A typical late January afternoon finds me catching up with the news and then watching Food Network.  I saw the commercial for the new reality series ‘Recipe to Riches’ where they asked “Do you have a recipe worth $ 250,000.”?  I immediately thought of my Chicken Grenades, I went to the website and filled out the application.  While barbecuing an hour later, I received a phone call from the Food Network to discuss my application and schedule a telephone interview for the following day.

John Grass

 

It seems like such a long time ago but yet time has passed so quickly. Every day I would think about the show, how it went, what happened and the fact that I was unable to share the outcome: I had won my category, $ 25,000., and would have my recipe debut as a President’s Choice product at my local Superstore and across the country. The rules of the show prohibit many things…..including sharing the results with anyone!! 

• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chili pepper powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 unit boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 500 g
• 1 package sliced havarti cheese 170 g
• 1 package sodium-reduced bacon 500 g
• 1/2 cup drained pickled jalapeño slices
• 2 tablespoons apple jelly
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper jelly

Directions

1. In small bowl, stir together paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, chipotle powder, oregano, thyme and garlic powder. Measure out ¼ cup (50 mL) to use in grenades. Store remaining in tightly covered jar.
2. Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil.
3. Cut chicken breasts lengthwise into thin slices, about 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick. Set aside. Cut cheese slices into strips the same width as bacon slices. Lightly dust another baking sheet with 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the spice rub. Place half of bacon slices on baking sheet, side by side. Top each bacon slice with a chicken strip and a cheese strip. Place one jalapeño ring at one end of each; roll into pinwheels. Secure each with a toothpick. Redust baking sheet with another 2 tbsp (25 mL) spice rub and repeat with remaining bacon, chicken, cheese and jalapeño rings.
4. Stand grenades up on foil-lined baking sheet (not on their sides). Bake in centre of oven for 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in 1 cup (250 mL) glass measuring cup, combine two jellies; microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until melted. Remove grenades from oven and brush with jelly mixture. Either return to oven for 10 minutes longer or transfer to barbecue preheated to medium heat to crisp for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

Enjoy and don’t forget to vote!!  Good luck!

If you haven’t seen this amazing humourous snowblower kijiji ad you need to read this now. This snowblower ad on Kijiji goes viral!

Do you like shoveling snow? Then stop reading this and go back to your pushups and granola because you are not someone that I want to talk to.

Let’s face it, we live in a place that attracts snow like Magnetic Hill attracts cars, only that ain’t an illusion out there. That’s 12 inches of snow piling up and, oh, what’s that sound? Why it’s the snow plow and it’s here to let you know that it hates you and all the time you spent to shovel your driveway. Did you want to get out of your house today? Were you expecting to get to work on time? Or even this week?

You gave it your best shot. You tried to shovel by yourself and I respect you for that. I did it, my parents did it, some of my best friends did it. But deep down inside, we all wanted to murder that neighbor with the snowblower who was finished and on his second beer while you were still trying to throw snow over a snowbank taller than you are.

So, here we are. You could murder your neighbour, which could ensure that you won’t need to shovel a driveway for 25 to life, but there are downsides to that too. What to do?

Here’s the deal. I have a snow blower and I want you to own it. I can tell you’re serious about this. It’s like I can almost see you: sitting there, your legs are probably crossed and your left hand is on your chin. Am I right? How’d I do that? The same way that I know that YOU ARE GOING TO BUY THIS SNOWBLOWER.

I want you to experience the rush that comes with smashing through a snowdrift and blowing that mother trucker out of the way. The elation of seeing the snow plow come back down your street and watching the look of despair as your OTHER neighbour gets his shovel out once more while you kick back with a hot cup of joe (you don’t have a drinking problem like that other guy).

Here’s what you do. You go to the bank. You collect $900. You get your buddy with a truck and you drive over here. You give me some cold hard cash and I give you a machine that will mess up a snowbank sumthin’ fierce. I’ve even got the manual for it, on account of I bought it brand new and I don’t throw that kind of thing away. Don’t want to pay me $900? Convince me. Send me an offer and I’ll either laugh at you and you’ll never hear back from me or I’ll counter.

You want a snow blower. You need a snow blower.

This isn’t some entry level snow blower that is just gonna move the snow two feet away. This is an 11 HP Briggs and Stratton machine of snow doom that will cut a 29 inch path of pure ecstasy. And it’s only 4 years old. I dare you to find a harder working 4 year old. My niece is five and she gets tired and cranky after just a few minutes of shoveling. This guy just goes and goes and goes.

You know what else? I greased it every year to help keep the water off it and the body in as good as shape as possible. It’s greasier than me when I was 13, and that’s saying something.

