Benjamins Yarn

I cook lot of barbecue beer can chicken. It’s really easy to make and it’s always popular with my barbecue guests.

The recipe below is the easiest of all the beer can chicken recipes that I know. You don’t need any special equipment or a whole list of ingredients.

You will need a barbecue smoker, or a hooded grill to cook it on though.

You can cook it in a conventional oven, but the recipes below are for making it on your barbecue grill or smoker.

As its name suggests, beer can chicken uses a beer in the cooking process. If you don’t like the idea of using beer, you can use soft drinks, such as Dr Pepper or Coke instead..

Ingredients

1 12 ounce can of beer
1 chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds
2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (Optional)
2 tablespoons of any barbecue rub (Optional)

That’s it, I told you it was simple. If you’re using wood chips or chunks to create smoke, you don’t even need to use the oil or the rub.

I’ll give you two methods for cooking the chicken. The first is based on using a barbecue smoker. The second is based on using a barbecue grill and indirect heat. The preparation applies to either method.

Preparation

Set-up your barbecue smoker. Or if using a barbecue grill, set it up for indirect heat.
Remove giblets from chicken and trim off any excess skin and fat.
Rinse the chicken well under cold water, inside and out. Then pat dry.

1. If using a dry rub Brush the oil all over the outside of the chicken. Then sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the rub.

2. Open the beer can. If using a water smoker, pour about a third of the can in the water pan. If using a grill, either pour it away, or better still, drink it.

3. Punch another three of four holes in the top of the can. If using the rub, pour the remaining 1/2 teaspoon into the beer.

4. Hold the chicken upright, with the opening of the body cavity at the bottom, and lower it onto the beer can. Effectively stuffing the chicken with the beer can.

5. Pull the chicken legs forward so it stands upright. Using the chickens legs and the beer can to form a stable tripod.

Cooking Method Using A Water Smoker

The instructions below assume that you’re using a charcoal water smoker. I’ve assumed that you have the charcoal at the correct temperature, you have your wood chips or chunks on the charcoal and the water pan is in place, with water and some of the beer in it.

If you’re using an electric water smoker, follow the user instruction that came with the smoker to get it prepared for smoking.

1. Carefully stand the chicken on a cooking grid in the smoker. Use the legs and the beer can to act as a tripod.

2. Put on the smoker lid and let the beer can chicken smoke for about 2 hours. Don’t worry if you let it go a bit longer. So long as there’s water in the water pan it’s going to be OK. When I make beer can chicken I often leave them in my water smoker for up to 5 hours. The result is succulent, fall apart chicken.

3. When cooked and ready to eat, carefully take the chicken out of the smoker. I find the best way is to use a large, clean, cloth or oven gloves. Take care as the beer can will still have about half the beer and drippings from the chicken in it, and it will be very hot.

4. Put the chicken on a board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the beer can from the chicken. Discard the can and carve the chicken.

Cooking Method Using A Barbecue Grill And Indirect Heat

I’ve assumed that you have the charcoal or gas at the correct temperature. Your grill is set-up for indirect heat, and if you’re using wood chips or chunks, you have them on the charcoal.

1. Carefully stand the chicken on a cooking grid over a drip pan. Use the legs and the beer can to act as a tripod.

2. Cover the grill with the hood and let the beer can chicken cook for about 1 to 2 hours. Check the chicken at intervals, say every half hour to start with. The chicken will be cooked when the skin is crisp and is dark brown going on black. If the skin goes brown too quickly shut the vents on the grill to reduce the heat.

3. When cooked and ready to eat, carefully remove the chicken from the grill. I find the best way is to use a large, clean, cloth or oven gloves. Take care as the beer can will still have about half the beer and drippings from the chicken in it, and it will be very hot.
4. Put the chicken on a board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the beer can from the chicken. Discard the can and carve the chicken.

I like to carve the chicken and make sandwiches out of it using rustic bread. But most often I find the meat gets plucked from the carcass before I’ve time to carve it!

I usually cook two or three at a time on the lower grid of my Brinkmann smoker. I put ribs and the like on the top grid and let the drippings drop onto the beer can chicken below.

