Grow Up, “Baby Jesus”

Posted on June 27, 2011 by ericdjohnson

By Eric

Joe Mauer is a joke.

I know this to be true because in Bloomington there is a giant billboard for Kemps with a photo of Mr. Mauer. Driving past this billboard recently, my passenger (a non-baseball fan mind you) proclaimed, “Joe Mauer is a joke!” Quite emphatically, might I add.

She went on to say – because this conversation had been preceded by one about how delightful the little chocolate plug at the bottom of a drumstick ice cream treat is – she will never eat a drumstick again. A bold claim, indeed, but the point comes across loud and clear: “I will not eat a treat endorsed by Joe Mauer, no matter how delightful it is.”

Twins fan or not, the gauntlet is down. The love is lost.

Mauer has alienated himself from his teammates, his fans and the random Minnesotans who didn’t really care about him before. Now everyone just hates him.

Mere months ago it would’ve been hard to argue that Mauer wasn’t just the face of the Twins, but the face of the entire state. (Sorry, T-Paw.) Mauer was the homegrown stud with a heart of gold. He put up big numbers, and everybody loved him.

Now? He’s public enemy number one. The $23 million homegrown dud with legs made of those wrist slapper things that never curl when you want them to.

It used to be that Mauer could do no wrong. He hit. He threw. He charmed. Hell, girls pretended his sideburns were hot, even though nobody actually likes sideburns. And those Kemps commercials with his mom? They were the most adorable thing anyone had ever seen.

Now everyone is throwing Mauer under the bus. Jose Mijares called him out for poor pitch selection, and exactly zero people in the Twins organization come to Mauers defense. Ron Gardenhire even said he wishes Mauer would have called for a slider. (Granted, if Mijares really wanted to throw a slider, he could have shaken him off, but I digress.)

The most telling thing about the Mijares/Mauer flap wasn’t who was right and who was wrong, it was that nobody, and I mean nobody, in the Twins organization defended Mauer. Nobody has defended Mauer for months. The entire Twins organization has treated Mauer questions with complete and total apathy. Perhaps this is sign of frustration that Mauer wasn’t on the field, and the team just didn’t know how to answer the questions, or perhaps it is a sign that even the organization is questioning Mauer’s grit and determination.

The fans certainly are.

Mauer has a lot to prove at this point, and that is new territory for him. He’s always been the golden boy. Probably since the day he was born.

He’s the baby of the Mauer family and the most athletic. He was the best in high school, in the minors and, for awhile, in the majors. I’d venture to guess he’s been babied his entire life. Treated like a star. Given a $184 million contract like a star.

$23 million a year to be the best player on the Twins.

Being a $23 million player isn’t just about hitting .330, however. It’s about leading a team. Stepping up and playing at 90% when you’re body is feeling 75% healthy. You give up your right to “take it easy” when you sign on to be the franchise player. At $23 million you don’t get to take three months off unless something is broken or torn. You step up and lead the team by example.

Mauer has yet to do that, and it’s time for him to prove that he can.

It’s time for “Baby Jesus” to grow up.

Posted in Sports & Entertainment | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Beauty & Style: Vinegar – for more than Easter eggs

Posted on June 23, 2011 by nicollewestlund

By Nicolle

The last thing I need is a way to help me smell bad – I use natural deodorant so my stink quotient is higher than someone using an antiperspirant. But what I do need is a (cheap) toner that balances the PH of my skin.

Thanks to some digestive system issues, my skins been dry and flaky for months. The best I’ve been able to do is exfoliate daily, moisturize heavily and pray I don’t shed my skin like a snake while I sit in a work meeting.

Organic apple cider vinegar from Trader Joe's

Enter apple cider vinegar, my savior. Though it smells like Easter eggs and its fumes make my eyes water, it has transformed my skin in less than a week. I went from feeling like I had face dandruff to not needing to exfoliate every day just by incorporating ACV into my skincare routine (full disclosure – I’m also adding a teaspoon of AVC to 24 oz. of organic, not from concentrate apple juice every day and I’m pretty sure that’s helping).

