>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... ♪♪ >> This episode revolves around tea.

A look at the tea leaves reveals an immediate future, including Great Aunt Lucy Jane's tea set, an urban farm, and teatime treats all in the company of flowers, of course.

♪♪ ♪♪ I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

"No matter where you are in the world, you are at home when tea is served."

In recent years, I've cultivated a love of and fascination with tea.

Like flowers, tea is prevalent in almost every culture on the planet.

Like flowers, tea has many proven health benefits.

Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.

There's plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.

Tea, of course, is made from different plants using leaves, buds and even flowers including jasmine, rose, lavender and chamomile in some cases.

So put the kettle on, pour yourself a cup of hot water, allow your favorite tea to steep a bit, and then relax with this show all about tea and flowers, of course.

♪♪ I'm so excited to share with you a family treasure.

My mother had this tea set for many years, and it was something that sat in her china cupboard, right in her living room her entire life, and I just thought it was so interesting that it was hand-painted by my great aunt Lucy Jane Green.

So, each one of the place settings is a plate and a luncheon plate.

There's a sherbet.

There's also a teacup and saucer.

And then there's also a little tray like this that you could use to place your spoon on.

Or you could, you know, put salt in there if you wanted to, or you could use it for all sorts of different things.

And I'm not even really sure because I don't know.

I've not been to a lot of tea parties, right?

But the greatest thing about this is there's the tea set, and then there are eight separate place settings, and each one is a different flower.

We have violets, we have pansies, we have daisies, we have dogwood, we've got roses, we've got forget-me-nots, we have another pink rose, and then we have cornflower or bachelor buttons.

And then there's pink roses on the tea set.

And it was fascinating to me because as a little kid, I couldn't touch it.

And it was all displayed like this in the china hutch.

Each and every individual piece has her name on it, or if it's too small, it might just be LJG.

So each one of those.

So that's my memory of this.

And it was the one thing of my mom's that I wanted.

And so it wasn't until after my mom passed away, my sister said, "You have to come get the tea set."

And so I came and I wrapped each individual piece in giant bubble wrap, and I shipped it back to the house.

And I crossed my fingers and everybody made it.

Everything was fine.

I wanted to share it with you because I think, being a flower guy with a show that's about cut flowers, is great to see something like this.

And so I showed you also that you wouldn't necessarily have to match.

I think it's great to be able to use a color pattern that might work with it.

So in this case it's yellow and oranges.

And so I used straw flowers.

Now, this one doesn't have any water in it.

So straw flowers don't need water.

So they're going to be fine there.

This one, I used this wonderful rose.

This rose is a fragrant rose and it's called mon cheri.

And my friend Sandra grows that beautiful rose.

And here I have some blue coloration.

And blue is a hard color because I only have bachelor buttons for a significant amount of time.

And here I just used some of these blue-toned chrysanthemums and put that down inside there.

So, the sherbet, little sherbet bowl or a teacup is a great receptacle for us to utilize flowers.

And think.

If you had -- If you weren't -- if you were going to serve sherbet at your tea party, then maybe you could put a little bud vase and put one flower at each one and people could take those home.

It's just a great way for us to think about the wonderful things that our predecessors made for us and left.

I can't look at this and not think about my Aunt Lucy Jane.

She was a very quiet lady.

She was very sweet.

She always smelled like powder and lotion, and her skin was very soft.

And she would just sit there very calmly and paint ceramics all the time.

And the fact that I have this collection now is always going to make me think about her and it's always going to be a wonderful memory, especially when I think about tea parties.

♪♪ When I first heard of Superbloom Farms, vertical farming inside upcycled shipping containers, I had to see it for myself.

Add to that the fact that they grow not only lettuce and herbs but edible flowers as well and it soon became a must-see proposition.

I wanted to meet the founder, Jill Frey, learn all about it and share my experience with you.

So, Jill, this is amazing.

So how did you start?

I mean, what made you say, "I want to have a container and grow a farm in it"?

>> So, when I heard that you can grow food hydroponically in containers and literally place them anywhere in the world... >> Okay.

