Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Participant List & Winner

Afterlight (The Dark Ink Chronicles, #1)

It seems a lot of people are interested in reading Afterlight (The Dark Ink Chronicles, #1) by Elle Jasper! I've tallied up all the entries and there are altogether 364 entries! Thanks your support, readers!

There are some entrants who put all their entries in one single comment, and I had to count them once again. Please do not do so in future giveaways. I'm using comment numbering, so please put each entry in a separate comment.

Without further ado, here's the list:
  1. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  2. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  3. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  4. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  5. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  6. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  7. Misha1989
  8. Theresa @ TheCreativeWell
  9. Misha1989
  10. Misha1989
  11. Misha1989
  12. Misha1989
  13. Misha1989
  14. Misha1989
  15. Amy
  16. Amy
  17. Amy
  18. Valia Lind
  19. Valia Lind
  20. Ani
  21. Ani
  22. Josette
  23. Josette
  24. Miss Delirious
  25. Miss Delirious
  26. Miss Delirious
  27. Miss Delirious
  28. Miss Delirious
  29. Miss Delirious
  30. Miss Delirious
  31. Josette
  32. Miss Delirious
  33. Miss Delirious
  34. Rad Hall
  35. Rad Hall
  36. Rad Hall
  37. Rad Hall
  38. buddyt
  39. buddyt
  40. Maidenveil
  41. Maidenveil
  42. Maidenveil
  43. Maidenveil
  44. Maidenveil
  45. Maidenveil
  46. Maidenveil
  47. Maidenveil
  48. Maidenveil
  49. Maidenveil
  50. Maidenveil
  51. Anna
  52. Dea S.
  53. Anna
  54. Anna
  55. Anna
  56. Dea S.
  57. Dea S.
  58. Dea S.
  59. Dea S.
  60. Dea S.
  61. Dea S.
  62. Dea S.
  63. Dea S.
  64. Dea S.
  65. justpeachy36
  66. justpeachy36
  67. justpeachy36
  68. justpeachy36
  69. justpeachy36
  70. justpeachy36
  71. justpeachy36
  72. EVA SB
  73. EVA SB
  74. EVA SB
  75. EVA SB
  76. EVA SB
  77. EVA SB
  78. EVA SB
  79. EVA SB
  80. EVA SB
  81. Lisa (starmetal_oak)
  82. Lisa (starmetal_oak)
  83. Book Nerds
  84. vickyvak
  85. vickyvak
  86. vickyvak
  87. vickyvak
  88. vickyvak
  89. vickyvak
  90. jen7waters
  91. jen7waters
  92. jen7waters
  93. jen7waters
  94. Julie
  95. Julie
  96. Julie
  97. Julie
  98. Julie
  99. jen7waters
  100. jen7waters
  101. Chi Kittie
  102. Chi Kittie
  103. Chi Kittie
  104. Chi Kittie
  105. Chi Kittie
  106. Lora1967
  107. Lora1967
  108. Kristen
  109. Kristen
  110. Kristen
  111. Kristen
  112. Kristen
  113. Kristen
  114. Kristen
  115. Scoot
  116. fredamans
  117. fredamans
  118. fredamans
  119. fredamans
  120. fredamans
  121. Robin K
  122. Robin K
  123. Alexa
  124. Alexa
  125. Alexa
  126. Alexa
  127. Alexa
  128. Chrizette @ All the days of
  129. Chrizette @ All the days of
  130. Chrizette @ All the days of
  131. BJ
  132. BJ
  133. Tanya1224
  134. Tanya1224
  135. Tanya1224
  136. Tanya1224
  137. Tanya1224
  138. Tanya1224
  139. Tanya1224
  140. fs1
  141. fs1
  142. fs1
  143. Melissa (Books and Things)
  144. Melissa (Books and Things)
  145. Melissa (Books and Things)
  146. Melissa (Books and Things)
  147. jacque
  148. Kate
  149. Kate
  150. Moridin
  151. .Ambur.
  152. .Ambur.
  153. .Ambur.
  154. .Ambur.
  155. .Ambur.
  156. .Ambur.
  157. .Ambur.
  158. Llehn
  159. Llehn
  160. Llehn
  161. Llehn
  162. Llehn
  163. Llehn
  164. twimom101
  165. twimom101
  166. twimom101
  167. twimom101
  168. twimom101
  169. Rosa
  170. twimom101
  171. twimom101
  172. Rosa
  173. Rosa
  174. Rosa
  175. Rosa
  176. Rosa
  177. Rosa
  178. FallenVamp
  179. Patricia Duarte
  180. Patricia Duarte
  181. Patricia Duarte
  182. Patricia Duarte
  183. Patricia Duarte
  184. Patricia Duarte
  185. Patricia Duarte
  186. Katrina W
  187. Katrina W
  188. Katrina W
  189. Katrina W
