Most men have a high sex drive that usually comes on full force as young men. These desires start due to an increase in testosterone in the early teen years and run wildly like the bulls in Spain through the 30’s.

The problem is that no one ever talks about why the desire to have sex declines with aging or what you can do to fix it. The natural ego in a man makes this conversation a very tough one to have.  A lot of men correlate the lack of sexual desire with working and the added stress that comes along with it, this does play its part.

However, if you will recall when you were a young man, your average day could have been filled with a class starting at 8am, studying after school followed by 4-5 hrs of work, and capped off with a party and possible alcohol consumption till 2am.

You would still have the desire to chase a young lady, hoping to engage in some sexual fun. As opposed to now where you come home from a long day, maybe play with the kids or walk the dog, eat dinner, watch some TV, and possibly roll over and give your wife 4-6 minutes she probably wishes she could have back.

What happened and how do you fix it? Women have menopause. Is there a male equivalent and does it affect your sex drive?

The Male Pause

Andropause or male-menopause is a recognized problem that men also experience hormonal changes and a decrease in testosterone production. Finding ways to maintain a higher testosterone level will most likely result in a healthier sex drive.

Men in their 20’s and 30’s need not be alarmed. This change is something that typically happens to middle aged men. If you are struggling with sexual desire, do not be too shy to consult your doctor about your decrease in desire. I guarantee you will not be the first man to have this conversation with your physician.

Many medical experts believe that having a strong sexual appetite well into your 70′s is achievable, if you’re doing the right things.

Symptoms

• Decreased sex drive
• Lack of energy
• Weight gain
• Loss of muscle
• Hair loss
• Excessive sweating
• Irritability

Mental State of Mind

Psychological factors play a part in men of all ages. Of the two major reasons for decreased sexual desire, I believe the psychological situation is easier to fix than the physical.

In the crazy, over competitive world we live in today stress does play a part in one’s desire to have intercourse. This is something that can be fixed by just spending a little “you” time – not referring in any way to masturbation.

Take a day to just clear your mind and do some things you’ve wanted to do and put aside the things you feel you have to do. Try to alleviate stress by realizing that things are going to happen and do your best to try and make the outcome favorable to your situation.

Depression is another big one that plays a part in decreased sexual desire – also the medication you may be taking can hinder your seeking of the flesh. Realize that you may be suffering from depression and take the proper steps to regain a happy mindset and lifestyle, I know it is not easy.

I know from first hand experience after going through my first big heartbreak – a 4 ½ year relationship ended while we were engaged to be married – I suffered a tremendous decrease in my sexual desires. The recovery process took about 6-8 months before I regained my lust for women.

How to Erect the Situation

What you eat can play a larger part than most people would think. Obviously eating poorly such as fast foods and less fruits and vegetables can contribute to a very lethargic state.

It’s not only about what not to eat that can play a part, but also the right things to be eating. Acquiring a diet high in natural aphrodisiacs could increase your libido to levels it has never reached before.

For example foods like oysters, almonds, avocados, bananas, and many other foods are proven to increase your testosterone levels and could have you back in the saddle in no time.  If you’re really hard up for more frequent hard-ons you may actually want to have a smorgasbord of all these foods.

Get Your Blood Pumping

Another thing that happens as we get older, and this goes for men in their mid to late 20’s, is our amount of daily activity goes down. After years of being involved with sports or various physical activities and sharing the same schedule with friends (making it easier to go to the gym on regular basis) some of us get jobs and become more sedentary.

Exercising has numerous amounts of positive effects from helping the body look good, which in return helps the body feel well. Also studies show that 45-60 minutes of exercise can increase testosterone levels.  Note that more than that can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.

Alternative Options

If eating right, straightening out your psychological state, and exercising don’t work for you then you always have the option of consulting your doctor.  Depending on your health they could get you on a supplement that could naturally boost your testosterone levels.

Before you rely on one of the many popular male enhancement creams or pills, you should ask about what you may be able to change in your daily routine that could return your sex drive closer to normal for your age.

It is hard for men to realize that they may not have the desires they once had when they were a young man. A large part of the American male culture is bragging about their sexual conquests with women in their various circles or locker rooms.

It is important to take in all the determining factors and find out which one may be the reason for the decrease in sex drive. Once you get your body and mind back on track things will start to point in the right direction more often!

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Four Great Sex Workouts
• Sexy Sizzling Summer Beach Body
• Increasing Sex Drive With Food:P90 Sex

After the initial incident blew up on all forms of media I watched a slew of retired pro football players complain that Bryant was a diva.  They said that you just have to carry people’s pads, buy them dinner, get hazed–whatever it took to “fit in”.

I suppose I’m a little confused.  I didn’t realize that Dez Bryant wanting to be “business only” was a bad thing.  Everybody is now saying that he’s a diva and he’s a bad guy.

Some people said that you should expect this kind of behavior from the Dallas Cowboys–his NFL team.  Or, you should expect this behavior from a first round draft pick, but  I don’t buy that at all.

I don’t think Dez Bryant is a bad guy or a diva.  I have a description for him, but we need to see who the divas are first, and Dez Bryant is no diva.

Roy Williams Is Diva Number One

Roy Williams was a highly touted wide receiver coming out of the University of Texas.  He went to the Lions and never really accomplished much of anything.  However, you could have blamed his lack of productivity on the Lions.

When the Cowboys gave up a lot of guys to get Williams, everyone was hoping he would have a “coming out” party, but that never happened.  In a season and a half in Dallas, Williams has played 25 games, caught 57 passes for 794 yards and 8 touchdowns.

He also drops the ball like it’s going out of style.

Roy Williams is on his last professional “leg,” if you will.  Dez Bryant is in Dallas to take Williams’ job.  Williams was supposed to be “the man,” but it appears that Bryant has taken the mantle.

So, when Roy Williams, an underperforming/older/nearly washed-up receiver asks the hot-new-kid-who-catches-everything-and-is-getting-standing-ovations-in-practice to carry his pads, that’s bound to cause a problem.

Roy Williams is diva number one because he doesn’t get it.  The better player–Bryant–is going to take his job.  Just because “you had to do it” doesn’t mean that you can force someone to carry your pads, buy you dinner, etc.  This is how sports works.  If you’re better, you play.  If you’re worse, you don’t play.  Sometimes you get released.

I anticipate that Roy Williams will be cut by the Cowboys before the season starts and even though a lot of people thought he was right in this situation, he’ll never live it down.  He’ll be the guy who challenged Dez Bryant and lost.

Mike Golic

Mike Golic hosts a radio show that I will not name because everyone knows what it is.  He played nine years in the NFL and he came to Roy Williams’ defense because, “you just do these things.”  He instantly became diva number two.

After he ripped Bryant on his show for not carrying Roy Williams’ pads, he told a story about tying a guy to a goal post in training camp.  They tied the guy to the goal post because he wouldn’t sing his school’s fight song in front of the team.

Then I saw Mark Schlereth, on the same network, talking about guys getting tied to a goal post and how you “just do these things.”  I think these guys have taken “male bonding” to a whole new level.

Sure, some guys think this kind of stuff is fun and they play along.  I have no problem with that.  However, there are guys who are not going to play along, and then it hit me.

The Rest of the NFL

Photo from: Team Andras

Look at the parity in the NFL.  You never know who is going to be up and who is going to be down in a given season.  We blame that on things like scheduling, the draft, and free agency.

Let me ask you a question:  Don’t you think parity comes partially from “fat cat” players who want to have too much fun in training camp?  Didn’t the Cowboys have a really good season last year?

I’ll bet you anything that Roy Williams came into camp with a big head and he thought: “This Bryant kid is going to be my bitch.”  The unfortunate reality is that Dez Bryant said, “I ain’t gonna be your bitch!”

This story made headlines because Dez Bryant is a newsmaker, but how many times does this kind of thing happen in training camp and the chemistry of the team is being ruined?  I don’t think I’ll watch the NFL the same way again.

When a team is supposed to be playing well and they aren’t I’ll always wonder if they had a “stupid” training camp.  How many dumb veterans does it take to screw up your season?  One.

The Douchebag Hall of Fame

Welcome to the hallowed halls of the Douchebag Hall of Fame.

Because this column is filled with douchebag-like behavior I think it’s appropriate to inaugurate my “Douchebag Hall of Fame” to close.  Some of these guys are obvious, but some just made their way in with the “Dez Bryant won’t carry the pads” story.

Mike Golic

Golic gets into the hall for taking out of both sides of his mouth.  On one hand he wants guys to “bond” and on the other he thinks it’s ok to tie someone to a goal post because they wouldn’t sing a song.

Golic, I think a lot of us have been putting up with you for far too long.  I’m done with your show because, as one dude on Twitter put it, I can’t handle your “vintage Golic” stupidity.

Mark Schlereth

Mark, you won three Super Bowls with two different teams in your career.  That is highly impressive, but listening to you defend Roy Williams felt like a long trip to IKEA for me–more painful than childbirth.

Listening to you defend stupid NFL player behavior almost made me laugh.  However, in the end, I lost all respect for you.  I thought you were the “smart one”, but when your reasoning boils down to “that’s just what you do”, I’m out.

Roy Williams

Roy, Dez is going to take your job–plain and simple.  Get over it.  You’re a millionaire many times over.  You could quit right now and be just fine.  Why do you have to hate on this kid?

In the words of Alec Trevelyan, “Won’t you just be a good boy and [let your career] die?”

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• NFL: Only One Of These Teams Is Smart
• NFL: Potentially Great Teams With Stupid Players
• Terrell Owens Suitors: Patriots, Seahawks, and More

Both the American and National League Central races are heating up. The Chicago White Sox lead the AL Central by one game over the Minnesota Twins, and the Detroit Tigers only trail by three games. The White Sox have cooled off and are rumored to still be in the mix for a bat.  The Tigers suffered a big loss with Magglio Ordonez breaking his ankle sliding into home plate.

The NL Central has the St. Louis Cardinals even with the Cincinnati Reds.  These two teams have been winning games through different methods–the Cards by pitching and the Reds by hitting. Baseball fans know that good pitching usually out last good hitting.

Just as I thought they would, the New York Mets have fallen off and have won only two of their last 10. The general manager says that Jerry Manuel’s job is ok for the remainder of this season, but I can’t see him still managing next season if they don’t make the playoffs.

The Boston Red Sox have fallen seven games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East.  The Red Sox also trail the wild card leading Tampa Bay Rays by five games. The amount of player injuries has played its part in the downfall of the Red Sox this season.  The gap to win the division is too great, and soon their wild card chances will be in a similar boat.

Bud Black was given a contract extension to manage the over achieving San Diego Padres. I haven’t said it out loud yet, but the Padres may actually be for real. Let’s highlight the big reasons why, cover the impact of the Haren trade, and find out something about Roy Oswalt.

Padres Parade

The Padres hitting has been timelier than when you were a kid and you walked in on your friend’s older sister getting out of the shower–that was no accident, just like the Padres aren’t.

I don’t think they thought it would work out quite this great, but they gather a rotation of quality starters, a proven closer, and surrounded an MVP player with speedy mediocre talent.

Coming into this season they knew that no one in this division made any big moves and the Dodgers pitching wasn’t that great.

Pitching Factor

The Padres have the best ERA in baseball at 3.26,  lead by youngster Matt Latos, who has the lowest ERA amongst the starters at 2.48.  If it weren’t for the incredible seasons of Ubaldo Jimenez and Josh Johnson, Latos may figure into the Cy Young voting.

The Padres have Latos on a pitch limit. It’s kind of like a curfew for high school kids–they want you to go out and learn cool stuff, but they don’t want you to do anything stupid and hurt yourself.

For the Padres to keep this up, not only will Latos have to continue to pitch well, but the surprising play from fellow starting pitchers like John Garland and Clayton Richards will also have to continue.

Goatee Killer

Beside the fact that Adrian Gonzalez has facial hair that can make any man jealous, he also hits in a line-up where he is the only threat.

Imagine you had to get into a fight 4 on 1, but three of the men were dwarves and only one was your size.  You would focus on knocking out the big one which would render the others ineffective. This is what the Padres line-up is like, but Gonzalez continues to produce.

Gonzalez is the only player with double digit home runs (21) and the only player with more than 40 RBIs (64). Gonzalez also leads all players with more than 200 at-bats in batting average (.295).

Gonzalez will most likely be an MVP candidate if the Padres can keep up this unthinkable run. A team that we thought would be sellers at this time now needs to become buyers and get some help in the line-up.

What Is the Wizard of Oswalt Thinking?

One of the biggest trade rumors has been the Houston Astros looking to move starting pitcher Oswalt. He started the talks by expressing his desire to play for a contender.

