All Your Living Needs

Weekend Barbecue Events for November 1st & 2nd

2008-10-31T14:06:00.005-04:00

Happy Halloween to all you barbecue loving folks out there!!! I hope your having a safe and festive time trick or treatin' around your town. Let's get right to business and tell you about all the great BBQ events happenin' around the nation:

Big Pig Jig Festival - Vienna, GA (Georgia)

National BBQ Festival - Douglas, GA (Georgia)

LA State Championship BBQ & Sabine Freestate Festival - Florien, LA (Louisiana)

Pigs In The Park - Lucedale, MS (Mississippi)

Hog Happnin' - Shelby, NC (North Carolina)

Hatchie Hollow Hog Fest - Bolivar, TN (Tennessee)

Lions Club BBQ Cookoff - Fairfield, TX (Texas)

Now folks I've just got one more thing I have to tell you. Please go out and vote. I don't care if you're a Democrat, Republican or Independent. I don't care if you think Palin is an idiot or that Obama is a terrorist. The simple fact is that when you walk into your polling station on November 4th you'll have the ability to do something that many people in many other countries don't have the right to do. You'll be partaking in an event that many of our ancestor's...many of our son's and daughter's...and many of our brother's and sister's have laid down their lives to defend. For that simple reason I urge you, regardless of how long the line is at your polling station, regardless if you'd rather be doing a million other things...please think of this great nation, the red, white and the blue...and go vote.

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!!

Kansas’s 4 Legs Up BBQ Wins Jack Daniel’s BBQ Title

2008-10-28T12:16:00.003-04:00

As a follow up to Friday’s BBQ Events Calendar post, All Your Living Needs would like to congratulate “4 Legs Up BBQ” of Great Bend, Kansas, which was crowned the Grand Champion of the 20th Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

4 Legs Up BBQ, lead by Chief Cook Kelly Wertz and family, competed against 66 BBQ teams from the US and 18 international teams to claim the top prize. The Wertz’s family BBQ placed first in individual categories for chicken and dessert, while placing third in both brisket and port shoulder.

For winning the Jack Daniel’s World Championship title, which is considered to be the most prestigious on the competitive barbecuing circuit, the Wertz family was awarded $2,500 in prize money and a chance to return next year to defend their title. However, it was not only the Wertz family, but all the people of Kansas who benefited from the win, giving all barbecue lovers of the state bragging rights for the next year.

Weekend Barbecue Events for October 25th & 26th

2008-10-24T21:23:00.003-04:00

Ah, they're expecting rain here in the northeast but for those of you in the rest of the country...Good Eatin'!! Remember if you attend any of these events we'd love to hear from you and see some great pictures.

Southeastern Barbecue Cookoff - Panama City, FL

Sweetwater Festival - Milledgeville, GA

Kurzweils Fall Fling Smokin' & Chunkin' - Garden City, MO

Holly Springs Kudzu BBQ Festival - Holly Springs, MS

Oxford Town BBQ Throwdown - Oxford, MS

Battle of the BBQ Brethren - Sayville, NY

3rd Annual Rock n' BBQ on the Water - Jenks, OK

20th Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue - Lynchburg, TN

Czhillispiel 36 - Flatonia, TX

Kerr County Fair - Kerrville, TX

Spooky Waterfront BBQ Texas State Championship @ Big Mineral Resort - Lake Texoma, TX

KCBS Judging Class - Lynchburg, TN

National Championship BBQ Cookoff - Meridian, TX

Thai O'Brien Bayonne Restaurant Review

2008-10-23T06:04:00.005-04:00

Today we take one small step for the blog nation one giant step for "All Your Living Needs" as we post our first ever video podcast. I can't tell you how excited I am. Since this blog began it was always my hope and dream to turn it into a video podcast. I just didn't feel ready until now but in light of recent events I have decided to take that one giant leap forward. Just a note of thanks for everyone who has shown their love recently. It is truly and deeply appreciated.