I bought organic (sans chemicals, duh) apple cider vinegar from Trader Joe’s and I pour a little on a cotton pad and swipe carefully across my face right after I wash it. For those of you with oily skin, you may not even need a moisturizer afterwards (I still slick on my coconut oil as a follow-up). It can sting a little bit, especially if you have a blemish or two, so be aware. And don’t put it one right before you go to hot yoga or you’ll make the entire studio smell like an egg-dyeing facility (my rookie mistake).

Aside from working a small miracle on my skin, the price point is just right – under 4 bucks! You can’t beat that.

What do you use to balance your face out? Share in the comments below or shoot me an email at [email protected].

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Down the Aisle: What’s Really Important

Posted on June 22, 2011 by tktwincities

By Kristina

I have a friend whose father offered her $30,000. All she had to do was forgo her big, extravagant (read: expensive) wedding and get married on the beach with a small crowd instead.

Tough question, right? What would you do?

She chose the big wedding. And I was shocked. Think of what you could do with that kind of money. Pay off some debt, put a nice down payment on a house, invest it—the possibilities are endless.

So it got me thinking—are these huge, money-sucking weddings really worth it? Don’t get me wrong, I love beautiful weddings with amazing decorations, stunning floral arrangements, and mouth-watering dinner and cakes, but is it really worth spending thousands (or sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars for?

I understand that your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It should be special. But I feel like spending oodles and oodles of money makes the event more important than the whole reason you’re having it: the marriage.

The way I see it, a wedding should be about the couple, the marriage, and when you’re more concerned about impressing your guests with a glitzed out wedding with a hefty price tag, you’re losing sight of what’s really important.

I’m not saying you should just run to the courthouse and make it official (unless that’s what you, as a couple, truly want). But I do think you should make sure every penny you spend on your big day is spent for a reason, and with just you and your significant other in mind. This is your day. Not anyone else’s.

I would have gladly chosen a small beach wedding and $30,000 over a big, fancy wedding. Because I know that it’s a relationship that makes the marriage, not how expensive my dress was.

Posted in Down the Aisle | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A Little Less Rock in the Garden

Posted on June 21, 2011 by tktwincities

By Leah Metz

Looking back on Saturday’s Rock the Garden I’m full of mixed emotions. From the weather, to the crowd and even the line-up, this year’s performance paled in comparison to 2010. With Tapes n’ Tapes, Booker T. Jones, Neko Case and My Morning Jacket on the docket, I had  been convinced it was going to be a good time. And I did have fun, but for someone who’s been raving about Rock the Garden since last year, the negative attributes rose above the positives. So to be fair and not have this be a total downer, let me start with what worked.

The food was delicious. I gladly paid $14 to enjoy a gyro and a Summit Pale Ale that both certainly hit the spot. It was also amazing to hear Booker T. play his legendary song, Green Onions, but as only the 3rd song in his set, he should have saved it for the end, since it was the only song that most of the under-50 crowd reacted to. Finally, for some the rainy day was a blessing, leading to a thinned crowd and thus shorter lines for food, beer and bathrooms that were mostly pee-on-the-seat free.

Unfortunately to others, the drizzle set off the day on a disheartened note, bringing forth a less-than-enthusiastic crowd, who seemed more into the idea of going to Rock the Garden, rather than listening to the music. While standing atop the Walker hill, the masses looked like confetti in their blue, yellow and white ponchos, which is to say, their appearance was much more festive than their attitude. Not being one to let the weather foil my plans, I danced in the mud best I could but when thinking about the beautiful day that was the 2010 Rock the Garden, I got a little miffed at Mother Nature.

Weather and audience aside, this year’s lineup sounded great on paper. It was an eclectic grouping of musicians who individually are undeniably talented. Alas, when it came down to it, two of the three bands I saw fell short.  I missed Tapes n’ Tapes due to the downpour, and Booker T and Neko Case left me wanting more.  The only thing I really remember about Neko’s set was the giant white beard on the bassist. Her slow haunting song’s seemed to put an already calm crowd further into their standing sleep. I would have more enjoyed listening to her in a smaller venue, but at Rock the Garden it was too subdued and made me all the more antsy for My Morning Jacket to start.

