The likely star of the 74th showing of the AT&T Cotton Bowl classic will be the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Oklahoma State, with a 9-3 overall record and 6-2 in the Big 12 Conference, faces Ole Miss, 8-4 overall wiith a 4-4 SEC record. This year’s game will be a rematch of the 2004 classic where the Rebels, who were led by now New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, defeated Oklahoma State, 31-28. This is only the second time that the Cowboys and Ole Miss have faced each other, with both of these meetings at the Cotton Bowl Classic. I will be watching the game through live streaming video coming over the Internet onto my computer. You could be watching it on your PC, too. I discovered this fabulous software that I easily downloaded, and then easily installed and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was incredibly easy to use. All I needed was a computer with a Windows-based operating system, a high-speed Internet connection through either DSL or cable and I was all set to view. It was that simple. This year’s 2010 classic on January 2 was considered to be the BCS matchup before the season started. However, it may now be dubbed the Disappointment Bowl since neither the Cowboys or the Rebels lived up to any preseason hype. But, if you’re a Rebels or Pokes fan, it doesn’t matter. Especially if you’re viewing the game in the comfort and convenience sitting in front of your own computer screen. However, your viewing pleasure doesn’t begin and end at the Cotton Bowl Classic. This wonderful software gets you access to more than 3,000 television stations worldwide. You will be able to view your favorite television program no matter where you are as long as you have your computer and Internet connection. You’ll gain access to tons of comedies, dramas, musicals, news and weather, health and education, and a lot of kids programming that you will be sure to enjoy.
Archive for December, 2009
Watch the AT&T Cotton Bowl Game Online
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Healthcare debate throws light on verification of illegal immigrants
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009In July 2008, the Los Angeles County had brought into effect strict federal verification rules to scrutinize documents submitted by the beneficiaries covered under Medi-Cal, the public healthcare program for low-income residents. These rules were enforced not only to deny health insurance to illegal immigrants, but also to ensure that legal citizens are covered under its umbrella. This check is done by verifying the documents submitted by people who apply for the healthcare policy. These documents should prove their citizenship or legal status. Leonardo Rincon, a health worker in Los Angeles, and his colleagues have initiated the verifying procedure in their county. According to Deborah Walker, the Medi-Cal director, they haven’t yet identified any illegal immigrant who has been enjoying the benefits as a legal resident. Between July 2008 and February 2009, only less than 1% of the applicants had not submitted the necessary documents, which they eventually did produce. Even among new Medi-Cal applicants, cases of fraudulent entry were very few. A few healthcare officials feel that the amount of fund and time invested in this verification is not offering any payback. There is also an on-going debate on curtailing new public health benefits to illegal immigrants. US citizens have access to full public health benefits, while illegal immigrants are entitled only to pregnancy and emergency care. Members of Congress have suggested a few guidelines to improve the verification method. Applicants have to produce photo identification proof or biometric ID cards. Other methods include checks with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s immigration database and so on. The purpose of implementing strict immigrant verification process is to discourage illegal immigrants from availing health benefits, which in turn would save huge amounts of money. There are immigrant advocates who agree to the contrary. They feel that these regulations are not cost-effective and also deprive US citizens of their healthcare policy in case they cannot produce relevant documents. Two federal studies validated their point by proving that these rules led to huge administrative costs.
