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Delicious Hospitality
We recently enjoyed dinner together with a classic tradition: oil and vinegar served as a dipping sauce for bread. The beautiful gold of the olive oil spackled with deep drops of Balsamic vinegar, and finished with a dash of seasoning was not only delicious, but beautiful as well.
The compliments we received got us thinking: A thoughtful selection of oil, vinegar and a homemade mix of seasoning makes a wonderful housewarming, thank you, or holiday gift. Select complimentary bottles of oil and vinegar, arrange in a basket or tin with a handwritten note, and you've created a taste of a tour through Italy—delicious hospitality.
To make Italian dipping spices, mix the following in a small food processor or coffee bean grinder. Chop briefly until all ingredients are about the same size:
1 tablespoon minced basil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (Italian is best)
1 tablespoon minced Garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or fresh sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
| COMMENTS (1)
We recently enjoyed dinner together with a classic tradition: oil and vinegar served as a dipping sauce for bread. The beautiful gold of the olive oil spackled with deep drops of Balsamic vinegar, and finished with a dash of seasoning was not only delicious, but beautiful as well.
The compliments we received got us thinking: A thoughtful selection of oil, vinegar and a homemade mix of seasoning makes a wonderful housewarming, thank you, or holiday gift. Select complimentary bottles of oil and vinegar, arrange in a basket or tin with a handwritten note, and you've created a taste of a tour through Italy—delicious hospitality.
To make Italian dipping spices, mix the following in a small food processor or coffee bean grinder. Chop briefly until all ingredients are about the same size:
1 tablespoon minced basil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (Italian is best)
1 tablespoon minced Garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or fresh sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
| COMMENTS (1)
An Indecent Proposal
Have you ever wanted to march right up to the guy you are crushing on, demand that he marry you (in a fashion he can not deny) and then carry him away to your castle in the sky? Perhaps a move to this remote island is just the ticket....
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/02/01/guinea.marriage.ap/index.html | COMMENTS (4)
Have you ever wanted to march right up to the guy you are crushing on, demand that he marry you (in a fashion he can not deny) and then carry him away to your castle in the sky? Perhaps a move to this remote island is just the ticket....
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/02/01/guinea.marriage.ap/index.html | COMMENTS (4)
Speechless
Prosecutors in Russia are currently investigating reports of infants in a Russian hospital found with their mouths taped shut so as not to annoy hospital staff with their crying. These babies are all orphans.
We were at a loss for words or an adequate response when first reading this story linked to http://www.drudgereport.com. All human life should certainly be valued and respected, not abused. But even more so for these children who have no advocates, no loving parents to put a stop to such abuse. Two of our ZIA editors personally know a family who is, at this very moment, in Russia in the process of adopting an orphan. What a potent picture of grace and redemption compared to the bleak future seemingly awaiting these precious orphans. It is our hope that more loving families will open their hearts and homes to these children.
To read the complete story click here.
| COMMENTS (4)
Prosecutors in Russia are currently investigating reports of infants in a Russian hospital found with their mouths taped shut so as not to annoy hospital staff with their crying. These babies are all orphans.
We were at a loss for words or an adequate response when first reading this story linked to http://www.drudgereport.com. All human life should certainly be valued and respected, not abused. But even more so for these children who have no advocates, no loving parents to put a stop to such abuse. Two of our ZIA editors personally know a family who is, at this very moment, in Russia in the process of adopting an orphan. What a potent picture of grace and redemption compared to the bleak future seemingly awaiting these precious orphans. It is our hope that more loving families will open their hearts and homes to these children.
To read the complete story click here.
| COMMENTS (4)
The Evolution of Beauty
We've heard it before: the beautiful, wide-eyed cover girls of the newsstand aren't what they seem. We've been told what we so easily compare ourselves to as we face the mirror in the morning is instead the masterpiece of the photo editor on the thirteenth floor. But do you really buy it?
We recently viewed a video produced for Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty in which the point is made well: "No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted."
You can find the video on Dove's website, or go there directly by clicking here. | COMMENTS (3)
We've heard it before: the beautiful, wide-eyed cover girls of the newsstand aren't what they seem. We've been told what we so easily compare ourselves to as we face the mirror in the morning is instead the masterpiece of the photo editor on the thirteenth floor. But do you really buy it?
We recently viewed a video produced for Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty in which the point is made well: "No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted."
You can find the video on Dove's website, or go there directly by clicking here. | COMMENTS (3)
Freeway Theology
A prominent billboard makes this bold boast about a particular model of mini-van: "Gets more done than most husbands." Yikes. That's a strong statement about the productivity of a gender. Is it really true that double sliding doors, room for 4 car-seats and a load of groceries merits that kind of comparison?
One ZIA editor lives in a home with 4 men and she argues that they could beat the Dodge Caravan any day of the week. After a recent move into a new home, not only did she not have to move any furniture herself, but they catered to her every whim when re-arranging the furniture for her decorative palette.
We'd like to challenge that Caravan to a competition. We'd be willing to bet that it doesn't pick up its performance with a little encouragement, respond thoughtfully to our emotions or treat our China with such care as most men. | COMMENTS (3)
A prominent billboard makes this bold boast about a particular model of mini-van: "Gets more done than most husbands." Yikes. That's a strong statement about the productivity of a gender. Is it really true that double sliding doors, room for 4 car-seats and a load of groceries merits that kind of comparison?
One ZIA editor lives in a home with 4 men and she argues that they could beat the Dodge Caravan any day of the week. After a recent move into a new home, not only did she not have to move any furniture herself, but they catered to her every whim when re-arranging the furniture for her decorative palette.
We'd like to challenge that Caravan to a competition. We'd be willing to bet that it doesn't pick up its performance with a little encouragement, respond thoughtfully to our emotions or treat our China with such care as most men. | COMMENTS (3)