However, Oswalt has also said that he wants the team that trades for him to pick up his 16 million dollar option for the 2012 season.  This has scared off teams like the Cardinals and many others for that matter.

If a team that has a chance to go to the playoffs every year is interested in him and willing to take on the rest of this year and next years contract, why wouldn’t he go?

I understand that he most likely won’t be able to get a deal that will pay him that kind of money in 2012, but $10 – 12 million is a possibility.

I think in life you have to make sacrifices for what is important to you. By demanding that a team pickup the 16 million dollar option he is saying that winning is second to money.

He knows better than any of us that the Astros are not close to being a playoff contender. Oswalt is saying that he would rather have the extra money playing for a cellar organization than have chance at a World Series. If he went to the Cards they would have one of the best rotations in baseball, but I guess money is more important.

Haren Closes the Gap

The AL Central seems to be the Texas Rangers to lose this season.  They added ace pitcher Cliff Lee to an already capable starting rotation before the break.

This put the pressure on the Los Angeles Angels to upgrade their pitching staff.  This week the Angels added stud right hander Dan Haren.  In most cases you would be worried about a pitcher coming from the NL to the AL, but Haren has already pitched in the AL, posting a 43 – 34 record over three seasons with the Oakland Athletics.

The gap between the Angels and Rangers is currently 8.5 games, with the Angels losing 3 of 4 lastweekend.  This weekend they have a 3 game series at the “Big A.”

I do believe Haren gives them a fighting chance to contend for the division, but they don’t have the hitting to close the deal.  Haren gives them a better shot at the AL wild card if they can catch the Rays.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• MLB Approves HGH Testing in Minor Leagues
• Hall of Fame Voters Need To Get Over Themselves
• MLB Week 15 Sluggers and Slugs: Trade Deadline Buyers/Sellers

I’ve heard, more than once, that certain baseball writers have adopted a “No ‘Steroids Era’ players are getting in” policy.  As principled as that might sound, it doesn’t make any sense.

I think I can understand where they’re coming from, but I don’t buy it.  Righteous indignation on the part of one party usually indicates their own guilt.

Ever watched the guilty kid say, “It wasn’t me!” when the teacher asks who shot the spitball?  A lot of these baseball writers feel like they got duped during the “home run chase” and all the hoopla back in the 90′s.  Can’t we just admit it was fun?

To Not Let Them In

Go ahead, just erase 15 years of baseball--for no reason.

The writers who have adopted the “nobody gets in” policy are the supposed “purists”.  These people think baseball is so cool that no one but them should enjoy it.  Frankly, these kind of people are the same reason soccer isn’t taking off in the U.S. (but that’s another column altogether).

When the “purists” call for “Steroids Era” players to be wiped off the map they are saying loud and clear:

1.  I agree to forget all the baseball I watched in the 90′s and early 2000′s.

2.  I think it’s easy to hit a small moving target with a wooden stick.

3.  I am not willing to acknowledge raw talent.

4.  And I am certainly not going to enjoy the game unless everyone has a blood and urine test beforehand.

If you forget 15 years worth of baseball, think the game is easy, don’t recognize a player’s talent, and need “assurances” then you aren’t someone who enjoys the game.

The plain fact is that many fans don’t even care who was or was not using during the “steroids era”.  Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa had the chase.  Am I the only person left who is still astonished that McGwire hit 70 home runs in 1998?

Add Barry Bonds to the argument and I can’t change my mind.  It’s hard to hit a small, moving target with a wooden stick.  As much as I loathe Barry Bonds, he’s still a gifted player, one of the best of his generation.  Denying it any longer would insult my own sports “intellect” and yours too.

To Let Them In

I’m of the opinion that you have to vote for the players who you believe were outstanding in their time.  This explains why I think Andre Dawson and Whitey Herzog had to wait too long to get in the Hall.

Let’s take Jason Giambi.  I had to laugh when I saw him playing for the Rockies.  He was unproductive, he looked terrible, and he had fallen so far from grace that I think most don’t even realize he’s still in the Major Leagues.

He has 1900 career hits and 412 career home runs.  The question is not, “What percentage of his homers and hits were juiced” but, “Is 412 homers and 1900 career hits enough to put you in the Hall?”

Asking other questions requires the kind of research that simply cannot be done.  I know some folks are really big on statistics, but there is no one crazy enough to figure the precise number of at-bats that may or may not have been juiced.

It’s easier to answer the question.  Is 1900 career hits and 412 career homers enough?

What about Fred McGriff?  He played right through the “Steroids Era”–from 1986-2004.  He has 493 career homers and 2490 career hits.  Is that enough?  I’ve never heard his name and steroids in the same sentence, but the question remains the same.

To let these men in is not just about saying that other “eras” had their issues: Spitballs, scuffed balls,  the Black Sox, corked bats, pine tar, whatever.  Letting these men into the Hall of Fame, if you think they played well enough, is about admitting that you couldn’t do it yourself.

I’m not very confident that I could hit a baseball out of the infield, yet Barry Bonds hit 35 balls into McCovey Cove.  Does anyone else want to try that?  I never thought I’d be defending Barry Bonds, but you have to be good in order to do that.

Anyone want to argue that?

What Is The Answer?

The only way to honor people who are truly great baseball players is to acknowledge their play over a long span of time.  Consistent performance is the key and a solid, sustained “peak” is required.

Fred McGriff was hot in the mid-90′s when he was playing for the Braves.  He amassed nearly 500 career homers and almost 2500 hits.  For me, that’s Hall of Fame worthy.

Andre Dawson carried the Cubs and Expos by himself–with the exception of Ryne Sandberg.  He was at the core of a team when he was at his best.  For me, that’s enough.

Jason Giambi signed a bloated contract, performed well for a while, but wasn’t the “core” of the Yankees or the A’s.  He has similar numbers to Andre Dawson, but he doesn’t give me the same “star quality” feeling that Andre Dawson does.  That is how you vote for the Hall of Fame.

Guessing who did, who didn’t, who used a corked bat, who used too much pine tar, who fought too much, who stole signs, and who wore his hat sideways is not a measure of greatness.  If you have a vote and think Jason Giambi is one of the greatest of his time–vote him in.

The same goes for Fred McGriff, Andres Gallaraga, A-Rod, Derek Jeter, or anybody who has played the game for a substantial amount of time.  A baseball “purist” cannot honor the players who perform well if they do not acknowledge the skill involved in playing the game well.

Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa are gifted hitters.  So is Fred McGriff.  There’s no difference–unless you don’t want to enjoy the game for what it is.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• MLB Approves HGH Testing in Minor Leagues
• Alex Rodriguez 600th Homerun: Tainted Celebration Now
• MLB Week 15 Sluggers and Slugs: Trade Deadline Buyers/Sellers

This will be the first North American sport to conduct any kind of blood testing among its athletes.  Thursday night on ESPN Radio, MLB Medical Director, Dr. Gary Green, said that the MLB Players Association would be open to implementing a similar system if the Minor League proves to have a problem.

“The implementation of blood testing in the Minor League represents a significant step in the detection of the illegal use of human growth hormone,” said a statement issued by Selig.

Notorious BALCO founder Victor Conte thinks this announcement is a joke and had several fairly solid points to make about this announcement for baseball.

“This is what I often refer to as ‘announced’ or ‘IQ’ testing instead of drug testing,” Conte said. “It wouldn’t take much of an IQ for a player to circumvent this proposed HGH testing procedure. Drug testing must be completely random in order to be effective.”

The detection of elevated HGH levels can only be found in the blood stream.  To further the thought on the difficulty of testing, identifying an HGH user must be done within a 24 – 48 hour window of using the steroid. The body naturally produces HGH, so there is only a short period of time to check for elevated levels.

Success of HGH Testing

In the history of HGH testing, only one athlete has ever been detected for using growth hormones–British rugby player, Terry Newton.  Newton did not contest the results of his positive test and later came forward admitting to the use growth hormones.

Newton was given a two year ban from the sport by the UKAD (United Kingdom Anti-Doping) agency.

This was the positive test that put pressure North American sports.  The USADA (United State Anti-Doping Agency) and UKAD made sure that organizations like the MLB and others knew that they had found the testing that worked–giving them no more excuses as to why they couldn’t implement testing in sports such as baseball.

MLB has done a pretty good job of cleaning up steroid use in the game.  Sixty-five players have tested positive for steroids since strengthening the testing in 2005, although none of these players have had a positive HGH test.  Most notably Manny Ramirez tested positive for steroids in ’09 and was suspended 50 games.

Chances of MLB Testing

Members from MLB and Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program feel that starting testing in the minors will allow these future big league ball players to become accustomed to blood testing. Someday they are going to take over the majority of the MLBPA and can vote in blood testing.

If they catch one or two guys, the chances of MLB testing happening soon aren’t as likely.  However, if they were to detect half a dozen it would give them the legs to run with this as being a problem in baseball.

The idea of strengthening drug testing isn’t really about protecting the lives of the players or protecting old records as much as about creating an even playing field for the players who don’t use performance enhancing drugs.

How fast the testing will take place in the MLB still depends on the success of the new Minor League system being set up.

Last night on Jason Smith’s “All Night” radio show, they brought up a relevant point: Can Minor League guys afford to buy HGH the same way a Major League player can?

A cycle of HGH is lasts anywhere from five to eight months with one to two daily injections.  Each injection can cost anywhere from $75 – $150 dollars.  Hypothetically, a 6-month cycle with only one daily injection at $120 per would cost about $21,600.

Minor League guys only make $1,100 per month in the first season with open negotiations after that.  Even at 5 times that amount per month for 6 months (the duration of the season)–$33,000 for the year–I doubt these guys would spend 2/3 of their money on growth hormones.

At some point HGH testing will makes its way into MLB.  The only problem with that is by the time it gets approved, they will have moved on to the next enhancer.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Evidence HGH Improves Athletic Production
• Rodriguez, Woods, and Others Linked to Dr. Galea
• World-Pharma.org—Full of Marketing Strategies and Lies

Is it healthy or not? Heather's takes the mystery out of healthy foods.

Foods that claim to be healthier than their conventional counterparts are showing up everywhere, but are they really any better for you?  In most cases, no.  In some instances, they’re downright detrimental to your health.  Those are the ones I want to focus on today, the junk masquerading as health food.

I could have called this piece, “Things That Piss Me Off,” because there is so much misinformation out there regarding health and wellness.  Let’s look at the top three offenders on my wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing list.  These choices aren’t going to aid your weight loss or get you healthier, so beware!

Smoothie Love (Handles)

If you read my articles even once in a blue moon, you know that I love smoothies as the cornerstone of a diet high in fruits and vegetables. In fact, I credit green smoothies with my own 90-lb. weight loss over a period of nine months in 2008.

However, there are healthy smoothies, then there are glorified milkshakes. Case in point: McDonald’s new fruit smoothies.  Their tagline is “we’re changing the way you look at fruit.” Yeah, apparently they want me to look at fruit as the reason my hips are expanding and I can no longer button my jeans!

The Golden Arches would have you believe that you’re getting healthy food when you choose a smoothie over a burger, but their large strawberry-banana comes in at 330 calories, more than a cheeseburger.

Now, I realize that not all calories are created equal, so let’s take a look at the ingredients: strawberry puree, banana puree, water, sugar, concentrated apple juice, cellulose powder, natural (botanical source) and artificial flavors, xanthan gum, citric acid, colored with fruit and vegetable juice, pectin, ascorbic acid (preservative).

So let me get this straight. We need white sugar, juice from concentrate, plant fiber powder, artificial flavors, two thickeners, and manufactured vitamin C to preserve our “healthy food.”  Wow.

To add insult to injury, there are seventy grams of sugar in this smoothie.  That’s nearly six tablespoons of sugar in one smoothie.  If the sugar content isn’t enough to give you pre-diabetic convulsions, consider that there are a mere three grams of protein in our smoothie.

Your blood sugar will skyrocket, and you’ll crash an hour or so later.  You’ll be groggy and believe that “health food” makes you feel worse than the junk you usually wolf down.  This diet deception is worse than the others, because it maligns true healthy eating.  Lest you think McDonald’s is the only culprit, smoothie chains are no improvement!

Cancer in a Veggie Patty

Cancer in a patty?

The soy-as-health-food-myth really gets my goat.  I was a vegetarian for 13 years and happily wolfed down soy-based products for most of them in the name of getting sufficient protein.

People who eat soy regularly have higher rates of esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and stomach cancers than the general population.  This is the same set of cancers that lab rats develop when fed heavy amounts of soy.  Coincidence?  I think not.

