By SARA HAUFF DORAN
Everything in your life should be in moderation. That is an idea often heard but not often practiced when it comes to food.
I am very fond of eating — but I am careful not to overindulge all of the time. I pretty much eat what I want, within reason, but I just don’t eat that much of it.
Which brings me to my next point — portion sizes. The sizes restaurants serve (especially Italian restaurants) can be obscene. More than a few times, I have been served my pasta dinner on a platter plate, as in an oval shape instead of a circle! (Who knows how many pounds of pasta there was)?
In those instances, I ate about half of it and got a doggy bag for the rest. Not only did I not feel incredibly full afterwards, but I also had another meal for lunch or dinner that week.
But if you are one who likes to finish their plate, you can immediately ask the wait staff to box up half of your meal or better yet ask if they serve half portions beforehand so that you are not tempted to overeat.
I always try to eat slowly. It takes at least 20 minutes for your body to signal to your brain that you are full. A study presented at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity reported that eating slower means eating less and still feeling “full.”
There is a misconception that there are good and bad foods. There are no good or bad foods — it is unhealthy to label them as such. Giving emotional labels to food can actually lead to binge eating and eating disorders. We should view eating as something we need to survive and that gives us energy. Of course, it can give us pleasure too, and that’s OK as long as it’s in moderation.
Also, if we label certain foods as bad, our rebellious spirits can drive us to seek out that forbidden fruit. For example, one dessert we used to think was devilish we found out is actually good for you (here’s that word again — in moderation, of course). That is dark chocolate because of the flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.
Now if you have health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, then the rules are different for you because you may in fact have to avoid certain foods. But if that’s not you, then keep in mind that any food is fine, in moderation. Now if only I could practice moderation with my wine drinking!
February 17, 2010
PORTION CONTROL MUST PREVAIL
HEY TAYLOR, DUMP THAT MORON MAYER
By MOLLY DAVIS
Taylor, say it isn’t so!
John Mayer?
Why?
I can’t figure out, and I’m sure others are wondering as well, why you would drop a cutie like Taylor Lautner for sleazy John Mayer.
Sure, if you didn’t mesh with the “Twilight” wolf hottie, then don’t date him.
But to move on to a creep like the guitar-strumming, self-obsessed, woman-eater John Mayer?
Why?
Although it’s still unconfirmed you two are in fact dating, you’ve been to dinner with John twice, you were just at his concert, so the buzz is that you’re an item.
All I can say is run.
Fast.
And very far.
John is a consummate player.
Who has man breasts.
Or moobies, as they’re called.
Which he flaunted on his Rolling Stone cover – he could’ve used a bra, or at least a shirt to cover up his soft upper bod and hide those distasteful tattoos.
And then there was the actual interview, where he talked about his eternal search for finding “a beautiful vagina” and how much he loved threesomes.
Some other lecherous choice quotes?
On his sex life becoming an endless loop of new girls rejecting him in clubs: ”Blowing me off is the new sucking me off!”
On finding a girlfriend: “Do you think it’s going to take meeting someone who I admire more than I admire myself? But isn’t it also about a beautiful vagina? Aren’t we talking about a matrix of a couple of different things here? Like, you need to have them be able to go toe-to-toe with you intellectually. But don’t they also have to have a vagina you could pitch a tent on and just camp out on for, like, a weekend? Doesn’t that have to be there, too? The Joshua Tree of vaginas? …I’ll be happy when I close out this life-partner thing. Think of how much mental capacity I’m using to meet the right person so I can stop giving a (bleep) about it.”
On his relationships: “All I want to do now is (bleep) the girls I’ve already (bleeped), because I can’t fathom explaining myself to somebody who can’t believe I’d be interested in them, and they’re going, But you’re John Mayer! So I’m going backwards to move forward. I’m too freaked out to meet anybody else.”
On the paparazzi: “I’ll be honest with you. All this weird (bleep) about me? All this strangeness? I wouldn’t have a music career without it. But I am at odds with myself. I have some presence of psychological damage from the past 36 months. I have not had a woman appear in my dreams sexually without a paparazzi in the dream too. I can’t even have a wet dream without having to explain to someone who’s grinding on me, We can’t do this right now, because there’s a guy over there taking pictures.”