Luckily, Jim James of MMJ took the stage with an energy that was contagious. Leaping and dancing around in his white furry boots and massive head of hair, the crowd went wild when presented with something to get excited for. It was a set mixed with enough old and new songs to keep the diehards happy and the newbie fans feeling included. In short, MMJ was the delicious desert after a blasé meal. And even though ending somewhat abruptly, without an encore, I still left the Walker with a blissful smile. But when all was said and done, the low-key lineup and 10 pm noise ordinance shutdown made this year’s show a little less rocking than the previous.

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Ten Things to Love About Minnesota Summers

Posted on June 20, 2011 by ericdjohnson

By Eric

10. The snow is gone. And if it isn’t, that’s quite the cause for alarm.

9. It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.

8. Thunderstorms are enjoyable. Plus you don’t have to shovel afterwards.

7. The Twins finally decide to start playing well come summer. It never translates to the fall, but I digress.

6. Sunlight deprived women overcompensate for the winter months by wearing the shortest shorts and tankiest tank tops possible.

5. “Going to the lake” is only enjoyable,  and the cold water gives you the stark reminder that, yes, this is still Minnesota.

4. Golf…it’s just always a good thing.

3. If your car gets stuck in something, it was probably your fault, and not a cold, wet, unpleasant act of God. Luckily you can feel your fingers and legs so fixing the problem is relatively easy.

2. Twins. Shirseys. Everywhere.

1. It really, really does get warm. I promise.

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Si Mangia Bene: And the Living is Easy

Posted on June 17, 2011 by tktwincities

By Doug

Lately it seems like if I’m not outside perched on a blanket, a few beers or wine in reach, surrounded by neighbors and friends, I’m inside huddled over my laptop scouring the food and wine blogs. I’ve become OBSESSED with the endless amount of amazing information available to foodies and wine-geeks alike on the social media outlets. Today I wanted to share a few goodies I’ve been intrigued by lately that you might find beneficial when shopping for the next BBQ.

Photo by Patiodaddiobbq.com

Grilled Salad

My world was at first shattered when my mother, a strict vegetarian, began toting her love of a new grilled salad recipe. It wasn’t until I actually tried what she was talking about that I joined her ranks.  My life-long image of salad was that of a light, fresh, and refreshing starter that led to grander dishes. Pleasantly converted, I enjoyed the salad-spin along side a nice cut of steak. It’s not the exact replica but this little article from the Seattle Times just about sums up how I feel about Grilled Salad. And if you are brave enough to attempt it at your next bbq, perhaps with a little practice, you might stun your guests who have yet to discover its charm.

Mango Salsa

‘Hot’ foods at most restaurants bore me, unless of course it is Thai or some Mexican. Salsa or hot sauce typically plays a role in many of my weekly meals. Last summer when my mint was growing like the weed it can be I happened to stumble upon some gorgeous Mangoes and attempted my first ever fruit-based-salsa. I’m a big fan of experimentation and the ingredients included Habaneros, Salt, Lime Juice, Mango, Mint, Cilantro and Jalapenos, all blended in a Magic Bullet. I added some chunks of Mango at the end for texture. If you are more of a recipe type person, this looks to be simple and perfect.

Ginger Beer

Ever since I had some divine Ginger brew at the Minnesota Monthly Food and Wine Show (See my previous post here) I’ve been dying to try crafting my own. I figured it couldn’t be that hard and I am an avid home-brewer so when I saw this link yesterday I decided this weekend is a better time than ever to give it a whirl. With a little planning you can have a crisp, spicy, non-alcoholic mixer or sipper that will make you the talk of the neighborhood.

Even though I just provided a drink recipe that would go good with any summer food, I can’t stress enough the perfection that is Vinho Verde for summer drinking. Try some, and thank me later. Cheers!

What kind of unique dishes or drinks do you love sharing with guests at a BBQ? Do you have helpful hints for the recipe’s I mentioned? What are some of your favorite go to dishes for summer time? Please leave comments to your heart’s content or email me at [email protected].

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