My very own chili

Some of you have eaten my chili and think that its pretty good in both the meatful and meatless varieties. A few have gone as far as to demand the recipe. The truth is that I don't really have one. I usually read a recipe for chili for the base and then I take my spin on it. That said, below is a recipe for chili that will make a big pot full and likely tastes like my chili. It's really easy to make. The hardest part is coming up with the recipe, but I did that for you, so get out there and make some.

I think what makes my chili distinct is that I use (what I think is) a unique blend of meat. For the beef, I like to use 85% lean ground beef. If you really want to, you can use leaner beef and the flavor stays mostly the same. Then, the unique part, is an equal part of spicy italian sausage. I love the flavor of spicy italian sausage in general and I think that chili should have a little kick to it that this brings. I have also used chorizo and thought about using andouille, both should bring a delicious sausage flavor and the spice that you need. I don't recommend using the packaged chicken sausages. They're fine flavor-wise, but they have a weird texture because they are pre-cooked (like hotdogs are). You can get fresh chicken sausages in all flavors at the meat counter at Whole Foods (and probably your local grocery store, too).

For the meatless version just replace the meat with zucchini, a red pepper and more beans.

The other most important ingredient is chipotle chiles. I like to think that I was ahead of the curve in my love of chipotles. I've been eating chipotle hot sauces for about 10 years now (thanks to The Heights near Columbia) and I am totally pumped that they are reaching the mainstream. Chipotle brings so much to the table, its smoky and spicy and absolutely delicious. Most importantly though, without it, my chili wouldn't have the depth that it does.

Also, I don't care what some people say about chili, in my mind chili should have more than just meat in it. I always have some beans and corn in there because they're delicious and I like the color they bring to the final product.

And now the recipe:

Ingredients
1 big can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
1 lb. ground beef (preferably 85% lean)
1 red bell pepper, diced (for the meatless version)
1 zucchini, diced (for the meatless version)
1 lb. spicy italian sausage
2 or 3 chipotle chiles, minced (I like the ones from a can of adobo sauce)
1/2 can of red kidney beans (or black beans, or whatever beans you want)
1/2 can of corn
1 pretty good sized onion, diced finely
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced
About 2 tablespoons of chili powder (you can make your own or buy it)
1 tablespoon cumin
Olive Oil
Salt and pepper

Instructions
Season the beef with salt and pepper (the sausage shouldn't need it)
Brown all of the meat (I usually use a second pot for this)
Saute the onions in the olive oil in your chili pot until they start to turn yellow and soft
For the meatless version, add the red pepper with the onion and add the zucchini a couple of minutes later but before you get to the garlic
Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin and stir it up
Cook the garlic for about a minute or two, be careful not to burn the garlic
Add the can of tomatoes
Add the meat
Add the beans
Add the corn
Add the chipotles (if feeling saucy, add some of the adobo, too)
Mix it up and simmer for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together

Serve it up! I love sour cream with my chili. Other people like red onion and cheese. Either way, its fantastic.

This makes a pretty big pot of food. I think it served at least 10 people last time I made it. Also, if you have leftovers, chili tastes delicious when reheated. I think because the flavors really mix when it sits in the fridge overnight and reheating on the stove doesn't hurt it.

Joost

In the battle for full-length online video. There are two competitors with a shot at making it, Hulu (which I love) and Joost. No, Joost is not a web 2.0 store for steroids. It's an online video player from the guys who brought you KaZaa and Skype and it was a media darling about a year ago. I've spent this morning giving Joost a try.

In terms of content, Joost is all over the map. It has music videos, video podcasts, full length TV episodes and sports highlights. Overall, the catalog has enough to keep you busy for a pretty good amount of time, but the current stuff is not very complete. Also, there are just enough non-nude bikini girl channels to make a guy feel like he's doing something inappropriate. I'm not sure exactly why someone would want to come to Joost for that, unless they were looking for porn, but 'Sexy Clips', 'Candy Crib' and 'Motors Babes' are the #3, #11 and #14 most popular channels. Draw your own conclusions.

Unlike Hulu, Joost has a deal with CBS for their shows. I don't watch CBS, other than for sports, so I was kind of bored with the options. But, if you need an NPH fix, Joost can give it to you. But, then so can the CBS website.

