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Slow Food President Carlo Petrini spoke today, Monday May 14, 2012, at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the first guest speaker to be invited in its ten-year history. He gave the following speech as part of the half-day discussion on the right of indigenous people to food and food sovereignty.
I am honored to be here with you today and to take part in this discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples to food and food sovereignty. I wish to thank Doctor Mirna Cunningham, president of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and all the various indigenous partners for inviting the Slow Food movement.
For twenty-five years now, Slow Food has sought to preserve agricultural and food biodiversity as a tool for ensuring a future for our planet and humanity as a whole. Combined with climate change, the progressive loss of diversity of plant and animal species could prove a terrible scourge in the years to come.
It is necessary to point out, though, that it would be senseless to defend biodiversity without also defending the cultural diversity of peoples and their right to govern their own territories. The right of peoples to have control over their land, to grow food, to hunt, fish and gather according to their own needs and decisions, is inalienable. This diversity is the greatest creative force on earth, the only condition possible for the maintenance and transmission of an outstanding heritage of knowledge to future generations.
Slow Food has based its existence on these principles and to maintain them it has built a network of food communities that has now spread to over 170 countries. The network, which is called Terra Madre, came into being in 2004. Since then it has captured attention and consensus in thousands of communities of farmers, fishers, shepherds and artisans in every corner of the planet. Terra Madre is neither a party nor a union. It is simply a network, a movement of people who, with mutual respect for each other's diversities, seek dialogue, cultural exchange and solidarity. It all centers round the right to food.
If it is to be shared, food should be: good, insofar as it is a pleasure to eat for all; clean, insofar as it does not destroy the environment and resources of Mother Earth; fair, insofar as it respects workers of land, sea, pasture and forest, who by procuring our sustenance give us life itself.
All peoples should have access to good, clean and fair food. All peoples must have adequate food from their own natural resources or from markets of their choice. All peoples have the right to produce their food using traditional practices and cultures according to their taste preferences and food knowledge.
Following these principles and on these bases, many indigenous communities in every continent have given life to the Terra Madre network and taken an active part in the global conferences that have been organized in Turin, Italy, every two years since 2004. At the last conference in 2010, the opening ceremony was entirely dedicated to the reflections of indigenous communities in their own ancestral languages.
Since then many initiatives have been launched thanks to the commitment of indigenous peoples. In 2011 the first "Indigenous Terra Madre" congress was held in Jokmokk, in northern Sweden, home to the Sami people. Hosted and organized by the Sami themselves, it was attended by indigenous people from 61 countries.
The meeting was supported by IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and by the Christensen Foundation. These meetings are valuable not only for their exchange of ideas and good practices, but also and above all because they generate self-esteem among the participating communities. In them one perceives a strong sense of belonging to a great community of destiny, of not being left alone in one's own local area, of having an important, constructive role to play.
This awareness was fortified and exalted in 2007, when the United Nations General Assembly's Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Populations affirmed with absolute clarity the outstanding contribution indigenous peoples have made to the diversity and richness of civilization, well-being and social organizations, reasserting the importance of the fight against discrimination that for over 500 years has spawned racism, marginalization and exclusion.
At last, the international community was solemnly announcing that respect for diverse cultures and the right of every community to be different strengthens the entire human rights system.
Slow Food not only shares these principles but also believes that at this moment in time, a moment of economic, ecological and financial crisis, turning the planet's cultural diversity to account may help to set off virtuous, sustainable practices.
Human well-being depends on the universal right to quality food for all. On the one hand, a large chunk of humanity is suffering from obesity and other overeating-related illnesses; on the other, over one billion human beings are undernourished and the scandal of death by starvation has yet to be erased.
Obesity and hunger are two faces of the same coin. They are the symbol of the failure of a global food system based mainly on industrial production depending mostly on fossil energy resources. Never before has the need to radically change a food system that destroys the environment and the dignity of field and food workers been so highly felt.
Looking back at our traditions and more sustainable food systems is by no means idle nostalgia. The reintroduction of local food products is essential for the feeding of the planet. Here we see true democracy in action — the participation of all for the common good.
For too long now, food production has sidelined or restricted the knowledge and skills of women, the elderly and the indigenous, relegating these people to the bottom rung of the social ladder. Arrogantly and insolently, humanity has cultivated an idea of development and progress based on the conviction that the planet's resources are infinite and that human domination of nature is limitless. The march towards this idea of progress has left women, the elderly and indigenous populations at the end of the line with no one left to listen to them.
All the drama of modern reality is now revealing itself for what it is: the "glorious march" of progress is now on the brink of a precipice, the present crisis the fruit of greed and ignorance. Yet nature's warning is even more frightening than the financial crisis. It is telling us that without a change in speed and direction, the fate of humanity will be tragic. Once we are on the brink, we shall have no choice but to retrace our footsteps. And at that point, it will be "the last" who will show us the way. We will depend on the sensitivity and pragmatism of women, the wisdom and memory of the elderly. At that point, we will also realize that, insofar as they have always practiced the economy of nature, it is indigenous peoples who hold the key for a more sustainable approach to the right to food.
Caution is in order, however. It should be clear to everyone just how much evil has been wrought on these people in the name of progress and the supremacy of the market. So much knowledge and wisdom, so many fruits of the earth have been seized from indigenous communities by unscrupulous pharmaceutical and food multinationals. Before setting out on our quest, we ought to return the loot and stand up against the logic of unsustainable industrial agriculture in indigenous areas.
The whole world and the international community, which has its headquarters here, have to put a stop to land grabbing in many areas of the planet, especially in Africa. The phenomenon is riding roughshod over the right to food and subsistence of many indigenous and farming communities and has to be stopped.
We all need to respect and promote natural and subsistence economies, for too long considered inferior to the economy of global finance. If we fail to decolonize our own thinking, we are going to achieve nothing. We have to forget all ideas of supremacy and the force of money and greed.
There is growing worldwide awareness that boosting local economies and agriculture and respect for small communities are a way of reconciling ourselves with the earth and nature. Lack of water, loss of soil fertility, genetic plant and animal erosion, unprecedented food waste — these are all problems that will remain unsolved if we continue to produce, distribute and consume food under the ongoing food system.
Historical reflection and analysis of reality tell us that many good practices and the traditional empirical wisdom of indigenous peoples deserve to be studied with care and attention. In the field of agriculture, the new discipline of agroecology is nothing other than the capacity to repropose the dialogue between traditional skills and scientific community in a modern key. It would be dishonest not to acknowledge that indigenous peoples have a historically sustainable approach to food production. They know how to maintain soil fertility by using natural resources and methods and improving the resilience of crops and breeding stock.
Thanks to knowledge acquired over the generations, indigenous communities have reinforced traditional knowledge systems, bolstering local economies and ensuring livelihoods. These communities have always preferred fresh, local produce to processed, imported products. The policy whereby many governments and agencies counter and threaten the agricultural practices of indigenous peoples, such as crop rotation and pastoral farming, is short-sighted and wrong.
Slow Food shares this Permanent Forum's goal of defending the indigenous practices that in many parts of the world are working to maintain itinerant cultivation. All the international collaborations that advocate the autonomy and reinforcement of cultural diversities by maintaining a spirit of fraternity and fighting against any form of exclusion and superiority deserve our full, unconditional support. It is with this spirit that we personally have followed the work of the Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity, directed by Phrang Roy, in promoting food sovereignty and raising the profile of local food through its Food Festivals. The results are very encouraging and help to make gastronomic sciences not the privilege of an elite few but a right for all without discrimination.
The collaboration between Slow Food and the Indigenous Partnership will lead to the organization of the second Terra Madre Indigenous People event in April 2014 in northeast India. We sincerely hope many of you will be able to take part in this meeting, which will be unique of its kind.
As you will have gathered from my words and the spirit in which I have spoken, I set great store by the need to share the values of diversity and awareness that these ideas are slowly spreading among the world's peoples. It is simply wrong to take possession of the common goods of the earth. In the words of Native Americans, "Teach your children that we have taught our children that the earth is our mother… Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves… This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth… Our land is more valuable than your money. It will last forever".
Even as the arrogant are riding roughshod over the humble in many parts of the world, even as the highest hierarchies of knowledge and wisdom are leaving no leeway to farmers, shepherds, fishers and the weakest members of their number — women, the elderly and the indigenous — we are nonetheless growing increasingly aware that the only way out of the ongoing crisis is reconciliation with the earth. The good practices of the fight against waste, of sharing and giving, of the return to the land can be achieved slowly without frenzy and anxiety. The earth itself reminds us of the healing value of time. "There's more time than life and money" is an old saying where I come from. All humanity is indebted to the indigenous peoples who have abided by these principles in their daily lives. You have always taught your children that all things are interconnected and that the chance to take care of all creatures is the biggest gift bestowed upon us. May the lesson guide us. And speaking of gifts, your welcome to this meeting here today is and always will be one of the most precious I have ever received. Thank you.
Carlo Petrini, Slow Food President
11th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
May 14, 2012, New York


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Please forgive me as I indulge in my grilled cheese sandwich obsession again so soon. I was planning on giving you a break but then I had another idea; an idea that would forever revolutionize the world of grilled cheese sandwiches! As I mentioned in my post about how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich , I like to shred or grate the cheese and sprinkle it on the bread in the pan which invariably leads to spilling some of the cheese into the pan where it gets stuck to the bottom of the sandwich and caramelizes. That cheese that caramelizes on the grilled cheese sandwich is easily one of the best parts of an already amazing thing and I am always looking forward to it. Last week while I was perfecting my grilled cheese sandwich techniques, some cheese spilled over into the pan I had a thought: What if I just happened to "
" spilled a
more cheese into the pan, say enough to coat the entire sandwich?