  190. Katrina W
  191. Katrina W
  192. Katrina W
  193. E
  194. Katrina W
  195. Katrina W
  196. Katrina W
  197. Katrina W
  198. Katrina W
  199. Katrina W
  200. Jennifer
  201. Jennifer
  202. Jennifer
  203. Jennifer
  204. Jennifer
  205. Jennifer
  206. Jennifer
  207. Jennifer
  208. Jennifer
  209. Beverly
  210. Beverly
  211. Amy Lynn
  212. Amy Lynn
  213. Amy Lynn
  214. Amy Lynn
  215. Amy Lynn
  216. Amy Lynn
  217. Amy Lynn
  218. Sandra
  219. Lisa
  220. Belle Découverte
  221. Belle Découverte
  222. Belle Découverte
  223. Belle Découverte
  224. Belle Découverte
  225. Belle Découverte
  226. Belle Découverte
  227. Belle Découverte
  228. Belle Découverte
  229. Belle Découverte
  230. Belle Découverte
  231. Belle Découverte
  232. skyla11377
  233. skyla11377
  234. skyla11377
  235. skyla11377
  236. skyla11377
  237. skyla11377
  238. skyla11377
  239. skyla11377
  240. skyla11377
  241. skyla11377
  242. skyla11377
  243. skyla11377
  244. skyla11377
  245. Skyetikei
  246. Skyetikei
  247. Skyetikei
  248. xlacrimax
  249. xlacrimax
  250. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  251. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  252. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  253. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  254. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  255. Casey (The Bookish Type)
  256. eclairre
  257. Carla
  258. luvtwilight72
  259. Kelly
  260. Kim
  261. Jessi E. (The Elliott Review)
  262. Jessi E. (The Elliott Review)
  263. Jessi E. (The Elliott Review)
  264. Jessi E. (The Elliott Review)
  265. Teresa Thomas Bohannon
  266. Teresa Thomas Bohannon
  267. Teresa Thomas Bohannon
  268. Teresa Thomas Bohannon
  269. Nise Tucker
  270. Nise Tucker
  271. Stella (Ex Libris)
  272. Stella (Ex Libris)
  273. Stella (Ex Libris)
  274. Stella (Ex Libris)
  275. Stella (Ex Libris)
  276. mommylebron
  277. mommylebron
  278. FairyWhispers
  279. FairyWhispers
  280. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  281. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  282. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  283. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  284. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  285. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  286. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  287. Kaza (UF/PR series)
  288. jmspettoli
  289. jmspettoli
  290. jmspettoli
  291. jmspettoli
  292. jmspettoli
  293. jmspettoli
  294. jmspettoli
  295. jmspettoli
  296. Wrighty
  297. Wrighty
  298. Gilliene
  299. Gilliene
  300. Gilliene
  301. Gilliene
  302. Gilliene
  303. Gilliene
  304. Gilliene
  305. Gilliene
  306. Dovile
  307. Dovile
  308. Dovile
  309. Dovile
  310. Paula
  311. Paula
  312. Avery
  313. Avery
  314. Avery
  315. Avery
  316. Vivien
  317. Vivien
  318. Vivien
  319. Vivien
  320. Vivien
  321. Book Butterfly (Kim)
  322. ~evening-green~
  323. ~evening-green~
  324. ~evening-green~
  325. ~evening-green~
  326. ~evening-green~
  327. Annabelle
  328. Annabelle
  329. Welzen
  330. Welzen
  331. Holly
  332. TwilightsDance
  333. TwilightsDance
  334. TwilightsDance
  335. TwilightsDance
  336. TwilightsDance
  337. TwilightsDance
  338. Gertrud Conoy
  339. Gertrud Conoy
  340. Gertrud Conoy
  341. Gertrud Conoy
  342. latishajean
  343. latishajean
  344. latishajean
  345. latishajean
  346. latishajean
  347. latishajean
  348. latishajean
  349. Jaidis
  350. E.J. Stevens
  351. E.J. Stevens
  352. PinkStuff28
  353. PinkStuff28
  354. PinkStuff28
  355. PinkStuff28
  356. PinkStuff28
  357. PinkStuff28
  358. PinkStuff28
  359. PinkStuff28
  360. Sondrae Bennett
  361. sablelexi
  362. sablelexi
  363. Emma Michaels
  364. Emma Michaels

http://www.dazzlejunction.com/greetings/congratulations/4-a.gif

True Random Number Generator


319

Congratulations to Vivien!

