FOXNews.com: America's largest pizzas

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America's largest pizzas Mar 31st 2012, 09:00 A well-done pizza rarely goes unnoticed. America is a country that seems to survive on three main food groups (pizza, hot dogs, and burgers), and each American undoubtedly has a special relationship with a great pizza. With the unlimited combination of toppings, cheeses, and styles available, pizza-making is a veritable art form here. Now, envision the combination of Americans' love for pizza and the love for all things super-sized. Across the country, from the West to the East Coast, pizzerias have been besting their competitors not just with new flavors or outrageous toppings, but also with larger and larger sizes. The Guinness World Record for the largest pizza in the world goes to a pie that was created in South Africa in 1990. Weighing in at 26,883 pounds, this gargantuan pizza used almost 10,000 pounds of flour and measured 122.6 feet. And while there isn't another pizza of that monstrosity lurking out there, some pizza chefs are definitely sizing up this world record. Many of the pizzas included in this list are the focus of eating competitions, and often stump competitors who couldn't rise to the occasion. Many of these pies were chosen based on size, ranging anywhere from 22-inches to 36-inches in diameter (most standard large pizzas are 14-inches in diameter) and topping out at 50,000 slices. Some are simple cheese and tomato pies, while others are much more elaborate and stuffed with an array of toppings. Pizza Ranch Restaurant, Iowa Falls, Iowa Pizza Size: 129-by-92 feet (though according to some sources, it was even bigger at 129-by-98 feet), 50,000 slices In June 2005, Bill Bahr, assistant manager of the Pizza Ranch in Iowa Falls, Iowa, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the world's largest pizza. The pie totaled 50,000 slices — not quite large enough to top the reigning champ. With the help of 200 volunteers, the entire pie took two hours to assemble. Red Devil Pizza's Pizza Challenge, Granada Hills, Calif. Pizza Challenge: One 28-inch pizza to be eaten by two people in half an hour. This four-topping, 28-inch pizza challenge is a feat for any couple that dares to take it on. At Red Devil, this monstrous pizza must be eaten in half an hour. The rules don't stop here, though — the contestants must also be at least 16 years old, they cannot walk around during the challenge, they must successfully digest the pizza, and they must pay for the pizza if they do not complete the task. The victorious few however, get their pizza paid for, a certificate for a second 28-inch pie, a Red Devil T-shirt, and their photo of the wall of fame. Big Pie in the Sky's Carnivore Challenge, Kennesaw, Ga. Pizza Challenge: One 11-pound pizza to be eaten in less than an hour. For $50, you can try to win yourself an extra $200 at Big Pie in the Sky, in Kennesaw, Ga. However, the challenge requires that two people eat an 11-pound pizza in one hour. 24 Church Avenue Italian Sideboard & Spirits, Roanoke, Va. Pizza Size: 36-inch pie As part of their late-night specials menu, 24 Church Avenue Italian Sideboard & Spirits offers mammoth slices of pizza cut from a 36-inch pie. The slices measure 12-inches wide at the crust. While there is no challenge yet at this pizzeria for devouring their extra-large 36-inch pie, it would hardly be a shock if in the near future, people start lining up to wolf down this pie in less than an hour. Barlo's Pizzeria's Big 29 Challenge, Indianapolis Pizza Challenge: One 29-inch pie to be eaten less than an hour. The Big 29 challenge's name says it all — those who are daring enough to participate in the challenge at Barlo's in Indianapolis must eat a 29-inch pie in an hour. The minimum payout for the challenge (one topping, one hour) is $300, but for every failed trial the owner adds $10 to the pot, meaning that the payout could be as high as $1,000. Click here for more. More from The Daily Meal: What the Stars Eat Between Takes 15 Best Italian Restaurants in America The Greatest Food Pickup Lines Fast Food Mashups we Wish Existed Best American Restaurants Across the Country

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FOXNews.com: 5 collectible cars for under 5 grand