Once the idea got into my head there was just no denying it! I mean there is really no way that you can go wrong with doubling the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich and trying your best to get more of that burnt on cheesy goodness! For the recipe I made the grilled cheese sandwich pretty much as normal and then I threw another helping of cheese into the pan, flipped the sandwich onto it and cooked it until the cheese had melted onto the bread and then caramelized, repeating the process on the other side.
All I can say is WOW! The caramelized cheese covered grilled cheese sandwich is simply amazing! Grilled cheese sandwiches will never be the same!
This grilled cheese sandwich went really well with a bowl of roasted tomato soup .
Caramelized Cheese Covered Grilled Cheese Sandwich
We all know that those little bits of melted cheese that ooze out and burn on the side are one of the best parts of a grilled cheese sandwich so why not take it one step further and purposely coat the the grilled cheese sandwich with cheese to caramelize on?
- 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
- 2 slices bread, day old
- 6 ounces cheese, grated/shredded, room temperature
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Completely butter one side of each slice of bread.
- Place one slice of bread in the pan, buttered side down, sprinkle on the half cheese and top with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up
- Turn the heat down a notch and cook until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes.
- Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle half of the remaining cheese on an unoccupied section of the pan, place the grilled cheese on top and cook until the cheese has melted and caramelized, about 2-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on an unoccupied section of the pan, flip the grilled cheese on top and cook until the cheese has melted and caramelized, about 2-4 minutes.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Trey Hillman may be a great leader of men. He may have a clubhouse presence that would impress Barack Obama. He may be a shrewd judge of talent. He may have any number of traits that will one day render him an excellent baseball manager.
But when it comes to in-game tactical maneuvering, he is a liability. Tonight, he absolutely, positively cost the Royals a win.
The Royals entered the top of the 8th with a 5-1 lead. They were playing the Rangers, not the Yankees. They had the home-field advantage. They set the first two men down in order. They had this game in the bag.
And Hillman pissed it away.
Michael Young walked. Joey Hamilton hit a routine groundball to Mike Aviles at shortstop. Aviles' throw was a little low, but did not hit the ground. Teahen could not hold on to it.
Mistake #1: What is Tony Pena on the roster for, if not to play defense with a four-run lead? Aviles was scheduled to bat in the bottom of the inning, but again, you're up by four runs - you want the defense in. Maybe Pena's throw is more on-line, and the inning is over. Admittedly, this is a small mistake. They will get bigger.
Mistake #2: With two on, two out, tying run on deck, Trey Hillman calls upon Brett Tomko.
How many runs does Brett Tomko have to give up, how many leads does he have to blow, before the Royals realize that he has no business pitching in a tight game? Tomko entered the game with a 6.34 ERA. It was not a fluke. Batters are hitting .298/.331/.506 against him. He has a 6.17 ERA as a starter. He has a 7.94 ERA as a reliever. He had a 5.55 ERA last year. There is no way you can spin the evidence in such a way as to suggest that he should be pitching in a tight situation. You gambled $3 million that Bob McClure could figure him out. It was a decent gamble, but it failed. Choosing to be in a state of denial is only making matters worse.
Milton Bradley doubled on an 0-2 count - classic Tomko - to drive in two. David Murphy singled home Bradley. It's 5-4, tying run at first base. Gerald Laird and Chris Shelton are due up next.
Mistake #3: Hillman calls on...Yasuhiko Yabuta.
Maybe Hillman was enamored with Yabuta's performance the night before, when Yabuta heroically earned the win by...retiring a single batter. I don't want to minimize his effort - he retired Bobby Abreu with two men on in a tie game - but still, he faced one batter. Even in the worst (non-Bonds) matchup the odds are better than 50/50 that a pitcher will retire a single hitter.
Anyway, Hillman suddenly felt that with four outs to go, with the tying run at the plate, the situation didn't call for his closer Joakim Soria, or his set-up man Ramon Ramirez, but instead, Yasuhiko Yabuta, he of the 4.91 ERA.
That's bad enough. What's worse - much, much worse - is that Hillman seems completely oblivous to the whole notion of platoon splits. When Bradley and Murphy (a switch-hitter and left-handed hitter) were due up, he called on Tomko, a right-hander who, like most right-handers, fares somewhat worse against left-handed hitting. With Laird and Shelton - two right-handed hitters due up - Hillman calls on Yabuta.
Here's how Yabuta has fared so far this year:
vs. RHB: .390/.463/.610
vs. LHB: .152/.235/.283
That's not a misprint. Even though Yabuta is right-handed, right-handed hitters have numbers that are literally twice as good as their left-handed counterparts across the board. The size of the discrepancy is a reflection of a small sample size, but the discrepancy itself is very real. Yabuta's best pitch (his only good pitch, really) is his splitter/changeup, and pitchers who rely on a forkball or changeup as their out pitch generally have reverse platoon splits - they do a better job of getting guys out from the other side of the plate.
Laird singled. Shelton singled, and Murphy scored the tying run.
From that point on the outcome was academic - I started writing this post when the game was still in the top of the 9th. I did think it was a nice touch that Ramon Ramirez struck out Josh Hamilton on three pitches with the tying run at third base and one out in the ninth, only to surrender the winning run on a passed ball immediately thereafter.
Hillman was instrumental in that, too. Yabuta had stayed in to face a couple of left-handed hitters after the game was tied, and after walking Brandon Boggs he got Ramon Vazquez to fly out and end the inning. Showing that he had learned nothing from the sequence of events, Hillman (or as we shall see, his proxy Dave Owen, not that it matters) let Yabuta pitch to Ian Kinsler (a right-handed hitter) leading off the ninth. Kinsler doubled. Yabuta stayed in to pitch to another right-hander, Michael Young, who moved Kinsler up with a grounder to second, and only at that point did Ramirez come in.
So Ramon Ramirez, he of the 3.30 ERA, who's clearly the second-best reliever on the active roster, was not deemed necessary with two outs in the eighth, a one run lead, and the tying run on base - but he was deemed necessary once the game was tied, and the go-ahead run was on third base with one out. (By the way, Ramirez came into the game having thrown four wild pitches in just 30 innings. Bringing him with a man on third base was probably the worst possible time to do so. But we're just piling on at this point.)
Oh, and Ramirez's platoon splits? Ramirez's best pitch is probably his slider, and pitchers who rely on their slider tend to have larger-than-normal platoon splits. Sure enough, against Ramirez LHB are hitting .309/.356/.364...but RHB are hitting just .182/.250/.218.
So let's sum this up: with a one-run lead, two outs in the eighth, the tying run on first, and two right-handed hitters scheduled, Trey Hillman had to choose between a reliever with a 4.91 ERA and a reliever with a 3.30 ERA, a reliever against whom RHB were hitting .390 and a reliever against whom RHB were hitting .182...AND HE CHOSE THE FIRST GUY?
Buddy Bell was an awful, awful tactical manager, but I'm willing to bet that I could go through his entire log as Royals manager and not find more than two or three games in which his moves cost the Royals a game as clearly as Hillman's tactics cost them tonight.
The shame of it is, if there's any attention placed on Hillman from this game, it's that he was thrown out arguing a questionable ball/strike call in the bottom of the eighth inning. The pitch was probably a ball, and Hillman probably did nothing that warranted being thrown out. But the mere fact that the pitch meant anything all is absolutely, positive, 100% Trey Hillman's fault. If Hillman, or the writers covering the team, attempt to pin even a fraction of the blame for tonight's loss on the home-plate umpire, they're doing the team and its fans a disservice.
The box score says Yabuta took the loss tonight. It won't tell you that Hillman shoved it down his throat. But he did. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
66 comments:
I couldn't agree more. You wrote exactly what I was thinking as I watched this disaster.
- June 10, 2008 at 11:45 PM
This has GOT to be some diabolical experiment in shock trauma. It's got to be. How much crushing defeat can a loyal baseball fan take before he A) gives up his allegiance to the sport and the team or B) takes his clothes off and runs mad through the streets, screaming things no one can understand but which sound a lot like "Yabuta! Yabuta! Yabuta!"
It's fiendish. My churning gut, already somewhere in the vicinity of my ankles, dropped completely to the floor when I saw him jogging from the pen. Sure, he's had a string of decent appearances. Sure, he got us out of a mighty jam in the last game with the Yankees.
But when it comes to jaw-dropping, blown leads like this one, I want that guy back in the hotel, tied to a chair and locked in a safe. Dazzling upsets like this one may someday be called "Yabutas."
But Rany is right: we can't blame him for all of it because it's someone else's responsibility to keep him off the field in games like these. Or to recognize it when he's about to help break the hearts of the already suffering Royal faithful by giving up a third hit.
Ramirez was there. So was Soria. I would rather have seen Paul Splitorff come out of the booth and go to the mound for the ninth than see Yabuta back out there. Although as I've stated before, we seem to have no heroes left when it comes to the bullpen.
How did it get that way? Maybe one of you know. How did our bullpen transform itself from the group of fearsome hurlers we saw in April to this orgy of letdowns? - June 10, 2008 at 11:56 PM
- Andrew Hoien said...
Let me preface this by saying that I respect you to the ends of the earth, and you are what inspired my blog. Your knowledge of baseball far suprasses mine.
However, I think that you're slipping into the mindset that I find more and more common around Royals fans.
You're trying to rationalize another crippling loss by dumping on a singular person. Did Hillman make some big mistakes? Yes, yes he did, and for that he should be blasted for.
