What defines a successful man? Is it financial status and prestige? On the other hand, is it using your God-given talents to make a difference in the lives of others? For former professional football player and actor Dexter Clay, it is leaving the world a better place than he found it.

Many people dream of one day having their names in the bright lights, but few realize those dreams. Clay is one of the few individuals who experienced the pros and cons of both Hollywood and professional sports, before dedicating his life to inspiring others by writing motivational books such as KatyNation.

“We often look toward those whom we have elevated to idol status for support, like professional athletes. In reality, the real power of a community is the community itself,” Clay explains.

While playing softball, Clay received an invitation to attend the Houston Sports Writers luncheon by his coach Joe Spiegel. At the luncheon, Clay met Houston Oilers wide receiver coach King Hill who offered him a personal tryout. Impressed by Clay’s athletic ability, the Oilers offered him a two-year contract.

Unfortunately, one week before training camp Clay fractured his left index finger and had to compete for a roster spot at a clear disadvantage. Oilers coach Bum Phillips placed him on waivers and the New York Jets picked him up.

“The next year I found myself two weeks before training camp with the New York Jets. I fell through a moon roof, breaking my wrist and big toe and bruising two ribs. The Sunday before the Denver (Broncos) game, the Turk came knocking on my door.”

Clay finished his professional career playing for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL.

He next found himself in Hollywood living out of a pickup truck, while working at a Beverly Hills restaurant. Nine days after walking away from the restaurant job, he ended up on the set of “Star Trek the Next Generation,” and received his first acting job.

Clay’s meteoric rise from homeless to Hollywood is perhaps what motivated him to become active in the homeless community.

“While in Los Angeles, I was the Executive Director of the National Homeless Plan. There are over 300,000 homeless men, women, and children in and around the Los Angeles area. We once rallied to bring attention to our cause. Our only resistance was the city riot police,” Clay explains.

The former actor and athlete recently left Los Angeles, and has been back in Houston for over a year working on the inspirational story of the Katy High School football program in his new book KatyNation. Katy, Tex. is a small community west of Houston.

Clay believes readers will see themselves in his latest book.

“They will see the development and the history of a small town that has found a way to become a community of champions. KatyNation is the history of a once-small community, more than it is a look back at America,” the author says.

Dexter Clay says he focused on the Katy football program because it gives a blueprint to other programs on how to be successful. He believes it gives others common denominators that they can follow to be successful on the football field, as well as in life.

Anticipation for Clay’s book has been so great that it has received interests from film companies hoping to take the story to the big screen. Clay’s management team is now reviewing contracts.

“To have a movie production deal on the table, even before the book is released, is quite frankly unheard of. This is the opportunity that I find myself blessed with,” says Clay.

And, unlike many who find themselves the recipient of countless blessings, Dexter Clay is determined to pass those blessings on to others. He is adamant about using his gifts to better the lives of others, especially those who are less fortunate.

Clay uses the power of words to inspire those around him, because he knows how it feels to succeed against all odds, and his mission in life is to see all succeed despite the obstacles.

Todd Smith is the web master for Regal Mag The preeminent Online Magazine for African American Men

The day after Thanksgiving is a tradition like no other in New Orleans. Automobiles are backed up for miles along Interstate 10, as college football fans make their way to the French Quarter to enjoy the annual Bayou Classic showdown between Grambling State and Southern.

The lobby of the Hyatt Hotel is chaotic as Gramblingnites and Southernites stand in line to claim their hotel reservations, paying hundreds of dollars to be in the center of all the excitement.

Frat brothers and sorority sisters reminisce about the good old days, as it becomes apparent to causal observers that this weekend is more of a family reunion than a simple football game.

College students pack the Louisiana Superdome that Friday night for the Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, and the weekend culminates that Saturday for the main event between the Jaguars and Tigers. Many spectators make a fashionably late entrance prior to the halftime show, to show off their fancy outfits and mink coats.

After the game, visitors pack Bourbon and Canal as children tap dance on the corner and local jazz musicians bless the tourists with harmonic melodies.