If you clicked on the links above, you noticed that they took you to the Joost website and showed you what I was trying to share, but there was no video player. Joost requires a download, like it's 1999. The program works fine for browsing on your own, but loses the social aspects completely. Even with the player installed I still can't click on the show and have it launch. At least, I haven't figured it out, and I'm usually pretty good at these things.

Also, they constantly have a drop box that's trying to get me to share what I'm watching or recommending something else. A bit of a distraction, especially during Wall Strip.

If you want to use your computer for long viewing sessions, Joost allows you to create 'channels'. You pull together a bunch of videos into a queue and it will play them in order. It mimics your TV nicely, with ads only coming between shows. Annoyingly, the ads are louder than the shows! What is this, my regular TV? If I was a studio exec, and I was trying to drive adoption of a specific new service, especially one trying to compete with YouTube, I would not be as jerky as I am on tried and true TV. I think I would hold back for a bit until there was some adoption, or proof that people were watching two shows in a row, and getting up for a snack in between. If people aren't even watching one show, what makes you think they'll watch two? Luckily for shorts/podcasts/etc they don't force an ad on you between shows.

I think I'll stick with Hulu, YouTube and each network's website. I don't see myself using Joost very often, at least until they get something more entertaining to watch than the Babylon 5 Pilot.

Are there any good brokers in NYC?

I'm not so sure.

NY Rent Club challenges my beliefs at a fundamental level. It's a website that intends to help you find a place in NYC exclusively through the help of a broker. It has no listings. You go to this website only if you are willing to use a broker. It costs renters nothing, and makes money from brokers when they place someone in an apartment.

As a renter, you go to the site, put in your apartment preferences (location, size, price, amenities) and are shown a list of relevant and rated brokers. Seems like a good model.

I like that they require 3 references before a broker can even sign up. Then, once a broker gets on the site, renters can rate them based on their experience. They also guarantee renters a 20% discount, but if you know me, you know that I think 15% is bullshit to begin with. I still think 12% is high.

If you're willing to use a broker, this might help prevent a piece of shit broker from wasting your time.

Thanks to : Thrillist

Keyboard to a Man's Heart 2

Ok, it's no secret that I love keyboard shortcuts and am always trying to convert people to this wonderful productivity enhancer.

I found a website that will give you the opportunity to learn shortcuts in almost any program or operating system.

Please give it a look and then give the shortcuts a try.

Going to Websites is a Waste of Time

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a way to get articles, blog posts and almost anything else delivered as it hits the internet. This stuff has been around for a bunch of years now, and it's only getting more useful and easier to use. Plus, as non-MSM (mainstream media) becomes more commonplace as a source of news and entertainment RSS feeds could replace your newspaper and become as indispensable as email. If you already have a personalized iGoogle or other start page, you're already subscribing to RSS feeds.

Very few people around me actually use an RSS reader, mostly because they have no idea what it is. They prefer to check their favorite sites several times a day, manually! In this day and age! Can you believe that people wouldn't automate the process?! Ladies, TMZ can be delivered to you. Imagine all the Lindsay, Paris and Britney you can stand, and all from the luxurious comfort of your very own feed reader.

Plus, RSS feeds can be used for more than just reading news on the internet, but we'll get to that later.

Your web browser probably has a built in feed reader function, but you don't need to mess with it. I'm enamored with web services in general, and feed readers are a perfect match. I like that I can check my email or read my feeds from any computer with an internet connection. Plus, now that I have a smartphone, I can check my email and read RSS feeds from anywhere.

I use Google Reader. I feel like it has the functionality that I need, though I haven't really experimented with others because I can't think of much more that I want to do with my feeds. You can share, tag and star posts to organize them and it has keyboard shortcuts. Probably the biggest reason I went with Google Reader is that I already have a google account, so I use all of their online products from Gmail to Google Docs to Blogger to Grand Central. It's not that I think they are the best, but they at least copy everyone else fast enough that I don't notice. Plus, it's free.

Other free options include Bloglines, which I hear good things about, and News Gator, which I've heard less about. There are a million others out there that I don't feel like searching out, but if one of my (three?) readers uses a different one, I'd be very grateful if you would tell me in the comments why you chose and love it.

