| What Are You Reading at the New Yorker? Amazon Customer Reviews
May 22, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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| The New Yorker's Book Bench asked the head of their fabled (or satirized) fact-checking department, Peter Canby, what he's reading this weekend. Along with his busman's-holiday manuscripts and recent novels by Tobias Wolff, Junot Diaz, and Sergio Ramirez, he also plans to catch up on what he calls a "raging cultural war" in the Amazon customer reviews section for Francisco Goldman's book The Art of Political Murder (which Canby reviewed for The Nation when it came out--subscription-only, so I can't tell what he thought of the book). I'm not sure I'd call 18 customer reviews a "raging cultural war" (if you want real rage, I might direct you to any number of our books on Israel and Palestine, or the Eduardo Galeano book Chavez gave to Obama, or the recent works of Laurell K. Hamilton), but there are some detailed and contentious reviews there, centered around another book on the murder, Quien mató al obispo?, which hasn't been translated into English yet. --Tom |
| Summer Saving Solutions from ENERGY STAR
May 22, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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|  Believe it or not, it is already Memorial Day and time to prepare for the heat of summer and high energy bills. Fortunately, there is still something cool about summer beyond how much fun you’ll have. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program offers simple solutions for how you can keep comfortable without having to pay huge energy bills. And, you’ll be helping protect the environment, too!
Did you know that the energy used in an average home costs more than $2,200 a year and contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than a typical car? With ENERGY STAR, you can save more than $700 while you reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. “A few simple changes will help create real reductions in high summer electric bills and provide a hefty cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the bargain,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “It’s important that we all do our part to confront climate change, especially when it can help save money during these challenging economic times.” Here are your simple solutions for saving money while you stay cool this summer: - Set your programmable thermostats at a higher temperature for when you are away and try not to override settings throughout the day. Using a thermostat properly can save you up to $180 per year in energy costs. Visit www.energystar.gov/pts for more information.
- Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect that will make you “feel” cooler. Remember that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms -- so turn them off when you leave the room.
- Make sure you don’t have lights on unless you need them and replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Lights, particularly incandescent lighting, generate a lot of heat. ENERGY STAR CFLs use two-thirds less energy and generate 75% less heat than conventional bulbs.
- Inspect your duct system for obvious signs of leaks and disconnections (most houses leak 20 percent or more). Seal any leaks with foil tape or a special sealant called “duct mastic.” Also consider insulating ducts in unconditioned areas (like the attic, basement or crawlspace).
- Seal air leaks around your home to keep the heat out and the cool air in. The biggest air leaks are usually found in the attic or basement, but also come in around doors, windows, vents, pipes and electrical outlets. Use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to seal the leaks. And add more insulation to keep your home cooler this summer.
- Maintain your cooling system. Check your system’s air filter every month at a minimum and change the filter every 3 months. Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from around the outdoor components to improve air flow and efficiency. Have a qualified professional tune-up your system with a pre-season maintenance checkup and, if it’s time to replace your old system, look for models that have earned the ENERGY STAR.
- Use drapes or blinds to block light from coming into your home during the day. You would be surprise how much heat is generated just by sunlight coming through windows.
Visit EPA’s ENERGY STAR @ home tool for more summer saving solutions. ~Thanks to the EPA and ENERGY STAR for this post to Amazon Green Scene. |
| Friday Afternoon Internet Happy Hour: Foodie Links Worth a Click--Memorial Day Edition!
May 22, 2009 at 6:02 pm
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| It's Friday again! Here are a few tasty links the Al Dente editors obsessed about this week, in anticipation of the long, hot, Memorial Day weekend:
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Photo courtesy of Annie's Eats.
While you're out and about, reading up on food news, don't miss these recipes, perfect for Memorial Day picnics and barbecues:
Did I miss a not-to-be-missed foodie link from this past week? Add a comment or tweet at me! Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy the long weekend! --KitchenMaus |
| What on Earth is 'Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus'?
May 22, 2009 at 5:48 pm
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| ![]() Once in a while, a little film comes along that creates its own buzz out of nothing at all: certainly not its own film merits, its reputable director/stars, or any semblance of pedigree. That film for 2009 is Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus, a straight-to-DVD monster flick starring (wait for it...) Deborah (formerly Debbie) Gibson and Lorenzo Lamas.
