Valentines: Elvis! / Food Fights/ the Love Chef - 2/11/09

Wed Feb 11 18:51:20 EST 2009

- ELVIS AND ROMANCE LIVE
- HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOUR HAMACHI
- AND, TODAY'S GEM: THE LOVE CHEF'S *COOKING FOR LOVERS*

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I know I said there were too many Valentine's/Marriage Week articles, but
this one sent in by Rick Marks from Bradenton, Florida is so original (Elvis
in the park!) I had to pass it along - a fun idea you can use. Rick will
share this and other marriage ministry ideas at the Thurs, Fri, and Sat
Marriage Ministry Roundtables he'll host at the Orlando Conference.

I'm also sending an article from today's Washington Post food section. When
I list things couples fight about (money, kids, sex, others, time) I never
think to include food.  This gives us some new conflict management examples
- especially timely with so many vegans, etc.  And, just because the world
works this way, I just 5 mins ago got a call from The Love Chef - definitely
my gem of the day (see below). - d

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- ELVIS AND ROMANCE LIVE

The Price of Love 
Tips for celebrating Valentine¹s Day on the cheap
The Bradenton Herald
Feb 2009
By January Holmes 

A box of chocolates: $10. A nice, romantic card: $3.50. A bouquet of roses:
$50.

Your wallet on Valentine¹s Day: Empty.

This makes it harder to impress your sweetheart and ups the ante on
potential embarrassment if you try to cut corners. For instance, presenting
a sagging Charlie Brown bouquet of cheap roses with left over Christmas
candy is a no-no. Neither is a homemade card if it looks like a first-grader
designed it. 

Though your budget may be tight, the best romantic intentions in the world
can still be accomplished. The Herald has a few ideas on how to get the best
bang for your buck this Valentine¹s Day while keeping the love alive ‹ and
you out of the dog house.

Get some help from the King

For starters, you can renew your vows at Bradenton¹s Glazier Gates Park with
Elvis. 

Yes, Elvis. 

He¹ll help you show your sweetie that you¹re just ³a hunk, a hunk of burning
love² at ³Elvis in the Park/Renewal of Marriage Vows.² The free event, which
is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, is brought to you by Marriage Works, Inc.

³It¹s our way of giving back to the community,² said Richard Marks,
executive director of the non-profit agency whose mission is to strengthen
marriages in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Elvis Impersonator Hall of Famer
Rick Marino will serenade guests with a concert and lead married couples
through a vow ceremony at sunset. He¹ll also pose for photos with lovebirds.

Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic supper. It will be a touching affair
with The King. 

³Sit out there and enjoy some fun music and remember what brought you
together,² Marks said.

Information: (941) 827-0500.

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- HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOUR HAMACHI

He's Just Not That Into Your Hamachi
Sometimes, Love Means Having to Say 'Separate Menus, Please'
The Washington Post
Feb 11, 2009
By Jane Black

Cindy Klein knew what she was getting into when she decided to date Ben
Mann. After all, his previous girlfriend had broken up with him because of
his eating habits; she had even introduced him to Klein, a holistic health
counselor, in the hope that he would improve his diet of spaghetti,
pizza,...
. . . in today's food-conscious culture, what and how a significant other
eats is becoming one more proxy for couples' deeper conflicts about control
and respect. Food obsessives divide the world into two kinds of people:
those who seek out truffles, sea urchin and single-estate chocolate, and
those who don't. And when an avid food lover falls for one of the others, it
can get complicated. Unlike fly-fishing or knitting, what to eat is a
question that comes up three times a day. The result: Romantic dinners are
ruined. Tempers flare. And though some couples find ways to make
compromises, in extreme cases, relationships fall apart.

For full article that says Food is a lot like Sex, you gotta learn how to
negotiate your passions : http://tinyurl.com/dn65od

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- AND, TODAY'S GEM: THE LOVE CHEF'S *COOKING FOR LOVERS*
Chef Jernard Wells and I were connected by First Things First of Chattanooga
and it's one of those perfect matches. He believes that good food to be one
of the most important pillars of a happy marriage (*food and love go
hand-in-hand*) and that people just need a little help to understand not
only how important food is but how quick and easy it is to prepare romantic
gourmet meals.  I'm hoping he'll come to Orlando to show us and that he'll
bring some of his special HOT sauces, but, in the meantime, I highly
recommend his book for Valentine's Day or whatever special day is on your
Love calendar - anniversary, birthday, or any ole Wednesday.  I posted the
book high up on the book page to make it easy to find and order on amazon,
but you can get it in any big book store.
Order here:  http://www.smartmarriages.com/app/Media.Booklist

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