Ming, Conigliaro, Koufax - What might have been

You ever wonder what might have happened? What could have been?

Yao Ming, incredibly talented 7'-6" center for the Houston Rockets. 7-time all-star.  People don't remember that Yao routinely outplayed Shaquille O'Neal with Lakers and Dwight Howard with the Magic.  He was that good.  Now after yet another injury, it appears that his career, if not over, will never be what it could have been.

Tony Conigliaro - one time phenom with Boston Red Soxs.  At 20 he lead the American League in Home Runs.  At 22 he was hit by a pitch in the head and essentially ended his stellar career.  At 37 he lapsed into a coma in which he never recovered.  At 45 he was dead.

Sandy Koufax - the outstanding left-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers.  He was a 3-time Cy Young award winner as the leagues best pitcher, threw 4 no-hitters, selected to 7 consecutive All-Star Games and on and on until arthritis forced his retirement at 29. 

You never know. 

Lessons Learned in Sports and Entertainment

Too many parents assume that educational TV is limited to PBS and stuffy documentaries.  In fact, lessons - valuable life long lessons - can be learned anywhere at any time.  Take these three recent cases:

1. Cam Newton, the highly talented Auburn quarterback, is accused of serious NCAA violations.  There's multiple witnesses that say his father asked for payment in order for his son to attend their university.  Cam, himself, says that he and his father are close.  Yet the NCAA determined (in record time so as to not impact the Heisman voting) that Cam was clean.  In fact, they said an 18 year old boy living wth his father and enjoying a close relationship with same father knew NOTHING of the request for money.  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

2.  Five Ohio State players admit to selling University given gear, trophies, rings, jock straps, everything thing.  They actually admit it.  What does the NCAA do about this violation of a long standing rule.  Before we answer, understand this: Ohio State is scheduled to play in a major, ie. sponsors have paid millions for their appearance, bowl (the Sugar Bowl).  Ah, there's more: The players who admitted guilt include Heisman trophy candidate Terrelle Pryor their quarterback, their leading rusher, their second leading receiver and their first team all-conference offensive lineman.  So the NCAA decides to suspend them NEXT YEAR. Which means the precious Sugar Bowl will not be negatively impacted.  Which means some of these guys probably will be playing in NFL while they serve their 5-game suspension (anybody remember Reggie Bush?).  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

3.  Former Denver Bronco wide receiver Brandon Marshal was arrested 5 times in his 5 years with Denver.  In the end, they had enough and traded him to Miami Dolphins.  The consequence of his bad behavior? Miami signed him to a 4-year, $48 million contract and then he proceeded to get arrested again. Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

4. Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Keifer Sutherland, Lil Wayne and on and on.  In and out of trouble. Battery, assault, drug possion, DUI, property distruction, weapons, etc.  The consequence of their action: Probation and in the extreme case a few days in jail where the jailers slip them whatever they want.  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good (or famous). Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

Food Myth No.3 - If It's Deep Fried, It Can Still Be Nutritious

fresh

We all know the evils of french fries - with or without trans fat.  We all know the transformation a common vegetable like the potato goes through once it's subjected to 350 degree oil.  Of couse, we know fries are not really vegetables.  It would not surprise folks to see a small potato go from 57 calories and 0g fat to 230 calories and 11 grams of fat when McDonald's sell them as a small fry.  But the myth is that the common potato is not that much of a vegetable anyway.  It's nutritional value is pretty unimpressive even when eaten boiled or baked.  Let' face it, the potato owes much of its popularity to it's wonderful ability to fill you up and act as an perfect placeholder for your cheese, bacon, sour creme, pulled pork and yes butter.

deep fried

The myth is that other more robust nutritious vegetables can still be deep fried and serve as a healthy alternative to steaming, baking or boiling.  Let's look at the facts shall we (numbers from CalorieKing Food Database and LiveStrong.com):

Okra goes from 18 calories and 0 fat to 300 calories and 16g fat when served as a small order at Church's Chicken.

Onion goes from 32 calories and 0 fat to 180 calories and 9g fat when served as a small order at BurgerKing.

Zucchini goes from 14 calories, 0 fat to 620 calories and 40g fat when served by more gourmet eateries.

This same frightening transformation could be demonstrated for mushrooms, sweet potatoes, broccoli and any other previously fat free source of vitamins, nutrients and fiber.

So don't fall for the myth.  If it's deep fried, it really doesn't matter what comes out of the oil drenched waiting to be salted and served. They should be eaten in limited quantities.

Food Myth No. 2 - It Matters a Lot How Your Chicken is Cooked

It seems like chicken is on most menus no matter where you are in the world.  It's variety of uses and accommodation for less than skillful preparation makes it a stable on the dinner plate.  Also, the abundance of restaurants that offer chicken makes it probably second only to ground beef as the food of choice for lunch.

Myth: Fried chicken is bad, broiled or grilled chicken is good when it comes to nutrition.  This one myth has spawned the growth of rotisserie only chicken restaurants and new entries of grilled chicken at one famous chicken chain.

Understand this: When your wonderful chicken breast is covered by a variety of sauces, creams, cheeses and other assassins of good health nothing else matters.  This is not part of the myth but is part of America's in attention to detail.

Here's why the myth that chicken preparation is the primary factor behind it's nutritional value.  Take the chicken thigh, juicy, tolerant to over cooking, can be prepared in thousands of ways.  You can get it boiled (typically in soup), fried (KFC, Church's, Popeyes to name a few), Roasted (Boston Market), BBQ'd (most BBQ restaurants - see my award winning blog postings for some great ones), now grilled (KFC).  Of course, the cook at home has all these choices available to them too.  It just doesn't matter.  If you don't pull the skin off it just doesn't matter.  Let me repeat: It's the freakin skin that drives the fat, not the prep. 

Here's the data for one chicken thigh taken from a number of websites including CalorieKing (a food database):

Roasted: 9.6 g fat
Flour Coated and Fried:  9.3 g fat
Stewed: 10.0 g fat
KFC Grill: 9.0 g fat

It doesn't matter!!