The soy thing wouldn’t make me so angry if it weren’t for the fact that soy is in EVERYTHING!  Pick up just about any packaged food and you’ll see soy lecithin (used as an emulsifier) or soy flour. Monsanto and Dow Chemical are no idiots; these products make them a ton of money.  Too bad it’s at the expense of our health and safety.

Add to the list that soy is a top-eight food allergy, and you should quickly see the folly of adding it to so much of the food supply. The good news about soy being such a widespread food allergy is that its inclusion in a product must be listed on food labels by law.

It is my recommendation to skip soy products in almost all forms. Tamari, nama shoyu, and soy sauce are ok in moderation and so long as they are naturally fermented.  Also be aware that upwards of 98% of soy in the United States is genetically modified, so be sure to buy organic.

Some people choose to eat naturally fermented tofu.  Again, I don’t mind that in very limited amounts.  However, it’s difficult to find fermented tofu. You’ll generally find this in Asian markets labeled as “stinky tofu” or “pickled tofu.”  Stinky tofu is a perfect name, as the stuff stinks to high heaven–really.

If you’re a vegan and think that soy protein is the only ethical way to go, au contraire. Check out the your soy-free vegan options to up your protein quotient and stay soy-free.

Is It Really a Healthy Choice?

I have to confess, I love the convenience of frozen meals.  That’s not to say that we eat them in our household, but I love the idea at least.  What I’m not so fond of is the ridiculous amount of sodium, white flour, and tiny servings of vegetables in these meals.

Of course they’re low-calorie.  So low, in fact, that you’ll probably be famished about an hour after you finish this “meal.”  Many of them are high in protein, which is great.  However, they’re so low in fat and fiber that they won’t keep you full for any length of time.

The statistics are misleading, as many of the meals contain potatoes which are counted as a vegetable instead of as a starch (but this is within federal guidelines, of course *eye roll*).

The sodium in these meals has come down significantly, but many still contain more than 25% of the maximum recommended RDA.  Bearing in mind that the upper limit is the point at which people start to demonstrate salt-related disease, 25% is still quite high.

Some of the “healthier entree” frozen food companies have removed preservatives from their meals, but not all, and not across the brand’s offerings. Rather, a small selection is available for those of us who eschew chemicals parading as food products.

Enter the much-debated “yeast extract.” Just know that it’s code for “MSG,” but food companies can get away with calling it yeast extract because technically, that’s what it is.

Frozen entrees often taste like cardboard, so I can’t blame companies for trying to up the taste factor in their offerings.  Too bad they choose to use a product that’s one of the most potent neurotoxins known to man to do it.

So there you have it, my top three offenders in the “health food movement.”  More deception is being perpetrated each day, so be on the lookout for more lies from the food industry!

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Flavor Without Fat or Fad
• A New Look At Smoothies
• Soy Free Vegan Protein Blends

Underwhelmed by A-Rod? Maybe this stick figure will be more impressive.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is entering a four-game series facing the Kansas City Royals sitting on 598 career home runs.  A-Rod is trying to become the 7^th player in Major League Baseball history to join the “600 Homerun Club.”

A-Rod will be joining some pretty impressive company–Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey, Jr. (630), and Sammy Sosa (609).

Before the 2009 season, A-Rod’s name was leaked off the much talked about secret performance enhancing drug testing list conducted by MLB in 2003. A-Rod admitted to using steroids in his time with Texas Rangers from 2001-2003.

Due to A-Rod’s admission, this is the most uncelebrated passing of a milestone in recent baseball history–even less than Bonds passing Aaron, but not as unwanted as Aaron passing Ruth. Aaron received thousands of death threats on his way up to 715.

I was wondering if there was even any excitement among the fans of the Bronx Boomers, so I called one of my best friends Amos Kelsey–New Yorker, baseball fan, and most importantly a Pin Stripper through and through.

“There isn’t a lot of excitement around here for 600. I haven’t seen any 600 T-shirts. The overall feeling is that it’s tainted,” Amos said. Despite the unenthusiastic feeling, Amos would like see the milestone and will be in attendance for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s games.

600 Homerun Club

When A-Rod reaches this accomplishment, the stats will be 3-3-1.  Three guys who we are sure never used steroids (Aaron, Ruth, Mays); three guys we’re pretty certain used steroids (Bonds, Sosa, A-Rod); and one guy who played in the steroids era, but we all want to believe he is clean (Griffey).

Bonds has royally screwed himself by lying to a grand jury during the BALCO investigation about whether or not he used steroids. The cloud of doubt above Bonds will never go away and the majority of us will remain in the mindset that he is a cheater.

Meanwhile, Sosa not only forgot how to speak English when testifying in front of the grand jury, but has also tried to change the color of his skin and eyes–he looks like a Dominican vampire. Sosa is one of my favorite baseball players of all-time, but he will forever be linked to Mark McGwire and steroids.

Griffey, who finally retired this season, probably could have left the game on top of the HR leader board had he not spent so many games on the DL during the prime years of his career. Most baseball fans don’t believe Griffey ever took steroids. Diehard fans actually live in fear of it ever coming out that he did–desperately wanting one great clean player from this generation.

Other Reason for Higher Totals

In 1969, MLB made a major change in an attempt to give the hitters more of an advantage. They lowered the mound from 15 to 10 inches.  This may not seem like that big of a change, but many players have said that change leveled out the pitches creating less of an advantage for the pitcher.

Expansion has also played a big part in the increased power numbers among baseball players.  By adding more teams to the league, it has spread out the talent and allowed for less talented pitchers to come from the minors to the majors.

The designated hitter is another reason that we have seen an increase in power in the American League–which A-Rod has played in for his entire career.  The ability to add another power hitter to your line-up could create protection for guy like A-Rod and give him better pitches to hit.

Over time they have wound the ball tighter, creating the ball to leave the bat faster with the ability for more distance.

All of the reasons are contributing factors, I’m not in denial that none of these reasons played as big of a part in the stats as steroids.  When lead off guys start hitting 25 – 50 HRs a season, it doesn’t matter about the tightness of a ball, the height of the mound, and if they only hit against single-A pitchers. Something else is the cause.

Foreshadowing on 600

Bonds, Sosa, and A-Rod will all have over 600 HRs. They have all either admitted or we strongly believe they used PEDs.  The big reason as to why I think we may someday look back at A-Rod’s 600^th HR and applaud is the fact that A-Rod has admitted to steroid use. He has had the chance to rectify the situation with productive years following “tainted” ones.

To our knowledge, A-Rod has not tested positive other than that one time and has been playing clean since that point.  Since MLB didn’t drug test early in his career, we have no choice but to believe that he wasn’t juicing early on in his career.

A-Rod will be 36 on July 27^th–giving him at least 4-5 solid more years of production in the majors.  I believe he will finish somewhere around Aaron and Bonds on the HR chart. Some people even believe he has a shot at 800.

Hypothetically speaking, if he finishes with 750 HRs, take away the three seasons in Texas tainted by steroids (total 154), that still leaves him with a total of 596. This would leave him at his current place on the all-time list, 7^th.

“I think A-Rod will be the first player from the steroids era to get into the Hall of Fame despite admitting to steroid use,” Amos said during the phone conversation. “I think he will get in on his 3^rd ballot.”

I, too, believe that A-Rod will be the first admitted user to get into the Hall of Fame, but I think they will make him wait longer. Mine opinion is that he will get in on his 5^th try. Even with the extraction of the tainted years, A-Rod will still be a .300 hitter, with HRs, RBIs, and OPS to back it up. Last year he also became a World Series champion and came up clutch in the post season–something that fans and writers say is his biggest flaw.

I think, right now, any celebration that we give him would be tainted. But, when all is said and done, A-Rod is one of the best players from this generation and I will never forget how dangerous he was with a bat in his hands.

A-Rod’s 600^th Homerun Prediction

Friday 23^rd, 2010 – 2^nd at bat – 3^rd inning

Photo from: Smart Cinema

Sylvester Stallone has put together a “guy movie” for the ages featuring The Expendables, which is coming out August 13th.  The crew in the film includes some very large and very scary dudes.

Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke–you get the idea.  These guys are not “spring chickens,” but many of us aren’t getting any younger either.

What do these guys do to stay in shape for an action film–the genre that used to be reserved for much younger guys?  The workouts vary and the routines are interesting.  The diets are smart and the results amazing.

However, these guys are working on more than just presses and curls–these guys are motivated.  If you ever don’t feel like hitting the gym you should hear some of the stories these guys tell about wanting results.

Old dogs can definitely learn some new tricks.

Terry Crews Is Still Big

Terry Crews is a former NFL player whose playing weight was about 235 lbs.  However, it’s been a while since he played football.  When he retired and became an actor he put on some weight.

It didn’t take Terry long to see that he needed to do something about his conditioning.  When he played, he got into powerlifting, and a return to powerlifting is something that helped Crews get in shape.

Terry breaks up his workouts into daily sections.  Each day he works on body part and then does a day of cardio.  Depending on your beliefs about having a “cardio base” when you’re trying to get big you can add more lifting to this routine.

Day One: Legs

Squats–Start with a weight that is comfortable and over the course of 4 sets increase to a more ambitious weight.  Terry starts at 135 lbs and ends at 495 lbs.

Single Leg Squats–Once again, start with a comfortable weight and increase to something more ambitious.  Terry starts with 135 lbs and progresses to 495 lbs through 4 sets.

Hack Squats–Stand in front of the barbell, squat down, and lift the barbell behind you while straightening your legs.  Once again, Terry starts at about 135 lbs and progresses towards a more ambitious 495 lbs.

Day Two: Shoulders

Terry does two circuits for shoulders.  Each exercise gets 4 sets each.  The first circuit is something Terry does with a 135 lb barbell–6 sets each.  The second circuit is done with dumbbells–10 sets each.

First Circuit:

Upright Row

Clean and Press

Bent Row

Jump Squat

Second Circuit:

Front Raise

Arnold Press

Lateral Raise

Bent Reverse Fly

Day Three: Chest

For chest-work Terry does 4 sets of Power Cleans and 4 sets on the Incline Bench.  Again, he starts at 135 lbs and progresses towards more ambitious weights.

It is important to note that all you would have to do is start with a comfortable weight and progress to a more ambitious weight.  If you’re bigger than Terry–or smaller–this program will work as long as you are honest with yourself about what weight is comfortable.

Day Four: Back

For back-work, Terry combines weightlifting with bodyweight exercises.

Deadlifts–4 sets, starting a comfortable weight and progressing to more difficult weights.

Bent Rows–4 sets.  Terry starts at 135 lbs and ends with 185 lbs.

Pull-ups–Perform as many pull-ups as you can until you max out.

Sly Doesn’t Care How Old He Is

Photo from: Action Flick Chick

Today we’re going to feature some creative routines in Sly’s back/shoulder/arm workout.  However, I’d like to start with a pretty smart quote from a 60+ year old man who’s done it all.

“Over the years, my biggest flaw was overtraining. In the gym six days a week, doing more sit-ups at night … my body was in a constant state of breakdown.”

Choose your routines carefully.  We want you to get as big as you want tp be, but we want you to achieve your goals as well.  It’s hard to do that when you aren’t following a “routine” or a “plan.”

Angled Pull-Ups–Sly does these pull-ups with a weighted vest and pulls his chin to his right hand then his left.

Squat-Jump Pull-Up–Lower yourself into a squat and perform a jump squat under a pull-up bar.  As you jump reach up and grasp the pull-up bar.  Perform a pull-up and drop yourself  back to the ground.

Dumbbell Hammer Curl–Sly does 8-10 curls on each arm.  To finish the exercises he does 10-20 fast curls while alternating arms.

Uneven Standing Barbell Curl–Sly starts with a comfortable weight and places one hand at the end of the bar and the other in the middle.  This forces one arm to take most of the weight.  After finishing a set he changes positions and moves his other hand to the end of the bar.  This evens out the work your arms are doing.

Dolph Lundgren Can Still “Break You”

Many of us remember Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.  Well, Stallone wanted to work with him again on The Expendables and I don’t think it was just for his acting chops.

Dolph talks a lot about motivation and how hard you have to work to keep up with someone.  This leads to an interesting question: Can you get big all by yourself on an island? Dolph doesn’t think so.

“Training for the movie [Rocky IV] has changed my life.  With Sly’s help, I’ve learned so much about my body and how it responds to training and diet.  I’ve developed a whole new standard as to how I will stay in shape for the rest of my life.”

Those are pretty big words from a behemoth like Lundgren.  Sylvester Stallone isn’t a personal trainer, a world champion bodybuilder, or a fitness guru.  Stallone just works his ass off.