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5 collectible cars for under 5 grand Mar 31st 2012, 17:00 The profusion of televised auctions like Barrett-Jackson and Mecum — where fifty grand is chump change  — seems to have placed a giant "keep out" sign in the minds of would-be car collectors of modest means. Yet every day Craigslist and eBay Classifieds are full of entry-level vintage cars that are interesting potential weekend cruisers. Here are some of our favorite "credit card cars" that can be found in perfectly usable shape for less than the limit of the average VISA. 1979-82 Fiat Spider 2000: Fiat's back in the U.S. with the new 500, and it seems like a good time to plumb the back catalog of cars it sold in the U.S. prior to saying, "Arrivederci, America" in 1983. The Spider 2000 was the last iteration of the lovely Pininfarina-designed Spider that dated back to 1966. The final version came with fuel injection, relatively plush interiors with a genuine wood dash and one of the best convertible tops ever (undo two latches and throw it over your shoulder at a stop sign). Look out for body rust, tired smoky engines and worn out 2nd gears.  1987-93 Ford Mustang 5.0: OK, it's not the classic 1964½-1970 model, but neither is it the "malaise-era" Pinto-based Mustang II of 1974-78. The forgotten Ford Fairmont donated its competent underpinnings to the "Fox" platform Mustang, the longest-running iteration of the original pony car. The 1987 5.0-liter V-8 Mustang announced that the U.S. auto industry had finally awakened from its 13-year coma with a conservatively rated 225 hp that let enthusiasts know that Ford hadn't completely forgotten the Cobra-Jet days. Convertible GT and LX cars are getting pricey, but the notchback and hatchback coupes can still be had reasonably if you look hard enough. Rust, poor collision repair and bad Ricky Bobby modifications are always a concern. Look hard for a well-kept stock example.   Click here to learn the value of your car for free using Hagerty Valuation Tools. 1975-78 Datsun 280Z: The Datsun 240Z changed Americans' perceptions of Japanese cars for good by offering Porsche 911 performance for half the money. Emission laws blunted the car's performance and new bumper laws meant that by 1975 — when the car became known as the 280Z — it sported a pair of battering rams front and back. It wasn't all bad. The addition of fuel injection brought back the performance of the original 240Z which seemed a fair trade for the freakishly large bumpers. If you can look past those, the 280Z is a handsome, reliable and decent-performing sports car. As always, outside of the West Coast, rust is a big problem. Of all the cars on the list, it's the one to buy sooner rather than later. Nice sub-five grand examples are getting tough to find. 1988 Pontiac Fiero: The General Motors of old was famous for employing customers as "unpaid research and development consultants." Witness the string of underdeveloped models like the Chevy Vega, the 1984 Corvette and the Cadillac Allante that GM pushed out before they were fully baked. Often, just as GM finally got a car right, they whacked it. The sporty mid-engine two-seat Pontiac Fiero was a prime example of this approach. Originally floated as a "commuter car," it had sports-car looks that the chassis and low-power four-cylinder engine couldn't deliver on.  By 1988, Pontiac had remedied everything — the Fiero had great looks, a powerful V-6 and a new suspension designed by guys who had paid attention to what Lotus was doing in its high-dollar sports cars. Forecasting a drop in demand for two-seaters that didn't happen, GM killed its by then very competent sports car after the 1988 model year. The last year V-6 GT is the one to seek out. Beware of overheating engines from damage to the fragile cooling pipes that run underneath the car. 1960-63 Ford Falcon sedan: The Falcon was Ford's first attempt to field a compact car to stem the flow of European imports. The nameplate lasted until 1970 but the first generation of cars was arguably the most attractive. They're sturdy and attractive little cars that were offered in body styles as diverse as a convertible and a compact pickup. Virtually all of these with the exception of the humble four-door sedan have appreciated beyond our self-imposed five grand limit. Sadly, although the cheapest to acquire, the sedans seem to have a relatively low survivorship rate. Rob Sass is the author of "Ran When Parked - Advice and Adventures from the Affordable Underbelly of Car Collecting." Click here for more from Hagerty.com

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FOXNews.com: How to get started with spring cleaning

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How to get started with spring cleaning Mar 31st 2012, 04:00 The temperate weather of spring is a blessing after a cold, harsh winter, and is the perfect time to remove the clutter from your life. Open the windows for fresh air With such beautiful weather outside, the thought of staying indoors for housework can sound awful, but if you think of spring cleaning as a chore, you're looking at it the wrong way. Now that the air outside is pleasant, you can turn off the artificial air that's been warming your house for winter. Open your windows and let the fresh air drift through and naturally ventilate your home. Don't look at a comforting spring breeze and the air you breathe indoors as separate entities. Combine them in harmony. Remove clutter Over time we accumulate clutter. When you purchase a DVD, book or magazine, you benefit from the entertainment or wisdom these media provide. However, if you don't use these possessions, over time they simply accumulate with other neglected items and take up space. You have essentially transformed your living area into storage space, which doesn't bode well for a clutter-free life. Trim the non-essentials. For books you aren't going to read or reference again ever, give them to others or sell them at a garage sale. Someone might enjoy the book, so keep the positivity moving forward. Maybe you will be on the receiving end of equally charitable actions. If you want to hang onto the book (just in case), pack it away and put it out of sight. It doesn't need to take up space in your living room. Cleaning can be therapeutic How you organize your home is a reflection of your mind. Since your environment affects you, make it the perfect environment to give you peace and tranquility. Deep clean your carpets and remove all the dust you can from your home. Move furniture and large appliances to reach previously inaccessible areas. Put some elbow grease into the hard surfaces of your bathroom and kitchen. There is a certain sense of pride and contentment that comes from a job well done, but don't think of truly cleaning your home as a challenging task. It can also yield mental benefits as a retreat from the noise and distractions of everyday life. Focus on the task at hand and take this time to think of the new season and where you are in life. Clean your refrigerator and bed linens In the spirit of the season, make everything new. Change the blankets and sheets on your bed. Do your laundry. Empty your refrigerator of anything that you will never eat. Test carbon monoxide detectors This is an important task to complete for your security. It's easy to forget about, so why not incorporate it into your spring cleaning? Integrate a plant For those interested in feng shui, potted plants can add new energy to your home. They boost air quality and rid pollutants from the air you breathe, and bring pleasing aesthetic value to your living space.