While the contents of today's video podcast doesn't center around barbecue it does focus on really good food. Being this was the first video I learned a lot during the process and will continue to make them better as time proceeds. Thank you all for your continued support. I hope you enjoy!!

Sincerely,
Jonathan

Mountaintop Pumpkin Festival

2008-10-20T22:46:00.005-04:00

My family and I went up to the Catskills this weekend and had a wonderful time watching the leaves change colors. We attended the Mountaintop Pumpkin Festival at the Bear Creek Restaurant. The event featured dozens of quality craft and gift vendors, pumpkin painting for the kids and I took my first ever hay ride. Bear Creak is like this amalgamation of different businesses within one location.

In addition to being a restaurant with good food and drink they also have a driving range, paintball and the hardest 18-hole miniature golf course I have ever experienced in my life. The picture is from the outdoor barbecue next to the restaurant. Believe it or not I actually didn't get to try any of the food. I was running around with the kids playing miniature golf while the rest of the adults were getting warm drink beer inside.

Weekend Barbecue Events for October 18th & 19th

2008-10-16T23:17:00.003-04:00

Ah the chill is in the air and the pumpkin pie is in the oven. Let's go pick some apples and switch out our summer clothes for winter gear. The leaves are falling and all I can think about is some down home barbecue challenges to warm my heart. Here's what's happening this weekend around the nation.

NOTE: We accept posts promoting upcoming BBQ events. Make sure you tell us the days and location of the event, if it's a sanctioned championship cook off and the URL where people can get more info. Pictures of past years events are welcome. Send info to: johnoed@gmail.com

Wheels & Wings Festival - Mena, AR

Smokin' in the Park IV - Alpine, CA

Diamond State BBQ Championship - Dover, DE

Brooksville Blazin' Butts-n-Briskets - Brooksville, FL

Rock, Rib & Ride Festival - Tampa, FL

Cherokee Pignic - Canton, GA

Barn Burner BarBQ - Libertyville, IL

Autumn Blaze Smokeoff - Garnett, KS

Fountains Blaze Off and Senior Q - Independence, MO

Ohio Smoked Meat & BBQ Festival - Nelsonville, OH

Arlington Barbecue Burnout - Arlington, TN

Blazin' Saddles - Beeville, TX

9th Annual Tonkawa Traditions BBQ Cookoff - Crawford, TX

Leander VFW Post 10427 Hill Country Shoot Out - Leander, TX

Titus County Public Safety BBQ - Mt. Pleasant, TX

Ft. Sam Houston Fall Fest BBQ - San Antonio, TX

Weekend BBQ Events for October 11th & 12th

2008-10-10T12:14:00.003-04:00

Worried about the economy? Forgetaboutit!!! Think about attending one of these good old fashioned barbecue events being held across the nation this weekend.