>> ...in any space and be able to produce nutrient-dense greens and herbs, I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

And so my husband and I talked about it and we decided to take a leap forward with it.

>> And you were in the furniture biz?

>> Correct, yeah.

>> You had -- This had nothing to do with this.

>> Exactly.

>> So it was a huge leap of faith and a change of job.

>> Yes, but, you know, I wanted something new and refreshing and honestly, with more purpose.

And so I thought what better way to come into an area.

We're in a food desert, where we're located, and to be able to start producing food, you know, I just thought that was amazing.

>> You are on a lot that is considered a brown lot.

It can-- It cannot be turned into food because there were other things here... >> Correct.

>> ...that make the lot brown.

These containers sat on that property.

Now, explain to us what a food desert is.

>> So it's an area that there's not fresh food otherwise readily available.

So there are not a lot of grocery stores in the area.

>> Right.

>> And there aren't a lot of -- This is an urban area.

Right?

So we're in the city.

>> Right.

>> And so there aren't -- you know, it's not rural.

We don't have spaces where we have large, you know, even community gardens or farms.

And so this is a really unique way to pack in a lot of product by hanging it on the walls vertically inside of the container.

So it's actually the equivalent of like two acres of farmland in this 320-square-foot space.

>> Wow!

>> We use 98% less water than a traditional commercial agriculture farm.

There's pumps in the back.

They pump the water up through the emitters and the water is emitting that has the nutrients inside of it.

The plants are taking what it needs.

And then there's a trough right here.

It's taking the water back into that tank.

And so it's a closed-loop system.

And then 20 minutes later it's going back up again.

>> So all organic?

>> Yes.

We do not use pesticides, herbicides, nothing.

>> Let's talk about the lights for a second.

How does that work?

>> So the lights come on for 16 hours a day.

The plants are only reading the red and blue rays of the sun.

So that's all that comes on in the farm.

>> Tell us about flowers, then.

Because, I mean, I love basil, I love lettuce, I love those things, but I'm really interested in the flowers.

Why did you decide flowers?

>> Well, for one, I named my company Superbloom Farms.

And so I wanted to incorporate flowers somehow.

I learned about edible flowers and thought what a fun way to differentiate myself with my lettuce mix in the retail settings.

So I started growing violas, and they were so fun and so pretty, and it opened up my world to the rest of the edible flowers that you can grow -- calendula, borage, and marigold.

And so basically everything that I do is experimental.

So I will -- If I see something in a catalog that I like, I will grow it.

And if it tastes right and it looks good, I'll just continue to plant that seed.

>> I've done taste tests with people and they're like, "Can I eat the flower?"

And I'm like, "Yeah, eat the flower."

And they're like, "What's it going to taste like?"

And it was really cute because I think it's just very interesting that people -- people have a reservation... >> Yes.

>> ...about eating the flower.

But then once they do it, it's like, "Oh, edible flower."

And I think that that's why it's become so popular, is because, "A," flowers make us happy, flower on the plate, we can eat the flower.

Everything's good.

I knew that when I learned about this that I had to see it for myself.

And I am so glad because it's amazing.

And it -- it's magical.

It's magical in its own way.

And I think that that's wonderful.

Thank you for allowing us to be here and telling people more about Superbloom Farms.

♪♪ Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family.

It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania.

The flowers are typically around one inch in diameter.

They are white or yellow, although in rare instances they can be slightly reddish.

Jasmine is the national flower of several countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Tunisia.

Jasmine is used in rituals like marriage, religious ceremonies, and festivals.

Jasmine is cultivated commercially for domestic and industrial uses, such as the perfume industry.

Jasmine flowers are typically very fragrant.

194 jasmines are widely cultivated for the characteristic fragrance of their flowers.

♪♪ The health benefits of tea vary with different types of teas.

However, there are meditative and spiritual benefits that tea offers as well.

And I've invited my flower friend and henna artist Amanda Gilbert over for a cup or two of tea and to share her experience with tea and wellness.

Amanda, it's so nice to have you in the garden.

>> Thanks for inviting me over.

>> It's wonderful.

So we're talking about tea today and you are kind of an expert in that as well.

>> Yes.

>> So tea... >> I love tea.

