Plank That Salmon - Mouth-Watering Planked Salmon Recipes

Cedar plank salmon is a method of cooking salmon that has been used for hundreds of years. It gives your salmon a natural, rich, smoky flavor, especially when the salmon is slow cooked. Your family and your guests will love the great taste of this specially made salmon.

Cedar planks or boards for grilling are sold at gourmet food boutiques, housewares stores and lumberyard; you can also purchase them online in sets. When choosing your planks, especially at a hardware store, choose cedar that is completely natural and chemical free. It shouldn't be treated with preservatives or other chemicals.

Before you heat up the grill for cedar plank salmon, you'll have to prepare your plank.  To do this, soak the board in water for 20 minutes to an hour. The longer the plank is to be on the grill, the longer you'll want to soak it. Once the plank is ready, heat up the grill; while the grill is warming up, spray the plank with olive oil.

For this particular recipe, you'll need a 1-2 pound salmon fillet, with the skin still on, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Preheat the grill. Place the salmon fillet skin down on the cedar plank. Combine brown sugar, oil, thyme and pepper in a bowl. Spread the mixture over the salmon. Place the planked salmon on t the grilling grate and cook, with the grill covered for about 4o minutes or until the surface fat turns white.

Another way to enjoy cedar plank salmon is to rub about 2 pounds' worth of salmon fillets with olive oil. Place on the prepared cedar plank and top with chopped red onion, grated black pepper and lemon wedges. Grill for about 20-30 minutes until done.

This cedar plank salmon recipe calls for a simple yet sinfully tasty marinade of lime and cilantro. In a food processor blend a cup of extra virgin olive oil, a bunch of cilantro leaves, 4 garlic cloves, the juice of one lime, salt and pepper.  Cover about 4-6 salmon fillets with the marinade and place them in a Ziploc bag to marinate, preferably at least two hours or overnight. Grill on the prepared cedar planks for 10-15 minutes.

Looking for wonderful Alaskan Seafood recipes? Check out great meals to make for your family at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

How Will The Indianapolis Colts Do In 2007?

The NFL opening game is only two months away, but if you are an avid fan, no doubt you are chomping at the bit. Training camp is but a few weeks away. How will the Indianapolis Colts do this year? Let's take a look at the key areas for the Colts.

Offense

One of the best offenses in the league will no doubt excel once again. Peyton Manning will no doubt get his share of yards and touchdown passes. While the offense did lose running back Dominic Rhodes, the remainder of the offensive nucleus is back and ready. Manning is the key to this offense and a healthy Manning means more victories.

The running game is also strong. While they may be not as effective as last year due to the previously mentioned departure of Rhodes, the running back area will still do well.

The passing game is a sight to behold. Manning is confident that his receivers will be in the right spot at the right time and they typically are. Despite one of the best set of receivers in the league, the Colts reloaded and used their first round choice on a receiver with the hope that their passing game will rank as the best in the league for years to come.
All this talent would not be any good without a good offensive line. Here again, the Colts are well equipped. Pro Bowl left tackle Tarik Glenn is effective as a run blocker and pass protector giving Manning confidence his backside is well protected. The other positions are well stocked and the Colts used their 2nd round draft choice to pick up another solid lineman.

Defense

The defense has always been overshadowed by the offense. In 2006, the Colts defense ranked 12 out of 16. Not what most people would consider a Super Bowl worthy defense. It just highlights how dominant the offense is. At some point though, the Colts need to address defense. With the Patriots looking to improve and get back to the Super Bowl, the Colts cannot rely on just offense.

The defensive did not do that well in 2006. The Colts gave up a league worst, YES, league worst 173 yards per game at a clip of 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. Too often the front line was too focused on rushing the passer which opened up the rushing lanes for huge gains. This will need to stop. Opponent coaches should take note of this and control the game. By controlling the game, maybe, they can keep Manning off the field.

The linebacking corps continues to be a point of frustration for fans. For the 4th time in 5 years, a starting linebacker left the team via free agency. That is just too much turnover and no doubt added to the woeful running defense.

The secondary is also in shambles. Jason David and Nick Harper sought the free agent big bucks and left the team. Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden are expected to replace David and Harper but between the two of them they have only started two games over the last two years. Not exactly a comforting thought, especially for a defense that was prone to giving up big, big plays a few years ago.

My Prediction

The bottom line is that seven players who started a combined 273 games in 2006 are no longer with the team. That is a major hit to any team. With stiff competition in the AFC, the Colts will be hard pressed to repeat last years performance. As with every Super Bowl winner, every team that plays them wants to knock them off. It will be no different for the Colts. Each lower echelon team the Colts play will treat that game like their Super Bowl. Consequently, the Colts will have a good year, but distractions, free agency and a porous defense will be too much to overcome making the Colts a one year wonder.

Keith Scott writes articles for fun. Talk Sports and football now at his free sports based forum. Provide your thoughts about your despised rival up north or the upcoming season or about Tank.

He also writes Coin Collecting Articles for fun.

Frank Gore - 2001 Draft Day Picks

Frank Gore was born on May 14, 1983 in Coral Gables, Florida. Gore has all of the physical tools that it takes to be a success at the NFL level, as well as all of the intangibles. Not only is he considered to be a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball, but he is also powerful enough to run the ball on the inside and pick up the tough yards.

Coming out of Coral Gables High School, Gore was one of the most highly recruited players in the United States. During his senior year in high school Gore set a Dade County record by rushing for 2,953 yards. In addition to all of these yards, he also found the end zone 34 times. Throughout his high school career Gore showed college coaches that he not only had the athletic ability to be a great runner, but that he also had great vision.

After a hotly contested recruiting battle, Gore wound up choosing the University of Miami. As a true freshman he got off to a good start by rushing for 562 yards on only 62 carries. This led to him being honored as the Sporting News Big East Freshman of the Year. Unfortunately, before the 2002 season got underway he suffered a torn left ACL. This led to him missing the entire year. In 2003 he got off to a hot start, but once again tore his ACL; this time in his right knee.

Finally during the 2004 campaign he stayed healthy enough to play the entire year. This led to him rushing for almost 1,000 yards.

Gore was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 65th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. By 2006 he had established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. He did this by rushing for 1,695 yards, and being selected to his first Pro Bowl.

Bob writes for DraftDayPicks.com and AllProZone.com. Where you can purchase a Frank Gore Jersey or get information about a Frank Gore Jersey [http://www.fanfrenzyzone.com/nfl/frank_gore_bio.html]

Learning the Two Simple Methods of Cooking Couscous

One of the best alternatives for traditional pasta, couscous is a special type of wheat that is commonly used in dishes that originated from North Africa. Many people agree that this wheat goes well with delicious fish viands, as well as dishes that have hot and spicy flavors. In addition, everyone can eat couscous for breakfast by adding milk and other fruits to the wheat. However, to those who are health conscious they can always add delicious and nutritious salad dressing to this wheat to improve its taste. For individuals who have interest in exploring other uses of the wheat, it is best that they try these two sumptuous couscous recipes, namely Plain Couscous and Couscous With Olive Oil.

Learning the Basics in Cooking Plain Couscous

The easiest way of cooking couscous is by preparing and serving it to people very plainly. When cooking plain couscous, it is important to prepare a tasty and savory sauce that will be mixed with the wheat, since the sauce will be the only source of flavor in this dish. Combine couscous and sauce in a pan and boil for several minutes. The heat must be turned-off when the mixture reaches boiling point to avoid couscous from becoming over cooked. Before letting the mixture stand for another five minutes, it is important to cover the pan to prevent the wheat from being contaminated. Serve the dish immediately.

Knowing the Steps for Cooking Couscous with Olive Oil

Another simple way of cooking couscous is by preparing it with olive oil. Pour at most two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Heat the pan in a medium low fire for several minutes. As an alternative for olive oil, it is best to use vegetable oil. Put couscous in the pan and sprinkle with salt to improve its taste. Constantly stir the wheat. When the color of couscous appears to be golden brown, pour boiling water. Before turning the fire off, provide a cover for the pan. Let the dish stand in the pan for at most ten minutes. Transfer the dish in another bowl and serve immediately.

Important Tips in Cooking Couscous

For individuals who have interest in cooking couscous, there are some important tips that they should consider. Instead of boiling the wheat in plain water, they can use juices, chicken stock, and beef stock as alternatives. Additionally, to those who like to prepare couscous with olive oil, they can always add pine nuts to enhance the flavor of the dish. Furthermore, the use of some herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme is encouraged to improve the taste of the wheat. Finally, when it comes to preserving excess couscous, they should always place it inside a container and put in a refrigerator to retain its freshness.

Cooking couscous is very easy and simple. In addition, it is not time consuming, which means that everyone can prepare couscous dishes. By following the procedures in cooking these two recipes, people can add new flavor and taste to the traditional way of preparing this special kind of wheat.

Peter Garant is writing cooking and food articles for both How to Cook Couscous Info and Boiling Chicken Info web sites.

Most Popular Authentic NFL Jerseys From the 2009-2010 Playoffs

The NFL playoffs is always the time when stars emerge, and as a result, their authentic NFL jerseys become extremely popular. The bright lights are on, and everybody is watching the nationally televised games. The big stars have a chance to play great and become even more popular. The young and emerging players have a chance to shine for a first time and become widely known.

With all of that said, which players have the most popular authentic NFL jerseys from the 2009 playoffs? There have been a lot of truly great performances by really special players, but here are some of the players who really made a name for themselves. Whoever you root for, it's likely that you'll need to stock up on some new discount NFL team merchandise with these young play makers.