So the next time you're faced with a choice of chicken, your selection should be based purely on flavor and taste.  If you seek reduced fat pull the skin off and if possible order the breast.  It will be more filling and the meat itself is leaner.

Food Myth No. 1 - The truth about steaks

We all love beef.  In fact, I have a posting that identifies some of the best places in Houston to get a great steak ("Top Steakhouses in Houston", June 1, 2010).  This deliciousness can be so flavorful and satisfying in his "heaviness" that the experience will stay with you for days (in more ways than one).  However, in the spirit of of this blog which attempts to encourage great living through education and hard work, you must realize a steak is not a steak is not a steak.  You hear the term "marbeling" and we instantly know that the most flavorful of beef selections has this coveted quality.  Just understand there is a price to be paid for this wonderful taste..... yes, let's say it all out loud "marbelling" is the code word for fat.

When you go to one of these wonderful establishments that have been granted celebrity status with their names being mentioned on these pages;  Yes, you will get the salad with fat laden dressing.  That issue is for another post.  Yes, you will get your fully loaded baked potato.  Yes, you will probably finish the meal off with some type of dessert (brownie with ice cream, so good).  That's the reality and assume they're common no matter what steak you get.  Now let's also assume you order at least an 8-ounce selection.  The government classifies a serving as 4-ounces.  The only time we get 4-ounces of beef is at McDonald's or Burger King.  Most folks over the age of 4 will select 8, 12, or 16 ounces of grain fed beef when ordering steak.

So with this background, what kind of 8-oz steak will make a big difference in the quality of your inevitable path toward aging:

Sirloin, lean, broiled: 424 calories, 14.8 g fat

T-Bone, broiled: 490 calories, 23.8 g fat

NY Strip, broiled: 392 calories, 26.0 g fat

Prime Rib, broiled: 538 calories, 45.0 g fat
Ribeye, broiled: 600 calories, 46.6 g fat
Porterhouse, broiled: 600 calories, 47.6 g fat

Club, broiled: 730 calories, 53.8 g fat

OMG: Club steaks have 3 times the fat of a sirloin!  T-bones and NY Strips are reasonable compromises.  The rest, particularly if you choose the "Big Boy" 16-oz variety of the artery cloggers should be eaten with caution and only in celebration of your first marathon or reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Bon Appetit!

BBQ in America - Round Two coming soon

The crack BBQIA judging team took a little time off to recover from the gold medal round (BBQ in America - The Best in Houston, Texas posted 11Aug10 ) that identified the finest perveyors of smokey protein in Houston. 

Given that this cullinary activity has almost become a regional sport the competition for Silver Winners was fierce and contained more world class "que".

Stay tuned for round two soon.

World Series Poll Update

Anyone notice the poll I posted a 2 - 3 months ago on who will win the Major League Baseball World Series?
The poll said the most likely winners in order of the voting:
1. New York Yankees
2. Tampa Bay Bucs
3. San Francisco Giants

Looking pretty good right now.

Also note that the poll said the Minnesota Twins had no chance to win.  The poll would appear almost omnipotent if it wasn't for the slight chance (10%) it gave the St. Louis Cardinals to win.  As we look backward who would have known that those darn birds would fall apart.

Why Add Strength Training to Your Aerobic Workout?

Why should you add strength training to your aerobic workouts?  After all you getting yourself lean, fit and heart health.  The short answer is the doctors at EverydayHealth.com says so.  

Of course strength training will add definition to your muscles and give men and women alike more fit and toned bodies. After all, today's marathon runners are not your first choice for swimsuit models. Still not convinced?

Well listen to the logic:
1. Strength training protects bone health and muscle mass. The experts at EverydayHeath.doc click here for more info says after puberty, whether you are a man or a woman, you begin to lose about 1 percent of your bone and muscle strength every year. "One of the best ways to stop, prevent, and even reverse bone and muscle loss is to add strength training to your workouts," advises Troy Tuttle, MS, an exercise physiologist at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston."

2. Strength training makes you stronger and fitter. Do not confuse heart health (aerobics) with kick butt power (strength training)

3. Strength training helps you develop better body mechanics. Strength training has benefits that go well beyond the appearance of nicely toned muscles. Your balance and coordination will improve, as will your posture. More importantly, if you have poor flexibility and balance, strength training can reduce your risk of falling by as much as 40 percent, a crucial benefit, especially as you get older.

4. Strength training plays a role in disease prevention. Studies have documented the many wellness benefits of strength training. If you have arthritis, strength training can be as effective as medication in decreasing arthritis pain. Strength training can help post-menopausal women increase their bone density and reduce the risk of bone fractures. And for the 14 million Americans with type 2 diabetes, strength training along with other healthy lifestyle changes can help improve glucose control.

5. Strength training boosts energy levels and improves your mood. Strength training will elevate your level of endorphins (natural opiates produced by the brain), which will make you feel great. As if that isn’t enough to convince you, strength training has also been shown to be a great antidepressant, to help you sleep better, and to improve your overall quality of life.
6. Strength training translates to more calories burned. You burn calories during strength training, and your body continues to burn calories after strength training, a process called "physiologic homework." More calories are used to make and maintain muscle than fat, and in fact strength training can boost your metabolism by 15 percent — that can really jump start a weight loss plan.

7. Combats boredom.  With strength training, every day doesn't have to be consumed with endless miles on the track, treadmill or running paths.  Add weights, machines, medicine balls, isometrics and gymnastics for variety.  It's almost like taking a day off without taking a day off.

As with any exercise program make sure your doctor gives you permission to start an exercise program and/or to add significant challenge to it.  In no time Speedo will be calling.

Common Foods with Highest Pesticide Contamination

I found this interesting article from the hip folks at onlinegardentips.com. (Don't everybody visit their website?).  If you ever wonder what the fuss about organic gardening, this story might give you the push necessary to pay a little more for the pesticide- free version of your favorite fruits and veggies. 

Note: Experts say put this sort of story in context - It's better to eat commercially raised fruit and vegetables (with the pesticide) than not eat these nutritious foods at all.  However, if you have a choice between non-organic and organic crops choose organic particularly for the very commonly used foods below.  Bon appetit!

