Christine and I attended the 2008 HPBA Expo in Atlanta, Georgia!
We must have been completely crazy coming back from our five-day Mexican cruise last Thursday to go straight to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue (HPBA) Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. But that's what Christine and I did on Friday and Saturday walking for miles upon miles looking at fireplaces, grills, BBQ accessories, and more! It was a lot of fun and we captured some of our favorite moments on camera for our latest YouTube video.
In Episode 28 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube," I took my tried and trusted FLIP camera out and filmed Christine as we went from booth to booth at the HPBA Expo. Yes, it was a lot of walking after a tiring week of cruising, but I made some good contacts there with companies that may be willing to donate some really amazing prizes for my upcoming 3rd blogiversary giveaway contest in April. More to come about that!
See for yourself what the HPBA Expo is all about in today's video:
We were very fortunate to catch up with Michael Wales, the inventor of the Grill Daddy grill cleaner which I featured in Episode 27. He was gracious enough to offer a FREE Grill Daddy Pro to one lucky winner who leaves a comment at YouTube about this video. If your grill stays dirty and gunky, then this would be a cool prize to win. Special THANKS to Michael for his generous prize donation. :)
We also hooked up with Steven Raichlen who will be coming back to television in May 2008 with a brand new series about--what else?--BBQ, baby! Steven was leaving as we passed by the booth, so we didn't get him on camera, but you will notice he has a full line of amazing BBQ accessories for anything you will do with your grill. Amazing products!
There was so much to look at and see at the 2008 HPBA Expo that we will probably plan on going back again next year to Reno, Nevada for another great show! Have you ever seen so many grills and stuff in your life all in one place? Talk about what you thought about the video and don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win a FREE Grill Daddy Pro. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
Catch up on all the latest in our YouTube video series and subscribe to our videos to always see the new ones. We have well over 300 subscribers now and over 9,000 people have viewed our videos. THANK YOU for your support! As always, e-mail your show suggestions and comments to us anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. We LOVE hearing from our viewers!
I REALLY wanted to take some video footage while we were on our cruise and attempted to do so once. But the batteries died right in the middle of the filming and I just put it away for the rest of the trip. Oh well, maybe next year! It's a good thing, too, because there's no video of me cracking my head open after singing karaoke. I don't know which was funnier-watching me rap a Run DMC song or seeing me walking smack dab into a TV stand? LOL! At least I've got a memory of my 2008 cruise. :P
After years and years of using charcoal grills to add a little taste of fire and smoke to my favorite meats and veggies, last year I got a gas grill that is absolutely fabulous! I was concerned about the taste of the food on a gas grill, but quickly discovered those worries were unfounded. The steak, shrimp, kabobs, chicken, and more that I have cooked on that grill have been nothing but AWESOME and I am so happy to enrich my low-carb lifestyle with this flavor-making device!
In Episode 27 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube," I once again take the show outside the studio with my FLIP camera (can you tell I LOVE this thing?!) to show you a new device called the Grill Daddy that does wonders on a dirty grill as you will see and to cook up some of my favorite Italian Style chicken breasts from Perdue called Perfect Portions. It's a low-carb grilling experience and I'm always happy to help people find a way to make this lifestyle change taste as good as it possibly can. ENJOY!
Watch me grill up some fabulous "cheekin" in today's video:
Grilling out any time of the year is always fun which is why I was so happy to do this in February. Of course, it didn't hurt that it was 65 degrees outside when I shot this video, so that made it even better. I'm looking forward to going to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA) conference in Atlanta, Georgia on February 28th-March 1st, 2008 to see what's new in the world of BBQ cooking! You'll recall some GREAT podcast interviews I did last year while I attended as well as a big grill giveaway for my blogiversary. We'll be working on some more of those for this year's celebration coming up in April! Stay tuned!
Do you love to grill out? Share your grilling tips and what you like to do to enhance your low-carb life with the power of cooking some sizzling meats and vegetables. My favorite part is taking the meat right off the grill like those chicken breasts and immediately slothering some healthy butter and cheese on top for a low-carber's dream meal. Mmmm mmm! Who says this way of eating is BORING?! NOT!
Are you just finding out about our YouTube video series? That's okay, you've got plenty of time to watch 'em all and keep up with the new ones that we release about once a week. You can subscribe to our videos so you'll always be one of the first ones to see the new episodes as they are posted on YouTube. And we love hearing your feedback and suggestions for future shows, so sent us an e-mail anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. THANKS so much for watching!
We will be taking our FLIP camera on our upcoming cruise to Mexico this weekend and next week to show how you can eat low-carb on that big boat! It's NOT impossible if you know what you can and cannot eat. Be looking for that video as well as footage and podcast shows from the HPBA conference when we return back in March!
Take a look at what a "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog reader just won!
One of my favorite things to do with my blog is to give people a chance to win something they can use and enjoy. Sometimes it can be something as small as a certificate for a free Atkins bar or a new low-carb book. Other times, though, the prizes you can win just for being a reader are unforgettable--like a FREE GRILL, baby!
In June 2007, I told you about a promotion Vermont Castings was holding called the "Help My Backyard" photo contest where they were looking for people to submit photographs of their pitiful looking grills for a chance to win one of three deluxe grills. I also ran a corresponding contest for some grill accessory kits with winners in June, July, and August.
Each of these entries from my readers were entered into the contest for the grand prize grill giveaways and one of them excitedly reported to me that she was chosen as the 2nd place winner of a 4-burner Vermont Castings deluxe grill! Check out her winning entry and see the winning picture for yourself:
This grill is history, because she just won a new one from Vermont Castings
Here's what she wrote:
Jimmy, thank you so much for posting this contest on your site. I would have never known about it if it hadn't been for you. I – or should I say we – won second place!
The winning entry was the 10 top reasons for a owning a Vermont Castings Grill. I haven't received it yet, but when we do, my husband has plans for trying out all kinds of grilled meat, including making use of the rotisserie for Cornish hens.
If you and Christine ever find yourself in the north Texas or southern Oklahoma area (we live right on Lake Texoma that borders Oklahoma and Texas), you have an open invitation to a BBQ!