As I mentioned, this is the easiest recipe for beer can chicken that I know. Many recipes state that you must use a rub the inside or outside of the chicken, or both. Others state that you should baste the chicken. Personally, I’d try the easy recipe above and then change one thing at a time.

About the Author

Les runs The Barbecue Hut website that provides useful information about barbecue grills and smokers, and also includes a wide selection of free recipes.
He is also author of The Char Grill Chat newsletter.

Website:
http://www.barbecuehut.com

Newsletter:
http://www.barbecuehut.com/chargrill_chat

Whenever we talk about diet, there are numerous things that
come to mind. There are mainly two meanings of the word
diet. They both relate to food. First one can be defined
as food that we take into our body. For example, eating a
well-balanced diet. Another one can be defined as losing
weight.

A balanced diet contains proper portions of five basic food
groups. To ensure optimum health and a balanced diet, it is
essential to have a proper portion of each group, each day.
The amount of food needed gets smaller as we move up the
“pyramid”. Bread, rice, cereal and pasta are in the bottom
group. 6 to 11 servings every day from this group are
needed.

After that, on the pyramid is the vegetable group. Nearly
everyone requires 3 to 5 servings from this group daily. The
vegetable group gives you vitamins and minerals such as
vitamin A and C, as per required. After that, is the fruit
group. We need about 2 to 4 servings of this group per day.
Fruits give you vitamin C, fiber, carbohydrates and more.

Next is the milk, yogurt and cheese group. People need 2 to
3 servings of this group per day. This group gives you
calcium and protein. Drinking milk and eating cheese and/or
yogurt is a great way to get your daily allowance.

Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts is the last
group. We do not need much of this group everyday but this
group is very important. 2 to 3 servings per day are
required.

In addition to the food pyramid, it was discovered by
doctors and scientist that fats, sweets and oils are an
important ingredient of a healthy diet. This is mentioned
although it is separate from the pyramid. The food we
eat normally contains the required fats so we need not
add additional fatty or sweet food. This food can be
delicious but we always try to avoid an excess of this
type of fatty or sweet food.

If you are referring to a weight-loss diet, you are talking
about changing or restricting your diet somehow to reduce
calories, fat or other to lose weight. No diet should be
used without talking to your doctor first. There are many
diets on the market and medications to help people diet. The
problem with dieting when not under a doctor~s care is that
you may be loosing nutrients your body needs to stay
healthy. You may be trying to lose weight because you are
overweight or obese, but can be doing more harm by
restricting vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Remember, if you are in doubt as to what your body needs,
please consult your doctor.

Marcelle Ventura is the webmaster of

FINA Diet - Understanding Diet, Made Easy , a wonderful health resource.

About the Author

Marcelle Ventura is the webmaster of

FINA Diet - Understanding Diet Made Easy

Would you believe that a brain-test invented in 1924 can detect abnormalities invisible to the latest-generation MRI scanner? The test in question is the electroencephalogram or brain-wave test, and for certain medical conditions it is the key to accurate diagnosis.

In this era of rapidly developing technology for medical imaging, one test that might seem downright old-fashioned is an electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain-wave test. But by its very nature, the EEG test will continue to occupy a valuable niche in medical diagnosis that brain-imaging testslike CT scans and MRI scanswill never fill.

Rather than making pictures of the brain’s anatomy, EEGs evaluate the brain’s physiology. So while imaging tests won’t replace electroencephalograms, EEGs won’t replace imaging tests, either. The testing methods look at the brain from completely different points of view, each valuable in its own way.

Broken into its parts, the term electroencephalogram means “electrical brain recording.”Hans Berger, a German scientist, got the ball rolling in 1924 with the first recordings of human brain-waves. Since then, the basic principles of recording EEGs have remained the same, but the electronics have gotten betterand smaller. In an EEG recording, tiny voltage-fluctuations from the brain are picked up by a standard array of metal disks attached to the scalp and are then amplified electronically in order to create a permanent recording.