The Environmental Working Group has formed a list of foods with the highest levels of pesticides. In fact, these foods are fruits and vegetables that we consume practically everyday. Here is a list of top 12 foods that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination:


12 foods that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination:
•Apples
•Peaches
•Sweet bell peppers
•Celery
•Nectarines
•Strawberries
•Cherries
•Pears
•Imported grapes
•Spinach
•Lettuce
•Potatoes
Usually any pesticide is tested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and only then is it approved for use. Here the EPA checks a pesticide for the maximum amount a pesticide can stay in or on any fruit or vegetable. And any pesticide not conforming to the maximum limit cannot be marketed. However, it is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that has the responsibility to check the levels of pesticides in and on fruits and vegetables.
According to the Environmental Working Group, the FDA does not test most of the fruits and vegetables that are marketed in the US and that is why many Americans end up consuming pesticides and insecticides that are present on and in these foods and are not on the approved-to-use list.

BBQ in America - The Best in Houston, Texas

The super computers have tallied the votes and the numbers have been crunched.  Winners have all successfully navigated the rules of the contest and now here are the winners.  As any in prestigious global competition respect must be given to those who compete and not just the winners.  So over the next several posts we will honor first the gold medal winners, followed by silver and bronze awards.

As Henry Ford once said, "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." As you will see, these 6 institutions have been doing it expertly for quite some time.

Global Seeker Gold Medal Winners

Goode Company Texas BBQ - multiple locations including 5109 Kirby Drive (713-522-2530)  West University area and 8911 Katy Freeway (713-464-1901.  Goode has been serving up plates of mesquite flavored goodness (sorry for the pun) for more than 30 years.  Open daily 11 am to 10 pm.  They serve the classics in pork ribs, beef brisket and chicken.   They also have an unusually large variety of smoked sausages and duck.  Legend has it that in the early days the family slept at the restaurant and guarded the smoking meats overnight with a shotgun.  I'm not sure if that says more about ole Jim Goode or the Neighborhood.  Wonderful Texas institution.

Burn's BBQ - 8307 De Priest (281-445-7574).  Open Wed - Friday 10 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.  Burn's is another establishment that is not new to the bbq-biz.  Warning, unlike say Goode, Burns is more suitable for take-out and chow down some place else.  However, where ever you enjoy their post oak (Central Texas favorite) smoked ribs, brisket, etc. you will feel right at home.  If you had to choose make it the brisket or pork ribs.  Warning: Their links are very spicy.  Also, notice the rather limited hours of operation.  Burn's operates on the time honored tradition of NO leftovers.  They sell everything, until of course, they run out.  So come early if at all possible.

Hickory Hollow BBQ- 101 Heights Blvd (713-869-6300) in the Heights and other locations including Fallbrook and Magnolia. Open 11 am to 8 or 9 pm depending on the night.  Hickory Hollow is definitely a place one can sit down enjoy a great smoked meal of all the classics and on weekends perhaps hear a little live music.  While we want hold this against them, just in case you have distant cousins from Mississippi, they also offer catfish and chicken fried steaks.  But you know what they say?  Why go to a Global Seeker Gold Medal BBQ winner and eat chicken fried steaks?  The insightful logic is breathtaking.

Pappa's BBQ - multiple locations including 1217 Pierce (713-659-1245) downtown and 8777 South Main (713-432-1107) Medical Center.  Open practically all day, every day.  No problem.  Upscale locations for serving food that is so eloquently simple.  The have delicious, large portions which happens to be one of the trademarks of this famous family's bbq offering.  Their beef ribs, while not a Texas tradition, is building quite a reputation among the not-born here crowd.  But for the rest of you, don't pass on the pork ribs which are slap-your-best-buddy good.  Warning: Avoid lunch time when the crowds and lines can be unnerving for the hungry or the those with a limited lunch schedule.

Swinging Door 3818 FM 359 (281-342-4758) in Richmond.  Open 11am to 9 or 10pm every day.  The SD was a controversial pick.  Yes, it serves delicious ribs, sausage and brisket all expertly smoked in pecan wood (an East Texas favorite).   But oh my gosh it also has raisins in their cole slaw! Oddly, they have a menu item that is nonchalantly called the "Super". A more appropriate name should be the "Widow Maker" consisting of 3 meats and 3 veggies for about $15.95.

Luling City Market - 4726 Richmond Ave (713-871-1903) in Galleria area. LCM calls themselves the place for "real Texas bar-b-que".  Who's to argue?  Luling serves ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey and sausage that is epic in taste.  LCM proudly smokes their meats over post oak wood and makes their sausage by hand on the premises.  Note: They favor the more southern mustard based sauce which is more tangy than the traditional tomato based Texas bbq sauce.

So, there you are: In a land of so many options, these folks in Houston area have distinguished themselves above all else. 

A special thanks to Texas Monthly magazine, Houston Chronicle, ABC News, Gayot food critics, Houston Top Ten and our dedicated Global Seekers staff whose input, opinion and feedback contributed to this ambitious endeavor.

BBQ in America - The Rules

BBQ is a uniquely American cuisine.  What makes this country embrace the very essence of this culinary experience is that it's popularity is based largely on your hometown-backyard cooks.  You will not find it on many 4-star restaurant menus or featured by international culinary award winners.  But you will find it in every hamlet, town, neighborhood in America.  Every cook who has fired up the magic smoke has his (and yes her) own secret ingredients for rub, sauce and cooking for success.  Much like the American spirit - it can't easily be defined, categorized or "owned" by any one organization, area or ideology.

Now that you're teary eyed and feeling so Patriotic for owning multiple BBQ grills, let's bring a little sanity to this chaos.  While it's true that the real BBQ hero is the backyard boss who cooks for the family or bowling team, they are NOT the focus of this soon to be award winning expose.  Fortunately, many of those cooks took their skills and passion from the backyard to open a local restaurant.  They successfully figured out how to apply those same wonderful techniques to an entire cow rather than just a side of brisket.  To you we bow our heads in humble appreciation of your craft.