The trailer, which debuted on MTV and has drawn over a quarter-million hits on YouTube, is about exactly what the title suggests: Two genetic freaks who fight each other to the death (or as Gibson says in the trailer, a "thrilla in Manila!"). And when I say genetic freak, I ain't kidding: Mega Shark alone can take out a bridge AND get enough altitude to chomp through a plane. Watch the trailer here and order your copy today. --Ellen |
| Bites from the Apple: Either/Or
May 22, 2009 at 5:14 pm
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| Before we get to this week's breathless rumors about the next iPhone (yes, there have been online sightings via T-Mobile in Austria, a report from Australia that the current 16 GB model is end-of-life, and reports that AT&T is running out of stock), I thought I'd share a bit of a conversation I had with a friend of mine. As I'm involved in writing and research a lot of different technology (and especially Apple-related gear), I get a lot of questions from friends and family about both buying advice and and tech support, and a friend of mine who is looking to replace his iBook G4 was wondering which direction to go for a family-oriented desktop-- Mac mini or 20-inch iMac. Here's how I broke it down for him:  Mac mini: The appeal of this machine is its size and price--at $600 for the entry-level machine you're getting a decently powerful processor and much better graphics than previous incarnations. But the gist of the minimalist Mac mini is that you're going to have to add a few things (monitor, keyboard/mouse) if you don't have them lying around already. Since the latest Mac mini still doesn't have an HDMI output, you'll need to be mindful that any monitor you add includes a DVI connection (and one with HDCP copy protection, so that you can enjoy worry-free viewing of iTunes content). Since my friend wasn't looking for a large screen size, I suggested this 22-inch Dell monitor. Additionally, since the entry-level Mac mini only comes with 120 GB of hard drive space and 1 GB of RAM, I recommended an external hard drive (1 TB models are super cheap these days) for both backup and media storage as well as upgrade RAM to 4 GB (one of the least expensive ways to ensure you get optimal computing performance, especially with a processor that's a bit on the slow side). The hard drive addition is easy-peasy, but you'll need a putty knife, an adventurous spirit, and some helpful guidance. With both the Mac mini and the iMac, I recommended adding an AppleCare protection plan that extends warranty coverage from 1 year to 3 years. So the price (before any taxes are applied) breaks down thusly (all prices noted before any taxes are assessed): $600 for Mac mini + $200 for monitor + $40 for keyboard/mouse combo + $120 for hard drive + $110 for RAM upgrade + $2.50 for putty knife + $150 for Mac mini AppleCare = $1,222.50  iMac: Now, prying open a Mac mini case with a putty knife isn't everyone's idea of fun, and gathering all my recommended equipment might seem like a scavenger hunt. That's where the all-in-one iMac comes in. Due to price, space and usage consideration, my friend was interested in the 20-inch iMac, and it's a pretty good choice for a family computer with a faster processor (2.66 GHz) that won't feel too slow a couple years down the line and more hard drive storage (320 GB) and RAM (2 GB) right out of the box. Knowing my friend's current usage (music/photo management, elementary-level learning games, web browsing), I decided not to push him to upgrade the RAM immediately. But when he does want a boost (with an 8 GB maximum capacity--double that of the Mac mini), it's far easier to do the upgrade. And while the hard drive is larger, I still recommended getting an external hard drive as media files will keep getting bigger and bigger and it's important to back things up. So, here's the tally with the iMac: $1200 for iMac + $120 for hard drive + $150 for iMac AppleCare = $1,470 For $250, you'll get a stronger computer right out of the box with a lot less hassle. However, you'll definitely save some money going with the Mac mini (and be able to shave even more off the cost if you already have a monitor/keyboard/mouse that you like), and it allows for upgrading your peripherals now and in the years to come (say, when larger HD monitors come further down in price). Ultimately, it comes down to a trade-off between convenience and customization and how comfortable you are in either of those camps. Alright, let's get onto news of Apple-y goodness from the week that was... - In regards to iPhone rumor-mongering, John Gruber at Daring Fireball offers the most complete and cogent rundown of the iPhone hardware that's likely to be coming out sometime this summer (and announced on June 8 at WWDC). The most intriguing bit of his rundown is the boost in CPU speed (as well as RAM) and how it will make the iPhone feel like a major leap forward.
- An AT&T honcho confirms that the company would consider lowering the price of data plans for the iPhone and other smartphones in its stable by as much $10 a month... as long as there was a ceiling on the amount of data used over 3G connectivity.
