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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Saturday Bonus: Brave and Sangria



Strange combo for a title, to be sure. But I had two weekend-y type things to share so I put them together.

One, the nice folks at Disney let me and my family see Brave last week and I wanted to share my thoughts on it for those of you who are considering seeing it.




I have to say I liked the movie. I realize it's not typical Disney fare. There is NO love story. There is no big handsome hero coming in to save the day. No big wedding scene at the end. No neat love-will-save-you-big-bow-tied-up message.

And I, for one, am glad. Now, I've already heard the critics saying it's a feminist message. And perhaps that's what some would call it. There's definitely a "girl power" element. But it's one that hit home for me as a woman and as a mother of girls. I have often wondered what we're teaching our girls when we teach them that just finding the right man will solve all their problems. For all the girls who believe that with all their hearts, I think that the first year of marriage will be a rude awakening. Because marriage--finding the right guy-- isn't the end of the story, it's only the beginning. The heroine of this movie seems to know that love won't save her-- at least not that kind of love. And I don't think that's a bad thing.

I also thought that the message of the rebellious girl and her mom's battle of wills was well done. Again, as a mom of three girls-- two of whom are getting older and expressing their independence-- this movie hit home for me. I understood the girl struggling to exert who she was but I also understood the mom who was just doing what she knew to be "the right way" and going about that the only way she knew how. The way they both come to terms with this is of fairy tale proportions, but with real-life applications.

Yes, there is magic (very few Disney movies don't have the fairy tale witch elements, spells, etc.) and there are some pretty intense, scary moments. (My 6yo buried her head in my shoulder once.) But we talked about the movie the whole way home and everyone had their opinions, their takeaways, and their favorite funny moments. (The triplets provide some good comic relief moments.)

This isn't your typical Disney movie-- and I think it was time they broke from tradition.

And now on to a recipe the gym I belong to sent out in their newsletter. Curt and I are attending a mini highschool reunion this weekend and I'm thinking about making a batch of this to take along. (And yes, there is wine it it.)



Mojito Sangria

8 large mint sprigs

3/4 cup lime juice (fresh-squeezed is best)

1/2 cup agave syrup

8 cups sauvignon blanc

1/2 cup fresh peaches, sliced

10 strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup lemon-lime seltzer


In a pitcher, muddle mint with lime juice and agave.

Remove mint, then add wine, peaches & strawberries.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

When ready to serve, stir well and add seltzer.

Serve in wine glasses; can garnish with mint or limes.

12 servings: 180 cal ea.


This makes a refreshing and pretty summer cocktail!
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3 comments:

Lisa said...

Sounds like a good movie, with a strong message for girls. And the sangria recipe- yum!

Lisa

Jess said...

I also saw this movie over the weekend and was saddened by the daughter's violent reactions to her mother.
Obviously, we perceive film messages through our individual filters. In retrospect, I appreciated the grace portrayed by the mother figure.

Shelly said...

Yuuuuummm! Thanks for sharing the recipe!