The annual Bayou Classic, televised annually by NBC, became a reality because of Grambling’s iconic coach Eddie Robinson who recently passed away at the age of 88. Robinson receives credit for popularizing the classic, when he took the Grambling show on the road in an effort to reach their fan base, which was scattered across the country.

During his 57-year coaching career, he won 408 games and sent more than 200 players to the professional ranks. At the time of his retirement in1997, Robinson held the most wins by a coach in NCAA football history. The Robinson tenure produced 21 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and 13 Black college national titles.

“There is no question that Eddie Robinson was a figure that was larger than life for most African American young men of that era,” University of Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said.

Robinson began his legendary Grambling career in 1941, leaving behind a 25 cent an hour job in a feed mill to pursue coaching at what was then know as The Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute.

Coach Rob, as he was affectionately known, had to make sandwiches for his players because they were not allowed to eat in restaurants during the era of segregation. Despite the hostility that he endured during those turbulent times, he remained patriotic and positive.

“Nobody in America, not even the President—there ain’t nobody out there that can out-American Eddie Robinson. He loved to wave that flag,” said former Grambling quarterback Doug Williams.

Williams became one of hundreds to go from Grambling to the gridiron of the National Football League. The legendary quarterback would go on to become the first African American quarterback to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. Former Grambling star Paul “Tank” Younger became the first NFL player from a historically Black college.

However, Robinson was much more than a football coach. He was a father figure to many of his players who never had a strong male influence in their life. Grambling followers remember him for spending as much time with players headed to corporate America as those who had potential for a professional career.

“I remember Coach really, really concerned about graduating his players, preparing them for life. He’d come around with that cowbell every morning getting everyone up to go to class, go to church,” said a former player.

Because of Grambling’s success on the field during the Robinson era, many young African Americans who probably never dreamed of attending college began dreaming of one day becoming a Grambling State Tiger.

Robinson’s success on the sideline also opened up doors for future generations of Black coaches whose journey became easier because of Coach Rob.

“To me he was like the Martin Luther King of football. I have never seen him angry, derogatory toward any opponent or team that he played against,” said former Jackson State football coach W.C. Gordon.

In a year when America celebrated Tony Dungy’s Super Bowl achievement and the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier, America pays homage to the other iconic Robinson in American history. Thank you Coach Rob for the vision you had for young Black men and the rich legacy that you left behind for us to emulate. We will continue your dream and we will remember our dreams are now a reality because of your sacrifice and dedication. Thank you!

Todd Smith is the web master for Regal Mag The preeminent Online Magazine for African American Men

Basketball does not just have to be strictly rule regulated play on an indoor wooden court. There are actually many different variations on the game that bring basketball to a whole new level.

Variety is one of the things that makes basketball such a popular sport. With all the ways to play the game it is no wonder that people all over the world are playing the game. That’s true no matter who they are, how old they are or what limitations they may physically have.

Game Variation 1: Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball, as the name suggests, is played in wheelchairs. The chairs are specially designed so they move quickly and easily down the court. They also are made so players can be agile, much like players in traditional basketball.

Wheelchair basketball is a serious sport that is regulated by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).

Game Variation 2: Water Basketball

Water basketball, again as the name suggests, is played in water. It can be recreational or as a team regulated sport. In water basketball the rules are a little different. The rules for water basketball combine rules for traditional court basketball and water polo. There is, obviously, no dribbling involved in water basketball.

Game Variation 3: Beach Basketball

Beach basketball is played on the beach and is quite different than other types of basketball. It is not as strict and much more of a physical game than basketball.

Beach basketball is played on a circular court with no backboard on the hoop. There is no dribbling because it is too difficult on the sand. The ball is moved down the court instead by passing or 2

Just when critics of professional athletes had all of them, such as Pacman Jones, stereotyped as thugs and hoodlums, police in Las Vegas and Seattle dropped a bombshell on haters of the future Dallas Cowboys cornerback.

