Saturday, February 13, 2010

EveryJoe

EveryJoe


Too Warm for the Winter Olympics

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 12:30 PM PST

The Midwest, and East Coast of the U.S. has been buried in winter weather the last few weeks. Too bad we can’t shove some of that snow up to Vancouver. People reports that the area has had “spring-like conditions.” So much so that they’ve had to hire out someone to get more snow for some of the snowboarding and skiing competitions. They are also “using a dry ice tubing system to keep the courses frozen.”

Isn’t that always the way? Just when you think you’ve chosen the right place for the Olympics, Mother Nature decides to have a little fun. Mother Nature apparently doesn’t realize that winter can be had artificially now. At a cost, of course. I suppose that goes to show that you still can’t beat Mother Nature.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Too Warm for the Winter Olympics

Japanese Snowboarder’s Fashion Mistake

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 12:04 PM PST

Japanese snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo has come fire for the way he wore his suit in comparison with his teammates.  Upon arrival in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games, the Japanese team looked neat and tidy in tan suit jackets and black ties but he looked a little more sloppy than the others.

japanese snowboarder

His pants were sagging, his tie was loose and his shirt was hanging out.  I'm not super conservative but he did look like he had just rolled out of bed so I can understand why the Japanese officials aren’t too happy with him.  One even said: “It is not the way the Japanese delegation should dress themselves while taxpayers’ money is spent on them.”

It gets worse, folks.  When I see something like that, my first thought is that the person really doesn't care and, unfortunately, it does look like he's less than impressed by the Olympics.  He said that it's "just another snowboarding event,” and that they are “nothing special.”

Nasty.  I am pretty disappointed by that attitude.

Post from: EveryJoe

Japanese Snowboarder’s Fashion Mistake

Threats Keep Weir Locked in Olympic Village

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 11:52 AM PST

Johnny Weir is a fan favorite for a medal in men's figure skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics but, unfortunately, he won't get to enjoy the experience to the fullest because he's afraid about “very serious threats” from anti-fur activists.

Jan. 17, 2010 - Spokane, Washington, United States - John Lok / The Seattle Times Johnny Weir completes his free skate at U.S. nationals, where he finished third overall. (Credit Image: � The Seattle Times/ZUMApress.com)

image: Zuma Press

He hasn't ever been in their good graces because of hi costume choices but apparently he really touched a nerve when he stepped out wearing fox fur.

He wanted to stay in a hotel in the city but it would have required too much planning with the security personnel so he's holed up in the Olympic Village.  How unfortunate!

Some might think he's overreacting but activists of any kind can get really out of control and it would be all too easy to hit him in the legs and dash all hopes of standing on the podium.

I understand that people feel like they should stand up for their beliefs but where do we draw the line?  An athlete is afraid to walk the streets of Vancouver because he fears for his personal safety.  Surely, this isn't the right way to get the message across.

Post from: EveryJoe

Threats Keep Weir Locked in Olympic Village

Cook Dinner for Her on Valentine’s Day

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 09:36 AM PST

Instead of going out on Valentine’s Day, stay in and cook her an amazing meal. Boulder Colorado Chef Eric S. Lee’s brand new cook book Sweeping Her Off Her Feet with Food is packed with delicious mouth-watering, aphrodisiac-laden instructions for preparing, cooking and presenting knock your socks off romantic recipes. Here are some delicious Valentine’s Day dishes from Lee.

Salmon with Fresh Mango Salsa

Image from Sweeping Her Off Her Feet

Salmon with Fresh Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

  • 2 six to eight ounce Salmon filets (do not get steaks!)
  • 1 fresh mango peeled and cut into 1/2inch cubes (some grocers carry fresh mango already skinned in jars—produce dept)
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and diced (1/8 inch)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced (1/4 inch)(save the rest for roasting)
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion (1/4 inch)
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/3 cup oil (preferably olive oil)
  • lime
  • salt & pepper

Mango Salsa

Cut lime in half and squeeze the juice from both halves into a midsized mixing bowl whisk in half of the oil. Add the rest of the ingredients except salmon, remaining oil, salt and pepper in a midsized bowl and gently toss until well mixed. Be sure and stir using a large (wooden if possible) serving spoon, from bottom using your spoon in an upward, over and down folding motion to get all of the juice from the bottom mixed in with the rest of the ingredients. Add a dash of salt and pepper and gently mix again. Cover and refrigerate. Can be made one-day ahead.