Thanks so much for all you do for us in the low-carb world of health, happiness, and wonderful opportunity!!
Christina Robertson
Isn't that EXCITING?!?! CONGRATULATIONS Christina and we may just have to take you up on that BBQ invitation sometime in the near future. :D
Click here to read the official announcement from Vermont Castings and to find out why Christina's submission was chosen. I'm so happy for her and it just goes to show you that you don't ever want to miss your chance to win something just for being a reader of my blog. So be sure to check in every single day if you don't already. :P
In fact, you're gonna have a chance to win some really neat prizes coming up very soon. THANK YOU for reading and be sure to tell all your friends and family to check out my blog early and often, too. You get education and encouragement about your low-carb lifestyle and FREE STUFF to boot! What more could you ask for? (Well, a million bucks would be nice, but I'd have to keep that for myself for um, er, uh...oh I'd figure out something to do with it!) :D
August Vermont Castings BBQ Accessories Winner Announced
There's something rather "fishy" about this grill
It's been an awesome summer, but all good things must come to an end. The kids are headed back to school, the scorching hot weather is expected to cool down soon (THANK GOD!), and life gets back into regular routine mode again.
But before we do, I need to announce my third and final winner in the Vermont Castings "Help My Backyard!" contest which I have enjoyed hosting this summer. Contestants submitted their photos to Vermont Castings with their pitiful looking grill and they were vying for one of three brand new deluxe grills. It's been a GREAT opportunity by everyone involved and GOOD LUCK to those of you who entered.
In addition to the chance to win a free grill, readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog could also win an exclusive grilling kit from Vermont Castings which I have previously highlighted. We've already had two winners from June and July: Christina R. from Texas and Mary S. from North Carolina respectively.
Now we have our third and final winner for August:
GAYLE O. from OREGON!!!
Congratulations, Gayle! That adorable photo at the top of this blog post with the fish in her current grill was her entry in the Vermont Castings contest. Here's the caption she wrote for her submission:
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have great opportunities to catch and grill big fish! Unfortunately, this little barrel grill just isn't up to the challenge. A Vermont Castings grill would transform my backyard and allow me to showcase my grilling and fishing skills. Salmon Lover
TOO CUTE! You guys have been very creative and I wish you could all win one of those grills. THANKS for participating in my contest with Vermont Castings this summer and stay tuned for even more chances to win some really neat prizes just for being a faithful reader of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.
What this gazebo needs is a new grill from Vermont Castings
Summertime is almost over now that it's August, but you still have a chance to win one of three very attractive Vermont Castings BBQ grills as part of their "Help My Backyard!" promotion. If you haven't entered yet, you STILL have time. But HURRY! :)
- 4-piece grilling tools with case - Grill knife - Skewer set - Vermont Castings apron - Grill mitt - Grill wipes - Vermont Castings recipe book
ENJOY your grilling accessories and good luck in the Vermont Castings grill giveaway contest. That's a good-looking gazebo you have and nothing would look better than an attractive brand new grill. :D
Here's what Mary wrote about her need for a new grill:
"We built this beautiful gazebo with the hopes of having great BBQ dinners al fresco. Unfortunately, the grill has not cooperated. First, the auto igniter stopped, then two of the three burners decided to quit working. And as a capstone event, the regulator became faulty causing the tank to look like a huge torch. We spent all of our money on the gazebo and really need a grill!"
HA, what a story! Go get 'em, girl! :)
There's still ONE MORE BBQ accessories prize package to give away in August. Here's how you can be eligible to win:
1. Enter the "Help My Backyard" contest by clicking here. 2. E-mail me your name, address (no P.O. Boxes please!), and telephone number so we can ship your prize to you if you are chosen as the winner. 3. Tell me which photo or video is yours, including what you submitted as your "Backyard Story." Attach it to your e-mail if you can.
Special THANKS to Vermont Castings for donating these prize packages for the readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. GOOD LUCK to everyone who has entered the contest. Happy grilling!
Have you ever tasted fresh American-made lamb before?
I have to admit, before today I had never in my entire life tasted lamb before. I don't know why other than the fact it's just not as prevalent in our culture as chicken, pork, beef, and fish. But I gotta tell ya, I'm HOOKED now! :)
Thanks to an organization called The American Lamb Board, I was able to see, prepare, cook and eat lamb when I otherwise would have never even given it a second look. The fine folks there sent me this very nice lamb goodie kit shipped overnight with cold packs:
The American Lamb Board Summer Lamb Grill Kit is quite a catch!
This incredible kit includes:
- 6-8 lb. prime cut boneless leg of American lamb - Recipe cards with exclusive lamb recipes - Fresh pre-packaged herbs needed for the recipes above - American Lamb Board meat thermometer - Set of (4) 12" stainless-steel skewers from Outset Inc.
Why am I telling you about this kit? Well, TWO of my LUCKY READERS will win this EXACT SAME KIT that I received today in the mail one week from today on July 18, 2007. That's right, you have the chance to win that attractive kit just because you are a reader of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.
Aren't you just so special? ;)
With the summer grilling season underway, the American Lamb Board wants to encourage low-carbers like you to make a change from the ordinary summer fare to give lamb a try. But not just any old lamb. This lamb is American-made and offers a high meat-to-bone ratio.
If you have never eaten lamb, it has a rich taste that offers great flexibility to pair up with your favorite seasonings and spices. American Lamb is also more buttery, tender, and flavorful than imported lamb based on a combination of factors including farming and feeding practices.
In a survey of 500 consumers conducted in January 2007 by the American Lamb Board, one out of three Americans have never cooked lamb at home. Count me as one of those before today. Additionally, those poll respondents said they would enjoy more lamb at home if they had easy-to-follow preparation ideas and knew what to look for at the grocery store.
That's where the American Lamb Board web site comes into play. It is very user-friendly and features award-winning recipes from renowned chefs, tips for preparing various cuts, nutrition facts, suggestions for wine pairings and more.
