Something to Stand For American Patriotism

Movies

Something to Stand For - What July 4th is All About

With Independence Day coming up, it got me thinking:What has happened to good old-fashioned American patriotism in the USA?  In the early 1960s, when I was a small town kid growing up, just about everyone in my neighborhood displayed an American flag all year, especially on Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4th. Not only that, our hamlet's 4th of July parade's stars were the well-respected veterans (some using walkers or wheelchairs) proudly marching in uniform admist the homemade floats made by school kids, the drum and bugle corp I belonged to, the Boy Scouts of America and others. 

Scenes from Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe

Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Reigniting American Patriotism

Mike Rowe, who many of you will remember from the Dirty Jobs TV series, is an intriguing and expressive storyteller. What you might not know is that Mike Rowe is also an Eagle Scout, the highest honor which few Boy Scouts achieve. Full disclosure: I'm the proud mom of an Eagle Scout myself. 

Injecting that same sense of pride, respect and honor he learnt back in the Scouts, Rowe proves he knows how to connect with his audience with the feeling of talking one-on-one in the film Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe, from TBN. The motion picture is now showing in theaters nationwide for a limited run June 27 to July 4th only.

This isn't just another boring documentary or fictious account of American history. From the American Revolution and George Washington the movie quickly moves through the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, followed American involvement in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the many other battles and conflicts on both American soil and abroad through the current day.

 

More Scenes from Something to Stand For

It also touches on a different kind of historical war that took place: the Civil Rights Movement and great moments like NASA's first female African American astronaut Mae Gemison. What Something to Stand For is about reflects on some previously not well-known true back stories of America's history and its heroes, both every day folks and famous leaders. Men and women, a sometimes children, who had the courage and bravery to make the sacrifices for the many freedoms and other privileges we enjoy. 

I was deeply moved screening this film, but at times some of the battle scenes were too gory and realistic for me to watch. Still the film moves forward, lead by Rowe's folksy narration as he takes the audience on a field trip in his old, beat-up Bronco to visit America's important memorial monuments in heart of Washington, DC. 

This isn't just another sight seeing tour, either. Along the way many mysteries unfold before our eyes. What film's viewers will learn is what these honorable places really represent through the reenactment of actual historical moments and some of the individuals who made sacrifices of life and limb for the America that exists today.

Regaining Gratitude for America's Heroes

In Something to Stand For, patriotism is brought back into the forefront of the audience's collective consciouness. It's cool again to wave and display the American flag proudly and to respect and honor our Nation's heroes, both living and gone. Thanks to Rowe's expert storytelling, along with the cast of every day people acting out true stories that haven't been told before -- all actors and actresses are from the state of Oklahoma -- history comes alive in a enriching and unique way that draws viewers into the scenes. 

From the American Revolution forward, our collective history is once again is relatable. Most importantly, during these dark modern times of unrest, Something to Stand For reminds us that its good time to refocus our hearts and minds on this country's heroes. To properly honor and respect all those men and women both in the military and every day citizens who showed (and still show) great courage and bravery on the country's behalf. These intriguing stories which Rowe so artfully tells potentially can inspire many and can be the spark that relights American patriotism not only for the audience but hopefully for countless others.

About Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe

The movie Something to Stand For with Mike Rowe, from TBN, is in theaters nationwide from June 27 through July 4, only. Get information and buy tickets now. Overall this is an excellent movie suitable for a mature audience and I encourage you to see this. Parents: Please note the movie is Rate NR (Not Rated) and includes historical footage intermixed with some renactments of battle scenes which may not be appropriate for young children.

Anti Aging Beautifully With Good Nutrition

Wellness

Beauty is more than just skin deep. It transcends mere appearances and is an embodiment of vitality, health, and confidence that radiates from within oneself. It's a journey where everything you eat and drink nourishes not just the body, but the very essence of your being.

MBE partnered with Grace O for this story, post contains affiliate links

Super Foods for Aging Beautifully 

Grace O, founder of FoodTrients, has identified certain ‘superfoods’ as the path to staying beautiful and vibrant as you age 

• Vitamin A foods: carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, melon, fish, eggs 
• Vitamin C foods: sweet potatoes, red peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes 
• Vitamin E foods: almonds, peanut butter, pumpkin, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds 
• Biotin foods: nuts, egg yolks, oats Selenium foods: Brazil nuts, seafood, broccoli, soybeans

 

"Choose from these food categories," Grace O says, "to get access to the complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your beauty. With each bite, you rewrite the narrative of aging, embracing a future where beauty and wellness dance in harmonious tandem.

Ginger Hultin, FoodTrients nutritionist and dietician, elaborates further on how a wholesome diet can aid long-term beauty in a surprisingly multitude of ways. "Not only can eating well boost hair and skin quality and foster growth and resilience. It can also energize the body, setting the stage for living an active lifestyle and maintaining optimal muscle mass. The end result fuels vitality, helping you to greet each day anew with positivity and potential."

It's time to savor all the flavors of nourishment we've been talking about, paving the way for a more vibrant, age-defying you. Sample Grace O's mouth-watering, healthy anti-aging food with the Radish Salad recipe below that's perfect for summer.