Ray Rice: Ray Rice is the running back for the Baltimore Ravens. He was criticized as being undersized, but since he has been in the league he is really emerging as a force. He's strong, fast and smart, and he was one of the best running backs in the league in 2009. On the first play of the game against the Patriots, he ran for an 80 yard touchdown and cemented his status.

Sidney Rice: Don't be mistaken, these two players have no relation besides the same last name on the back of their authentic NFL jerseys. Sidney Rice is the crazy athletic wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, and he has been Brett Favre's favorite target all season long. He grabbed 3 touchdowns against the Cowboys to officially let fans of the Vikings know that they needed to pick up some NFL team merchandise with his name on it.

Darrelle Revis: Revis had a season at the cornerback position for the New York Jets that is simply hard to describe. He went up against a slew of Pro Bowl caliber players and even Hall of Fame players, and he completely shut them all down. In the playoffs, he continued his excellent play, shutting out the likes of Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Gates while grabbing interceptions to lead the Jets to their victories.

These are just a few of the most popular authentic NFL jerseys from the 2009-2010 playoffs. These players all took the stage and earned their place, and if you're a fan of their teams then you enjoyed a great ride. Root for your team in pride and support the young, emerging stars in the NFL with discount NFL team merchandise.

At the online store Discount Football Merchandise, you can find all of these discount authentic NFL jerseys and much more. Browse a huge selection of cheap NFL team merchandise, and find all of the players, stars and teams that you're looking for.

Tony Gonzalez Falcons' Jerseys Popular in Atlanta

Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys have been extremely popular over the last few months. When the Atlanta Falcons announced that they traded for the Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame tight end, the fans could not have been anymore excited. Everyone started rushing out to buy their own Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey, and everybody is pumped to see what the offense is going to look like now.

When Matt Ryan debuted as a rookie, everybody had high expectations but they didn't necessarily expect anything to happen in the immediate future. They figured that like most rookie quarterbacks, Ryan would need a fairly long adjustment period while he figured out the NFL game and learned to play at the raised level of intensity, speed and complexity.

However, Ryan came out of the gates quickly and he led the Falcons to a great season. This was in part due to the great addition of running back Michael Turner. Now Ryan will have another great weapon to go to, one that could really take the team to the next level. It's the reason why so many people already own an Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey.

Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys are being gobbled up by the fans because everyone knows what he means to Ryan and the offense. With Gonzalez on the field, Ryan will always have a safety valve in any situation. In the Red Zone, on third and long an when he's under pressure, Ryan will know he will be able to find Gonzalez and that he will be able to make a play to help him out. Adding a player of that caliber to an offense that was already firing on all cylinders is going to make the Falcons a very dangerous team.

Falcons fans have a lot of wounds they still need to have healed. The quick emergence of Matt Ryan went a long way towards doing just that. Purchasing an Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey is another way to put the past behind you. Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys are a new favorite in and around Atlanta, and fans are officially looking to the future instead of looking into the past.

The time is here to pick up Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys for yourself and your family. In addition to an authentic Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey, you can visit Discount Football Merchandise for all of the NFL team merchandise that you need.

Football Is The Most Watched Sport In America

The American Football has its roots that arise from rugby. The different universities had been playing football in the 1800s. The first football match between the Rutgers University and Princeton University was played on November 6, 1869. In that match Rutgers University won the first game 6-4. From the year 1820 to 1890, the students of Dartsmouth College played football that was known then by the name of Old Division Football and they published the rules in 1871. Since American Football was more or like rugby, Yale University's Walter Camp encouraged that the schools adopt more standardized rules so that the game would differentiate from Rugby, which was in 1882.

It was in the early 1900s that there were about 18 college football players who died and then the rules changed and required the players to not form the deadly formations such as the flying wedge and it required the players to wear protective equipment such as helmets, chest guard, shoulder guard etc. It was in the year 1912 that the game got its form of the modern game and the changes that were introduced included a change in the size of the field, which is the current size, the touchdown points were increased to 6. The football is considered second to the baseball in United States.

It was in 1920 that the National Football League also known as NFL was founded. The football saw a downtime during the World War II and then with the television broadcast, the professional football got a kick again and gained a great deal of popularity at a national level. It was in the 1960s that the professional game crossed both the college football and the baseball in popularity. In 1967, the first Super Bowl was played between the champions of NFL and the American Football League and then the two leagues were merged together. It would not be wrong to say that millions of people watch the matches when the teams are at war in the field.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Football party supplies and fun free educational party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Shop has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Lets Talk Steak

As I was jotting down notes for this article, I thought I would discuss everything I knew about different cuts of Beef. However, I realized that my intensions were a bit on the lofty side. There are so many cuts of beef that are considered steak; my article could easily turn into a novel. Therefore, I've decided to pick the most common cuts of meat.

First let's go over some basic information on the quality of the beef we eat.

Cuts that come from the less-used muscles along the upper and mid section of the animal (the rib and loin sections) are always more tender than the cuts that are from the muscles used more often such as the shoulder, flank, and leg. Also, because the more tender cuts make up a smaller portion of the animal, they are always in more demand and therefore more expensive.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grades beef with based on a distinct measure of quality, which includes eight different grades. They are Prime (available at hotels, fine restaurants and high-end markets), Choice (available at most butchers and grocers), Select (uniform in quality, but leaner than the higher grades), Standard (sold as ungraded or "brand name"), Commercial (this grade and lower are used to make ground beef, frankfurters and other processed foods), Utility, Cutter, and Canner. Choice is a very good grade and it is about the lowest grade you want to consider investing your time and money into for a serious cut of beef.

Grill, Smoke or BBQ? I never refer to cooking a steak over direct heat as BBQing. That's grilling. BBQing is slow cooking over indirect heat. Smoking is the same, but with wood chips. The steaks I've listed below (excluding Prime Rib) are meant to be grilled over direct heat. I preheat my grill to about 400 degrees. I put the steak on the hot grill and let the meat sear on one side, usually about 3 minutes, then turn it over and sear the other side. Never ever poke or cut a hole in your meat. I use tongs to handle the meat and I know it is done by how spongy the meat is. If the meat has a little bounce to it when I press the center with the tongs, it's on the rare side. If it has very little give it is getting done in the center. With a little practice, you'll be surprised how easy it is. Below I've identified several of the most popular cuts of beef used to cook (grill) as steaks. I've also included Prime Rib as many fine steak houses offer this cut on their menu.

T-Bone: This is probably the most popular steak because of its distinctive look and you get a lot of bang for your buck. The T-Bone steak has the characteristic "T" shaped bone and the large muscle known as the Top Loin on one side and the smaller muscle on the opposite side is the tenderloin or filet.

Porterhouse Steak: The Porterhouse is similar to the T-bone steak, only bigger. This cut also has an extra muscle located in the center Top Loin section on the upper side. This steak is usually at least a quarter to half inch thicker that the T-Bone. It is a bold steak, not for the light of heart or someone with a small apatite. This is like two steaks in one.

Top Loin, bone-in or out (a.k.a. Strip Steak, New York Strip, Kansas City Steak, etc): This cut comes from the boneless large eye muscle from the T-bone or Porterhouse. It is average when it comes to tenderness. Best when only cooked to medium rare at the most, as it becomes tougher if cooked longer.

Tenderloin (a.k.a.: Filet and/or Filet Mignon, which is French for boneless small): This is considered the king of steaks (and the finest cut of beef) because of its tender, melt in the mouth texture; it can literally be cut with a fork. The tenderloin steak has a fine texture, is circular in shape and is usually about the size of a tennis ball. This steak is often cooked and served wrapped with a slice of bacon (barding). I personally prefer this method because while this cut is very tender, it is also very lien and the bacon adds a little fat and much flavor. This steak should never be cooked beyond medium.

Sirloin (a.k.a.: Flat-Bone Steak, Round-Bone Steak, Pin-Bone Steak): There are several cuts that come from the Sirloin section of the Beef. In addition to the Sirloin cuts mentioned above, the Sirloin also comes in the boneless Top Sirloin, which is also referred to as a Butt Steak or London Broil. This cut is average in tenderness. To achieve maximum flavor and tenderness do not cook beyond medium. Even though I consider this steak to be of average quality, it is large, which gives you a lot of meat for your money.

Rib Eye (a.k.a. Ribeye, Delmonico): This is a cut of beef from the large end of the rib section. The Ribeye is my all-time favorite when cooked properly and it is one of the most popular and expensive steaks on the market and/or a menu. The Ribeye is very tender with excellent flavor, largely due to its marbling. This cut is often served bone-in, which adds even more flavor. In its whole, unsliced form it is known as a Rib Roast (See Below).

Prime Rib (a.k.a. Rib Roast): Prime Rib comes from the Rib Roast, which is from either large or small end of the rib section. The term "Prime" doesn't necessarily mean that the cut was graded as "Prime" beef by the USDA, but even a "Choice" Rib Roast will impress if cooked properly. The difference between the Rib Eye and the Prime Rib is the way it's prepared. The Rib Eye is cut from the rib section before cooking, while Prime Rib is cut from the Rib Roast after it has cooked. It is most often served rare with horseradish sauce or the au jus.

Enjoy!

Debbie Beaston is an avid cook, specializing in grilled and/or smoked meats. Check out her BBQ sauce recipe at the 1topsecret-bbq-sauce-recipe.com/ It’s the best!