Nfl Chicago Bears - Kyle Orton Injured in Sundayâs Game
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009The quarterback for the Chicago Bears, Kyle Orton was sidelined with an injury on Sundayâs game against the Detroit Lions at the end of the second quarter. Even though the team won the game 27-23, they are a little concerned about the injury that Orton is experiencing, which is an ankle sprain but they donât know yet how bad it is yet. He was examined by doctors after the game but they said that he should be submitted to a MRI on Monday. The game was going pretty well for the Bears, even though they also lost their emotion leader, Mike Brown, due to a calf injury in the same quarter. Orton was replaced by Rex Grossman, who was not well received by the fans, however, he made the winning pass for Rashied Davis to score the touchdown, but there where a lot of mistakes on his performance as well. The team is expecting Orton to be back possibly in four weeks; they have to run more tests to be sure that there is no fracture since this type of injury is kind of serious. They also need to know how wide the roof is in the ankle sprain because depending on this, he could be treated with a boot or he may have to be submitted to surgery. It doesnât look that serious for Orton, but the Bears are taking all the necessary precautions so that he could be out the less time possible. It is for sure that he is going to miss this Sundayâs game against the Tennessee Titans and probably the next week game against the Green Bay Packers. It is not going to be easy to replace Orton in this two coming games but at least the Bears are not even considering bringing a new quarterback. The injury is not supposed to be season ending. “To do that (bring a new quarter back), you would say that Kyle will be out for a long period of time,” Coach Lovie Smith said. “We’re not there. We’re evaluating an ankle injury. That’s about all we’re doing right now. ” Kyle Orton started his football career at the University of Purdue and is one of the only three Purdue quarterbacks that have started in three or more consecutive bowl games; he was the starter in the 2001 and 2002 Sun Bowls, the 2003 Capital One Bowl and the 2004 Sun Bowl. He started his professional career in 2005 right into the Bears starting lineup since former starter Rex Grossman was sidelined with an injury. During his first season with the team, the Bears won 10 of the fifteen games Orton started, but his rating as quarterback was not good. For the 2006 season Grossman was recovered and took the starter position again while Orton was sidelined for the whole season as third quarterback. Nevertheless, his improvements and good performances during the 2007 preseason earned him the spot as starter once again at the end of the season. In 2008 he signed a 1 year contract extension with the Bears and he was named as the starting quarter back of the season. As of last Sundayâs game, Kyle Orton has 10 touchdown passes, four interceptions and leads the Bears with a 4-3 record.
How many calories to lose weight?
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009To find out how many calories if you start where you are. In other words, find out how many calories you need to obtain your current size and then reduce from there. You can go through this in many ways. Most people simply select any number as 1200 calories and is what they eat, but in almost every case that is calories to ensure an adequate diet enough not nearly, not forgetting that the withdrawal provides. During weight to lose and to this day I eat more than 2000 calories per day on average, and I have maintained a good weight for my size over 17 years. Remember your body needs to maintain calories to itself. Basic Calorie requirement calculation is based on the activity level: Sitzende: 13 X = weight AVG. . CAL / day seated exercises none on all moderately active: 16 X = weight AVG. . CAL / day moderately active perceives, approximately 3-4 times per week very actively: 19 x = weight AVG. . CAL / day 5-strenuous 7 training sessions per week is very active. Click to Get Best Calorie Shifting Fat Burning System If more than 200 pound weigh now, and you like closer to weigh 150, here is a calculation that you could use to get started: suppose go too little movement by actively, we use quality as moderate 16 as our modifier: 150 pounds X 16 calories per kilogram = 2400 calories of less 500 (with the common 500 calories per day discount) gives us an average of 1900 calories per day total when you started, thus one plan to take an average 1900 calories daily may, would begin to lose weight. Most people make error is to reduce calories too much, ultimately muscle plus you should set the victims for feeling deprived. It is much better to go slightly slower in the long term, keep so much muscles as possible while burning calories through exercise. Note also even if you do not eat as many calories many days you could eat more on weekends for example, so that it ultimately back closer to your goal of an average 1900 per day. Take the calories during the week of seven divided. You remember this calories number gives you plenty of room, week. You can some treated like everyone else, or add more weekend. Place constantly say: “I cannot, I’m on diet”, now can say: thank you, this is delicious “, and enjoy some. ” It is not your ruin diet plan because one was given cautious than other, some days it does to the average number of calories you want you sufficient calories compensation, if you are. I tend to eat much fewer calories during the week as at the weekend and my average amounts generally out, to 2000 to 2200 calories per day. A universally accepted amount is the 500 calories reduction. You can continue to reduce your calories but I would not recommend. It is not everyone benefit to try a faster weight in fact, if you reduce your calories too much at the end of wasting muscle in the process, that is exactly what you want to do. If you want faster results, it is better to add more activity to burn more calories at rest. You might think me mad, commend 1900 calories per day, but I can for a fact that, if you too little dinner (say 1000 to 1200 calories, IMO is insufficient), then set for all the following properties: deprivation. You will feel disadvantaged mentally and physically. Not enough for your basic metabolic needs is 1000 calories, let alone as to your activity fuel needs. Add more food! Only somewhat more than if you already so for example, if you are entitled to 1 / 2 cup vegetable is one whole Cup goes on your progress to spoil? I doubt it. Pay attention to a whole Cup or go forward and have two