If you are old enough, you might remember the 1960s fascination with alpha waves which people tried to enhance via biofeedback devices. Alpha waves are rhythmic brain-signals oscillating between 8 and 13 times per second that can be measured from the back of the head during quiet wakefulness. Additional voltage-rhythms encountered during clinical recordings include theta and delta waves that oscillate more slowly than alpha waves, and beta waves that oscillate more rapidly. All four rhythms can be seen in normal states of alertness, drowsiness or sleep, and should be the same on both sides of the brain.

The premier use of EEGs is to evaluate people with known or suspected epilepsy (seizure disorders). Seizures are highly electrical events in the brain that cause temporary alterations in the patient’s consciousness, perceptions or behavior. In healthy circumstances, the brain’s approximately 20 billion brain cells perpetually signal each other via electrical impulses. Collectively, these impulses traveling among networks of brain-cells are the means by which the brain performs its functionslike perceiving, pondering, remembering, calculating and deciding. A poetic scientist described the brain and its normal functioning as “an enchanted loom where millions of flashing shuttles weave a dissolving pattern, always a meaningful pattern though never an abiding one; a shifting harmony of subpatterns.”

But in epileptic attacks, salvo upon salvo of excessive discharges overwhelm the brain’s circuits and disrupt their normal functions. Suddenly, the enchanted loom’s patterns are no longer meaningful or harmonious. A seizure-in-progress is readily detected by an EEG recording. However, most patients under evaluation for seizures don’t oblige the doctor by having an attack during a typical 30-90 minute recording session. Fortunately, for purposes of diagnosis this is not usually necessary. Tell-tale changes in brain-waves are often present during the periods between attackswhile the patient feels normalthat can reveal a tendency to epilepsy and even identify specific sub-types.

Two other common uses for EEG testing are for assessment of confusional states and sleeping disorders.

In people with confusion or memory loss, an EEG can show different patterns depending on the cause. When confusion is caused by a depressed mood, the EEG remains normal. When confusion is caused by a degenerative dementia like Alzheimer’s disease or by a metabolic condition like a drug-overdose, the brain’s rhythms become slower.

For evaluation of sleeping problems, an EEG is just one component of a battery of recording systems. Through concurrent monitoring of other biological processeslike breathing, blood-oxygenation, heartbeat, muscle activity and eye movementsconditions such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea can be diagnosed.

So what can you expect if your doctor refers you for an EEG study? In many cases, you won’t need to make any special preparations for the test, but in cases where epilepsy is under consideration, you might be asked to stay awake for much of the preceding night. Sleep-deprivation increases the likelihood of recording a seizure-related abnormality in patients who have them. You are usually allowed to eat before the test.

The testing-session lasts about two hours, though can be longer, especially if a sleeping problem is being evaluated. The EEG technologist uses much of the testing-session to attach about two dozen metal-disk electrodes to the scalp in standardized locations, and then to test the electrical characteristics of each electrode to ensure that good connections have been made.Once the electrodes are in place the recording session can begin. For most of the recording you lie quietly with your eyes closed. The technologist measures the brain-waves during quiet wakefulness, and then if you fall asleep, that is recorded, too. In additional parts of the test, you might be asked to breathe rapidly and deeply for about three minutes (useful in detecting “absence” or “petit mal” epilepsy) or to watch flashing lights (useful in detecting certain other kinds of epilepsy). Then the electrodes are disconnected and you go home.

A physician subsequently reads the recording and makes a report. The report includes a description of the observed rhythms of brain-waves, details of any detected abnormalities and comments about their possible significance. Your own doctor uses this report along with what else is known about your condition to make a diagnosis.

If you need an EEG, the good news is that the test is not painful. No needles are involved. There is no need to shave or otherwise remove hair. The bad news is that the adhesive used to attach the electrodes to your scalp can take a day or two to scrub out, and might require mineral oil to remove. Beauty-shop treatments should be postponed until after the EEG appointment; the hair-dresser’s efforts will be ruined if the EEG comes second.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles, see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely. Every one has purpose of life. Some holds good for self, family, a society, state, nation, religion, world, etc.

Personalities are engaged to realize the purpose by executing definite plans & process.

It is an interesting, amazing accepted norm of society that on several occasions, we neglect & forget the “P R O C E SS ” & the “P U R P O S E”. We only remember the personalities and spend time & energy on discussing personalities and how to change our self & other. Except this we must spend our energy & time collectively for a productive purpose.

