The Best of What Bears Eat

Have you enjoyed reading What Bears Eat? If so, would you like to own your own autographed copy of the Best of What Bears Eat? I've put together a compilation of the best recipes of the past two years along with new commentary. To get your copy simply send a check for $5.50 along with your address to:

What Bears Eat
1204 Gertrude Ave.
Champaign, IL   61821

If you would like to submit your own recipes for inclusion in da Bears blog, feel free to send those as well. If your recipe is published, you will receive a complimentary copy of The Best of What Bears Eat and, who knows, you might even be published in the next edition.

Go Bears!!!!

The Season Closer

A tough season comes to a close against the Minnesota Vikings. A well put together and talented Bears team dealt with a character building season as a result of key injuries. Highlights included a delightful 5 game winning streak and Peanut Tillman's long overdue invitation to the Pro Bowl.

This up and down season comes to an end against Minnesota on New Years Day. Neither team has a chance of going to the playoffs so this game is for bragging rights only. Both teams have had key players hurt so hopefully everyone will stay healthy and will play a fan-friendly game.

When thinking about a fan-friendly menu I am drawn to some Minneapolis-St. Paul cuisine I haven't explored before. Hotdish is a term applied to a variety of comfort foods and casseroles. A Juicy Lucy is a hamburger with cheese in the center. Pick your poison Bears fans and Bear down!

An Injured Season

Before I start wallowing in my misery about the outcome, I have to say that Caleb Hanie's first half was really good. He was getting into a nice rhythm and connecting. Also, the defense after Johnny Knox's played like they were possessed by the spirit of Papa Bear. My smoked salmon spread seemed like a good choice.

So what happened in the locker room? The second half was as flat as the box of pajamas from Grandma. Today signaled the end of any playoff hopes for this year.

It also signaled the end of the year for Johnny Knox. On the second possession he was hurt and remained down for a significant amount of time. Finally, he was placed on a back board and driven off the field. That's a terrifying sight for any football fan. Johnny Knox is not only a hugely important contributor to da Bears, he's an all around nice guy. Take yesterday for example.

Yesterday he was in Englewood - one of Chicago's historically struggling neighborhoods. His foundation - Opportunity Knox - teamed up with Hands of Hope to bring Christmas cheer to the children and families of Englewood. They provided toys, gifts, food, music, pictures with team members, and memorabilia to the children and families of Englewood. Merry Christmas Mr. Knox. I hope Santa provides you with a speedy recovery!

Nightmare on Bryant Street

Marion Barber had a nightmare and we were all invited.

Last week I compared the Bears to Humpty Dumpty. Thinking the only way to put a scrambled egg back together was to cook it, I made a non-Denver omelette. It was working too. The defense was awesome, the offense was playing a good old fashion running game, and Gould was - well - Gould.

It looked like Denver would be shut out for the first time in the franchise's history. It was all going so well and then, in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter, we shared a nightmare. With da Bears winning 10-7 and less time on the clock than it takes to soft boil an egg, Barber went out of bounds rather than allowing the clock to run down. This gave the Broncos the time they needed to tie with a field goal. It's important to note that Marion Barber had been playing a good game until then with over 100 yards. But with one momentary lapse of reason, everything changed.

The Bears won the coin toss and took the field. Barber made a diving catch to give the Bears a first down but on the next play he fumbled turning the ball over to Denver. Another field goal and the nightmare is complete. Perhaps I should have made another omelette.

Humpty Dumpty

The offense is shattering! While the defense approached the game like true Monsters of the Midway, it looks like it will take some holiday magic to pull the offense back together. Watching Forte head into the tunnel, I kept thinking And all the kings horses and all the kings men .... But wait, while this is definitely Not my favorite time of the year, we have now entered the time of the season when you separate real Bears fans from fair weather fans. So, on to Denver. Perhaps Denver Omelets are appropriate.

Go Bears!

Palko or Orton / BBQ or Steak

Decisions. Decisions. What's a blogger to do?

Kansas City, like most metropolitan areas, has the full compliment of foods from around the world. However, their claim to fame is slow cooked barbecue with a heavy sauce and grilled steaks, sometimes with a whiskey sauce.

In determining the winning menu, I want to consider the quarterbacks. Caleb Hanie is from Texas. The two potential quarterbacks for the Kansas City Chiefs are Palko and Orton.Orton is an Iowa boy who played college ball at Purdue. We all know his ties to Chicago and, according to Brian Urlacher, he's a better quarterback than ping pong player. Tyler Palko hails from Pennsylvania. Do these quarterbacks' roots help us make our menu decision? Hmmmm.