For every competition their must be rules.  After all this is not FIFA officiating.  We want to judge fairly and openly.  So to appear in this series of BBQ in America posts you will be judged by the following:

1. BBQ only - no, not grilling, baking or sauteing.  We're talking indirect heat, flavored smoke and patience.
2. Red Meat only - while we appreciate the fact that fish, seafood, vegetables, desserts and other non-carnivorous items can be flavor-enhanced over the grill, it doesn't matter and will not be included in the judging.  We're talking pork spareribs, brisket and pork shoulder/butt as the major areas of focus; however, beef steak, chicken, turkey, sausage and various wild game will definitely be considered.
3. Sold in commercial quantities - So BBQ contests, carnival cook offs, Uncle Fred's picnic, etc. will not be considered unless of course Uncle Fred wants to slip the panel of judges a few racks of ribs for "special consideration".
4. Deducts for weird "special ingredients" like chocolate, peanut butter, MSG and other Frankenstein concoctions that your average neighborhood cook would not consider feeding their families.
5. Bonus points for great sides like pinto beans, potato salad, corn, etc. More pluses for great BBQ sauce.  I prefer the spicy but sweet is acceptable.

What that said: LET THE JUDGING BEGIN!

BBQ in America - Coming Soon

Coming soon to this site will be the most ambitious documentation of BBQ ever attempted by ..... this blogger.  If you're looking for recipes try elsewhere.  If you're looking for techniques and tips send them to me.  The focus of this journey through deliciousness will be to find the Picasso's of the BBQ world ... starting close to home and ultimately branching out across this great land to where ever the blue smoke and purifying flames majestically transforms beef and pork into a memorable dining experience.  Our correspondents are working hard submitting their recommendations for the initial posting.  This is going to be good.

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Upon Further Review of Fast Food Breakfast Choices

On a previous post, I discussed the virtues of the new breakfast offerings at Subway.  In the post, I was less than flattering as to the nutritional values of other fast food breakfast choices.  In the interest of fairness, in a one week period not long along I revisited the also rans to confirm or modify my earlier comments.  This time using scientific protocols only the CDC and National Science Foundation could fully appreciate.  In short, I ate them all.

First, let's review the Subway choice ... the English muffin, with egg whites, American cheese and Black Forest ham.  It was filling, tasty (helped a lot by the cheese) and nutritionally fantastic.  Here's the numbers:

Calories: 160, Total Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 680mg and Carbs 18g.

Now, at the same early morning time, in the same area I visited Whataburger for their bacon and egg taquito.  Note: The sausage offering anywhere will greatly compromise any nutritional merits with it's high fat (total and saturated) and calories.  I excluded the cheese unlike Subway because let's face it with real eggs it's not necessary and just adds bad stuff.  The offering was hot, tasty and filling.  Admittedly, it was richer than Subway's as I ate it; but minutes afterwards, the effects were the same as Subway .... I was full and satisfied.  Here's the numbers:

Calories: 380, Total Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 344mg, Sodium: 932mg and Carbs 27g.
Twice the calories, 5 times the fat, 30 times the cholesterol, etc.  You get the picture.

Finally, I visited in the same area at the same predawn time McDonald's and ordered their bacon and egg biscuit without cheese.  It was less fluffy than the taquito.  It was as dry as the Subway english muffin and in general was a less enjoyable experience.  It should be noted that their Premium Roast coffee was better than Subway's Seattle's Best or Whataburger's no name offerings.  So if you just need coffee, go to McDonald's.  Here's the numbers:
Calories: 310, Total Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 210mg, Sodium: 700mg and Carbs 34g.
Again, the nutritional values were comparable to Whataburger but a far cry from Subway.

I failed to visit Burger King primarily because I find the best thing about their breakfast is the free wi-fi.  I found the pursuit of science an insufficient reason for going through that experience again.  However, their bacon and egg biscuit is very similar to McDonald's.  It's reduced cholesterol is balanced by a lot more sodium.

So I feel that science has confirmed my earlier post.  If you're watching your diet and need something quick on your stomach in the morning, drop by Subway.

Subway Breakfast - My New Best Friend

Breakfast - a nutritional landmine for the millions of American who grew up eating ham and eggs for breakfast.  Unless you are one of those few who frequently wake up to the smell of a hot, nutritious breakfast, you're left with something fast like cold cereal or fast food.  The choices aren't good at most fast food establishments (names will be withheld so we can pretend that YOUR fast food restaurant is the exception).  It's typically a choice between fat and cholesterol laden eggs, off the scale fatty sausage or carbs like pancakes, tortillas or french toast that's sure to have you sluggish all morning.

Now along came the folks who say you can eat their foot longs and still lose weight... Subway.  I was initially skeptical at the numbers on their website website. Obviously, you have to give up some taste to achieve some degree of nutritional acceptance; but how much was the question?  As I recall my first experience:  The moment was right after an early morning workout.  Time was short to avoid being late for work.  The opportunity was a Subway just a couple minutes from the gym.  So I walk through the doors of a place I'd never seen in the morning.  The lady behind the counter was a little startled to see a customer or maybe just startled to see me.

I scanned the menu and there it was ... a new love affair: The Breakfast Combo for $2.50.  What do you get for such pocket change?  You get a multi-grain English muffin, black forest ham, egg white omelet and American cheese.  This little hefty goodness complemented by a Seattle's Best cup of coffee.  The best news (well the costs was the best news) was the nutritional values:

• Calories: 160 (I burned 400 at the gym, so I start the day NEGATIVE)
• Fat: 4g (that's unbelievably low)
• Sat. Fat: 1.5g (just bragging)
• Chol: 10 mg (Equivalent to watching Food TV)
• Carbs: 18g (good for low carb diets)

The egg muffin melt is not to be confused with 4-star dining experience.  But for those of you who prefer a hot meal over cold cereal, this is an outstanding alternative.