I like following lines of unknown author who said :

Small minds discuss persons;

Average mind discuss events;

Great minds discuss Ideas.

What you discuss, What and how you think? Among the purpose and personality we must focus on purpose most of the time.

http://www.brendynamics.com/gr

Nilesh Gore

Name : Nilesh B Gore

Profession : Graphologist(Hndwriting Analyst) & SW. Eng.

Email : ng411002@rediffmail.com

Web : http://www.brendynamics.com/gr

Country : India, Ms

Copyrights : © Nilesh B Gore.

I love eating out. Going to a good restaurant is one of the most pleasurable things imaginable. My favorite restaurants serve anything from fast food to continental cuisine, and everything in between. About the only thing better than restaurants is women, and I know better than to get into that here.

It may surprise ya’ll based on what I just said that there’s one particular type of restaurant that I don’t patronize anymore. They’re the “all you can eat, buffet type” ones.

I began wising up about a year ago. Ray, Hugh, and I decided to go to a well known spot one morning to sample their breakfast buffet. At that time, for around five bucks, you could choose from lots of different breakfast items.

We all walked in and sat down. A pretty waitress came up and asked if we wanted to order the buffet? She had a dazzling smile, and I thought for a second that Hugh was gonna try and put in an order for her. He didn’t, and we all proceeded to order the buffet. She smiled, invited us to help ourselves, so we did exactly that.

Hugo and The Pip walked over to one side of the buffet table, and I to the other. The side I went over to had a big pot of grits, and they were calling out my name.

There were three people standing there as I walked up - a husband and wife, and a daughter who must’ve been about ten years old. I watched as the husband and wife loaded up their plates, and then the daughter walked up to load hers. She dipped one spoon of grits, sneezed, and then walked over to the pancakes. When she got to them, she dipped her hands into the stack and grabbed several. She then placed them on her plate, smiled over at her parents, and they all returned back to their table.

My first impulse was to ask these three if they’d studied at the Saddam Hussein School of Etiquette? Geez - if I’d done that when I was a kid, my parents would’ve turned my heiny redder than an Atomic Fireball!

I returned to my seat with very little food. When I started eating, I began thinking about all those germs swan diving off people’s hands into the buffet table. When Ray and Hugh returned, I regaled them with what’d just happened. We all left there convinced that the “all you can eat” concept was going to be a historical one for us.

A few months passed, and one day my kids started pestering me about taking them to this all you can eat pizza joint. They kept going on about how good it was, and then they hit me with, “Dad, you can eat all you want there for less than four bucks!” I knew that spelled trouble, but, because they’re my kids, I dropped my guard and consented to go.

We went a couple of nights later, and the place was more crowded than the Macon driver’s license bureau. You didn’t have to worry about the pizza getting cold as it was being devoured only moments after it was put out. I figured I’d sit there for a few minutes, let the crowd thin, and then go get a slice or two.

Thirty minutes later I was still sitting, and it occurred to me that this crowd was not gonna slim down. I bravely got up, wedged my way in between a couple of experienced eaters, and grabbed a couple of slices of pizza.

I was pretty proud of myself until I took the first bite - god, it was awful! It tasted like a cardboard triangle painted to look like pizza. On top of that, I had a unique opportunity to watch this size challenged (fat) kid stand up there at the bar and eat pizza. He never even sat down - he just stood up there and wolfed down pizza slices like a mound of fire ants on a june bug. It was a pretty wicked scene to watch.

So folks, no more “all you can eat” joints for me. From now on, I’m only patronizing places where I can order the food and watch ‘em bring it out. Ray and Hugh totally concur - unless, of course, that waitress I mentioned earlier happens to be patronizing one of these all you can eat places. If we all know she’s eating at one, we’ll go there and pay to eat after her…

About The Author

Ed’s latest book, “Rough As A Cob,” can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. He’s also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.

Stress is a normal part of daily life. However poorly managed stress can lead to a variety of health issues such as emotional, psychological and even physical problems. The physical issues that can arise from high stress levels include coronary problems such as hyper tension (high blood pressure), chest pains, artery disease and more. Of course stress is not the only cause of these health issues but it is one of the more controllable contributors. Working-Well .com www.working-well.com offers affordable massage chairs for controlling your stress levels.