But let's get real. If Teahen catches that ball, we aren't talking about this. If Tomko does anything of use, we aren't talking about this. If Yabuta didn't suddenly cool off, we aren't talking about this.
Now, should Soria have come in at the first sign of danger? Hell yes. However, we shouldn't have to rely on just two bullpen arms to win us games. Other guys have to deliver as well.
Hillman deserves blame for this loss, as does Teahen, Yabuta, Tomko and Rameriez. To single out anybody player or manager, and say that it is all their fault, is really silly to me. They are all professionals, you can't win as a team, and lose because of one person.
Also, Davey Johnson? Really? I'm dissapointed Rany.
Let me give you the scenario I give every person that just can't stand Hillman: Let's say that after tonights loss, Hillman and Moore have a falling out, and Hillman is canned. Name three people right now that would "better" than Hillman. Keep in mind that it has to be people that would actually come here.
Lets give Hillman and Moore some time and slack. I believe that you were the one that said that one AL executive called the Royals below expansion level. You don't turn that around overnight. People will make mistakes, tonight was an example.
The division wasn't riding on it, hell nothing was dependent on this game. This team is a few years away from competing. Patience is key. Is it the most fun? No, but what else can we do?
Yes, Hillman made a mistake, but the loss was not all his fault, don't get all Rob Neyer on us Rany. Please don't. - June 11, 2008 at 12:01 AM
- Dallas Tucker said...
I agree that Hillman has made some pretty bad in-game decisions. Ok, some truly inexcusable in-game decisions. But Albie Lopez ought to be able to close out a four-run game with two outs in the eighth. This loss is not on Trey Hillman, it is once again on the players, players who have no competitive drive on this team. The end is nowhere in sight as this team needs a complete revamping from top to bottom. Alex Gordon is really making me sick. I can't say I know this personally, but he appears to have no competitive drive or spirit, no emotion. Ugh. This is the same old, inexplicable crap we've been seeing for over a decade.
- June 11, 2008 at 12:17 AM
The Royals should be able to get away with a low throw or a mishandled ball at first when you're talking about a four run lead in the eighth. I don't put a lot of screaming emphasis on that end of it at all. What DID drive me crazy – perhaps more than anything else – was Teahan looking at a third strike to end the game. That ball didn't even move funny, it just sailed right out there waiting to be hit. Anything. Put it on the field and hope it's not playable. Or give the Rangers the chance to make a sloppy error and blow the comeback. Hell, swing and miss. You mind end up with an Olivo-style "strike out all the way to second base" kind of fluke. Just don't watch the last pitch of the game.
Sorry for the second post. If it weren't for the blogs, I'd end up down at 7-Eleven, forcing strangers to listen to me rant about a baseball team two thousand miles away. - June 11, 2008 at 12:37 AM
- Unknown said...
I think bashing Hillman here is fully acceptable. Were the players at fault as well? Of course, but some of them shouldn't even have been in the game at the time.
The question to ask is if this is the first time Hillman has made a decision like this or has he done it before. The problem is he has done it more times than I care to remember. He has put on a hit and run with Buck and first and Pena at the plate twice this year. He has asked Gload to steal third. He calls for sacrifice bunts in the third inning with no outs and a runner on second against the Yankees. He decides to try German at SS, where he will never be able to play, the day we call Aviles up and then sits Aviles for a week. His pitching decisions have been monumental in the worst way.
This isn't the only thing though. Our team went 50 straight innings without a walk and it's apparent that nothing was done about it. We have kept our hitting coach even though our hitting has declined during his tenure. The fundamentals of this team with a manager that has self proclaimed himself as fundamentally sound makes me want to punch a hole in the wall.
This team is bad but what is the most bothersome of it all is that the majority of things we are doing poorly are based on decision making or some other thought process and very little on talent. I suspect that by the players keeping their heads in the games and Hillman looking logging in to ESPN's sortable stat page to see what it looks like would probably account for 5 losses becoming wins and that is a frightening amount at this point in the season. - June 11, 2008 at 1:54 AM
Seriously - it's the curse of Mark Davis. How come no one takes this seriously but me?
- June 11, 2008 at 1:55 AM
PS - I think it's time to shop Teahen. I don't know what his value is at this point, but I know that I no longer want him on my team. In my opinion, he's far too passive of a personality to lead this team, and it's my impression that Sweeney, metaphorically speaking, handed him the leadership keys to the team. There was an article in Spring Training about how Sweeney was talking to Teahen before a game about how it was Teahen's turn to lead and I think that's what may be happening in the clubhouse. Teahen is not a leader. He's a filler. I think he's had enough time in the ML's to prove what he can do and it's just not good enough. Worse, in my opinion, is his influence on the team. He has no fire (neither does DeJesus, for that matter). Read Teahen's post-game comments on the Royals website. It's more of the "Aw shucks, it handcuffed me - what are you gonna do?" crap. I'm sick sick sick sick sick sick mother$%^*&SICK of this attitude that's it's okay to lose. G-d d@mnit, this is NOT OKAY!
- June 11, 2008 at 2:06 AM
I said the day Hillman was hired it was a mistake, and got blasted by every person who has ever commented on any blog about the Royals. Nice to know that I was right, and people are starting to agree.
Hillman can't manage. He can't handle pitchers. He's not quite as bad as Bell was, but he's getting there in a hurry.
He can't manage a lineup. At this point, he is officially worse than Boone ever was.
And he is the wrong guy entirely for the Royals. We had to suffer through 5 years of Tony Muser, and now we're 3 months into Trey Hillman.
It has got to stop somewhere. I've been watching the Royals since '72 in old Municipal Stadium. Its been great. But not anymore. You can't take a team seriously if they won't even take themselves seriously and try to win.
Come the All-Star game, if Hillman is still managing the Royals, I'm giving up on them. Because they've given up on us.
Maybe not the individual players, but as a franchise, they've quit. - June 11, 2008 at 3:07 AM
- Unknown said...
Best of luck to you Ron. Of course, we all know you will still be following the Royals after the all star break even if they haven't changed in the smallest of ways. That is if you are a fan now.
And to say that Hillman would not be a success when you hadn't seen him manage a major league team one day and then campaign yourself as intelligent because you think you are right is weak. You essentially guessed right if, in fact, he doesn't learn his way around.
Firing him at this point would be a mistake for one, and something that wont be done by anyone who has the power to do it for another. If that is the deciding factor on whether or not you stick with the ROyals then I suggest you start scouting new teams to root for.
Me, I just think you are venting. - June 11, 2008 at 3:31 AM
"If you're wondering why my posts are becoming rarer and rarer, tonight's game should explain why."
So... you started a blog devoted to THE KANASAS CITY ROYALS, and now you say that you aren't posting much because the team isn't any good?
I'd try to expound further on this, but my brain honestly can't compute it. - June 11, 2008 at 5:51 AM
- Jason Yarnell said...
"So... you started a blog devoted to THE KANASAS CITY ROYALS, and now you say that you aren't posting much because the team isn't any good?"
You know, that's a very good point.
But in the heat of the moment, I felt exactly the same as Rany. I forgot to DVR the game last night, so when I get home it's the top of the eighth and we're up 5-1. At least I'll get to see a win. No, I just get to see us give up five runs to lose with only four outs left in the game.
IT IS MADDENING BEING A ROYALS FAN! I can't change allegiance so I'm stuck with it. But man it feels like they INVENT ways to lose games!!! Teahen dropping a ball that is caught by any average couch potato playing first base in slow pitch softball?? Are you KIDDING me?!
Casper, you're right - it would be nice to see more players care about losing. At this point the only thing I'm looking forward to for the rest of the year is watching Guillen swing the bat.
And I have to give a little credit to Gordon - I absolutely guaranteed my wife he would strike out to end the game. - June 11, 2008 at 7:39 AM
What is up with the Gordon hatred? First of all, he worked a hit with two outs in the ninth; it was Teahen who struck out. Yes, he has had a tough week or ten days at the plate, but every hitter goes through that. He hasn't let it affect his defense, which was particularly good in the early innings last night, and he did have several good at bats last night.
I think it always takes 40 games or so for a manager to know what he has in a season. And maybe that should be a little bit longer for a guy in his first year with a new team, and maybe it should be even a little longer for a guy in his first year in the league.
Even so, that time is up. - June 11, 2008 at 8:03 AM
- Adam Halperin said...
I still put a lot of blame on our poor excuse of a hitting coach...Mike Barnett. Why? Three names: Billy Butler, Mark Teahen, and Alex Gordon. Three hitters that don't progress, but get worse. Why are adjustments not being made? Why does it seem like Alex Gordon either flys out or hits an OCCASIONAL home run? Why is Mark Teahen afraid of hitting the baseball? Why is his stance the most awkward looking thing in the world? And why is Billy Butler in Omaha right now? I believe the answer to all of these things is poor hitting instruction. Mike Barnett needs to be fired...now.
By the way, Teahen stuck out to end the game...looking. - June 11, 2008 at 8:05 AM
Where was Gobble to get one of the lefties out in the 8th?
I know he has been totally ineffective lately, but he is the LOOGY. If you don't have confidence in him in that situation, then waive him and call up Musser. - June 11, 2008 at 8:59 AM
You are absolutely right on Rany. I have been trying to remain positive with Hillman, but after last night I can't do it. I was at the game and as soon as Tomko was brought in I told my daughter it was a terrible move. Hillman has shown no ability to match up his bullpen in the late innings of a game. I know Gobble has struggled, but the one thing he can do is retire LH hitters. Was he not available. The Royals having a late inning lead is rare enough. When they do, Hillman better throw his best guns out there to close it out. To hell with tomorrow's game.