I now dub thee Mayer “The King of Overshare.”
John, who also tweets his feelings, posted this on Twitter hours after the article hit stands:
“Just read my Rolling Stone cover article. I’m still not sure if I would want to hang out with me.”
Spoiler alert…
COMEBACK KATE HITS NEW LOW
By MOLLY DAVIS
Kate Gosselin is making a comeback.
Jumping at every opportunity, the Wernersville resident has been spotted out on the town in New York City, is set to come back to a TV near you, and is releasing her third book.
So much for the relative Jon & Kate quiet I’ve been enjoying for the past few months.
First, let’s tackle the book.
The reality star is scheduled to release “I Just Want You to Know: Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith and Family” on April 13 by Zondervan Publishers.
The book features prayers she recites, excerpts from her personal journal and eight individual letters addressed to each one of her brood.
Who would want to read that?
Besides her children, I can’t imagine.
But she obviously has an audience, as her last two books, Multiple Blessings and Eight Little Faces, have been New York Times bestsellers.
Kate’s statement about the book reads, “Each day the thought crosses my mind that when they get older, my kids are going to look back and think about how they were raised.”
“I know they will have a lot of questions about things that may not make sense because they were raised so unconventionally. I don’t want them to grow up and wonder; I want them to know without a shadow of a doubt how much I love them and how much every sacrifice made was worth it for them.”
It’s a very nice sentiment, but unnecessary.
Instead of publishing these very personal letters, how about just giving the letters directly to your children?
Have them framed for each of the kids — a great Valentine’s Day gift — but publishing them in a tell all?
I would be furious at my mom.
Then again, I don’t need my mom to publish her feelings about me – I’ve never doubted them, as they have been reinforced throughout the years by the act of her being a present parent.
No letter needed.
Just simple “I love you’s” have worked just fine.
In addition to the book, Gosselin is in production on a new television show for TLC, focusing on the newly-single mother.
No kids?
Isn’t that the main reason people tuned in?
Other than watching Kate berate Jon, those eight cherub faces made the show.
Which brings us to the rumors that the kids may return to filming.
Even though Jon slapped TLC with cease-and-desist order to halt production on “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ last fall, he’s reportedly negotiating with Kate and the network to resume filming again.
Smells like a money-motivated decision.
Jon is reportedly willing to let his kids back on the show if TLC will drop its breach of contract suit filed against him for making paid appearances on other networks.
Translation: Jon has no money, can’t make his awful personal Ed Hardy clad appearances, and needs to make a buck to pay for his expensive lifestyle.
The kids filming would also be financially beneficial to Kate, as she was dining at Butter in NYC after getting her new longer locks chopped in Manhattan.
After spending 20 hours having the $7,000 extensions put in, she returned to have them shorn to a shaggy, shoulder-length style.
If Kate is going to be heading to N.Y. and dropping that amount of money on extensions only to get rid of them a month later, you better believe she needs to get her kids back on TLC.
COULD ANYBODY CHALLENGE JIMMIE?
By ERIC FISHER
Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie Johnson.
OK, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at the race for second place.
Seriously, when NASCAR kicks off its Sprint Cup Series this Sunday with the Daytona 500, the overriding question will be whether anyone can overtake Johnson, who has won the last four NASCAR championships. Johnson is the gold standard. Will he win an unprecedented fifth straight title?
The following is a preview of the 2010 season. We’ll examine the issues, the questions and the drivers. But it will all be in context of “Who can catch Jimmie Johnson?”
Why should we expect anyone to be able to catch Johnson?
If Johnson continues at his current level, nobody will catch him. So why should anyone expect Johnson’s performance will drop off? Johnson and his wife are expecting their first child in July. Maybe, after the baby is born, Johnson’s priorities will change and his unmatched preparation will tail off just a little bit. Yes, we’re grasping at straws. But this is a glimmer of light for Johnson’s competitors.