Butler Fest - Butler, AL

Jazz in Jonesboro - Jonesboro, AR

Jacksonville Pigout - Jacksonville, FL

Mulberry Fine Swine At The Pit - Mulberry, FL

Sherman's Last Burning - Covington, GA

Central Illinois Bragging Rights - Arthur, IL

Super City Blues & Ques - Metropolis, IL

Cookin on the Kaw BBQ Contest - DeSoto, KS

Q'n for Paws & Claws - Columbia, MO

Rock'n Blues & BBQ - Golden City, MO

Barbeque on the Bluff - Aberdeen, MS

Cleveland Octoberfest MS Delta State BBQ - Cleveland, MS

Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down - Rocky Mount, NC

4th Annual Tennessee State Bar-B-Q - Lenoir City, TN

Lewisburg Rotary Club BarBQ Cookoff - Lewisburg, TN

Burleson County Go Texan BBQ - Caldwell, TX

Ogletree Gap - Copperas Cove, TX

25th Annual Traders Village - Grand Prairie, TX

Weiser Air Park BBQ Cookoff & Fly In - Houston, TX

Political Pasture Pool BBQ Cookoff - Lagrange, TX

Smokin' Oldies BBQ - Port Allen, TX

Octoberfest - Rising Star, TX

Hays County Fair & BBQ Cookoff - San Marcos, TX

Bob Miracle Memorial Cookoff - Temple, TX

Quadrangle Festival BBQ Cookoff - Texarkana, TX

TRC 8th Annual BBQ - Tynan, TX

Judging School Event

Judging School for Best-of-the-Best BBQ Invitational - Douglas, GA

Welcome the Fall with This Delicious Apple Pie Recipe

2008-10-06T12:27:00.007-04:00

Fall is always a bittersweet time of the year. For many, its sad to see the summer come and go, and welcoming in the cold weather is definitely difficult. But with autumn comes cooler weather, festivals, football season and some killer apple pies. So in case saying goodbye to summer has left a bad taste in your mouth, perhaps this recipe for apple pie will taste a bit better.

Preheat the oven: 400 degrees.

The crust recipe is quick and simple:
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup boiling water
2 cups all purpose flour
Dash of salt
Melt the shortening into the water with a fork. This may seem difficult at first, but as the hot water softens the shortening, it will become much easier. Next, add the flour and salt, mixing with a fork just until the crust starts to come together in bigger pieces. Divide it out into two halves, placing each half between waxed paper (this is a must), and roll it out. To make it easier to get into the pie plate, make sure the waxed paper comes off the crust easily on both sides. Roll out the two crusts until they’re even and big enough to fit into the pie pan, then set them aside.

The Filling:
Peel the apples, remove the core and cut into 1/4″ uniform slices. Try using a variety of apples to enhance the flavor of the pie. We recommend trying to use 3 types of apples per pie. After the apples are sliced, add 3/4 cup of sugar. Put in a couple heaping tablespoons of all purpose flour and some cinnamon. With a wooden spoon, gently turn the apples so as not to break up the slices too much. The idea is to coat the apple slices with the cinnamon and sugar somewhat evenly.

Directions:
Put the first crust into the pie pan, hopefully with some overhanging around the sides of the pan. Then, put as much apple filling in as you can fit, rearranging slices as needed to really stuff it full.
Once the filling is in, put about 4 pats of butter placed around the top of the filling, then try to carefully put the second crust over the whole thing. Trim along the edge of the pan to get rid of any excess crust, then press the two crusts together. You may also use two knuckles on each hand to put a somewhat decorative wavy edge on the crust. Also, brush the top crust with milk or half and half, then sprinkle demarara sugar on top. This is decorative but also adds a good texture to the crust.
Bake the pie until it's done rather than set a timer. When the crust is nicely browned and the filling is bubbling up a bit, it’s done. This will usually take around 45 minutes.

And thats it! Some people may prefer a fancier crust, but this is a good crust that’s really quick and easy to make. Having a great apple pie at this time of the year just helps make the season. The only question that remains to be answered is, what kind of ice cream are you going to top it with?

Weekend Barbecue Events for October 4th & 5th

2008-10-04T07:05:00.005-04:00

Here are the BBQ Events for this weekend October 4th & 5th.

29th Annual American Royal Barbecue Kansas City, MO - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Smokin' on the Square
Gallatin, TN - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Squealin on the Square
Laurens, SC - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Roots'n Blues'n BBQ
Columbia, MO - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

KCBS Hog Wild in Corinth BBQ Contest
Corinth, MS - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

BBQ & Fajita
McAllen, TX

Diamond Don's Bayou BBQ
Jefferson, TX

South Texas Music Fest BBQ & Chili
Port Aransas, TX

10th Annual Porter VFW 4816 BBQ
Porter, TX

Accentuate Your Home Indoors and Out with Spotlights

2008-09-04T11:36:00.001-04:00

Outdoor lighting can be a useful tool outside and inside any home. From security lighting to illuminating the yard to accenting your exterior or interior, lighting can be beneficial in many different ways. Despite the many different types of lighting, only one can do it all, spotlights.