- June 11, 2008 at 9:16 AM
I just turned the game on last night when Tomko was warming up on the mound and said, 'oh, they must be losing bad'. I was SHOCKED when I saw they actually had a lead, with runners on, and STILL brought him in. The guy is horrible.
Rany, as for your splits, check out the stat line for Ramirez and Yabuta the past month. Yabuta has been probably the best reliever the past month. Ramirez probably the worst (although his stuff is incredible; strikeout stuff, for sure, which is why they brought him in in the 9th with a runner on 3B-which worked perfectly). The Laird broken bat hit was the dagger to the heart in this game. Laird actually hurt the Royals twice last night. That broken bat blooper and he set up so far outside on the last pitch that I'm sure Teahen was thinking it would be a ball, so he wasn't prepared at all.
It was interesting that the Royals may have discovered a way to get Josh Hamilton out... - June 11, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Even though I've watched this circus for so many years, I find it amazing that the fact that games like last night continue to happen on a regular basis. But our futility is absolutely unfathomable. I keep thinking...why am I raising my poor children to endure this crap? Why do I take them to these games? Why do I allow them to sit and watch these games on TV with me? Why, why, why? Why am I setting them up for years and years of pain, just like I've went through for the past 20? Would a loving father really do this to their kids? Or should I just be a good dad and steer them towards the Cardinals from this point on, to save them from years of misery? Seriously.
Anyway, every single fan that had half a brain knew the Tomko signing was a joke and a disaster waiting to happen the day the contract was announced. Every time I heard anyone with Royals say any differently, all I could do is roll my eyes and think "idiots...and I'm supposed to believe that we're going to turn this thing around?". Tomko is, and always will be, a crappy major league pitcher. He will never get a meaningful out for the Royals. He better be gone by Friday or heads should roll.
John Buck has got to be holding onto his job by a very tiny and thin thread. That passed ball to lose the game was inexcusable, especially when we have a guy like Oliva on the roster. Sorry Buck, you're likeable, but you suck.
Finally, the Royals needs to give up the dream that Teahen can hit anywhere from 3-6 in the lineup. He's terrible with runners on base. Hit him 7-9 or get him off the team.
Oh, and Hillman could help his cause a little bit if he weren't so damned arrogant and so insistent on harkening back to his Japan experience and trying to convince people that it's major league baseball. It isn't. If it were, the best American players would be leaving MLB to play in Japan, not visa versa. MLB rejects go to Japan and flourish. Trey, your experience in Japan is comparable to A-AA ball managing, at best. Don't forget that, Trey. Right now, your ass is getting schooled. Learn quick, or you can book the next flight back to Nippon and dust off the Hamfighter uniform. - June 11, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I'm at a loss for words.
- June 11, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Even though I grew up in another state, my father raised me to be as a Royals fan. When I graduated college, I moved to KC and I finally followed my dad's teachings and either attend, watch, or listen to 90% of the Royals games.
I personally don't blame Rany for rare posts when things are going the way they are. I think it's natural to be disappointed/frustrated/annoyed when games are lost like that horrible one to the Twins a few weeks ago or that horrible one last night. I had the privilege of seeing both live and in person.
I personally think it's a good thing for my Royals soul that I am going to be gone next week and will be forced to take a break!
All that emotional analysis aside, a couple of player things I personally believe. Though Teahen certainly shoulders a lot of the blame for last night's loss, I think people are harder on him than they should be. Is he amazing? No. Is he terrible? No. He (usually) does a decent job defensively at whatever random position he is assigned for that week, month, season, etc. I think more blame should be placed on players like John Buck, who is not great offensively or defensively. He NEVER throws out people stealing base, and this is a major part of his job as a catcher. Then there was the passed ball last night. . . .
Being disgruntled at this point doesn't make you not a fan, it just makes you a person who knows something about baseball and cares about this team. - June 11, 2008 at 10:20 AM
- Unknown said...
The past few posts have been very good and have said things I have thought myself.
The one thing I had thought about was the apparent stupidity of the people in charge year in and year out.
I have been posting on Royals message boards for a long time but post mainly on ESPN's. Some of the people there are quite intelligent with a very good grasp on advanced statistics while others appear to have no clue. I have found that when almost the entire board agrees in unison regarding something the front office or manager has done, the board is right almost every time.
The first time I saw this was in 2001 concerning the Neifi. Rumors had started about a week before the trade and everyone said "NO". They saw his stat splits between Colorado and away and knew it was a bad idea. They said the same thing when Tomko was signed and when he came in the game last night.
The point here is how can a bunch of losers like myself on a Royals message board know more than the Royals front office and manager time and time again? - June 11, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Jen, will you marry me?
- June 11, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Thank you Rany for having the stones to be truthful about this. Most MSM journalists will follow the 'company line' & give him a free pass.
If this was the only game in which his tactical blunders led to defeat I could forgive him but these bonehead blunders are becoming a regular occurance. - June 11, 2008 at 11:00 AM
- Jcarter5 said...
Rany, another great post, took the words right out of my mouth. I had defended Hillman and his stupidity up to this point, basically blaming it on experience, but hell MYSELF with ZERO mangaing experience would have done the exact opposite of every move he did, and probably won the game fairly easily. I am freaking baffled now. Does he just refuse to look at smiple things such as splits, or basic stats like FREAKING ERA!!! you bring in Tomko who this year has a 6+ ERA and a 7+ era as a freaking relieverr!?!?!?! Christ almighty come on. oh well i now offically despise hillman as a manager. God I only hope it gets better
- June 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
- MoreHRsAndLesNorman said...
Gload is another defensive substitution that should have been made. With a 5-1 lead, it's absurd to have Gload/TPJ on the bench watching Aviles/Teahen botch a routine 6-3. Why are they on the roster if they're not going to be in for this situation.
- June 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
- Jcarter5 said...
oh and I couldn't agree more about Mike " I destroy careers for a living" barnett. I dont care what anyone says there is freaking offensive talent on this roster with butler, gordon and at one time Teahen. Since he has been here there have been ZERO improvements in any of their games! ZERO. and what is more infuriating is that adjustments arent even being made. We here all this crap about tony Penis Jr. and how he gets to the park an hour before everyone to work on his hitting, yet in a game reverts to his old self and forgets everyhting. No one is being held accountable and that is what pisses me off. The fact that no one cares it seems. There is no excuse for Alex gordon to whiff as much as he does with as much talent as he has. He still looks lost the majority of the time and yes grant it he's young, but im afraid more of barnett and he will be the next teahen for us, butler too.
Sorry for another post, still fuming about this one. - June 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
- Otis26 said...
I refuse to join the Hillman-bashing bandwagon. He's a new manager at the big-league level and it's going to take him time to figure all this out.
Also, he's managing a team with the least amount of talent than he's probably ever had. I'm certain many of the Yankees minor league teams were superior to this one, and his team in Japan did nothing but work hard 8 hours a day on baseball. He's got neither here.
It would be like taking Bill Self to Iowa State and saying: "Here...win a championship." No matter how good he is as a coach you can't win without players...and sadly at the present time we're chock-full of roleplayers.
We're moving in the right direction though. We're becoming more aggressive in the free agent market and we're trying to develop a minor league system that has SOME talent (rather than being devoid of it.)
I think some of you got lured in when we were 21-22. I know I did. But at the time the pitching was over-achieving.
Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre would have hung themselves by now if they had this team. Hillman is going to make mistakes...but they're more glaring when many of the players he has aren't holding up their end of the bargain. - June 11, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Reading these posts, it appears most of you are still stuck on "anger".
Remember, there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance.
Come join me in "acceptance" - losses like last night now simply roll off my back, and I dream mostly about minor leaguers, the draft, and some future season (2039?) when glory will be finally restored. - June 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM
- ASMR Review said...
I can't agree with any specific points you made about last night's game. My only quibble is that I don't think Trey has been a generally bad manager this season. He's been pretty average. Most managers have pretty stupid moves throughout the year. He appears to be no different. Unfortunately, we need another Billy Martin or Casey Stengel for this team.
- June 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Is it bad that when Teahen dropped the ball I just knew. I just knew it was over and that we were going to lose. It's just a given as a Royals fan that the team will find ways to break your heart.
Hillman definitely screwed up. Definitely. You either have an eighth inning guy in Ramirez, or you don't. And I see no reason so say you don't.
Bottom line is though, it could have been anyone in there. I'm totally sold on the curse of Mark Davis. - June 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
You know, we got pounded just this weekend in New York for putting in our defensive subs, and then when the Yankees came back and tied the game, we had the guy with seven RBI that day already in the showers. Hillman adjusted by leaving the better bats in, and we lost that way, too. Every button he pushes backfires. Is that because he is a lousy manager, or is it because we have a lousy team so that most buttons just don't work.
Some of both, I think. - June 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
hey rany, i'd like to hear your thoughts on who we could package in a deal to acquire the stud catcher in the cardinal's system who is being blocked by yadier molina.
it will probably take some pitching. maybe a guy like nunez or ramirez. if we could package buck to give the cardinals some minor-league depth at backstop that would be even better. - June 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Hillman pissed it away?
Teahen dropped a ball that Little Leaguers catch.
A similar comment could be made about Buck's passed ball on the eventual game winning run.
Hillman should have substituted defensively?
The problem wasn't defensive range or being out of position...a guy who is paid a major league salary couldn't catch the ball. Then when he had a chance to redeem himself at the plate he watched the strike.
Hillman isn't blameless here or at other times, but as is true with all team sports the losses and wins are rarely the result of a single individual.
I enjoy your posts about the game as they are informative, but the easiest thing in the world is to criticize after the result is known.
IMO the team is better and heading in the right direction, but for every couple of steps forward their will be a concussive fall back like this every so often.