oranges. Fruit and vegetables are very low in calories but offer a high diet. Certainly, some vegis and sugar is fruit in sugar high, but it of course. I doubt seriously, our planet grows a killer food - is not probable that the food industry, in these foods to more than a dried powder add back more sugar has processed you and chemicals, is it similar is more harmful than a simple Apple or banana the original product? Click to Get Best Calorie Shifting Fat Burning System If you are diabetic or need to see sugar little protein along with the higher Glycemic foods like an ounce of cheese with Apple have a small. Note I said enough to feed a small country an ounce cheese, a plate not large. Metabolic slow down feeding to a few calories you sets for metabolic slowdown. Studies have shown repeatedly that a person falls harder it difficult to lose weight very little calories can although food simply because their metabolism Burns at a slow pace. As you probably already know that exercise helps, speed up metabolism, but food is. Therefore they say breakfast is so important, not only to fuel, but because it starts the metabolic oven burns and does continue burning all day. If you do not eat nothing until lunch, you must not heating to burn your oven, either to start up then. The ultra low calorie approach worked for you so far? If not, why not try something more reasonable? Day with a friend who have no problems with overweight and you will see how they sometimes eat more, sometimes less but eat average enough to keep their bodies fuels and weight. Adding more food gives you additional eye appeal. If split 1000 calories during one whole day shalt thou hast portions on the plate with quite modest every time, if you eat. I like it as if I were enough to eat and I do so by curvature feel my plate with extra vegetables. If for example, I am I with a frozen hors up to cook a cup or to include more of frozen vegetables on my plate. The additional vegis really fill me up, unless the satisfaction I need and I have often wegzuwerfen a certain extra vegetables. Is food to waste? No, it is wise. Far better for me mentally on additional food must away throwing to be as licking the plate because I am still hungry. I am also not likely to start something else want, right after lunch eat if I satisfied with the amount I feel eating. Make an effort to learn how your food as it is. Plain mixed vegetables with nothing for they are delicious. It took a while butter on them and even to stop Molly McButter (only chemicals and sodium) until set stop. I eat them plain and Yes, they are great. Nature has our fruits and vegetables naturally sweet and all, the “Tools” are we use as butter on vegetables or potatoes certainly all things taste delicious, but they make us even more than we need to be. Add these “extra” calories. Slowly make adjustments, what or how much you eat Wean themselves before adding sugar to your cold cereal. Read the label, all processed cereals contain a ridiculous amount of added sugar. There is no need to add more. My only exception is brown sugar on rolled oats. I my cereal with sugar at all anymore but I took a while to make the change. You start by somewhat less here a little longer cut then next week, to break the habit entirely to you. Smallest changes make for great results over time. If you are food good, and focus on increasing your activity even if only a little then you are all while increasing metabolism so you eat more still fat to lose, muscle building and more aesthetical,! Click to Get Best Calorie Shifting Fat Burning System
New England Patriots Tickets- Green-Ellis Causing Waves on Offense
Monday, December 28th, 2009It takes a special player to go from being cut before the regular season to starring on a team’s offense, but that is exactly what BenJarvus Green-Ellis has done with the New England Patriots this season. When the Patriots cut Green-Ellis during the last cut of the preseason, the choice seemed a logical one. The Patriots already had running backs Heath Evans, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan and Sammy Morris. The Patriots chose to pick him up again to their active roster before the fifth game of the season. Even then, though, it still seemed like Green-Ellis would be sitting the bench for some time. That was before Maroney had a season-ending injury, Jordan injured his calf and Morris hurt his knee. Coincidentally, the man that the Patriots were unsure if they wanted on the roster has now become their primary ball carrier. Green-Ellis first took the field for week six’s game against the San Diego Chargers, but he only had one reception for nine yards. The next game against the Denver Broncos, he had 13 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. He had another touchdown in week eight’s game against the St. Louis Rams as well as 16 yards on nine carries. He continued with his contributions during week nine against the Indianapolis Colts as he had 57 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown as well as one reception for eight yards. The Patriots’ game against the Buffalo Bills during week 10 was Green-Ellis’s best game yet with 25 carries, 105 yards and one touchdown. Hardly anyone would be guessing this undrafted rookie would be making fans get out and buy New England Patriots tickets, which you can get at http://www. stubhub. com/new-england-patriots-tickets/. He was, however, a successful running back at both of the colleges he attended. He spent his first two years of college at Indiana University. His freshman year, 2003, he rushed for 938 yards and seven touchdowns on 225 carries. The next year, he had 794 yards and five touchdowns on 231 carries at Indiana. He switched to Mississippi in 2005 and redshirted that season. In 2006, he had 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns on 234 carries. His senior year, he had 1,137 yards and six touchdowns. He went undrafted in this year’s draft and the Patriots picked him up last May before cutting him. As of week ten, the Patriots are 6-3. They have some tough opponents to end out the regular season as well as a couple that they should easily roll over. This season has truly tested the Patriots as they lost star quarterback Tom Brady during the first game of the season. Since then, the team has suffered some surprising losses like a 38-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins and a 30-10 loss to the Chargers. Tom Brady has reportedly been back in practice lately, meaning that the Patriots may have him back at 100 percent next season. Until then, they don’t seem to be faring too badly with backups like Green-Ellis and quarterback Matt Cassel.