Spotlights are useful when you want to add security lighting for your home. They come in many different designs and models that you can choose from. One of the popular new trends is to use solar spotlights, which work on solar energy. Solar powered spotlights allow you to light specific areas economically and easily, due to the fact that many are wireless. Above all, the most attractive characteristic of using solar energy is the money you will save on your energy bill.

Outdoor spotlights can also be used to light your backyard, garden, swimming pool or patio. Perhaps there is a lovely plant, tree or a patch of rose bushes you would like to draw attention to. Or maybe there is a nice gazebo nestled away in the corner of your yard. Outdoor spotlights would be the perfect way to attract just enough attention without being unpleasant. An amazing spotlight kit perfect for accentuating a small garden, tree or bush is the Paradise 3 Rock Spotlight Kit. The spotlights are actually built into rocks, allowing you to maintain your garden or yard’s “natural” look.

Home interiors can also be accented with the help of spotlights. It can be a great way to draw attention to a special painting or mantelpiece, or create a nice, welcome atmosphere for a specific room in your home.

So whether you’re looking for some added home security, want to light up your pool or patio area after dark, or just want to accent a cozy little gazebo, look no further than outdoor spotlights.

World’s Largest Mobile BBQ Grill

2008-09-03T10:30:00.001-04:00

Watch out this fall for Juicy’s BBQ Truck, the world’s largest mobile BBQ grill. Stretching out over 100 feet long, this barbecue grill, which gets hauled around by a semi, can grill over 1,000 items of food at once. Having already been scheduled to make appearances at county fairs, as well as NFL and NCAA football games across the country this fall, keep your eyes open for Juicy’s BBQ truck to be grilling up tons of barbeque and tailgating food all season long. And don’t forget to bring your appetite.

Jimmy Buffett's BBQ Salmon Recipe

2008-09-02T17:34:00.003-04:00

This delicious bbq recipe is courtesy of the margaritaville man himself, Jimmy Buffett. This yummy little recipe cooks up enough salmon for 8-10 people, and is great to serve at any barbecue event.

Ingredients :

1 whole salmon
1 1/2 cups white wine

2 medium brown onions

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup butter

Lawry's Seasoned Salt

2 lemons

Directions
1. Chop the onions fine and sauté in butter until brown, about five minutes.
2. Add the wine, sauté five more minutes.
3. Next add the parsley and Lawry’s, go another minute.
4. Next then squeeze in the juice from both lemons, and let go another minute.
5. Lay the salmon on a piece of tin foil and pour the entire mixture into the cavity of the fish.
6. Double wrap the entire salmon in foil and place on a medium grill for 12 minutes per side (15 if you like it a little more done)
7. A Murphy -Goode fume blanc, Grgich Hills chardonnay or Hahn merlot is highly suggested.
8. Enjoy!

Nutrional Facts:
Calories 571
Calories from Fat 326 (57% Daily Vaule)
Total Fat 36.2g (55% DV)
Saturated Fat 12.3g (61% DV)
Monounsaturated Fat 11.8g
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.4g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 164mg (54% DV)
Sodium 221mg (9% DV)
Potassium 955mg (27% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 7.1g (2% DV)
Dietary Fiber 1.8g (7% DV)
Sugars 1.6g
Protein 46.0g (91% DV)

Riot at BBQ Includes Noose, Cordless Drill, Petrol Bomb and 3-foot Sword Among Others

2008-08-29T10:28:00.003-04:00

In a scene I can’t help but picture to have looked similar to the fight scene in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (below), riot gear, siege negotiators, uniformed officers, spotlights and trained dogs were all called in as a BBQ in the UK ended in sheer insanity. 38-year-old Alec Cowie kept officers at bay for more than three hours after barricading himself inside him home, using an assortment of weapons that included: a cordless drill, a crowbar, knives, a hammer, a dog leash, a bottle of unknown liquid, a noose, and my favorite, a 3-foot sword. Cowie even hinted that he had a petrol bomb.