Keep the faith. Go Royals! - June 11, 2008 at 1:26 PM
- Unknown said...
ugh...another brutal loss to add to the hundreds we have already suffered thru over the years
- June 11, 2008 at 1:43 PM
With the Royals, for every few steps forward there are an equal number of steps backward, thus resulting in our current state of affairs: Running in place while we bring up the rear in every race we run.
- June 11, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Come on guys, this team is much, much better this year. How quickly we have forgotten the fact that they worked on fundamentals this year, they 'played catch,' remember? Presumable while other teams were...working on something else. And they had a meeting on the process of winning, remember? This is an advanced group of thinkers, and you just need to resign yourself to the fact that they are all smarter than you. So keep believing, keep thinking this is an improved product, and keep watching the implosion that is the Royals, the single most consistent team in MLB.
- June 11, 2008 at 2:56 PM
- Jimmy Jack said...
You're right, we are probably the most consistent team in the majors, and personally, I've had it. I've enjoyed watching DeJesus, Buck & Teahen over the last several years, but it's time for them to go. That hurts to say, but it's true. And yes, throw Gobble in the mix there as well. We need to remove the players on this team that have contributed to the culture of losing over the past however far back you want to go. These players as you pointed out are all "solid" players, but they are also players who have come to terms with losing this way and are just used to it. I turned on the game in the bottom of the 7th and stupidly made the comment to my father that "I don't think there's a way for us to lose this game".......then came the top of the 8th.
We have developed and nutured a "culture of losing" in this town and in this stadium and it's sad, very very sad. Shop Teahen, shop Buck, shop Gload, shop DeJesus...hell, shop Slugger, just stop the madness... - June 11, 2008 at 4:04 PM
- Ryan said...
At least we have a good pinup calendar...shot in basement cellar.
- June 11, 2008 at 5:54 PM
- Skillie said...
Albie "gas can" Lopez could not close out a game with a four run lead and two out in the eighth. Neither can Brett just say no To MKO. I agree a 40+ beer league slow pitch softball first baseman would have caught that throw at first. Most good Legion catchers would have caught the low pitch by Ramirez. No good Legion catcher would have called for an 0-2 breaking ball on the inner half of the plate after the way Clown Bradley looked at the hard stuff away on the first two pitches. The point is that we--the Royals--make ALL those mistakes and more in just two innings to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And it's not just one time. I drive over two hours one way to get to the K. I won't go back this year. I was at the Twins debacle the night we led 8-3 with two out in the ninth and lost. Unheard of badness. I was there two nights later when DeJesus was able to do the only thing possible to keep the tying run from scoring in the late innings by stepping over the bag at second and being tagged out. It's like the Indians knew that was the only chance they had to keep the run from scoring, because it was, and we obliged. The ONLY chance the Rangers had last night to win was for Hillman to bring in Brett Tomko. We could have thought outside the box there and brought in Soria for one out and taken a 5-1 lead into the ninth. We could have left Mahay in. I had a buddy tell me about this blog. It's great. I'm glad I got a chance to vent some frustration. We are awful. I've been a Royals fan since 1969. I can't go to the ballpark any more this year. I can't pay real money to see fake MLB. I can go see local Legion games and see real Legion baseball. I can watch MLB on television or watch the nightmare of the Royals on television, but we have to win games like that one last night and others (like Saturday in NY) before I can go back. A good team will go a year or two without losing such a game. We've lost 4 such games in two weeks. I think that says it all. It's everybody's fault. Everybody sucks. I suck for being a Royals fan.
- June 11, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I have been ranting about Hillman ever since The Kotchman Incident. My argument all along is that he's a horrible percentage manager.
Those of you objecting to the vilification of Hillman need to understand something: it would be one thing if he were continually making mistakes, but not repeating them. The problem is that he is repeating the same fundamental mistakes over and over and over again.
If you're a rookie manager and you're not learning from your mistakes, routinely making egregiously poor percentage decisions which can only be explained by either not KNOWING the percentages (a firing offense all by itself, IMO) or being so arrogant that you think you know better than what the percentages are telling you.
When The Kotchman Incident occurred, I allowed that perhaps he just needed to learn. He's not doing it. - June 11, 2008 at 7:18 PM
- Olentangy said...
In 1993 the Royals were a well respected franchise that had contended consistently and were only 8 years off a World Series victory. The Florida Marlins were a brand new expansion team. Since 1993 the Marlins built a World Series winner from scratch in 4 seasons, completely dismantled that team, built another World Series winner again in 6 seasons, completely dismantled THAT team,and now are one of the top 5 teams in the National League AGAIN. They have accomplished this despite the fact that they do not have a fan base. They have ticket sales of a paltry 12-15K per game but it gets worse. They can barely get 5000 people to actually attend a game unless they are playing the Mets, Yankees or Red Sox. Yet they have built 3 completely different contenders despite there being no one in town that cares to go to their games.
The Royals since 1993, have been in the playoffs zero times,and have been contenders after Labor Day zero times, while racking up close to ten 90+ loss seasons and recently multiple 100 loss seasons. What the hell is going on over there? Guys, it has been 23 years since the Royals were in the playoffs! At some point KC has to just kick David Glass out of town, even if it means going without a team for a while. St. Louis did this to Bill Bidwell and the football Cardinals, and got the Rams and a Super Bowl title. I think they made the right move. - June 11, 2008 at 9:44 PM
- Unknown said...
Well things certainly went smoother tonight. I little more Tomko. A little more Yabuta when it was too late. A little Gobble mixed in for flavor. Heaven.
- June 11, 2008 at 11:32 PM
My fellow masochists,
Each night, we turn on the game, be it on the radio, or be it on the television, and we watch our team stumble, bumble and fumble another game into the "L" column. Then we routinely grab our favorite painkiller (I prefer Boulevard beer, but to each their own) and come to this website to seek support and wax philosphically about what is wrong with our team. But despite all the valid arguments and counter-arguments that we formulate and offer for review, we have all (well, except for me, because damnit, it's my theory), missed the fact that none of the points we're making are accurate enough to change things; no matter what the team does, it goes wrong. And the responsibility for this ongoing tragedy of 18 years is down to one man - ONE MAN! - and that man's name is Mark Davis. Yes, that's right - the Cy Young award winning closer that we signed from San Diego before the 1990 season, the man that in 70 games, or 92.2 innings, saved 44 games for a mediocre team, culminating in a 1.85 ERA. Sounds like a perfect fit for a team that only had a soft-throwing righty in their pen to close games named Jeff Montgomery, right? Factor in that KC's own Bret Saberhagen had won the AL Cy Young, also the year before, and for the first time in ML history the previous season's Cy Young winners were opening the following season on the next roster. KC had won 92 games in '89, finishing 7 games out, and the bulk of our roster was coming back, and still in their prime. Surely, Mark Davis would push KC over the top and back into the World Series, right? RIGHT? Wrong. In '90, the wheels officially began to come off of this organization. The team finished 27.5 games out of first place, losing 86 games. And the Cy Young winning closer, Mr. Davis? How did he do following his ridiculously phenomenal '89 season? Well, he did pitch in 53 games, covering 62.2 innings, which is about where you want your closer to come in at. But of those 53 games, he saved 7 - the same number he blew before getting stripped of the closer role. Oh, his 5.11 ERA for us that season was second LOWEST that it would be in his Royals career, right behind the 7.18 ERA he threw up there for us in '92. For some reason, he just was never the same. Some say he really did lose it between seasons, that the Padres exactred everything he had to give in his Cy Young season, that he just had a dead arm from the 70 games he threw in in '89. Other think he just couldn't adjust to the AL from the NL. But they're wrong. What REALLY happened was simple - he choked. Before '89, Davis was pretty much another guy in a bullpen. The spotlight was never really fixed on him before. He signed what back then was a ridiculous deal to come to a team steeped in a winning history (Ah, the good 'ol days) and the expectations on him to replicate that season were ostensibly more than he could handle. And so he choked. And then he choked some more. But wors still, his suckitude started to rub off on others. Saberhagen went from 21 wins in '89 to an injury filled '90 season that saw him win 5 games. In fact, Saberhagen was never really the same pitcher again, either. Well, not until he was unceremoniously traded away for a couple hacks and a fading LF from the Mets - another brilliant move by the Royals front office. Right up there with David Cone trade...the first one, before he was a star, not the 2nd time when he had just (ahem) won the Cy Young for us in '94...actually, both those trades sucked hard. And so there is, kiddies. Let it now be known - we are cursed with suckitude, a suckitude folds like a lawn chair when the pressure is on, that knows not of winning, but of only being a loser, and that suckitude has a name - and it's Mark Davis. We've never been the same since he came to town. - June 11, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Sorry for the typo's. The beer was doing the typing.
- June 12, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I didn't see the game, but a lot of these comments are great stuff. I know the players are to blame for performance, but the Manager is responsible for putting them in the best possible position to succeed.
Ignoring the splits puts pitchers in failure situations. Losing with your best pitcher or pitchers on the bench is unacceptable.
But more than that is the "I'm helpless" attitude. Losing in this fashion for a young team goes beyond one "L." It perpetuates the "we suck" attitude.
Kansas City Clippers (when they really sucked in the NBA), Kansas City football Cardinals - they are all franchises with losing in their blood.
Does Hillman need to be fired? Not yet, but it won't be long at this rate. Do we really need another Herm Edwards here? Nice guy, passionate, but can't get it done because he's too clueless. - June 12, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Just on a gut feeling, I started looking to see if Davis was still somehow connected to the Royals, and nearly swallowed my tongue when I found this: he's the effing pitching coach for the Arizona league team; he still works for the Royals! - June 12, 2008 at 12:34 AM
- Skillie said...