The same is probably true of your buddies at the gym.  They may not be personal trainers or Mr. Olympia, but they work hard.  Train with a partner who can motivate you in the same way Sly Stallone was able to motivate a monster like Dolph Lundgren.

Keeping company with people who are better than you or could be better than you keeps you going.  Everyone has a competitive streak in them, and you have to find a way to utilize that competitiveness.

Dolph Lundgren needed to be the believable Russian boxer who could “break you.”  What do you want to be?  Ask yourself the next time hit the gym.  The partner/partners and motivation will follow.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Dwayne Johnson’s Workout and Diet Routine
• Scarlett Johansson’s Tricks for Iron Man II Body
• Xtra Xtra Large: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Big

Actually, flax is third because it’s a bit better known that either chia or hemp.  However, there is still much to learn about this little seed. Settle in and come along for a ride through history, plus read about the newest research on flax’s fight against breast cancer!

Just the Flax, Ma’am

Just The Flax Ma'am.

The use of flax seeds can be traced back over 5,000 years to the ancient Babylonians, though written records “only” place them in medicinal use around 650 B.C. The ancient Egyptians used it as a laxative, and it’s been popular ever since.

Hippocrates, known as the father of  Western medicine, prescribed flax seeds to combat abdominal pain.  Today we know that these little powerhouses are good for more than just tummy troubles, but the fiber content certainly helps with elimination as Hippocrates suggested!

Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, C, E, and carotene. They also have iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. That’s quite a lot of nutrition in such a tiny package!

It’s available for purchase in both golden and brown colors, which are nutritionally nearly identical. If you’re new to flax and find that the somewhat fishy flavor is bothersome to you, perhaps try the golden variety. It’s slightly milder, with a buttery-nutty flavor.

If you’re a vegan/ethical eater, you can use flax to replace eggs in much of your cooking in addition to using it for its nutritional properties. It is also gluten-free, making it safe for Celiacs.

Health Benefits of Flax

There are three general ways to use flax, just like with chia and hemp: whole seeds, flax meal, and flax oil.  The whole seed is wonderful for adding fiber to recipes, and when it’s toasted adds a lovely nutty flavor to food.

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of fiber is keeping the colon cleared out and healthy. This may also prevent colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States (after lung cancer). More than 56,000 people succumb to colon cancer each year in the United States.

Flax oil is fantastic for the brain and circulatory system because it is so rich in omega 3s and alpha lenolenic acid (ALA). They reduce pain and inflammation (especially in the case of arthritis) and lower bad cholesterol.

For the most nutrition, be sure to buy flax oil in black containers, and buy in small quantities. The oil becomes rancid within three months of being expelled, and you don’t want to waste money on larger quantities. You may choose to use the seed instead, consuming two tablespoons per day of ground flax.

Milled flax (flax meal) is high in protein for a plant source, coming in at 22%. That makes it a wonderful addition to a higher protein diet, especially because it helps the body assimilate other proteins better.

It’s also fantastic for growing strong hair and nails, as well as improving skin. I’ve read of people whose eczema came under control after adding one tablespoon of flax oil or two tablespoons of flax meal to their daily diets.

Another fantastic property is the potential ability to hep control blood sugar in patients with diabetes, similar to chia. Because the seeds contain good amounts of protein, fat, and fiber, they slow the uptake of carbohydrates into the blood stream, thereby resulting in more stable sugar reads.

Best Uses

While many tips will tell you to just sprinkle a tablespoon on your morning oatmeal, that will only serve as fiber to clear out your intestines (and there’s nothing wrong with that).  To get the full benefit of flax seeds, however, you’ve got to grind them.

This is a simple proposition, especially if you have a spice grinder or a blender.  You just toss them in, grind away, and you’ve got usable nutrition. An alternative would be to buy flax meal, but the oils in flax become rancid rather quickly, so freshly ground is always best. If you buy meal, be sure to keep it in the fridge.

Another reason to use the whole (milled) seed in addition to just flax oil is the presence of lignans. Lignans are a super-protective antioxidant, which are abundant in flax seeds. Flax has 100 times the lignan content of any other known food!  These life-saving antioxidants are being studied as a preventative for breast cancer.

I like to toss a bit of flax oil into my daily green smoothie. It’s also fantastic as the base for homemade salad dressing, just use half flax oil in place of your olive oil.  Some people find that to taste too fishy, so you may want to start with one quarter flax oil and work up to half (or more)!

One of the very best ways to use ground flax seed is to sprinkle it onto yogurt or kefir. When foods are rich in sulfated amino acids, they help incorporate the essential fatty acids (EFAs) into the cell membranes, making them more available to the body.

Flax Recipes

Oven Baked Flax Fried Chicken

Recipe from Flaxhealth.com

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning to taste
• olive oil, for dredging

Wash and pat dry chicken. Dip chicken in olive oil. To make breading combine the bread crumbs, flax seed, garlic powder, black pepper, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning in a plastic bag, seal and shake to blend.

Coat chicken in the flax breading. Place breaded chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake, uncovered, in a 375-degree oven for about 25 minutes, or until chicken is done and a golden brown.

Protein Balls

Recipe from Flaxhealth.com

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup nonfat milk powder
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup crushed flaked cereal, such as corn flakes

One or two of the following:

• 1/3 cup sunflower or hemp seeds
• 1/3 cup chocolate or carob chips
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup chopped dried fruit

Combine peanut butter, milk powder, flaxseed, honey in a bowl and mix well. Stir in your chosen add-ins. Roll mixture into small balls and then roll balls in crushed cereal. Place on waxed paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Makes about 16 protein balls.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Faster Is Better For Weight Loss
• Sowing Seeds of Good Health: Hemp
• Sowing Seeds of Good Health: Chia

A grand tradition tarnished.

North Carolina football is in the middle of a complete resurrection.  Butch Davis was hired to fix North Carolina’s football program and make it into something that could stand alone with the great basketball tradition they have on campus.

Remember that Davis was hired at Miami back in the 90′s the fix the mess that Dennis Erickson left behind.  Davis not only fixed the mess, but it was with his team that Larry Coker won a National Title.

Butch Davis is a proven coach and currently the only people in the country who hate him live in Cleveland–though, to be fair, he did destroy the Browns.

So, what’s the problem at UNC?  More media, more technology, and more kids being recruited.  It appears that “back in the day” it was easy to commit recruiting violations.  Nowadays, you can’t slip a kid any money or gifts without the whole world finding out.

I agree that everyone probably commits small “secondary violations” every year, but when the NCAA wants to “investigate” your program you know you have problems.

Did the resurrection at North Carolina just stop dead?  This is a lesson for all college teams–you’re at risk of being dragged into an investigation that will leap cross-country.  Oh, and your progress will come to a screeching halt.

NCAA Talking South of Carolina

"South Florida" here we come!

It appears that Butch Davis isn’t the smartest cheater in college football.  The NCAA is talking to South Carolina Tight End Weslye Saunders.  I know, I know this story is about North Carolina, but stick with me.

Saunders spent time with current UNC Defensive End Marvin Austin in “South Florida”.  “South Florida” is a euphemism for “South Beach” and “time” is a euphemism for “shenanigans”.

Just imagine what two coddled young football players–who have never been told “no” in their lives–can do in South Beach.  The NCAA wants to know who was paying for travel and hotel rooms.

I’d like to know who paid their cover for all the clubs they probably hit, bought their alcohol, and heaven knows what else.  Though I thinks it’s fair to assume something like “strippers”, “girls”, “girls”, and “girls” might have been involved.

I fully expect more to come out than just hotels and travel expenses.  Plus, because the NCAA has to talk to a kid from another school you have to ask the question, “Who was watching where the money was spent?”

If you’re going to cheat and break NCAA rules wouldn’t it behoove you to make sure your players aren’t hanging out with players from other programs?  This Saunders kid from South Carolina has no reason to lie to investigators.

If someone gets caught it’ll be UNC and South Cacalack will be off the hook.  Now he can help ruin a weaker program and be a “semi-hero” in Columbia–all for taking improper benefits indirectly.

Strike One for Butch.

Potential Draft Picks Under Scrutiny

Rakin' in the Benjamins on Tobacco Road.

The NCAA is taking the investigation one step further.  They’re talking to all of UNC’s potential NFL draftees who chose to stay in school.  Why?

Well, if a kid passes up a lot of guaranteed money to hang out in Chapel Hill, NC–you’ve got to start asking questions.  Let’s think about it for a minute.  Would you rather:

1.  Stay in Chapel Hill and go to a really hard school–UNC is tough, or

2.  Go to the NFL and get paid.

If you’re not exactly a 1st-rounder you might stay in school because you’re getting paid while you’re in school.  Why else would you hang out in Chapel Hill?  I don’t see any Rhodes Scholars on this team, committed to their education and such.

The NCAA requested phone records from all of the program’s future draftees to see which agents they have talked to.  If they find that Butch Davis has agents crawling all over his program that’s a problem.

Plus, I love the reason why the NCAA is snooping around.  A source told Joe Schad that the NCAA was trying to, “make sure no Reggie Bush stuff is going on.”  In case you don’t know, “Reggie Bush stuff” is houses, cars, and lots of money.

Once again I’ll ask you–why would you hang around in Chapel Hill, NC?  “Reggie Bush stuff”.  Ain’t right what a kid will do for “Reggie Bush stuff”.

The bottom line is that something is going to come out of this.  Let’s say that the worst thing that happened is this Saunders kid screwed around in South Beach for a couple days with his buddy.

Every team in the ACC and SEC is going to ask their recruits, “Do you want to play for us, or go mess around in South Beach like those hooligans at North Carolina?”  The negative recruiting will take on a like of its own.

Plus, I want you to imagine what a problem this presents for UNC Basketball.  I’m not a fan of Roy Williams, but he isn’t messing around.  Imagine how angry he’s going to be when his rivals use the same negative recruiting tactics on his program?

This could stretch all the way to Women’s Basketball–which is very good at UNC–and Baseball–which is also very good at UNC.

I know that we blame LeBron James for killing Cleveland–and he did–but Butch Davis struck the first blow earlier this decade.  I’m afraid he may have struck again in North Carolina.

Strike two for Butch.

Is This A “Fixable” Situation?

Soak it in Cleveland--Butch might be suffering too.

In short, no.  North Carolina football has done one productive thing in the past 20 years.  They tied Georgia Tech in 1990 when the Yellow Jackets were Co-National Champions with Colorado.  Without that tie the Jackets might have been the outright champions.

When the NCAA is done with North Carolina football they’ll be down a few scholarships, they might have to skip the postseason for a year or two, and that will be that.  Who is going to go to North Carolina if Davis isn’t paying anymore and the team is going nowhere fast?

Plus, as we get deeper into the “conference expansion” era the expansion of the SEC and ACC will choke out the Tar Heels.  They’ll always be able to thrive in basketball, but their football team will be crushed under the weight of new teams.

If the ACC were to bring West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and East Carolina into the conference I’d like you to tell me how the Tar Heels could beat any of those teams–and without cheating.  You can’t.  Nobody can.

Butch Davis strikes again–only this time he ruined the reputation of a proud University.  You’re out, Butch!

Misery loves company, Cleveland.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• College Football Gets An “Expansion” Workout
• NFL: Potentially Great Teams With Stupid Players
• Terrell Owens Suitors: Patriots, Seahawks, and More

Photo from: Flickr

Since its debut in 1993 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been the subject of much debate. Those opposed to the sport have referred to it as “barbaric” and “uncivilized.”

One opposition group, lead by Senator John McCain, even succeeded in causing a four-year forced hiatus of the sport from 1997 to 2001. The efforts by McCain and others have convinced some states, including New York, to ban the sport all together.

This opposition and recent death of mixed martial artist Michael Kirkham on June 26 at a US-sanctioned MMA event, begs the question: Is MMA safe?

What’s the Big Deal?

Photo from: Far East Fitness

MMA combines the use of several styles of martial arts and fighting styles including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle wrestling, boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, Judo, Karate, kickboxing, and Kung Fu. Its athletes go through rigorous training to get in fighting shape and gain professional status.

Comparisons have undoubtedly always been made between boxing and MMA. After all, the core of boxing is trying to knock someone out by punching them in the head. MMA just takes the fight to the next level.

While boxing has seen a decrease in popularity over the last few years, speculation can be made that MMA has picked up that fan base.  Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White commented on the subject to ESPN Radio:

“One of the biggest problems right now is the amateur level, you know, there’s no real amateurs.  Let me tell you what, you think about the glory days of boxing. You think there’d be champions in Europe and all this stuff?  No way, the United States and Mexico dominated boxing – dominated it for years.  And now you don’t see, you know, not only do you not see anybody, you don’t hear about anybody.”