Before I tell you how you can win the American Lamb Board Summer Lamb Grill Kit giveaway, let me show you how my grilling experience with lamb went today.
Don't those lamb steaks and kabobs look absolutely scrumptious?
From the time I placed these cuts of lamb on the barbie, I knew this was gonna be different than chicken or beef. It started searing early in the cooking process and looked fantastic in just a matter of minutes. The aroma was heavenly as these were cooking on the grill.
I could not have been more pleased with how the lamb turned out
The hardest part of preparing the lamb was cutting it up for the grill. But the end result made it all worth it! They looked absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't wait to take my first bite. Here goes nothing:
OH MY GOODNESS! Where has this meat been my entire life? Divine, I say, absolutely positively heavenly. Who knew lamb tasted THIS good? This look says it all:
Can you tell I was one happy camper eating lamb that had the tender texture of chicken with the meaty taste of beef. I'm a BIG FAN of this meat now--the OTHER red meat! :D
How about you? Wanna win that American Lamb Board Summer Lamb Grill Kit, too? I have two of them to bestow upon a couple of readers and here's what you need to do:
1. Go to AmericanLambBoard.org 2. Answer the following trivia questions: A) What is the marketing slogan for the American Lamb Board? B) Who is the American Lamb spokesperson? C) What government Cabinet office created the American Lamb Board? D) What are the five most popular cuts of lamb? 3. Submit your answers to me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net with the subject line "American Lamb Board Giveaway" by Monday, July 16, 2007 at 12:00pm. Winners will be announced later that day and prizes mailed on July 17th to arrive at your home on the morning of July 18th. 4. Please include your first and last name, mailing address (no P.O. Boxes please), and telephone number for shipping verification if you are one of the winners. 5. Open to continental U.S. residents only.
Chicken is one of the most versatile "diet" foods available for people who are trying to lose weight regardless of the method (except for vegetarians or vegans, bless their hearts). It is completely devoid of any carbohydrates and is low in fat for people who eat a low-carb, low-fat, or whatever kind of diet.
But what makes chicken so truly incredible is when it is cooked up on a grill with yummy seasoning such as garlic and rosemary. Talk about your lip-smackin', have a good time, deliciously healthy way to eat while following your chosen weight loss plan. This is the life.
To butterfly the chicken breasts, slice through the middle horizontally stopping 1/2" before the edge. Flip the chicken open like a book, place between 2 pieces of cling wrap (like Saran Wrap) and with a heavy can, mallet or saucepan, pound out to 1/2" thickness.
Congratulations, you've now created a paillard! :)
At this point, you have a variety of options for the chicken including stuffing, rolling, slicing thin for a stir fry or soups. This recipe calls for grilling them whole.
Place the paillards on a large baking sheet or clean flat surface. Spray lightly with Pam, sprinkle evenly with half of the garlic powder, rosemary and red and black pepper. Press rosemary in lightly. Flip chicken and repeat.
Fold chicken in half and cover to marinate for 30 minutes while BBQ grill heats up. When the grill is ready (make sure it's a very hot grill), cook the chicken 3 minutes on each side and serve immediately!
Grilling up a lot of chicken (or other such proteins) is a great way to save time and have delicious home-cooked food on hand during the week. Leftover chicken can be warmed whole, sliced for Caesar salads, or chunked into soups!
July 4th means grilling and spending time with family and friends
We have a uniquely American experience happen on an annual basis in the United States as we celebrate our freedom. I don't know how it got started or why people enjoy doing it so much on July 4th, but it most certainly is a deep-rooted tradition.
I'm referring to firing up that BBQ of yours and GRILLING OUT as you celebrate our nation's independence with tasty foods cooked up on the barbie.
Not surprisingly, this is the #1 most popular day for cooking on the grill with a full 71 percent of grill owners choosing to cook this way on July 4th, according to statistics from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA).
The pleasure of preparing a meal with no pots and pans to clean-up, coupled with the enjoyment of the outdoors, are among the top reasons consumers grill especially on Independence Day. Whether you are going to a barbecue or hosting one at your house, the HPBA recommends brushing up on your barbecue etiquette and grilling tips to ensure a happy holiday for yourself, friends and family.
If you are the host of the grilling party...
- Have all grilled food ready at relatively the same time. - Offer grilled vegetarian options for non-low-carbers. - Think of different types of foods to grill, including fruit. - Keep uncooked food at 40°F using an insulated cooler.
If you are the guest of the grilling party...
- Feel free to bring your own BBQ sauce. - Expect the meat to be provided by the host. - Bring plenty of sides and beverages. - Don't touch the grill! Leave that to the host.
Anyone who is handling food should remember...
- Thaw frozen food and marinate in the refrigerator. - Sanitize cutting boards and counter tops with chlorine bleach. - Boil any marinade before using it to baste the meats. - Refrigerate leftovers immediately and consume within two days.
Anyone who is actually manning the grill should...
- Trim visible fat from meat to prevent grill flare-ups. - Turn food often with tongs to prevent charring. - Use medium heat to avoid overcooking or charring meat. - Utilize a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Grill owners should follow these recommended cooking temps...
- Poultry--165 degrees F - Ground beef--160 degrees F - Pork (chops, ground, tenderloin)--160 degrees F - Large cut pork roasts--150 degrees F - Beef roasts, steaks, seafood and lamb--145 degrees F
You can get LOTS more grilling tips, recipes and info from HPBA.org.
Now that is one absolutely pathetic excuse for a BBQ grill!
Last month I told you about a pretty cool contest being conducted by our friends at Vermont Castings called "Help My Backyard!" where three lucky winners will receive their very own BRAND SPANKIN' NEW top-of-the-line BBQ grill. It's an amazing opportunity to get yourself a backyard makeover of sorts just by showing a picture of your current ugly grill or barren backyard.