OK. It's Thursday morning. We have to be the worst. There can't be anybody else this bad. We're like the 62 Mets or the 03 Tigers or the St. Louis Browns. Where is Eddie Gaedel?
- June 12, 2008 at 7:11 AM
- Skillie said...
Is it Boulevard Wheat, Casper? I love Boulevard Wheat.
- June 12, 2008 at 7:16 AM
The thing that infuriated me most about this loss, was that I watched Hillman repeat the same mistakes he made with the bullpen on Saturday in that 12-11 loss to the Yankees. Guillen hit the grand slam to take a 4 run lead after blowing a 4 run lead, and he runs Tomko out to hold that new lead. 2 run homer from A-rod later, and Tomko gives way. But Tomko can't pitch. Stop putting him anywhere near the mound when the Royals are in the game or winning. Why can't Trey learn from his own mistakes?
- June 12, 2008 at 7:38 AM
And an almost identical disaster in Wednesday's game.
- June 12, 2008 at 8:00 AM
The mind is a strange thing, men. We must begin by asking it what is losing? Losing is a disease, as contagious as polio. Losing is a disease, as contagious as syphilis. Losing is a disease, as contagious as bubonic plague. Attacking one, but infecting all. But curable.
Don't we wish. - June 12, 2008 at 8:07 AM
I am done with the Royals. I can't take it anymore. Their record is officially worse this year than it was last year at this point in the season which is really saying something considering we went 8-18 last April and 11-17 last May… last year in June we bounced back and went 15-12 and I just really don't see that happening this June since we are 3-7 this month.
Since I can't really stomach rooting for any other MLB team I guess I am done until NCAA football season…don't even get me started on the Chefs.
Side note; I was in STL this weekend for the DMB concert at Busch and 3 or 4 times the crowd erupted in "F the Cubbies" chants and "Let's go Cardinals" chants and the loudest cheer of the night (by far) was when they showed Carter Beauford (drummer) in a Cardinals Jersey. I have to say, for the first time in my life I was more than a little bit envious of people who live in St. Louis. This might be an all time low. - June 12, 2008 at 9:52 AM
I'm sick of people thinking that Hillman's decision making is our problem. Would we be .500 with the greatest skipper ever? Remember that most positive projections for this season had us at 75-80 wins max. We don't have the bullpen to win that many games. Just look at it top to bottom and tell me Hillman has an 80 win bullpen. Our offense has young guys who are prone to prolonged dry spells at the plate, and we have a mediocre journeymen like Gobble as one of our go to lefties? Give me a break. Hillman is still figuring out this team, this organization, and this city. Get back to me in August. Trey had nothing to do with last night's game, and Teahen could just as easily drop a throw from Pena (a solid 1b would probably have scooped both). He and about 5 other guys in our lineup consistently play out of position. We are really stretching and need to just play guys enough to find out about them, hence leaving Aviles in while Pena has had more than a chance to prove his worth. As an aside, downtown stadiums sure are nice.
- June 12, 2008 at 10:01 AM
- Jimmy Jack said...
Boulevard is a Kansas City product and it's amazing. See, we can do something right!! Maybe Boulevard should pull it's product from Kaufman until we reach a .500 season...would hate for the suckitude to infiltrate our precious brewery...
- June 12, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Carlos Rosa is the newest Kansas City Royal. Fareweel Brett Tomko!
- June 12, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I told you that heads had better roll if Tomko wasn't gone by Friday. Glad to know the powers that be are reading this blog.
- June 12, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Maybe this is a little rash, but they need to do something to their middle relief, how about moving one of the young arms there so we aren't losing three games a week due to their inability to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. Along with that I have been wanting to kick Gobbles in the nuts for about five years.
- June 12, 2008 at 2:42 PM
- Ryan said...
We just cut Brett Tomko.
I can't believe the Royals wasted $3 million on 35-year-old Brett Tomko. Three. Million. Dollars. How can you not sign all of your draft picks, when you're throwing away $3 million dollars on has-been 35-year-old pitchers?
Three million dollars?
If you waste that much money on Tomko, at least you fork over a couple thousand for a fake beach backdrop for your Royals' calendar. - June 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM
As the 60th comment on a 4-day old blog, I don't expect many readers. So be it. The Royals are three players away from being a playoff team. There, I said it! We are that close. Now, they have to be three GREAT players, but we have not been this close in..well...forever! So what do we need? Let's start at the top of the lineup. How about a leadoff hitter? Personally, I'd like a shortstop here but I could live with a second baseman. Gotta have this guy on base...a lot! Next we need a power hitting first baseman . Finally, one more great starting pitcher...not even a number one, maybe a number two. How about a lineup like this:
leadoff 2B
Aviles SS
New Stud 1B
Guillen RF
Butler DH ( I believe)
DeJesus CF
Olivo C
Teahen LF
Gordon 3B
Starting rotation:
New Stud
Yes, I would make Bannister the long relief guy.
I'll take that lineup and rotation.
We aren't that far off. Believe! - June 12, 2008 at 9:36 PM
- Unknown said...
Shoot, while we are at naming hypothetical lineups and rotations why not go all the way?
New Stud #1 2B
New Stud #2 SS
New Stud #3 1B
New Stud #4 RF
New Stud #5 DH
New Stud #6 CF
New Stud #7 C
New Stud #8 LF
New Stud #9 3B
Starting rotation:
New Stud P #1
New Stud P #2
New Stud P #3
New Stud P #4
New Stud P #5
I know that I'm being a sarcastic pain and I apologize for it but new studs apparently don't grow on trees.
Besides, I don't ever want to see Teahen playing in LF again. Absolutely horrifying. - June 12, 2008 at 11:33 PM
- Jimmy Jack said...
Anonymous, I like your ferver and optimism and agreed, we are just a couple of guys away from making a solid run, but Gordon in the 9 hole? Silly...
- June 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Anyone here about the Gil Meche rumor? I saw somewhere someone said a Meche to Braves for Jordan Schafer/Jason Heyward and Brent Lilbridge trade was possible. I can't possibly imagine the Braves giving up that much. Maybe we could throw someone else in. I just wanted to hear my fellow Royals fans thoughts
- June 13, 2008 at 6:00 PM
- -al said...
you can't shine a bunch of turds.
this season's done for. it was before it began.
the real indicator will be where they are in three years.
we've got a general manager who seems to care about the team. the gm has his manager in the game now. they're starting to get their players into the game. we finally got rid of mike 'thanks for the $11 million dollars, but my (insert body part here) hurts too much to play this year" sweeney.
the only thing missing is an owner who doesn't treat the team like walmart.
give hillman a talented group, and see where he goes. - June 13, 2008 at 7:34 PM
- Nathan said...
Rany, come back! Just like last year, it looks like the Royals just needed some time to rebuilding their confidence in Triple-A... I mean, the NL! Maybe they don't suck again!
- June 15, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I'm a little late getting to this one, but I couldn't agree more with Rany on this one. My only hope is that this particular post in Rany's blog somehow finds its way to Hillman.
Hillamn's series of tactical decisions for this game have to be some of the absolute DUMBEST decisions I have ever seen a manager at ANY level make.
One can only hope that Trey learned something from his mistakes. - June 20, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Memorial Day weekend is more than the unofficial start of summer and a time for barbecues and ballgames; it is a day to remember the men and women who died in service of their country as members of the United States Armed Forces, and to also celebrate all servicemen and women.
By Thomas Gerbasi
Memorial Day weekend is more than the unofficial start of summer and a time for barbecues and ballgames; it is a day to remember the men and women who died in service of their country as members of the United States Armed Forces, and to also celebrate all servicemen and women.
UFC fighter and former WEC light heavyweight champion Brian Stann knows all too well the sacrifices made by the United States military, having served as a Captain in the Marines, where he was awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat. And even though his active duty has ended, Stann is still involved daily with the men and women of the military through the organization Hire Heroes USA, which he serves as Executive Director of. (Click here and hit 'like' to raise $1 for Hire Heroes USA.)
Through Hire Heroes USA, Stann and his team help provide career placement and transition assistance to returning servicemen and women, and thus far, the organization has helped over 240 veterans get jobs, an impressive feat in the current economic state.
"Their (the veterans) experience and their resumes, and all the things they've done professionally, most companies or employers don't understand what those are, and they're not educated on the intangible values that are contained within," explains Stann. "An employer can tell you 'I want an out of the box thinker who's a team player,' but they don't know how to pull that all the time from a guy who in his resume is talking about reducing improvised explosive devices and training a foreign army whose language they don't speak. That's one of the main things my organization does with the guys we work with. Before we go out and try to find them a job, we work on translating their skills and quantifying them on their resumes and in their interview responses so that the employers can understand that. We also try to explain that to the companies that we recruit and advocate with to hire veterans. We try to educate them that they're not just order takers, trigger pullers, or heavy equipment operators."
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For every fan The Call of Duty Endowment gets on their Facebook page starting Thursday, May 27th and ending Monday, May 31st, Hire Heroes USA gets one dollar, with all the funds going towards Hire Heroes USA's Transition Assistance Courses and Employment Assistance programs, many of which are executed on site at wounded warrior rehabilitation facilities. The campaign will last until 11:59pm PST on Memorial Day, or until a grant of $50,000 has been reached, whichever benchmark expires first.