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FOXNews.com: America's craziest food races

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America's craziest food races Mar 30th 2012, 15:40 Over indulging in sweets and then participating in a running race sounds like a recipe for disaster, right?    But there is a growing breed of sporting event that claim athletes just may run a little faster for a Twinkie, a piece of chocolate, or maybe a slice of pizza.  (Or it could go the other way and leave people with a queasy stomach.) Runs that incorporate food, and many that are for a good cause, are popping up across the country.  So we compiled the most fun, inventive, and delicious races we could find. Twinkie Run - Ann Arbor, Mich. This is a 5k run/walk ($10-$17.50) centered around tasty cream filled cakes. Participants will complete two loops around Gallup Park and can eat a Twinkie before each loop. For every Twinkie you eat, a minute is knocked off your final time. Co-race director, Suzanne Ross said about 75 percent of racers eat at least one Twinkie, and over 300 Twinkies are ordered. The race, which is on April 1 this year, is open to all ages and there is even a 5K-relay option for younger participants.  All proceeds from the run are donated to research labs working on cures and treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS for short.  "We have had people who have ALS come to watch. We want people to know there are people who care out there. People make donations in honor of their loved ones, and you don't have to know someone with ALS to come," said Ross.  Discounted registration is available online or you can sign up the day of the race. Top finishers will enjoy an awards ceremony, and everyone is welcome to enter the homemade Twinkie contest.  Click here for more. "Our emphasis is on fun and you don't need to worry about if you're fast or fit." - Diane Chesla, race organizer at The Chocolate Race Mud & Chocolate Half Marathon and 4.5 Mile Runs - Redmond and Sammamish, Wash. This trail course at the scenic Redmond Watershed Park in April and November offers serious and casual runners of all ages a chocolate race to remember. Whether you choose the 4.5mile course ($35) or the challenge of a half marathon ($50) you'll get to experience Chocomania. Runners get to enjoy chocolate truffles, chocolate cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies following the race.  "For Chocomania we go all out. We always have a bunch of different types of chocolates," race organizer Nina Church said.  And how about eating chocolate during the race? There will be two chocolate aid stations with Chocolate Luna bars, Chocolate Energy Gel #9, and other chocolate snacks so half marathoners can refuel during the race.  All racers will get chocolate medals and the first place male and female runners will receive a high-end chocolate prize. If you want to participate in the Mud & Chocolate Race and are from out of town then make it a destination trip. Church says her races attract runners from Alaska, Wisconsin, Canada, and the East Coast. Registration can be done online, and Church advises signing up at least two months in advance. Click here for more. The Chocolate Race - Port Dalhousie, Canada For a trip outside the United States that will give you your chocolate fix put this April 29 run on your calendar. Sign up for a 10 mile ($65), 10k ($60), or 5k ($50) run along the waterfront of Port Dalhousie, and have fun eating chocolate during the race. Chocolate aid stations will be set up along the course so runners can recharge with strawberries and chocolate fondue.  "Our emphasis is on fun and you don't need to worry about if you're fast or fit," said race organizer Diane Chesla.  At the finish runners are brought chocolate milk and chocolate croissants. If you're still craving more chocolate you won't be disappointed. There will be a Willy Wonka themed chocolate festival for runners, which features chocolate truffles, chocolate brownies and chocolate martinis. You'll have register for the race in advance online and proceeds are donated to charity.  Click here for more. The Doughman - Durham, N.C. Durham's premier quadrathalon combines running, swimming, biking, and of course eating. Teams of four will have two people run (1.75-2.5 miles), one bike (10 miles), and one swim (water activity equivalent to a lap). The challenging part is consuming a meal before your leg of the race.  "It's not a volume-eating contest. The meal sizes are proportionate to a meal size or smaller," race organizer Emily Egge said.  After each leg all the members will consume a dessert food and have a short sprint to the finish. Registration for the race, which is on May 26, costs $150 dollars per team, and all the money goes to charity. Teams are encouraged to raise funds for the non-profit SEEDS, which teaches people to care for the earth. Teams who raise $250 get two minutes subtracted from their final time, and teams who raise $1000 get five minutes off their final time.  Last year's Doughman had over 200 racers and raised over $30,000 dollars. You must be at least 18-years-old to participate, but all ages are welcome to watch the race. Spectators will certainly have a good laugh at many of the teams' crazy costumes.  "There was a group of doctors from UNC last year that ran with hospital gowns that were open in the back, and then they wore prosthetic tooshies. Their team name was a cheek to the wind," Egge said. Awards will be given out to the top finishing teams, and the team with the costume that best represents Durham. Click here for more 2012 NYC Pizza Run – New York, N.Y. It's hard to find a New Yorker who doesn't like pizza. This 2.25 mile run in Tompkins Square Park requires participants to eat a NYC slice before the first, second, and third laps.  "I think people find it fun to strategize how to run the race as fast as possible," race organizer Jason Feirman said.   Most participants are in there 20's and 30's, but the run is open to all ages. Prizes like Scott's Pizza Tours are usually given out to the first place male and female finishers. After the race runners head to Common Ground (206 Avenue A between 12th St and 13th St) where they can socialize and enjoy a free drink.  No date has been set for this year's Pizza Run, but it will most likely be in the summer. The registration price of about $45 will provide you with a spot in the run, a pizza gift bag, and a free drink at Common Ground. Proceeds from the race will also be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). Click here for more. Corn Dog Classic - Tulsa, Okla. Think state fair food mixed with running a 5k. The Corn Dog Classic sponsored by the Tulsa State Fair requires racers to eat cotton candy, lemonade, and a corn dog at each mile marker of the run. Almost 400 people came out to run last year. This year's race will be on Sept. 22. "The race is extremely family oriented with a finish line party. We have some fair food available and a band playing", spokeswoman for the Tulsa State Fair said.  After the run there will be an awards ceremony where the top runners from each age group will be recognized. Registration can be done the day of the race or online and will cost around $18. All proceeds from the race go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the United Way.  Click here for more. 2012 Hot Chocolate 15/5K - Chicago, Ill. People from across the country head to Chicago in November to run for chocolate. Sign up on Nov. 4 for a 15K run ($65), 5K run ($48), or a one-mile walk ($48), and at the end indulge in a Ghirardelli chocolate festival.  "When you cross that finish line people are handing you Ghirardelli squares in all different flavors like truffle, caramel, and raspberry," the race's marketing officer David Wallace said.  Large tents are set up offering racers chocolate fondue with marshmallows, pretzels, and bananas for dipping. And on a chilly day in Chicago what's better than Ghiradelli hot chocolate? The race and the chocolate festival are open to all ages. Children can visit the Kids Zone at the end of the race, which has face painters, bounce houses, and a band. Last year's race brought out 30,000 runners.   "We tell people to register before hand online because the race does sell out," said Wallace.  Proceeds from the race go to the Ronald McDonald House and other secondary charities. Both serious runners looking for marathon training and casual runners who simply love chocolate will enjoy this race. Click here for more.

