Just like the mushy movie, “Message in a Bottle,” here comes a unique gift to your loved ones – “Message in a Bean.” Just as the name implies, you plant the bean and wait for 1-2 weeks till the plant grows and presto! A bean will come out from the plant showing your message. Cool huh? To everyone’s delight there are so many different messages in the beans to choose from. Of course the “I Love You” message tops the list. A unique gift, exciting and a wonderful way to show your affection for only $12.75.  Need I say more?

Popularity: 37% [?]

Sunflowers uplift good mood. Some people I know are “sunflower fanatics”, collecting sunflower stuff. I can imagine why, the loveliness of its sunny, smiley blooms will make anyone happy. But do you know that sunflowers possess properties that are also good for one’s health?

What’s hot: Sunflowers  have a wide range of uses and the entire plant can be used. One of its special property is you can extract polyunsaturated oil from a sunflower plant valuable for lowering cholesterol levels. The University of Maryland Medial Center enumerated the list from the American Heart Association (AHA) for a healthy heart diet. Sunflower oil contains Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids important to one’s health. So for those people who likes fried foods, they can use sunflower cooking oil as a substitute. But keep in mind that anything excess is not healthy. The seeds and kernels can be eaten raw or toasted. The sprouted seeds can be steamed or boiled for a quick delicious salad. The oil is also good for base aromatherapy and to treat muscular aches and pains. Sunflowers are attractive floral decoration. The list seemed endless.

What’s not-so-hot: Heavy shredding of the plant, AHA said that too much sunflower cooking oil or any cooking oil may be associated with weight gain in the abdomen.

Sunflower products:  sunflower seeds $2.99, sunflower organic cooking oil, sunflower honey toasted seeds $18.63, Klein’s Natural Sunflower Seeds, Unsalted, in Shells $16.62

Popularity: 42% [?]