"This money goes towards my organization, traveling the country to train our combat veterans in resume building skills, interview skills, and developing their plans and their goals to go and get them hired by companies so that these men and women who defended our nation now get a shot at the American dream that they defended," said Stann. "They're not going to the unemployment line, some of them are coming out on crutches, some of them in wheelchairs, some of them with prosthetics, some of them with traumatic brain injuries, and they're learning how to quantify their skillsets and finding jobs that they can be productive in so they're not just someone who was a war fighter, soldier, or Marine or sailor back in the day, but is still a successful, productive member of society."
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For more information on Hire Heroes, visit www.hireheroesusa.org


text:
March 1, 2013
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Organic U.S.A. family farm partially pearled barley with a lot of the bran layer still intact. Most pearled barley has 100% of the germ and bran layer removed. Eden pearled barley is more nutritious because significantly less germ and bran are removed. Quick cooking, no need for soaking. Its mild flavor and texture complement soups and stews. Simply boiled it is a deliciously light whole grain dish, or thinned as warming breakfast porridge. It always goes well with other whole grains. Rich in fiber and manganese. A good source of protein, niacin B3, and zinc.
Organic Eden Pearled Barley is organic U.S.A. family partially pearled barley with a good percentage of the bran layer still intact. Most pearled barley has 100% of the germ and bran layer removed. Eden pearled barley is more nutritious because less of the germ and bran are removed.
Barley Horedeum vulgare is the oldest cultivated grain, believed to have originated in northern Africa and southeast Asia. It was grown in Egypt between 6,000 and 5,000 B.C. for both man and animals. It was the main bread grain of the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans until it was replaced by wheat and rye. It was cultivated in China over 4,000 years ago. It was so highly valued it was a unit of measurement in Sumaria 4,000 to 2,000 B.C., and used as standard currency in Babylonia. British and Dutch colonists brought barley to North America, not so much as food, but for malting, making beer, and barley malt syrup. Barley remains a staple in many countries. It is popular in vegetarian and macrobiotic cooking, and essential in many Middle Eastern dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Eden Pearled Barley is low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol free, very low sodium, and an excellent source of fiber and manganese. According to FDA, "Diets rich in whole grain and other plant foods, and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers." Also, "Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors." Eden Pearled Barley is a good source of protein, niacin B3, and zinc.
Eden Pearled Barley is quick cooking, no need for soaking. A mild flavor and slightly chewy texture goes great in soups and stews. Simply boil it for a deliciously light whole grain dish or salad. Adding extra water creates a warming breakfast porridge. It goes well with every other whole grain. Pearled barley can be cracked to make barley couscous and this is frequently found in the Middle Eastern countries. It makes a great flour for enhancing breads and other baked goods.
Cooking Instructions
To cook Eden Pearled Barley first rinse under cold water. There is no need for soaking this quick cooking grain. Just place in a heavy pot with a pinch of Eden Sea Salt or a 1 inch piece of Eden Kombu and 2 cups of water per cup of barley. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the flame and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes until tender, light and fluffy. To pressure cook use 1 1/2 cups of water and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from flame and allow pressure to come down before removing the lid.


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text:
Monday, May 18, 2009
Kit Kat and M&M Birthday Cake
I used my mom's Snowy White Cake, which I've changed up some...ok, I've changed up a lot. Don't get me wrong, I love her version, but always found it "crummy" and a little difficult to ice. Here is my version...
2 1/3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. Sunny D (I've never tried actual orange juice)
2/3 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. sour cream
2 eggs (or 1 egg and 2 whites...sometimes it depends on how short I am on eggs. It works a little nicer to use the egg whites, but let's face it...I'm way cheap.)
Cream together butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients except eggs and mix well. Add eggs and beat for two minutes. Bake at 350 degrees until top springs back.
The amounts of this recipe work great for 2 8" rounds. Another hint, too...when using this recipe to make cupcakes, fill the tins and then let them sit out for at least 15 minutes. They will get a nicer (higher) top on them.
For the frosting, I used my normal sugar-high buttercream...
2lbs confectioners sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (or if you want it to crust, use 1 stick of butter, 1/4 c. shortening)
some vanilla
pinch or so of salt
I place everything in the mixer except for the milk, and then add the milk until I get the right consistency, and then whip it till it's fluffy. If you add too much milk, add some more confectioners sugar.
Cool and trim the cake so that it is level, then fill and ice the outside and top. Next take your Kit Kats (I needed 4 of the large packages,) break them into two bar sections, and start placing them around your cake. When you are done, spread M&M's on the top, making sure that you cover all of your icing. And then finally, tie a bow around the cake! Voila!
71 comments:
- Risa said...
This is so cute! I love it.
- May 19, 2009 at 2:19 PM
- Sunshine Mom said...
What a great cake!! My kids would LOVE it!
- May 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM
- Pamela said...
My little four year old is having a birthday in the next couple weeks and this would be a great cake for him. He will love it. Thanks
- May 20, 2009 at 1:19 PM
- Dawn0fTime said...
That looks stunning! What a clever way to decorate a cake! (Especially since I don't care much for cake, but I'll happily finish off those Kit Kat bars!)
- May 20, 2009 at 1:25 PM
- Memória said...
That cake is perfect! It is so cute!
I've never heard of OJ in a cake. Cool! - May 20, 2009 at 2:09 PM
- mpaigew said...
I added the Sunny D one time when I was really low on milk and needed to save it for my daughters cereal! The recipe originally calls for water, so since then I've change it up to replace the water with Sunny D.
- May 20, 2009 at 2:17 PM
- Family First said...
Dropped by via Foodgawker. I dont bake often enough but am learning through lovely blogs like yours.
This is such a cool cake for the kids and I will definately try this when my boss is old enough for some healthy chocs!!!!
A really lovely colorful fun presentation! - May 20, 2009 at 8:05 PM
- The Cooking Photographer said...
So fun! Any kid (or big kid) would adore this!
- May 21, 2009 at 10:16 AM
- The Tipsy Hostess said...
This is SO cute! I'm saving this idea for sure. P.S. I love Cake Central, you can learn all sorts of stuff there!
- May 21, 2009 at 10:41 AM
- Unknown said...
My teeth. They ache.
- May 21, 2009 at 12:12 PM
- Sakorarox said...
aww this is a very cute and fun looking cake!:)
- May 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Way too cute and simple. Love it!
- May 21, 2009 at 5:42 PM
- Cathy said...
What a great idea!
- May 22, 2009 at 6:44 AM
- the decorated cookie said...
This is fabulous! And great photo! I posted a link on my edible crafts column (www.ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com) thanks for sharing!
- May 28, 2009 at 8:09 AM
- firstname.lastname@example.com said...
This is so cute! I would love to link to it if you didn't mind!
- May 29, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Love this! I might just have to make it for the fun of eating it!
- June 5, 2009 at 6:48 AM
- Kate said...
LOVE this!
- June 5, 2009 at 10:35 AM
- The Buntens said...
That is adorable! So so cute. And looks like it was yummy!
- June 6, 2009 at 10:08 AM
- Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...
My heart literally skipped two beats.
Steph - June 6, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- Meredith said...
I think I know what cake my 7 year old son will get next year!
Thank you for the inspiration. Found you via Jo-Lynne. - June 6, 2009 at 1:52 PM
- The Tipsy Hostess said...
I had a chance to make this cake last week or so and it worked out fabulously. I posted about it today on my blog with a link back to you. Thanks again for sharing!
- June 8, 2009 at 6:35 AM
- Joseph.dennis said...
I am so fat 10 pounds of my body must be made of cake. damn you for making me want more cake.
- June 29, 2009 at 10:35 AM
- nandini said...
oh my god!!!!! it is so gorgeous.... so perfect for a child's birthday....
- July 2, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I just made this for my dd's 7th birthday. It was a huge hit with everyone and tasted divine.
Thankyou! - July 27, 2009 at 8:11 AM
- Bethany said...
Thanks for the great recipe! I am making it for my daughter's birthday on Saturday!
- August 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM
- Plain Chicken said...
I decorated my Dad's birthday cake like this! Thanks so much for sharing the idea.
- August 17, 2009 at 12:45 PM
- SteamyKitchen said...
This is like pure awesomeness!
- September 9, 2009 at 6:38 AM
- The Cooking Ninja said...
Awesome! Which kid even adults wouldn't want to just take a bite of that.
- September 9, 2009 at 6:56 AM
- AmyRuth said...
Oh How cute is that? I am even emailing a link to my friend in San Antonio TX who has little kids. Do you think big kids would love this too? I kinda think so....think I'll add to my google documents. YIPPEE its a keeper. love it. You did an awesome job with all that candy we all grew up eating. woohoo
AmyRuth - September 9, 2009 at 7:07 AM
- Unknown said...
Oh that's fantastic! I think I might try to make this for my future brother-in-law's birthday. (Almost 21 and he still has a kid's love of candy!) :D
- September 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM
- Unknown said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- September 17, 2009 at 1:56 AM
- LenaLandmine said...
...I don't think I'd be able to put that ribbon on there.
For the simple fact that half of it would be gone by then. I love m&m's and kit kats.. it would be in my stomach before it's finished, no question.
Lovelovelove the photo. You are my hero :] - October 5, 2009 at 4:19 AM
- teresadiehl said...
I will make this cake for my sons birthday. He is sooo excited that I want to make sure I do it right. I dont think my kit kat bars are long enough to go from bottom to top of cake. Did you find them long enough or are there two stacked?
- October 7, 2009 at 9:30 AM
- The Bearded Lady (Laura) said...
HEAVEN!! Thank you for this!! It will be making a debut in my house for my two sons joint bday party!!
I love your blog! - October 19, 2009 at 2:47 PM
- Marcie said...
