Well, I guess I’ve heard of stranger things happening in contests, but it stands to reason that in a field of one, you can only have first place. However, that is using logic, and we should all know by now that never does anyone any good.

Read on…

Grandmother had the only cake in the contest - and still came second | the Daily Mail

‘My friend came over to me at the fete and said I had come second,’ she said.

‘I asked her how many more entries there had been but she just started laughing and said I was the only one.’

She was let down, in the judges’ eyes, by the indentations in the top of her sponge from the oven rack.

‘I definitely wasn’t annoyed about it,’ she said. ‘I thought my cake would do quite well but I didn’t expect to get first place.

Okay — I’ll have to admit, this is interesting and something that I will more than likely try, out of sheer morbid curiosity.

The recipe, which doesn’t state what meat it best compliments, includes garlic, onion, ketchup, vinegar, hot sauce, and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Of course, there are more ingredients, but that’s the gist of it. (more…)

In yet another study to validate one’s own cravings, it seems that dark chocolate could be even better for you than just satisfying your wants for something sweet. Yes, apparently, researchers have shown that dark chocolate, high in cocoa, contains more beneficial flavonoids that help reduce high blood pressure. Even more than in green tea, the current health kick (one that I subscribe to, actually). (more…)

The folks over at FrostFirePulse.com have detailed the answer to this question. My only remaining question is why does a ice-cold glass of Coke taste so darn tasty after a hard day’s worth of yard work???

What happens if you drink a can of Coke right now? | Frostfirepulse.com

Yet another posting on beer… seems I am finding more interesting articles these days to pass along to you.

MSN Lifestyle presents us with 32 things you can do with beer (other than the favorite: Drinking It). My favorite from the list is (because of the sheer oddity of it): 6. SHAMPOO HAIR.

From the article:

Not only is beer the remedy for a dull party, it’s also the cure for dull hair. Dump a cup into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let it reduce until there’s 1/4 cup left. This removes the alcohol, which can dry hair. Let the beer cool, then mix it with a cup of your favorite shampoo. Pour it into an empty shampoo bottle, then wash and rinse as usual. It’ll give your hair more shine and luster.

Read on!

32 Things You Can Do with Beer - Page1 - MSN Lifestyle: Men

Besides being a mixer of choice to many a drinker around the world, many people apparently don’t know what makes Vodka Vodka. I thought I knew… Vodka was distilled from fermented potatoes or grains. Okay, that’s all well and good, but did you know that it could also come from grapes or molasses? Interesting… (more…)

For those of you supporting Free The Hops, you can rejoice in knowing that we are one step closer to setting them free. The
Alabama House Travel and Tourism Committee has passed a bill allowing for the sale of “gourmet” beers in Alabama along to the Alabama House.

The bill would raise alcohol limits from 6% to over double that amount, 14.9%. Also, it would remove the 16oz container restriction currently in place.

Let’s hear it for Alabama getting with the program along with 46 other states of the union.

House panel says yes to higher-alcohol beer

I wrote about purple tomatoes last month and really hadn’t thought too much about them since then.

That was until last night… when I got home from running some errands, Brandy had dinner waiting on the table. What did I see in the delicious pasta dish in front of me? You guessed it — PURPLE TOMATOES. I was impressed to see this exotic fruit on my plate, though I admit I was a little hesitant to eat one.

After a little mental coaxing on my part, I tried one and found that they taste like chicken. Well, not so much chicken as much as they taste like regular tomatoes, which I like. So I will say that I have now had these purple tomatoes and like the taste of them.

I have been known for my taste in things off the beaten path. And for those who shared a frosty adult beverage with me also know that my taste in drinks is also a bit eclectic. This allows me to taste new brews and discover some true gems, as well as unearth some horrid concoctions (read: Rogue’s Mocha Porter). With that said, I want to tell you about a new seasonal beer from Anheuser-Busch: Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale.

This is a warming ale that has been aged on Bourbon Oak Casks with Vanilla Beans. It sounded odd when I saw the case, but it was unusual enough for me to take a gamble. This beer provides a good drink with a vanilla aftertaste. I found myself savoring each drop and wanting more when I emptied the bottle. It clocks in a 6.0% ABV, which scoots in just under Alabama’s legal alcohol content limit for beer, so it’s a potent drink (for Alabama standards).

I recommend beer-enthusiast (being of legal age, mind you) giving this one a try.

For more information: Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale

From the imaginative minds of the science-fiction fans to your salad plate, you could soon be eating purple tomatoes! Yes, according to news from CNN.com, researchers in Salem, Oregon are perfecting the purple tomato, said to be the color of blueberries. Apparently, these are not genetically engineered, as there are genetic roots to a rare purple tomato in Southern Africa. Sources say these new veggies (yes, I know… they are technically fruit) could help reduce the risk of cancer and could be quite tasty in a Garden Salad. At the very least, it would add some color to your plate.

Purple Tomatoes [www.cnn.com]