- Apple stock analyst Gene Munster has another against-the-grain speculation this week (last week, he took the announcement of Phil Schiller as WWDC keynote speaker to mean that there would be no iPhone announcment) claiming that there will be no Apple iTablet until 2010. Munster believes the device will be priced between $500 and $700 and possibly be subsidized by a cellular carrier. Ars Technica notes that the big hurdle for the iTablet will be blending the OS and the UI of Mac OS X and iPhone OS. But we could perhaps see something earlier as Electronista reports that contract manufacturer Wintek will be providing 10-inch touchscreens to Apple sometime in the second half of 2009.
![]() Seth Weintraub at Computerworld wonders whether Apple is going to get back into the digital camera game, with Apple rumored to be purchasing both 3- and 5-megapixel sensors for upcoming products. Yes, I wrote "get back into" as Apple indeed once offered a digital camera called the QuickTake with a whopping 640 x 480 VGA resolution back in 1994 (which I totally forgot about). - Book Talk: My the latest edition of my pal/colleague Jeff Carlson's iMovie 09 and iDVD for Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide should be shipping sometime next week. Because he's added so many pages covering the new features of iMovie '09 (I've gotten a sneak peek and it's been helpful with my recent initial forays into the software), he and his publisher are offering the iDVD portion of the book as a free download. Another of my favorite authors, Joe Kissell, has updated two of his Take Control ebook titles that are great for folks just learning about the Mac OS X environment as well as provide good reminders for more advanced users. Troubleshooting Your Mac will help you diagnose and fix problems that crop up while Maintaining Your Mac provides daily/weekly/yearly prescriptions to help you avoid trouble (and if you're housebound on a rainy Memorial Day weekend, it might be a good time to start on the yearly tasks like cleaning the dust from your keyboard, changing passwords, and removing unneeded files).
- Speaking of books, looks like Apple has another snafu on its hands with the rejection of the Eucalyptus e-book reader (which provides free books from the archives of Project Gutenberg). Seems that while the app doesn't come with any offending material, you could potentially download the potentially offending Kama Sutra. Oh my. Of course, you could download the same title using other iPhone apps, including Amazon's Kindle app and Stanza. For more on this, see Technologizer, Cult of Mac
- And speaking about the Kindle for iPhone app, it's been updated with the ability to choose different background and text colors as well as the ability to read in landscape mode (via IntoMobile).
- Much has been made about Boxee and how delicious it is to hack an Apple TV with it in order to gain access to streaming video from a variety of sources (including Netflix), but Joel Johnson at Boing Boing Gadgets has a contrary opinion largely based on the slow processor speed of the Apple TV.
- And finally... if you've bought a lot of MacBooks (and I mean a lot) and you're wondering what to do with the boxes, Gizmodo offers an idea: create a dresser out of 'em:
![]() --Agen G.N. Schmitz |
| Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics--A Home Run for the Homesick!
May 22, 2009 at 5:02 pm
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| ![]() It's funny how you can sometimes buy a cookbook and then get very very homesick. This is exactly what happened to me earlier this week when I bought a copy of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients (Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2008).
When I was young, my parents owned a home on Main Street in West Hampton Beach. Ina's shop, Barefoot Contessa, was right down the block. I spent many days cruising the shop and studying her gorgeous displays. When I was in college, I landed a summer job at Barefoot Contessa. I started shortly after Memorial Day, and Ina became one of my first and favorite culinary mentors.
With her telltale exuberant personality and infectious enthusiasm for food, Ina taught her crew the ins and outs of food service, preparation, simple presentation and customer service relations. Working at Barefoot was a great experience and to this day I reach for Ina's cookbooks when I want to be home in the Hamptons yet again. Ina has sold her shops, and my dad has since sold our little house.
So, Ina's collection is often a powerful and comforting antidote to my blues. Many of the recipes featured in her first book,The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, are the ones I made or served at Barefoot more than 20 years ago. My favorites recipes include Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame and the Outrageous Brownies.
Back to Basics is pure Ina. I can hear Ina's voice on every page! In the introduction, there's a subsection called "In Search of Flavor" where Ina discusses the importance of tasting while you cook and offers suggestions for unlocking the flavors. Indeed, that was one of my first culinary lessons learned at Barefoot. I vividly remember Ina tasting and tweaking in the kitchen.
She's a master at it, and her customers always trusted her to get it right. On Saturday mornings her urban-weary customers lined up early and eagerly waited in line for scones, muffins, rugelach, cookies and pound cakes. The delicious smell of cinnamon, raisins and walnuts wafting from the kitchen ultimately became what I think was Barefoot's signature aroma.
