspiring words can breathe life into anything and everything you do. Why are inspirational quotes so powerful? For one thing, they can express in words, what you feel in your heart. For another, sometimes it helps to know that you’re not alone, and others have been in the same boots. And, it seems that the 1960s activists who chanted “flower power” were onto something important, in more ways than they probably knew. Flowers, just like inspiring words, are good for our mental health.

So, when you combine beautiful floral imagery with motivational words and phrases that speak to you, it doubles your pleasure, making you stop and acknowledge them. Please enjoy these inspirational quotes and may they help you flourish in ways you never dreamed possible. I find them especially appealing this time of year as words of encouragement as we transition into the harvest season ahead. Which one is your favorite?