As of right now, there are only 66 entries, so you have a real chance at winning! Plus, when you do enter, you will become eligible to win the following BBQ accessories right here at my blog:
- 4-piece grilling tools with case - Grill knife - Skewer set - Vermont Castings apron - Grill mitt - Grill wipes - Vermont Castings recipe book
The folks at Vermont Castings have given me THREE of these prizes packages to give away for June, July, and August. Here's how you can enter to win:
1. Enter the "Help My Backyard" contest by clicking here. 2. E-mail me your name, address (no P.O. Boxes please!), and telephone number so we can ship your prize to you if you are chosen as the winner. 3. Tell me which photo or video is yours, including what you submitted as your "Backyard Story."
The winner of the June BBQ accessories prize package is:
CHRISTINA R. from TEXAS!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Christina! Incidentally, that picture at the top of this blog post is of her grill. Her caption?
"We live in Texas...without a grill we are social outcasts!"
LOL! Good luck to you Christina on winning one of those three grills! In the meantime, enjoy your BBQ accessories on that, um, er, brick, uh, thingy you call a grill. EEEEK!
When I wanted to celebrate my two-year anniversary at my blog back in April, my goal was to find lots of great prizes from businesses that support livin' la vida low-carb to use as giveaways in a special contest for my devoted readers. But not in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to have an opportunity to give away a brand spankin' new deluxe grill to one of my lucky readers...but I did (check out who won it by clicking here)!
Just when I needed them the most, BBQ grill manufacturer Vermont Castings stepped up to the plate for me and delivered a home run with this gorgeous grill worth thousands of dollars. It was an awesome prize and I'm grateful for their generosity.
Guess what? They want to do it again, but even bigger and better this time! That's right, Vermont Castings is not giving away just one grill or even two grills. How about THREE FREE deluxe grills in a HUGE giveaway contest they are calling "Help My Backyard?"
Vermont Castings gives YOU a "Taste for the Best!"
This "Help My Backyard" contest is so so super easy to enter that I expect hundreds, maybe even thousands of my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" readers and podcast listeners to take advantage of this opportunity to get an amazing grill absolutely FREE! WOO HOO!
Here's what you need to do:
1. Take a digital photo or video of your current grill that's on its last leg or your dismal-looking backyard. 2. Go register for the contest by filling out your contact information and upload a picture or video of your current ghastly grill or barren backyard (the funkier the better!). 3. Describe as vividly as your imagination will allow why YOU are most in need of a grill makeover. Don't make it drab and dry, spice it up and go hog wild (we're talking about winning a FREE GRILL here, people, so get noticed!).
That's it! Be creative with your sad sob story about needing a brand new Signature Series Grill from Vermont Castings and you could have an EXCELLENT shot at winning! Here's a closer look at those grills (your choice of style):
Additionally, each of the three top prize winners will receive a nifty customized grill cover and BBQ accessories kit as well as having the prestigious distinction of having a photo or video of them and their new grill in their backyard featured at MyOwnBBQ.com.
The winners of the "Help My Backyard" grill giveaway contest will be chosen from the entries that are the most original, funny, entertaining, and creative, with eye-catching explanations of how you will use your Vermont Castings Signature Series Grill and grilling accessories to transform your backyard into a grilling haven! You'll even get to rate the entries to see which one is most compelling.
Does this sound cool so far? I'm not done yet! :)
I've got three of those accessory kits to give away!
As a special added bonus exclusively for fans of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb," Vermont Castings has given me THREE FREE BBQ ACCESSORY KITS to give away to three of you in June, July, and August. This prize package includes everything you see displayed in that picture above, including:
- 4-piece grilling tools with case - Grill knife - Skewer set - Vermont Castings apron - Grill mitt - Grill wipes - Vermont Castings recipe book
I'll be drawing the names of the winners on June 30th, July 31st, and August 31st. I bet you'd like to know how you can enter, huh? I knew you would. Here's how:
1. Enter the "Help My Backyard" contest as detailed above. 2. E-mail me your name, address (no P.O. Boxes please!), and telephone number so we can ship your prize to you if you are chosen as the winner. 3. Tell me which photo or video is yours, including what you submitted as your "Backyard Story."
The sooner you enter, the better chance you'll have of winning--so don't delay! What other blog gives you a chance to win grills, grills, and more grills as well as BBQ accessory kits, hmmmm? :D But you can't win if you don't enter the contest! Let's flood them with entries and show 'em how much low-carbers appreciate their generosity donating these amazing grills and accessories!
After all, grilling is next to godliness when you're livin' la vida low-carb!
A sensational low-carb shrimp recipe perfect for your grill
Last night I had the pleasure of doing something I've been wanting to do ever since I started livin' la vida low-carb in 2004. For the first time ever, I fired up my very own grill and had myself a personal BBQ, baby! I won it in a contest while attending the conference in Reno, Nevada a couple of months ago sponsored by the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association.
There's nothing more thrilling than heating up that grill to a searing temperature and then slapping some high-quality meats on there to cook up until it's real juicy and tender. My maiden venture on the grill included some BBQ ribs and chicken breasts. Mmm mmm! My wife Christine was very impressed and said we need to cookout early and often. Plan on it!
That's why I was happy to see a recipe today that caught my eye because it gives me another reason to crank up my brand new grill. It's a super simple and very low-carb friendly recipe that calls for grilling up some shrimp. Hmm, it just so happens I have some shrimp in my freezer right this second, so I may have to check out this quick and easy recipe this weekend! :D
Livin' la vida low-carb depends on you being ready to ward off the temptation to eat something you shouldn't. Grill up a bunch of these garlic ginger shrimp skewers in less than 15 minutes and then reheat the leftovers for a protein-packed, low-carb (and delicious!) meal!
SUPER SIMPLE LOW-CARB GARLIC GINGER SHRIMP
6 large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 tsp minced fresh ginger 1/8 tsp minced fresh garlic 1/8 tsp white pepper Bamboo skewers
Preheat your BBQ grill on high!
Soak skewers in warm water. Mix all ingredients except shrimp in a medium bowl. Mix well, let sit for 1 minute, then add shrimp. Make sure to coat on all sides. Let marinate for 5 minutes.
Thread 3 shrimp on each skewer and then place on grill. Shrimp cooks quickly, so check after two minutes then every thirty seconds until browned. Flip, grill for two minutes, and then serve!