Ed Bagley’s Top 25 Poll - Week 10 - Oregon Is Moving Down Fast
Monday, December 28th, 2009Copyright © 2009 Ed BagleyIowa, Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and California all lost ground in the AP Top 25 Poll this week. All of them also lost ground in my Top 25 Poll this week with the exception of Oklahoma—I kicked Oklahoma out of my Poll some time ago, and the Sooners will not find their way back into my Poll anytime soon. Here is how I see it this week:1) Alabama (9-0) The Crimson Tide won a 24-15 signature victory over the 9th-ranked Louisiana State (LSU) Tigers this week. No team had a bigger win against a better opponent. With the pressure to perform on, Alabama came through to remain unbeaten. The Tide travels to Mississippi State this week. 2) Florida (9-0) The Gators beat a very weak, 119th-ranked, 2-8 Vanderbilt team this week, 27-3. They remain behind Alabama because this was not a killer performance. 3) Texas (9-0) The Longhorns remained unbeaten with a dominating 35-3 win over 83rd-ranked Central Florida; this is one reason why Texas will not be No. 1 or No. 2 in my Poll. Simply put, Texas has not played a really good team all season. Yes, they beat an extremely disappointing 5-4 Oklahoma team, and beat Oklahoma State 41-14 on-the-road, but the Longhorns’ strength of schedule is ranked 52nd by Sagarin whereas Florida is ranked 40th and Alabama 25th. Plus the Big 12 is nowhere near the SEC in competitiveness. Texas gets Baylor next, what a laugher. 4) Texas Christian (9-0) Moves ahead of Cincinnati because the Horned Frogs put a 55-12 drubbing on San Diego State. This is exactly what an unbeaten team should be doing this time of year. Next up is 14th-ranked Utah, a little stiffer competition. 5) Cincinnati (9-0) Remained undefeated by recording a really lame 47-45 squeaker over 52nd-ranked Connecticut. Gets 7-2, 23rd-ranked West Virginia at home this week. 6) Boise State (8-0) Won another 45-35 lame victory, this time over 96th-ranked Louisiana Tech (3-6), another nobody on the Broncos’ schedule. Has played no one all year except Oregon, who is now 7-2 and looking less impressive. The Broncos’ strength of schedule is a whopping 79th. 7) Georgia Tech (9-1) Needed overtime to notch a 30-27 victory over 55th-ranked Wake Forest. Gets Duke team next, and must face in-state rival Georgia in their last game. 
Pittsburgh (8-1) Scored in every quarter to win 37-10 over 93rd-ranked Syracuse. Gets nod for 8th position because the Panthers have an offense (15th best in nation) and Iowa doesn’t (74th best). Hosts Notre Dame this week. Pittsburgh has a better scoring defense and should win. Moment of truth comes when the Panthers face Cincinnati in their last game. 9) Iowa (9-1) Had 13-game win streak broken on their home field by Northwestern 17-10 in a game the Hawkeyes should have never lost. The miracle comebacks and close wins have now ended as reality sets in. Iowa’s troubles are just starting—they travel to Ohio State this week and could get crushed by the Buckeyes. 10) LSU (7-2) Lost to Alabama 24-15 on-the-road. Alabama is the best team in the country at the moment. Not many teams can claim that their 2nd loss of the season was to the best team in the country. LSU will be heard from again. Next up is the Tigers’ homecoming game against Louisiana Tech; this could be very bad news for the general health of Louisiana Tech (now 3-6). 11) Ohio State (8-2) Upset 11th-ranked Penn State 24-7 on the Nittany Lions’ home field in Happy Valley, or shall we say Not-So-Happy-Valley. Nation’s top scoring defense was caught sucking some Louisiana Tech pond water between offensive possessions. Buckeye mojo is returning at just the right time. Ohio State gets Iowa at home this week, and the Buckeyes are seeing potential road kill. Should Ohio State be ranked 9th rather than 11th? I will let you know in my next Top 25 Poll. From No. 12 on, this Poll is hard put to rank any team with a straight face. All of the contenders have been up and down like an unsteady clown on a pogo stick—great one week and lousy the next (prime example is Oregon). 12) Penn State (8-2) Can’t stand Penn State and they were upset at home by Ohio State, however, their only two losses are against Iowa and Ohio State. Southern Cal’s only two losses came against a 3-6 Washington team and Oregon, both away games. Penn State will handle Indiana and in all likelihood Michigan State and finish at 10-2. 