Vivian, I will contact you via e-mail and you'll have 2 days to respond with your name and complete mailing address. Thanks again for entering, everyone!

Lionel Messi Pictures vs Real Madrid (29 Nov 2010) El Clasico







The Special One "Guilty" on The Red Card Incident

Not a great week for Mourinho. Having himself humiliate in front of the world for a 5-0 defeated against eternal rival, Barcelona, and now he has to face his sanction from UEFA.

UEFA has decided that The Special One is guilty for ordering his two players, Ramos and Alonso for getting their second yellow card. Of course Iker Casillas and Dudek who got in this "conspiracy" also received a penalty.

UEFA accused Mou for deliberately instructed the order so that the 2 players could play in the knock out phase without any yellow card.

For the penalty, Mou got 2 games suspension. One is against Auxerre, and the other has to wait for the next 3 seasons. He also got €40,000 fine. While Ramos and Alonso, banned from Auxerre match, plus €20,000 fine each. For Casillas, and Dudek, they have to pay €10,000 and €5,000 fine. And Real Madrid get to pay €12,000 fine.

It's only taken 11 years, but the Black Farmers will FINALLY get their money

from The NYTimes.com



November 30, 2010, 7:24 pm
Black Farmers Settlement Approved
By ASHLEY SOUTHALL

The House has given final Congressional approval to a bill that would provide more than $4.55 billion to settle tens of thousands of longstanding claims brought by African Americans farmers and American Indians.

The bill provides $1.15 billion to African Americans left out of a 1999 settlement of a lawsuit, Pigford v. Glickman; in that settlement the federal government agreed to compensate black farmers and would-be farmers who said Agriculture Department officials denied or cheated them out of federal aid. To be eligible for money now, claimants must have farmed or attempted to farm between 1981 and 1986, have filed a discrimination complaint before July 1, 1987, and have filed a claim after the deadline in the original settlement.

The bill provides another $3.4 billion to American Indian plaintiffs who claim that Interior officials mismanaged royalties from leases of tribal land used to harvest oil, minerals and timber. Plaintiffs will receive $1.4 billion directly, while the government will use $2 billion to repurchase Indian lands broken up under the Dawes Act in the late 19th and early 20th century. Another $60 million will fund scholarships for American Indian students.

Representative James Clyburn, the majority whip, said the bill helped right historic injustices.

“Today we removed the stain on our country’s history and rectified these injustices,” he said, thanking several Republicans for helping with the bill. “What happened to our nation’s African American farmers and Native Americans was wrong, and we have made it right.”

The vote in the House was 256-152. President Obama is expected to sign it soon.

In a statement Tuesday, Mr. Obama applauded the bill’s passage, and pledged to continue efforts to resolve similar claims brought by women and Hispanic farmers. “Yet, while today’s vote demonstrates important progress, we must remember that much work remains to be done,” he said.



Well, it's past time, but it happened. Finally.

And to Republicans like Rep. King of Iowa, who has this to say:

He then said the claims -- which stem from discrimination against black farmers in the 1980s and 1990s -- are "slavery reparations."

"We've got to stand up at some point and say, 'We are not gonna pay slavery reparations in the United States Congress,'" he said. "That war's been fought. That was over a century ago. That debt was paid for in blood and it was paid for in the blood of a lot of Yankees, especially. And there's no reparations for the blood that paid for the sin of slavery. No one's filing that claim.

The Pigford claimants, he said, "They're just filing a claim because they think they can get away with it." Standing up against the settlements, while unpopular, he said, is "a matter of justice and equity."


Go somewhere, sit down, and STFU.

Contemporary enigma - Cheryl Cole as 'National Sweetheart'

She is arguably one of the most famous women in the UK of the last couple of years and, from a little estate in Newcastle, this lady proves that anyone can make it in the fame game, I guess. But without exceeding singing talent that is surely required with the title of 'pop star', how has Cheryl Cole established herself securely as one of the nation's top interests?

How does one reach her level of media and commercial success off the back of just a pretty face?