Food Safety Tips for a Great Family Cookout

One of life's pleasures remains the outdoor cookout, picnic or party.  It embodies the opportunity to mingle with family, friends, new acquaintances or perhaps strangers while, when the weather cooperates, taking advantage of a great time to pause, take a detour from the concrete and steel jungle and enjoy just a little of nature.  Of course, with this step on the wild side comes both the wanted and unwanted.  We do want the fresh air; we don't want the heat.  We do want the quiet; we don't want the bugs.  We do want hot off the grill food; we don't want bacteria and botulism. 

So put aside those favorite recipes and visions of fall-off-the bone ribdelicousness for a moment and let's focus on not making Aunt Sally's stomach remind her of how she felt when the 1929 stock market crashed . Our friendly folks at the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend you take these precautions when planning an outdoor meal:

7 Food Safety Steps for Successful Community Meals

Whether preparing food for a family reunion or a community gathering, people who are great cooks at home don't necessarily know how to safely prepare and store large quantities of food for large groups. Food that is mishandled can cause food borne illness. However, by following some simple steps, volunteer cooks can make the event safe and successful!

1. Plan Ahead -
Make sure the location meets your needs.
Be sure you have enough oven, stove top, refrigerator, freezer, and work space.
Find out if there's a source of clean water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning.

2. Store & Prepare Food Safely -
Refrigerate or freeze perishable food within 2 hours of shopping or preparing; 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F.
Find separate preparation areas in the work space for raw and cooked food.
Never place cooked food back on the same plate or cutting board that held raw food.
Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and work surfaces frequently with hot, soapy water.
Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets.

3. Cook Food to Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures — It's the only way to tell if harmful bacteria are destroyed!
Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat, poultry, casseroles, and other food. Check temperature in several places to be sure food is cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature.
Never partially cook food for finishing later because you increase the risk of bacterial growth.

4. Transport Food Safely — Keep hot food HOT. Keep cold food COLD.
Keep hot food at or above 140 °F. Wrap well and place in an insulated container.
Keep cold food at or below 40 °F. Place in a cooler with a cold source such as ice or frozen gel packs.

5. Need to Reheat? Food must be hot and steamy for serving. Just "warmed up" is not good enough.
Use the stove, oven, or microwave to reheat food to 165 °F. Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a boil.

6. Keep Food Out of the "Danger Zone" (40-140 °F).
Keep hot food hot – at or above 140 °F. Place cooked food in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers.
Keep cold food cold — at or below 40 °F. Place food in containers on ice.

7. When In Doubt, Throw it Out!
Discard food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hrs; 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F.
Place leftovers in shallow containers. Refrigerate or freeze immediately.
Be Food Safe! Prepare with Care

CLEAN. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces often.
SEPARATE. Don't cross-contaminate.
COOK. Use a food thermometer.
CHILL. Chill food promptly.

Bhut Jolokia Pepper - Ghost Chili

Bhut Jolokia is the worldest hottest chili.  Guiness World Records certified the commonly called Ghost Pepper as the king of the hot mountain.  The intensity of the heat is only one measure of the pain.  What makes this demon seed so diabotical is how long the sensation last.  Many claim one small bit of the pepper will yield fiercely intensively heat for 30 to 60 minutes.

The Bhut Jolokia originated in the Assam region of northeastern India.  Just for reference the 1,000,000 Scoville units is more than 200 times hotter than Tabasco sauce.  I highly recommend that you first try it as a sauce before trying the actual pepper.  That way you can monitor the quantity more precisely and blend it with something else like battery acid (kidding) to cut the pain.

This video demonstrates the likely outcome of most who dare:

Older Man Without Sense:



Younger Man Without Sense:


You've been warned.

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Hot Sauce for the Insane - Pyramid of Pain

If you find yourself one dark and ghostly day standing in a store seriously considering the purchase of products that go by the names like "Satan's Blood", "Alien Anal Probe", "Pure Death", "Colon Blow" or "Acid Rain" then you have either lost your mine or you are one of those pain perverts (PPs).  What's a pain pervert you ask?  It's those few unfortunate souls who crave hot sauce and the pain that goes with it that borders on sadistic.

Let's put this perspective.  The heat factor of chili peppers is measured in Scoville units.  A index created by Wilbur Scoville in 1912.  The ingredient in peppers that determines the heat is their capsaicin (cay-say-ah-sin) which is generally the whitish membrane in the pepper and not the actual outer flesh.

Let's take this journey of ever-increasing pain as we climb the great pyramid of pain.

First let it be said very clearly.  For those who prefer ground in a can black pepper to freshly ground because the latter is "too hot" read the rest of this post for entertainment only.  You're still on the ground and really not allowed to touch the pain pyramid.

Fancy yourself a potential pain pervert because you can swallow a couple jalapenos (2,500 to 8,000 Scoville units) without dousing it in a margarita before the black pepper ladled chicken fajitas are delivered to your table?  Take the first step. Maybe as a professor of pepper you realize that the true evidence of your pain tolerance is the Serrano peppers (8,000 to 22,000 Scoville units) you occasionally cook with.  Now you're clearly off the ground.  Of course your Cajun neighbor will very proudly challenge your man-hood as he adds "heat" to his gumbo and boudin with cayenne (30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units).  Nice view on the pyramid.  Looking down on quite a few more normal folks.

Tell all your buddies to adjust their girdles and stand aside while one of PPs come in munching on habanero peppers (325,000 to 575,000 Scoville units). Yes, 10 times what you've ever experienced!  Imagine the effort it took to keep that food down.  Imagine the sweat on your head and the numbness in your mouth.  Imagine how you could think of nothing else for what felt like an eternity while the pain recked havoc on your entire digestive path.  From this view you can almost see the summit.  Maybe your sense of superiority is the only sense you still have left.  Now think of habanero guy and realize this: It's not enough.

Grown in a secluded area of India only known by members of NATO and the Vatican with Super Top Secret clearance, there is a pepper so hot that the dust blown from this area creates a kill zone of a 4-mile radius.  What is this pepper?  Depending on your level of botanical education you know it as Naga Jolokia or Ghost Pepper with a 800,000 to 1,000,000 Scoville Units. Your hand can touch the summit.  If life was fair it would be you actually standing on the summit. But wait there's more.