When I read the introduction to Ina's recipe for Raisin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies, I had to clear the counters and get to work. Ina explains that she considers herself an oatmeal cookie aficionado and had been searching for decades for the perfect recipes. She declares that this is finally the one. Who can resist an endorsement like that?
While the cookies were baking in my oven, that telltale Barefoot aroma of cinnamon, raisins, and nuts permeated the house. Even before I took my first bite, I knew the Barefoot Contessa had hit a home run yet again. Indeed, they are wonderfully, deliciously Ina!
So, Happy Memorial Day and thanks for the taste of home, Ina! I feel better already.
NOTE: Ina also offers these cookies in a mix, made by Stonewall Kitchen.
--Melissa A. Trainer |
| Grilled Portobello Mushroom
May 22, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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| Let's be honest here: Memorial Day marks the official start of Outdoor Grill Season. For vegetarians and vegans alike there are a great many options available for your summer long enjoyment. The patty options run from the frozen variety like Boca Burgers and Gardenburger to the mix variety such as Fantastic Foods' Nature's Burger. While the 'hot dog' variety run the gambit—many of which have the same taste and texture as the real thing. I'm not going to lie, I've been known to eat a faux dog when the craving hits.
For me, however, being a Vegan isn't all about faking meat—it's about enjoying the myriad of other options that Mama Nature has provided us.
Right. That's all well and good, and your friends probably love your cous cous salad, but sometimes a girl just wants her some finger food. You know, the kind of food that comes with condiments like tomatoes, pickles, sliced onion, and mustard.
For that I turn to my home-grown Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich. Don't worry that this recipe is not exact, you know how many pickles you like on your burger, I can't dictate that for you. Though, if I may be so bold, we all know the answer is 6, and they must be dill.
Grilled Portobello Mushroom
Supplies:
A working grill
Turning apparatus
The spice mix below
Family and friends to share in the festivities
Preferably good weather Spice Mix
Ingredients:
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Directions:
1. Combine all spices well, and store in an air-tight container. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Ingredients:
1 Hamburger Bun per person
Spice Mix (directions above)
Olive Oil
Portobello mushrooms—bigger than the size of your bun as it will cook down
Desired condiments Directions:
1. Wash mushroom caps well. 2. Slice off bottom of stem so that the mushroom lays flat. 3. Brush or rub olive oil over the mushroom, coating both sides. 4. Rub in (or sprinkle) spice on both sides to taste. 5. Grill over a medium heat turning occasionally until the mushroom is tender throughout. 6. Remove from grill and serve with exactly six dill pickle slices and other condiments as desired. Serves: 1 person per mushroom. Cooking tip:
When sharing the grill with meat, I put down a layer of tinfoil that I then cook on top of. You don't get the same smokey flavor, but it's better than getting the meaty flavor. Optionally, you can just hit the grill first, so there are no meat remnants left over from the hamburger right before your mushroom. Enjoy the juices as the run down your chin, and the shocked! reaction of all of your meat-atarian friends as they wrap their minds around the fact that you're eating something on a hamburger bun that isn't a hamburger. Happy Grill Season, attack it with passion and vegan-ism! --Amanda Luthy |
| Should You Remove Your Dog's Dewclaws?
May 22, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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| ![]() Many dog owners often ask their veterinarian whether their dog's dewclaws should be removed. There are several situations in which removal is advantageous, and owners should consider their dog's lifestyle when making such a decision.