According to the Associated Press, Adam “Pacman” Jones paid extortion money to Arvin Kenti Edwards, 29, of Renton, Wash. who allegedly opened fire at a strip club and paralyzed an employee during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 19, 2007 in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas police said the two briefly met outside the club after Jones incited a melee. Shortly after the two parted ways, the alleged gunman fired shots towards the club.

According to the police, someone contacted Jones about a week later and ordered him to pay “hush money” or the alleged perpetrator would “go after Jones, his mother and daughter.”

“Jones pleaded no contest Dec. 6 in Las Vegas to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct in a plea deal that reduced two felony charges of coercion, which each carried a possible sentence of one to six years in prison,” according to the A.P. “In return, he agreed to tell police what he knew about the gunman. Jones never acknowledged any role in the shooting.”

Subsequently, National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell for the Las Vegas incident and past transgressions suspended the newly acquired Cowboys cornerback. Jones is currently seeking reinstatement into the league.

If the recent developments are true, did Jones really do anything that warranted such harsh treatment from the league?

In hindsight, many people would have responded the same way if their families were threatened.

Often, we see athletes and entertainers involved in extracurricular activity and many critics are so quick to “jump on the bandwagon” and paint them all with one big brush.

In reality, when many haters see them, they instantly see dollar signs, and consequently they will do anything to extort money out of them because of jealousy.

Some absurd critics, like Skip Bayless of ESPN, have even stated that athletes should stay in their house at all times except to practice their trade, because he believes giving up your entire life is just a consequence of fame and fortune.

When the late Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins was murdered in his Florida home, reporters scrutinized his checkered past and falsely believed that his death had something to do with the mistakes he made in the past.

However, the alleged perpetrators had been invited to the house by one of Taylor’s family members and believed he would be an easy target for robbery.

For days his family, friends and teammates watched as his reputation was dragged through the mud by reporters eager to print an interesting story. Despite the adversity, his family members held their heads high as their loved-one endured persecution for being a victim of a senseless crime that could have claimed the life of anyone of us.

When Durham, N.C. police arrested three Duke University lacrosse players for the alleged sexual assault of an exotic dancer, the media and public quickly painted them as a bunch of snobbish elitist who believed they could get away with “murder” simply because of who they were.

The public later discovered that the young woman fabricated the entire story and District Attorney Mike Nifong withheld evidence to gain favor with the Black community of Durham, N.C. as he sought reelection.

Is Jones that latest victim of a society that is so quick to judge those with more financial means than the average American?

Truthfully, many athletes and entertainers are no different from the average American. They were willing to do anything to make a better life for them and their family. Unfortunately, many haters are also willing to do anything to take that livelihood away from them.

Todd Smith is the web master for Regal Mag The preeminent Online Magazine for African American Men

What Is Creatine?

Creatine monohydrate is a compound made by the human body and is also a component of our everyday diets to gain muscle. The main sources are fish, meat and poultry. Creatine is found in any foods containing animal muscle.

The typical western diet contains about 1 gram of creatine per day, other then vegetarians who consume next to none. Our body doesn’t receive sufficient amounts of creatine just from the food we eat. Creatine is produced in the liver, pancreas and kidneys, and is transported to the body’s muscles through the bloodstream. About 95% of our body’s stores are found in the skeletal muscle, and our daily turnover adds up to around 2grams.

When Creatine is transferred to the muscle it is transformed into creatine phosphate with amounts varying from person to person. This high-powered metabolite is used to regenerate the muscles main energy source, ATP. When you do heavy exercise your levels of ATP drop rapidly and creatine is responsible for restoring the levels of ATP.

Why Take It?

Creatine is one of the most researched supplements of all. It all began in 1992 Barcelona Olympics when numerous British athletes supplementing creatine said it was what made them so successful. Word of mouth is not enough to prove that creatine improves performance. A lot of research was then conducted on creatine. The studies showed the intake of high doses of creatine over a number of days, increased the levels of creatine and creatine phosphate found in muscles. Since then much more research has been completed, with the agreement being that creatine supplements increase muscle creatine, hence improving exercise captivity and performance.