Ghost Peppers is as bad as it gets naturally.  For some reason some of the PPs don't find this enough.  As they race to experience more and more pain before their entire internal organs breakdown like a forest in the path of a volcanic eruption, they seek something decidedly unnatural.  Unnatural and unholy.  They're called extracts and can exhibit heat levels above 7,000,000 Scoville units. One day these pharmaceutical abominations will be declared illegal when the government finally decides they really do have to legislate stupidity.

So there's the entire pyramid of pain.  In future post, we'll explore where you can some of these really unique products.

Egg Drop Soup - 619 - Recipezaar

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How to Avoid Food Toxins | eHow.com

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10 Things To Avoid at Fitness Center or Gym

There are certain things that folks do at the gym that scream "newbie" or "trial membership".  If you think that others aren't watching then think again.  The combination of sure boredom and by nature fitness seekers are somewhat body conscientious drives the nameless population to notice EVERYTHING.  So please do not violate these rules of decorum:

1.  Wearing jean cutoffs - might be comfortable but keep to gym shorts, tights or warmups

2.  Showing too much body (midriff, arms, butt, etc) before it's time.  You're surrounded by way too many hard bodies to commit this embarrassing crime.
3.  Talking on your cell phone while "working out".  There's nothing you can do aerobically or anarobically worth your precious time that will allow you to hold a phone, engage in conversation and speak clearly.
4.  Drinking cola, floats, icees or other sugary refreshments - keep to sports drinks like Gatorade or best yet water.  Not good for you and doesn't do a good job of keeping you hydrated.  Besides it's quite possible that you could consume more calories and than you burn. In other words, you would have been better off staying home.
5.  Wearing your favorite flip-flops or Walmart Special sneakers.  This is the time for high performance foot wear.  You might not need to dunk a ball or break the 200-meter Olympic record but you do need arch, anke and achilles support, shock resistance tied up in a light weight package.  Splurgh.... your feet will thank-you later and for many years to come.
6.  Wearing excessive jewerly.  Anything more than a watch and maybe your wedding ring screams "look at me.  I think I might be able to find a date here among these beautiful people."  Unfortunately, it also might lead to injuries as those loose bands of gold get caught in a machine or that big diamond ring helps crush your finger against a free weight.
7.  Staring excessively at the hard bodies.  Acknowledge the beautify.  Trust me, these folks work way too hard not to appreciate the complimentary look.  But don't stare. It makes us all uncomfortable.
8.  Not really doing anything.  Think we wouldn't notice that you're just working the room -- going from one corner to the next, talking to anyone that will talk to you?  Of course we noticed!  Facebook is free, gym membership is not.
9.  Leaving your eboli, fungal infested sweat on every freakin' thing you touch.  We don't know you or the cesspool  you might call home.  Keep a towel with you.  Wipe up. Don't touch unless you have too.  By the way, swimmers sufficient dry off when you leave the pool not to leave a similar trail in the locker room
10. Not having a purpose.  No notes. No upper vs lower body workout strategy. No warmup or cool down routine. No stretching in between.  No consistency of reps vs. sets. Nothing. Just killing time.

So there  you go.  Avoid these violations and maybe you won't get noticed for all the right reasons.

NBA Free Agents: I have the answers

Wondering where LaBron, Bosch, D Wade, Novinski going?  They want to put together a super team?  They want a ring?  They want to create a lasting legacy?  They want the spotlight?  Maybe.  But in the end they want max money.  No ... max contracts of $100 million is not enough.  Max money is only possible with a sign and trade deal or staying put with your current team.  None of these guys current teams seems to be terribly interested in sign and trade.  So guess what?  When it's all said and done, most will do what Joe Johnson did in Atlanta and take the money.

• LaBron James will speak of Ohio being his home. $$$$$
• DeWayne Wade will talk about his existing legacy in Miami. $$$$
• Dirk Novinski will speak of the fans in Dallas. $$$

Only Bosch will leave.  Toronto is not his home.  There is no legacy in Toronto.  No spotlight. The managment and perhaps the fans aren't all that crazy about his unqualified giddiness of leaving either.  My guess, Chris Bosch will land in Chicago or Miami.

It's now a matter of public record.  Let's see how I do as the plot unfolds.

Most Common Mistake on Treadmills

You've seen them.  Their treadmills rising above all others ... seemingly climbing to the ceiling.  How impressive to see them tower over the others.  Mount Olympus! Then you notice IT.  It's the fatal flaw.  They're holding on to the treadmill.  Oh no!  Not only does this compromise everything they sought out to do, it can be harmful to the body and the treadmill.  Here's the details from the folks at Treadmilluse.com and other scientific studies.

Problems caused when you hold on to the treadmill:

Turns walking into "fake-running":  By holding on you reduce your body weight which is a key factor in fat burn rate.  Holding on can reduce the calories burned by as much as 25% the indicated numbes. 

Shoulders are placed in an unnatural position that no longer resembles walking or running.

Cheats the lower back muscles: These are the muscles that keep you erect while walking or running and help stabilize the spine.  When you cheat, these muscles are weakened.

Holding on ruins posture:  Especially tall people.  The gait is unnatural and often times the butt is sticking out.  Not a pretty sight.

Hanging on skews the spinal alignment. Your legs can not fully extend as they do in natural walking causing potential injury to hips and repetitive stress injuries

Gripping at fast speeds can raise the blood pressure.

Just in case you might care about keeping your gym dues down consider this:  Holding on creates more drag on the tread belt.  Remember by holding on you can effectively go slower than the belt is trying to pace you.  This increased drag can cut short the lifespan of the tread and overheat the motor.  The next time you see a "This machine temporarily unavailable" sign.  You will know the truth.

So what do you do?  Slow down.  Don't hang on.  Don't cheat.

Music for Aerobic Workouts

You know how boring walking on a treadmill or running in circles on a track can be?  Unless your workout path talks your along the Big Sur in Northern California or the Hawaiin rainforest, you need a distraction.  Most of us find high energy music the perfect way of helping us ignore the aching calves, burning lungs and ever-present desire to just quit.  The folks at About.com has come up with a nice list of Hip Hop songs suitable for running. 