Can anyone compete with Hendrick Motorsports?
The domination of Hendrick Motorsports extends well beyond Johnson. Hendrick swept the top three spots in the standings last year, with Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon finishing second and third, respectively. Dale Earnhardt Jr., in 25th place, was the only Hendrick driver outside the top three. The fact that Martin and Earnhardt earned front-row starting positions for the Daytona 500 is a good omen for Hendrick. Other teams may narrow the gap, but Hendrick should still be the top team.
Can any of the other Hendrick Motorsports drivers overtake Johnson?
Martin was the only serious challenger to Johnson’s throne last season. Martin, the best driver never to win a NASCAR championship, made a successful return to a full-time schedule by winning five races and finishing as the overall runner-up for the fifth time. At age 51, Martin will once again be a sentimental favorite to capture his first crown.
Gordon is another potential challenger. He had more top 10 finishes (25) than any other driver last year despite battling a sore back. If Gordon can reach victory lane a few more times than last year, when he did it once, he could challenge Johnson. I expect Earnhardt to improve dramatically, but not enough to challenge for the overall title.\
Could any of the non-Hendrick drivers who qualified for the Chase last year challenge Johnson?
Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman and Brian Vickers all had fine seasons in 2009 and may continue their success in 2010. None of them, however, has the consistency and organization to contend for a championship.
Denny Hamlin, with four wins last year while finishing fifth, was considered a threat to catch Johnson until he tore the ACL in his left knee on Jan. 22. You can drive a car with a torn ACL, especially in the left knee, but it’s difficult to believe the lack of stability in that knee won’t affect his performance.
Carl Edwards, anointed the top challenger before last season, failed to win a race as Roush Fenway Racing struggled. Expect Edwards to win races this year and perhaps regain that mantle as the top challenger. Tony Stewart has the competitiveness and talent to challenge Johnson. Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle have outside shots at being serious contenders.
Could any driver who didn’t qualify for last year’s Chase challenge Johnson?
Kyle Busch is the obvious answer. The mercurial Busch finished 13th last season despite having four wins, as many as anyone except Johnson and Martin. Busch has talent and the drive to succeed. The question is whether he can control his emotions and avoid making too many enemies, especially with NASCAR loosening the reins on aggressive driving.
Will NASCAR’s attempts to create more excitement by allowing more bumping affect Johnson?
The additional leeway given to drivers to aggressively bump and draft in close quarters adds an element of unpredictability. Predictability favors the status quo, which favors Johnson. Unpredictability favors change, which works against Johnson. An accident or two at inopportune times could bring Johnson back to the pack and derail his championship train. NASCAR’s encouragement of more aggressive driving could be the greatest threat to King Jimmie’s championship reign.
Who will qualify for the Chase?
This is a tougher chore than in recent years. Consider that Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Earnhardt all finished outside the top 12 last season.
Let’s start with Hendrick’s big three of Johnson, Martin and Gordon. Edwards and Stewart should qualify. Kyle Busch is too good not to qualify for the Chase again. The acceptance of aggressive driving perfectly fits Montoya’s style. Hamlin barely hangs in there with his knee injury. The final four spots are filled by Kurt Busch, Biffle, Vickers and … Junior!
Who will win the Sprint Cup?
Johnson adds one for the thumb. But he will be severely tested this year. 3. Mark Martin; 2. Kyle Busch; 1. Jimmie Johnson.
OUR VIEW: HIT THE ROAD, ARLEN!
Sen. Arlen Specter has received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Democratic state committee, but he is far from assured of winning re-election this fall. In fact, he might not even have the Democratic nomination in hand, with U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak challenging him. Regardless of who the Democrats nominate, however, the only way to reverse the fiscal irresponsibility in Washington is to vote for the Republican candidate.
The endorsement that Specter received from the Democratic state committee normally is enough to put a candidate over the top for the nomination, especially in Pennsylvania, which rarely encourages contested primaries.
However, Specter long has been a Republican. Even though Specter has not been a model of fiscal discipline, many Democrats seem unconvinced that a former Republican is the best choice to lead their party.
