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 .

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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."

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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. 

Babes Movie Review

Movies

by MBE Editor in Chief

Janis Brett Elspas

Mom of 4 and New Grandma

Funny and relatable to any woman who has ever been a new mother. That doesn't even begin to describe the intensity of motherhood- and female friendship-centric vibes displayed in the indie feature film BABES from NEON which premiered at SXSW Film and TV Festival 2024. Following a limited run in select theaters in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Austin, the comedy heads to the big screens opening in theaters nationwide on May 24.

Thanks to NEON for providing advance viewing access for this review

Set against the backdrop of New York, BABES, which is literally a labor of love, centers around the deeply committed friendship between childhood best friends Eden (Ilana Glazer, who also co-wrote) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau, Survival of the Thickest on Netflix). 

The Storyline

Opening with their annual tradition of going to see a movie together, these besties couldn't be in more different stages of life. While Dawn is an experienced, married mom currently very pregnant with another baby, Eden is her single, wannabe pregnant friend and sidekick. 

The hilarity that ensues as these BABES besties laugh and cry their way through a mish mash of pregnancy, labor pains and baby-making, while still trying to keep their best friendship on course. From start to finish, the on screen dialogue and comedic action plays like a Laurel and Hardy episode with Dawn's larger than life personality and booming voice playing against the somewhat softer-spoken, clueless about pregnancy and smaller-in-stature Eden. 

When the tables (and friend cheering squad) are turned and Eden discovers she's pregnant after a one-night stand and contemplates becoming a parent, their bonds of friendship are strained and challenged in ways neither of them ever expected. 

As movie viewers most of the guys, both single and married, probably won't "get it." But, women -- especially those of us having been there and done that and having experienced the trials and tribulations of actually being pregnant and giving birth -- will laugh at our own dramatic baby birthing memories knowingly understanding everything going on as the plot moves forward in this chick flick. 

While you reminiscence about your own pregnancy experiences -- the good, the bad, and the just plain hilarious -- get ready to laugh pretty much non-stop through this movie's many outrageously silly and often graphic scenarios. Scenes you really have to see for yourself to fully appreciate. And definitely bring along your best mom friend so the two of you can escape caring for the kids (whom you've responsibly left in someone else's care) and start laughing your heads off for a few hours.

About the Movie

BABES (2024, Rated-R, NEON ), stars Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau (pictured above), was co-written by Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz with Pamela Adlon directing. Watch the official movie trailer movie trailer and learn more from NEON.

Talking to Your Child About ADHD Diagnosis

Parenting

How to Share ADHD Diagnosis with Kids

MBE Guest Post

by Dr. Katia Fredriksen and Dr. Yael Rothman

Pediatric Neuropsychologists

Readers Note: This guest post is for informational purposes only and it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Has your child recently been diagnosed with ADHD? And are you wondering if/how to share this information with them? Here we will explain why it is important for a child to understand how they think and learn, and we will share ideas for how to speak with them about their diagnosis.

First, get comfortable with your child’s ADHD

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Before sharing information with your child, make sure that you have had a thorough discussion with the doctor/evaluator, that you have all your questions answered, and that you understand your child’s profile. 

Many parents are hesitant to share a diagnosis because they worry about their child’s reaction to being “labelled.” They fear that their child will feel badly about themselves and their abilities when they learn about their diagnosis. However, it is important to remember that children are often much more self-aware than we realize. They often have a sense that they are struggling with something, and without an explanation, they are unfortunately prone toward making negative self-attributions (e.g., “I can’t do anything right,” or “I’m not as good as my classmates”) and applying inappropriate negative labels (e.g., “I’m stupid”). 

Telling a son or daughter about their diagnosis (i.e., giving them an accurate and appropriate label to use) and explaining their individual profile of strengths and weaknesses and how they think and learn can help dispel misconceptions and create more positive self-attributions. For example, a child may feel it’s harder for them to read quickly because of attention problems, but still acknowledge to themself that they are a good reader.

There are also times when parents hesitate to share a diagnosis because they themselves have a similar profile and recall associated challenges from their own childhood. They may fear that if their child shares this profile, they are bound to have the same sorts of negative experiences. Fortunately, we have come a long way over the past decades in our understanding of neurodiversity, as well as how to support neurodiverse individuals. So, your child’s journey will likely be much smoother than yours was, especially with your understanding and support.