You know how many speeds it has? Six forward and two in reverse. It goes from “leisurely” slow up to “light speed”. Seriously, I’ve never gone further than five because it terrifies me. I kid you not, you could probably commute to work with it dragging you.

You know what else is crappy about clearing snow in the morning? That you have to do it in the dark. Well, not anymore! It has a halogen headlight that will light your way like some kind of moveable lighthouse (only better, because lighthouses won’t clear your driveway).

Oh, and since it’s the 21st century, this snow blower comes with an electric starter. Just plug that sucker in, push the button, and get ready to punch snow in the throat. If you want to experience what life was like in olden days, it comes with a back-up cord you could pull to start it, but forget that. The reason you’re getting this fearsome warrior was for the convenience, so why make it harder on yourself?

By this point, you’re probably wondering why I would sell my snowblower since the first snowpocalypse is upon us today. I’ll tell you why: because I heard it was time for you to man up and harness some mighty teeth and claws and chew your way to freedom, that’s why.

This is my snow blower. Make it your snow blower.

 

UPDATE – I assure you that the snowblower is real, and it is still available.  Do not despair if you have made an offer on this glorious tribute to man’s triumph over nature and I have not responded yet, your time has yet to come.

Weh-Ming Cho has yet to sell his snowblower but he has received many replies to his Kijiji ad. He even received a tweet from Kijiji on Twitter that he is in the running for the most hits ever on a Kijiji ad. It didn’t take long before all the people across the Moncton area and also across the world started sharing this on Facebook and Twitter. Weh-Ming has received everything from date offers, job offers but has yet to sell his snowblower. Through his writing style marketing firms would be pleases to have him join their team through is unique approach to selling items.

We wish Weh-Ming Cho best of luck selling his snowblower with his Kijiji ad and we thank him for brightening our day with a little laugh when the weather outside wasn’t the greatest. This is by far the most humourous ad ever on Kijiji!

Movember first began in Melbourne Australia and has now grown worldwide with nearly 1.1 million people helping support the awareness, education and research towards prostate cancer. In 2010 nearly 119,000 Canadians participated in Movember and showed their support for a great cause. In Canada men and women helped raise 22.3 million dollars. Since Movember first started back in 2003 people worldwide have raised over 176 million dollars.

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research

To all those Canadians who participated in Movember November 1st this year, congratulations! It’s through everyone’s efforts where we all can make a difference. Remember when prostate cancer is caught early men have a greater chance for treatment. This Movember movement for men’s health worldwide is making a difference and saving lives. If you haven’t joined for Movember this year, you can always donate to show your support for prostate cancer research. You don’t have to be a participant in order to show your support, donations is another way you can help contribute towards a great cause.

All funds raised by Movember is used to support Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation. Prostate Cancer Canadauses the Movember funds for the development of programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy and support of those affected, as well as research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.

If you are looking for a great article to read about prostate cancer I urge you all to read this article at A Mother’s Thoughts – Support Prostate Cancer Reasearch – Grow A Moustache For Movember. If your a man asking yourself the following questions, you need to read this:

1. What is prostate cancer?
2. How old should you be when you start getting your prostate checked?
3. What are the warning signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?
4. How often should you get checked for prostate cancer?
5. What increases your chance of getting prostate cancer?
6. Is there a treatment and cure for prostate cancer?
7. What are some ways to prevent prostate cancer in men?

If you don’t know the answers to the questions above, go read the article above or schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor. Check in, don’t check out! Be proactive and not reactive. Prostate cancer is treatable if caught early, so do yourself a favour and get checked today!

Last night on Cover Me Canada, Melanie Morgan was saved by getting the most votes and highest social media score. It was the end of the road for Ali Milner and her band. Regardless Ali Milner is an amazing artist and will be sure to have success in her singing career. The path may have ended but the possibilities that have opened up for her while being on the show are endless.

Everyone here in the Moncton, Shediac and Cap-Pele area are extremely excited for Melanie Morgan as she gets this much closer to bringing it home for the East Coast. We all wish Melanie and her band best of luck next week in the season finale of Cover Me Canada. Lets be sure we all vote for Melanie Morgan next week as she looks to win Cover Me Canada.

On the night of October 9th Amber Kirwan left Dooly’s at around 1:30am to meet up with her boyfriend, Mason Campbell. This was the last time she was seen. After leaving Dooly’s she failed to meet up with her boyfriend.

RCMP have the area blocked off while they conduct their search and investigation where the remains of Amber Kirwan were found. This is a sad day for the family of Amber and her death has everyone deeply saddened. Many Facebook Pages have been set up where people are expressing their condolences and reactions of the news of the death of Amber Kirwan. She was just 19 years old. Our condolences goes out to her family.

Ian Fowler was the General Manager of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture in Moncton. His sudden death has been a shock to many and will be a great loss for the City of Moncton. It has been known that he was ill but his death was sudden.