Throughout the course of this 3-hour event, Mr. Cowie also managed to smash a police vehicle’s windshield with a statue from his home, as well as a neighbors bathroom window, who ended up being cut by the glass.

According to the reports, these events resulted after Alec Cowie was “severly provoked” during a game of football (soccer) in the street out in front of the BBQ. After “winding him up”, Cowie finally snapped, throwing a fellow BBQ patron into the street and forcing him to wear a dog leash. He later proceeded to exchange the leash for a noose, dragging the 27-year-old Christopher Beedie through the street as he struggled to breathe, skinning his back.

After over 3 hours, Cowie was finally led away in handcuffs after giving himself up. While in court, his mother was heard as saying, “you’ll be all right.”
“Hitting the police with a sword?” Cowie replied, “I don’t think so.”

Cowie remains in custody until his sentencing in Aberdeen in October. In the meantime, officials have requested a thorough background check.

Outdoor Heaters the Cozy and Convenient Heat Source

2008-08-28T11:14:00.001-04:00

Outdoor heaters are much sought after these days since owning one means you can spend more time outdoors, even when the season turns cold. On cool fall evenings when most families would stay indoors with their fireplace, you can continue to enjoy the outdoors with your outdoor heater.

With outdoor heaters like chimineas, patio heaters and outdoor fire pits becoming popular, there is a variety of styles to choose from, enabling you to coordinate with your outdoor furniture and other accessories, in order to make you feel the most comfortable.

With patio heaters, you have the choice of opting for the free standing portable kind, like the Uniflame Endless Summer Tabletop Outdoor Heater, or you can choose to build a permanent patio heater. Depending on your requirements, you can find the exact type that matches your needs.

Most patio heaters are stand-alone models. There is also the tabletop model that runs on natural gas or propane. These are easy to operate and turn on with a switch along with a mechanism that turns the equipment off in case it tips over or is accidentally bumped into.

There are infrared patio heaters that look quite sleek as pole mounted units, adding to the decor. These run on natural gas emitting infrared heat. Other outdoor fireplaces include the ones with chimneys, like chimineas, which are smoky and burn wood like an indoor fireplace. You can, however, also get them with gas-fired logs or gas fireplace inserts that look like authentic logs without the mess of maintenance.

Based on the area you want to heat, there are a number of different outdoor heaters and fireplaces you can use to enhance your backyard or patio, as well as a number of different styles to coordinate with your décor. Each outdoor heater usually uses a different fuel source, so determining which fuel source you prefer will also need to be taken into consideration when determining which outdoor heater to use.

5 Tips to Make Your Labor Day Weekend BBQ a Little Easier

2008-08-27T13:01:00.003-04:00

1) Baste not waste
Use an orange or lemon when it's time to baste the meat. Dip the juicy part of the fruit into a marinade and rub directly onto the meat. It's easy and gives the beef a tasty twist.

2) Beer the Beef!
Add the beer of your choice to the marinade to give it just the right kick--it keeps the meat extra moist and tender.

3) Stop the stick
Avoid having your meat stick to the grill by brushing it with a little vegetable oil or olive oil before throwing it on the 'cue.

4) No-fuss husking
Who has time to husk corn? Now you do! With the husk still on, cut off both ends of the corn, roll it on your counter top and watch the husk come right off!

5) Tea time and "me" time
Tired of plain iced tea? When making a pitcher for you BBQ, grab a frozen can of concentrate and stir in a couple of scoops. Orange juice, lemonade and strawberry are some great-tasting choices!