For step by step help: Getting Started with RSS.

You don't have to feel limited by the idea of a single aggregator website. If that's not how you roll, check out these 14 other slick ways ways to get your feeds (e.g., through email or IM).

Compounding the coolness, RSS feeds can be used for purposes other than staying up on current events and gossip:

• Simple Tracking let's you create an RSS feed to track your packages (Bloglines has this feature built-in)--so you can be updated on the status of your most recent Amazon order.
• Some websites let you create RSS feeds of your particular search criteria, like this job search website. And others like it
• Lifehacker has a ton more RSS tips and tricks
  

The bottom line is that RSS feeds are fantastic and I highly recommend everyone get set up. And, if you choose Google Reader, let's be friends and share some posts.

Oh, an once you get a reader set up, make sure to sign up for my feed.

Athlete Look a Likes

Sometimes, I like to make powerpoint presentations. Here's one I put together recently. It's about people who look like athletes. Leave your suggestions in the comments and I'll add them.

| View | Upload your own

Link Dump

Some links to interesting reading from the past week:

Client 9's girl gets paid (NY Post)
Another TV website (Prime Time TV)
Recycling Electronics in NYC (NY Times)
YouTube for news? (Ground Report TV)
MarioKart for the Wii! April 27 (Nintendo)

Smartphone Update

I got the Curve on Thursday. So far, I'm totally pumped about it. If anyone out there also has a Blackberry, and is on BB Messenger. Send me an invite.

Also, quick review: it's great and I'm slowly updating my address book to be more complete with email addresses, etc. The internet, while not iPhone internet, is surprisingly usable. Substantially better than my work blackberry. The only complaint I have is that brickbreaker is not as fun as on the old scroll wheel blackberry.

Lastly, I think I'll still get an iPhone at some point. Maybe I'll wait for the 3G, maybe not. But this was pretty cheap and there's no discount on the iPhone, so I figured I would give it a whirl.

Do It Yourself

I read this article recently and it really struck a chord with me. Mostly because I definitely have noticed/seen how people get so scared to mess with things, even me. Here's a quote that sums up the whole article.

But when we stop working with our hands, we cease to understand how the world really works.

You see this on a personal level. If you can't get under the hood of the gadgets you buy, you're far more liable to believe the marketing hype of the corporations that sell them. When things break, you toss them and buy new ones; you accept your role as a mere consumer. "I think it makes you more passive as an individual," says Matthew Crawford, a former motorcycle repair-shop owner (and postdoctoral fellow in cultural studies) who's writing a book on the demise of mechanical aptitude in America.

I took this to heart, and today with a friend, I took apart an old laptop computer (it still runs when it's in pieces). I'm planning to reassemble it as a digital picture frame. It's gonna be cool--not because it looks cool, but because I got in there and took some shit apart and put it back together.

Doesn't a computer look cool in pieces on your coffee table?

Name Change

I decided that Life of Balls wasn't a really good name for my blog. For one, its a bit crude to name it balls. Second, there's some other guy named brian that has a blog called lifeofbell. I decided that it was too close for comfort.

Here we are at Friday Fives at Six. This is a reference to the office morale booster that I created when I was working in Boston. The concept is simple. On Fridays, at 6 pm, if you're still in the office, high five the people around you. There are tons of things to celebrate. You've all made it through another week. The weekend is likely about to get rolling in full effect. If it isn't, the high five can recognize all of the great work you've done this week already.

With my (two?) readers' help, I'm going to try to take this thing global. In Boston, we had a couple of us running around the office high fiving everyone (they've since added a beer cart). I don't expect that to happen everywhere. It doesn't really scale and, in this Web 2.0 age, everything needs to scale. Tomorrow, and every Friday following, if you are still in the office at 6, please high five the dudes (and/or dudettes) sitting right next to you on either side (and crack open that warm can of beer you keep in the drawer to the right, on the bottom, behind the competitive analysis but in front of the quarterly budget, I know its kind of hidden down there, but you can reach it). That could set in motion a domino effect whereby high fives reverberate throughout the office and then the country and then the globe!

YES, WE CAN!