Recipe

Daikon Radish Salad

This recipe is from the first cookbook by Grace O, The Age Gracefully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World (2016) is available on Amazon. Her second cookbook (pictured above) The Age Gracefully Cookbook: The Power of Foodtrients to Promote Health and Well-Being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life, is available in paperback and for Kindle. Grace O is also the author of Anti-Aging Dishes From Around the World, available in hard cover and for Kindle.

The recipe here is an excellent example of how the ‘superfoods’ that are ingredients for aging well, can be incorporated into delicious, irresistible dishes that are easy to prepare. Radishes belong to the same family as kale and cabbage and offer some of the same disease-preventing benefits. The eggs in this bright, tangy salad provide protein and the carrots vitamin A and the tomatoes vitamins A and C. 

Ingredients

2 daikon radishes or 1 bunch red radishes, stems removed 
1 cup seasoned rice vinegar 
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 
1 tsp. minced garlic 
1 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 
2 chopped hard-boiled eggs 
6-8 sliced grape tomatoes
2 medium carrots, scrubbed and sliced into coins 

Directions 

1. Slice the radishes very thinly using a food processor or mandolin slicer. 

2. To make the dressing, mix together the rice vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Let stand and allow the flavors to blend for up to 1 hour. 

3. Toss the radishes with dressing. 

4. To assemble, arrange the sliced radishes on salad plates. Top with the chopped eggs, carrots and tomato slices, evenly divided. 

Recipe and photos reprinted with permission from The Age Gracefully Cookbook by Grace O; photo by Matthew Fried. To see the full article and more recipes, as well as learn more about Grace O, visit Foodtrients.com .

MBE participates in the Amazon affiliate program and receives a bit of compensation when you make a purchase using one of the Amazon links in this post.

The Garfield Movie Family Review

Movies 

by MBE Kids Writer

Danielle Adler Hassan

Mother of 2

The summer movie season kicks off a bit early when the animated adventure comedy The Garfield Movie (2024, Sony Pictures, Rated PG) opens in theaters this weekend. Read on for a candid review with my real life family's thoughts and reactions after seeing this film ahead of the big screen release.

Thanks Sony Pictures for screening access, post contains affiliate links

The Storyline, Characters and Cast

In The Garfield Movie, the lazy and grumpy indoor big orange cat Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt) sets off on a wild adventure forcing him to face his fears of the outdoors. Along the way Garfield stumbles upon his long-lost Dad, a raggedy street cat named Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), for an unexpected father-son reunion that starts off in a really awkward way.

Before these characters (and the movie's audience) know it, Garfield and his dog friend and trusty side-kick Odie (voiced by Gregg Berger) are uprooted from all the creature comforts of home and are dragged into Daddy Vic's outlandish heist scheme. Central characters also include Garfield's human owner Jon Arbuckle (Nicholas Hoult), as well as Otto (Ving Rhames), Jinx (Hannah Waddingham), Snoop Cat (Snoop Dog), and Roland (Brett Goldstein). An eclectic slew of other characters round out the cast as the adventure unfolds.

Kids, Grownups Reactions

For this review my husband brought our two boys (ages 3 and 7) to the theater along with the kids' grandma to see The Garfield Movie. My sons were not really familiar with the Garfield comic strip, so this was actually their first introduction to the Garfield character and all his wacky friends which include others from the original comic strip as well as new characters created for the movie. 

Eventhough they are four years apart, both our sons thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Overall they loved that funny, sarcastic orange cat and all his antics and there was plenty of non-stop action and dialogue capturing their attention from the opening scene until the closing credits. The kids agreed that their favorite parts were the train ride and Garfield surprise party near the end of the film. In fact, the boys liked this so much that eversince they came home, they keep asking if they could go back to see theater to see this movie again. They ended up settling for watching Garfield on YouTube the next day.

With double storylines to entertain the adults and kids at the same time, Dad and Grandma agree that The Garfield Movie is chock full of funny moments and very kid appropriate. Based on our own family's experience, this definitely is a family friendly movie which will appeal to multiple generations. The great sound track is also worthy of note, entertaining Baby Boomer and Millennial grownups alike with songs like 1992's Wild Thing by Cheap Trick to Talk to the Animals performed by Sammy Davis, Jr. and What's New Pussy Cat performed by the great Tom Jones who at 83-years old still tours globally.

As my seven-year old son so aptly comments, "There's nothing better and more exciting than seeing a really fun kid's movie like The Garfield Movie in a big theater like we did. That's why I love going to the movies."

Get Your Very Own 

30" x 60" Officially Licensed 

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The Garfield Backstory

The movie is based on the Garfield cartoon strip created by Jim Davis which went into national syndication in 1978. Set in the creator's hometown of Muncie, Indiana, as of 2015 Garfield was syndicated in an estimated 2,100 newspapers and journals in 80 countries. In fact, the beloved cartoon still holds the Guinness World Record for the most syndicated comic strip in the world and is still read today by about 200 million people.

About The Garfield Movie

Learn more about The Garfield Movie from Sony Pictures by checking out the official movie trailer and by following @garfieldmovie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.