World Record Burger Using Pork

2008-08-26T13:40:00.003-04:00

With everyone excited about the USA’s 110 medal, 5 world record-breaking performance at this year’s Beijing Summer Olympics, I am pleased to announce that yet another world record has fallen by the hands of Americans this summer. No, I’m not talking about the men’s 200-meter backstroke or the women’s 4x100 meter swim relay; I’m talking about the record for world’s largest porkburger.

Roger Davidson, Ray Lampe a.k.a. Dr. BBQ, Mike Tucker and Eddy Maurin went down in the Guinness Book of World Records for making the world’s largest porkburger at the World Pork Expos “BarbeQlossal”, held in Des Moines, Iowa. The enormous burger, topped with a 36” bun and cooked with a 36” spatula that stood at a towering 8 feet, weighed in at a whopping 123.6 lbs. The burger was topped off with bleu cheese, onions, pickles, tomatoes, banana peppers, sugar in the raw, and BBQ sauce. The monster burger was cut up and sold to support juvenile diabetes.

The record-setting porkburger was sweet revenge for the grillers, whose 2007 world record of 70.5 was broken by 17.5 lbs., thanks to some guys in Michigan. Will the Michigan guys come back with a bigger burger? Mr. BBQ and the boys think so. When asked if their record will stand, Mike Tucker responded with a smile, “Yeah, right. We’re already discussing next year.”

Tofu Kabobs: The Meatless Alternative to a BBQ Favorite

2008-08-25T17:12:00.005-04:00

Looking for a great way to eliminate meat from your BBQ for dieting or personal preference? Are you looking for an easy way to introduce tofu to the family? Try incorporating it into an already familiar barbecue favorite. This recipe recreates traditional kabobs, substituting tofu for the meat and adding plenty of late summer's bountiful vegetables. Add some baked beans, corn on the cob or a green salad for a delicious meatless barbeque. It's ideal to plan your meal ahead, and to ensure the best flavorful result, marinating the tofu overnight for at least 12 hours is recommended.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coarse brown mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons coarsely ground coriander seed
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, or to taste
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound extra firm tofu, pressed to remove excess liquid, cut into 24 equal pieces
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 12 large chunks
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 12 large chunks
1/2 Vidalia onion, peeled and cut into 8 chunks

Directions:
In a small bowl mix together mustard, vinegar, oil, garlic powder, coriander seed, soy sauce, paprika, red pepper and black pepper. Pour into a resealable plastic bag, add tofu, seal bag and marinate tofu overnight.

Skewer the tofu, bell pepper and onions and place on a baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes, turning skewers after 10 minutes. You may also broil the kabobs, using the same technique, although cook time will be reduced.

Servings: 4

Per serving: 220 calories, 12 g total fat (<1 g saturated fat), 13 g carbohydrate 11 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 460 mg sodium.

Guns, Drugs, Explosives and Cash Found in BBQ Restaurant Raid

2008-08-22T13:39:00.002-04:00

Police made a raid Tuesday afternoon on Senor Bill's BBQ Restaurant in Jasper, Texas after a narcotics specialist with the Jasper department stopped a vehicle that had just made a buy. Upon raiding the 'Cue Restaurant, police found marijuana, explosive devices, guns and $42,000 in cash. The explosive devices were identified as military practice grenades and the guns were an assortment of hunting rifles and pistols. Two people were arrested in the raid and are awaiting arraignment in the Jasper County Jail.

Helpful Tips for Easier Grill Cleanup

2008-08-21T16:28:00.003-04:00

As the barbecue season draws to a close, novice and expert grillers young and old will all share a similar feeling of grief; although some moreso than others. I'm not talking about sparking up that outdoor cooker one last time before season's close, I'm talking about the one thing every griller dreads but knows is inevitable; cleaning the grill. After a summer full of good times and good food with friends and family, the end result on your grill is usually a black, crusty compound, made up of mostly carbon and some unburned grease. For those of us who may not have gone to great lengths to clean our BBQ grill this summer, here are some tips to help make that cleanup job a little easier this year.