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FOXNews.com: Study finds young web-connected adults less interested in driving

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Study finds young web-connected adults less interested in driving Mar 30th 2012, 17:59 When young adults in the 21st century go on a "Surfin' Safari" they're less likely to do it in a "Little Deuce Coupe," says a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan. Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle of the university's Transportation Research Institute found that an increase in internet use among younger age groups was associated with lower driver's licensure rates. Since 1983, the percentage of licensed drivers in the United States under age 30 has dropped from 33 percent to 22 percent, while the percentage of people in their 20s who have a driver's license has gone from 94 percent in 1983 to 84 percent in 2008, according to the study published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal. The researchers found a similar situation in a number of other countries, including Canada, Great Britain, Japan and Germany. Sivak says that "countries with higher proportions of Internet users were associated with lower licensure rates among young persons, which is consistent with the hypothesis that access to virtual contact through electronic means reduces the need for actual contact among young people." The results of the study echo findings in several others along with anecdotal evidence that indicates that an increase in use of social media, as well as a stagnant economy and more stringent and expensive licensing procedures is leading to a declining interest in automobile usage among teenagers and young adults. Even in countries that saw an increase in the rate of young drivers, including Spain, Israel and Finland, it was smaller than the growth among other age groups.

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FOXNews.com: How to dust a room properly

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How to dust a room properly Mar 30th 2012, 14:46 Dusting your house is a tedious but necessary exercise. Sabrina Fierman, vice president of New York-based cleaning company, New York's Little Elves, says the build-up of dust can lead to allergies, respiratory problems and asthma. Though it may seem like a simple task, many of us still get it wrong. What might look like cleaning, may actually be spreading dust around, allowing it resettle elsewhere in the room.  Here's the proper way to dust your house from top to bottom. Remove everything In order to perform a thorough dusting, you'll need to "de-clutter" the room of any smaller and unnecessary items, says Fierman. This should allow you dust even the most hard-to-reach places without having to strain yourself. If your household items (picture frames, wall clocks) have accumulated dust, don't forget to clean them before putting them back. To dust the room entirely, closets should also be cleared and items should be removed from drawers. Any rugs or other floor accessories should also be brought outside. Start dusting Now that your room is bare, you can begin dusting. Dampen a dust cloth and begin dusting at the highest points in the room first. This is crucial, as any dust that falls down to a lower surface will be swept up later if you keep working downwards. Choose one direction - either clockwise or counterclockwise - and stick to it as you move throughout the room to ensure that you don't skip any areas. When you notice your dust cloth beginning to accumulate excess dust, be sure to shake it off outside before continuing. Clean even the out-of-reach places Encountering a difficult-to-reach spot or two is inevitable in almost every room. Whether it's behind the television, under the couch or on top of the cabinet, it's important not to overlook these problematic areas. If you can't move some of the larger pieces of furniture, a small clean paintbrush is perfect for reaching into the surrounding nooks. Vacuum cleaner attachments can also help when tackling hard-to-reach spots, says Fierman. If you encounter any dust or cobwebs on the ceilings or walls, try using a damp mop or brush to clean it off. Furniture and floors To keep dust from resettling quickly, it's important not to forget the furniture. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the upholstery of the couch and any other fabric furniture. Once everything else has been dusted, you can begin cleaning the floor. Use a mop for hard floors and a vacuum cleaner for carpets and make sure that you don't miss any out-of-the-way spots in the corner or under the furniture. Tips for bathrooms Bathrooms usually generate more encrusted dirt, so be sure to use a sponge of chamois to clean off tiles and other surfaces. Don't forget about the little nooks under and behind the toilet and sink. If you encounter any particularly tough dirt, try tackling it with an old toothbrush. Tips for kitchens When dusting a kitchen, you'll need to remove everything from your cabinets and clean them from top to bottom with a duster or damp cloth. Clean all counter tops with a cloth or sponge and don't forget to dust on the underside if necessary. Tables and chairs should also be dusted or vacuumed thoroughly.