The endorsement that Specter received from the committee can partly be attributed to the backing that he has secured from major party officials such as President Obama and Gov. Edward Rendell. Party officials are more likely to accept the dictates of these officeholders.
But the rank and file may not simply vote for Specter because the committee has recommended him. They may choose to vote for Sestak, who has run a visible campaign. Sestak remains an appealing choice for liberals and other regular Democrats.
Sestak is more liberal than Specter, however, and his presence in the race will force Specter to the left to secure the nomination. As a result, whether Specter wins the nomination or not, the Democratic nominee likely will be considerably to the left of the mood of the electorate.
The Republican Party is fortunate not to have to deal with Specter. He has been too far to the left for far too long. When he voted for President Obama’s wasteful stimulus bill, Specter went too far. He no longer had any real claim to being conservative at all.
With voters upset about the ballooning deficit, Republicans can offer a real choice for change in this election with former Rep. Pat Toomey. Toomey actually can credibly advocate lowering government spending, which is not a course of action that either Specter or Sestak could believably advocate.
January 28, 2010
POLICE: MEN BUSTED WITH 100 POUNDS OF POT
State police made a massive drug, bagging two suspects who were smuggling a whopping 100 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, officials said.
The suspects, J. Jesus Ramirez-Duran, 35, of Reading and Fernando Mora-Adame, 29, of Reading, were stopped on Route 222 in Muhlenberg Township on Jan. 26, state police at Reading said.
State Police were conducting a drug investigation involving the shipment of marijuana from Mexico to the Reading area, officials said.
Muhlenberg police, Allentown police, Lehigh County Drug Task Force, and the Berks County Drug Task Force.
Police: Driver dozes; vehicle hits pump house
A vehicle barreled into a pump house after the driver fell asleep on Jan. 25, state police at Hamburg said.
A vehicle driven by Christopher Marshall, 21, of Kutztown, hit the pump house to the Highland Estates Trailer Park on Old Route 22 in Greenwich Township, state police said.
Marshall, who dozed off behind the wheel, was not injured, state police said.
Police: Suspect charged in victim’s death
A 27-year-old Gap man delivered drugs to a man who eventually died, state police at Lancaster said.
Alan Pedrick, who was charged with drug delivery on Jan. 21, was arrested at his residence, arraigned and sent to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail on Jan. 25, state police said.
Steven Gilmore died on Old Strasburg Road in Salisbury Township on Sept. 19, state police said.
An autopsy conducted by the Chester County Coroner’s Office ruled the cause of death was the result of adverse effects of drugs, police said.
Vehicle spins out across lawns
A vehicle slammed into several mailboxes and went on lawns during a wild accident in Windsor Township on Jan. 24.
A vehicle driven by Anthony Kaufman, 20, of Kutztown, lost control on a wet roadway, hit several mailboxes and spun out — going across several lawns — before uprooting mailboxes and damaging sewage pipes on Old Route 22, state police at Hamburg said.
The sewage pipes were owned by four property owners.
Kaufman refused treatment at the scene, state police said.
Slugs smash vehicle’s window
Bozos busted the front passenger window of a red Ford Bronco on South Church Street in Bally between Jan. 19 and 20, state police at Reading said.
The victim is Robert Hissim, 59, of Bally, state police said.
Artificial Christmas tree leads to accident
An artificial Christmas tree went out of a pick-up in Tilden Township on Jan. 21 and caused an accident, state police at Hamburg said.
Vehicles driven by Gregory Dayhoff, 54, of Finksburg, Md., and Ravi Buddhew, 24, of West New York, N.J., were in an accident on I-78, after the artificial Christmas tree became airborne from a pick-up driven by a third person and was struck by Buddhew’s vehicle, state police said.
State police said the artificial Christmas tree was not secured.
Buddhew suffered a minor injury, and he was transported via Hamburg EMS to Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The right lane was closed for about 15 minutes.
PennDOT assisted with traffic control.
Fools take TV, computer, furnace
Creep robbers targeted a business and grabbed several items — including a mobile home furnace.