How to start the ADHD discussion

When the time is right, parents can enlist the help of their neuropsychologist, psychologist, or pediatrician to provide direct feedback to their child. Alternatively, the discussion may arise organically. For example, if your child expresses frustration about something such as constantly getting in trouble in class for speaking without raising their hand. Or maybe they're having difficulty paying attention in their "boring" history class. Whatever they're experiencing in the ADHD areana, this is an opportunity for you to initiate the conversation by sharing with your child something like, "I spoke with your doctor and learned why you might be having that/these experience(s).”

It is important to recognize and discuss the idea that we all have strengths and weaknesses and your child is no different. You can give examples from your child’s profile and even incorporate some of your own experiences to illustrate this, you might say, “you are so amazing at solving puzzles, which is not so easy for me.”

Then, going a bit deeper with explanations your child is able to understand, you can discuss how there is a name for what they're experiencing called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. Check in with your child to see if they know anything about this diagnosis, and then educate them about it. You tell them that this means that it is harder for your brain to focus during activities that are less interesting to you”. This is an excellent opening for you to discuss and dispel any misconceptions they may have. 

Finally, talk about the next steps, and the plans that are being established to support your child. For example, they will be given extra breaks to move and stretch at school, and they will be meeting with their pediatrician to see if medication could help.

Review the notion of neurodiversity

We also encourage introducing the idea of neurodiversity or using the phrase "different thinkers." You can explain how neurodiversity is to human culture as biodiversity is to the ecosystem, helping your child understand that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. That there is no single "right" way of thinking, learning, or behaving.

You can also emphasize that there are many strengths associated with having a different thinking brain. For example, research shows that individuals with ADHD are often more creative and can focus passionately on preferred topics. This can be an amazing advantage when channeled into their future careers. These kids can also be very resilient, are often more spontaneous and willing to take risks, and can possess abundant energy. Many famous people have discussed how their ADHD has benefitted their careers, including CEOS and entrepreneurs, athletes, actors, and journalists. 

Give your child time to process this information

To aid in the child's adjustment to their diagnosis by providing them with developmentally appropriate resources. Many children are relieved to learn why they have been struggling and to hear that there are ways to help.

However, keep in mind that your child may not initially identify with their ADHD diagnosis and may need more time to think and learn about it. If this is the case, begin by validating your child’s feelings and give them the space and freedom to process the information at their own pace. 

Regardless of your child’s initial reaction, this will be an ongoing conversation, which will evolve and mature as your child gets older. Encourage them to ask questions, and provide developmentally appropriate resources, such as our new book Different Thinkers: ADHD which explains brain development and ADHD for an elementary-aged child. You can also connect your child with peers or family members who have similar profiles, to provide them with a sense of belonging. 

Always keep in mind that while difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children can result in challenges, there are also many advantages to having a different thinking style. Different thinkers can and do make wonderful things happen!

Katia Fredriksen, Ph.D and Yael Rothman, Ph.D

About the Authors of this Guest Post 

Pediatric Neuropsychologists, Katia Fredriksen, Ph.D and Yael Rothman, Ph.D, are authors of the book Different Thinkers: ADHD (Boys Town Press, 2024). This is a resource written especially for elementary students in a relatable way that they will understand. When also read by moms and dads, this title can also serve as a good launching point for a family discussion about ADHD.

Dr. Fredriksen received a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from University of Massachusetts Boston. Her clinical training included inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy and asssessment with children, adolescents, and adults. Her graduate work focused on health behaviors, including sleep and substance use. She completed her post-doctoral training at a Boston-area private practice where she focused on autism, genetic disorders, learning disorders, and attention and executive functioning in a pediatric population. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Fredriksen continues to lecture to parent groups and professional organizations.

Dr. Rothman spent a year teaching young children with autism prior to earning a doctoral degree from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Children's Hospital, Washington, D.C., she was a pediatric neuropsychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine. She currently works at Stixrud Group, Silver Spring, Maryland, conducting comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults with a range of conditions impacting learning, behavior, and/or socioemotional functioning. In addition, she has done clinical research with a primary focus on autism spectrum disorders and has presented at conferences worldwide. Dr. Rothman has also published more than a dozen articles in medical journals and given lectures to parents and educators.

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