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FOXNews.com: Electric "Monster" to attack Pike's Peak

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Electric "Monster" to attack Pike's Peak Mar 29th 2012, 20:08 If you've not heard of Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima then you probably don't follow the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event, held each year at Pikes Peak in Colorado. Fans of the sport, which involves over 12 miles of twists and turns and a climb of over 4,700 feet, will recognise Monster as a two-time record-setter on the hill, and the first to break the "10 minute barrier" up the treacherous course, and reigning champion for the last six years. Only this year, Tajima will be swapping race fuel for amps and volts, as he attempts to beat his own course record in an electric race car. As part of Team APEV ('Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles'), Tajima aims to set a new world record up the course, not only beating the internal combustion stranglehold on the sport, but hugely raising the profile of electric vehicles in motorsport. It won't be the first time an EV has raced up Pikes Peak, though. Previous years have seen Nissan attempt the course in a stock Nissan Leaf, and Summit Motorsports has twice sent a dedicated electric race car up the hill. Mitsubishi will also be fielding a highly-modified i-MiEV race car this year. Monster Tajima's run will also help promote APEV's other activities, such as environmental projects and supporting victims of 2011's Japanese earthquake and Tsunami disaster. Click here for more from GreenCarReports

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FOXNews.com: Why skim milk isn’t necessarily better

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Why skim milk isn't necessarily better Mar 29th 2012, 13:43 If you believe that God (or Mother Nature) is infallible then why tamper with His bounty? That's what I think when I see skim milk. The watery texture, unappealing flavor and bluish cast result from stripping away the fat. But it's no longer all that clear that skim is healthier than whole. Skim is more than just milk without fat. Skim is milk that's fortified with synthetic vitamins to replace those lost in fat-removal, and milk solids to replace protein and calcium lost in processing. Skipping over the natural v. synthetic vitamin debate, consider how milk solids are made and what they contain. Whole milk is separated in a centrifuge that outputs two streams, one cream and one fat-free milk. The fat-free milk is pasteurized then condensed in a vacuum evaporator to remove water and increase the concentration of solids. It's then sent to a spray dryer, think industrial, high-pressure milk atomizer. The sprayer shoots a fine spray of milk into a warm, air-filled chamber that removes more moisture, turning the milk into powdery spherical particles, aka milk solids. They pop up in various low-fat and fat-free dairy products. I don't think that processing food is universally bad and appreciate the technology that creates liquid nitrogen ice cream, edible, helium-filled green apple balloons and especially Pringles. Had Pringles emerged from the kitchen of a fancy molecular gastronomy chef rather than Proctor and Gamble's, the irresistible stackable chip might be as highly regarded as caviar foam or Chef Ferran Adrià's frozen Gorgonzola volleyball. Or not. But milk solids are different. That's because the manufacturing process oxidizes the tiny bit of cholesterol left in the milk. And oxidized cholesterol is something you'd probably choose to avoid. Critics say it "irritates" your blood vessels making them more likely to create plaque than regular cholesterol, and worse, it oxidizes other existing cholesterol molecules. Bob Roberts, professor of Food Science at Penn State, says that milk solids add negligible traces of oxidized cholesterol to skim. He drinks skim and says the science isn't in on whether that oxidized cholesterol enters the blood stream. In any case, pediatricians routinely recommend skim and low-fat to help parents control their children's calories. They're the only types of milk available in grades K through twelve in New York City, the nation's largest public school system. New York allows only pre-K children, a fraction of the city's 1.1 million students, to have whole milk. Restricting calories, we now know, leads to temporary weight loss as the metabolism adjusts to weight-loss by slowing down. Fat isn't making us fat. As Walter Willet, an epidemiologist and department chair in nutrition at Harvard's School of Public Health wrote in the American Journal of Medicine, "Diets high in fat do not appear to be the primary cause of the high prevalence of excess body fat in our society, and reductions in fat will not be a solution." Maybe it's time to re-examine the national saturated-fat-is-bad hypothesis. Not only do fats trigger the release of cholecystokinin in the small intestine that tells your body its full, animal fat, in moderation, is healthy. Saturated animal fats from healthy, pasture-raised animals contain beneficial omega-3s (which we think of as coming from fish, flax or nuts), lower LDL, ("bad" cholesterol), and contain vitamins C, E and B12. (Missouri-based U.S. Wellness Meats, run by fifth-generation rancher John Wood is a great pasture-raised meat source.) Milk from these animals is similarly filled with other beneficial compounds, nutrients and enzymes, many in the milk's fat. Which is why moderate amounts of dairy fat are actually good for you. Whole milk's three macronutrients—protein, fat and carbohydrates—are naturally, perfectly balanced. It has complete proteins (i.e. adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids), B vitamins and saturated and unsaturated fats. Its A and D vitamins help digest protein, assimilate calcium and absorb other fat-soluble vitamins. It's nutritionally complete. Nina Planck adds in Real Food (Bloomsbury) that saturated milk fats like butyric acid are easily digestible because they don't have to be first emulsified by the liver. "Unlike polyunsaturated fats, which the body tends to store," she writes, "the saturated fats in milk are rapidly burned for energy." Years of creating low-fat and fat-free dairy products have culminated in a skim milk product that's requires synthetic and processed additives to make it nutritionally equivalent to what it once was—whole milk. But nutritionally equivalent isn't biologically equivalent. And that's something to consider.

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FOXNews.com: Sneak peek at cooking shows launching in 2012

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Sneak peek at cooking shows launching in 2012 Mar 29th 2012, 17:12 For all of you that are addicted to cooking shows, here's something more to chew on. On Thursday, the Cooking Channel and Food Network announced they will add 22 new series to this year's programming, including new shows from celebrities like Bobby Flay, Margaret Cho, Mo Rocca and Sandra Lee. Food Network will add 15 new shows this year, including the primetime series "Meat Men" about a famous New York butcher, Pat LaFrieda, and his life in the meat business.The network will also add sweeter shows like "Cupcake Champions," which will pit 16 Cupcake Wars winners against each other in a cupcake tournament of champions.  Comedian Margaret Cho will host her own show on the Food Network. The series, "Blind Dinner Party," will star a new set of seven strangers every week as they meet dine together. American culinary icon, Sandra Lee will start a new daytime series offering her own brand of cooking and entertaining tips. Also on the new Food Network menu is "Bobby Flay's Opening Night," where the celebrity chef will offer advice to first-time restaurateurs before their grand openings. The Cooking Channel will premiere seven new series, including  "Eat the Street," a tour of America's greatest street-side eats and "Man, Fire, Food," which will feature chefs who play and cook with flames. Political satirist, Mo Rocca, will host his own show, "My Grandmother's Ravioli," in which he will learn to cook from his grandparents.