It seems like I've been announcing all the FREE PRIZES you can win in my 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest for weeks, but it's only been a little more than one week. And today is the last bundle of fantastic prizes you can win just for being a reader of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog as I celebrate two years of blogging about diet, health, and low-carb.
Just in case you missed all the other prizes, here they are again:
Special thanks to all of these companies who totally blew me away by so willingly providing these prizes for all of you to enjoy. I am amazed by their generosity and sincerely hope you will show your appreciation to them for supporting my blogiversary celebration. Here are the last five prize packages that you can win in the giveaway:
FREE NANO O2 SUPRA AIR PURIFIER SYSTEM
Cleaning the air in your home will make you healthier
Are you worried about how clean the air is in your house? Then you will be so excited to be able to win this fantastic high-quality air purifier from a company called Pharmatropic--the NANO O2. I own this unit myself and wrote a glowing review of how well it really does clean the air in your home. It's AMAZING! Now you can win the SUPRA model for yourself if your name is drawn for this stupendous prize! Please visit the NANO O2 web site for more information about this unit.
COMPLETE AUTOGRAPHED DIET DETECTIVE LIBRARY
Charles Stuart Platkin is known as "The Diet Detective"
You've read his nationally-syndicated column in your newspaper and recognize him as "The Diet Detective." His name is Charles Stuart Platkin and he is one of America's foremost authorities on diet, health, and fitness. Although I have had my disagreements with him regarding his diet philosophy, we both agree obesity needs to be addressed in practical ways whether it is with low-fat, low-carb, or whatever. Platkin was kind enough to donate an autographed Complete Diet Detective Library, including Breaking The Pattern, Breaking The Fat Pattern, Lighten Up (Teenagers), and The Diet Detective's Count Down (which I recently reviewed). You won't want to miss more from Platkin and other leading voices in the weight loss world at DietDetective.com.
AN ENTIRE CASE OF LOW-CARB FUZE SLENDERIZE AN ENTIRE CASE OF LOW-CARB FUZE SLENDERIZE AN ENTIRE CASE OF LOW-CARB FUZE SLENDERIZE AN ENTIRE CASE OF LOW-CARB FUZE SLENDERIZE AN ENTIRE CASE OF LOW-CARB FUZE SLENDERIZE
The FUZE Slenderize line is a deliciously low-carb drink
I just found out about the fantastic Slenderize line of low-carb beverage products called FUZE earlier this year. They've been out for a while, but are mostly a regional drink not widely available nationwide. Well, all that's about to change now that The Coca-Cola Company has signed up to distribute this outstanding product to a store near your. Check out my personal review of this product that five of you will have a chance to win an entire case of to try for yourself. Be sure to visit DrinkFuze.com to learn more about this awesome low-carb beverage.
AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ENLITENED KOSHER COOKING AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ENLITENED KOSHER COOKING AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ENLITENED KOSHER COOKING
Nechama Cohen has some superb kosher low-carb recipes
Shalom! I just love recipe books and three of you will win an autographed copy of a great big one that I reviewed last year called EnLITEned Kosher Cooking by Nechama Cohen. This book is fantastic for low-carbers and diabetics alike and will be an excellent prize for the winners. Learn more about Cohen and her recipes at JewishDiabetes.org.
2 CAL-CARB CLICKERS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND 2 CAL-CARB CLICKERS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND 2 CAL-CARB CLICKERS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND 2 CAL-CARB CLICKERS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND 2 CAL-CARB CLICKERS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND
Lindee Lee Bingham and Sandy Martucci invented Cal-Carb Clicker
Finally, I'm pleased to offer the Cal-Carb Clicker to five people in my blogiversary giveaway contest. I just reviewed this little gadget this week and was very impressed with this invention by sisters Lindee Lee Bingham and Sandy Martucci. Now YOU have an chance to win two of these--one for you and one to give away to a friend or loved one. Keep track of your calories, carbs, and water intake with this handy-dandy little clicker. Find out more at CalCarbClicker.com.
That's it everyone! No more prizes to tell you about. But there are PLENTY of them to go around that you have an EXCELLENT chance at winning SOMETHING during my 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest. Be sure to get me your entry soon so you can become eligible to win. GOOD LUCK to everyone who enters! And thanks for reading the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. I appreciate you guys so much! :)
Have you joined the hundreds of people who have entered my 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest yet? If not, then you are definitely missing out on a golden opportunity to rack up on some of the nicest prizes you'll ever be able to win from a blog I can assure you of that! I sought out the best of the best because YOU DESERVE IT!
But as nice as that grill is, only one person is going to win it! Never fear, though, there are tons more prizes that await you if your name is drawn for them at the end of the month. You can see some of these outstanding giveaways by clicking here, here, and here. There ain't no chintzy prizes in this contest and I'm so happy to give you a real chance to win!
Yo, I'm not done sharing all the prizes with you yet! Here's some more:
TWO-NIGHT CABIN STAY IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Catch a "Glimpse Of Heaven" on vacation in the mountains
Special thanks to one of my readers named Cheryl who owns a Smoky Mountain cabin rental company, you and your family may be going on vacation in a luxurious cabin located near Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN called "Glimpse Of Heaven." This cozy two-night stay with an absolutely gorgeous view of the Great Smoky Mountains will be going to one of you just for entering my contest. Keep in mind this cabin is very popular and may be booked up for 2007, but you can discuss the dates you are available with Cheryl. In the meantime, go visit HeavenlyCabins.com to learn more about these incredible cabins and contact Cheryl directly by e-mail if you have any questions or would like to place a reservation to stay in their amazing facilities.
"THE ULTIMATE CHEF" PRIZE PACK FROM DEL MONTE
What an incredible prize I have for you compliments of our friends at Del Monte Foods! This "Ultimate Chef" prize features the brand new cookbook by Oprah Winfrey's personal chef Art Smith, a bunch of Del Monte canned foods, cooking equipment, and so much more! Check it out:
Yep, all of those prizes will be going to ONE LUCKY WINNER!!! Be sure to visit DelMonte.com for more information about our generous sponsor.