Always allow grill to cool down to just above room temperature before cleaning. There’s the obvious risk of a bad burn by touching the metal, but beyond that, a wire whisk will fling specks of hot carbon onto your arms and face. Bad news. Cleaning liquids that come into contact with hot metal will vaporize, often producing toxic gases. Another bad idea. Waiting may make clean up a little harder, but it’s much safer.
Take apart any removable sections from the grill like grill bars, drip pans and lid.
Clean in layers; grease first then carbon build-up. It will make the job much easier.
Modern oven cleaning sprays are your best bet to remove grease build-up
Allow cleaner to sit a minimum of two hours. If you haven't kept up on cleaning all summer, allowing it to sit overnight is warranted.
When removing oven spray, be sure to use lots of water, rinsing a sponge or towel frequently. Left-over oven spray/grease that dries will impart a foul odor and taste the next time you cook.
When removing the remaining carbon build-up, there is no safe alternative to elbow grease. A proper scraper will help, but even with it, you are going to have to exert some force.

Clean the barbeque regularly and each clean up will be easier than if the job is only done every third time or once a season. Your food will taste better and your guests will be grateful because of it.

The Newest "Green" Products to Have at Your Next BBQ

2008-08-20T13:49:00.003-04:00

The next time you are purchasing disposable plates and cutlery for your barbecue, keep an eye out for "CornWare", the newest environment-friendly product to emerge from the "Green" revolution. CornWare is a range of disposable plates, cups, cutlery and chopsticks made from corn and yam, as opposed to styrofoam or plastic. CornWare comes in a variety of colors enabling you to coordinate with any party, and all the products can be popped into the microwave. The best part about the CornWare product line is that all products are designed to decompose naturally after 102 days! This innovative new product is made by the company OliveGreen, and is an easy and affordable way for anyone to contribute to the "Go Green" movement. Look for CornWare products to hit your local supermarket shelf as early as the end of this month, or purchase them online.

John Cena Throws BBQ Bash Full of Women and Beer

2008-08-19T09:03:00.006-04:00

WWE Superstar John Cena attended a barbecue in New York recently, when a mob of more than 30 women attacked him for autographs and kisses. Cena ended up buying them all a round of beer, then continued to buy everyone else beer for the remainer of the BBQ. No word as to whether or not the BBQ was any good, but if John Cena is buying rounds of beer for everyone, I imagine it couldn't have been too bad.

Lowe’s Recall: The Perfect Flame Gas Grill

2008-08-14T12:58:00.002-04:00

Before you fire up your grill for a late summer barbecue, please be advised of this warning; as of Friday, more than 20,000 “The Perfect Flame” gas grills were recalled from Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores across the country. The recall occurred after The Perfect Flame, a popular and high selling gas grill, was found to have a faulty cooking chamber, which occasionally melts and catches fire. This discovery was made after nearly 200 reports of the grill melting or catching fire. It goes without saying, if you own a Perfect Flame grill, we urge you to refrain from ever using it again. Instead, Lowe’s has offered The Perfect Flame grill owners the opportunity to return the grill to Lowe’s without the propane tank for a full refund. If you are in the market for a new quality grill, or looking to replace your old Perfect Flame grill, we recommend the high quality, always-reliable Weber Summit S-650 Stainless Steel Propane Grill.

Solar-Powered Landscape Lighting the Alternative Energy Option

2008-08-13T11:22:00.004-04:00

When looking to add or upgrade your outdoor lighting system, you will want to look for a system that will provide enough light for you to relax on your patio comfortably or walk around your property safely. Ideally, the lighting should complement your property, enhance its looks and be energy efficient, while not cutting too deep into your budget. To provide you with these necessities and more, look no further than solar powered landscape lighting! Apart from meeting all the criteria listed, you have the additional advantage of not having to deal with wires, because the system is wireless and easy to install.