Cooking Tips - German Onion and Chive Pie

Ingredients:

1 envelope active dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm milk
3 tsp. sugar
8 Tb. vegetable shortening, room temperature
3 eggs
1 Tb. salt
4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
8 Tb. (1 stick) butter
5 medium onions (about 3 lbs.)
- well chopped
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. caraway seeds
Freshly ground pepper
3 Tb. chopped chives

Procedure:

Sprinkle yeast over 1/4 cup of the milk in a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of the sugar, stir, and let proof for 10 minutes or till mixture is bubbly. Pour the yeast mixture into a large mixing bowl, add the remaining milk, the shortening, 1. egg, the salt, and 1 cup of the flour, and blend well with a pastry cutter. Add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time, stirring well with a wooden spoon. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, wash, dry, and butter the bowl, and knead the dough till it is smooth and no longer sticky. Return dough to the bowl, turn it to grease all surfaces, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or till doubled in bulk.

Meanwhile, heat the 8 tablespoons of butter in a large, deep skillet, add the onions, sprinkle on the remaining sugar, and saute over moderate heat, stirring, till golden. Transfer onions to a large bowl and let cool.

Preheat oven to 400'.

Punch the dough down, transfer to a lightly floured surface, and roll into a 12X 16-inch rectangle. Fit the dough onto a lightly greased baking sheet about 12X16 inches in size and push sides of dough up to form a 1-Inch border.

In a bowl, beat the remaining 2 eggs, add the sour cream, caraway seeds, and pepper to taste, and stir mixture into the cooled onions. Distribute the onion mixture evenly over the dough and bake for about 45 minutes or till edges of the dough are browned.

Sprinkle chopped chives over the top, cut pie into squares, and serve as a first course.

You Can Find More Recipes at New Secret Recipes

Chicago Bears Playoffs - Why The Chicago Bears Will Make The Playoffs in 2005

In 2004 the Chicago Bears went 5-11, and were one of the worst teams in the National Football League. The Bears allowed 66 Sacks on their various quarterbacks, and were last in the league in just about every major offense category.

So how do the Chicago Bears have even a remote chance at making the playoffs in 2005?

The biggest reason the Bears are improved this year, is because Kyle Orton will have a couple of weeks to work out his timing with the 1st unit offense. Rex Grossman has a plus arm, but does not have the durability to be an NFL quarterback.

If you have 66 sacks in a season on a QB than not all of the blame can be placed on the quarterback of a team. That is the reason why the pro-bowl offensive lineman, John Tait, moved over to the Left Tackle position. Tait knew it would be easier for the Bears to acquire a Right Tackle than a Left Tackle, and decided to move positions so that he could protect Kyle Orton. The Bears picked up the pro-bowler RT Fred Miller in the off-season, to shore up the right side of their offensive line. With Ruben Brown and Olin Kreutz, the Chicago Bears will have 4 former pro-bowlers anchoring their offensive line.

The Chicago Bears also improved their receiving core in the offseason. They acquired one of the best free agents in the market in Muhsin Muhammad. Not only will Muhammad be a great receiving option for Orton, but he will able to tutor a lot of the young receiving core on the Bears. Justin Gage, a young tall receiver, will benefit from Muhammad's presence, as well as newcomer, Mark Bradley.

The Chicago Bears have also improved their play-calling ability, with their new offensive coordinator, Ron Turner. Turner was successful with the Bears in the mid-90s, when Erik Kramer posted some of the best numbers of his career. Kyle Orton has already stated that the offense is further ahead at this point than they were with Terry Shea, and with Cedric Benson joining the Bears running game, the Bears will be an offensive force to be reckoned with.

The Chicago Bears defense was solid in 2004, despite the fact that every game they were on the field the entire time. Mike Brown is healthy this year, Charles Tillman is healthy, and with Jerry Azumah, Nathan Vasher, Brian Urlacher, and Lance Briggs, the Bears defense could dominate this year.

The National Football League is designed with free agency for last place teams to turn it around quickly, and for first place teams to fade. The Bears have a light schedule, and have a beefed up team. The Chicago Bears will make the playoffs in 2005, and end a drought of pain and suffering for football fans in Chicago.

Benjamin Nicholson

Scout and Sports Analyst

[http://www.grinnation.com]

benjamnicholson@aol.com

[http://www.grinnation.com/bearsplayoffs.htm]

Ben Nicholson has been covering the National Football League for 10 years. He is currently a scout for a major sports team, and most recently has been covering the history of the Chicago Bears.

Can the Seahawks Find the Grit to Deliver Holmgren a 2nd Super Bowl Winning Team?

Mike Holmgren has spent his life teaching, currently as Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Holmgren started out coaching and teaching at his high school alma mater in San Francisco. Now, after 36 years of coaching in high school, college and the pros, he begins his last season with the Seattle Seahawks in quest of a second Super Bowl victory with a different team after winning Super Bowl XXXI (31) when his Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots, 35-21.

For Holmgren, already acknowledged as one of the very best coaches in National Football League history, it would be the icing on the cake as no coach has ever won the Super Bowl with 2 different teams.

Holmgren is part of a select group of only 5 coaches who have taken 2 teams to the Super Bowl and won once but not twice. The others are Bill Parcels, Dan Reeves, Don Shula and Dick Vermeil. Parcels and Shula are genuine legends in their own right.

It has been quite a ride for Mike Holmgren. His influence in the NFL is nothing short of awesome. He will be in the NFL Hall of Fame at some point in the future, the only question is will he be the first to coach 2 different teams to Super Bowl victories and world championships?

That triumph, should it happen in his final year as coach of the Seahawks, would be a long way from losing 22 straight games as a high school coach in San Francisco, a streak that almost led him to quit coaching. Thankfully, he continued on, not knowing the success he would eventually achieve.

Like touchdowns coming one after another when his West Coast Offense hits its stride, his legacy will include:

Molding future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana, Steve Young and Bret Favre (pronounced Farve) during his tenures as a quarterback coach with the San Francisco 49ers and head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

In 6 years with San Francisco as the quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator, the 49ers went 71-23-1 (75%) in the regular season and reached postseason play 5 of 6 years, won Super Bowl XXIII (23) over the Cincinnati Bengals and Super Bowl XXIV (24) over the Denver Broncos. His offense was No. 1 in the NFL in 1989.

In 7 years as head coach of Green Bay, the Packers went 75-37 (67%) in the regular season, 9-5 (64%) in the postseason, had 2 Super Bowl appearances and won Super Bowl XXXI (31) over the New England Patriots. By winning at least 1 game in 5 consecutive postseasons, Holmgren joined John Madden as the only coaches to ever do so.

At his apex, he led Green Bay from 1995 to 1998 to an NFL-best 48-16 (75%) record, finished 1st in the NFC Central Division 3 times, and had a 7-3 playoff mark. He led the Packers to 6 consecutive postseasons, setting a franchise record with a team that had just 2 winning seasons in 19 years prior to his arrival.

In 9 years as head coach of Seattle, he took the Seahawks to postseason play in his first year, breaking a 10-year playoff drought. Since then he has won an AFC West Division title, an NFC Wildcard berth, won 4 consecutive NFC West Division championships (2004 through 2007), an NFC championship, and taken the Seahawks to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2005.

In Seattle's stellar 2005 campaign, Holmgren's Seahawks were 13-3 (81%) in regular season play (a franchise record), won a team record 11 consecutive victories, and won their first playoff game since 1984. He molded Matt Hasselbeck into a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl quarterback, and coached Shaun Alexander to the NFL's Most Valuable Player award and an NFL-record 28 touchdowns in a single season.

Holmgren is just the 3rd coach in NFL history to lead his team to 7 straight postseason appearances (6 in Green Bay followed by 1 in Seattle), joining two all-time legends-Tom Landry and Chuck Noll.

In short, in 21 NFL seasons, Mike Holmgren has a 218-116-1 record (65%), has 12 double-digit win seasons, made 16 postseason runs, won 3 Super Bowls and competed in 2 other Super Bowls.

Gone from Seattle's 2005 Super Bowl team are two mainstays-MVP Shaun Alexander and Pro-Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson. New arrivals include wide receivers Deion Branch and Nate Burleson, defensive backs Deon Grant and Brian Russell, defensive end Patrick Kerney, and running backs Julius Jones and T. J. Duckett.

Seattle does not have a world-beater team. It has a few Pro-Bowl players-quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, tackle Walter Jones, defensive end Patrick Kerney, linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson, and cornerback Marcus Trufant-and some seasoned veterans.

Seattle will not be picked in pre-season polls to win the Super Bowl, and it begs the question: Is this a team that has the grit to deliver Mike Holmgren another Super Bowl victory and help him go down in history as the greatest NFL coach ever?

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Read my other detailed, knowledgeable, outrageous articles on football, including:

"Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season"

"How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss"

"The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them"

and my 14 consecutive weekly wrap-up articles on the 2007 College Football Season as well as wrap-up articles on all 32 College Bowl Games. Be bold and audacious, read my stuff, exercise your eyeballs as well as your brain. And, yeah, don't forget the brewsky, tacos, sauce and chips. Find them all in my Sports link.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Glassware - Tableware Description

Dishware is the common term referring to dishes utilized in serving and food consumption, which include bowls and plates. Dinner ware relates to a set of dishware, with the inclusion of accompaniments such as serving appliances. The wider term for tableware comprise dishes, drinking apparatus and cutlery.