13) Southern California (7-2) Picked up tough 14-9 road win at Arizona State and finishes year against Stanford, UCLA and Arizona, another tough road to hoe to end the year at 10-2. 14) Oregon (7-2) Could not stand the success of upsetting 4th-ranked Southern Cal 47-20 last week. Showboating players got their butts kicked this week not by Stanford but by Stanford’s battering ram Toby Gerhart, who rushed for a school-record 223 yards and scored 3 touchdowns as the quack-quack Ducks were hammered at home 51-42 by The Cardinal. Life for the Ducks gets tougher as their last 3 opponents are Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State. Good luck, quack quacks. 15) Utah (8-1) Hard to ignore Utah’s 8-1 record, but the Utes’ last victory was 45-14 over 164th-ranked and winless New Mexico (0-9). This is the sort of competition Utah faces most weeks during the season; in other words, no competition. The Utes travel to TCU this week to face the 9-0 Horned Frogs. It’s put up or shut up time for Utah this week. Should Utah get squashed by TCU, the Utes will drop in my Poll like a 100-pound sack of tomatoes thrown off a hundred-story building. Utah’s strength of schedule? Don’t even ask, it’s 95th and on the other side of Mars. 16) Houston (8-1) Hard to ignore Houston’s glossy 8-1 mark, but jeepers, their latest victory is a close 46-45 run-and-shoot with a 4-5 Tulsa team. The Cougars have the 2nd best scoring offense in the country, the 86th worst scoring defense, and 114th worst total defense among 120 major college teams. The rest of Houston’s schedule includes 5-4 Central Florida, 2-7 Memphis and 0-9 Rice. The Cougars could end up with an 11-1 mark and be one of the worst 11-1 teams in college football history. 17) Wisconsin (7-2) Took a field goal to get a 31-28 road win over a weak Indiana team last week. Badgers get Michigan next at home, travel to Northwestern and then finish their season with a trip to Hawaii, all of which is to say they could end up 9-3 or 10-2 if they are really on their game. 18) Arizona (6-2) Last seen beating up a pathetic 1-8 Washington State team 48-7 while becoming bowl eligible. Wildcats could be the best 6-2 team in the country, but do have some proving to do, and they have the chance to do it when they next face California, Oregon, Arizona State and Southern Cal in that order. Let’s see how deep down Arizona’s 22 best can dig on their way to better recognition. 19) Navy (7-3) Time for a fresh face. The Midshipmen upset 19th-ranked Notre Dame 23-21 on the home turf of the Fighting Irish, dropping Notre Dame to 6-3. Navy could be skating from here on in—they face 1-AA Delaware (6-3), Hawaii (3-6) and Army (3-6). If Navy wants any props at all, the Midshipmen must end the year at 10-3. 20) Oregon State (6-3) The Beavers are one of the dirtiest teams in the country and consider football games an excuse to legally hurt people. The Beavers were last seen upsetting California 31-14 on-the-road to become bowl eligible. The California Bears? They have made a career out of folding at the wrong time. Oregon State faces Washington (3-6) and Washington State (1-8) before ending their season at Oregon (7-2). Oregon State could be 8-4 or 9-3 when all is said and done. 21) Oklahoma State (7-2) Trashed a very average Iowa State team 34-7 last week, and finish the year against Texas Tech, Colorado and Oklahoma. Let’s see how many of these last 3 the Cowboys can win. 22) Temple (7-2) Lost its first two games and now has run off 7 straight victories after sneaking by Miami of Ohio 34-32. As Al Davis says, “Just win, baby, just win. ” Temple finishes the year against Akron (2-7), Kent State (5-5) and Ohio (6-3). Temple could end the year at 9-3 or 10-2. 23) Rutgers (6-2) Only two losses were to 8-0 Cincinnati and 7-1 Pittsburgh. Let’s see if they can beat 6-2 South Florida next. 24) Central Michigan (7-2) Suffered its second loss on-the-road at Boston College 31-10. Ends year with Toledo (4-5), Ball State (1-8) and Northern Illinois (6-3). Could easily end up at 9-3 and even 10-2. 25) Brigham Young (7-2) Shut out a weak Wyoming team 52-zip. Cougars end their year with New Mexico (0-9), Air Force (6-4) and Utah (8-1). BYU will end the year at least 8-4 if not 9-3.