What intrigues the British public concerning this woman is the chaos that has surrounded her (football marriage/divorce), rather than her talents - this woman is a celebrity figure of hype. She needs media attention in order maintain her position of the popular celebrity - which she will fall from the moment the media turns its back.

Some may not know that Cheryl was a trained ballet dancer which led to her ambition to perform in front of others. A skill she has gained through more than one format. The main example of course, is X Factor - the main reason for her captivated status in the last couple of years. A connection is created between the audience and Cheryl as a mentor as her relationships formed with the contestants and emotions are conveyed so easily on her face. This is the chance we get to bond with Cheryl as a person as she reveals her human side, which has ultimately led to her seemingly unstoppable height of fame currently.

However, everything must come to an end eventually as with fame - it simply does not last. After being offered the job as a judge on USA X Factor, its clear Cheryl's star continues to rise, yet the allegations made against her in 2003 for physically/racially abusing a staff worker in a club may prevent her from being able to accept this offer.



How is it that the same woman named the 'Nation's Sweetheart' began her career in such a negative light? The fact that Cheryl managed to overcome this blow and become such a popular individual celebrity, separate from Girls Aloud - the band that propelled this woman into the media industry, is no doubt impressive.

What do you think this says about the British public supporting such a figure? 


This is why Cheryl Cole remains an enigma to me - I just don't know what this woman is supposed to stand for. The fact that she still addresses herself with the surname of her soon-to-be divorced husband, love-rat Ashley Cole is weird also. Shows how much she depends on herself as a brand rather than as her true person....

Curried Chickpea Cakes and Coconut Panna Cotta from Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook



Running Press recently published bestselling author Kim Barnouin’s new vegan cookbook, Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook, and the publicist for the book offered to send me a couple of the recipes to test and post. You can read more about Kim on her blog, www.skinnybitchdaily.com, but I'm sure you're probably already familiar with her book, Skinny Bitch in the Kitch.


Photo courtesy of Running Press

I'm always interested in trying new recipes, so I agreed to sample and post them for you. We tried the curried chickpea cakes, and they were easy to make and delicious. I liked them so much I plan to bring them to a party this weekend. But, to be honest, I thought they tasted even better the next day, so I'm going to make them on Friday and reheat them on Saturday. We served them with broccoli, rice and veggies, and leftover cranberry sauce, but when I bring them to the party I'll probably make some sort of topping for them — maybe something with avocado as shown in the photo. (Although the recipe considers one cake a serving, I think an adult will eat at least two of these for dinner.)



Curried Chickpea Cakes

Makes 10 Servings
  • 1 (15-ounce/430 g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/3 cup (20 g) sliced green onions, both white and light green parts
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) light coconut milk
  • 2 teaspoons evaporated cane sugar
  • 2/3 cup (75 g) breadcrumbs, plus 1/4 cup (30 g) for coating
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 2/3 cup (130 g) brown rice, cooked
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) grapeseed oil or toasted sesame oil, for pan searing
  1. In a large food processor, combine the chickpeas and green onions. Pulse until combined. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the coconut milk, sugar, 2/3 cup (75 g) of the breadcrumbs, curry powder, nutmeg, and cumin. Stir together with a wooden spoon until well combined.
  2. Stir in the brown rice and the salt.
  3. Mold into 10 mini patties.
  4. In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chickpea cakes to the pan and sauté until there’s a nice golden sear on the bottom. Flip and sear the other side as well. Continue with the remaining cakes.
  5. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Serving Size: 123 g; Calories 170; Fat 7 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 23 g; Fiber 3 g; Protein 4 g

I didn't try the second recipe, though it sounds very luscious and exotic. I'm not a big dessert person, and I think I'm still overwhelmed by all the dessert I ate for Thanksgiving — and after. I'd love for you to try it and let me know what you think.