>> ...can be relaxing.

>> Yes.

Very much.

>> It's made with herbs.

We're going to have some mint and eucalyptus tea today.

I made tea cakes.

>> Yeah.

These are so cute.

[ Both laugh ] >> With flowers on them.

Edible flowers of course.

You use the herbs in your henna as well, right?

>> I do, yeah.

>> So why is that important?

>> Well, herbs are very therapeutic.

They're very grounding.

They connect you back to the earth.

They connect you back to the soil and to yourself.

And so with the herbs I infuse in my henna, which is eucalyptus and lavender, it's very meditative.

It helps you to breathe more.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Like you smell any of the flowers in your garden.

>> Right, right.

>> You take a deep breath in, and it's like you take a deeper breath than you would just normally because the herbs are, um...

They're potent and they, like -- you're able to breathe in deeper.

>> When we're steeping our tea, should we be doing anything special?

>> Yeah.

So I've learned the longer you steep it, the stronger it is, obviously.

>> Obviously.

>> And so when you sit with tea, you pour it maybe like four or five times.

The first time you pour it, it's not going to be as strong because it's still steeping.

>> Okay.

>> And you sit with the tea, you meditate with the tea, you taste it, you feel it, you pour it again.

It's stronger the second time.

>> Okay.

>> So every single time you sit with it and you taste it, you have different notes of what it's expanding into, and you can sit with it yourself.

The longer you sit slowly with it, it's your own meditative practice.

>> I love that.

>> So as it's reflecting the herbs.... >> I'm going to pour a little.

>> Yeah.

It's also reflecting, you know, whatever you're -- you're meditating on for yourself and your heart, in your life.

What are you expanding on?

What is it speaking to you?

>> It makes me think about you had an accident this year.

>> Yeah.

>> And we almost lost you.

>> Yeah.

>> That makes me very sad because you're a wonderful, wonderful friend of mine.

So you were traveling.

You were overseas.

>> Yes.

>> You were in Spain.

>> Yeah, I was helping with throwing an event, and it was really early in the morning.

Thank God I had my seat belt on.

I was in the back seat of a car and ran into another car head on.

And so it was a pretty bad car accident.

>> And you were squished in there.

>> I was stuck in the back seat for a while, and then brought back to the ICU in the hospital, and they placed me in a coma.

I was in a coma for five days.

I broke my back, my shoulder.

I had a major brain injury.

>> And you were very fortunate because you were at a hospital that had a spinal specialist.

>> Yeah, which... >> Is a miracle.

>> ...is a miracle.

>> Correct.

That's a miracle.

>> Yeah.

>> They put screws and plates in to hold you together.

>> Yes.

Yeah.

I broke my L2 vertebrae and it was a chance break, so it didn't shatter, which I would have been paralyzed if it did.

But they held my spine together.

I had six screws and two bars in my spine.

And a month ago, I had it removed.

>> And you brought them here to show me.

I l-- >> You have to see this.

>> I love this.

This is amazing!

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Look at those!

>> Yeah.

>> Those were inside you?

>> Yeah.

>> Oh, my goodness.

>> And I'm so grateful.

I mean, it saved my life.

>> It did.

>> You know what I'm going to do with this metal?

>> What?

>> I'm going to make a crown out of it.

>> Of course you are.

>> Of course.

>> Of course you are.

>> Crown of courage.

This is my crown of courage.

>> Right.

It is, it is.

I'm just -- I'm so happy you're okay.

>> Thank you.

>> Because I love you so much.

You're the little girl who grew up next door.

And you've done so many amazing things for so many people.

Your crowns of courage that you do.

And that's why you were here with the henna with us before, and that you persevere.

Well, I have to thank you for coming and spending time with me.

>> Yes.

>> Again, as always, inspiring.

>> I love coming over.

>> Oh, I appreciate that.

So thank you for coming.

>> Thank you.

♪♪ >> We love tea, but who doesn't appreciate a snack or two at a tea party?

The popularity of the show "Downton Abbey" has inspired a revived interest in tea-party foods, but preparation of the fancy-seeming snacks need not be complicated.