Contemporary dishes are typically made of stoneware, earthenware porcelain and also glass. Glass has been used for dishware for centuries, and is common in many households.

In England, dishware is refereed to as crockery; the terms dishware and dinnerware never utilized.

For tableware, many key pieces are used when serving food and drinks.

Plates for example, are a type of tableware, They are generally flat, wide, and curve inwards on which various types of food and dessert are presented. Plates are also used as decorative and ceremonial anticipations. Materials used for making plates include glass such as the tempered ones made by Corelle. Plates are also rendered in porcelain, bone china, melamine resin or paper.

When it comes to plates, their sizes are always varied. They include:

• saucers
• dinner plates
• large serving platters
• bread and butter plates
• dessert plates

Plates started emerging as collectibles back in the 1800s by Dutch-English nobleman, Patrick Palmer-Thomas who enthralled Victorian audiences with his much-talked about plate exhibitions. The original limited edition collector's plate was rendered by Bing and Grondhal in 1895, dubbed 'Behind the Frozen Window'. In 1910, Royal Copenhagen released Christmas-themed plates, which coincided with the introducing of the now-famous Rosenthal series.

Bowls are an integral part of tableware. It is described as an open top vessel used by people the world over to serve food, in some cultures to drink from and also for housing items such as flour and sugar. A common shape of a bowl is minute with little spatial extension; although there are bigger bowls utilized for salads and punch.

Bowls have been around for centuries, the earliest ones first discovered in China, Crete, ancient Greece and Native America.

Sugar bowls are another major component of tableware, used for storing sugar or sugar cubes, to be served with tea and coffee at the end of a meal. In the Western culture, especially in England, sugar bowls are an important part of a tea set.

History buffs might like to know that in 1796, Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden gave a pair of silver sugar bowls to his Godfather, Johan Sederholm and a Venetian sugar bowl from the Napoleonic era can be found at the Fondazione Palazzo Coronini Crnberg Foundation of Gorizia.

A creamer, part of a tea set is a minute jug or pitcher appropriated for housing milk or cream. Creamers are often rendered in very unique forms. In fact, the 'cow creamer', shaped after the cow of course, was generously mentioned in author's P.G. Wodehouse's short stories.

Creamers made with strengthened glass can also be used for making drinks which are espresso-based. These apparatus are called espresso brew pitchers, or also known as small creamers.

DiscountMugs.com is a large distribution company based in Miami, Florida. They are web-based and factory-direct which allows them to keep prices lower than the rest of the competition. They also have a huge selection of glassware from wine glasses and shot glasses to beer mugs and champagne flutes.

Tips To Improve Your Bowling Game

In the process of learning how to bowl, people often overlook key elements such as arm swing, lower body leverage and other things that you would think that wouldn't be needed when it comes to the game of bowling. Leaving any of the tips that I listed below out of your game at the lanes will hinder you from bowling at your maximum potential. It's not hard at all, just applying a few of the tips at a time will change your game drastically. So apply each, one step at a time and you'll get the full effect when you step on the lanes next time.

I am going to give you some tips that you can use to improve your game drastically, go ahead and give them a try.

Tip 1 - Keep that arm swing loose

Remember first and foremost, keep your grip relaxed in the ball. To avoid the muscled arm swing don't squeeze your fingers or thumb. To avoid this it's best to head down to a pro shop and get a ball fitted and drilled correctly so you can have a relaxed thumb. Like I said, you don't want to have to squeeze the ball because your thumb doesn't fit.

Tip 2 - Use your lower body leverage It is absolutely necessary that you bend your knees in bowling. Make sure to bend your knee to get lower to the lane on the last step.

Tip 3 - Finish close to the foul line

The closer you are to the foul line the less energy you will have to use. When you're all the way up to the foul line, you'll want to have the ball a short distance over the foul line, which will result in the ball making contact with the lane further down and it'll preserve energy so you can knock down all the pins. The further you are from the foul line the more energy you will have to use.

Tip 4 - Relax your thumb and come through with the ball

If you over lift, or turn the ball during the release it will cause muscling or misdirection of your arm swing. So remember relax your thumb and release the ball with the free arm swing, finish close to the foul line and make sure you have good lower body leverage.

Tip 5 - Bowling is all in the mind!

Visualize the lanes in your mind, define your good shots and do them until they're near perfection.

Tip 6 - The drop off method

Instead of pushing the ball away, hold the ball up at the shoulder level then take a small step but do not move the ball just let it drop down into the swing on the second step.

Tip 7 - Come up with your own style

Whatever you think helps you make your game better and gets you high scores, then by all means use it. Apply the techniques that work for you.

Tip 8 - Watch how the pros do it

Turn to ESPN and watch the PBA games. Study the styles and techniques of the pros and use them.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Bowling

Cook Faster Using a Food Processor

A food processor is one of the most vital items that you should have in your kitchen. it not only assists you in the cooking process but also allows you to cook quickly as you won't have to perform the tasks cutting or chopping tasks manually. You will find different types and styles of food processors in unique designs, features and functions. Some of these appliances can perform the tasks of a chopper and a grinder while some are only used for grinding. You can save a lot of time by using these kitchen appliances because they can perform tasks in minutes while they takes hours to perform manually.

Among various makes and brands, Cuisinart is the best and comes with great style, uniqueness and durability. All kitchen items no matter how durable and sturdy they are, require some kind of repairing. Like any other product, food processors also deteriorate because of their everyday use. Finding food processing Cuisinart parts is easy and that is why people often choose to purchase this brand. People often repair their parts that no longer seem to work rather than replacing them to save money. However if you think about replacing the equipment parts, you should purchase Cuisinart parts if you want to maintain quality and ensure durability.

Food processors are widely used in restaurants and hotels to fulfill customer's demands efficiently. Different types are available, such as four cup mini bowl or three cup mini bowl, but you have to choose the one that suits your cooking needs and budget. Chopping and slicing different food items can be very time consuming, but with use of a food processing machine you can save time and start the cooking process, while leaving the rest activities to your food processor. These machines are designed with a motor and blade that assist in cutting and chopping various eatable items such as vegetables.

These are available in different sizes including mini, full and compact; and you can select the one that fulfills your unique cooking needs. These also have different speed settings that allow you to control how fast you want your ingredients blended. You can increase the speed of the machine if you want quicker results. Investing in a food processor is a wise decision because their use allows you to save time and cook quickly.

Visit cuisinart blender parts or juicer part for more information.

Bo Jackson - Auburn

Bo Jackson is probably the best athlete to come out of Auburn University and is arguably one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Were it not for a horrific January, 1991 hip injury the Heisman Trophy winner with world class sprinter speed who was an All-Star in both the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) might have gone on to truly rewrite the definition of an all-around athlete. As an aside few people realize Jackson was also a state champion decathlete in his youth.

The Alabama native born Vincent Edward Jackson was described as a restless child with qualities not unlike those of a wild boar with an abundance of energy. Over time the comparison to a wild boar stuck and as Jackson aged the nickname was shorted simply to Bo. Growing up in McCalla, Alabama Bo excelled at sports with perhaps his most notable prep level accomplishment being that in his senior baseball season he hit an astounding 20 home runs in 25 games. Projected over a 162 game major league baseball season that rate would produce a mind blowing 130 home runs (roughly doubling the current record).

Despite being a second round draft pick by the New York Yankees right out of high school Bo Jackson instead chose to attend Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama located about 120 miles west of his McCalla home. During his stint at Auburn University from 1982 to 1985 Bo not only excelled at baseball (batting.400) and football (winning the Heisman Trophy) but even gave thought to becoming a member of the US Olympic track team when his times in the 100 meter dash indicated that he could have a promising career as a world class sprinter. Ultimately the notion of pursuing sprinting was dropped because it did not offer the same type of financial incentives as football or baseball.

After serving as an exceptional athlete at Auburn during the first half of the 1980s Bo Jackson would go on to take the professional sports world by storm throughout the remainder of the decade while playing baseball for the Kansas City Royals as an outfielder and football for the Oakland Raiders as a running back. The year 1989 was the pinnacle of the sports career of Bo Jackson when he was selected to the MLB all-star game (where he won the all-star game MVP award) and the NFL pro bowl in recognition of his accomplishments on the grid iron during the 1989 football season. Sadly a NFL playoff game hip injury on January 13, 1991 eventually resulted in the need for a hip replacement and although Bo made a short comeback in baseball for all intents and purposes the injury ushered in the end of what might have otherwise been the most prolific athletic career in history. Due to his career shortening injury Bo Jackson is often only a footnote in sports history but when considering his collegiate and dual sport professional success it is fair to say Bo Jackson was the American athlete of the 1980s just as Michael Jordan was of the 1990s and Tom Brady or Tiger Woods arguably were of the 2000s.

In May of 2009, twenty years after his illustrious 1989 sports year when Nike "Bo Knows" advertisements were everywhere, the Alabama son came home to Auburn to pass along the lessons he learned during his lifetime to a new generation by giving the commencement speech to the 2009 graduating class at Auburn University.

Rick finds stories like the tale of Bo Jackson's life to be amongst the most interesting in sports because his accomplishments, potential, and eventual fall from grace are so exaggerated that the story almost reads like a work of fiction. Rick honors the man who (along with Michael Jordan) arguably lifted Nike and sports advertising to a new level with Auburn University wallpaper on his computer screen background so that nostalgic pictures of the great two star athlete are never more than a mouse click away.