The thugs also grabbed a television, laptop computer and keyboard from Clayton Homes on North Kinzer Road in Paradise Township between Jan. 21 and 22, state police at Lancaster said.
Man accused of hit-and-run that killed horse
A man is accused of being involved in a hit-and-run accident in which a horse was killed and two teenagers were injured, state police at Lancaster said.
Brad Jordan, 33, of Gap, fled the scene after his vehicle hit a horse-and-buggy driven by Amos Stoltzfus, on Mount Vernon Road in Salisbury Township on Jan. 18, state police said.
Jordan was identified thanks to a anonymous tip, state police said.
Stoltzfus had a minor injury, and his passenger, Christian Stoltzfus, 16, of Gap, was taken to Lancaster General Hospital for a moderate injury, state police said.
DUI suspect’s vehicle went airborne
A DUI suspect hit an embankment and went airborne during an accident in East Drumore Township, state police said.
The vehicle driven by Peter Martin, 22, of Lancaster, hit the ground vertically, spun around before winding up in a field on Robert Fulton Highway, state police said.
Martin was under the influence of alcohol, state police said.
TEEN EJECTED FROM VEHICLE
A teenaged passenger was ejected from a vehicle as it was overturning during an accident on Jan. 27, state police at Lancaster said.
A vehicle driven by Josh Cole, 20, of Quarryville lost traction on ice and rolled over two times before coming to rest against a tree on Route 222 in Strasburg Township, state police said.
Passenger Rachael Cole, 19, of Quarryville, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle, state police said.
Rachael Cole suffered a major injury and was taken to Lancaster General Hospital.
Josh Cole had a minor injury.
Chumps steal change from vehicle
Chumps stole about $10 in change from a parked vehicle at Brookside Court in West Brunswick Township on Jan. 26, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The victim is Carl Denchy, of Orwigsburg.
Police: Boy found with weapon, drug paraphernalia
A 16-year-old Steelton area boy was found with a prohibited weapon and drug paraphernalia after an incident on East Main Street in Palmyra in August, borough police said.
The boy and a 17-year-old Lancaster area girl who was with him were listed as runaways at the time, police said.
The boy was charged on Jan. 28, police said.
Driver trapped inside vehicle
A driver was trapped inside his vehicle during a three-vehicle accident in Palmyra on Jan. 27, borough police said.
Vehicles driven by Gene Schell, Bonnie Robinson, 38, of Palmyra, and Dina Bomgardner, 26, of Palmyra, were involved in an accident on Main and Duke streets, police said.
Schell’s vehicle wound up on its side and he was entrapped, police said.
Schell was freed by the Palmyra Citizen’s Fire Company and was taken to Hershey Medical Center for minor injuries.
Robinson and Bomgardner also had minor injuries, but declined treatment at the scene, police said.
Police: 3 arrested in missing girl case
Three people were arrested for being involved in a case of a missing 14-year-old girl in Brecknock Township, state police at Ephrata said.
Rachel Starr, 54, Aaron Hoover, 47, and Alda Hoover, 23, were arrested, state police said.
Starr orchestrated the incident and took the girl to different location to hide her from her parents and police, officials said. She was sent to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The girl was at Martin’s residence and Hoover withheld pertinent information from troopers and parents, state police said. Hoover was taken to Lancaster County Prison on $150,000 bail, and Martin was released after posting $75,000 unsecured bail, police said.
Creeps swipe TV from home
Losers stole a television set and some personal items from a home on Locust Lane in Providence Township on Jan. 24, state police at Lancaster said.
The victim is Gloria Thompson.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (717) 299-7650.
Police: Man violated order
Michael Clair, of Martic, violated a protection from abuse order after an incident on Pinnacle Road in Martic Township on Jan. 24, state police at Lancaster said.
Teens charged for swiping stolen bike
Two teenagers swiped a motorcycle that was already stolen, state police at Hamburg said.