DIABETESMINE.COM T-SHIRT/KNOW YOUR NUMBERS BOOK DIABETESMINE.COM T-SHIRT/KNOW YOUR NUMBERS BOOK
Amy Tenderich provides a diabetes two-fer prize
Fellow blogger and diabetes extraordinaire Amy Tenderich has donated prizes for two winners: a complimentary DiabetesMine.com T-shirt and an autographed copy of her brand new book Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes. If you've never visited Amy's blog, then you'll want to drop by DiabetesMine.com for an engaging and fun blog about living with diabetes.
2 COPIES WEEKNIGHT GRILLING BOOK BY THE BBQ QUEENS 2 COPIES WEEKNIGHT GRILLING BOOK BY THE BBQ QUEENS 2 COPIES WEEKNIGHT GRILLING BOOK BY THE BBQ QUEENS 2 COPIES WEEKNIGHT GRILLING BOOK BY THE BBQ QUEENS 2 COPIES WEEKNIGHT GRILLING BOOK BY THE BBQ QUEENS
Two copies of "Weeknight Grilling"--one for you, one for a friend!
Do you remember my interview with BBQ Queen Karen Adler on my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" podcast last week? When I asked her which of her grilling cookbooks was the best for people who are livin' la vida low-carb, she immediately said Weeknight Grilling With The BBQ Queens. So here we are giving 5 of you the chance to win not just one, but TWO copies of this fantastic book so you can keep one yourself and give the other away to someone else. Be sure to visit BBQQueens.com to learn more about them and check out PigOutPublications.com for a full selection of BBQ books to choose from.
$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CARBSMART.COM
Low-carb retailer CarbSmart.com is a popular online store
Finally, we have an very lucrative prize from our friends at CarbSmart.com--a $100 gift certificate! You can spend it just like cash in one of the best online low-carb retail stores around. Look around and find some excellent products to help you along in your low-carb lifestyle. And if you missed my exclusive podcast interview with the founder and president of CarbSmart.com, Andrew DiMino, it's worth checking out!
Introducing The 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest
Yes, that cake is low-carb and I'll take a bite on April 21, 2007
Has it really been one year since I celebrated my first blogiversary at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog? WOW! It seems like just yesterday I was giving away all these fantastic prizes from wonderful low-carb companies to celebrate my one year online sharing the positive message about the low-carb lifestyle.
Well, I had so much fun giving away FREE PRIZES to my faithful readers last year that I have decided to DO IT AGAIN in 2007! That's right, today I am introducing the 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest and the prizes are bigger and better than ever this year! Oh my gosh, you won't believe what all I will be giving away to so many lucky readers this year thanks to the generosity of so many sponsors who wanted to reward you for reading my blog.
In fact, there's so many prizes to share with you that I can't fit them all in one blog post. Well, technically I could, but you'd be reading until this time next year to get through them all. So, I'll split 'em up and run a series of posts over the next week or so to share all the amazing items you will have a chance to win. And there are some HUGE prizes for you, too! I've been teasing you about the grill giveaway for a couple of weeks, so I better at least share that one with you today.
SUPER DUPER DIPPITY GRAND PRIZE My wife Christine is modeling the stupendous VCS4007 grill
Generously donated by the Ontario-based CFM Corporation, this Vermont Castings Signature series VCS4007 model grill is a top-of-the-line BBQ masterpiece worth thousands of dollars with all the latest bells and whistles to make you the king of the backyard this summer and all year round. You'll look like a pro using this grill and it could be yours just for being a reader of this blog. Special THANKS to CFM for providing this fantastic grand prize giveaway (I wanna win--LOL!).
Now that's a NICE prize, isn't it? Technically, the anniversary of my blog (thus, blogiversary!) is on April 21, 2007, but we'll be celebrating all month long by giving you a chance to enter to win that grill and a host of other prizes. I'll be conducting the drawing for all the prizes, including that Grand Prize grill, at the end of the month. Winners will be announced on the blog during the first week of May. Sound good so far? Sweet!
At this point, I bet you are wondering what you need to do to become eligible to win a prize, huh? Say what? You mean I actually have to work a little to win a prize? Yep, you sure do! But I think you're up to the task, especially since you have the chance to win that BBQ grill and so many other amazing prizes for doing so.
I promise you'll have fun doing this and the payoff when you win something will make it soooo worth the effort. Just ask any of the people who won a prize last year if it was worth it to them! :) That was fun and I'm ready to do it again!
I've make it easy for you to enter with these 3 SIMPLE STEPS:
1. Your full name/full mailing address (NO P.O. Boxes please!).
2. What low-carb plan do you follow?
3. The LLVLC scavenger hunt (answers easily found on my blog!):
a. What are three of my favorite movies?
b. What is my HDL number according to my latest blood work?
c. Which book do I consider the "must-have" for all low-carbers?
d. Who wrote the foreword to my Livin' La Vida Low-Carb book?
e. What was the name of my cat that died in 2006?
Oh, this is gonna be fun I can tell already! :) We'll see how well you know me (or not!) or at the very least your ability to find the answers by scouring over my blog in the next few weeks. See, I'm giving you plenty of time to find all the answers, so you should be able to do this. With a little basic searching techniques, you shouldn't have any trouble at all with the scavenger hunt questions. Remember all those great prizes that await you for your efforts! ;)
Send your entry to my e-mail address--livinlowcarbman@charter.net. When you e-mail me, please label the subject line "BLOGIVERSARY CONTEST" so I can easily identify it as an entry in my contest. NOTE: I MUST RECEIVE YOUR ENTRY NO LATER THAN 11:59PM EST ON APRIL 29, 2007 for you to be eligible to win a prize! You have ample time to enter, but don't delay! Get those entries to me ASAP!
Keep in mind that what you submit to me can and will be used in a future blog post, although I will NEVER mention your full name, address or e-mail address. Please limit your entry to one person per household to give everyone a fair chance to win a prize and there will be plenty of prizes for everyone to have an EXCELLENT chance to win. Winners will be selected by random drawing on Monday, April 30, 2007 and announced at my blog sometime that first week of May.