Offal Meat

Chris Cosentino is a crazy man. He cooks offal. Offal is the parts of the animal that fall off when the butcher is doing his work. He recently did a dinner at the Astor Center that I was thinking about trying to go to. I didn't, and after watching this video, I'm glad for that. I would never have been able to handle that. Especially the deboned pig's head served like deli meat with the tongue and ears all folded back in.

He has a blog that is still worth reading. I think what he does is fantastic, if for no other reason than the fact that he's the ultimate recycler. I also think it is very much worth reading, at least this bit about humane cow slaughter. These are the kinds of small things that most of us forget are a part of the process. I have to say that I'm in the camp of "if you can't take a look at the pictures, maybe you shouldn't eat the meat". And remember that these are pics of humane slaughter, it could be much worse at some places. Cosentino has a post up about the bad spots that I think is worth reading.

Costa Rica, Eco-Tourism

Costa Rica is an unbelievable place to vacation. The country is gorgeous and the people are very friendly. According to one tour guide, tourism (especially eco-tourism) has become the country's number one source of income. I think he said it used to be bananas. I think they do a great job. This was in my top vacations of all time. You can see all of the awesome activities I did in my Flickr album.

We got up early every morning, before 8 most days, sometimes earlier. It's amazing how easy that can be when you are totally pumped to live the day. It was just a great laid-back vibe despite all the activities we scheduled. I was also surprised that so many people spoke so much English. I hardly needed any Spanish, though knowing it made my life slightly easier in some places.

We went to two places. The first was called Rancho Margot in Arenal, near the volcano. I think if you go to Costa Rica and don't go to the mountains/volcanoes/hot springs somewhere in the country, you have made a big mistake. The second was a hotel in Manuel Antonio called La Mandarina, which was sufficient and had a semi-outdoor shower--which was new for me.

Rancho Margot is an incredible place. It's completely self-sufficient. This place is the last place on the long, unpaved road. It has a hydro electric plant for power. A farm for fruits, vegetables, and spices. Livestock (and is building a slaughterhouse) for dairy and eggs. Plus, they even harvest gas from the compost to use for the hot water heaters. The food was fantastic. The grounds were unbelievable. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the farm and the surrounding forest. Hiking to the waterfall was one of the most fun things I've done. Zip lines, of course, are always a blast. You can imagine how much more fun they are with views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. You don't even have to imagine, here's a video of one of the lines.



Manuel Antonio is your typical beach vacation, but with a dense forest of a national park in walking distance. A fantastic place and definitely worth a trip. I thought the snorkeling was fine, but riding the jetski is fun. Surfing is tons of fun, but it's surprisingly strenuous. I got all kinds of bruised and was totally sore the next day. The forest is full of animals. About a dozen of these monkeys were right up next to us. The last thing we did was take a sunset cruise. These are pretty much guaranteed to be romantic--but I felt pretty lucky to see some dolphins swimming around. Here are a couple of videos of the animals in Manuel Antonio.

The Food We Eat

Back from Costa Rica. An unbelievable trip. I highly recommend it to everyone--and don't miss the Volcano. I will write more in depth about it as I get more time. In the meantime, check out my Flickr page.

However, I wanted to put up a link to this blog posting about the America's weight problem. I watch a lot of people think they're eating well by getting a salad for lunch, but then get extra ranch dressing and don't think twice. This guy, Ruhlman, writes a lot of good postings about a topic that's become more relevant/important to me every day. If you have a chance browse through some of his older stuff, I think it will raise your awareness (more than some Wilmer Valderrama movie). Even if it doesn't change your behavior, at least you might know the impacts. I can't believe that over the last few months, I've made an effort to eat less meat.

I think the food we eat has major implications on two of the biggest issues facing us today--the environment and health care reform--not to mention my opinion that more government regulation leads to lazier/stupider/greedier citizens with an undo sense of entitlement. I'm not going to get myself worked up right now about either of these (but I almost did), but expect that at some point, I'll be posting more links to relevant and politically charged articles like these:

Bittman on the costs of eating so much meat
Bloomberg on electing a president

I always wondered why people were so ignorant, but I never really cared until recently. I'm really learning a lot these days and, to quote Michael Jackson, "I'm starting with the man in mirror".