Feel the burn!

1. Let's Get in Started - Black Eyed Peas
2. The Way You Move - Outkast
3. Crank Dat - Soulia Boy
4. Gold Digger - Kanye West
5. 'Til I Collapse - Eminem
6. Remember the Name - Fort Minor
7. Rollin' - Limp Bizkit
8. Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
9. Hey Ya - Outkast
10.Lose Yourself - Eminem
11. Turn it Up - Chamillionaire
12. Heart of a Champion - Nelly
13. Glamorous - Fergie Featuring Ludacris
14. (Rock) Superstar - Cypress Hill
15. Hit the Floor - Twista
16. We Trying to Stay Alive - Wyclef Jean Featuring John Forte and Pras
17. Push It - Rick ross
18. If I Can't - 50 Cents
19 The Champ - Ghostface Killah
20. Can't Hold Us Down - Christina Aquilera and Lil Kim

These aren't necessarily the most recent hits but songs that energize and inspire are timeless.

Effective Treadmill Workout

OK, you got off the couch and decided to drop a few pounds.  You climb aboard the XLT 2000 at the local gym and off you go with your cell phone, half-gallon of Diet Coke, the local paper strategically positioned in front of your favorite TV show.  Twenty minutes later after setting the speed on "crawl" you climb off hoping that weight loss is possible without sweating.

Sounds familiar?  Let's unlock the "secrets" of an effective treadmill workout.  Caution: It will feel a lot like WORK. Check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

• Warm up first to stretch the muscles (yes you have them), no ... reaching for the phone is insufficient. Set treadmill pace to 1.5 to 2 mph for 2 minutes.  I understand that used to be the speed you used for workout but remember that was the bad old days.
• Be patient.  Just starting out, don't rush trying to do too much too fast.  Ignore that leaping gazelle next to you that was sprinting when you walked in and is still sprinting after you changed clothes.  For first 4 weeks, give yourself 30 minutes including 5 minutes for warm up and 5 minutes for cool down.
• Keep adding time up to 60 minutes as your fitness improves.
• Remember the entire objective of aerobic exercise is cardiovascular exercise.  The more fit you become more work will be required to yield the same results.  This is a good thing.  That also means climbing the stairs or playing with your kids will be less taxing also.

Let's discuss the time between warm up and cool down called a workout:
Studies have found that interval training will yield better aerobic fitness.  That is vary your pace from sprint (say 4 mph) for 3 to 5 minutes then slow down (2 mph) for 1 to 2 minutes.  For some reason the body adjust too easily to the same pace.  Increase your sprint interval (and speed) over time.

Another form of interval training is to vary your incline from flat (0 incline) to say 5 degrees in 5 minute intervals. 

Caution: Don't combine the high end of the speed range with high incline until you are at least 6 weeks into your program.  However, don't do zero incline at 1.5 mph either.  You must stay in the fat burning heart rate zone at all times during the workout!

Treadmill Safety Tips

Aerobic workouts are a great way to get into shape, drop a few pounds and get ready for the summer outdoor activities.  That is, if you follow basic safety tips for using a treadmill that will increase fitness without injury.

These tips from the Elite Wellness coaching http://www.elite-wellness-coaching.com/treadmill-tips.html   webpage.

• Always mount and dismount after the belt stops
• Standupright with your head
• Keep your hips tucked under your torso
• Let arms swing naturally (sins of holding on to treadmill in a later post)
• Walk of jog near the front end of controls within easy reach
• Stay hydrated

NBA Draft - 2010

On the eve of the NBA draft, here's my predictions for the first 5 players choosen:

1.  John Wall - Fr. Kentucky
2.  Evan Turner - Jr. Ohio State
3.  DeMarcus Cousins - Fr. Kentucky
4.  Wesley Johnson - Jr. Syracuse
5.  Derrick Favors - Fr. Georgia Tech

Washington will take Wall as the first player picked.  After that, the player will remain in their draft positions, the team that owns that draft right might change.




Note: Kentucky Wildcats will have at least 5 players go in the first round!  This is the most underchieving college team since the University of Houston Phi Slamma Jamma run in the early 80's.  So good, but no ring.

BBQ Bologna is Baloney

Are you kidding me? Outside a couple dirt farmers in Oklahoma, rattlesnakes trappers in Western Tennessee and Kentucky who else would confuse this common luncheon meat with BBQ?
This is just wrong!
BBQ Bologna (or baloney) was reportedly a favorite meal for Elvis.  Need I say more?  And yes, Billy Sims is trying to market the stuff.  But given the woeful financial situation of this former Oklahoma Sooner great, I suspect he came to know and love bologna for all the wrong reasons.

Is the world clamoring for this plain cousin of the hot dog?  Maybe.  I was impressed to see so many hits on my Google search... that is until I actually clicked on the top 10 or so links.  They are linked back to the SAME website with a VIDEO (for crying out loud) on how to throw a hunk of bologna on the grill and wait until it starts to smoke.  The guy on the video seemed uncomfortably familiar.  As one commenter to the video wrote, "Watch your back. I mean literally."

Elmer's BBQ (4130 South Peoria  in Tulsa) has been serving bologna for years.  Elmer's company motto is "It Be Bad".  Three guesses what Elmer is talking about.

Per David Letterman - Top 10 Excuses of the Guy Arrested For Smuggling 750 Pounds of Bologna

10. "I wanted to get my Christmas shopping done early"
9. "Used to smuggle drugs, but now everybody's into the Atkins diet"
8. "It seemed like a good idea when I was drunk"
7. "First I get caught mailing myself in a crate and now this"
6. "Rush Limbaugh has a new addiction"
5. "If I refused, Oscar Mayer was going to kill my family"
4. "I can't bring luncheon meats across the border? What is this, Russia?"
3. "Was just a decoy for the guy smuggling 800 pounds of olive loaf"
2. "How about I give you fifty pounds of bologna to make this whole problem go away?"
1. "It was medical bologna"

If you're really craving for BBQ Bologna and tempted to do something crazy,  here's a great "recipe" to try while you sneak that rib and slice of brisket in your coonskin pants.