So why does stress have such and adverse effect on health? Experts are still unsure as to the direct reason there are a few possible links. The first reason is that stressful situations cause blood pressure to rise. This condition, also called hyper tension, puts more strain on the entire cardio vascular system including the heart. Also during times of stress the body produces high levels of adrenaline and cortisol. Both of these hormones play a vital role in coping with stress but excessive levels adversely affect blood pressure and can lead to variety of other diseases.

Stress can also indirectly damage the body by influencing people’s behavioral patterns which can lead to self destructive behaviors. People’s eating habits often are affected by stress and individuals may find themselves overeating or not eating at all. Stress can lead to an increase in alcohol consumption and smoking and a decrease in exercise. Even though everyone reacts differently to stress the end result is usually damaging to a persons health.

There are a variety of ways to reduce stress. Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress as well as improve your body’s health. Another great defense is learning to stay positive. Negativity creates extra stress that with the right attitude can be avoided. Stress can also be reduced through meditation, yoga and massage www.working-well.com. These techniques are excellent at relaxing the mind and improving the body.

Electronic massage chairs are an excellent way to control stress levels and keep your mind and body happy. Massage increases circulation while reducing cardio-vascular strain so you can lower your blood pressure simply by relaxing in the comfort of your own home. Working-Well .com www.working-well.com offers a full line of top quality massage chairs including the Premier Health Products PHP-2026 http://www.working-well.com/php-2026.html as well as personalized massage chair recommendations and service. www.working-well.com/fitting-form.asp

Besides reducing your stress, another important way to reduce your likelihood of suffering from heart disease is to improve your diet. Eating well can greatly improve your chances of living a long and healthy life. Here are some way’s you can improve your diet. Your heart will love you.

• Consume a wider variety of healthy foods.


• Always eat in moderation.


• Know your ideal weight and maintain it.


• Consume a minimum of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.


• Consume foods high in dietary fiber such as whole grain cereals, legumes and vegetables.


• Minimize your daily fat consumption. Select foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.


• Reduce your intake of sugar and salt.


• Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.


• Make slow and consistent improvements to your diet for lasting eating improvements.


• Combine healthy eating habits with a regular exercise program.

For more information about stress related illness or our line of massage chairs contact us online at www.working-well.com or call us at 1-800-608-5488.

Ben Harvey
Director of Public Relations
1-800-608-5488
Sales@working-well.com
Working-Well .com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Director of Public Relations
1-800-608-5488
Sales@working-well.com
Working-Well .com

Property Index are specialists for property in Dubai, view the site to see the different properties.

Although Property Index is only a new kid on the block enterprise, starting their business only in March of 2007, they have established expert status very quickly. They are a extremely undemanding enterprise specializing in servicing every visitor who is aiming to buy, sell, etc. realty across the world. They promise to lend you a hand to unearth just what’s needed quick and, furthermore, easily. Property can be purchased in many parts of the world at present, one of the most fashionable areas being land available for sale in Dubai. It should be no problem to write a list of the phenomenal properties for sale in Dubai, the rationale for investigating land here is real estate for sale and the wonderful chance to live amid this energetic and animated populace.

It is one of the truly popular regions of the world at present, and in view of the lovely landscape and the climate surrounding you round the clock, how could you say no. Property in Dubai is steeped in history, art and culture, this geographical region is home to a number of sophisticated civilizations. Just 25-30 years back there was only very few of Britishers in search of properties in Dubai. Ask everyone who has chosen to relocate to Dubai and they’re likely to tell you the same. Many people would tend to view it as a mere craze and others tend to view it as a approximating to a fixation. People keen on moving over here range from young urban couples keen on a new challenge in life to retirees planning to enjoy their retirement.

Bear in mind, however, that you might hit on some predicaments when attempting to buy properties abroad — it stands to reason that there are hundreds of steps to bear in mind be it when scheduling, paying a visit or signing up. Even if one minor procedure is missed it is liable to escalate huge predicaments as well as, critically, money loss. As everybody will presume with this fashionable location, properties could be costly in this region which is, of course, plainly a result of the steep demand. This notwithstanding, the property buyer is pretty much spoilt in terms of choice in such a part of the world so rich in fair terrain and great surroundings. It’s actually got the whole ball of wax one may covet etc.