What Does Creatine Supplementation Do?

Creatine is one of the more popular supplements amongst bodybuilders. When it comes to building muscle creatine is your best mate.

1. Provides Energy For Your Muscles

ATP is the body’s source of explosive energy. Your body also obtains energy from carbohydrates, but it takes a much longer period of time to become a usable energy source. So when the body is in need of energy fast it turns to it’s sources of ATP. ATP can provide a huge burst of energy to your muscles fast but can last as little as 15 seconds; this is where the creatine kicks in. When ATP sources are depleted you are left with ADP, which is basically useless for exercise. The Creatine phosphate reacts with the ADP to turn it into ATP. So creatine takes a useless chemical and turns it into a useable energy (ATP).

2. Enhances Protein Synthesis

Creatine allows your body to stay in a higher anabolic state for longer, therefore allowing more rapid lean muscle growth.

3. Increases Muscle Volume

Creatine increases the water retention of muscles. In some cases during the first few weeks of supplementing with creatine, users can put on kilograms of weight, called water weight. This makes your muscles appear larger.

4. Acts As A Lactic Acid Buffer

Lactic Acid builds up in the muscles being stimulated during heavy training. New studies show that creatine can act as a buffer towards lactic acid therefore delaying the build up of lactic acid.

How To Supplement With Creatine

There are two methods of supplementing with creatine to obtain muscle saturation. There is still debate to which method is best.

1) Loading/Maintenance Method

This the most common way of commencing creatine supplementation. The first 5 days are known as the loading phase. During this period you take a dosage of 20-30grams of creatine per day, this rapidly saturates the muscles with creatine. The second phase is the “maintenance” phase. Now that the muscles are saturated with creatine all you have to do is maintain it. A dosage of 3-10grams per day is efficient.

2) Gradual Intake Method

This method skips the loading phase and allows for gradual muscle saturation. Eventually this will achieve the same result, but in a longer period of time.

More research has gone into creatine over the years and a new product has emerged, Creatine Ethyl Ester. Regular Creatine monohydrate is absorbed poorly by the body and its effectiveness is dependent upon the cells ability to absorb it. The poor absorption rate of creatine monohydrate requires the user to ingest copious dosages of creatine to achieve desired effect “Loading Phase”

Creatine monohydrate is semilipopholic. This means that it uses fat as a transport system inefficiently. The esterification of substances will increase their lipopholic abilities, therefore, esterified creatine will use fat more efficiently to penetrate the cell wall and exert its effects upon cellular function. This means, simply, that not only will dosage requirements be lower, but the absorption of esterified creatine will be increased.

Many athletes have “off periods” where they stop taking creatine altogether, although it is not necessary. Normally 6 weeks on 2 weeks off, athletes believe better results are achieved in doing so. It is recommended to go by manufacturers label recommendations.

Dangers and Side Effects

Some agencies have issued health warnings regarding creatine supplementation. However others have disputed this and blamed it on a misunderstanding of animal studies. Some mild side effects have been reported like dehydration and stomach aches, but these can be prevented by drinking enough water. There is no long term side effects reported to date and there have not been enough studies into long term side effects to indicate any damage. To date there is no evidence that creatine supplementation in healthy people will pose any problems. The important point to remember is, like any supplement, only take what you need, don’t abuse it. Tripling creatine dosages will not achieve triple the results!

Other Creatine Questions and Myths:

Do creatine supplements effect hormone levels? No

Is creatine a type of steroid? No

Does creatine make you fat? No

Do I need to cycle creatine supplements? No, it’s up to you.

Is creatine safe for pregnant women? Consult your doctor.

Is creatine a stable solution? No. Mix it up and drink immediately.

Are creatine supplements ok for vegetarian use? Absolutely

Copyright 2008, Masszymes Inc. All rights reserved.

