Page 23 - Scene Magazine 46-04 April 2021

Fun With
Food
BY JOANNA STELLOH PHELPS
The Power of Flowers!
BY SHERII SHERBAN
It was such a joy to join Calhoun County Senior Services and CareWell Services SW to recognize those 99 years and older in Calhoun County. One of the surprises we delivered to each person was a bouquet of flowers from Plumeria Botanical Boutique. The joy on
their faces was unmistakable. Their countenance lifted, their eyes shined, and I believe that they even sat up
Flowers can also help others to recall memories as the fragrance can take one back to a special place or time. More than that, plants in indoor spaces have also been shown to help with concentration and memory. It could be because plants oxygenate the air, which in turn, can make you feel like your best self.
a bit taller. I saw it each and every time we went to visit. I began to wonder if I was merely projecting my joy or if flowers could really impact another person in that way.
Who couldn’t benefit from a bit of a boost when it comes to relaxation and stress relief? Many of you have probably heard of the benefits of oils, well many of those same scents can be experienced while still in bloom. A fresh sprig of rosemary may help with tension and headaches. Lavender has been long believed to be a great, natural aid to sleep.
Elisha Hodge, owner of Plumeria Botanical Boutique, says they sure can and do. In fact, there is power in flowers and they can do even more than that. Not only do they boost mood but they also reduce stress, improve emotional health, aid in memory and concentration, aid in relaxation, and help others feel better faster.
One of the common places that
we tend to see flowers is delivered to a hospital room. The flowers may be just what the doctor ordered. Why? They may actually help patients to heal faster. Ask a doctor or nurse
and they can see the evidence in lower blood pressure, lower ratings
of pain, anxiety, and fatigue than those who have not received flowers and are in a similar condition. While the data is anecdotal, the outcome is repeatable room by room. So much so that hospitals have started to include green spaces to help people feel more relaxed and to heal faster.
Flowers can have the same impact on mood whether you brought them in from the garden or received them as a gift. As a gift there is the special bonus of knowing that someone cares for you and has taken the time to let you know. Maybe you bought them for yourself to bring the wonderful fragrance and colors into your
home. Even then, the mood boost is unmistakable.
So if you want to give a friend a major boost send them some flowers.
EGGS!
will use your leftovers in delicious ways; they may prompt you to want to boil some eggs anytime throughout the year just to make them.
Classic Egg Salad
Ingredients:
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced • 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
• One celery stalk, diced
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard • 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper Instructions: Gently stir all ingredients into a medium bowl. Serve or store in airtight container for up to two days in refrigerator.
Bleu Cheese Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled 1⁄2 cup crumbled bleu cheese 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced parsley 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1⁄2 teaspoon celery salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions: Cut eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks and place in a small bowl; set egg whites aside. In bowl, mash egg yolks with a fork; add bleu cheese, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce, and sea- sonings. Stir until well blended. Evenly fill egg whites with mixture. Refrigerate eggs until serving.
Variation: Bacon Cheddar
Deviled Eggs
From above recipe, omit bleu cheese, parsley, hot pepper sauce, and celery salt. Then add four strips bacon, cooked and crumbled, two tablespoons finely shred- ded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt; follow instructions.
By now, you probably have a refrigerator full of hard-boiled, colored eggs from celebrat- ing Easter, so now, what do you do with them? Below are several recipes that