After the best sourced help pertaining to food packaging .
When you are on the lookout for excellent information about food packaging , it will be hard separating value-packed advice from amateurish food packaging proposals and guidance so it is wise to know ways of moderating the information you are given.

ThermoSafe: Temperature Sensitive Packaging
Supplies temperature assurance materials for temperature critical packages during transit, including Polar Packs, U-tek packs, and dry ice machines.

Now we’d like to offer you some advice which we advise you to use when you are searching for information about food packaging . Understand that the guidance we put forward is only applicable to internet advice about food packaging . We are unable to offer any tips or guidance when you are also conducting research in books or magazines.

Agile Software: PLM Software for Food & Beverage Packaging
Offers PLM solutions designed to help companies optimize the product lifecycle with enterprise-class solutions and value-driven implementations.

A great tip to follow when offered help or advice concerning a food packaging webpage is to verify the ownership of the website. This may show you who owns the site food packaging qualifications The easiest way to work out who is at the back of the food packaging web site is to look on the ‘about’ page or the sites ‘contact’ page.

Any reputable website providing information regarding food packaging , will nearly always have a ‘contact’, or an ‘about’, page that will list the owner’s details. The details should tell you some indication concerning the owner’s requisite knowledge. This means you can conduct an appraisal about the site owner’s knowledge and skill, to provide advice to you regarding food packaging .

About the author:

Barry Wise is the webmaster for http://www.food-packaging.info

There are so many decisions that go into deciding a vacation destination. When it involves more than just you and your friend or significant other, it seems to get even more complicated. Small, and even family vacations should not drive you to drink or pulling all your hair out. These are just a few tips to help you make your choice a little less stressful.

The first and easiest thing to ask yourself is what you and the people you will be going with like to do? Are you totally outdoor people, strictly indoor types, or a combination? Are all of you athletic or in good shape? Do you like hot weather, mild or cold seasons? Is sightseeing something you would like on your agenda or are you strictly an activity oriented type? Do you enjoy ‘roughing it’ or do you want more comfort? Do you like camping, fishing, backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, bird watching, wildlife viewing, history, learning how some of the unique formations in the parks came to be there, snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, sailing, boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting, photography, hunting, or just lazing around beautiful places?

The next thing to consider is how much do you have to spend and how much time will you have. There are so many national parks and monuments that are relatively close to people that it is not expensive to get yourself there. Some of the exciting wilderness areas in Alaska can be expensive to get to, but if you have the money and enjoy the great outdoors, it is certainly worth going for an incredible experience you won’t soon forget.

That being said, it only remains to pick your destination. Bear in mind, that almost any area has inexpensive travel options and moves up from there to more expensive ones. Also, just because you are going to a national park, does not mean you have to ‘rough it’. There are plenty of options for day hiking, climbing, fishing, water sports, etc. that do not involve sitting by a campfire enjoying the great outdoors if that is just not your style.

Camping is generally believed to be the cheapest type of a vacation after you make the initial investment of camping supplies. This can be a tidy sum, but remember that the equipment usually lasts for quite a few years. It is generally true that camping fees at the parks are cheaper than an average hotel room. And if you own an RV, you can camp in true comfort. Most campgrounds are situated in gorgeous surroundings and allow you easy access to the park’s highlights. There are very few parks that don’t have some kind of campgrounds. Also, when you camp, you usually cook your own food which also saves you money. And no, you do not have to eat hotdogs all week unless that is what you love!

Now, if you live in the Midwest, there are plenty of park options within driving distances that take no more than twelve hours or less, depending where you live. Of course, you can always choose to fly anywhere, but some parks are a little distant from the nearest airport. Driving allows you the luxury of taking along everything you think you need for a comfortable stay.