Join and tens of thousands of dedicated natural bodybuilders on the quest to achieving freaky big gains without steroids. Go to http://bodybuilding.freakygrowth.com and you’ll learn some amazing secrets about bodybuilding, muscle-building supplementation, bodybuilding and much more. Take action NOW!

Let us ferry first to the Tropics for basic build up and bodybuilding nutrition. You are sitting in the middle of 45,000 acres of jungle woodland, littered with teeming plant life, perhaps a multitude of shimmering pot-herbs, vile ivy-like creeping albizzas, exotic magic mushrooms waiting to be evacuated and robust pomegranates, Umeboshi plums twinkling with decadent aroma. How to discover and arrange permutations of this bounty for healthy muscle gain, a life-time of freaky big muscles plus most importantly, a top of the feeling balance of the mind? How is this the business of the conscious grocery picker in Manitoba?

In the following sections, we will be having a 3 step-by-step discussion of how to catch the wind in your diet, put on fine and calming nerves during your workouts, produce terrific anti-bodies and maintain a healthy balance of body P.H.

The first step would be to set apart the functional qualities in say your vegan diet from its mere nutritional value. This is to isolate in your diet functions which server more than a mere supply of the basic ingredients of what you need to efficiently drive your metabolism. To include functional foods in your diet would mean to include foods that target specific functions in the body.

A functional food may also be one from which components have been removed, such as harmful saturated fatty acids. For instance, beneficial organic compounds produced almost exclusively by members of the Leguminosae (bean) family can now be extracted from Soya and added to products designed to help reduce osteoporosis (a bone disease) and as well promote cardiovascular health.

Same for some commercially produced extracts of garlic bulb which specifically promotes the build up of healthy fats and promotes circulation of blood to the muscles and the brain. Also, some specialty teas such as roobios (Aspalathus Linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia Intermedia), two tea species widely grown in South Africa are rich in antioxidant flavonoids-substances which boost immunity to allergies, viruses and cancer.

Put in a more straightforward manner, in a single meal of periwinkles ( a miniature kind of clam) gathered from the littoral waters of the Atlantic coasts of West Africa, one could crave its meaty juice for their rich protein content while adoring the chitin enriching flakes made from the shell. Chitin specifically enhances muscular agility and superb nervous co-ordination so that you can fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee and prance with the awesome lithe agility of a Manx cat. Well, the meaty juice of the periwinkle, all good for the packs but the chitin richness of the shell, good for those exclusive Harta Yoga stunts.

The second step would be to access the psycho-pharmacological value of your diet, which also serves different purposes other than the functional value of your diet. Staying in a strong capable body also involves cultivating stable and balanced mental and emotional environments.

The Ayurverdic nutritionist tradition of the Indian civilization holds that food beyond supplying you with the calories, vitamins and proteins, should enhance your bouyant humors states of well being. Your buoyant humors would reflect in your sense of timing during a workout, how effortlessly you are able to satisfy the mental demands of physical exercises, a state of relaxation as you relate with your partner(s) and the exuberance of the emotional colors or vibrations you exude during these moments.

In the Ayurverdic nutritionist tradition of Indian Civilization, vegetarian diets like that of the Soma plant supply you with the “Tapas”: motivating immeasurable bouts of energy that allow you to accomplish your tasks while at the same time giving you etheogenous radiance.

The third and final step we will be discussing as so to do with incorporating some degree of body PH measurement into your diet. The basic head on this has to do with shifting your body’s PH towards the Alkaline. The PH scale is from 0 to 14, with numbers ranging from 0 to 7 acidic (low in oxygen) and numbers above 7 and through to 14 alkaline. Acidic bodies are sickness magnets.

While there are no strict rules as to combining acidic foods and alkaline foods, it is advisable that a great percentage of the food one consumes should come from the alkalines. I will run a cute list of some acidic and alkaline foods though it is by no means exhaustive.

Alkalizing Vegetables: Alfalfa, barley grass, beets, beet greens, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard greens, chlorella, collard greens, egg plant.

Acidic Vegetables: Corn, lentils, olives, winter squash.