Be looking for more about the incredible prizes you can win over the next week! If you are a business and would like to donate a prize to this contest, then please feel free to contact me to discuss. THANKS and GOOD LUCK to everyone! Tell your friends and family about the 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest and to visit throughout the month of April. We may have a few surprises here and there, so keep reading! SEE YA!
I was able to share with many of the vendors there that they should start actively marketing themselves more openly to those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb because we as a collective group are a very strong and loyal customer base and I think I helped them realize that with my presence there.
In fact, one of the grill manufacturers who is a member of HPBA named CFM Corporation has generously agreed to donate that gorgeous four-burner gas Vermont Castings Signature Series BBQ grill you see Christine and I standing by last week when we visited their booth at the HPBA Expo. You can check out all the features on this lean mean grilling machine by clicking here.
Who says Jimmy Moore can't deliver the goods for his faithful readers?!
Start dreaming of using that grill worth thousands of dollars right now because it could be yours just in time for the summer BBQ season coming up. It's my way of giving back to YOU for devoting yourself daily to reading my blog and for helping me become one of the most successful health blogs on the Internet today. I definitely could not be doing it without YOU!
I'll announce the full details of the giveaway contest set to take place throughout the month of April very soon and it will feature about 50 PRIZE PACKAGES, including the Grand Prize BBQ grill from Vermont Castings as I celebrate two years of low-carb, diet, and weight loss blogging at its very finest.
Specials thanks again to CFM for providing this sensational prize. Tell your friends and family to start reading the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog to find out how THEY can register to win these valuable prizes. Coming soon...
Life is just so full of curve balls. Such is life.
Today, my wife Christine and I had every intention of heading back on a plane (oh boy, yet another high-carb snack to enjoy--NOT!) to our hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina. But, as luck would have it, we were one of the fortuitous folks who got overbooked and subsequently "bumped" from our flight.
Bummer.
I suppose this is bound to happen more often than not when they decide to purposefully overbook the plane by 10 people (yep, the Continental Airlines rep confirmed to me that they do it all the time! ARGH!), but this is TWICE it has happened to us in the past three flights we have taken. Oh well, so whaddya do about it, right? Grin and bear it, then move on. It's all good.
They did put us up in a hotel today and tomorrow at no charge, gave us free meal vouchers so we can eat in the one and only restaurant in the building (I sure hope they've got SOMETHING low-carb!), provided $600 worth of future Continential flights (SWEET!), and a limo ride to the airport in Sacramento, California tomorrow night.
Our flight leaves out of there around midnight on Monday morning and we'll get back home by Monday afternoon going through Houston and Atlanta along the way. The only thing I requested from them was to put us in first class for our trouble--AND THEY DID! Sweetness since my big ole long legs on my 6'3" body have been scrunched up like sardines on these multiple flights.
Well, if you are a regular reader of my blog (and why wouldn't you be since everyone else already is? *grin*), then you know me and the Mrs. have been in Reno, Nevada since Wednesday as part of the HPBA Expo looking at and experiencing grills, grills, and more grills. You gotta love it and you LITERALLY will when you find out about your opportunity to win one of the top-of-the-line grills available in 2007. More details will be forthcoming so keep reading (see, I told you it's worth your time to read my blog all the time).
It has been an exhausting trip, but so much fun and informative about the BBQ industry. We even won a FREE BBQ grill in a drawing the other day, so Christine is VERY happy about that. And so am I since a grill can be a low-carber's best friend. Just about ANY food tastes better cooked on a BBQ grill. Mmm mmm, I can't wait to strike up the barbie, baby!
You will get to hear three different interviews from people in the BBQ industry in upcoming podcast shows: Leslie Wheeler from the HPBA discussing the skyrocketing popularity of grilling, author Karen Adler who is one of the two self-proclaimed "BBQ Queens," and finally (drumroll please...here's the "famous" BBQ expert so many of you were trying to guess the indentity of) I have bestselling author and the host of the popular PBS television show "BBQ U" Steven Raichlen. Each of these interviews will give you a glimpse of what's happening now in the wonderful world of BBQ.
That's what you have to look forward to when I can get back to Spartanburg.
For now, I have FREE WiFi Internet access in the hotel I am staying at until Sunday night. Don't you know I'll be blogging away the best I know how to try to get back into my normal routine again. THANKS as always for your faithful readership to the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.
When you see what I have for you in the month of April to celebrate my two years of blogging, then hopefully you will continue to keep coming back here and sharing with others the work I am doing to educate and encourage those who are desiring not just weight loss, but a happier and healthier life. You guys are AWESOME!
Cheerio...gotta go check out that restaurant in the lobby now! :)
Right now at this very moment I am incredibly frustrated with having to write this post. Why? Well, for the past two hours I have been working on a fabulously detailed account of my experience here in Reno, Nevada at the 2007 Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association (HPBA) Expo on Thursday. I had the entire blog post written and ready to publish when my new laptop decides to go into "thinking" mode and stayed there for 20 minutes. UGH!
So, the long and short of it is this: I don't have time to rewrite the entire post (and it was a good one!), so I'll have to give you the Cliff's Notes version since I have an appointment for an interview very soon.
Let me start with the interviews: Yep, by popular demand from my podcast show listeners, I am attempting to do more interviews with interesting people in the wonderful world of livin' la vida low-carb. And I've met a few that fit that criteria during my stay in Reno this week, so I can't wait to share them with you.
In fact, I'm gonna tease you with one of the interviews--he's probably the most famous television BBQ expert you've ever heard of and he was gracious enough to spend 10 minutes with me recording an interview on Thursday. Who is it? Put on your thinking caps, folks, because you'll definitely recognize his voice when you hear my interview very soon. He's very well known within grilling circles, though. No more hints, but feel free to guess who you think it is in the comments section below.
Speaking of grilling, man there's a whole lotta grills at this convention. Sheez, I had no idea there were THIS many different models available. But there they are in booth after booth showing all the latest gadgets and gizmos to make that food you cook sizzle! I almost hated to bring my wife Christine on the floor with me because she's been begging for a grill for about two years. It was borderline torture for her, but I promised her we'd get one.