My favorite pick for the Midwest is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is hands down one of the best all-around parks for the family. It falls within the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. You can choose to rough it on the Appalachian Trail, camp out in a developed campground or wilderness, or stay in anywhere from luxurious suites to nice inexpensive hotels in nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. And, speaking of Pigeon Forge, you have Dollywood and all the innumerable attractions they offer in the area. On the North Carolina side you have more campgrounds, the city of Cherokee that has several Indian souvenirs and museums, whitewater rafting and fly fishing (the last two are actually offered in both states). The mountains are absolutely beautiful and make for great photo ops. Please look up our Great Smoky Mountain web page for further details.

Another great choice is Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and State Park. They also have camping and wildlife viewing, especially bird watching. A unique shoreline allows for walking on the beach or swimming in Lake Michigan. They even have areas for you to bring your own horses and go horseback riding. For those of you that enjoy sightseeing and history, you can see the five World’s Fair houses from 1933 or attend the Gathering At Calumic in early May, where Eastern Woodland Indians and Western Great Lakes fur traders and Voyageurs reenact what life was like along the Calumet River from 1730-1830.

If you enjoy boating, there are several places in the Midwest, but the two northern ones are Voyageurs National Park and Isle Royale National Park. Voyageurs is in Minnesota and Isle Royale is off of the northern coast of Michigan in Lake Superior. Both offer great wilderness adventures as well as canoeing, kayaking, motor boating and fishing opportunities. Voyageurs is considered a water park meaning you have to take a boat over to the actual park, but it is a short journey. There are places to camp out or lodges to stay at that will help equip you, enabling you to boat around the waterways and find those great fishing spots. Isle Royale is a long boat ride or a short “puddle jumper” flight. It has wilderness camping only, but also has a lodge for those who only enjoy day hiking and some comfort. There is kayaking, fishing, backpacking, wildlife, with the longest running research program studying wolves and moose, scuba diving, and ship wrecks. It is truly a unique ecosystem to observe.

The Western US has much more to offer in national parks. The most famous is Yellowstone where you will see Old Faithful and lots of other geothermal marvels and one of the few places in the lower 48 to observe grizzly bears up close. You’ll also see bison roaming very close by so be careful. It is located on the border of Wyoming and Montana. There are numerous ranches and lodges to stay at or you can camp out in the park. There is also great fly fishing, kayaking, climbing and backpacking. Another biggie is Grand Canyon National Park. This one is in Arizona, again on the border of Arizona and Nevada, but also close to the southern Utah border. It is part of the Grand Staircase, an immense sequence of sedimentary rock layers that runs south from Bryce Canyon National Park, through Zion National Park (both in Utah) and ends at the Grand Canyon. There is camping, backpacking, day hiking, whitewater rafting, and plenty of photography opportunities.

Other great parks, (although all of them are super places to visit) in the west, are Yosemite, Channel Islands, Redwood, Arches, Olympic, Grand Teton, Canyonlands, Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, and Sequoia. All of these have great wide spread activities that will suit any vacationers’ needs and desires. Please check out our individual park pages for further information on each of these superb parks.

The Eastern United States also offer splendid options for vacationing. Acadia National Park in Maine has unsurpassed northern oceanside views and cliff climbing that you won’t find in other parks. There is also fishing, island exploring, hiking and beautiful gardens to gaze upon. Further down the eastern side is Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park for 101 miles giving you plenty of hiking and backpacking options. There is also camping, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding.

In Florida, you will find three national parks and one preserve with the most famous being Everglades. Everglades is so much more then what you have seen on TV. The wildlife is phenomenal and makes it easy to get some great animal and bird shots. There is also wilderness camping, (watch out for alligators!) canoeing, fishing, airboat rides, hiking, and rare, as well as beautiful flora. Big Cypress National Preserve is right by Everglades and is very similar, but also offers cypress stands, mangrove forests, endangered species of wildlife like the peregrine falcon and the Florida panther. Activities include fishing, biking, canoeing, hiking, and hunting. Biscayne National Park is off of the eastern tip of southern Florida. As the world’s third-longest coral reef tract, there are snorkeling, scuba diving trips, sailing, swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities, making it a celebrated national park vacation for family vacations or outdoor adventure-seeking spring break crowds. Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique park preserving Fort Jefferson that was built during the Civil War and never finished, and the nesting places of terns and sea turtles. You will be able to enjoy Key West snorkeling, saltwater fishing, swimming, lighthouses, ship wreaks, hiking, beach camping, boating, scuba diving, bird watching, and underwater photography of some of the best coral reef and marine life areas down in Southern Florida.