Alkalizing Fruits: Apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackberries, cantaloupe, dried dates.

Acidic Fruits: Cranberries, currant, blueberries, canned or glazed fruit

Alkalizing Proteins: Almonds, chestnuts, millet, tempeh (fermented), Tofu (fermented).

Acidic Proteins:Bacon, beef, carp, clams, cod, fish, haddock, lamb, lobster.

Bodybuilding nutrition such as getting a correct proportion of alkaline foods that suits your body’s needs is important to maintaining a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle. So remember, arrange your diet for a super combo mix of functionality, psycho-pharmacological values and a healthy PH balance.

Copyright 2008, Masszymes Inc. All rights reserved.

Join and tens of thousands of dedicated natural bodybuilders on the quest to achieving freaky big gains without steroids. Go to http://bodybuilding.freakygrowth.com and you’ll learn some amazing secrets about bodybuilding, muscle-building supplementation, bodybuilding and much more. Take action NOW!

We all know that exercise helps us to lose weight, look and feel younger. However, it is very important when you are working out doing any exercise that you can feel the exercise working on your body.

Let me try to explain what I mean by that. If you are lifting weights, for example - and your only intention is just to lift weights because you read it in some book that lifting weight will help you burn fat, then you really are not understanding why lifting weights can help your body to look and perform better.

On the other hand, when you sit down to lift weight and rather than trying to do multiple repetitions fast, you actually lift the weight slowly and feel it work on your muscles as you raise the weight, then in this case you are actually feeling the exercise.

You are experiencing what is taking place with your muscles as you lift the weight. As they say, you may also feel the burn. Why is this important?, very simply because this is the most effective way to workout your body. Otherwise you are just there lifting weights and not understanding the fundamentals of exercising as a whole.

So where do you start to set the tone and feel the exercise. What you need to do is start with the shoulders. You may be surprised to know that the shoulders set the tone for your whole body. As a result of this start your focus there and see what weight you can lift. Remember take your time and understand what you are doing. You want to make sure that your form is right. The form is literally the foundation to the exercise. Just keep it steady and do not jerk as you are lifting.

You want your exercise routines to be effective. It’s far more enjoyable when you are learning how to get the most from your routines and as a consequence you get the best results. Let’s talk about seven exercises you can do to really get in shape.

1/ Go get yourself a dumbbell, and then start with a lateral raise which is going to work on the side of the shoulders. When lifting you are going to keep your elbows a little bent and you will slightly bend over at the hips, then raise the dumbbells up to about the level of your ears. When doing this exercise make sure and keep your wrists coked and in the straight position, then slowly lower them back down to your side.

To really boost your results, you will do twenty reps, start with the heaviest weight for twenty reps then go down to a slightly lighter weight for another twenty reps and then down one more time to a lighter weight for the last twenty reps.

2/ Now that we are getting the juices flowing lets move on to a dumbbell front raise. By the way remember we want to feel the exercise. Again grasp the dumbbells in both of your hands. This time you will raise one of the dumbbells in front of you, keeping you elbows in a fixed position. This fixed position will consist of an angel of about 10 to 30 degrees until your arm is parallel with the floor.

3/ Are you feeling it yet? Next up is a cable cross row, standing upright grasp two cable pulleys. Then with your left hand grasp the right stirrup and with your right hand grasp the left stirrup. Basically doing the opposites, then in this case we want to keep the cables at an angel facing back at or around thirty to forty five degrees. Keep both your elbows at the height of your shoulders.

4/ Another exercise is the full lateral raise; grab your dumbbells, start with your arms along your side with your palm facing forward. Then slowly raise the arms up and out to the side and then over your head. Remember not to jerk or swing the arms.

5/ Next on the list is the front plate raise. Again we are working the shoulders. This time grab a barbell plate with both of your hands. Put your hands in the three and nine o clock positions. When positioned your palms should be facing one another. Now keep your arms straight and pretty much locked. Start with the plate at your waist then slowly raise it to your shoulders.