Throughout the years he was great at what he did. He has brought huge Economic growth to Moncton. There has been many rumours lately that there was a Madonna Concert coming to Moncton but there was no confirmation of this. Ian Fowler will be missed and our condolences goes out to his family.

Remember November is Prostate Awareness & Research Month

Support Prostate Cancer Research – Grow A Moustache For Movember

Movember is when men grow moustaches to show their support for prostate cancer research.

Maple Leaf bought Hub Meat Packers in February of 2000 from David Rinzler who opened the plant in 1966. Michael McCain, President of Maple Leaf, originally bought Hub Meat Packers to be more competitive in their market. No changes were expected to occur.

In 2000 Maple Leaf Foods shut down the kill floor at Hub Meat Packers and more workers lost their jobs. Then in 2008 Maple Leaf Foods plants were linked to a listeria outbreak which many people got sick and some were even killed. This was traced to machinery not being cleaned properly and which cost Maple Leaf millions of dollars.

Over the years we can see the changes and challenges Maple Leaf has faced. The decision to close Hub Meat Packers wasn’t done overnight and every possible way was ultimately looked into. Maple Leaf also plans on shutting down 6 more processing facilities and 4 distribution centres. A total of 1550 people are expected to lose their job.

Hub Meat Packers is expected to close it’s doors by 2014. Micheal McCains understands that this is a difficult time for workers learning of the news but it’s necessary to be able to compete in today’s market. Maple Leaf plans on doing everything they can in helping those who will lose their job as a result of the closure of Hub Meat Packers.

Great White Sharks have always been a passion of mine. I use to do school projects when I was younger all about sharks. Here is something very interesting. Did you know that the Great White Shark can smell a drop of blood from over a mile away? Interesting eh! I learned something the other day is that Great White Sharks are now endangered. There is believed to be around 3500 Great White Sharks remaining. Apparently after the Jaws movies debut many people went out and fished sharks tremendously. This resulted in a quick decline of Great White Sharks.

The recent baby Great White Shark that was caught in a fishing net of a fisherman is believed to be around 7 years old. Yes it interesting to see one around here but there are many sharks already out there. I use to go lobster fishing when I was younger and the crew I went with use to fish Mako Sharks whish can be 12 – 14 feet long. Yes they look scary. Also there are tons of dog sharks out there that don’t grow very long 18″ to 24″ long maybe. These small ones are nothing to worry about. I always say to my family and friends that the waters are all connected, besides the temperature difference what is really stopping sharks from travelling?? The waters are warming as a result of global warming so does this mean that other species of sharks could come this way? Could this be more normal to see in the future? This Great White Shark is not the first nor will it be the last. It’s just not common to see one thats all.

Did you know that in 1988 David McKendrick of Alberton West Prince caught a female Great White Shark off the Coast of Prince Edward Island, PEI, tha measured 6.1 metres long, 20.3 feet long, largest recorded in Canadian water according to the Canadian Shark Research Centre. Look at the photos below of the Great White Shark. Do you really know what’s in the waters when you go to the beach???

What do you think, amazing eh? Photos are from JawShark.com Check this next one out!

I don’t know about you but I’ll think twice next time I go swimming!

Do you think we”ll’ see more Great White Sharks around here so close to home? What do you think of Global warming and the impact it has on sharks travelling great distances. Share your stories and thoughts!

Fred Prosser stands accused of murdering is ex-girlfriend and mother of his two children. Many people went to the court room wearing the purple shirts in memory of Sabrina Patterson. The defence attorney thought it was a way of intimidating his client. The judge unfortunately agreed and has since banned them from court.

Many people believe that this is just a way of showing their support to Sabrina Patterson’s family. It’s a way of remembering the loved one that was taken way too early. It’s sad that people can’t wear this in memory.

Do you think the judge was right in ordering the ban of the shirts from the court room. Share your thoughts and views.

You may have seen on Sunday that the snowbanks are considerably smaller then they use to be. With this rain it will help motorist driving through the city as snowbanks have been a major safety concern for many people. It makes it very difficult and hard to see around street corners with those large snowbanks. I for one know all about it as I was struck by a vehicle last week while driving to work. With all this rain coming it will help for safer driving for sure but would you rather have snow or rain?

Rain sounds much better for me as spring will be here sooner and all that snow will be gone before you know it! Some however would much rather have snow as the concern for melting snow too fast will cause flooding in home owners basements. We’ll soon see how the effects of this latest rain storm impacted home owners and the city of Moncton.

What does this say for Moncton? Could it possibly be that spring is around the corner? Could winter be possibly over and no more snow for Moncton? Only time will tell but for the meantime keep your umbrella close to you as there’s much more rain to come for Moncton!