Q: Not all types of flowers are safe to eat. Don’t buy flowers that have been treated with pesticides, insecticides, growth agents or other toxic chemicals. These can make you very sick. In general, it may be best to find a source other than supermarket florists for fresh flowers. Most of the flowers sold in these places are grown in highly-controlled conditions using various chemicals. Check with the florist to see if the flowers they sell are grown organically. Flowers grown naturally are generally the best to use for culinary purposes, as they don’t contain chemical additives that can leach into your cake. In most cases, vendors are required to disclose whether or not their flowers are organic.  Visit a local farm, greenhouse or flower nursery to find flowers that have been cultivated using safe, organic growing practices.  Even organic flowers may not be suitable for human consumption. Certain species contain saps and microbes that may cause irritation to the eyes, skin or digestive tract if they come into contact with food. Think about the kind of cake you’re making when you pick out flowers to decorate it. Try to match colors and textures, or create a tasteful contrast. For instance, white flowers such as will look subtle and elegant on a white cake, whereas bright red roses might be used to offset softer pastel colored cakes. Take a look at which types of flowers are safe to consume or use in foods and which are harmful. Certain species of flowering plants can be safely consumed. These flowers offer unique, perfumed flavor notes and make an effortless addition to floral cakes because they don't need to be removed prior to serving. Some of the most common types of edible flowers include roses, begonias, chrysanthemums, daisies, dandelions and hibiscus. Each of these edibles can be distinguished by their subtle flavors, which should be used to enhance the flavor of the cake they're to be added to.  Flowers like dandelion, chicory and calendula feature bright, zesty notes that can be used to offset the sweetness of a frosted cake, while mild herbal flowers like hibiscus and lavender work well with naked cakes and those garnished with fresh fruit.  Though they are technically edible, it is not advisable to use more fragrant types of flowers like roses, carnations and jasmine as food additives, as the chemicals that lend them their characteristic scents can easily overpower the flavors of the confection. Before you begin decorating, rinse the flower from petal to stem under a light stream of cool water. Just like with produce, you should wash flowers before putting them to culinary use to remove any traces of soil, bacteria or insects. Even if the flowers you’ve bought are organically grown, they should be rinsed to avoid contaminated food items. Be careful not to damage the delicate flower blossoms by rinsing them under too high a water pressure or scrubbing them by hand.
A: Find out where your flowers came from. Look for flowers grown organically. Choose flowers that complement your cake. Use edible flowers. Wash the flowers thoroughly.

Q: If you’re riding a horse and you start to feel it getting excited, or something on the trail spooks it, your instinct might be to tighten your grip on the reins. However, this will make the horse feel even more anxious and antsy. Instead, try to loosen your grip on the reins, which may make the horse a little calmer.  Also, try not to clamp your legs against the horse’s side. If you overreact by yanking on the reins and yelling, you’ll reinforce that the horse had something to be afraid of in the first place. Since your horse will pick up on your body language, stay as calm and relaxed as possible. You don't want to accidentally cue your horse to become more nervous. Give the horse a command to slow or stop, like, “Whoa,” "Easy," or “Calm.”  Use the same command you used when training the horse, and try not to shout, even if you’re feeling nervous.  It’s important to be consistent in using verbal commands during training. That way, when you’re in a situation away from home, the horse will know exactly what you expect it to do. Most of your instructions to the horse should be through your body language and your use of the reins, but verbal commands can be useful as well. Don’t yank or snatch at the reins, but pull one side firmly and steadily until the horse starts to turn. You can turn the horse to either side, but if it has one side that it favors during training, you may want to start by turning the horse that way.  Turning the horse’s head will stop it from moving forward, and it will also cause it to lower its head, which is a cue to the horse to calm down. Leave plenty of slack in the other rein, but don’t drop it. As you’re pulling the rein, press in with your leg on the same side. Squeeze your leg into the horse's side firmly, but don't kick sharply or you could startle the horse, making it harder to control. This is called the hips over technique, and it should cause the horse to step sideways to try to ease the pressure you're applying. If the horse doesn't respond within a few seconds, squeeze your leg against its side harder until it moves. Stepping sideways will discourage the horse from moving forward, and it may also distract the horse from whatever has excited it. Don’t hold pressure on the rein too long, or else the horse will start to fight against it. Instead, once you feel the horse take a big step to the side, ease up on the rein and hold it loosely in your hand. Although the reins should have plenty of slack in them, you should still be holding them securely. While a single turn might be all it takes to calm a well-trained horse, a more inexperienced horse may still be feeling excited. If it’s still jigging, pull back on the opposite rein and apply pressure with your leg on that side. You may need to repeat this a few times, alternating which side you turn toward each time. After you’ve calmed your excited horse, keep it distracted on the ride by giving it plenty to do. Frequently adjust your riding speed, and have the horse ride around objects along the trail so it will have to constantly mind what it’s doing. This may help shift its attention away from whatever excited it in the first place. You can also move ahead or behind other horses if you’re riding in a group. An over-excited horse may not immediately respond to a calm-down cue and the hips over technique. If the horse is panicked, or if it rears, bolts, or otherwise causes you to feel that you’re in danger, you should exit the horse quickly and move away. Remove your feet from the stirrups, push yourself up off of the saddle with your hands, and swing one leg over the saddle. Then, push away from the horse slightly as you slide down to the ground. Even if you’re falling, you can avoid injuries by tucking into a ball and landing on your shoulder, then rolling away from the horse. Do not put your arms out to catch you while you’re falling.
A:
Ease up on both reins for a moment. Give the horse clear, calm commands. Pull one side of the reins to pull the horse’s head around. Use your leg to push the horse's hindquarters to the side. Release the pressure on the rein when the horse steps sideways. Repeat on the other side if the horse hasn’t settled down. Give the horse constant instructions to keep its attention occupied. Dismount if you’re still having trouble getting the horse under control.