Elijah Brown, 19, of Hamburg, and Marlyn Glover, 18, of Lenhartsville, went into the side garage door of Torey Mack, 18, of Shartlesville, grabbed already-stolen 2002 Yamaha YZ426 motorcycle, loaded it into a pickup truck and fled to Brown’s residence, state police said.
Troopers found the stolen motorcycle in the Brown’s second-floor bedroom, and Brown was hiding in the roof area of the home, state police said.
Brown was charged with burglary, motor vehicle theft and receiving stolen property, sate police said. Brown was sent to Berks County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.
Glover was charged with burglary, motor vehicle theft and receiving stolen property, state police said. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
Mack was charged with receiving stolen property and was released on $15,000 unsecured bail, state police said.
The victim and owner of the motorcycle is Peter Forlin, 41, of New Cumberland, state police said.
Hamburg and Tilden police departments assisted state police.
Woman hurt in three-vehicle wreck
Vehicles driven by Christopher Wright, 32, of Berwick, Kathy Smith, 49, of Tremont, and Jennifer Coomb, 36, of Cornish, N.H., were involved in an accident on Molleystown Road in Tremont on Jan. 27, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Coomb was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center East for minor injuries, state police said.
Bozos try to bust into Mikes Pharmacy
Pathetic punks tried to break into the rear door of Mikes Pharmacy on Route 422 in Jackson Township on Jan. 15, state police at Jonestown said.
The suspects couldn’t get inside and fled.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (717) 865-2194.
Police: Man stole jewelry, equipment
A 24-year-old man Pine Grove man stole jewelry and musical equipment from a residence on Maple Avenue in Pine Grove in October, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The suspect, Ervin Washington, was arrested for another incident earlier on Oct. 3 in Mt. Carmel, state police said. Washington has been in Northumberland County Prison since.
Some of the stolen property from the Pine Grove theft was recovered at the residence in Mt. Carmel, state police said.
Troopers determined Washington burglarized the Pine Grove home and fled to Mt. Carmel, state police said.
Washington was arraigned for the burglary on Jan. 26 and bail was set at $25,000, state police said.
He was sent back to Northumberland County Prison.
The victims in the Pine Grove burglary were Paul and Tara Karenda, state police said.
Loser takes $$$ from vehicle
A goon grabbed $50 from a vehicle on North Fourth Street in Cressona between Jan. 25 and 26, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The victim is Jennifer Dayson.
Lunkheads attack vehicles
Bozos smashed the right window of a vehicle and stole a Sony CD player at Don’s Auto on Port Carbon/Saint Clair Highway in East Norwegian Township on Jan. 22, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The jerks also broke the rear right wing window of another vehicle that was in service, state police said.
The victims are Harriet Pellegrino, 67, of Frackville, and Amanda Mikitka, 23, of Mcadoo.
Vehicle hits parked vehicle, flees
A vehicle hit a parked, unattended vehicle and kept going on Interstate 78 in Greenwich Township on Jan. 287, state police at Hamburg said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (610) 562-6885.
Vehicles crack up in Ontelaunee
Vehicles driven by Carolyn Caporusco, 47, of Mohrsville, and David Mete, 59, of Pottsville, were involved in an accident on Route 61 on Ontelaunee Township on Jan. 24, state police at Schuylkill Haven said. Nobody was injured.
Jerks steal PlayStation 3
Thugs stole a PlayStation 3 console, games and several DVDs from an apartment on Quarry Road in Swatara Township, Lebanon County, between Jan. 22 and 26, state police at Jonestown said.
The victim is Brian Aucker, 51, of Lebanon, state police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (717) 865-2194.
Blaze razes home
Five residents escaped as a massive fire destroyed a home in Martic Township on Jan. 26, state police at Lancaster said.
The damage was about $550,000, and the victims are Paul and Cindy Szili, state police said.
The fire started in the area between the second floor ceiling and the building’s roof, state police said.
Officials haven’t ruled out the possibility of a chimney or electrical fire.
Police: DUI driver’s vehicle hits utility pole
John Sauder, 27, of Holtwood, was arrested for DUI after crashing his truck into a utility pole on White Oak Road in Strasburg on Jan. 27, state police at Lancaster said.