Photo courtesy of Running Press

Coconut Panna Cotta
Kim says, "I never thought it would be possible to have such a creamy and rich vegan dessert, but here it is. A brilliant and determined chef friend of mine gave me some of her trade secrets to pull this one off. You have to refrigerate for a couple hours so it can set, it’s a good one to make on the weekend." Makes 6 Servings
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez)
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) light coconut milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/2 packet of vegan gelatin mix, unsweetened and unflavored
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1/3 cup (50 g) frozen mixed berries
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) hot water (or more)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) evaporated cane sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 5 fresh strawberries, minced, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) toasted coconut, for garnish
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the cream of coconut, coconut milk, and coconut extract to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the gelatin and cold water together until the gelatin dissolves completely.
  3. Add the gelatin mixture to the coconut mixture and whisk, until well dissolved. Continue to simmer 3 more minutes.
  4. Pour the coconut mixture into six small ramekins and cover with plastic wrap.
  5. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to set.
  6. In a separate medium saucepan, heat the berries with the hot water over medium heat. When they are defrosted and starting to break down, add the sugar and stir until it forms a sauce. Add more hot water if necessary, one tablespoon at a time. The sauce should be slightly thick.
  7. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract. Strain the berry sauce to extract the seeds. Drizzle a little of the berry sauce on each serving plate.
  8. Remove the panna cotta custards from the refrigerator and run a knife or toothpick along the sides of the ramekins to loosen.
  9. Carefully turn each ramekin upside down onto a plate. Remove the ramekin and garnish with strawberries and coconut.
Serving Size: 1 Ramekin 155 g; Calories 250; Fat 14 g; Saturated Fat 13 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 33 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 2g

The above two recipes were reprinted with permission.

...............................................................................

No more leftover cranberry sauce


Did you know that cranberry sauce tastes great in a smoothie? Here's one made with banana, mango, mixed berries, cranberry sauce, almond butter and almond milk. So, so good. I'm sorry to see what appeared to be an endless supply of cranberry sauce finally come to an end. But it was a good end.

...............................................................................

Here's a yarn you might find interesting
Bethany and I were out shopping again — this time for yarn, so her husband can make his mom a scarf for Christmas. (Yes, her husband knows how to crochet.) We went to three yarn shops before we finally found nice yarn without wool or silk, or believe it or not, fiber from pearls. We were getting kind of testy at the lack of selection, but finally found yarn made from banana peels or bamboo or something — can't remember which, as I'm a little dizzy from the strain of reading all those yarn labels.

...............................................................................

Farewell mofo 2010
So this is my last mofo 2010 post, and though it was fun, I don't think I'm a post-a-day sort of blogger. I'll be taking a little rest, but will be back soon with weird noodles and other stuff. Thanks for reading!

#CHEAP Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010Intense

Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010



Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010



CHEAP,Discount,Buy,Sale,Bestsellers,Good,For,REVIEW, Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010Intense,Promotions,Shopping,Shipping,Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010Intense,BestSelling,Off,Savings,Gifts,Cool,Hot,Top,Sellers,Overview,Wholesale,Specifications,Feature,on sale,Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010Intense Intense Crabtree BMX Dirt Jump Bike Pink White 2010Intense







I didn't know Sarah Palin was running for First Lady

She has to be, since she's decided to attack First Lady Michelle Obama.

From Huffington Post.com
Palin Slams Michelle Obama Again, This Time For Anti-Obesity Campaign
From Caribou Barbie on Laura Ingraham's show:

I think she has got a different worldview and she is not hesitant at all to share what her worldview is. And I will take heat again for saying it on your show Laura but she encapsulated what her view of America is, I believe, unless she has evolved and things have changed in the last two years, but she said it on the campaign trail twice that it was the first time that she had been proud of her country when finally people were paying attention to Barack Obama. I think that's appalling. We can think of this infinite number of reasons to be proud of American exceptionalism and it baffles me that anybody would have that view and then allow that view to bleed over into policy.


I'll ask...what other Presidential candidate decides to run by attacking THE FIRST LADY?

Oh, there's so much here. But, let's begin with worldview.

Worldview?

Michelle Obama has a worldview? What worldview would that be?

One in which this country respected working mothers and honored what they do and gave them the support they needed to fulfill their promise and help keep their families on track?

One in which the families of our military personnel were truly respected and not given the short shrift?

One in which the arts were honored and respected, and what the positive that they bring out in our children is honored?

One in which our young men and women are challenged and given the opportunity to get their chance in this country, no matter what their socio-economic background, and how that can be done through hard work and education.

I've followed the First Lady in nearly every public appearance she's made since they went to the White House, and THOSE are the themes that Michelle Obama has repeated over and over.

Proud exceptionalism?

W-T-F is she talking about?

Surely she doesn't count her no-talent, ill-educated, scribble-on-the-hand self as an example of American Exceptionalism.