NFL- Favre Signs with the Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, December 27th, 2009After months of speculation, after the Vikings said that they were no longer interested, after promises of retirement, Brett Favre has – yet again – decided to come out of retirement and sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings. This is, however, no ordinary contract; the 39-year-old quarterback signed for a two-year deal that is worth $25 million. The veteran claimed he decided not to retire for the second time in just two years because he didn’t want any regrets in his life; football has been his passion for too many years. “I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be,” Favre said at his introductory news conference Tuesday. “You’re 39; your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don’t have to do that much and I agree with that. “If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too. ” Favre decided to agree to the deal even though he has stated that he doesn’t feel in the best of shape since last year’s arm injury. Then this year, during an arthroscopic surgery aimed at repairing a biceps tendon, doctors discovered that Favre also suffered from a tear in his rotator cuff. The injuries left doubts in Favre’s mind; the longtime player did not want to re-enact last year with his arm injury and recovery. After assurances from his doctor, however, Favre decided to continue playing; although he admitted his arm was not at 100%, he felt he could make the passes he needed to. The Vikings announced that they will pay Favre $12 millions this year, of which he is guaranteed 100% if he appears on the roster on the opening day. The same deal will apply in 2010 for $13 million. Even with skill and injury, Favre is guaranteed $6 million, minimum. After weeks of speculation, hope, and disappointment, the first rumors of a new deal came on Tuesday, after two television stations stated that the Vikings had sent a private plane to pick up Favre and his wife. A source promised good news. Favre was then welcomed by Vikings coach Brad Childress at the airport and taken to the team’s training facility, where many fans awaited the quarterback’s arrival. Childress’ dream came true after months of nearly begging the quarterback to join the Vikings. Favre’s arrival has misplaced two quarterbacks already in place, but Childress insisted that there was to be no competition within the team. Facre will begin by playing in Friday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Favre decided to came back from retirement last year, when he played with the New York Jets, then decided to “retire” again after he had injured his arm that season. Over the summer, speculation arose that he would join the Vikings. Months later, he finally did.
Discover the simpliest fast weight loss diets plan
Sunday, December 27th, 2009Losing weight is not really easy. It takes dedication, motivation and determination. But by making a few easy changes you can get the ball rolling on losing weight. If you’re serious about fast weight loss with diets, these steps help get you there. The key is to dedicate yourself to these changes and do them consistently. You will see result soon. But by following these steps . . . you may find it’s a little easier than you think! Step 1: WHAT YOU EAT First up, let’s take a look at some simple ways to make significant improvements in your fast weight loss diets plan ELIMINATE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE RED MEAT If foods like burgers or fries are basic to your current diet, cutting out can go a long way in helping you make healthier meal choices and losing weight fast By building your meals around fish and poultry, you can more easily keep temptation at bay by eliminating many poor fast food and restaurant choices, which are over-sized and high in fat. To keep your shellfish, fish, chicken, and turkey diet-friendly, be sure to choose the right preparation method . Be wary of creamy, high-cal condiments that come with entrees, like tartar sauce or special sauce on grilled chicken sandwiches. Step 2 CUT OUT Unhealthy FOODS Keep your healthier choices truly healthy by grilling, baking, roasting, broiling or boiling them. Keep things interesting by adding low-cal condiments to your usual fare. A tangy barbecue sauce will give boiled chicken a kick. Lemon-herb dressing will complement broiled fish deliciously. Make sure your spice rack is always stocked with plenty of herbs and spices so you can doctor up your favorite dishes to your own taste without adding any additional fat or calories. Plant an herb garden and you’ll never run out! If you often eat fast food, forget that “value meals” and “combos” even exist; they seem like a better deal, but they’re just not worth the extra calories! Stick to a grilled chicken sandwich or a child’s hamburger and a side salad (watch the dressing!) when you’re on the run. Step 3. START WITH SOUP OR SALAD. Having a salad or cup of soup for starters can be an at-home habit that pays off in pounds-lost. They can curb your hunger, prevent over-eating, and help you stay in control of portions, all of which are crucial to losing weight. Choose a broth- or tomato-based soup like minestrone (rather than a cream- or milk-based choice). Vegetable soup made with broth, stock, or tomato soup is ideal, because the veggies will help fill you up and give you a fiber and nutrition boost. Top your salad with low-cal dressing or balsamic vinegar. An added plus of having a salad before every meal is getting more fiber, something many of our diets are short on, which will also help you feel fuller sooner. Be sure to include lots of veggies and dark mixed greens like spinach in your salads. Step 4. FINISH WITH FRUIT. Instead of reaching for the cookie jar or helping yourself to dessert after meals, make a point to finish off with naturally-sweet fruit instead of sinfully-sweet treats. Not only will you save fat and calories, you will also have the added benefit of extra vitamins, minerals and fiber. Few of us eat as much fruit as recommended. In time, you will become accustomed to foregoing sweets and you’ll look forward to your healthier treat just as much.