DON’T BLAME FAVRE
By ERIC FISHER
In honor of the exciting NFC and AFC championship games, we’re going to use a hurry-up offense and execute our two-minute drill.
BLOWN OPPORTUNITY: All the attention focused on Brett Favre’s interception at the end of regulation has obscured some truths from the NFC championship game.
Truth No. 1: The Vikings didn’t lose to the Saints because of Favre. They lost because of lost fumbles, including two inside the 10-yard line, and an inexcusable penalty for 12 men on the field on the play before Favre’s interception, turning a running down into a passing down.
Truth No. 2: The Vikings never would have made it to the NFC championship game without Favre. It’s as if the interception brought all of Favre’s critics back out from under their rocks, as if that one mistake justified their opinion that signing Favre was a mistake. Wrong!
HATIN’ ON PEYTON: Speaking of wrong-headed critics, it’s unfathomable that there are still people out there who don’t consider Peyton Manning one of the greatest quarterbacks in history. Manning has won four MVP awards and has reached his second Super Bowl. But you don’t need statistics to understand Manning’s greatness. Just watch him play.
SPLIT LOYALTIES: Which team will Archie Manning root for in the Super Bowl? I suspect he’ll be rooting for his son and the Colts, but there has to be a part of him that would be pleased if his former team, New Orleans, wins its first Super Bowl.
THE NOT-SO-SUPER BOWL: The Pro Bowl has been moved to this Sunday, one week before the Super Bowl. Eagles fans who want Donovan McNabb run out of town may become furious seeing McNabb participate in the Pro Bowl – if anyone actually watches the Pro Bowl. McNabb, added as an alternate due to the withdrawal of Favre and Drew Brees’ preparation for the Super Bowl, will join Dallas’ Tony Romo as backups to Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.
The starting quarterback for the AFC will be Houston’s Matt Schaub, a West Chester East graduate.
BOWLING FOR STARS: The Pro Bowl is the worst of the four major sports’ all-star games. You simply can’t play football half-speed and make it entertaining.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!: There was a time when fans voting a player as undeserving as Allen Iverson into the starting lineup of an all-star game would have bothered me. Not anymore. I’ve come to realize that all-star games, especially the NBA All-Star game, are all about entertainment.
A.I. is certainly entertaining. If the fans want entertainment, give them what they want!
FAILING THE FUTURE: Iverson’s presence in the NBA All-Star game doesn’t bother me, but his presence with the Sixers does bother me. Iverson hasn’t done anything wrong. In fact, I’m happy for him. However, there is no long-term benefit in having Iverson play crucial minutes while Lou Williams sits on the bench.
MIND GAMES: The first person who can explain the logic behind Sixers coach Eddie Jordan’s ever-changing rotation should receive a prize – possibly a Nobel.
IMPOSSIBLE PUZZLE?: Jordan, of course, must work with the roster he’s been given. The Sixers have talent, but they’re like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces don’t fit together.
TRADE WINDS: Now that the Flyers have surged back into the playoff picture, it’s time to start thinking about what they must add before the March 3 trade deadline to challenge for the Stanley Cup. With Danny Syvret still sidelined with a shoulder injury and Ryan Parent having had back surgery Monday, it wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Paul Holmgren goes shopping for a defenseman.
Calgary has a nice stockpile of quality defensemen. The Flames’ problem is they can’t score. The Flyers, who traded Joffrey Lupul and lost Mike Knuble in free agency, don’t have an excess of big scorers. Perhaps the Flyers could involve a third team with expendable offensive talent – the Atlanta Thrashers? – in order to acquire one of Calgary’s defensemen.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: The best sign I saw this past week was at the Australian Open. Numerous fans held up signs stating, “I’ve been with Tiger.”
The runner-up for best sign wasn’t even a sign. It was a T-shirt, spotted at a Flyers game, which read, “You can’t spell Crosby without cry.”
PREDICTIONS: The winner of the Super Bowl will be … you’ll have to wait until next week. But I don’t want to leave you without a prediction for this weekend. I refuse to predict a winner in anything as worthless as the Pro Bowl. Instead, I’ll select dark horse Chris Jericho to win the WWE’s Royal Rumble.