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FOXNews.com: Simple recipe for mayonnaise

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Simple recipe for mayonnaise Mar 29th 2012, 16:16 Mayonnaise is a delicious condiment — essentially the emulsion of oil with egg yolks. However, store-bought mayonnaise can contain additives and all types of ingredients you won't even recognize. Creating your own mayonnaise from scratch can make your sandwich healthier if you choose fresh and natural ingredients.  After you master the basics, which are fairly simple, you can experiment with how you concoct this condiment, eventually stirring up a special recipe of your own. Cooking is lots of fun, and making mayonnaise shouldn't be any different. So put on some music, take out the essential ingredients and get ready to stir up something delectable. Ingredients You will need the following ingredients: eggs, vinegar, lemon juice, water, salt, cayenne pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Equipment You will need the following kitchen supplies: a mixing bowl, stove and whisk. Blend ingredients Separate three eggs and put their yolks in a mixing bowl, along with two tablespoons of vinegar, two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Heat Heat the mixture on your stove top at around 150 degrees for one minute. Stir throughout — which reduces your risk of salmonella poisoning. Cool Place mixing bowl on the counter and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes. Add more ingredients for flavor Add a half tablespoon of cayenne pepper, a half tablespoon of salt and a bit of spicy mustard to the mixture. Then whisk the mixture until the ingredients blend together. Desire a little more kick? Consider splashing a bit more pepper in there next time. Want thicker mayonnaise? Go a little easier on the water so it doesn't thin so considerably. Olive oil Slowly add high-quality extra virgin olive oil, teaspoon by teaspoon, perpetually whisking, until your mixture reaches the proper consistency of mayonnaise. This should take up to one and a half cups of olive oil. Remember to fully integrate each teaspoon of olive oil before moving onto the next.

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FOXNews.com: How to make a small room look larger

FOXNews.com FOX News Network - We Report. You Decide. // via fulltextrssfeed.com

How to make a small room look larger Mar 29th 2012, 12:00 If you live in a small space and have big ideas about interior decorating, there are ways to make your home feel less cramped. Some strategic decorating can open up the rooms of your house and make even the smallest spaces feel roomier. Clear the clutter Nothing makes a small space feel more cramped than mess and clutter. Miscellaneous and unnecessary items strewn throughout the room will cut down on space and make the room feel more chaotic and uncomfortable. A thorough tidying will help open your rooms up and give it a renewed sense of order. Be sure to arrange books, DVDs and other items neatly and store any unnecessary articles in a drawer or closet. Keeping walkways clear at all times is essential to improving the flow of the room. Furniture When working with limited space, careful furniture placement is a must. In fact, the scale and proportion of furniture to the room is the "single most important factor in making a small room look larger," according to Will Hayward, vice president and creative director of Setting the Space, a home staging and interior design company based in Palo Alto, Calif. Larger pieces should be placed against walls to open the room's central space. Matching some of the furniture pieces to the color of the walls may also improve the overall look and feel. Whenever possible, invest in some multi-purpose furniture, like a cabinet that doubles as a coffee table, which will allow you to save space without sacrificing functionality. Other furniture can be made more compact or folded away, such as an extendible dining table. Paint Color can have an enormous effect on the look and feel of a room. Brighter hues will make your room feel open and spacious, while warmer colors create a more intimate and cozy atmosphere. If you're looking to add a more spacious feeling to your home, brighten up your room with a fresh coat of light paint. Hayward recommends using taupe, "because it becomes a neutral backdrop to the room." Alternatively, try to select soft tones of blue and green which will maximize light reflection, making your room lighter and more airy. Remember to stay away from dark colors on all surfaces, Will says. Mirrors Mirrors are a great way to make a room feel less cramped by giving the illusion of extra space. It's best to choose a focal point near the middle of the room, which will provide an added sense of depth. Wall mirrors, mirrored tabletops and closets will all make them room appear larger. What's more, strategically placing mirrors near windows and other sources of lights will help illuminate the room, making it feel more spacious.

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FOXNews.com: Review: 2012 Kia Rio