How fun! Really, is it a ton of m&m's on the top? Wondering what it looks like when u cut? It is really adorable. Came over via HWTM. Thanks for sharing...going to add u to my blogroll! :)
- October 20, 2009 at 2:42 AM
- D@nielle said...
such a cute idea, candylovers will find it heaven !
- October 21, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- In My Closet said...
That it devises prettier! it enchants to me, mainly for an infantile celebration. Congratulations for your blog
- December 14, 2009 at 3:48 AM
Adorable! So cute it inspired me to create my own version, but I gave you the credit due in a link to yours. (Hope you don't mind- I just thought yours was so cute everyone should see it.)
- January 16, 2010 at 11:15 PM
- Unknown said...
hi..im pretty new to baking but this cake looks stunning! may i ask...what type of flour will be suitable for this cake? cheers =)
- May 3, 2010 at 6:14 AM
- babyjanewatson said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- May 31, 2010 at 2:11 AM
- babyjanewatson said...
With that, this birthday cakes Brisbane is very much recommended to experience and taste a very delicious birthday cake that can be offer to friends and family.
- May 31, 2010 at 2:12 AM
- Brittany said...
How do you cut this cake? I'm making it for my daughter tomorrow, but I have no idea how to cut it! Any suggestions?
- June 18, 2010 at 4:19 PM
- R said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- July 19, 2010 at 9:15 PM
- R said...
I just made the cake with 2 nine inch pans. The king size kitkats must be smaller now. I ended up using 5 packages and still had room to fill on the edges. I could have used 2 more pieces. We can't wait to try it. - July 19, 2010 at 9:17 PM
- Paige said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- August 6, 2010 at 12:22 PM
- mpaigew said...
Wow, I did not realize so many comments had been left on this post! For those that asked how to cut it, I believe (if memory serves me correctly!) I cut it in thin wedges so that each piece would have two or so sticks of Kit Kat. When cutting, some of the M&M's will fall off, but because of the frosting there should be a layer that will stay on. After the piece is plated, you can place the M&M's that fell off around it.
This is the only time I've made this cake, so it's very possible that the size packaging I used has changed since then.
And lastly, I used all purpose...I'm very cheap and always try to find good recipes that don't use cake flour!!!! =) - August 6, 2010 at 12:25 PM
- CrystalWilliams said...
I totally stole this idea for my kids' birthday party this weekend and it was a HUGE hit. The kids thought it was the coolest cake ever and even the adults were impressed lol.
- September 19, 2010 at 8:18 PM
- Anna said...
I just happened to find this recipe, as I was searching for an M&M cake for my daughter who loves her M&Ms and chocolate. I think I may use the decorating idea. Adorable!
- September 25, 2010 at 9:28 AM
- Shayna said...
This is such a gorgeous cake. How do you cut it?
- October 17, 2010 at 1:44 PM
- Anna said...
I ended up using this cake idea for my daughter's birthday. I linked to your blog when I posted a picture of it. Thanks so much!
- October 31, 2010 at 1:29 PM
- Sarah said...
I made this cake for my son's b-day last year and now my older son is requesting it for his b-day. It was a huge hit, everybody loved it! The cake recipe was really good, everybody asked me what recipe I used.
- November 10, 2010 at 8:58 PM
- woodd said...
thank you so much for your design. I made a half sheet cake, chocolate, french butter cream frosting with Reese's peanut butter cup cream filling. He was in a chocolate coma the last time I saw him. Thank you again.
- November 30, 2010 at 6:37 PM
- Cute Party Ideas said...
Your M&M cake looks like a lovely hot tub and I'm swimming in the beauty of its simplicity! Nice job.
- December 7, 2010 at 4:10 AM
OMG this is awesome and I have seen a lot of awesome cakes but this one "takes the cake" LOL I love it... I am going to have to make this. Sweet!!!
- January 11, 2011 at 9:21 AM
- Tam said...
Thank you for posting this. I made it for my husband's birthday yesterday and everyone loved it. A very impressive cake for not much effort!
- January 30, 2011 at 5:55 PM
- Laura said...
Hi Paige, I just found your blog and straight away had to make your Kit Kat and M and M cake. I used my own sponge recipe (for quickness) and only used about half the amount of M and M's that you did but I am very pleased with the results. Thanks for the recipe.
- February 3, 2011 at 2:03 PM
- Dana deVries said...
I am going to try this for my sons 16th birthday.
- May 18, 2011 at 8:38 AM
- Paul Joachim said...
DELICIOUS! I love cakes like this. Simple, yet thoughtful goodness.
- June 19, 2011 at 6:07 PM
- NickyReviewsReads said...
ohhh thank you you just saved the day :) its ds's 18th bday tomorrow (when did i get sooo old) and i was still looking for a novel cake idea and now ive found it... ill be making it with his favourite oreo cake inside ...
- June 21, 2011 at 2:48 AM
- sp said...
Hey, why does a ton of the cake go into the garbage...don't you guys eat it, share it ,etc??
Btw, I love the way it looks and want to make it tomorrow.
Could you please reply soon to my query - by flour do you mean all purpose flour?? - September 20, 2011 at 2:48 AM
- mpaigew said...
SP-Yes, all purpose flour. I'm too cheap to but cake flour, and will go out of my way to find a recipe that uses all purpose! =)
- October 13, 2011 at 2:48 PM
- koreangirl_14 said...
hi! I would like to ask if how much did you spend for this cake?
- October 30, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Are you the originator of this cake? I just read a legalese thing about Pinterest - that cake is all over Pinterest, and my niece made one, I wanted to give credit where credit is due ... are you the first to make it?
Thanks. - November 6, 2011 at 11:43 AM
- Tom/Tabitha said...
Dang, forget my kids' birthdays, I think we're making this for my birthday!
- November 11, 2011 at 9:02 AM
- Kristi said...
I love this idea and it would even be great with the red, white, and pink m&ms for Valentine's Day. Might have to make my hubby one. :)
~Kristi - February 7, 2012 at 4:05 PM
- Emily said...
I'm making this cake for MY Paige's 7th birthday!! She LOVES Kit kats and M&M's so I knew the minute I saw this cake that she would absolutely LOVE it!! I've never done a candy cake so it will be a fun surprise! Thanks so much for sharing!! :)
- February 25, 2012 at 12:45 AM
- Cheryl said...
I found this on this page! Oh yum!
https://www.facebook.com/PagesOfStuffToShare - April 26, 2012 at 11:48 AM
- Unknown said...
Looks so easy. Thanks for the recipe.
- November 25, 2014 at 8:25 PM
- Ali said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 7, 2015 at 12:36 PM
- Maggie said...
Instead of M & M's can I use chocolate dipped strawberrys?
- September 29, 2016 at 2:36 PM
- Maggie said...
Instead of M & M's can I top the kit Kat Cake with chocolate dipped strawberrys?
- September 29, 2016 at 2:41 PM


text:
NEW YORK: In the midst of the diabetes epidemic, a glimmer of good news: Heart attacks, strokes and other complications from the disease are plummeting.
HunzaNews April 17,2014
Over the last two decades, the rates of heart attacks and strokes among diabetics fell by more than 60 percent, a new federal study shows. The research also confirms earlier reports of drastic declines in diabetes-related kidney failure and amputations.
The drop is mainly attributed to better screening, medicines and care. The improvements came even as the number of U.S. adults with diabetes more than tripled in those 20 years.
"It is great news," said Dr. John Buse, a University of North Carolina diabetes specialist, of the drop in rates.
"The prognosis for folks with diabetes has improved dramatically over the last two decades, at least for those with good access to care," Buse said in an email. He was not involved in the study.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research is reported in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.
Diabetes is a disease in which sugar builds up in the blood. The most common form is tied to obesity, and the number of diabetics has ballooned with the rise in obesity. Today, roughly 1 in 10 U.S. adults has the disease, and it is the nation's seventh leading cause of death, according to the CDC.
The obese are already at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. But diabetics seem to have more narrowing of their blood vessels – a condition that can further foster those problems.
In the 1990s, key studies showed that diabetics could keep their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control. The research suggested that vision and heart problems, leg and foot amputations and other diabetes complications were not necessarily inevitable.
Meanwhile, insurance programs expanded coverage of blood sugar monitors and diabetes treatment. Gradually, larger numbers of diabetics were diagnosed earlier and with milder disease.
For the new study, the CDC tallied complication rates from 1990 to 2010 for diabetics ages 20 or older.
During that time, the heart attack rate fell 68 percent, from 141 to 45.5 per 10,000 diabetics, according to hospital records.
The decline was so great that, despite the growing ranks of diabetics, the actual number hospitalized with heart attacks dropped from more than 140,000 to about 136,000.
The stroke rate fell less dramatically – but still declined by more than half, finishing at 53 per 10,000. The heart attack and stroke rates for diabetics are essentially even now, lead author Edward Gregg noted.
The researchers saw declines in hearts attack and stroke rates for non-diabetics as well, but those improvements weren't nearly as big as they were for diabetics.
Amputation rates also fell by more than half. However, like strokes, the actual number increased over the two decades.
The growth in the number of diabetics "wiped out most of the gains" from the declining rates, so the number who ended up in the hospital for strokes or amputations swelled, said Dr. Robert Gabbay, of Boston's Joslin Diabetes Center.
The study also found that the rate of kidney failure dropped by 28 percent. But that wasn't true for all ages – the rate in those 65 and older actually increased, for reasons that aren't clear. That could be a sign diabetics are living longer – long enough to get kidney disease, Gregg speculated.
The researchers also looked at a less common complication, death caused by dangerous levels of blood sugar. The rate of such deaths dropped by 64 percent; the numbers also declined by 18 percent. In 2010, those deaths totaled 2,361.