6/ You should be getting pumped at this point I hope. Next let’s hit the lateral raise on an incline, again much the same as the other but this time of course you are on an incline bench laying chest down. Then hold the dumbbells below you and slowly raise them up to your shoulders.

7/ Last but not least is the good old dumbbell shrug exercise. Stand up straight with the dumbbells by your side, then just raise or elevate your shoulders as high as you can then lower them back down.

Steve Hochman is the founder of Next Level Fitness, Irvine’s Fastest way to get you fit. Personal Trainer Orange County Ca, weight loss, Personal Training in Irvine Ca Personal Trainer Orange County Ca, weight loss, Personal Training in Irvine Ca

It does not take very much to make somebody realize just what an impact Boston Red Sox Ted Williams had on the world of professional baseball. As a matter of fact, you would have to have been living under a rock for quite some time if you have never heard the name of this famous player. As far as contributions to baseball go, there is plenty that the world of baseball fans can thank Boston Red Sox Ted Williams for.

When talking of such a famous player, it is almost too difficult to figure out just where to begin. Boston Red Sox Ted Williams was famous for being voted in as a American League Baseball Most Valuable Player more than once. In addition to that, he enjoyed the honor of being one of the celebrated players to be inducted into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame back in 1966. Then, once you add to this all of the wonderful statistics and achievements under his belt and it should be quite easy to see just why Boston Red Sox Ted Williams is such a valuable piece of baseball history.

Just as many other players in the major leagues, Boston Red Sox Ted Williams got his start by playing baseball in the minor leagues. Stepping up to the plate for teams such as the Minneapolis Millers and the San Diego Padres, Ted Williams had his fair share of practice to get to his famous position with the Boston Red Sox. In 1939, he got his chance to move into the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. Ted Williams wasted no time at all before he began breaking records with his batting average.

In 1941 Williams had one of the greatest individual seasons for any ballplayer in history. At age twenty-three he hit .406, the last ballplayer to reach that magic figure, won his first home run crown, and won the All-Star Game with the most dramatic hit of his career, a ninth-inning two-out homer in Briggs Stadium.

Today, you can ask just about any one of the thousands and thousands of Boston Red Sox fans about Ted Williams and all of his incredible contributions to the world of baseball and they are sure to give you quite an earful. From one of the most passionate fan bases in the world of major league baseball, it is not hard to see just why Ted Williams is such a cherished player whose name is sure to go down in history.

Are you a Boston Red Sox Ted Williams fan yourself? If so, then you can keep the tradition of cheering for your championship team with great items such as shirts, mugs, and even steering wheel covers that all sport the Boston Red Sox logo! Showing off your team spirit really has never been easier. By wearing this logo with pride, you are able to show everyone that you come into contact with that Boston Red Sox Ted Williams and all of the other great players of the past will always be in your heart as a dedicated fan.

BooYah McGwire writes for BooYah Village. All articles are related to Fan Gear, MLB Merchandise, and Boston Red Sox Merchandise

If you’re serious about controlling your cravings for foods you shouldn’t be eating, you may want to try a colon cleanse. This way of getting rid of toxins, and therefore cravings, is a bit controversial and definitely has a few drawbacks. But many people swear by them and use them to powerfully overhaul their health and their digestive systems.

Before you embark on doing a colon cleanse, you should know that this method is only effective if you change your eating habits after you are through. There’s no point in going through a colon cleanse if you are going to go back to your old ways of eating. All of the benefits that you immediately receive will be negated. You should also know that depending on the level of toxins that have built up in your body, colon cleansing can have very intense side effects.

Basically, when you do a colon cleanse, you are forcefully expunging built up chemicals, toxins and other bad food waste from your colon. When you eat a diet that consists of a large amount of processed foods, excess sugar, excess fat and full of chemicals, you store these dietary pollutants in your body long after you’ve eaten them. Their presence can make you crave more of the same and over time, your colon may become blocked.