FINDING THE RIGHT GYM
By SARA HAUFF DORAN
Working out at home saves time and money, but if you find that you are distracted at home (like I am) or can’t find the motivation, then finding a gym may be the right move.
Perhaps you have tried to work out at home and you have not stuck with it. Prevention magazine reports that scientists at the University of Western Australia studied 126 women and found that those who exercised at a gym were four times more likely to stick with their routine than were those who worked out at home.
I have a treadmill at home (in our unfinished basement) and have various fitness DVDs, and still cannot find the drive to fit in exercise at home. For me, it’s too many distractions — our young children, our dog, housework, paying bills, writing deadlines — you get the idea and I’m sure you can fill in the blanks with what keeps you busy at home.
So if for whatever reason working out at home is not happening, then it’s time to find a gym near your home or work. I’m been a member on and off of a local gym for the last 20 years. For me, I chose a gym with the most varied group exercise class offerings. They have various types of classes at different times throughout the week.
Over the years, I’ve taken step aerobics, spinning, belly dancing, Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates. Not only does it keep me interested in exercising, it’s also good for my body to mix it up. Otherwise, muscles grow accustomed to workout routines and you may stop seeing results.
So in addition to finding a gym near your home or your work (it depends what time you plan on attending the gym), you should also look at its offerings. Do you like group exercise classes like me, or do you want to swim laps or strength train? Will you use the elliptical trainer or walk on the treadmill?
Another pointer is to visit the gym at the time that you will be regularly attending in order to see how busy it’ll be at that hour. Most gyms allow you to try out their facilities for free for the first time.
Another plus of a gym atmosphere is peer pressure! You may work harder if you are around other people working hard too! Even if you do not socialize, you may feel that you are in this thing together. And I have found that gym members are often dedicated to making exercise a top priority in their lives. And so, perhaps you can be one of those people too — who put exercise at the top of their to-do lists.
JON’S LIVIN’ LARGE!
By SASHA PASULKA
This past week was all about the television, as the Jersey Shore finale aired with 4.8 million viewers watching, marking a new ratings record for MTV and a fist-pump to the face of this season’s ratings-challenged The Hills.
The show’s success has also been good news for whomever owns the cast’s Seaside Heights beach house, as it’s currently renting at $3500/night, with prices going up to $6500/night for the summer. Jersey’s never been so classy!
American Idol refuses to be caught with its pants on the ground; the juggernaut pulled in well over 20 million viewers this week, despite initial fears that a Paula Abdul-less season nine would be a ratings disappointment. I have to admit, it’s strange watching the show when all the judges are sober and have at least a loose grasp of the English grammar, but I’m holding out hope that Ellen DeGeneres can develop a quick Xanax addiction before they begin filming live episodes with her as the fourth judge.
In other television news, the giant Hope for Haiti broadcast raised over $58 million the night it aired, with over 100 celebrities performing and/or answering phone calls from donors. Donations continue to pour in and will be accepted for the next six months.
In movie news — well, there is no movie news (it’s January, where bad movies go to die), but Wernersville resident Jon Gosselin was spotted with his new girlfriend, Morgan Christie, at the Sundance Film Festival in her home of Park City. Jon was looking large and in charge, with an emphasis on the large.
Hopefully the frigid Park City weather kicked his metabolism into high gear, because he just seems to be getting bigger every time we see a new photo of him. Lay off the beer, Jonny!
Also spotted at Sundance: Boston boy Ben Affleck, tossing back vodka with Tommy Lee Jones. Tsk tsk, Ben! Didn’t you already go to rehab for this behavior? You have a wife and two beautiful children waiting for you in Los Angeles. Perhaps you ought to make a brief detour through rehab on your way home?
Check back in next week for all the latest dirt from Hollywood!
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Sasha Pasulka is the managing editor of Evil Beet Gossip, your daily source of celeb gossip and snarky wit. Check us out at www.EvilBeetGossip.com.