Grilled Salmon

Turn outside grill on to medium high to heat up the grates. Place the salmon filets on a platter skin side down and rub remaining oil onto the meat until completely covered. Try and get some of the oil onto the skin. Feel free to use a bar-b-que sauce brush for this. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

When grill is hot place filets on the grill, flesh side down and let cook for 5-7 minutes. Turn over and let cook another 3-4 minutes until salmon is just cooked through. Some like their salmon medium rare. If this is you cook a little less. If you need to check for doneness, though I try to avoid this, take a knife and gently slice into the top of the fish to ensure it is cooked to your preference. If it "flakes" all the way through but is still moist it is done. Since you will be topping it with the beautiful salsa you've made it won't matter if you have "butchered" it a little.

Optionally, when salmon is done, take a metal spatula and insert it into the crease between the skin and the flesh and slide it all the way through until the skin is removed. Place each filet on top of a bed of sautéed spinach (page 39) on a beautiful plate.

Top with Mango Salsa and serve.

Heart-shaped Pasta

Image from Sweeping Her Off Her Feet

Heart-Shaped Pasta with Prosciutto, Fresh Tomato, Peas and Arugula

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces *heart shaped pasta or pasta bowties, cooked until done, but slightly firm and drained (reserve 1/4 cup pasta water)
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or 1 teaspoon bouillon dissolved in 1 cup warm water)
  • 6-8 paper-thin slices prosciutto, cut into 1" ribbons (ask for it this way in the grocer's deli)
  • 3/4 cup frozen peas
  • 2 small Roma tomatoes seeded and diced (just cut into quarters and scoop out the seeds)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups roughly chopped arugula or 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in clam base or chicken broth
  • salt and freshly cracked pepper
  • 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan
  • Optional: 10 large shrimp

Heart shaped pasta is available and www.CheeseImporters.com.

Directions:

Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic, and sauté garlic until it begins to soften, approximately 20-30 seconds—do not let it brown. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half. If using shrimp add now. Add base or broth and bring to a boil; add reserved pasta water, prosciutto, peas, tomato and shrimp, and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat and let stand another 30 seconds. Fold in pasta and arugula or basil. Salt and pepper to taste, divide between two dinner plates or pasta bowls, and top with shredded Parmesan.

Post from: EveryJoe

Cook Dinner for Her on Valentine’s Day

Rookies Top Sophomores at All-Star Weekend

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:38 AM PST

The last season seasons, the sophomores had beaten the rookies during the competition at NBA All-Star Weekend. This year, things were different. Behind powerful efforts from Tyreke Evans and DeJuan Blair, the rookies beat the sophomores by a final score of 140-128.

Evans, who was named the game’s MVP, had 26 points. The Sacramento Kings guard showed why he’s the favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

After the game, NBA fans were buzzing about Blair. The rookie bigman for the San Antonio Spurs had 22 points and 23 rebounds. The second round pick proved once again that teams should have selected him sooner in the 2009 NBA Draft.

As for the sophomores, Russell Westbrook led the way with 40 points. Westbrook was close to topping Kevin Durant’s record of 46 points. Westbrook and Durant are teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Sunday, the NBA will hold the slam dunk contest and the three-point shootout. The All-Star game will be played on Sunday.

DeJuan Blair and Tyreke Evans

DeJuan Blair and Tyreke Evans stared for the rookies (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Rookies Top Sophomores at All-Star Weekend

Mardi Gras Cocktails from ROSANGEL Tequila

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 07:40 AM PST

These Mardi Gras-inspired cocktails are created from ROSANGEL premium tequila. These drink recipes are easy to make and pack a punch. Even if you aren’t going to make it to the Big Easy, you can have a fun Mardi Gras party at home.

The “Beaded” Lady

ROSANGEL

Image: ROSANGEL

Your girl will love this pretty pink drink.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz ROSANGEL
  • 4 oz pink lemonade (flat or sparkling)
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
  • lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation:

Combine ingredients over ice.

Shake Your RUMp

With so much liquor in this recipe, take it easy!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz ROSANGEL
  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz premium orange liqueur
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 2 oz cola
  • lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation:

Combine ingredients over ice.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mardi Gras Cocktails from ROSANGEL Tequila

Energy Drinks, Caffeine – Dangerous

Posted: 13 Feb 2010 01:41 AM PST

It makes perfect sense, right? A drink made with lots of caffeine and other stuff to help keep you feel energized and alive is a great idea – or is it? Maybe not, say researchers.