Little did I know that time would come two hours later when we actually WON a grill in a drawing. WOW, how cool is that? I asked my wife if she had been praying for one and she said YES. LOL! II told her to start praying for a million bucks now. Hee hee! Just kidding. Make it TWO million!
Oh, and you'll be pleased to know that I have also received a very generous donation of a deluxe grill from one of the members of the HPBA who I will tell you all about very soon. But this grill is not for me, but for one of YOU who are reading my blog. That's right, you will have the opportunity to win a FREE GRILL from "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb." WHOA!
There will be other great low-carb prizes like books, resources, and delicious food in the giveaway contest I'll be conducting in April, so be sure to keep reading my blog for more details about how to enter. It's gonna be HUGE!
I hate to have to hurry on this post, but I totally lost everything I had written before and I'm just skimming you the highlights. We were able to go out to dinner last night at a very fancy schmancy restaurant in downtown Reno where I got the most tender and succulent filet mignon steak I've ever put in my mouth. Oh...my...goodness! I could eat that all the time along with the mixed veggies, spinach salad, and almond-encrusted brie. What a meal!
Who says livin' la vida low-carb has to be drab and boring, eh? NOT!
I've got at least two more interviews to conduct today and possibly a third, so my Friday is jam-packed full of activities. Then we'll be flying back home on Saturday afternoon and won't get back to nearly midnight East Coast time Sunday morning. I can't wait to get back to blogging normally on Sunday afternoon (if I'm not too pooped from the trip!) and sharing these amazing interviews and pictures with you in the coming weeks.
THANK YOU so much for your continued devoted readership here at my blog and I encourage you to always and forever stay committed to your low-carb life no matter what you are going through. A lifetime dedication to a plan that you already knows works will keep you fit and trim for the rest of your life. That's what livin' la vida low-carb is all about. SEE YA!
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest days for grilling out
If you are livin' la vida low-carb, then you probably are among the tens of millions of Americans who proudly own a grill and is firing it up this Sunday just in time for the big game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. Are you ready for some football and food?! Yeah, baby!
Although fans down in Miami at Dolphin Stadium won't be allowed to use a grill for tailgating this year since it's been outlawed (go figure on that one!), that won't stop some 62 percent of grill owners from putting some snacks and appetizers on the barbie, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association's (HPBA) State of the Barbecue Industry Report released this week.
"With millions of Americans cooking on the grill, this popular Sunday is the perfect occasion to cook up delicious grilled food," HPBA Communications Director Leslie Wheeler said. "We are seeing year-round grilling as a major trend among Americans. In 2006 alone, grill shipments reached an industry record high, supporting the fact that more than 60 percent of grillers are grilling year-round."
With a record-breaking 17 million grills sold in 2006 alone, representing a greater than 15 percent increase over 2005, it seems people are rediscovering the joy that comes from cooking sizzling steaks, vivacious veggies, and just about any other food to throw on the barbecue! I suppose you can partially credit the sustained popularity of the low-carb lifestyle for showing people meat is very healthy for you to eat and a grill makes that meat taste so much better than a skillet ever will.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association knows grilling
The Arlington, VA-based HPBA is an organization of 2,700 members who are tirelessly dedicated to providing information, education, and advocacy for anything and everything dealing with grilling and barbecue. They have certainly taken note that Super Bowl Sunday is hands down the most popular day for grilling during the winter months and one of the Top 10 days for grilling all year!
Another reason grilling on Super Bowl Sunday has become more popular in recent years is convenience, the HPBA has found. It's a fast way to get a delicious and nutritious meal for your entire family or for a house full of hungry football fans. Now, grilling is one of the most preferred methods for making dinner in the United States all year long.
"When you factor in the 70 percent of Americans who cite easy clean-up as a huge perk, grilling for the big game at home is a convenient, no-mess way to pull together a feast big enough for a football team or a pack of die-hard fans," Wheeler added.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association has these six tips and suggestions for making your grilling experience on Sunday afternoon a pleasurable one:
1. PRE-GAME PREPARATION
Plan ahead to ensure that you'll be watching the game instead of still preparing the food. Prepare the food ahead of time by marinating meats on Saturday. On game day simply remove from the refrigerator and throw on the grill.
2. EQUIPMENT CHECK
Eliminate a last minute run to the local store for charcoal or propane by checking levels on Saturday.
3. TRY SOMETHING NEW TO GRILL
Burgers, steaks, and chicken are the most popular foods for the grill, but try some other appetizing ideas to feed your friends like grilled pizza, grilled veggies and even grilled fruit (can you say honeydew and cantaloupe?!). Click here and here to find some amazing tailgate and grilling recipes from the HPBA.
4. GRILLING RECI-TIPS
- Using skewers? Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent veggies from sticking.
- Before grilling, trim the excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.
- Place vegetables and fruits at the outer edge of the grill to prevent burning.
- When grilling, use tongs or spatulas to move or turn meats instead of a fork to minimize the loss of juices.
5. FIRE UP THAT GRILL WISELY
Before lighting up the grill, apply non-stick spray on the grates. The protective spray cuts down the clean-up time afterwards.
6. CLEAN-UP IS A SNAP
For charcoal grills, line the bowl with aluminum foil. After grilling, and once the grill and coals are cool (as a rule of thumb, always allow coals to burn out completely and let ashes cool at least 48 hours before disposing), simply discard the foil with the coals and ash, then wash and reline with foil for the next time.
FIRE HAZARD NOTE: If you must dispose of coals and ashes before they are completely cooled, then place them in heavy duty aluminum foil and soak with water completely before disposing in a non-combustible container.
Get even more tips, recipes, and other advice for grilling out on Super Bowl Sunday and every other day you decide to cook out on the barbecue for your family and friends by visiting HPBA.org.
, including Breaking The Pattern, Breaking The Fat Pattern, Lighten Up (Teenagers), and The Diet Detective's Count Down (which I 