Again, I want to stress that this has been just an overview of some of the impressive parks to be seen in our national parks system. I urge you to dig into our site, http://www.Adventure-Crew.com, and read some of the park pages for the areas you are interested in visiting to find the perfect place for you to enjoy a wonderful vacation full of memories and remarkable photographs. A lot of the research has already been done for you, so dive in! With the national parks, your choices are truly endless.

Corie Marks
http://www.adventure-crew.com

Corie Marks works for a website dedicated to promoting outdoor adventures in US national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas, Adventure-Crew.com. Her duties entail marketing, sales, writing for the website and field work with her husband Stu, who is the Art Director for the website.

Certain weight loss diets, such as Atkins, emphasize increased protein consumption while reducing carbohydrates. One recent commercial in America depicts a woman describing her meal from the previous evening: “I had beef. With a side of beef.” Diets like this don’t offer the variety of choices that we normally enjoy, and they cause concern over kidney and liver damage.

High protein diets are effective ways of building lean body mass. It’s been a reliable technique for athletes. For people seeking to lose weight, these diets will increase your resting metabolic rate as the muscular-skeletal tissue increases. In other words, you’ll gain muscle tissue while your body burns fat.

It’s a great concept, but how do we do it without damaging our kidneys and liver? The key is in choosing the best sources of protein possible. Red meat is high in protein, but is difficult for our bodies to break down, requiring extra effort from our liver and kidneys, in addition to being a source of unhealthy cholesterol.

For dieters, the best sources of protein are soy and whey. They are heart healthy foods that are very versatile. Soy protein is absorbed slowly, making you feel full until your next meal. Whey protein is absorbed faster, which sends signals to your brain, notifying it that your body’s hunger has been satisfied. The combination of these two protein sources will control your cravings while reducing your overall food intake.

A protein powder that is made with a blend of soy and whey protein is a useful ingredient for the dieter. One can sneak extra protein into favorite dishes by adding it to pasta dishes, using it to thicken sauces, sprinkling it on vegetables, and baking with it. Find shake mixes, sports drink mixes, and meat substitutes that have been made with a blend of soy and whey protein.

The next consideration for the high protein dieter is the rate at which you consume the protein. If a dieter has a target protein consumption of 100 grams, his body needs time to process and absorb that much protein. If this dieter skips breakfast, his liver and kidneys will have to work harder to filter the 100 grams of protein he crams in during the last half of the day.

If you need to lose weight, consume 3 healthy, high protein meals in addition to 2 healthy snacks. Your body can absorb 30 grams of protein every 3 to 4 hours, so adjust your meal plans and protein consumption accordingly.

Here are some additional ideas for an effective high protein diet:

Take a multi-vitamin while you are dieting. You don’t want your body to experience malnutrition while you are on a controlled or restricted diet.

Drink 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. This is especially important for higher protein consumption, as it will improve the performance your liver and kidneys.

Consider an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement. Obesity is an inflammatory disease, and the omega 3 fatty acids help control cellular inflammation.

Also, consider taking an amino acid supplement, which helps break down proteins, making them easier for your body to absorb, while reducing the burden on your liver and kidneys.

Once you’ve achieved your weight loss goal, you can reduce your daily protein consumption to 60 to 80 grams, which is the recommended amount to maintain lean body mass. The guidance of a health or wellness professional should be used when determining the protein targets for your body. Many people need guidance that goes beyond FDA nutrition charts. An individual’s eating habits, trigger foods, medical history, and body shape are important factors to consider when revising a diet plan.

D.J. Netz is a wellness counselor, based in Portland, Oregon for more than 10 years. He has been assisting people achieve excellent health through cellular nutrition. For weight loss clients, he uses a clinically proven method which blocks cravings and provides a safe increase in energy while they are losing weight. His website can be accessed with this link: http://nourish-yourself.com/?refid=HiProtein-24547 .