The dewclaw is the digit on the innermost part of the foot. It does not make contact with the ground. Most dogs will have dewclaws on their front feet when born however it is rare to find them on the back feet. This digit is considered a vestigial structure that is non-functional in most breeds. However in several breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and Briards, rear dewclaws are common and included in the breed standard. The Great Pyrenees even has a double dewclaw, an inherited trait called polydactylism, so that there are two bony digits instead of one. The Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian dog and the terrain they work on is rough and uneven. The double dewclaws placed low on their rear legs act as functional digits to help them gain stability. However, in other breeds of dogs that do have a rear dewclaw, it is often hanging loose and susceptible to being torn off. This is the main reason why it is sometimes recommended to remove the rear dewclaws, especially if the dog is going to be running outdoors in the brush (like hunting dogs). Some breeders have their puppies dewclaws removed at 3-5 days of age. At this age, the dewclaw is adhered loosely so it is very easy to remove. The veterinarian will clamp at the base of the dewclaw at the joint and this is often enough to allow for manual removal. Surgical glue or sutures are then used to close the wound and prevent bleeding, although there is little bleeding associated with this procedure. If the breeder has decided to allow the dewclaws to remain, you will need to make a decision around the time of your puppy's spay or neuter as to whether the dewclaws should be removed. Factors to consider are where your dog will be spending his/her time, if your dog has rear dewclaws and the degree of adherence of the dewclaws. Any dewclaw loosely adhered should be removed, regardless of whether the dog will be in nature or walking on city sidewalks since loose dewclaws can catch onto anything and become torn. Veterinarians prefer to remove dewclaws during the spay/neuter because the dog will already be under general anesthesia so it eliminates the risks associated with another anesthesia. If you are considering showing your dog in the ring, it is advisable to consult the breed standard of the kennel club you are associated with. Most state that removal is optional though there are a few breeds where dewclaws are required and some in which dewclaw removal is mandatory. Many dog owners often leave the front dewclaws for the reason that they are usually held close to the paw so need not be removed. However, this does not mean that they should be forgotten. They are easily missed due to their location and it doesn't help if the dog has long hair which covers it! Dewclaws should be trimmed during routine nail trims. This is especially important because these claws cannot be worn down since they do not make ground contact. If left untrimmed, the claw grows in a curly fashion, which may be uncomfortable or even painful because the claw may grow around into the skin. It also makes trimming extremely difficult. If your dog has dewclaws, you may wish to consult with your veterinarian as to whether they should be removed, taking into consideration your dog's lifestyle. Dewclaws not removed should be maintained during the routine nail trim to prevent overgrowth of the claw. Photo of a broken dewclaw from This Year's Love's photostream. --Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information |
| Omni Daily News
May 22, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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| Warm Weather Companions: With warm weather creeping into the forecast, summer reading recommendations are popping up like the dandelions in my front yard. The Daily Beast just posted their 13 hottest summer reads, which happily includes Satchel, Larry Tye's biography of baseball great Satchel Paige. I'm nearly finished with this in-depth profile of the incredibly talented (and quotable) hurler, so I thought I'd post Ol' Satch's famous rules for staying young. Considering Paige made the American League All Star team in his late forties, fans of Dr. Oz should take note. (Originally printed in Paige's 1962 biography, Maybe I'll Pitch Forever) 1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
4. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society — the social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. And don't look back — something might be gaining on you. What About Dad?: Both the LA Times and Wall Street Journal ran reviews this week of Michael Lewis's latest book, Home Game. The author of Moneyball and Liar's Poker is taking on fatherhood and the perceived notion that Dads have become second-class citizens. "At some point in the last few decades, the American male sat down at the negotiating table with the American female and -- let us be frank -- got fleeced," he writes. As the father of a two year old (and husband of an Omni reader), I wisely offer no opinion here and am moving on to the next item. The World of Chuck: The Globe and Mail provides an entertaining look at Chuck Palahniuk's "reading and throwing" tour promoting the release of his latest book, Pygmy. If you plan on attending an upcoming stop, keep your head on a swivel for any and all flying inflatable penguins. |
| How to Dress for Summer Weddings
May 22, 2009 at 2:07 pm
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| We all know the hard-and-fast fashion rule for wedding guests–don’t wear white–but that still leaves a lot of guesswork. It’s a tricky balancing act: looking fantastic but not too flashy, befitting the occasion but not boring. And all this in an ensemble special enough that it won’t collect dust in the back of your closet after that last glass of champagne. How to fit in yet stand out? It’s all about putting your own stamp on the dress code: 
Black Tie Affair
Black tie doesn’t have to be synonymous with stuffy: Have fun with formal by forgetting the usual floor-length hemlines. Dress up a short frock with luxurious accessories, or if you’re daring enough to take the unconventional route, don a silk jumpsuit with oversized earrings and strappy heels. In the City
A modern ceremony gives a chance to get creative (and smart). Abstract graphics or subtly sexy cutouts on a dress of your favorite length ensures you’ll wear it again on nights out. Laid-Back Locale
A black gown and sky-high stilettos at an outdoor wedding? Not practical. Go feminine and casual with an airy floral-print dress, or a blouse with unique details paired with a knee-length skirt. And because it’s hard to enjoy the outdoors while your heels are sinking into the grass, wear wedges instead. Tropical Destination
If the couple’s trading the altar for Aruba, take inspiration from the surroundings. Upstage the local flora (but not the bride) with a bold floral print. Casual accessories (beaded or natural stone jewelry, an understated handbag) keep the look from going overboard. Totally Traditional
Bells, organist, handfuls of rice–at a traditional wedding, inspired styling keeps a demure frock from looking dowdy. Unique accessories and a jewel-toned dress hit the right note while ensuring you’re the best-dressed guest. --Tonya
Shopbop Shoptalk |
| Broadstone's Backyard BBQ--Fire It Up
May 22, 2009 at 1:55 pm
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| ![]() Memorial Day signals the start of summer in many areas of the country, but for me it’s the start of barbecue season--time to fire up the grill, circle the lawn chairs, and invite my buddies over. To kick off the season, I’ve asked some of the best in barbecue, from Steven Raichlen to Elizabeth Karmel, for a few of their recipes and will spend the next couple of weeks trying them out. First up is a sweet Asian barbecue marinade from our friends at Eastman Outdoors. A few notes: I opted to use fryer breasts rather than trying to split a chicken and tried a new way of marinating--the Reveo MariVac Food Tumbler. It uses vacuum pressure and tumbling action to marinate meat in only 20 minutes. I’ve tried several kinds of marinating devices, from Tupperware containers to re-sealable bags, and this is my new favorite tool for the job. The chicken came out of the Reveo well marinated and ready to grill. So let’s get to it.