Premarital Agreement Myths
Friday, December 25th, 20095 Myths about Premarital Agreements Between news coverage, soap operas and family drama, everyone has preconceived notions about premarital agreements and prenuptial agreements. Here are a few of the most common myths, debunked: Myth 1: Prenuptial agreements are only for wealthy people, my fiancé and I are not rich and so we don’t need an agreement. You may not be rich, but you definitely want to have a successful marriage. Honest discussions regarding how the two of you will approach finances will ensure that there won’t be any surprises once you are married. Talking about financial issues in advance insures that you handle money with minimal conflict during your marriage as well as in case of divorce. Example: You may become rich in the future. Your education, ideas and talents may one day become more valuable than they are today. You need to think about how you’d handle the division of a business, inheritance, patent, book, song, or copyright in the event of a divorce. Example: Second and third marriages can bring conflict between children from prior relationships and new spouses. Clear discussions about finances in a divorce or premature death situation help everyone avoid conflict later. Myth 2: Prenuptial agreements are designed to simply protect the wealthier spouse and strip the other spouse of all of his or her rights. Fact: Prenuptial and premarital agreements should be designed to protect both spouses. Premarital agreements which are unfair and completely one-sided are probably not enforceable in court. The agreement must be fair. The basic requirements for premarital agreements to be enforceable are: signing the agreement must be voluntary, it can’t be unfair when it’s signed; each party needs to make a full disclosure of your assets and debts. (California Family Code Section 1615. Most states have similar laws. ) Premarital agreements can be designed so that everyone’s needs are met. Example: With a premarital agreement, you will know in advance how your assets and debts would be handled in the event you divorce. You’re negotiating the property settlement while you’re both in love with each other and you won’t be at the mercy of your spouse’s generosity or lack of generosity at the time of a divorce. Example: If you need your agreement to be enforced by the court, you’ll be glad that you made it reasonable from the beginning (and therefore enforceable). For example, by providing a reasonable support structure for your spouse in the premarital agreement, in the event of a divorce, this agreement defines the support’s limits, terms, amount and duration. If you left it up to a court, you would have no control over any of the terms. Myth 3: Premarital Agreements Aren’t Romantic. Fact: Jessica Simpson didn’t think they were romantic, either. And, there’s nothing romantic about fighting about money once you’re married because you never discussed how you’d handle your finances. Clearly, premarital agreements are touchy subjects, but consider this quote from the Nolo Press book Prenuptial Agreements: How to Write a Fair and Lasting Contract (Nolo Press 2004): ”While a prenuptial agreement may not seem like a very romantic project, working together to consider and choose the terms of a prenup can actually strengthen your relationship. Learning how to deal respectfully and constructively with each other about finances is a benefit in itself. [A prenup can help you] converse with each other about the important financial matters that are sure to arise in marriage. “ Myth 4: Premarital Agreements must deal with every issue that might come up in a divorce. Fact: You can include as many issues or as few issues as you wish. Because premarital agreements are private contracts, you can make them as detailed as you want. Example: If the only thing you want for your premarital agreement to accomplish is to protect your pre-marital property, you can limit your premarital agreement to that issue alone. If the only thing you want for your premarital agreement to accomplish is to outline what would happen in the event of your death you can limit your premarital agreement to that issue alone. If you want your premarital agreement to cover almost every issue that might come up in a divorce except one or two issues (like spousal support, or contributions to a pension during the marriage, for example), then you can have the agreement cover everything except the issues you want to exclude. If you want your premarital agreement to cover every issue, you can do that, too. Myth 5: If we don’t get married, my live-in mate won’t have any claims to my income or property. Fact: You could risk your income or assets by living together without marrying. Palimony is a spousal support substitute for alimony or spousal support for people who are not married. Palimony claims are difficult to prove, but that doesn’t stop some people from trying. Also, if you have an oral or written discussion about how you will own