Rick asks all Bo Jackson fans to take a look at the Auburn wallpaper pictures on his webpage. Browsing the collection of photographs and forwarding this article to a friend will encourage future biographical pieces on sports stars of yesteryear.

Lebanese Garlic Lemon Chicken

Here is a delicious chicken recipe that comes from Lebanon. This, easy to make, chicken recipe does not rely upon complicated ingredients and techniques. The only tick to give you a tasty dinner that your family will enjoy is the slow cooking and the special lemon and garlic marinade.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken

4 Skin-on, boneless chicken breasts

2 Fresh Lemons completely juiced

6 cloves garlic

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

1 tsp Basil

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

6 large potatoes cut into 1/4 inch thick slices

For the 'thoom' marinade (Arabic for garlic)

4 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

a dash of cayenne.

Directions:

Blend the lemon juice, basil, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to make the marinade.

Plsce the chicken breasts in a deep pan or bowl and pour the marinade over it making sure that all of the chicken is covered. Put a lid or cover on the container and let it sit in the refrigerator over night. In the morning turn the chicken over or move the breasts around. Let the chicken marinate for approximately 4 more hours.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees celsius). Drain the liquid (but do not discard it) from the chicken and bake it in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This is not to cook the chicken but only to brown it.

Next pour the marinade back over the browned chicken and cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil (Be careful not to burn your fingers!). Put the chicken and marinade back into the oven and reduce the heat to 250 degrees F (120 degrees celsius).

Baste the chicken with the marinade sauce every hour for three hours. After 4 hours add the potato slices to the pan and baste the chicken and potatoes well. Recover with the aluminum foil and bake for one more hour.

At this point you may blend all of the ingredient listed for the thoom. This will be used as a condiment for the chicken and potatoes.

Traditionally, this Lebanese Garlic Lemon Chicken is served with warm pita bread.

For more recipes you can use at home or publish on your own website, ezine, newsletter or blog visit Good Cook main course recipes [http://www.goodcookrecipes.com/Category/Main-Course/61] - [http://www.goodcookrecipes.com] and many other categories of recipes. Also, be sure to check out the Chicken Recipe Collection for delicious chicken recipes.

2009 Road to the Super Bowl

After nine weeks the NFL is shaping up with some very interesting matchings coming up. At this point there appears to be about ten teams with a decent shot at making it to the Big Game. Over the next four weeks figure in tough schedules, key injuries, and a little luck, and the field should narrow to the top four candidates. At this point The New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans look awfully GOOD. That being said the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins figure to contest the issue strongly.

The schedule factor gives a favorable edge to The Washington Redskins, however, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Green Bay also have scheduling that could be in their favor. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have a little tougher road to hoe.

Also, keeping it interesting over the next four weeks is the emergence of three or four improving teams, i.e. watch Baltimore, New York, and Arizona.

Next, the injury bug and Lady Luck will play their part too. Keep tuned for updates on Big Ben.

As of this early date, Tennessee is 8-0, N Y giants 7-1, Carolina 6-2, Washington 6-2, Pittsburgh 5-2, NY Jets 5-3, New England 5-3, Chicago 5-3, Philadelphia 5-3, Green bay 4-4 and also, still hanging in there Tampa Bay 6-3, Chicago 5-3 , Baltimore 5-3 and Arizona 5-3. Give it three or four weeks and it will look a little clearer.

How do the current win streaks look? Tennessee 8, NY giants 3, Philadelphia 3, Baltimore 3, Washington 2, Chicago 2, NY Jets 2. Just keep in mind some teams have had easier schedules so far but in the end it will even out a little more.

Keep a watch on key matchups. Week 10 Tennessee @ Chicago and N Y Jets @ Philadelphia. Week 11 NY Giants @ New England, Chicago @ Green Bay, Baltimore @ NY Giants Week 12 NY Jets @ Tennessee, Philadelphia @ Baltimore, NY Gs @ Arizona, Week 13 Arizona @ Philadelphia, Carolina @ GB, NY Giants @ Washington, Pittsburg @ New England, Week 14 Philadelphia @ NY Giants, Washington @ Baltimore., Tampa Bay@ Carolina Week 15 Pittsburg @ Baltimore, Week 16 Pittsburg @ Tennessee, Philadelphia @ Washington, Arizona @ New England, Carolina 2 NY Giants, Green Bay @ Chicago, and Week 17 Tennessee @ Indianapolis, and Chicago @ Pittsburg. There you have it, Please keep in mind once the playoffs star it's a whole new ballgame.

May all your sports dreams come true.

Ashi, is a big fan and self proclaimed expert of NFL football. He can be reached on his new website on Sports Dream of business people at http://www.xispl.com

Writing Song Lyrics - A Guide

Although there is no "proper" way to write song lyrics, there ARE some basic elements that most songs have in common. This article discusses five of those elements: Hook, "Slant", Chorus, Verses, and Bridge.

HOOK

The hook is a very good place to begin. The hook is a part of the song which is intended to "hook" the ears of your listeners.This is such an important part of the song that some publishers insist upon hearing the hook before they will even consider the rest of the song.

The hook is a very useful starting point because it can become the TITLE as well as the main message of the . Your first task, then, is to decide on a "theme" or message for your song and then come up with a catchy phrase which conveys that message. Think of the songs that nearly EVERYONE REMEMBERS: like "Dream On" or "Stairway to Heaven" or even "Three Blind Mice" (reportedly the most famous song in the world).

Your hook phrase should be singable, memorable, and convey your message in the fewest words possible.
Once you come up with a good hook, you are ready to roll!

SLANT

In other words, what perspective on your subject do you wish to convey? One thing which will help you here is to decide upon your target audience. Is this song aimed at children, at jazz lovers, at headbangers? The answer to this question will go a long way in determining the type of language that you will use to write your lyrics.

Whose perspective will convey your message; the "wronged lover"?, Or the wrongdoer?, The parent of a wayward child or the child him/herself?. Which player in your drama will be telling the story?

Will your song be in FIRST PERSON--"I woke up this morning...." or THIRD PERSON--"SHE woke up this morning...."? Once you have decided what you want to say, who will be saying it, and to whom it will be said, you are ready for the next step.

CHORUS

This is the next logical step since the chorus contains the "hook". The chorus should be relatively short--eight measures and four vocal lines is a good choice. Be sure to start or end the chorus with the hook. You might even want to put it both places--just be sure that there is enough variety in between to avoid listener boredom.

The chorus should be "singable" for the average listener. People like to sing along and they remember a song more if they can sing along. Make the words easy to remember and be sure that they effectively convey your main message.

How I wish, how I wish you were here.

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,

Running over the same old ground. What have you found?

The same old fears. Wish you were here.

(Pink Floyd)

VERSES

This is the point in writing-song-lyrics where your story begins. Think of your song as a drama. The first verse should give the listeners enough information to keep them interested, but not so much as to bore them. The most successful verse lyrics will make the listener RELATE to the words--the lyrics apply to their lives.

Sometimes it helps to think of your verses as REASONS for your message in the chorus or EVIDENCE that your chorus message is true.

(verse) When I'm drivin' in my car

And that man comes on the radio

He's tellin' me more and more About some useless information

Supposed to fire my imagination

(chorus)I can't get no satisfaction I can't get no satisfaction

(Rolling Stones)

Each verse should progressively lead the listener further toward the chorus.

BRIDGE

he Bridge is an OPTIONAL section which most often comes between two choruses and is a kind of break from the rest of the song. It should take your message to a different level or offer a new perspective to support your main theme. The purpose of the bridge is to build the tension leading up to the climax of the song or to lead a song to its conclusion. It also must lead your listener back into the chorus.

The bridge often has a different rhythm and a different combination of instruments. . A songwriter needs to listen to a lot of songs from different genres to get a feel for the bridge. One good way to become familiar with bridges is to do a lyric search for some of your favorite songs. The parts of the songs are usually labeled. Note carefully the section that is labeled "bridge". Play the song and listen for the ways in which the bridge is different from but still relates to the rest of the song.

Good luck with your songwriting!

http://www.may-studio-music-lessons.com

Visit this site for free (really--no trial periods, no tricks--just FREE!) guitar, drum, piano, theory and composition lessons.

Should You Buy a Rice Cooker?

The readers that come to this article might be wondering whether they need or not a rice cooker. In my opinion, answering this question depends on others such as how often would you use it, if you would use it just for rice or also for other foods, and so on.

In my case, I am half Japanese and I was raised eating white rice every day. For the past 20 years, my family has owned a Zojirushi rice cooker. (Always the same unit, bear in mind.) It is a 5-cup model that we use almost every day. It has the normal features you would expect from a rice cooker, such as retractable cord, a very good non-stick layer on the bowl and inner lid, removable parts for speed cleaning, automatic warming mode once the rice is ready, and so on. It helps us a great deal at the kitchen, since it saves our time so we are free to do whatever else we want. It is a good size for a family of 4-6 people.

When I left home and came to Japan to study, three years ago, I decided to buy a Panasonic rice cooker instead. I had different things in my mind back then. For starters, Panasonic is also a reliable Japanese company that produces quality goods. The price was a bit cheaper as well. But the selling point for me was the electricity consumption: the 3-cup model that was offered by Panasonic at the time saved a little bit more energy than the others. Although I don't remember the exact figures, it was something around 4-5%. It came with a vegetable steamer accessory, which surprised me a little. So I figured it would be a nice deal and I bought one of these to myself. I live with my girlfriend and this size suits us fine.