He went on to say:

“I don’t wish [boxing] any ill-will.  It’s not because the sport isn’t good or anything like that, it’s just that’s it’s so fragmented, and so many bad things have happened.  Nobody is going to stick their hand in their own pocket and spend their own money to save the sport of boxing, nobody is going to do it.”

So back to the question, is it safe?  “[MMA] is the safest sport in the world when done properly,” White responded to reporters questioning him in the wake of Kirkham’s death.

Instead, White placed the blame on smaller-sanctioned events. “As we go out there and get this thing sanctioned in all these different states, here’s the problem. I need these smaller promotions to exist but here’s the deal: If you can’t afford to do the proper medicals before the fight you don’t belong in this business.”

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Photo from: Turner

In 2001, the Unified Rules of Martial Arts Combat were drafted and adopted by several states as the guiding rules of MMA. They feature five weight classes, rounds, time limits, a list of 31 possible fouls, and eight ways to end a fight.

The possibilities of ending an MMA fight are:

• Submission – fighter taps the mat or his opponent signifying his/her will to give up
• Knockout – fighter takes a blow rendering him/her unconscious or unable to continue
• Judges’ Decision –  Unanimous decisions, split decision, or majority decision
• Technical Decision
• Forfeit
• Disqualification
• Technical Draw
• No Contest

A glimmer into a few of the many disqualifying moves are: eye gouging, biting (no Mike Tyson moves), hair pulling, spitting, grabbing the clavicle, and small joint manipulation. A complete list of disqualifying moves is available at the UFC website.

These changes breathed new life into the sport, which in previous years offered two weight classes, no time limits, no rounds, three fouls, and only two ways to end the fight.

These MMA regulations also include medical testing on athletes prior to competitions and require doctors to be on the sidelines of all matches, who are able to call the match if they feel a player is in jeopardy.

Welcome to the Refs’ World

Photo from: Pro MMA Now

Even with the updated rules and safety measures in place, questions are still raised as to the subjectivity of the matches, as called by the refs.

In a fight on July 3rd between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin—an event that according to mmajunkie.com pulled in 12,740 fans—it appeared that one ref wasn’t going to call the fight no matter how badly Lesnar was beaten.

The big news of the fight was not that Lesnar was dominated and beaten during the first round, but rather his coming back to win it in the second.

Coming out full-throttle did not make Carwin the winner. Instead, he used all his force and energy beating Lesnar to a pulp and tired himself out. Usually when a player gets tired in an MMA fight, it’s from the back and forth blows, or being pressed and pushed into the cage walls—not from the sheer exhaustion of using your own brute strength to beat the tar out of someone.

Lesnar hung in there through the beating, and capitalized on Carwin’s tired state, ending up the match winner. He definitely showed his ability to take a beating and hang in there until the very end—but some question whether this is really what the sport should be about.

New York State of MMA

Photo from: Wayfaring

Despite the opposition, fans want more MMA. While professional MMA is legal in most states, among the largely questionable holdouts is New York. On June 16, 2010, the New York State Senate passed a bill to legalize MMA within the state. It is now pending approval by the State Assembly.

If the law passes, MMA can only expect to see a huge boost in spectators and fans, given venues like Madison Square Garden and the Carrier Dome in Syracuse would be prime locations to host MMA events.

Whether this sport is your thing or not, I firmly believe MMA will benefit from the rules and regulations that come with making it legal.

Anyone would be foolish to think underground MMA events aren’t happening all over the US, including New York. Having events adhere to strict guidelines will prevent injuries and in some cases death.

With proper safety measures in place, watch for MMA to continue evolve and thrive in the professional sports arena.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• 10 Fighters to Watch in 2010
• MMA: Get In Fighting Shape Today
• Actor Sean Patrick Flanery – Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Photo from: SB Nation

The NFL season is peeking at us from around the corner, and there are some teams that should be great.  The Titans, the Jets, and the Vikings should all have fantastic seasons.

However, each of these teams houses a monumentally stupid player who is not cognizant of team chemistry.  Given that Albert Haynesworth let down the Redskins you would think that these guys would be more sensitive to holdouts and selfish moves.

This is usually when everyone starts screaming at their computer because NFL players have a “right” to hold out.  They have a “right” to get all the money they can.  I get it.

These players also have a responsibility to their teammates which they are shirking.  Unfortunately, we never talk about the “responsibility” of professional athletes unless they get pulled over for DUI or get caught smoking weed.

The Titans, Jets, and Vikings all have potential, but that potential could go right down the drain with one stubborn player who only cares about himself.  Given these current rumors I can’t put any of these teams in the “conversation” for postseason success.

Chemistry is just too important.

Chris Johnson’s Talk With The Titans Breaking Down?

Photo from: Daylife

Apparently, Chris Johnson’s talks with the Tennessee Titans are not going well.  Besides the fact that he looked like a clown at the ESPYs on Sunday, Johnson spoke to the media afterward and indicated he had no idea what was going on.

“I’m letting my agent and the team handle that.  Right now we’re at a standstill, and hopefully when camp starts, we’ll have an outcome.”

So, basically Chris, you have no idea what’s going on and you don’t care about your team enough to know all the facts.  Instead of getting ready to play football you decided to show up on national TV dressed like a fool?

I think this tells us a few things about Mr. Johnson:

1.  He could care less about the Titans or his teammates.

2.  He dressed himself for the ESPYs.

3.  He’s not very bright.

4.  He desperately wants to miss training camp.

If Chris Johnson cared about his teammates he would know precisely what is going on with his contract talks.  Frankly, if I were his teammate I’d be pissed that he wasn’t working harder to get a deal done.  The Titans need Chris Johnson to be successful in 2010.

Simply knowing that he is “hopeful” to have something done by camp would piss me off if I were his teammate.  What exactly are you hopeful for?  Missing training camp?  Getting what you want?

Jeff Fisher seems like the kind of guy who only wants two things:  Show up on time and play hard.  I don’t think Chris Johnson wants to do either of those things right now.

We know that you ran for over 2000 yards last season Chris, but you’re obviously a tool and you don’t even respect your team enough to know what’s going on with said team.  In fact, you kind of sound like a small child who sent a lawyer to negotiate your next sleepover with your parents.

I cannot, in good conscience, proclaim that the Titans will do anything significant this season.  Between a nutjob QB and a clownish Running Back the Titans’ outlook is not good.

Revis “Clueless”

If only Darrelle worked this hard on his contract. Photo from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Darrelle Revis is, by far, the best defensive player in the NFL.  He plays for the team in the NFL with the most potential–the New York Jets.  He plays for one of the best coaches in the league–Rex Ryan.

However, Darrelle isn’t very smart.  He used the ESPYs, just like Chris Johnson, to let everyone know that he has no idea what’s going on with his contract.  Once again, I find this to be highly irresponsible.

If you’re as important to your team as Darrelle Revis then you are, likely, a leader on your team.  So, how can a leader of a team of grown men go on national TV and say he’s “clueless”?

“Right now, my agent is doing the talking and I haven’t gotten (any) feedback from him. As of right now, I’m clueless.  He’s talking to those guys. Until he gives me an update on what’s going on for the future, then I (don’t) know.”

Does Favre “Like” or “Like Like” The Vikings?

The day Brett became a media whore. Photo from: Durty Butter

I feel like I’m the kid in the middle who helps pass notes to a pretty girl.  The question always is, “Do you like me, or like-like me”?  That’s the question the Vikings are asking.

The story on NFL.com says, “Favre: I like Vikes, don’t know if I’ll play”.  It got me thinking–does Brett Favre like anybody?

I think Brett Favre is the NFL equivalent of LeBron James.  He loves money, he loves fame, and he loves attention.  The only difference between James and Favre is Favre has a ring.

Brett likes having the media swirling around him.  Brett loves the attention, but he may be in “LeBron space”.

Brett already has a ring so I believe he’s converted himself into a media whore.  He doesn’t really want to win anymore.  If he did, he wouldn’t choke in big moments.  With all that experience you would think he’d have it figured out by now.

Nope, Brett Favre is the LeBron James of football.  He doo-dooed on Green Bay.  He doo-dooed on the Jets and Eric Mangini.  He essentially crapped on Minnesota by throwing a pick at the wrong time in the NFC Title Game.

But Brett doesn’t care.  He’s got fame, he’s got fortune, and he’s got attention.  The sad thing is that Minnesota–the whole state–is waiting for the note.  Brad Childress will have to bring it to them, and it will say “like” or “like like”.

One day, the Vikings will find out Favre found a prettier girl–and they’ll be in the same position the Cleveland Cavaliers are.  I can’t pick the Vikings to win anything because they have a “fame whore” on their team.

Sound like Cleveland?

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Brett Favre High School Workout—A Possible Comeback?
• JaMarcus Russell Falls: Raiders Rise
• NFL Rumor Mill: How Messed Up Is Vince Young?

Photo from: Tom Terwilliger

No more “moderation” in weight loss—aiming to lose one pound per week. No more giving yourself a long-term goal of 50 pounds in a year. A new study from Stockholm’s International Congress on Obesity says that those who lose three pounds per week are more apt to stick with weight loss and reach their goals.

I love Sweden. They have great meatballs. They gave us Ikea, for heaven’s sake. My daughters look adorable in those Hanna Andersson dresses. Really, what’s not to love?

Now, those same practical, forward-thinking Swedes are telling us to  take the weight loss bull by the horns. To just buck up and get ‘er done. Is it really possible to lose weight quickly, naturally, and safely and keep it off?

The Study’s Findings

Photo from: In Motion

First, the study started with participants who weighed around 220 pounds (100 kilos). The researchers placed participants into a group losing 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kilos) or 1.1 lbs (0.5 kilos) per week. The first group’s goal was to lose the weight in 12 weeks, and the second in 36 weeks.

It found that 78% of the participants in the 3.3 lb. group met the goal of losing 15% of their body weight during the study’s time frame. Only 48% of the longer-term group met the goal.

Katrina Purcell, the study’s presenter, mentioned that the reason for the disparity is quite clear. It’s harder to maintain motivation when the losses are so slow in coming. Given that we’re a quick fix sort of people, this makes perfect sense.

So should we all run out and start trying to create a 1,500 calorie per day deficit (the average needed to lose 3 lbs. per week)? Well, perhaps. There’s one significant caveat to the study, and that’s the long term maintenance of rapid weight loss.

Since the study is new, the long-term effects haven’t been identified. However, Purcell is following the groups and hopes to publish the results in three years.

Going Dutch

Since this study hasn’t yet proved that more rapid weight loss is better maintained in the long run, we turn to the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.

In a study that was presented at the same conference, they examined the link between the amount of weight loss on a weight loss program and the maintenance of said loss afterward.

The study found that 54% percent of people who lost weight were able to maintain it, no matter how much weight initially came off. It also found that the net weight loss was higher for those who lost more initially after a period of one year.

Breaking Down the Findings

Photo from: The Age

So what does all this mean for you?  First, it means that there’s no reason to adhere to the 0.5-1.0 lb. per week goal if you can safely lose weight more quickly.

The simple fact is that change is required to maintain weight loss. You know the saying, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten?” Spend time losing weight, even rapidly, and return to your old habits and the pounds will pile back on. Enter the yo-yo.

The truth of the matter is that you can lose weight any way you’d like. If you want to do the Master Cleanse or Atkins, or even the cupcake and broccoli diet, you’ll lose so long as you have the motivation.

But maintaining weight loss, especially significant weight loss, is determined by eating reasonable portions of nutritious food and moving your body. Wow, there’s a radical thought.

Say what you will about decreasing fat and sugar content of food and aggressive marketing by junk pushers, uh, “fast food restaurants.”  You can choose to walk away.  A one-man or one -woman protest against the system is all you need to get away from being overweight and the debilitating health conditions that come with it.

My Story

Post-pregnancy Heather

I am currently expecting my fourth child (my laptop barely rests on what’s left of my lap at present). After my third was born, I was obese. Not in the cute-fat sort of way, but in the pre-diabetic, doctor-on-my-ass, fasting blood sugar at 94 kind of way. Fat.

Not one to accept that my life was going to follow the same path of most in my Midwestern, corn-as-a-vegetable family, I made a choice. I chose to shed the pounds I’d carried since childhood, reinvent myself as a slimmer person, and be happy about it.

I tossed everything with junk. I bought a grain mill, a Blendtec, started jogging, and went to town. While it was a financial burden (hubs is a public school teacher), we made it work. Why? Because it mattered.

All those excuses about not having the money or the time flew out the window when I realized that this was a matter of my health, and my health was worth the time and the money. My family was worth the expense and the change. We broke the pattern, after all.