Specific benefits of solar lighting:

·We already know they are energy efficient. Added to this, the suns energy is free for you to harness.
·While saving on your energy bills, you are being environmentally friendly, conserving the earth resources.
·You will take something like an hour, at most, to set up your solar garden lights.
·You have decided to get some durable stainless steel garden solar lights. Because there is no wiring you can locate them just about anywhere. You just need to stake them into the ground and that is it.
·You can easily make additions. During the holidays, you can add to your landscape lighting by getting solar Christmas lights and you do not have to make any additional arrangements to install them, so long as your source of light is positioned right.
·With all their benefits, solar powered lights can also look great with the variety of designs available.

How the concept of solar lighting works:
The source of energy is the sun, which is freely available. For the illumination, you can use LED lamps, which are long lasting. The solar panels that convert the sun’s energy are composed of photocells, which charge the solar battery for landscape lights. So the most important part of setting up solar lighting is to place the solar panels in a position that receives the maximum sunlight. Generally, the rechargeable batteries can last approximately eight to ten hours of continuous use. The built in sensors in these solar lights can turn the lamps on and off automatically.

Using solar-powered landscape lighting:
You can start by marking the right places in your backyard or garden to see where you would like to position your lights. You might want to go in for different lights to light up your barbecue grill area, your outdoor cooking equipment, your pathways, your flowerbeds, and any other special feature that you have on your property. A friend of mine owns the Malibu Outdoor Metal Bollard lighting system, which he uses to illuminate the walkway from the gate on the side of the house leading into the backyard. I was there for a barbecue in the evening recently, and I must say, the lights really do look great. If you have a woodstove, gas fireplace or a woodburning fireplace, you might want to illuminate this area as well, regardless of whether you are using the heat source. You can also use floodlights focused on your cooking equipment or BBQ, perfect for those late night summer cookouts.

Fire Officials Urge People to Heed Message of BBQ Safety

2008-08-12T15:14:00.004-04:00

After having come across a number of articles about a man severly burned attempting to use petrol to light his grill, there has been an increasing number of articles from fire officials urging people to heed safety warnings when throwing a barbecue. "By far the biggest danger is the use of flammable liquids to light the barbecue", says Paul Slaven, PR officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. "We have had a couple of occasions where people have poured petrol onto the charcoal in an effort to get it going and the reaction has, not surprisingly, been violent and highly dangerous.” To ensure a safe and enjoyable end to summer and the barbecue season, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have provided a few safety tips to remember. Mr. Slaven adds, “This may seem like a long list but most of these things are common sense. Always prepare well in advance and light the charcoal early. Most of all enjoy yourself safely."

1. Never light a barbecue indoors.

2. Never leave a barbecue unattended.

3. Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.

4. Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more.

5. Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.

6. After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.

7. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they are hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.

8. Enjoy yourself, but do not drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.

9. Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.

8 Tips to Help Burn Wood Cleanly, Efficiently and Responsibly

2008-08-11T11:08:00.006-04:00

Since the beginning of time, a fire on the hearth has been one of the most satisfying and comforting pleasures in life. The lure of the fireplace is timeless, and a hearth product means one of the most desired amenities in a home. Along with the joy and comfort of using a hearth product comes the responsibility of using it properly. Here are 8 tips to help you burn with wood cleanly, efficiently, and responsibly.

1. NEVER "damper down" a stove so that it smolders over night or for extended periods of time.
2. Follow local "burn ban" regulations.
3. Use dry, seasoned and split wood or manufactured fire logs.
4. NEVER burn garbage in a wood stove.
5. Select an EPA-certified wood stove or insert that produces up to 85 percent less emissions than those manufactured before July 1, 1992.
6. If you cannot install a newer stove or insert, enhance the capabilities of your current appliance by following the tips above.
7. Make sure the stove’s installation and flue system are safe and appropriate by having an annual chimney inspection and through periodic maintenance on your stove or insert.
8. Remember that how you burn determines the economy, environmental responsibility, and efficiency of your wood burning stove or insert.