Rice cookers nowadays make more than white rice. You can also prepare brown rice and sushi rice, both of which require different water-rice proportions and amounts of time when compared to plain rice. You can steam vegetables, fish and chicken. My mom has already used a rice cooker to make paste, fry eggs and boil water. And, last but not least, I have seen recipes for preparing banana cakes and breads on one of these machines!

In sum, they can be very versatile if you are a college student (no need to own a microwave oven or a normal oven for the activities I just described) or very distracted (due to the auto-warming function once the food is done, your rice will never be undercooked or burnt again) -- a very nice purchase, if I may say.

If you have a bigger family, you can use the warming function from your 5-cup rice cooker to keep soups and stews warm during the Winter. You can even choose the style of your rice cooker to match, in general lines, your decoration or your china: white for more traditional homes, or stainless steel for more modern ones.

Finally, you can also prepare oatmeal beforehand. This is how it works: you put all the oatmeal ingredients in your cooker and program the output to, say, 8:35am the next day. Press start and go to bed, your breakfast will be done on the next day. You can also do the same with rice in the morning, before you leave your house, and have it done by dinner time. That is how easy it is.

You can make cooking easier with a rice cooker. Give it a shot!

Max White lives in Japan and maintains BestRiceCooker.org, a site devoted to help foodies find the best rice cooker. If you are interested in brown rice and healthy eating, then come visit LowGlycemicIndexFoods.org, a guide to low glycemic index foods where he explain how simple actions can help diabetics and people on a diet improve their daily food intake.

How to Make Jelly With a Jelly Strainer

Jelly strainers are a kitchen tool made to filter out the ingredients used in the making of jams and jellies. A lot of canning recipes requires the usage of a jelly strainer which makes this a vital tool for every kitchen.

Strainers consist of a mesh bag which is used to trap the chunks while enabling the liquid and small pieces to flow through into the bowl. The use of a jelly strainer will ensure that the jelly is smooth and even all around like it should be.

All basic strainers consist of two parts. The first of which is the stand which clips onto the bowl set in place to catch the droppings. The second part is this meshy bag which as explained previously is used to strain the fruit.

After straining the fruit through the mesh bag, the left over fruit can be tossed out or small pieces can be put into the jelly to add texture and flavor. Next pectin and sugar should be added to the mix and then it should all be cooked.

Making jelly from home is a fun and easy way to save money. Jelly strainers are not highly expensive and are easy to come across. I use the jelly strainer from LEM Products which only cost me 10 dollars. Since then I have been making my own jelly from home and have not needed to get any from the grocery. Their strainer is very sturdy and replacement bags can be bought if they get too dirty and used.

Meat Grinder

Rachael Ray Cookware - Your Partner in Great Cooking

This time I'll be sharing with you the steps on how to create the very tasty Filipino Embutido, which is perhaps deemed as the most delicious among all kinds of embutidos or enchidos throughout the globe. Using Rachael Ray Cookware, make this Filipino Embutido yourself, and after your first bite, be the judge and you will certainly know that I am not merely bluffing when I had claimed earlier that this is "the best Embutido" when it comes to great taste and source of good nutrition.

Before presenting the procedure on how to prepare the Filipino Embutido, have your Rachael Ray cookware set first on your table as I am pretty sure that you will get right away all the ingredients for this Embutido even before reading the third step.

Most people believe that making an Embutido is rather an intricate process and is costly. But in truth, it is very easy to prepare because the ingredients you will use are available in the market where you typically buy your provisions. Below is a list of comprehensible steps in making a scrumptious Embutido that your family will surely crave for.

Procedure in making the delectable Filipino Embutido:

1. Have all your Rachael Ray Cookware set on your table. This will be very necessary as it has been a prevalent belief in the place of origin of this Embutido that when you get the wrong cookware, your food preparations will never be good.

2. Have the following ingredients prepared:

• 2 kilos Ground meat (pork/beef)
• Spices including: 1 clove garlic, 2 onions, 1 bell pepper, black pepper,
• 1 150 grams cheese
• Cream
• 1 kilo of carrots
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tbs salt
• Beef broth cubes
• ½ tbs crushed pickles
• 5 eggs

3. Wash the ground meat and let it dry naturally. Afterwards, place it inside the Rachael Ray bowl.

4. Grind the carrots together with the garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Place the hodgepodge into the same bowl with the meat. Then mix it.

5. Chop the cheese and the broth cubes and sprinkle it inside the bowl. You will have to mix it well after you have added the fresh eggs.

6. Then add the cream, salt, and some cornstarch.

7. Mix it well until such time wherein the cheese and the broth cubes have been perfectly melted.

8. Store the Embutido mixture inside the refrigerator for half an hour.

9. Get the mixture from the refrigerator and then make 15 wrappings of the mixture using aluminum foil.

10. Place the mixture inside the steamer and then steam it for about forty minutes.

11. After forty minutes, open the lid of the steamer and have it cooled off by natural air.

See! That is how simple it is to prepare your own Filipino Embutido. It is really great for all occasions or just for ordinary days. Plus, it is a good source of vitamins that will surely nourish your family.

It can also be a good alternative for burgers and pizzas while watching televisions or having a family picnic.

You will really enjoy cooking with the best Rachael Ray Cookware, and also learn new great recipes with Rachael Ray Cookbooks

Using Metaphors - Examples of Equivocation

Metaphors add power and punch to your writing. They make your point clearly by tapping into your readers' understanding of the world and inspire consideration by forcing them to confront ideas in new ways. That's why you should make a point of using metaphors.

Examples of metaphors aren't hard to come by. A Pro Bowl fullback is a horse. A large car is a yacht. A happy girl is a ray of sunshine. They surround us. In some cases, they're tired and old. In others, however, they can make us look at things in a different way. They can spur us to consider different aspects of the items involved in the metaphor. They attract our attention and resonate strongly with us.

Yet many of us fail to make good use of this powerful part of the language. Whether due to a paucity of creativity or a desire to make our writings more literal, many of us fail at using metaphors. Examples of how one things models another could make our messages stronger, but we fail to jump on the opportunity.

That's a huge mistake. We should be reaching for every tool in the box in hopes of improving our communication. Leaving an option underutilized is an invitation to minimizing a work's rhetorical effectiveness. That's particularly true when we're talking about a weapon as impressive as a well-used metaphor.

Are you using metaphors? Are you making those otherwise invisible connections readily apparent to your audience? Are you communicating effectively?

Or, are you limping along using less vivid and less interesting words? If you aren't getting the most out of the potential provided by metaphors, it's time to start. Forgoing them is risky and it certainly decreases the power of your message.

If you feel you're on the wrong side of the metaphor divide, contact an expert who can help you to integrate metaphor use into your writing. You'll be glad you did. It will make your work seem stronger, more opinionated, more though provoking and generally good to read.

Metaphors are great tools. You'll find many of the greatest writers in history using metaphors. Examples of equivocation pepper their works, making them more interesting, memorable and though-provoking!

Two recommendations:

If you're interested in metaphor examples, Profitable Storytelling is a fantastic site!

And for an incredible source of motivation, you really need to look at BlindMentor.com You'll be really glad you did!

AFC Football - Playoffs Preview

The NFL playoffs are about to get underway and its interesting that most of the early match ups in the playoffs are going to be repeats of the last week's games in the NFL. In this article, I thought it would be good to highlight the teams that made it to the playoffs in the AFC. These teams are the Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers, the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the New York Jets.

The big front runners in the division are the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams have byes in the first week and are coming off great seasons with all star quarterbacks. Peyton Manning of the Colts has had a great year and has a tremendous receiving corps with Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie all having a great season. The Chargers have a similar strong roster with Phillip Rivers and the likes of Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson. Both teams have decent running efforts with Joseph Addai and Ladanian Tomlinson respectively, but they are clearly passing teams today.

In the lesser set of teams, it will be interesting to see what the others will come up with. The Ravens have a solid team with a nice mix of strong passing and running. Ray Rice is a Pro Bowl running back and Joe Flacco has had a great year with Derrick Mason. The team has a few holes in their defensive corps but overall they've put up a strong effort. It'll be interesting to see how they fare against the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady, the Patriots have a strong throwing game, but they will have an interesting battle now that star receiver Wes Welker is out. While the game previously looked in the bag for the Patriots, they will have to depend on their running game to step up and make the difference.

On the other side, the Bengals and Jets likely seemed like a no-contest win for the Bengals only a few weeks ago. But after taking down the Colts and the Bengals in a trouncing, the Jets have shown their hungry. Yes, the two teams played down some of their best players. But still, the New York Jets have a top defense, and one of the best running games in the NFL. The Bengals aren't a laughing matter either with Cedric Benson putting up a strong rushing game and a fierce defense that is known to play rough.

All in all, it's an interesting set of teams that could all throw in a good shot at making it to the Super Bowl. The next few weeks will show who has it all.

Martin Fister is an active product blogger, writing for web sites including halo sleep sack and glass tea kettle. In his spare time, Martin also pursues his interests in the music industry as a journalist.

BBQ Grills - The Difference Between Hot and Cold Smokers

I absolutely love to smoke my food, but I often hear confusion regarding hot and cold smoking:

Cold smokers

As the name suggests, this smoker unit works at very low temperature. Have you ever had smoked cheese? These delicate food stuffs can be cooked slowly so that they retain their texture and juices, at the same time the flavors and aroma enter and stay in the food - it just takes longer. However, given the "cold" smoking, the food takes very long to cook, but it is still worth the wait.