property, share income, assets, debts, etc. , it’s possible to make a claim that contract law applies (as opposed to family law), and that property should be divided even if it’s only in one person’s name, or only one person paid the bills. There are also real estate partition laws that can dictate how property is divided, forcing an involuntary sale at auction. If you are going to live together without getting married, you’ll want a cohabitation agreement. It’s better to decide who contributes to and owns property before you buy things rather than afterwards. Example: Remember actor Lee Marvin (The Dirty Dozen and more than 60 other movies)? In the 1970’s, his live-in girlfriend, Michelle Triola, brought an sued him alleging they had an oral agreement that Lee Marvin agreed he would provide for all her financial support for the rest of her life. (Marvin v. Marvin, 18 Cal. 3d 660 and 122 Cal. App. 3d 871; 176 Cal. Rptr. 555; 1981 Cal. App. LEXIS 2132) The court ultimately agreed with Michelle. Lee Marvin had to pay her a substantial sum, plus the attorneys had to be paid. Taken in this perspective, a premarital agreement or cohabitation agreement is a bargain. Conclusion: A carefully crafted premarital or prenuptial agreement can cement your relationship, prompt you to have the hard discussions that engaged couples need to have, and insure that your finances are handled the way you each intend in the event you were to divorce or pass away prematurely.
NFL Picks â Week 1
Friday, December 25th, 2009Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field - Sunday Night - NBC Line: Packers - 3 1/2 Over/Under: 46 The oldest rivalry in football is one of the feature games from Week 1 NFL betting action. This battle goes back as far as 1923, when the first meeting resulted in a 3-0 Bears win (they covered as a 2. 5-point favorite. . . just kidding) This weekend’s game has a line on it of -3. 5 that’s the current line at sportsbook . The line actually opened at -3, but steady money has been coming in on the home team Packers, pushing the line up to -3. 5. Most online sportsbooks are reporting 70 to 75% of the betting volume is Green Bay money. I don’t see that changing as we get closer to kick-off, and in fact, I think this number could reach -4. So if you like the Packers (check below for our pick on this one) you might want to get your bet in now. The Bears head to Lambeau having won four of the last five games in Green Bay, but note that they were blown out last year 37-3 in Week 11. In Week 16 the Bears hosted Green Bay and turned the tables beating them 20-17 in overtime. But this year is different, as the Packers will face a Bears team that finally has a franchise quarterback. This season the rivalry is renewed with a legitimate QB showdown as Aaron Rodgers welcomes Jay Cutler to the division. This rivalry could dominate this division for the next 10 seasons. In 2008 Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions for an impressive passer rating of 93. 8 in his first season as the Packers starter. Cutler threw for 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions last year for a passer rating of 86. Both quarterbacks have big arms and can make any throw required to move the offense. Green Bay has more weapons for Rodgers to spread the ball around and he had a good year with this group last season. The Bears offer Cutler two very good tight ends in Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark who might be the best tight end tandem in the NFL. The wide-receiving position is average however with all-pro punt returner Devin Hester penciled in as number one and second year receiver Earl Bennett as number two. Matt Forte has a great shot to improve on his 1200-yard season in 2008 with Cutler now in the fold. But still, edge to the Packers. The Packers brought in defensive guru Dom Capers to run the defense. He has switched the team over to a 3-4 scheme. The defense has adjusted well in preseason but it can take some time to fully implement the change. Former Lions coach Rod Marinelli takes over as Defensive Coordinator of the Bears. The strength of the Bears for years has been their defense. Getting DT Tommie Harris back on the field is huge for the team. Marinelli is a noted line coach and Harris has already stated that he has helped him tremendously. Both he and Brian Urlacher are looking to rebound from a sub-par 2008 season. The defensive line is average and will get pushed around. They don’t have a great pass rush other than weakside linebacker Lance Briggs, which could hurt them against the Pack. Top corner Charles Tillman is recovering from a back injury and looks good to go for the opener. Overall, this looks pretty even, as the neither defense will be outmatched by the offense in any significant way. . . but the Packers do look like they can create some matchup advantages that I like. I see Green Bay winning this game and will lay the 3 points (I’m buying the hook) Good luck with your NFL betting this weekend.