Here she continues her attack on FLOTUS:
Take her anti-obesity thing that she is on. She is on this kick, right. What she is telling us is she cannot trust parents to make decisions for their own children, for their own families in what we should eat. And I know I'm going to be again criticized for bringing this up, but instead of a government thinking that they need to take over and make decisions for us according to some politician or politician's wife priorities, just leave us alone, get off our back, and allow us as individuals to exercise our own God-given rights to make our own decisions and then our country gets back on the right track.

No, I don't believe the First Lady has said anything about not trusting parents. In fact, the First Lady repeatedly says that she knows parents want the best for their children, but, that possibly: a) they don't know, b) they haven't been given the tools to do what they want to do for their children. The First Lady has repeatedly brought up that this came to her attention because of her OWN CHILDREN'S DOCTOR sitting down and talking to her about it. And, once the INFORMATION was brought to her attention, she formed a plan of action to do what she could to help out her children.

I can read. I can Google. I can watch Youtube clips of the First Lady speaking about how she came to this path. If I can do all this, and can comprehend the English coming out of the First Lady's mouth, then why can't Palin?

The First Lady didn't create the crisis that this country faces with obesity and it is a CRISIS.

We are an OBESE country. And, it costs us on many levels.

But, the First Lady is separating the Obese adults from the Obese CHILDREN. Her focus is on the CHILDREN.

We are raising the first generation in this country that might not live longer than the previous one not because of some disaster, or plague, but because of OBESITY and all the diseases that come with it.

Statistically speaking, the chance that an overweight child will become an overweight adult is pretty high.
It's also easier to begin better habits when kids are young.

What comes from obesity in children?

A group of diseases that until now that had only been seen in ADULTS:children with HEART PROBLEMS...children with TYPE II DIABETES...obese children with ARTHRITIS.

The frightening statistic that one of of THREE children born after 2000 WILL COME TO HAVE DIABETES.

Obesity shortens the lifespan of anyone it touches, so why shouldn't this country be alarmed when the obese rate of children has passed 30%?

From the Let's Move Website:

Obese children and adolescents may experience immediate health consequences and these may then lead to weight-related health problems in adulthood. Obese children and teens have been found to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose tolerance. In a sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, almost 60% of overweight children had at least one CVD risk factor while 25 percent of overweight children had two or more CVD risk factors. In addition, studies have shown that obese children and teens are more likely to become obese as adults.

Roland Martin had another point that maybe went over the head of the Kim Kardashian of politics (Roland's description- BWA HA HA HA HA):
A study released in April by Mission: Readiness, a nonprofit group of more than 150 retired generals and admirals, concluded that 27 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds are too fat to join the military.

The culprit? Junk food and too much fat in school lunches.

Said the study: "Today, otherwise excellent recruiting prospects, some of them with generations of sterling military service in their family history, are being turned away because they are just too overweight. Our standards are high because we clearly cannot have people in our command who are not up to the job. Too many lives depend on it."

In testimony before Congress, the former head of the California Army National Guard, retired U.S. Army Major Gen. Paul Monroe, said that "80 percent of children who were overweight between the ages of 10 to 15 were obese by age 25."

He and other military leaders want Congress to enact a massive child nutrition bill to remove all junk food and high-calorie beverages from schools, improve nutrition standards in schools, upgrade school menus and, the group said, "help develop new school-based strategies, based on research, that help parents and children adopt healthier lifelong eating and exercise habits."

Monroe testified: "In 1946, Congress passed the National School Lunch Act as a matter of national security. In the past, retired admirals and generals have stood up to make it clear that America is only as healthy as our nation's children. Childhood obesity is now undermining our national security and we need to start turning it around today."

So, Sarah Palin, are you going to also rip into this decorated American and say that he and 150 other military leaders are dead wrong?

If these children are too fat to join the military, then they are also too fat to qualify for the jobs on the local level that would affect every local community: police and fireman. The same mentality that gets someone to join the military, is the same that gets a man or woman to say, ' I'm willing to get a badge and protect the streets of my local community' or ' I'm willing to go into burning buildings to save lives'. We aren't just losing candidates for the military, we're losing candidates for policeman and firefighter too.

This isn't about forcing parents to do anything. It's about confronting an issue which has vast ramifications for us as a country. The health issues are enormous, and the costs associated with Obesity run into the BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of dollars. But, what does she care about healthcare costs, since HER healthcare is PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT, all the while she opens her mumbling mouth to complain about 'socialized medicine'.

Thanks to a terrific hat tip from SouthernGirl2, she caught this from Caribou Barbie:

We’ll focus on preventing disease and promoting healthy living. I’ll ask that physical education be incorporated into daily school schedules, too.