Having been exactly  at 220 lbs. myself (at 5’2″) and losing 88 pounds over nine months, I lost weight more slowly than the study participants. I confess to having stalled because of boredom and overuse injuries after month five, but got back on track after a 6-week maintenance (and sanity) break.

After-working-her-ass-off Heather

That means that I lost an average of 2.6 lbs. per week when I was working at it.  I managed to keep 80 lbs. of it off until I became pregnant again early this year.  This takes some serious work, because a 1,300 calorie per day deficit is no joke. I averaged about 15 hours per week in the gym between cardio, strength, and Pilates and yoga.

It wasn’t always fun. I hurt. I cried. I made some dishes that emphatically were NOT tasty. But in nine months I went from someone who got pitying looks for her weight to someone whose advice others sought for diet and fitness. Heck, you’re reading this now because of that transformation.

I engaged in calorie cycling to “trick” my metabolism into staying high throughout the process, eating an average of 1,700 calories per day (remember that I was nursing).  Even though the work was hard, it was a relatively short amount of time required to drop from a size 20 to a size 6 and was well worth it.

Passion is the most important component of a weight loss program, and passion is the fuel that keeps weight off after the initial loss. I can’t say what the Swiss study will tell when it reemerges in three years, but I know what my own life will show: a passion for health keeps the metabolic fires burning. Don’t let them go out.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• A New Look At Smoothies
• Warm Weather Exercise Tips
• Orthorexia: Misplaced Fixation

Photo from: The Starting Five

Football season is around the corner and it’s time to get “in the mood” for the pigskin.  Though most folks around here want to get big, we can’t ignore the fun alternatives to cardio.

I know that getting into “football shape” is far different than bodybuilding, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t take our favorite sport and make it into a workout.  Some of these exercises may already be in your repertoire, but they’re worth a look.

If you want to take some of these exercises and modify them to your tastes or needs–go ahead!  We want you to reach your goals and have fun at the same time.  Sometimes you can run to the gym and slam weights all day and sometimes you need a light-hearted breather.

Consider football your breather.  An escape.  Start working out as if “toe meets leather” on Sunday and you’ve got to be there!

Strength For Football Players

Photo from: Team Andras

Football players need a little speed and some “explosive power” off the line.  However, they achieve those things partially through weightlifting.

This routine is supposed to be done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but you can increase the frequency if you like puking.  Also, you can increase the reps if you can handle it.

Though some football players are big, they aren’t as big as you want to be.  So, use their tips and tools to build large muscle groups.  You’ll get bigger and feel better.  “Explosive power” in real life translates to more energy and feeling better about yourself.

Don’t forget to use a weight you can handle.

Football Strength Routine

Squats–4 sets.  12 reps, 10 reps, 8 reps, and 8 reps.

Upright Row–3 sets of 8 reps.

Pull Up With Wide Grip–Do this exercise until you max out.  Because the grip is wide you may find it more challenging than lifting.

Incline Bench Press–4 sets.  12 reps.  10 reps.  10 reps.  8 reps.  Find a bench that is inclined up towards the weight.  Perform the press as normal.

Close-Grip Bench Press–3 sets.  6-8 reps each.  Be sure that you are using comfortable weights and that you find a spotter.  With your hands close together the weight becomes harder to manage.

Military Press–3 sets.  8 reps each.

Standing Barbell Curl–3 sets.  8 reps.  6 reps.  6 reps.  This not your chance to go “meathead” on us.  A controlled barbell curl stretches the muscle and provides better definition than going “kamimaze” on the weights.

Decline Dumbell Sits–3 set.  Do this exercise until you max out.  Lay down on an incline bench with your head pointing towards the floor.  Hold a comfortable barbell in each hand.  Perform a sit-up while pushing your right arm across your body.  Alternate sides until you max out.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Exercise

Photo from: Football Strength Program

Some folks would contend that football is an anaerobic sport.  However, Receivers who run “Post routes” and Running Backs who are breaking for an 80-yard TD run are clearly getting an aerobic workout.

Linemen who grapple at the line–they are getting an anaerobic workout.  In fact, many people argue that there is no need to have an “aerobic base” to bodybuild on.

Those who do not believe in an “aerobic base” would suggest that you do multiple “short bursts” anaerobic activities with equally short rest periods.  This would be similar to a “Strongman Workout”.

Try some of these exercises to get the “Strongman” feel and avoid cardio–if that’s your goal.

Africa Stone(Sandbag)–Bear hug a sandbag and carry it a predetermined distance–20-30 yards.  Drop the sandbag, rest, and repeat.

Sledgehammer Swing–Swing the sledgehammer over your head and slam it onto a flat surface as if you’re driving a stake.  Only take a break long enough to swing the sledge back over your head.  Keep working until you max out.

You could do general exercises as well.

Jumping Jacks–Do fast bursts of jumping jacks until you max out.  Take a breather and repeat.

Side-Shuffles–Shuffle as and as fast as you can to the left.  As soon as you run out of room go back to the right.  Continue until you max out.  Take a short breather and repeat.

Backpedaling–Backpedal as fast as you can until you run out of room.  Take a short breather, turn around, and repeat.

Preventing Dehydration

Keeping hydrated will help this kid get big. Photo from: Mom's Team

Dehydration is a serious business in football training.  With athletes dying every summer during workouts it’s no wonder that keeping hydrated has become almost a national concern.

It’s smart to take advice from football coaches when it comes to hydration.  Most bodybuilders work out inside.  Air-conditioned gyms give many people a false sense of security.

Even when it isn’t hot–or doesn’t seem hot–your body is still becoming more dehydrated by the second.

As you work out the volume of blood in your body increases–because your heart is pumping more.  Over time this decreases the amount you sweat.  So, your internal body temperature rises.

Something has to replace the fluids that are leaving your body, and something has to keep your body cool enough to function properly.  Killing yourself in the gym will only prevent your workouts from being effective.

“Football people” recommend replacing fluid and electrolytes with sports drinks.  However, they say that you need a certain volume of fluids in relation to your overall workout time.

Prior to your workout you should consume 450-600 ml (15-20 oz) of fluids to have your body ready to workout.  This way you are not fading early in your workout.

Every 15 minutes during a “football workout” you will need to consume 200-300 ml (7-10 oz) of fluids.  Since this is for an “outdoor workout” you may be able to reduce your “indoor fluid consumption” but you still need to get fluids every 15 minutes.

Remember, even if it doesn’t seem hot or you don’t feel “bad” your body needs fluids to keep your workouts effective.

When your workout is complete you want to replace all the fluid you lost so that your muscles can recover from the workout.  720 ml (24 oz) or more of fluids will help your body recover and prevent dehydration.

The worst thing in the world is getting to the end of this workout and “falling out” because you weren’t properly hydrated.

Take the football workout as a challenge, and get ready for football season.  “Getting big” just got a little more fun!

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Warm Weather Exercise Tips
• HIRT Brings the Hurt
• Welcome to the World of SportAerobics

Photo from: Eurotope

Last week we opened our series on the importance of seeds with chia. Today I wanted to introduce you to my runner-up in the favorites department, hemp seed!

Hemp is an amazing plant, good for making rope, jewelry and even diapers. However, this wonder plant isn’t used only for its fibers and mind-altering effects. The seeds, or hearts, are fantastic! Let’s look at the benefits of adding hemp to your diet.

The 411 on THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound responsible for the state of altered perception most people have when they ingest marijuana. You’ll be glad to know that THC comprises less than 0.3% of the hemp seed, and is indeed harvested from an entirely different species within the genus Cannabis.

What does that mean?  Well, there is some THC in the seed itself, but you’re no more likely to get high from eating the seeds than you are to become an opium addict from that poppyseed muffin you had for breakfast.

Hemp has been used for at least 6,000 years. It was first cultivated from a wild plant in Asia. In fact, Asians used hemp before they used soy! Eventually its use migrated to India and on toward Europe, and today we have plenty of hemp the world around.

I personally buy the 5-lb pail from Manitoba Harvest. They’re popular and are out of stock relatively often, so be sure to check back when you’re running low. You don’t want to run out of these amazing seeds!

Health Benefits of Hemp Products

Photo from: Hemp Basics

Hemp seeds are a complete vegetarian source of amino acids, meaning you don’t have to analog them with rice, beans or anything else to get a complete protein.  They’re also rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), with a ratio of 3:1 omega 3s to omega 6s. This is important, since the ideal ratio is 4:1 or less.

When the body lacks omega 3s, we see physical weakness, poor concentration and memory loss, visual impairments, and mood swings. A lack of omega 3s is also linked to high triglycerides and high blood pressure, inflammation of tissues and depressed metabolism.

A lack of omega 6s is often the culprit of liver and kidney problems, hair loss, heart and circulatory problems, infertility in both males and females, and a general weakness of the immune system. Suffice it to say, these are two important fats to have in your diet!

There are three main hemp products available. Hemp seeds, which we’re discussing in depth today; hemp oil; and hemp protein powder. Hemp oil is just the oil pressed from the seeds of the plant, and is fantastic in recipes, on salads and in smoothies.

The only difference between most hemp seeds and unflavored hemp protein powder, besides being ground, is the fat content. If you’re cutting, you’ll want to buy a hemp protein powder that’s got a higher protein concentration, like the 70% powder available from Manitoba Harvest.

Hemp’s Best Uses

Photo from: Tri Me!

One of the easiest and sweetest ways to get hemp into your diet is to add hemp milk.  This is a seed milk meant to replace dairy milk in some or all of your consumption. I wrote about the best dairy-free milks a few months ago, and hemp definitely rates as a nutritious, accessible choice!

Protein powder is essential for bodybuilders, and hemp is a great addition to your usual poison. Whether you use whey, egg, or vegan powders, consider adding hemp to the mix. You’ll get great nutty taste, good fats, and moderate amounts of protein to help you reach your goals.

Hemp oil is best used for salad dressing, a drizzle on breads, homemade mayonnaise, and plain on a spoon as a dietary supplement. I can’t hack it alone, but then I can’t even eat coconut oil off of a spoon, delicious as it is. You may also add it to soups once in their serving bowls.

The oil is also fantastic for moisturizing the skin (much like coconut oil). It’s easily absorbed and non-greasy, and you’re getting the benefits of the omega 3s and 6s through the skin.

A fantastic way to use the seeds is to mix them into yogurt or oatmeal with your morning breakfast. One of my favorite things is 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of homemade granola, half a banana, a handful of fresh berries, and 1 tbsp. hemp seeds. You may also add maple syrup if you need it sweeter.

Hemp Seed Recipes

Photo from: My Chef

Hemp Milk

From ManitobaHarvest.com

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Shelled Hemp Seed
• 5-6 cups Water

Directions:

Combine the water and the Shelled Hemp Seed in a blender. You can create the desired thickness by using more or less water(from coffee creamer consistency to skim).  Blend on high for 2 -3 minutes, or until creamy and smooth.

To sweeten add: banana, dates, figs, raisins, maple syrup, honey or your favorite fruit. Blend again until smooth. You can enjoy it thick or strain it through cheese cloth.

Cheezy Hemp Nacho Sauce

From Kristen’s Raw

• 1/3 cup water
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded, roughly chopped (approximately 1 cup)
• 1 cup hemp seeds
• 2 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons tamari, wheat-free
• 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan crystal salt (I use Real Salt instead)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder

Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. This can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Banana Nut Bread

From Hemp-Guide.com

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup Hemp Seed Flour
• 2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 1/4 cup Shelled Hemp Seeds
• 1/4 cup chocolate or carob chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix first 3 ingredients with mixer at medium speed until pale yellow. Add dry ingredients alternately with bananas to mixture. Mix at medium speed until well blended.

Pour into greased or sprayed loaf pan (9 x 5 or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2). Bake 45-60 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean and dry. Let cool in pan 20-30 minutes before turning out onto rack.

Hemp Pancakes

From Hemp-Guide-com

• 1 cup of shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts)
• 3 Tbsp Hemp Seed Oil
• 1 cup organic whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• Berries (optional)

Directions

Combine flour, shelled hemp seed, baking powder & soda, and salt in bowl. Combine eggs, yogurt, and water. Whisk in butter. Pour into dry ingredients. Use blender to mix to smooth consistency.

Cook on (buttered) pan / griddle (medium heat). Cook until tops are bubbly – turn and cook until browned.  Makes about 16 pancakes – can be frozen and heated up in toaster.  Optional: add berries while cooking (yes, yes, yes)!