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Review: 2012 Kia Rio Mar 29th 2012, 12:15 I've never been more excited about a minivan. No, the pictures associated with this review are not wrong, it is about the Kia Rio subcompact, as the title suggests. But what the car suggests are glorious things to come in the world of people carriers. You see, the new Rio lineup represents the penultimate step in the transformation of the once dowdiest of all automakers. Thanks to the good work of former Audi designer, Peter Schreyer, Hyundai's not-so-little sister now builds cars with a style that is on par and often surpasses that of its competitors. From the sleek mid-size Optima sedan to the moon buggy-like compact Sportage CUV, Kia's cars very likely look better than your cars. The only blight that remains in Kia showrooms is the Sedona minivan, which is about two generations behind the times. Unlike Hyundai, which abandoned this segment a few years ago, Kia is reportedly set to double-down and replace its entry next year. If the all-new lowly Rio (not to mention the KV7 concept shown at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show) is any indication, Kia will surely hit it out of the ballpark that the new Sedona is destined to be parked outside of. As for the $14,350 Rio five-door, Kia has succeeded where many have failed and has created an affordable subcompact hatchback that ably deflects the use of the words "cute" or "juvenile" or "joke" in descriptions of it. The $14,415 four-door sedan works just as well in its respective category. Here's a do it yourself test: Park a Rio between a Ford Fiesta and a Toyota Yaris; find someone who is A) an adult, B) gainfully employed and C) wearing a suit not complimented by a pair of Converse All-Stars; ask them to choose a car they would use to pick up their boss in. Feel free to drive yourself home in the Ford or Toyota, just don't forget to call a tow truck for the other. Nothing against either of those fine automobiles, the Rio just happens to be the only car in its class that really has any. Inside the story is (nearly) the same. No distracting complex geometric shapes here to hide a low-rent fit and finish, just a neatly-executed dash from the VW school of smart design constructed from a surprising amount of soft-touch plastic, the Kia family three-gauge instrument cluster, and a steering wheel that's better than one in the company's $24G Sorento crossover. The standard cloth upholstery is still from the budget bin, but the seats themselves are pillowy soft. Go for a trim level that offers the six-speaker stereo and you're rewarded with a thicker, richer sound than half a dozen little cones have any right to produce. Standard iPod integration is flawless and doesn't require a special cable to use. Kia's Uvo voice control system is an option and works just like Ford's Sync (they were both designed by Microsoft,) perhaps better. "Play Rob Dickinson." Never heard of him? You have now, he's already playing. First try, too. The in-dash monitor that controls the stereo comes also services a backup camera, which seems somewhat ridiculous in a car as small as this until you realize that you can fit into a lot more parking spaces than even you thought you can, and without playing bumper cars. Urban dwellers can count on a 25 percent decrease in aggravation (estimate pending official Annoyance Protection Agency results,) and in-dash navigation is available for everyone else to enjoy. Size-wise the Rio is a perpetrator of what's known a segment creep, and much larger inside than subcompacts used to be. It's fully usable by four, if not five adults and the five-door has a deep cargo hold, plus a little extra stash space underneath it where a fix a flat kit is all that resides in what used to be known as the "spare tire well." The donut delete is a weight-saving effort to improve fuel economy, which is 30 mpg city, 40 mpg hwy with either a manual or automatic transmission, each with six speeds. Both come mated to a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection that delivers pretty much the same power output as the base version of the Chevy Sonic, 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. However, the Rio seems to make much better use of its allotment. Is it a fast car? She's fast enough for you, frugal millennial, but doesn't try to be something she's not. The gearing is well matched to what's on tap and feels optimized for around town toddling and passing on the highway, but spirited drives are not encouraged. It's all for the better. The suspension is plush by class standards and the seats offer less lateral support than that deflated yoga ball that's been sitting underneath your officemate's desk for the past three years. Still, the combo is comfy. All told, the Rio is as far from the stereotypical economy car that the old Rio epitomized and a winner on all counts, except one. Kia also sells the uber-funky Soul crossover, which is larger, gets nearly as good fuel economy and costs roughly the same as the Rio. On my advice an acquaintance recently picked one up for his family of five, which includes three single digit-age children, and aren't they the happy little family. Soon, however, 1s will appear in front of the kiddie's ages, their soccer balls will grow from size 3 to 5 and one of them may even choose to take up the tuba. At that point, a slightly larger vehicle might be in order. I don't know, perhaps something along the lines of a minivan? I don't think they'll have a problem finding one. ---------- 2012 Kia Rio Five-Door Base Price: $14,350 Type: 5-passenger, 5-door hatchback Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4-cylinder Power: 138 hp, 123 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic MPG: 30 city/40 hwy

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FOXNews.com: Jeep preps Russian invasion

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Jeep preps Russian invasion Mar 29th 2012, 12:32 Chrysler Group soon will start construction on one of the most unlikely plants in the company's 86-year history. Located in St. Petersburg, western Russia, not far from the former summer palace of the czars, the factory will make Jeeps, the four-wheel drive vehicles made famous by the US Army in World War II. The driving force behind the deal? Not Chrysler itself, but Italy's Fiat SpA, the US automaker's majority owner. Read: Jeep Mighty FC is forward-thinking retro concept April 30 marks the three-year anniversary of Chrysler's rescue by the US government, an endeavor that many expected the automaker would be unable to survive. The plan to build a plant in Russia stands as a symbol of how far Chrysler has come -- and of the new automaker that Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne is trying to create. "Jeep has potential as a global brand because of its unique DNA," Marchionne, who earlier chose the Jeep Grand Cherokee as the basis for a Detroit-built Maserati SUV, said. A distinct identity gives it "the traction needed to become a global brand." While most of its competitors are pinning their futures on a world of small cars, Chrysler now sees a Jeep in every driveway. It might be a luxury vehicle for wealthy Muscovites and Beijing businessmen to travel in style, a people hauler in India providing mobility for large families on potholed roads, or a work horse in Brazil moving goods to market. Central to that vision will be the ability to build and market Jeeps globally. Last month, Fiat, which already sells vehicles such as the Fiat 500 in Russia, proposed a $1.1 billion joint venture with a state-controlled bank that would produce 120,000 Jeeps a year in St. Petersburg. A final agreement between Chrysler and Sberbank is expected to be signed by July. As part of the deal, Jeeps could also be produced at a second, revamped plant in Moscow that once built limousines for the Communist Party elite. At the same time, Marchionne is trying to open doors for Chrysler in China. Fiat and Guangzhou Auto Group are on track to open a plant in July that initially will have the capacity to make 140,000 Fiat cars and 220,000 engines a year. Chrysler could produce Jeeps at that plant or develop a separate joint venture and build Jeeps at another factory, Mike Manley, chief executive of the Jeep brand and chief operating officer of Fiat-Chrysler Asia Pacific, said.