Energy drinks have been a cause for concern to doctors and researchers since they came on to the market. Health Canada has a page that addresses some concerns and many articles have been published, discussing some of the issues around the drinks.

Now, researchers from the University of Florida are warning that people who aren’t expecting the jolt from some of these drinks better be careful, because they may get more than they bargained for.

According to a press release issued by the university,

The Food and Drug Administration recommends a maximum caffeine concentration of 65 milligrams per 12-ounce serving of cola beverages, though it does not regulate caffeine content of these drinks. And although the agency requires the presence of caffeine be disclosed, it does not mandate that caffeine quantity be specified on labeling for energy drinks and cold coffee beverages.

The UF team tested 10 energy drinks, 19 sodas and seven other beverages and found some energy drinks have up to 141 milligrams in a single serving — more than twice the content of some espresso coffee drinks.

Such high concentrations of caffeine could be very risky for certain groups of people, including those who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or some types of mental illnesses. And, if the labels don’t have the caffeine amounts listed, consumers could unknowingly be drinking dangerous-to-them levels of caffeine. They could develop:

  • Anxiety
  • Heart palpitations
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Digestive problems

Another concern is the rising use of energy drinks with alcohol. It used to be that someone would drink a cup of coffee if he or she had too much to drink. The idea was that the coffee would sober them up. Unfortunately, all it really did was make the drunk a bit more awake. Now, it’s even worse with energy drinks. If people purposely consume them while drinking alcohol, in an effort to stay awake and alert, they could end up drinking much more alcohol than they would otherwise, and they could end up behaving in dangerous ways because they are drunk, yet wide awake.

Finally, another health issue may occur once people stop drinking these caffeine-laden drinks. Just as you could develop a dependence on coffee, you could develop one on energy drinks or soft drinks that are high in caffeine. This results in withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating

~~~

Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Energy Drinks, Caffeine – Dangerous

2010 Dodge Dakota

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 10:44 PM PST

Perhaps the best mid-sized pickup truck on the market today is the all new redesigned 2010 Dodge Dakota.  Highly underrated, the Dakota stands larger than other midsized/compact trucks but with the same optional working power as any full sized truck.

One of the most impressive perks on the Dakota comes with the optional V8, the only mid-sized truck with that kind of power house.  Fiat announced last year that the low selling Dakota will not be produced after 2011. But that hasn’t stopped Dodge from redesigning the truck to have more modern angles on its body. A welcome feature over their older bubbly looking models.

The  new Dakota comes with everything you would expect from a truck. Four wheel drive, towing capability and heavy payload options. Fuel efficiency is better than the full sized Ram 1500 and the quad-cab is plenty roomy to carry around all of your friends. If you like your car but need the flexability of using a truck the Dakota might just be your new best friend. Check one out today at your nearest Dodge dealership.

Image: Dodge.com

Post from: EveryJoe

2010 Dodge Dakota

Small Steps or Head First into a Workout?

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 10:06 PM PST

What is the best way for an out of shape person to begin working out (again or for the first time)?  One approach is to take baby steps so that you can build your body up progressively while at the same time not discouraging yourself by going to hard and then developing a phobia of fitness.  The other extreme is to go all out as soon as you start.

The answer to this question depends on you.  Honestly, do you need to be coddled when you set out on an endeavor?  Or do you prefer the sink or swim method where your success or failure falls on you and you know success won’t be easy?

The latter sounds awfully harsh, but many of you reading would be surprised how well we as humans can adapt to what we are given when we have to.  The former sounds like a soft approach, but any serious movement towards a better fitness level is lauded by this blogger.  As long as you are sincere in progressively building towards better workouts, I see no problem with small steps.

I prefer the second way of thinking where you just dive right in.  This is how I have reacted in the past when I have failed in my commitment to working out.  Instead of trying to chip away at climbing back to my own personal peaks, I start by going all out in my first session back.  This is because I’m a person who wants everything as fast as I can get it and I don’t mind working until exhaustion to achieve my goals.

Either path you choose to go will be fine as long as you put in the time and effort.  Be honest with yourself in assessing which is more likely to work for you.

sxc.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

Small Steps or Head First into a Workout?

0 comments:

Search