Hot Smokers

If you do not have patience for the cold smoker, but want its flavors, you must look for the hot smokers. These can cook the food much faster saving you the time, and still smoking it well enough to get the great smoked meat flavor. Obviously the gas and charcoal BBQ smokers are most common.

A version of the hot smoker is a water smoker. This smoker is more a cooking technique than any special kind of smoker. Think of a usual charcoal smoker with a bowl filled with water. The mixture of charcoal and flavored wood chips cooks the meat and smokes it. The steam from the water bowl ensures that the moisture from the meat doesn't escape leaving it dry. Any hot smoker that you can get the water bowl into can be used as a water smoker.

Personally, I highly recommend using both techniques! There is NOTHING to compare to some slow, cols smoked cheese, but for my outdoor BBQ I often employ my hot charcoal smoker in addition to my typical charcoal grill.

For more information about BBQ Grill Smokers, please visit http://www.BBQGrillsSmokers.net - there is always fresh content daily regarding BBQ Smoker Grills.

Yes! You Can Learn How to Bowl a Hook!

Here is the problem with trying to learn how to to bowl a hook. It is a completely UNNATURAL feeling. It is funny though - it is a completely natural, unnatural feeling! Does that make sense?? It is true though.

Why in the world would we want to try and throw a 15lb bowling ball with a spin? When you shoot a basketball, the "roll" of the ball is natural. When you throw a baseball, the "spin" is natural. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a the hook on a bowling ball.

This is something that you have to learn because it is unnatural. The good news though is that if you ask one of those awesome bowlers in your bowling league, "How did you learn how to bowl a hook?"

I can almost guarantee that they are going to say that they "learned" how to do it. Why does this bode well for you? That is because it means that you too can learn the same thing!

The key of bowling a hook is that your wrist understands what you want it to do. That too sounds funny, but again it is true. You actually have to FORCE your wrist to do what you want it to. Just before your release, bring you wrist through as though you are going to shake someone's hand. That is where the rotation of the ball begins.

Here are some basic tips to get you started -

1. Slow Your Approach Down

When you rush your approach, you lose control of your arm movement. This will cause the ball to veer away from your desired target.

2. Big Back Swing

The power from the ball does not come from how strong you are rather your back swing. Let gravity do the work for you! A bowling ball is heavy and the gravity of the ball will give it power. The higher your back swing, the more power behind your throw!

3. Turn Your Wrist In Upon Release

It is not as hard as you think. When your arm is coming forward through your release, bring your palm up as if you are going to shake someone's hand. Do this just as you are releasing the ball to give you the rotation needed to bowl a hook!

Once you have that basic motion down, now you start working on your approach and ball speed. Believe it or not, this does not take that much time. With a bit of practice and perseverance, you will be a bowling pro in no time!

Here's the deal. I have been bowling for as long I can remember. I have always loved bowling. About 5 years ago though, I started to get fed up because my game was stuck in the 160 range. Why? Because I didn't have the proper knowledge and training to throw the perfect hook ball.

It was not until I read this great site - hook a bowling ball, was it that I realized exactly what I was doing wrong. This was my "light bulb" moment. Just a week after getting this information did my game increase by over 15 pins.

I have always been fortunate enough to bowl two perfect games as well maintain an average of over 210. I really do owe it all learning to bowl a hook ball. I am so grateful that I found the site of how to Bowl a Hook. Believe it or not, I was close to giving up bowling all together. I just did not think that I was capable of being a great bowler. I sure am glad I did and hope that you too do not give up. I am living proof that it works!

Tim Tebow and the Pro-Life Super Bowl Ad

Tim Tebow's pro-life superbowl ad has become the centerpiece of debate for the pro-life and pro-choice advocates for the present. The Tim Tebow superbowl ad is programed to air during the Colt- Saints 2010 Super Bowl. The Tim Tebow ad was produced and financed by Focus on the Family, the world know Christian and pro-life organization. The ad will feature Tim Tebow of Heisman and University of Florida fame and his mother, with a pro-life message. As a result good or bad, the abortion debate continues on to the point of redundancy and the Super Bowl weekend will not only be filled with flying footballs and carryout pizza, but mingled in between the pom-poms and striped suit referees will be the reminder that the abortion issue is still alive and definitely not dead.

From the discussions and debates on the national talk shows, like Larry King Live, Fox, CNN and all the major networks, it appears that the only ones to have reviewed the ad has been the Super Bowl network, CBS, and the big brass at Focus on the Family. The ad, as understood, is a pro-life message. The ad comments on the decision Tim Tebow's mother made in the late eighties to go forward with Tim Tebow's birth, despite warnings from Ms Tebow's doctors during her pregnancy that she and her fetus son, Tim Tebow, would be subject to life threatening consequences if she continued with the pregnancy.

Obviously, Ms Tebow, was willing to take on a significant risk for herself and her un-born son. And as as a result of her faith to continue with the pregnancy, we have all prospered by enjoying the exciting and inspirational college career of Tim Tebow, one of the best college players in the history of the game. Suffice it to say, and regardless what your position on abortion, Ms Tebow's courage and faith to continue with the pregnancy of her son, Tim Tebow, is worthy of applause.

Abortion is a complicated legal and moral issue. It is hard to be neutral and really address the issue. It may appear that the pro-life supporters are callous and insensitive to a desperate and confused young girl faced with the overwhelming decision to give birth and have to deal with a life long burden of an unwanted child. The burden of the decision is compounded many times over if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. If you are pro-life and believe that life begins at conception there is really no room to compromise. And the issue of when life begins is really the issue that divides.

Maybe the best way to deal with the issue is to offer compassion on both sides and what makes it so difficult is that there is possibly an unborn human child that can not be ignored in this most difficult decision.

Again, thanks Ms Tebow for giving us your son, Tim.

New York Jets Merchandise

While pre-season expectations of the New York Jets had them predicted to win 3-4 games this season, they went on to finish 10-6 and made it to the playoffs. Last season you couldn't give away New York Jets merchandise with the dismal 4-12 finish but this season everyone was wearing green and white as the resurgent New York Jets under new head coach Eric Mangini surprised everyone.

New York Jets hats, jerseys, jackets, socks, t-shirts, bumper stickers, helmets, curtains, rugs, pillows, blankets, flags, posters, photos, footballs etc. were sold out before Christmas leaving nothing left by the time the playoffs arrived.

Many retail stores in New Jersey and New York reported Jets merchandise sales weren't even this strong in 1998 when the New York Jets went to the AFC Championship game vs. Denver. Online reports showed that New York Jets merchandise was atop the best sellers of any NFL team merchandise this season. You can attribute that to the surprising outcome of this current season and of course they are in the New York market, which never hurts.

In other Jets news many fans are buzzing about whether the team will be changing their team colors, uniform or logo in 2009. This is the year the New York Jets and New York Giants will be sharing a stadium together. While there has not been anything mentioned on what the new stadium will be called as of yet, there have been rumors the Jets will perhaps change their team logo and uniform. This isn't unusual for teams to do this when entering a new stadium. Most recently the Arizona Cardinals changed their uniforms and wore a commerative patch to celebrate their new stadium. I think a change in uniform will only help merchandise sales for any team, especially in the New York market. If you have noticed, for decades NFL teams didn't change uniforms or logos until the late 90's when several teams moved into a new direction with colors, logos, etc. which really spiked marketing and merchandise sales for the respective teams. Since 2000, fourteen NFL teams either completely changed their team colors and uniforms or changed some aspect of their uniform in some way. I think it's a safe bet to assume the New York Jets will do the same with the opportunity to make a huge bang within the NFL merchandising side of it in 2009.

If you are a true New York Jets fan who bleeds green then you better buy your NY Jets merchandise early next season as the Jets are predicted to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2007. Don't be left out next season when the playoffs arrive and once again all New York Jets merchandise is sold out. "Gang Green" will be a team to be reckoned with in 2007. J-E-T-S... Jets! Jets! Jets!

Bernie J. Gernay is the President of PSI (Pro Sports Investments). PSI is a full sports memorabilia and marketing company out of New Jersey. PSI handles marketing deals and endorsements for many NFL players, especially the New York Jets. Today, PSI is one of the largest sports marketing and memorabilia companies in the world. You can find out more by going to http://www.prosportsinvestments.com

NFL Week 9 Point Spread Picks And Best Bets

SUNDAY AFTERNOON 1:00 PM ET

1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3.5) VS. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a different team with Kurt Warner at QB and they have a potentially explosive offense that can put up points in bunches. Of course the key is to keep Warner upright which has been somewhat of a challenge this season but he is ready to go for this one. The Buc's are coming off a demoralizing loss at home against the Jaguars and will be looking to right the ship before the season begins to spiral out of control. To lose to a backup QB like Quinn Gray could have a lasting impact on their psyches however and they might play tight so as not to make the mistakes they did last week which destroyed their chances. The Buc's simply can't score enough to justify giving 3.5 to anyone. Throw in the fact the better-than-average Cardinal offense is getting a head start makes them that much of a better play. The Pick: Arizona Cardinals (-3.5)

2. ATLANTA FALCONS (-3.5) VS. San Francisco 49ers: In a battle of two terrible offensive teams, the extra half point tilts this one in the 49ers' advantage. San Francisco qualifies in a very positive 81-54-1 ATS game scenario that plays on teams that have been especially bad on offense in recent weeks. Basically the belief is that the 'Niners have hit rock bottom on offense and that they will be able to get back on track against a poor Falcons defense. The 49ers have a big advantage in the run game with Frank Gore and the passing attack should get itself going with QB Alex Smith getting more comfortable after coming back from injury. The ATS trend and the player personnel both favor the 49ers and it wouldn't be a surprise if they even won here. THE PICK: 49ers (+3.5)

3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3.5) VS. Jacksonville Jaguars: ********THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK.