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Sowing Seeds of Good Health: Chia
• What to Eat NOW: Summer’s Bounty
• Go Alkaline For Your Body’s Batteries

Do the Bulls have an advantage? Photo from: Sports Logos

I’ve had the entire weekend to think about the “LeBroncalypse” or the “Lebacle” or whatever you want to call it.  To finish my commentary on that I will say that LeBron assassinated his image on national TV—and it was bloody.

Now we have to consider what will happen when the NBA hits the floor and the Miami Heat are battling for the Eastern Conference crown. Not this team—nor any other team—is pre-ordained to win a title. So, how will the season go?

I think everyone forgot that the Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, Pacers, etc., are in the Eastern Conference. It’s kind of sad really. There are other teams who can give this Heat team trouble. Not necessarily the Pacers, of course, but the Heat are not the only team in the NBA.

I feel compelled to “call it” now because there is no reason in the world to think that any of the contenders in the East are going to make any more moves. You could claim that the Heat are adding pieces, but those pieces will be cheap. Derek Fisher just turned them down—and he was their best option as a “piece.”

The Chicago Bulls

Photo from: Sports Crazy

The Bulls made a pretty big signing when they brought Carlos Boozer to town from Utah. Boozer was thought to be bait for LeBron to come to Chicago—which would have been a smarter destination—but now they will soldier on with Boozer.

The current Bulls line-up features Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng. Now, we can write off Deng because he has done next-to-nothing in the NBA. However, Boozer, Rose, and Noah are killers.

Boozer and Noah will plug up the paint where Chris Bosh would be and just kill him. Chris Bosh isn’t even a superstar and the Heat don’t really have a true Center.

Derrick Rose would be running the Point and scoring. To my knowledge, Derrick Rose is a better player than Heat Point Guard Mario Chalmers. Even if you switch off Guards and have D-Wade cover him you’re leaving Mario Chalmers by himself. Darn!

The Bulls also picked up Kyle Korver from Utah. This adds a “sharpshooting” element to their backcourt that can only be thwarted if Wade is guarding him—leaving Derrick Rose alone with Mario Chalmers.

The only favorable match-up is Luol Deng on LeBron James. LeBron may be a gutless coward, but he’s surely a better player than Luol Deng.

So, if the Bulls and the Heat meet in the East Finals, does Miami expect LeBron to score all their points while running through Deng? I hope not. They won’t get any rebounding down low. They’ll have a hard time shooting from outside.  They’ll be stifled by Chicago’s intensity.

In this instance the “weak link” is Chris Bosh. He’ll stand down in the paint and watch Boozer/Noah run circles around him. Meanwhile, the Heat will get behind and LeBron will have to take over–on Wade’s team.

We don’t think D-Wade will have a problem with that?

Your Boston Celtics

Photo from: Future Ramblings

I’ve spent the last couple years crapping on the Celtics. They’re old, they’re old, and they’re old.  However, they took my beloved Lakers to 6 and a half games before Kobe decided he wanted another ring.

The “sleeping/old” giant was awakened, I think, when the “Stupid 3″—as I will dub them—landed in Miami. When they started acting like they are essentially pre-ordained to win the East—the Celtics took notice.

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen looked around, grabbed Rajon Rondo, and said to themselves, “Those punks ain’t beatin’ us!”

Look at the match-ups. Bosh on Garnett—Garnett wins. Rondo on Chalmers—Rondo wins. Pierce on LeBron—it’s a push. Pierce is a competitor and LeBron clearly is not.

Wade will play by himself at the “2″ and he will be expected to do all the heavy lifting.

Here, the Celtics reserves will keep them in games. Big Baby, Nate Robinson, and guys like that will fight like hell to keep the Celts in games. How will the Heat respond?

With a bunch of minimum salary guys?  I don’t think so.

Neighbors to the North: The Orlando Magic

Photo from: Bettor's Edge

It’s no secret that the Magic are stinging after missing out on another trip to the finals, but how will they handle the Heat?  Surely the Magic don’t have the kind of talent that the Heat have.

And you would be correct.

The Magic don’t have the kind of talent that the Heat have. However, they have Dwight Howard down low being backed up by Marcin Gortat which equals no rebounding for Miami.

Mickael Pietrus won’t be able to cover LeBron—that very is clear. You would have to switch defenses—again—to have D-Wade cover Jameer Nelson. Doing so leaves lots of space for Vince Carter to get to the basket.

This movement in the backcourt also gives Rashard Lewis perimeter shooting opportunities that he wouldn’t have otherwise. I know that Chris Bosh doesn’t want to play Center, but will he be able to follow Lewis to the perimeter? Probably not.

Again, LeBron will be expected to do all the work—on D-Wade’s team. Anybody who wants to say they can “work it out” isn’t looking at the key matchups.

Where Will They Finish?

Photo from: LA Times

Given that there aren’t many other decent teams in the East it’s conceivable that the Heat might finish in third. Given the relative “strength of schedule” that the Bulls, Celtics, or Magic may face, one of these teams might slip to 4th under the Heat.

However, you can’t convince me that this Miami team, who has matchup issues in a weak Eastern Conference, can tangle with Western Conference teams and consistently win. That puts a damper on your record.

This also means that they will not have a “straight-shot” to the East Finals. They will have to find a way to overcome Bosh’s inability in the paint. They will have to find an effective way to get Wade on the opposing team’s best perimeter guy.

LeBron not only assassinated his image and his legacy, but his chances of winning.  He should have taken my advice.

They will have to find a way to keep LeBron happy without pissing off Wade. Oh, and they’ll have to win games all at the same time. This might have sounded like a cute little fantasy in 2008 at the Olympics when some people claim this “playing together” idea came about.

Remember two things my friends:

1.  At the Olympics—when they were having so much fun—they had NBA All-Stars as reserves.  The best players in the game could come in and give them a rest. Unless all 3 of the “Stupid 3″ in Miami play 48 minutes a night for 82 games—they’ll have problems.  No reserves = going to hell in a handbasket.

2.  When the USA got down to Spain and came very close to losing the Gold Medal Game, who came in and took over?  Kobe—Dean—Bryant.

I rest my case.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• Chris Paul Toasts to Knicks: The Next Possible Big 3
• LeBron’s “Pros and Cons” In Going To Miami
• Corrective Exercise For Basketball: How Amar’e Does It

Image from Axio Labs

There’s something about pharmaceuticals and misconceptions. People think that pharmaceutical manufacturers are out to get us. They make substandard products and cut corners at every cost.

This may be true for some folks—I can’t speak for all of them—but this is not the case with Axiolabs. I’m here to talk about where Axio is getting it right and how they can help you be the the best “you” possible.

This isn’t an “Axio rocks and everybody else sucks” article. This is about how Axio does it the right way—and consumers can benefit from their hard work.

As we explore the “full potential of the athlete,” we find that there are ways to help that potential come to fruition through diet and exercise. Axio is providing a “missing link” for athletes who want to do their best.

We hear all about the athletes that are making headlines, and we talk about the best companies—the companies that help. Axiolabs is one of those companies.

Axiolabs delivers high-quality products—they’re the biggest and the best. Come and learn what they’re all about.

What They Do

Photo by Funkster

As it says on their website, their mission statement is “preserving and improving human life and not just selling medicine.”

Axiolabs does this with its expertly staffed and well-organized lab. They offer a method of verifying your product’s authenticity online, and stand behind their products without taking shortcuts.

They produce anti-estrogens, ampoules, oral and injectable steroids and sexual aids for every type of consumer. This is not a 1-product ship.

Axio makes 7 different types of anti-estrogens, 19 injectable steroids, and 13 oral steroids. Additionally, they produce 16 ampoules and a variety of sexual aids. This is takes their product far afield from a “shotgun” operation.

When there is such a vast field of products you know you can rest assured that they are working as hard as possible to live up to their mission statement—improving and preserving life.

But, how do they produce all these products and get it right time after time?  It all comes down to one thing . . .

How They Do It

The lab at Axio is unique in that it follows GMP guidelines. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) are a set of principles that are used for the production of active pharmaceuticals, food, medical devices, etc.

A quick read of wikipedia reveals that there are many ways to fulfill your GMP requirements. The requirements range from keeping meticulous records to evaluating complaints and re-testing when necessary.

Because of the fully-compliant GMP status held by Axiolabs the highest of quality standards is employed with every product. Using lab standards such as this can keep consumers at ease knowing they are buying the safest products possible.

The adherence to GMP may slow down testing and manufacturing to a degree, but those sorts of practices are the type of thing that sets Axiolabs apart from the norm—making it safe and professional.

When you go looking for products it’s easy to be lured in by fancy marketing and pretty pictures. Axio does sponsor events like the Arnold Strongman Classic, but their focus is top-quality products.

They run their lab the “right way” and they do so with integrity.

It’s easy to look at the “pretty pictures” or even take pot shots at a successful company, but the quality and professionalism at Axiolabs speak for themselves. Competitions, advertising, and good “word of mouth” are just icing on the cake.

What Difference Does The “Right Way” Make?

Image from beaphar.co.uk

As in any endeavor it makes sense to do things to the best of your ability.  Sometimes that means you have to work extra-hard. Sometimes that means you’re working harder than other people think is wise.

Either way—you’ve got to do it and do it the right way. When it comes to producing pharmaceuticals, the “right way” can make all the difference in the world.

GMP is designed to provide customers with a lab whose integrity is beyond reproach. The Axiolabs’ laboratory is not required to be GMP-compliant—but it is. It’s a standard of accountability that Axio holds itself to.

They made a choice to be as “above-board” as possible. It’s easy to read phony stories about products being made in toilets on the internet—but GMP takes the lab to a whole other level.

Going the extra mile means you’re not only getting the best product on the market, but it also means you can LOOK FORWARD to more of the best products to come. You can consistently look forward to new innovations from a company like Axio.

Many labs claim to have GMP facilities—like those that end in “dragon”—but these claims are simply untrue.  The competition’s “fantasy” is Axio’s “reality.”

Don’t you look forward to your favorite band’s next album?  You can have the same kind of anticipation about Axio’s products. The “right way” makes all the difference.

Misconceptions = Miscommunication

Photo from AxioLabs

It’s really easy to find stories on the internet that paint people one way or the other. It’s true that Axiolabs sponsors this news outlet, but we can’t deny what they are doing. So, let’s make sure we get the facts straight.

Axiolabs in no way directs the content of this site. They pay us for advertising, but they do not have editorial control over our writing. We call it just like we see it.

Axiolabs only takes on new customers as they can handle demand. They are meticulous as a business, and it showed when they recently ran low on a certain item.

On their website they announced that they had a shortage and that they were doing their level-best to handle demand. However, it’s important to note that this means they are doing their best to do things right.

It would be one thing if the announcement was, “We ran out, but we’ll throw some crap together real quick for you.”  But, they took pride in their work. Instead the shortage announcement read, in part:

Please note that due to a incredible demand on our sustaplex, more than 500 liters in the last, month we ran out of Testosterone Acetate for a small batch and so have made our very popular 345mg blend that we made for you guys before to get us by the next week.

As I said, it’s easy to lob criticisms at big companies because they are easily susceptible to negative press. A recent steroid blog post claims that Axio promoted a single-use Ampoule without ever producing it.

The facts remains that the single-use Amp in question has been on the market for quite a while. This is something that an informed writer would know. It’s very important to do your research before putting pen to paper.

When the goal of the company is to improve and preserve human life, the smartest thing to do is work hard, but not without purpose. Axio knew what it could do to stem the problem and it was handled. There were no shortcuts made and full disclosure was the norm.

This all leads back to the lab being fully GMP-compliant. It’s not every day that you see such honesty on the internet, spelled out for everyone to see.

Additional Reading on GenXXL

• Asia Pharma—The Jig Is Up
• Anthony Roberts—From Steroids to Fraud
• Evidence HGH Improves Athletic Performance
• The Advantages and Benefits of Steroids
• 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic

Photo from: Niketalk

I need to open this column with a statement from Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. It echoes my sentiments exactly and I applaud him for having the balls to say it.  I now count Dan Gilbert as a top-5 owner in sports for this display of strength.

Dear Cleveland, all of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers supporters wherever you may be tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several-day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former “king” wins one.

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch. Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day…

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue…

The Positives in Miami

Photo from: Gulfstream

In Miami there are tons of positives. We know that the beaches and nightlife are fantastic. The weather is great all the time.  Heck, I’ve been there at the end of December.  While the rest of the country is freezing its ass off, it’s 85 degrees in Miami.

There are many, many famous people living in Miami.  There are plenty of opportunities for hobnobbing and schmoozing. I remember taking a cruise by Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga’s house in Ft. Lauderdale—his property is shaped like Florida!