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FOXNews.com: Amazon CEO seeks to recover sunken Apollo 11 engines from ocean

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Amazon CEO seeks to recover sunken Apollo 11 engines from ocean Mar 29th 2012, 03:21 For more than four decades, the powerful engines that helped boost the Apollo 11 mission to the moon have rested in the Atlantic. Now Internet billionaire and space enthusiast Jeff Bezos wants to raise at least one of them to the surface. An undersea expedition spearheaded by Bezos used sonar to find what he said were the F-1 engines located 14,000 feet deep. In an online announcement Wednesday, the Amazon.com CEO and founder said he is drawing up plans to recover the sunken engines, part of the mighty Saturn V rocket that launched Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on their moon mission. The five engines, which produced nearly 7.7 million pounds of thrust, dropped into the sea as planned minutes after liftoff in 1969. Four days later, Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon. "We don't know yet what condition these engines might be in," he wrote. "They hit the ocean at high velocity and have been in salt water for more than 40 years. On the other hand, they're made of tough stuff, so we'll see." Bezos acknowledged the engines were the property of NASA, but said he hoped they will be displayed in museums. NASA expressed excitement about the find. The space agency said it has not been formally contacted by Bezos and waited for more information. "There has always been great interest in artifacts from the early days of space exploration and his announcement only adds to the enthusiasm of those interested in NASA's history," NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs said in a statement. No timetable has been set for the recovery. When it happens, it'll undoubtedly take longer to hoist the 19-foot engines off the sea floor than the 2 1/2 minutes it took for them to power off the launch pad. The sea floor is littered with spent rockets and flight parts from missions dating back to the dawn of the Space Age and it's unknown what survived decades later after crashing into the ocean. In 2009, a private company salvaged Gus Grissom's Mercury capsule that accidentally sank in the Atlantic after splashdown in 1961. It was restored and displayed at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Bezos' planned Apollo recovery is the latest deep-sea adventure by the wealthy. "Avatar" director James Cameron over the weekend rode a mini-sub to Earth's deepest spot in the western Pacific Ocean, seven miles below the surface, which he described as an alien world. Sir Richard Branson plans a similar dive to the deepest part of the Atlantic, the Puerto Rican trench, later this year. Bezos was 5 years old when he watched the moon landing on television and became hooked on getting to space. NASA "sure inspired me, and with this endeavor, maybe we can inspire a few more youth to invent and explore," he wrote. It was not immediately clear when Bezos' team spotted the Apollo engines. Bezos offered few details about the discovery and did not say how he knew the engines were from Apollo 11. The cost of the recovery was not disclosed, but Bezos said it will be done with private funds. Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said Bezos was not available for comment. Bezos' Blue Origin has been developing a vertical takeoff and landing rocketship that would fly passengers to suborbital space. It has NASA funding to compete to go into orbit as a space taxi now that the space shuttle fleet is retired. Last year, a test flight went awry when the vehicle became unstable at 45,000 feet and crashed.

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FOXNews.com: OnStar Family Link to let Mom and Dad play Big Brother

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OnStar Family Link to let Mom and Dad play Big Brother Mar 28th 2012, 19:43 It's 10 pm, do you know where you're children are? Maybe not, but if they're driving your General Motors vehicle you will soon be able to keep track of its location at all times. GM's OnStar telematics service is launching a new feature called Family Link that allows you to see where your car is on a map on your computer, and also have messages sent to your phone with its location periodically. The feature will be available a la carte for $3.99 per month on top of the basic OnStar service charge, which starts between $199 and $299 annually. Several aftermarket companies already sell standalone systems that provide a similar service, while Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system allows users to set up a "geofence" around a predetermined area that automatically generates a text or e-mail message when the car enters or leaves the zone. GM will begin to phase in Family Link starting in April and roll it out nationwide over the course of the year.

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FOXNews.com: The 1,100 hp Shelby Mustang

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The 1,100 hp Shelby Mustang Mar 28th 2012, 18:16 Carroll Shelby still has some serious mojo. The legendary tuner's eponymous company, Shelby American, has taken the wraps off its most powerful creation ever, the Shelby 1000. The four-digit number represents the power of the supercharged 5.4-liter engine under the modified Ford Mustang's hood, more or less. Stripped to the block and fitted with a suite of customized parts that includes a new blower, flowed heads, stronger rods, crank and pistons and a sprinkling of "Shelby magic," the motor puts out a claimed 950 hp in street tune while the company says a racing version is good for 1,100 hp. Somewhat surprisingly, Shelby American VP Gary Patterson tells FoxNews.com that the Shelby 1000 isn't intended to be a quarter mile car, although it should be no slouch at the drag strip with a solid driveshaft and 9-inch rear end. An upgraded suspension and brake package aim to improve handling on twisty tracks. Read FoxNews.com Auto's review of the Shelby GT350 The Shelby 1000 was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Shelby Cobra, and will be available in limited numbers, although the price tag might take care of that itself. The car costs $149,995 on top of the $49,995 price of the Shelby GT500 donor car needed to build it. The Shelby 1000 will make its public debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

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