Colon cleansing removes the toxic substances from your body and gives you a fresh start. There are many different ways to do a colon cleanse, some beneficial and some not. Unfortunately, just like with a lot of other alternative techniques, many companies have tried to produce chemical solutions to these problems. The problem with pills and powders is that you’re just giving your body more of the same – chemicals. Commercial colon cleanses can also contain herbal ingredients that are harmful in large quantities.

One of the most natural, and powerful, ways to cleanse your colon is by using Cascara Sagrada. This herb, technically bark, has been used for centuries by Native Americans and it has a very strong laxative effect on the body. In fact, it’s so strong that it should only be used in very small quantities for a short period of time. Many over the counter colon cleanse products use Cascara Sagrada, but it really shouldn’t be used every day. It’s best to use the herb by itself, or with other isolated natural ingredients.

Cascara Segrada has an effect on the muscle contractions of your colon. It stimulates peristalsis which produces the urge to have a bowel movement. It’s a very effective method for cleaning out your colon. You can find Cascara Segrada in pill form, in a tincture or as a dried bark that you can make into tea.

If you want to go another route, you can try psyllium and bentonite clay shakes taken a few times per day for several days to cleanse your colon. These natural ingredients will effectively cleanse your colon without a lot of the problems associated with Cascara Segrada.

No matter what method you choose, make sure that you don’t substitute colon cleanses for better eating. Use them as a jump start to your healthier lifestyle, but remember that they do have a big impact on your body.

Are cravings for sugar, salt, junk food, sodas, and coffee running your life? For over 20 years, Diana Walker, the Cravings Coach, has assisted people like you in using natural, safe options for creating vibrant health. Check out Diana

At the foundation of every craving is an unbalanced diet. Cravings are a sign that either your body has become too dependent on a substance (like salt or sugar) or that your body is missing out on important nutrients. When you fill up on empty calories and junk food, your body will feel like it still needs to eat because it hasn’t received any nutrients with your meals. That’s why one of the most effective ways to reduce your cravings is to eat a balanced diet.

A balanced diet full of whole, unprocessed foods gives your body exactly what it is looking for. When you receive the same kind of nutrients that are necessary for proper body functioning, you won’t have as many cravings. Reduced cravings mean that you won’t overeat and you’ll naturally lose weight.

The first step is to get rid of any processed foods that are a regular part of your diet. Packaged foods that are processed in a factory have excess chemicals and are normally higher in fat and calories than whole foods. Eating a lot of these types of foods will leave your body wanting more of both the chemicals and food in general. When your diet relies on these type of foods, you will feel full but will literally be starving your body of nutrition.

Vitamins cannot replace the natural nutrients and minerals that are found in fresh, whole foods. In order to reduce your cravings and get back on track with eating better, you’ve got to shift your diet. One of the easiest ways to tell if you are eating right is to take notice of where you do most of your shopping at the grocery store. If you are concentrating most of your shopping on the outside aisles, then you’re eating fresh, whole foods. Most processed foods are found in the center rows of a grocery store. Stick to the fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, meats (if you eat them) and you’ll see a reduction in cravings.

In addition to craving more food than you should eat, you may also experience cravings for food substances like salt or sugar. Unfortunately, with these additives the more you eat, the more your body wants them. In order to curb this craving, you’re going to need to take steps to remove them out of your diet entirely.

It may be hard at first, and you’ll definitely go through a withdrawal period where you experience an intensification of your cravings. Increase your water intake, start an exercise program and keep eating healthy. Chemical additives and excess sugar and salt can sometimes be hard food addictions to break. Commit yourself to eliminating these things from your diet for at least 2 weeks and you’ll see a big difference.

The best way to eliminate cravings from your life is to incorporate fresh, whole foods into your diet. Remove harmful substances from your diet and once you get over the initial withdrawal, your health will be better and you won’t experience cravings any longer.

Are cravings for sugar, salt, junk food, sodas, and coffee running your life? For over 20 years, Diana Walker, the Cravings Coach, has assisted people like you in using natural, safe options for creating vibrant health. Check out Diana