101 Things to do With Olive Oil – The Passionate Olive

The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to do With Olive Oil by Carol Firenze

Carol Firenze always knew there was something very special about the glistening liquid her Italian grandmothers used for cooking.  Her earliest recollections are of the scent of olive oil sautéing with fresh herbs.

In her book, The Passionate Olive:  101 Things to Do with Olive Oil, Firenze shares wonderful family recipes, fascinating history, and useful information about this natural marvel.

Dubbed “liquid gold” by Homer, olive oil has been used for food, medicine, magic, beauty, and divine rituals for centuries.  The Passionate Olive offers a myriad of practical uses, including some of Firenze’s own unique tips and recipes.

Beyond simple epicurean enjoyment, here are some of the 101 ways that olive oil can improve your life, love, and health.

•    Prevent candle wax from sticking    •    Ease the pain of arthritis
•    Safeguard frying pans    •    Reduce the effects of alcohol
•    Rejuvenate dry skin    •    Strengthen fingernails
•    Preserve wooden utensils    •    Smooth out wrinkles
•    Shine your dog’s coat    •    Unstick a zipper
•    Alleviate stretch marks during pregnancy    •    Drizzle on the body to enhance sensual pleasure

As Carol Firenze often says:  “ If all you’re doing with olive oil is cooking, you’re missing out on at least 100 other uses.  Read my book and learn how to use olive oil around La Casa (the house) to clean, polish, and preserve; in La Cucina (the kitchen) to drizzle, marinate, sauté, and bake; in Il Bagno (the bathroom) for your skin, hair, and hands; and in La Camera da Letto (the bedroom)…well, use your imagination!

The Author
Carol Firenze is a noted author and lecturer on the history, mythology, uses and tasting of olive oil.   A life-long educator and international management consultant, Carol received her Doctorate at the University of San Francisco, with an emphasis on cross-cultural communication.  The basis of her research confirms that the cultivation of the olive tree and the many uses found for its wood, leaves, fruit and oil have had a significant historical impact on trade, commerce, health, medicine, beautification, religion, rituals and culinary practices that actually mirrors the history of western civilization.
Carol received her Olive Oil Consultant Certificate of Accomplishment from the Italian Olive Oil Center at the Italian Culinary Institute in New York.  She is a former Board member of the California Olive Oil Council and is a professional member of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. She is author of The Passionate Olive – 101 Things to do with Olive Oil.  Each year she leads Olive Harvest Adventure tours to Tuscany and Umbria. Her work reflects her passion to educate others on the breadth and depth of the uses of olive oil and how olive oil is following that same sophisticated path that wine followed decades ago.  She lives in Los Gatos, California.

The Book

•    The Passionate Olive – 101 Things to do with Olive Oil
•    Random House/Ballantine hardcover, April 2005/Reference/History / 0-345-45760-9 /
•    Available at www.thepassionateolive.com or amazon.com

Speaking Engagements
•    Experienced, dynamic, vivacious speaker
•    Available for large and small audiences
•    Contact:  Carol Firenze +1 (408) 395-4447 or carol@thepassionateolive.com
•    For more information visit www.thepassionateolive.com
•    See speaking engagement topics

Testimonials

“Only someone who knows as much about the enormous benefits of this ancient symbol of life and longevity can appreciate the importance of giving the olive tree and all it offers tribute, as Carol Firenze does in The Passionate Olive.”  Norma Kamali, Designer and Proprietor of Olive Oil Wellness Products

“Carol Firenze has done a fine job of gathering between two covers – folklore, history, family recipes and scholarly works dealing with olive oil.  If you are an olive oil fan, this book is a handy reference.”  Darrell Corti, President Corti Brothers and World-Renowned Olive Oil Expert

“Vivacious, beautiful Carol Firenze may be the best advertisement for her own charming and clearly written reference book packed with history and how-to information. Dr. Firenze recounts history as shaped by the fascinating olive rather than the other way around.  It’s early uses in Mediterranean health aids and as an ingredient in food preparation is secondary to olive oil’s role in ancient religious rituals, myth and as an influence to world commerce. Her lecture was absolutely delightful.” Gerry Furth-Sides, American Institute of Wine and Food.