Hoisin Scallion BBQ Chicken Ingredients for marinade:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup scallions, whites, chopped
4 tablespoons garlic, minced
2 tablespoons ginger, minced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 tablespoon salt
1 split chicken, split in half, backbone removed Ingredients for barbecue sauce:
1/2 cup Chinese duck sauce
1/4 cup Hoisin BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons scallions, greens, finely chopped ![]() Directions:
1. Place all ingredients for marinade in blender, puree until smooth.
2. Place chicken in Reveo barrel with 1 cup marinade and tumble for 20 minutes.
3. Remove chicken from barrel and discard marinade.
4. Preheat grill to 400-degrees.
5. Place chicken breast on grill skin side down, sear outside and cook for 5-8 minutes; flip and repeat, brushing cooked side with sauce.
6. Turn grill down to medium-low (about 300-degrees), brush chicken with BBQ sauce, place in aluminum foil and seal tightly.
7. Cook for 20 minutes, chicken is done when an internal temperature of 165-degrees is reached.
8. Optional: for crispy skin, remove chicken from foil and place back on grill, skin side down, for 5-8 minutes.
9. Remove from grill, brush with additional BBQ sauce and top with scallions.
Serves 6-8 people. Next up: Double Citrus Vodka Infusion--because barbecue makes people thirsty. --Broadstone |
| Slip n' Slide - Flash Back Friday
May 22, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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| Back in 1961, one of the geniuses over at Wham-O! had the very simple but effective idea to lay a piece of plastic on the ground, wet it down, run, and then throw their body down the newly made slide. Genius. Pure Genius.
Although, in other news, parents and teens should NOT use this product. From Wikipedia: "Both the manufacturer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend that only children use the toy due to the risk of back and neck injuries when teenagers and adults use it. Injuries occur because people heavier or taller than children might stop suddenly when diving onto the toy. Between 1973 and 1991, seven adults and one teenager reported injuries suffered while using Slip 'N Slides including neck injuries and fractures, quadriplegia, and paraplegia" Yikes. With that in mind, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Let watching these idiots an their homemade slides be enough:
And this one made of wrestling mats:
And file this one under "Dude, your cell phone is ringing and I think it's your agent." The Texas Rangers love to Slip n' Slide too!
I spent way too much time watching You Tube Slip n' Slide videos this morning and a couple of things that I have learned:
a) I can't show most of them because adults are using "Mommy and Daddy words" as they are called in my house.
b) You can't make a home made Slip n' Slide video without putting music with it. Wipeout seems to be a popular tune to use.
c) People will make Slip n' Slides out of just about anything.
d) Someone always tries to stand up and slide and it never works out well. So in the interest of safety, these are a kids' toy so enjoy them vicariously through your children! They are NOT for adult use. Recreating one's youth usually equals a trip to the emergency room in this case. Before you go off to enjoy the weekend, here's an old commercial for Slip n' Slide from Wham-o!:
And here's another for the unfortunately named "Wet Banana" a Slip n' Slide imitator:
Slip n's Slides are still available for your kids' enjoyment today, check them out here. Enjoy your long weekend!
--Laura McMullan
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