Besides the sightseeing I can’t see how this is positive for anybody but Wade, Bosh, and LeBron. They get to hang out and chill in Miami.

The Heat are run by Pat Riley. He’s won 5 titles as a coach and he’s got a great basketball mind.  Whether he takes these 3 guys plus some “flotsam and jetsam” to a title or not—the Miami “Big 3″ will have fun. That is, until . . .

They See All The Cons

This guy cannot handle the "Miami Thrice" Photo from: NBA.com

The “cons” in Miami are mighty. They are small, but great things can come in small packages. A trio of 28, 26, and 25-year olds are probably not thinking about how they will actually play the game.

When Pat Riley figures out how to cut the ball into threes and hand it out to each of them a third at a time—then they will be able to play well.

Can Mario Chalmers run this team from the point? Probably not. Remember, he hasn’t translated well to the NBA. In fact, even if he was a brilliant, Rajon Rondo-type Point Guard, the “Big 3″ wouldn’t allow him to run the offense.

LeBron will likely become the “Point Forward” in Miami—trying to mimic Hedo Turkoglu with Orlando in the 2009 playoffs. The only problem with that? He’ll get tired of it.

I hope he doesn’t think that letting Wade take passes as a Shooting Guard will open him up for more chances. Wade will take the ball and run straight to the basket.

Now LeBron is annoyed.

LeBron may have more chances to rebound, but wouldn’t that be Chris Bosh‘s job?  Bosh is 7 foot tall.  LeBron, at 6’8″, would need help pulling down rebounds because Bosh has only averaged 9.4 rebounds a game for his career.

So, Bosh doesn’t have the “killer instinct” and he isn’t even a superstar. He’s just lucky that he’s D-Wade’s friend. Let’s scrap Bosh from this conversation. He’ll just be salary the Heat will want to dump near the end of his contract.

Wade v. James For the Ball, the Team

The object of their affection. Photo from: Be Sportier

These two gentlemen will be fighting for the ball while Mario Chalmers stands by and watches. LeBron has this “kingly” image to uphold, but deep-down inside he knows he can’t hack it alone.

So, while he knows internally that he isn’t a winner—he’s outwardly fighting Wade for the ball so he can prove to the world that the move to Miami helped.

He’ll want to win games for Heat to prove to Cleveland, and himself, that the move was right. He’ll fight every instinct he has to become the “Paul Pierce” of this “Big 3″.

Paul Pierce was the slashing-scorer in Boston.  Meanwhile KG was the emotional center and Ray Allen shot daggers all night.

In this scenario LeBron wants to be Pierce and KG combined. He was already hamming it up with his teammates in Cleveland.  He led them emotionally.  He led them on the court, but he couldn’t close the deal. He already tried this and it didn’t work.

The first few times he hams it up on the court Wade will let it go. After a while, Wade will be over it.

They will not only fight for the ball—they will fight for the team. Bosh and Wade are best friends. They’ll go to dinner so Wade can complain about James and his ego. James will sit alone at home and come up with ways to become Jordan.

It’s true that Wade wants to win more titles, but he understands that winning 5 or 6 championships is a near impossibility. It is, most likely, not a reality for him.

LeBron still thinks he can be Jordan. LeBron will be fighting to “carry the mantle” while Wade and Bosh will be talking at dinner about how annoying he is.

That’s a fight for a team. It’s a fight for the team that happens after they spent all night fighting on the court with a bunch of minimum-salary players.

What Have You Done?!

Photo from: Flixster

Here is what LeBron has done. He’s made himself into the second-biggest villain in sports. Art Modell still holds the title from taking the Browns to Baltimore and almost immediately winning the Super Bowl.

However, the reason LeBron is #2 is simple: He picked on poor, old Cleveland just like Art Modell. He took an entire city and ripped their hearts out on national telelvision while sitting at a Boys and Girls Club.

I would argue that LeBron just killed basketball in Cleveland. But, I hope Dan Gilbert proves me wrong and creates a winner in Cleveland. I really do. However, I don’t know how they can do it. I think LeBron drove in the final stake.

LeBron became the guy who killed basketball in Miami because he wants to be famous.  His ego has made him a terrible person in most people’s eyes—even though all he did was change teams.

LeBron created a situation where everybody in the country will be rooting against Miami. In fact, the Heat might have lost some fans because they don’t want to root for an ego-maniac like LeBron. Some people are going to label him a “gutless coward” and write him off.

LeBron has put a bullseye on this team’s back. He has made it impossible for this team to succeed the way they want it to. In fact, I bet they will barely win 50 games.

Without a Center, a functional Point Guard, and, you know, reserves. James just created a team where the “Miami Thrice,” as they are being called, will log about 120 minutes a night. Now multiply by 82 games.

While they’re catching their breath, Dan Gilbert is making it his “mission in life” to make LeBron James suffer. You read the letter at the top, right? He’s beyond pissed.

LeBron didn’t just make himself into the most-hated player in our current sports landscape. He made the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and anything “Miami” into the ultimate pariah.

If you thought it was easy to hate the Yankees, or Duke Basketball, or the Cowboys—just try hating the Miami Heat. Hell, you may not even have to try.

You probably already do.

Additional Reading on GenXXL:

• LeBron James’ Decision: The Winner is…
• LeBron James Free Agency Final Four Breakdown
• No Free Agent Tour For LeBron–He’s Missing Out

Photo from: Niketalk

As far as basketball fans are concerned free agency is over. LeBron James has decided to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach, playing for the Miami Heat.

In the most serious demeanor I’ve seen him have, James told Jim Grey that he didn’t have an answer until he woke up this morning.

“When I woke up this morning, I knew this was the right decision,” he announced in the ESPN broadcast.

James went on to talk about how excited he is to team up with Wade and Bosh— creating what ESPN continues to describe as a super team.

“I can’t say it was always in the plans, because we didn’t know if this was possible. Those two are both great players, add me to the mix and we’re going to be really good team.”

The ESPN coverage showed a bar in Miami, describing it as “pandemonium would be an understatement.” They also showed an establishment in Cleveland as they let out a groan heard state wide.

When Grey asked James about how he thinks Cavalier fans feel and how he feels about his decision, he gave a great dramatic pause and stated, ”This is a very emotional time for me.”

He talked about how great the Cavaliers organization was to him (owner, Dan Gilbert; GM, John Paxton; and former head coach, Mike Brown) and about all the great times they had as an organization (including fans).

During an interview with Michael Wilbon they showed footage of Cavaliers fans burning his jersey in the streets of Cleveland. It looked as if there was genuine disappointment on James’ face at the sight of his burning jersey burning.

It moved to a lighter mood later in the broadcast when ESPN analyst John Berry asked James about how he would get the number 6 from current point guard Mario Chalmers. For the first time James cracked an actual smile and said, “We’ll work something out.”

An important question that many people have been wondering about was who would take the last shot. James stressed that it is a team and that decision would be up to coach Eric Spoelstra (who I don’t foresee keeping his job) to draw up a play.

Towards the end of the broadcast, it was all about the kids and the different organizations that made this event possible.

One fan got to have his question read on the air: “How long do you think President Obama could hang with you in a game of horse?”

James, a guy known for sinking unthinkable trick shots answered the question nicely saying, “I think he could hang for a bit, he is a lefty. All lefties shoot good.”

James commented on this opportunity and what the future holds now that he is headed to Miami: ”The best opportunity to win, now and into the future. Winning is huge thing for me . . . I’ve done some great things in my 7 years and I want to continue to do that.”

They have to add a lot of minimum contract players, but for right now adding James to the puzzle makes the Miami Heat a very good team.

This statement was released by the New York Knicks and I think the other organizations pleading for his services besides Cleveland feel the same way:

“We are disappointed that LeBron did not choose the New York Knicks, but we respect his decision.”

Check in tomorrow for my colleague The General’s “pros and cons” on LeBron’s move to Miami!

Photo from: Flawless Hustle

I think everyone is excited for the LeBron James free agency escapade to come to end. James makes his decision tonight at 9pm EST on ESPN.

Never in my life have I seen anything like this. So many people making desperate attempts to get a man – and I’ve been to my fair share of strip clubs in Mexico.

This free agency period started off with three big players possibly in search of a new home. With the July 7^th verbal commitments made by Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, we’ve seen the second and third largest dominoes to fall in place.

The best rumor circulating is the one where James, Wade, and Bosh all end up playing for the Miami Heat and being coached by Pat Riley – which is possible.

Teams still rumored in the mix along with the Heat are the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. There have been more rumors about where James is going than there are people claiming to have slept with Paris Hilton.

I personally think that the New Jersey Nets are the second best landing spot of James. They’re probably going to move to New York and it’s far enough away from Delonte West.

Let’s take a look at all four realistic destinations and decide which is the best fit for Lebron.

Wanna Be Like Mike

Photo from: Panache Report

With the addition of Carlos Boozer, the Bulls have become the best landing spot for James.

Point guard Derrick Rose, center Joakim Noah and highly over rated forward/guard Luol Deng makes for one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference – if not the NBA.

The biggest problem I see with James signing with the Bulls is the Michael Jordan comparisons. James is not now, nor will he ever be Jordan. Playing in Jordan’s old stomping ground will only make these comparisons worse.

The other problem with going to Chicago is they’ve recently hired head coachTom Thibodeau and he reminds me of Mike Brown. He doesn’t have enough of a resume to stand up to James and let him know that this is a team, not a circus. This will most likely lead to more dancing and disappointment just at a different location in the Midwest.

However, after James gets another solid coach fired, he’ll end up attracting a guy that will lead this highly talented team to the promise land.

The Big Sour Apple

Photo from: Using Virtual Paper

In theory, this would be the best place for him to land from a marketing standpoint. He can’t go to L.A. because that is Kobe Bryant country and who wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers. What the hell is a Clipper anyway?

The league would love for James to be in New York and revive a struggling franchise in a major market. I just don’t think between the Amare Stoudemire signing, head coach Mike D’Antoni, and the team’s “no defense” attitude, that is a place where he wants to be.

Yes, the Knicks would be a playoff team with James, but they wouldn’t be any better than the Cleveland team he would be leaving — not mention he would be leaving millions in guaranteed money to go and be crucified on the back page of the New Yorker every day.

New York is, hands down, a baseball town. And, no one is more loved there than the Yankees and their beloved Derek Jeter.

This whole mess started with King James-to-NY-2010 posters. How funny is it going to be when the Knicks fans wake up tomorrow and realize they only got a good player with sweet goggles.

Is 3 the Magic Number

Photo from: The Sky Hook

I’m not entirely convinced that this supposed “Big 3” would work out. The reason it worked out for the Boston Celtics was because you had three aging, desperate, veterans who understood how precious their time was.

These three are in the prime of their careers and anything short of winning a championship would not be worth sacrificing career numbers. All of these guys claim to be unselfish, but only at the cost of winning.

I do think they could win a title or two in their time together, but it doesn’t mesh as well as James, Boozer and Rose. If you throw a shooter/defender into the Bulls mix you’re looking at the perfect distribution. The Heat distribution would look more like squirrels fighting over a nut.

The other thing I don’t like about this possible scenario is, if this works, it starts a negative trend in the NBA.  Then we could have Chris Paul headed to the Lakers with Kobe and Pau Gasol and Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony headed to Orland to play with Dwight Howard.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported that several sources told him late last night James is headed to Miami. I think this is a strong possibility, but I don’t like what it could do to the league.

Home Is Where the Fart Is

Photo from: ENFIA

If James leaves Cleveland, that place is going to stink worse than a Dutch-oven from Rosie O’Donnell.

I’m not a Cavs fan, but I am a LeBron James fan. This entire time I never thought he was going to leave until I heard that Miami could possibly sign all three. Then I heard he was doing his puppet show in Connecticut and the answer would be given in the first 10 minutes.

The fact that he is going to give the answer the question on everyone’s mind in the first 10 minutes of a show dedicated to himself tells me that he needs some time to explain decision.

I think Jim Gray is going to ask him many questions, providing him a chance to console the fans of Cleveland by explaining why the one player in the league who can most identify with their heartbreak is only going to add more to it.

My heart says James will do the right thing and stay in Cleveland. My mind says he’d be crazy to stay on a team that can’t afford to add anyone else and has failed after having the best record in the league for consecutive seasons.

If James were going to stay in Cleveland, would he really need to fly all the way to Greenwich, Connecticut to make this announcement? I doubt it.

I do believe that he tried to recruit another big man to come to Cleveland and they declined. Bosh wanted the city and Boozer already went running from Cleveland once.

I have a feeling that tonight James will drop a big stink bomb on the city of Cleveland. When I look at the possibilities, I really can’t blame him.