We have alarming levels of heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity – and all of these maladies are on the rise. Now, I won’t stand here and lecture – for very long – but health care reform on an individual basis is often just this simple: we could save a lot of money, and a lot of grief, by making smarter choices.

It starts by ending destructive habits, and beginning healthy habits in eating and exercise. In my case, it’s hard to slack when you have the ever-present example of an Iron Dogger nearby. But many of us could use a little more time in our great outdoors – and when you live in the Great Land, there’s no excuse.

Protecting good health is largely a matter of personal responsibility, but government policy can help. Our new Alaska Health Care Commission will recommend changes that affect the well-being of Alaskans far into the future.



So, what did she say there that was any different from what the First Lady has been saying?



So, why is she doing this? Antagonizing the First Lady?

It's because she tried going after the President, and, what did he say to Barbara Walters?

When asked specifically if he thinks he can beat Sarah Palin in 2012, the President told Walters "I don't think about Sarah Palin."


She wants the First Couple to respond because that would elevate her to their level, but the problem is for her, is that they won't do it.

She's a piece of trash, and it's not up to the First Couple to swat back against Caribou Barbie. It's up to other folks. It's up to US.

As the wordsmith Town so righteously put it:
But here you have this simple b---- attacking Michelle Obama. And Michelle Obama is going to ignore Palin like the temp from the secretarial pool that she is, and Palin's going to start putting Malia and Sasha's names in her mouth. You watch, Palin's going to start attacking Michelle Obama on her mothering skills by name OR she's going to be slick and start talking about "welfare moms" and "ungrateful people" and stuff of that nature.

Just sit back in the cut and watch.

We will sit and watch. We also will respond.

Winter Essentials

ABA Grands.




Just got back in the office from spending Thanksgiving weekend in Tulsa for the ABA Grand Nationals. Heading into the Grands, Nic Long was sitting in 4th with Khalen back in 6th in year end points. Thanksgiving day was practice where the track showed to be pretty wide open, with a pro section that was way too short for the speed you had leading up to it. Plenty of guys got broke off landing flat bottom on the first one, but Nic and KY looked solid through practice. Friday was the Pro Spectacular and the Race of Champions. The Elite Men class had quarter finals which is a pretty big showing of riders. The boys breezed their way through qualifying and into the night show which ran in the evening in conjunction with the NAG 5 Challenge for the Amateurs. Nic and KY were in the same semi final come nightfall, and both were through the the main event when that was said and done. Khalen ended up blowing his start in the final, but Nic looked good and finished 3rd on the podium.

Saturday was day 1 of the Grand National, a pretty mellow day only running two rounds of qualifying. After a rough first moto seeing Nic in 4th and Khalen in 5th at the line, they both came around and had a better second moto. Khalen woke up at 3am on Sunday morning to find the nice surprise of food poisoning and he spent the night hailing to the porcelain god and couldn't find it in his stomach to race 3rd moto at 8am, ending his weekend. Nic moved through qualifying and into his quarter where he won, and through his semi final in the top 4. Come main time, Nic finished up 5th, 4th, 4th which was good enough for 4th overall for the day, and 4th overall for the year. With Khalen finishing 7th on Friday night, it was good enough to overtake 5th place overall for the season. Good job boys.

In other weekend highlights, we gave Chance (below) a new bike. He came over to the pit area on Thursday and sat down like he owned the place. He had an old Haro from like 2003 and was full of 1000 questions, most of which were hilarious because he didn't know many BMX pros so listening to him ask Khalen and Nic over and over again, if they raced expert, was pretty entertaining. Chance hung out a lot during the weekend and I thought he was worthy of a new bike. Being only 8 years old, it was pretty clear that no matter how hard he wishes this Christmas, his two front teeth aren't going to make it in time so the new Haro Expert will have to fill the void until next year. Enjoy.

That's a wrap for the Grands. Now we all have December to freeze our ass off, enjoy family and friends, and get the 2011 season poppin' come January. Enjoy the Holidays -dB





Curt Goodrich Cycles

One of the more mysterious and reclusive (to me anyway) MPLS frame builders is Curt Goodrich. I don't often mention or post Goodrich's on the blog, namely because I've never met Curt nor do I know anyone who actually owns one of his framesets. I can tell (and show you) that his work is gorgeous and that he has an insanely storied pedigree. From building Paramounts at Match Cycles to building Rivendell's dude is old school and his bikes are wicked badass. I love seeing lugged framesets with modern componentry.

