The Power Of The Sunflower - Gilly Page
/The Power Of The Sunflower
Whilst Sunflowers huge smiling faces can’t but help but bring a smile to your face they are so much more …
They are eco warriors in their own right as their huge smiling faces are giant landing pads for bees and other pollinating insects.
Sunflowers provide a fun family activity to do with your little ones and not so little ones as you can plant the seeds, water and watch them grow together and have a competition to grow the tallest Sunflower - it’s amazing how competitive it can get!
Giant Sunflowers can grow to 6ft high or sometimes taller so as they grow you will need to support their stalks to keep them growing tall and strong, garden canes are often used but why not make your own Sunflower supports by collecting sturdy sticks and small branches that have been blown or fallen to the floor naturally.
Paint personalised sunflower signs using small terracotta plant pots turned upside down and perched on top of a sturdy stick.
Pop some crushed seashells or shale around the base of your Sunflowers when planted outside to keep slugs at bay who just love Sunflowers!
Sunflowers turn their faces towards the sunshine in search of the light so you are able to observe them following the source of sun slight throughout the day.
At the end of their flowering season you can harvest the seeds to plant again next year by detaching their heads from the stalks and leaving them to try in the sun or a warm place then pulling them apart to reveal the seeds - did you know that a single Sunflower head dependent on the size can contain up to 2000 seeds!
You can also hang the heads upside down or lay them flat on a bird table for birds to feast on during the Autumn and Winter months.
There is a huge variety of Sunflowers available from giant Sunflowers ideal for planting in the garden to dwarf varieties that can be grown in pots for smaller spaces such as balconies, court yards or where space is at a premium.
Sunflowers can even be grown indoors for some winter sunshine in pots on a window ledge, conservatory, garden room or porch as long as there is light and warmth.
The symbolism of Sunflowers turning their faces towards the sunshine in search of the light evokes optimism and positivity and their bright shining faces is sunshine for the soul.
Did you know that there are some wonderful Sunflower fields nationwide that you can visit and many offer the option of being able to pick your own Sunflowers - ideal for you to be able to enjoy their smiling faces whilst in flower and then being able to harvest the seeds to plant the following Spring or to feed the birds during the colder months
Here are some Sunflower fields that you might like to visit:
Glebe Farm Sunflowers - Banbury, Oxfordshire
Beckett's Farm - Birmingham
Writtle Sunflowers - Chelmsford, Essex
Rhosili Sunflowers - Gower Coast , Wales
Malt Kiln Farm Shop - Warwickshire
Vine House Farm - Lincolnshire
Sam’s Sunflowers at Stoke Fruit Farm
You can find a full list of Sunflower Farms to visit nationwide online.
Sunflower seeds also have great health benefits containing vitamin E a key nutrient during pregnancy for a healthy pregnancy glow as well as being a great immune supporter for good overall health along with Zinc and Selenium other immune friendly vitamins.
Sunflower seeds contain one third of your daily vitamin needs and contain 2g of protein per Tbsp and zero cholesterol.
Sunflower seeds contain a whole host of vitamins and nutrients to help maintain a healthy heart and to boost our immune system with lots if antioxidants, protection against type2 diabetes as well as helping joint inflammation and promoting brain health.
Sunflowers seeds are also really helpful at maintaining a healthy weight as they contain both fibre and protein both of which help keep you feeling full and nourished for longer whilst fibre also helps aid digestion and helps regulate blood sugars.
Sunflowers seeds make a tasty and nutritious addition to salads, homemade cereal bars, sprinkled over roasted vegetables and added to smoothies
Here is a super easy and delicious recipe for Sun Butter - a tasty alternative to Peanut Butter containing just 1 ingredient!
Spread unsalted Sunflower seeds onto a baking tray or in a baking tin and toast lightly in the oven on a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly toasted.
Pop your toasted Sunflower Seeds into a food processor - the quantity is up to you depending on how bigger batch you want to make. This Sun Butter can be kept in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to one month.
Season with a sprinkling of sea salt, vanilla extract or even coco powder for a chocolaty alternative.
Blend the Sunflower seeds - stopping at regular intervals to scrape the seeds from around the edge of your blender and to stop your blender from overheating and you will begin to see the seeds transform to a smooth creamy butter like consistency. The longer you blend the smoother it will become - you can choose if you prefer it smooth or crunchy. The time needed to do this will vary according to your blender, on average it should take around 20mins for a smooth consistency.
Spread on toast or use as a dip for fruit and vegetables.
Find out in more detail the health benefits of Sunflower seeds and a full list of nutritional information by visiting websites such as eatwell.com goodhousekeeping.com
Bio:
I’m Gilly, Designer Maker & Founder of Sally’s Sunflowers by Gilly Page Jewellery - a collection of eco silver jewellery, responsibly sourced and organic cotton clothing and accessories designed to Spread The Sunshine and put a smile on your face - inspired by Sally who always turned her face towards the sunshine in search of the light just as Sunflowers do and who spread sunshine wherever she went.
A packet of Sally’s Sunflower Seeds is included with each purchase to Spread The Sunshine wherever you are and help the environment too as Sunflowers huge smiling faces are giant landing pads for Bees and other pollinating insects. 20% of the profit from each purchase is donated to Primrose Hospice Children’s Bereavement Team supporting children and teenagers dealing with the loss of a loved one …
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