Recipe For Instructional Video
Whole or Half Beef Bologna (3-6lbs)
Brown Sugar
Mustard
Soy Sauce

Cut slits in top of the Bologna roll as shown to allow proper seasoning. Coat with prepared mustard, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Place in shallow pan opposite the hot coals in a 225-300F grill. Add beer or water to bottom of pan for added moisture. Then add liquid to maintain moisture as required. "Low and Slow" for up to 4 hours, or until you can't wait any longer to eat on this bad boy!

Slice and then brown slices directly over coals. (optional) Serve with a quality roll and your favorite condiments (mayo of course).

Spotlight on St.Louis, MO BBQ

St.Louis - Bar-B-Que Honor Roll

Here's an outsider's opinion.  What's yours? Kindly submit your comments to this post on my blog.

This Midwestern city is best known for its arch, baseball team and Busch beer (you must take the brewery tour).  However, it's time to awaken this culinary giant.  One would think nestled so nicely between two BBQ Meccas in Kansas City and Memphis that talent would escape these hotbeads of pork heaven and export this hickory knowledge elsewhere.  St.Louis it turns out has a rich tradition of slow smoked pork, beef and chicken.  Let's explore the short list of the best BBQ in the area:

1.  Rib City - 1090 Old Des Peres Road, Des Peres, MO. This professional cook-off, award winning staff offers the usual BBQ menu (ribs, chicken, beef, pork, turkey) including baby back ribs for the novice and ignorant.

2.  Pappy's Smokehouse - 3106 Olive Blvd. St. Louis, MO.  A Travel Channel celebrity has a well earned reputation for ribs, beef, pork, turkey and chicken.  One word of caution: Pappy's don't believe in leftovers.  So they usually run of the good stuff during dinner on weekdays and earlier for the weekends.  Go for lunch and be safe.

3.  Bandana's BBQ -9500 Manchester Road, St.Louis, MO.  Offering the usual slowed cooked, smoked goodness.  Bandana also has a few fish items on menu.  However, ordering this would be a violation of Prime Directive: Do not order from menu items that do not represent a restaurant's passion, e.g. Steak from a seafood restaurant, Fish from a BBQ joint.

4.  Phil's BBQ - 115 W 5th St, Eureka, MO. Nothing special just what you expect. Good BBQ with some Italian items also like pizza.  Not sure if Phil has the soul of a BBQ smokehouse.  BBQ on pizza and spaghetti has been officially outlawed in 7 Southern States ... really.

5. 17th Street Bar and Grill - 1711 West US Highway 50, O'Fallon, IL (30 minutes from St Louis airport).  Tempted to disqualify 17th for their preference of beef and baby back ribs over YES St.Louis style ribs.  The folks got too many awards and mentioned too often on Food TV and Travel Channel to ignore but common on.  They really need to do some soul searching and get back on the path to righteousness.

Seafood Gem in Little Known Huffman, Texas

Cedar Landing Restaurant at 10614 FM1960 East (just over the bridge crossing Lake Houston on FM 1960) their webpage has not one but two Gulf Coast seafood specialities - fried catfish and fried shrimp.  The catfish has a light but crunchy cornmeal coating who taste and texture rivals that of the legendary Sudie's.  The fillets are thick enough to be meaty but thin enough to maintain some crunch.  The fried shrimp is the best in class.  It's such a challenge to retain that delicate shrimp flavor.  I am convinced that no matter how careful you are unless the shrimp is dipped in hot batter on board the boat that caught it you're endanger of enjoying what might be tasty but not shrimp taste. 

Cedar Landing has done that over and over again for at least the last 10 years I've come to eat.  To enjoy the best of what they have to offer I encourage you to either order the XL Shrimp which has 30 (that's right 2-1/2 dozen) of those remarklable fried shrimp for $16.99.   If you want to enjoy both order the combo with fried shrimp and fried catfish for $19.99.  The meal comes with hushpuppies, salad and a side (baked potato is a little extra).  Desserts aren't worth considering. It's not what they do and I appreciate that.

They also offer a 16 oz ribeye for an attractive $16.99 that's grilled outside I'm tempted to order but I generally obey a basic menu selection guideline: Never Order Steak at a Seafood Restaurant! 

One warning: The service can be inconsistent. I don't want to blame it on the fact that it appears the average age of the wait staff is about 16 but that could be a contributing factor.

Cedar Landing is a gem that the locals love but the Red Lobster/Joe's Crab Shack lemmings have never heard of.

The 10 Best Amusement Parks in America | USA Travel Guide

The 10 Best Amusement Parks in America USA Travel Guide

Oh No .. Houston Astros Have a 4 Game Win Streak

Don't get me wrong. I love the Houston Astros.  Who can forget that incredible finish to the season that propelled them to the 2005 World Series.  However, at the moment we must break out of this multi-year mediocrity where they're too good to rebuild but not really good enough to be anything more than a first round fodder for the true championship contenders.  Our stars - Berkman and Oswald - recognize this and can garner the Astros solid prospects.  Unfortunately, as soon as the Astros manage to string a game or two together the clueless begin to think they're capable of a magical 20-game win streak and charge back to the top.  Give me a break and let's do this.

Most Successful Sports Teams in Houston

Houston has professional teams major and minor leagues, college teams, junior college and high school teams.  There's been a wonderful tradition of sports both past (remember Luv Ya Blue and Fly Slamma Jamma?) and present (epic battle betwen Lakers and Rockets last year).

Success must start with championships and end with sustained excellence.  With that definition, here's Houston's most succesful teams:

1.  Houston Rockets - two NBA championships and rare trips to the lottery

2.  Houston Cougars - aforementioned Olajawon/Drexler era, Final Fours and 24 NCAA golf championships

3.  Houston Dynamo - two MSL championships and generally competitive (I know, who cares?)

4.  Houston Oilers (not the Texans) - epic battles with Oakland Raiders in AFL and Pittsburgh in NFL

5.  Kingwood High School Mustangs - a few years ago winner of 7 state championships in a single year!
6.  Houston Astros - only one brush with greatness but sustained goodness