Here are some photos from his website and his bio.

nahbs_09_sat114
I began my apprenticeship building bicycles in 1995 under the watchful eye of Dan Wynn in Seattle. I’d always loved craftsmanship and for a year paid my dues filing, sanding fillets, machining and aligning frames and forks. I was acquiring crucial skills, working hard, and learning by the day. When Matt Houle at the well-established R&E Cycles shop offered me a job, I spent two years TIG-welding and further evolving my skills, though my heart still lay in traditional lugged construction. When I’d heard that Tim Isaac was setting up match bicycle company as a high-end production shop and that our first project would be to build Schwinn Paramounts, I was third to be hired. I had the good fortune to be working with Kirk Pacenti, whose contributions to lug design are now well-known, Steve Hampsten who moved onto his own company with Hampsten Cycles and Cycles Tournesol, and Mark Bulgier, Dan Swanson, and Martin Tweedy, and others. Two years after the Paramount project began, Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works approached match bicycles to relieve Rivendell’s long backlog of frame orders. For the next year I built Rivendell frames while Martin Tweedy built forks. But change was in the works: match was closing shop. Ben Serotta, founder of Serotta Competition Bicyles, offered me a position building steel and titanium primarily in TIG-construction and it was then I realized how I felt about building lugged steel designs. I declined Serotta’s generous offer and shortly afterwards Grant Petersen offered me the opportunity to continue building custom Rivendells. I moved my family to Minneapolis to establish my own frame shop and from 2000 until 2007 I built custom lugged steel frames for Rivendell and, when asked privately, the occasional Goodrich frame.

Orders for Goodrich bicycles evolved past my abilities to continue building for Rivendell —and I am delighted to say that Goodrich Bicycles now provide the opportunity to extend myself in ways that reflect fully my experiences as a builder. Here you will find road bikes and sportif all-arounders, long distance randonneuse with custom carriers and constructeur-style design and specialty bikes for cyclocross, track and single speed, and city porteurs.


ra-full
twins1
w2
he paints all of his own stuff

pacenti4mp4mp7

hot stuff for sure

A Message for the Kids

if you didn't know...

tumblr_l8ulmntcqM1qzgdj4o1_500

Reto Ziegler in Action

Two of the world's top clubs, Liverpool and AC Milan are in a race to get a Sampdoria player. Both clubs were directed shot into left-back, Reto Ziegler.

Ziegler is now entering the age of 24 years but can at left-back position, he could also plotted the left winger. Swiss player joined Sampdoria in 2007.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid: 5-0

Barcelona embarrass Real Madrid 5-0 in Spanish Primera Liga continued at Camp Nou on Tuesday morning pm, November 30, 2010. Barca were shifted Madrid at the top.

Madrid won a record always stopped at Camp Nou. With a brilliant Barcelona embarrass Los Blancos with games tiki-taka and nice restaurants. Madrid is more difficult to rely on individual games through Barcelona's defense.

Roger Federer received the trophy ATP Finals


Roger Federer won his fifth ATP World Tour Finals to beat top-seeded Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena, London, on Monday morning pm, November 29, 2010.

Federer appear extraordinary at the end of this year's tournament final. The second seeded Swiss won 92 percent of points on first serve and lost only 13 points from the serve he did throughout the match to win 6-3, 3-6 and 6-1.

Stolen Bike Update

Thanks to Andrew, Nate's stolen Steamroller is back in his hands completely intact.

The story is that he went to recover a set of his own stolen wheels from a shady Craigslister an while he was there spotted Nate's Steamroller too.

Andrew, we salute you.

His S&S coupled Karate Monkey however is still out there
IMG_0369[1]
red surly 18" S&S coupled karate monkey, black torsion bar with red lettering, Kris holm rims on surly red hubs, and black surly cranks

If you see it, you know what to do.

Photos: Asian Games Closed, See you in Incheon

Guangzhou Asian Games officially closed on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Grand closing ceremony took place. Sparkling fireworks provide wonderful memories for those involved in the Games the largest ever held by China since the Beijing Olympics 2008

Roger Federer and Mirka Vavrinec going on vacation


Roger Federer will maximize the time off. Even the world's No. 2 tennis player was admitted will not touch the tennis racquet at all.

Having won the ATP World Tour Finals by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final round, Sunday, November 28, 2010, Federer will take time off during the week.