Here are three simple yet lovely recipes, all of which we have taken to the next level by adorning them with edible flowers.

These little shortbread cookies are made with Earl Grey tea, and we're going to create a lemon and sugar glaze to place on top, and then we'll decorate them with edible flowers.

So the lemon glaze is very simple.

We're using 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of powdered sugar.

I'll mix that together.

And if I need to add more lemon juice, I can do so to get the right consistency.

♪♪ ♪♪ I'll place the glaze in a plastic bag so that I can pipe it onto the cookies.

That's an easier way to do it.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ I can simply lay my edible flowers right into the glaze, and we'll arrange our cookies on our vintage stand.

♪♪ So what would a tea party be without cucumber sandwiches?

We have sandwich bread that we've trimmed into little squares.

Then we have our cucumbers that we'll slice.

We've got a mixture that we'll put on it of a dressing, and then we'll place a flower on top, and we'll place those on one of our plates as well.

♪♪ We'll start by slicing our cucumber into thin slices.

Then we have a dressing that's a mixture of mayonnaise and cream cheese and different herbs and spices.

We'll place that on the bread and then place a cucumber on top.

And then we'll place the spread on top of that.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Then we'll add a dab of dressing on top of the sandwich so we can place our edible flowers.

In this case, we're using violas and pansies.

They have a wonderful sweet taste, and of course, they match the violets that are on many of the plates that we have.

You could make them all one color, or you could make them assorted.

Edible flowers are great because there's so many different kinds that are available, and you can match them to your dinnerware if you wish.

This is a fun little sandwich.

We're making it on some pumpernickel bread.

And then we also have lime and avocado.

We'll mix it with some tahini and some spices, and we'll top it with microgreens and of course, an edible flower.

♪♪ We'll add fresh lime juice to our tahini and our herbs.

♪♪ ♪♪ Then we'll cut up three avocados.

We want to cut them up so that they're chunky, and we'll put about a third of them in and mash them in with the herbs and the tahini and the lime juice.

Then use our other chunks to throw in and just mix it gently so that you still have nice big chunks of avocado.

♪♪ ♪♪ Then place a dollop on each one of the pieces of bread.

♪♪ ♪♪ Top it with microgreens.

♪♪ And then we'll place our flower on top.

♪♪ ♪♪ So now we have all of our treats with our edible flowers ready for our tea party.

And now my favorite part of the show -- flowers from you, the viewers.

Today I have arrangements from viewer Susan Blink Patrick, who watches the show on WMVT in Wisconsin.

Susan writes, "Greetings from across the lake -- Lake Michigan, that is.

I hope you like my Schwankes.

I love your show."

I love how Susan got her memories, these lovely keepsake vases off the shelf and filled them with flowers.

Tiny arrangements are one of my favorites.

Susan's Schwankes are a perfect example of what I encourage you to do with those memory-filled mementos and create your own personal life in bloom.

It's also a great way to spread flowers all around the house.

Thanks for inspiring us, Susan.

Please send me your pictures of flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

We call them Schwankes after a viewer's nickname.

Send them to J at uBloom.com.

That's the letter J at the letter U bloom.com and watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows.

I hope you've enjoyed our teatime in this episode.

Flowers and tea are so compatible, and when enjoyed together, create double the reduction in stress and relaxation.

For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

So when you started this, you were maybe a little overwhelmed and so you asked for some help.

And who do we go to for help?

>> Our moms.

>> Exactly, exactly.

>> So my mom and my aunt were my first two employees, and they were incredible.

There's a lot of labor inside these farms.

You're planting the seeds, you're transplanting them onto the wall, you're harvesting, you're packing, you're delivering.

And so even though the containers themselves are incredibly smart with technology and they turn the lights on and the water and they check my pH levels, there's also a lot of manual labor that goes into this farm, just like any other farm that you've been to.

>> Right, right.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> Visit J's website, uBloom.com, for flower projects and crafts, complete recipes, behind-the-scenes videos, J's blog, flower cocktails, and more.

♪♪ "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

♪♪ >> With additional support from the following... ♪♪ Closed-caption funding provided by Holland America Flowers.

♪♪