4. TENNESSEE TITANS (-4.5) VS. Carolina Panthers: WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ON THIS GAME.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (-.5) VS. BUFFALO BILLS: WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ON THIS GAME.

6. Washington Redskins (-3.5) VS. NEW YORK JETS: The Jets will turn to Kellen Clemens this week in the hopes of sparking the team. That certainly could do the trick for the Jets here but it also could go the other way as this might signal that the white flag has been raised and that the team is playing for next year. A major letdown could then be at hand and things could get ugly against a still motivated, hard-hitting Redskins squad. Surely the 'Skins went back to the drawing board after last week's embarrassment against the Patriots but the fact of the matter is that this team still can't score. The Jets could have trouble scoring also as star WR Laverneaous Coles is likely to miss this game with a concussion. Either way this game has too many question marks to touch. THE PICK: PASS

7. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-2.5) VS. Green Bay Packers: The Packers are in a bad spot here as they are coming off a short week after playing a draining game in Denver on MNF. Green Bay won that game in OT and now they have to go out on the road again to take on the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Kansas City has played much better than anyone could have expected as they have won three in a row and are a strong factor in the AFC West race. The Packers have gone only 1-7 in their last eight in Kansas City and they should have trouble getting up for a second straight road game in a very hostile environment. THE PICK: Kansas City Chiefs (-2)

8. San Diego Chargers (-7.5) VS. Minnesota Vikings: WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ON THIS GAME.

9. DETROIT LIONS (-3.5) VS. Denver Broncos: The Lions are actually in the playoff hunt this season and their only worry in the weak NFC North right now are the Packers. The Lions are fresh off a road win over the Bears where the defense stepped up and intercepted QB Brian Griese four times. The Broncos on the other hand come off a terrible loss at home on MNF against the Packers in a game they should have won. Awful clock management and play calling by coach Mike Shannahan did them in and so they now must try and save their season on the road. The Broncos match up well with the Lions in that their great secondary led by Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey should limit the effectiveness o the Detroit passing attack. This game will be won by running the football which both teams do rather evenly. There are scenarios that favor both sides in this game and there is much too uncertainty to make this a worthwhile pick. THE PICK: PASS

SUNDAY AFTERNOON 4:00 PM ET

10. CLEVELAND BROWNS (-1.5) VS. Seattle Seahawks: WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ON THIS GAME.
11. New England Patriots (-4.5) VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: *******THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK.

12. OAKLAND RAIDERS (-2.5) VS. Houston Texans: **************THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK.

SUNDAY NIGHT 8:30 PM ET

13. Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: ******THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK.

MONDAY NIGHT 8:30 PM ET

14. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-9.5) VS. Baltimore Ravens: ******THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK. CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO PURCHASE.

Cofounder of http://www.yourwinningpicks.com/ in our tenth year of supplying sports handicapping and fantasy sports information.

Gun Fight at the Cotton Bowl Corral

Today 10 - 11 - 2008 was more than just another day at the Texas State Fair hosted by the city of Dallas. It also marked the 103rd meeting between the legendary Oklahoma Sooners and the storied Texas Longhorns.

Billed as the Red River Rivalry, prior to 2005 it was called the Red River Shoot Out, and today it was just that, The Red River Shoot Out providing football fans the gun fight at Dallas's Cotton Bowl.

The #1 ranked undefeated Oklahoma Sooners were led by gunslinger sophomore and Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Bradford.

Bradford stats:

He has completed 106 passes of 146 attempts for 1,665 yards and completion percentage of 72.6 with a ypa of 11.4, 18 TDs versus 3 interceptions and 3 sacks and a rat of 204.97
The # 5 undefeated Texas Longhorns were led by gunslinger Colt McCoy a junior and Heisman Trophy candidate.

McCoy stats:

He has completed 103 passes of 130 attempts for 1,280 yards and completion percent of 79.2 with a ypa of 9.85, 16 TDs versus 3 interceptions 5 sacks and a rat of 197.94

Even though Oklahoma entered the game favored, this was one game that should have been called even, that exceeded the pregame hype. Not only did they set a rivalry scoring record of 80 points, a combined aerial attack totaling 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. They had an explosive 96 yard kick off return, two point conversion, circus catches, one for a touchdown, a fake punt and naturally their fair share of controversial calls. A game that had something for everybody.

Emotions run high in arch rivalry games and this gun fight was no different, the two teams combined for 16 penalties and 128 yards.

Even though much this game was settled in the trenches, the running game offered 61 rushing attempts for a combined 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. While the gunslingers filled the air with balls, throwing 86 passes 56 completions and 2 interceptions.

Oklahoma drew first blood on a 5 yard pass from Bradford to Manuel Johnson, Jimmy Stevens kick. Texas answered almost 6 minutes later with a Hunter Lawrence 26 yard field goal, ending the first quarter scoring.
Oklahoma opened the second quarter with a blitzkrieg strike that only took 1 minute and 46 seconds, scoring on an 8 yard pass from Sam Bradford to Ryan Broyles, Jimmy Stevens kick.

First Quarter Score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 7
Texas Longhorns: 3

The Texas Longhorns answered in 12 seconds with Jordan Shipley electrifying crowd, scoring on a 96 yard kick off return. Hunter Lawrence kick.

Two minutes and 37 seconds later Oklahoma's Bradford found Jermaine Gresham for a 52 yard score and Jimmy Stevens kick.

Six minutes and 44 seconds later Texas Longhorn Cody Johnson burst into the end zone on a 1 yard run, Hunter Lawrence kick.

As the quarter winds down, the Texas Longhorns end the first half with 33 yard Hunter Lawrence field goal.

Half time score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 21
Texas Longhorns: 20

The Oklahoma Sooners open the second half quickly, using a scant 3 minutes and 15 seconds, Sam Bradford hooks up with Manuel Johnson for Johnson's scoring reception on a 14 yard pass, Jimmy Stevens kick.

Colt McCoy and the Longhorns retaliate 6 minutes and 12 seconds later with Jason Shipley getting his second score on a 2 yard pass from McCoy. Hunter Lawrence kick.

Hunter Lawrence and the Texas Longhorns close out third quarter scoring with 01:04 left in the quarter, Hunter puts one 28 yards through the up rights,

3rd quarter score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 28

Texas Longhorns: 30

Eleven minutes and forty two seconds into the fourth quarter found the Oklahoma Sooners resuming the lead on a 14 yard Sam Bradford to Manuel Johnson pass, Jimmy Stevens kick.

Even with a 30 -35 lead the Sooners position did seem tenuous. Earlier in the third quarter Oklahoma ball 3rd and around 9, leading 28 - 20 Stoops tried the fake punt, coming up a yard short of the first down. The momentum changed towards Texas.

Texas mustered a field goal gap closing field goal off that turn of events. The momentum seemed to stay with Texas.

Midway through the 4th quarter The Texas Longhorns answered the Sooners score with one of their own. Set up from a long pass Longhorn Cody Johnson plunged into the end zone from the 1 yard line, making the score 36 - 35 Texas. Colt McCoy followed up with a 2 point conversion pass to Quan Cosby, making the score Longhorns 38 - Sooners 35.

Four minutes and two seconds marked the end of the scoring with running back Cody Johnson bursting over the goal line on a 2 yard run, Hunter Lawrence's kick being the final scored point.

4th Quarter:

Oklahoma Sooners: 35
Texas Longhorns: 45

This installment of the Red River Rivalry lived up to its billing and more. Both teams combined for 80 points, the most ever scored in the annual Red River Shoot Out, giving football fans, The Gun Fight at The Cotton Bowl Corral

Thank you Longhorns and Sooners for a great game.

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Baking Coffee Cake

Coffee cakes aren't really cakes at all, they're a type of quick bread; a bread dough that doesn't contain yeast. Coffee cakes are made by the simple method of mixing the dry ingredients together first, then cutting the cold fat (butter or shortening) into the dry ingredients, and lastly mixing the wet ingredients into the dry. This is also the way that biscuits and most quick breads are made. There are some coffee cake recipes that call for vegetable oil as the fat-this is supposed to make a moister and tenderer coffee cake.

Coffee Cake benefits from the addition of nuts, raisins, dried fruit, or just about any other sweet things that you like. You can also make a savory coffee cake with the addition of meats, onions, and other vegetables and spices. Also, try baking your coffee cake in a muffin pan instead of the traditional round layer cake pan or bundt cake pan. These make a quick breakfast that you can grab on your way out the door in the morning.

Coffee Cakes can be assembled at night and mixed together the next morning. Just mix all the wet ingredients together in one bowl, and all the dry ingredients together in another bowl. Put this in the fridge overnight and in the morning preheat the oven, mix the two bowls of ingredients together, and pop into the preheated oven. It will be done when your coffee is done brewing!

Coffee cake freezes well for about 6 months if tightly wrapped. When thawing, leave the wrapping on it until it's all thawed out. This prevents condensation from collecting on the cake as it thaws which can make the coffee cake sticky and damp on the outside.

Janet Keene
http://www.cakerecipes-r-us.com