Dear Chilipal,

Ok, so after a way long time of trying to make um perfect ( 71 rounds of samples, which is a record for me), I am proud to say “they’re here” Yes, my hand-made kettle cooked Chips Dusted with a Perfect Blend of Chipotle and Habanero Spice. They F-in Rock! The Heat Level is what I would call “Medium”. Not nearly as hot as our black bag but they are not mild. So I will say, Medium, I hate that word, to be honest is sounds so f-in boring. But you get it. Check um out at http://www.extremefood.com 28 oz. bags per case.

Also, I want to give you heads up on some other things. We are almost ready to kick off Ozzy’s Axeman and Black Label Society founder Zakk Wylde’s Berserker Sauce Line, as I have really gotten to know the World of Zakk in the last 6 months, I have to tell you he is one real chilihead and needless to say a guitar legend that Speaks for Himself. We are planning on debuting the sauce line at OzzFest in July 2008. After speaking with Zakk last week he told me he is having a Limited Number of his Custom Signed Les Paul Guitars made for me to give out to a special few chilihead locations around the globe this fall (Over $6,000 Value Each). Ok I have so much to tell you about but I need to stop. I need to talk instead of type. Anyway, will speak to ya soon, with so much more to tell ya.

FEEL ALIVE!
Blair

If you have ever checked out our website then you already know we have a photo gallery of shots people have sent us with our product.

Now we want to make a contest out of it.

Starting today and running through Sept. 14th (the week after ZestFest) send us your photos with our product/s.

The Rules

• One winner will be chosen to receive one case (12) mix or match of our products and up to $20. shipping (since we don’t know where we are sending it yet a limitation on shipping cost seemed in order).
• The contest will be judged soley by Zane and Zack. They are 12 and 14 so you may want to consider that while taking your photos.
• In the event that the boys have a tied decision the final choice will come down to Rho, Sham, Bo (best 2 out of 3).
• Absolutely no photoshop, original pictures only.
• Have fun, and don’t get yourself into any trouble (’cause we aren’t bailing you out).

Send your photos to sam@zandzhoneyco.com

Finding tacos in New York was a major undertaking but finding them here in Texas is a breeze - taco carts are to Texas like bagel carts are to NYC - there’s one on every corner. But finding a “good” one has been a challenge and it wasn’t until I consulted someone who had lived here their entire life was I then introduced to El Ray. El Ray is a Cuban/Mexican Taqueria that’s actually pretty close to our offices here.

Inside El Ray is nothing special - typical counter/diner set up and come lunch time, it’s always packed. The bar seating along the walls allows more people to cram in - but it’s not uncommon to see a line out the door on any given day. Tacos are reasonably priced in the $1.75 to $2.25 range - but you best bet is to ask for a taco plate for $4.75 - it’ll come with 3 tacos and beans & rice.

Anthony came for a visit and we stopped at El Ray for a snack before dinner - I say snack because dinner was about 3 hours away and we were doing a whirlwind tour of Houston. The Cuban tacos are my personal favorite - chicken, black beans & plantains - but those are closely followed by the Ropa Vieja tacos and the Fish Tacos. Try all three if you get the chance - and don’t forget to ask the folks behind the counter for their special hot sauces. They have little dishes of green & red hot sauce that go perfectly with the tacos - not too hot, but they would hurt a beginner. I’ve seen regulars eat entire jars of the red in single sittings - they take this stuff serious here!

I’ve also tried the Torta here but it was just so so - I’ve also had friends try the chicken plate, which is enormus, with good feedback.

El Ray Taqueria
Online Menu
910 Shepherd.@ Washington Houston, TX 77007
Phone: 713 - 802 - 9145

Hot Sauce for Knee Pain
WORCESTER, Mass. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Hot sauce can put a fire in your belly and leave your eyes crying for more. Now, doctors are testing to see if the hot stuff that numbs your tongue can numb knee pain.

Hot sauce is used to spice up your food. Now, capsaicin — the active principle that gives chili peppers their punch — is knocking out knee pain.

At age 71, Ron Johnson says his knee is in better shape than it was in his fifties.

“It was constant pain in both knees,” Johnson says.

That pain limited his work as a funeral director.

“One of the things that bothered me the most was limping down the aisle of a church funeral trying to push the casket,” Johnson says.

The spicy new treatment is part of a study that uses Adlea, an ultra-purified form of capsaicin. Dr. Birbera injects it into a patient’s knee to relieve pain.

“It allows the entry of calcium which de-sensitizes the nerve for a prolonged period of time,” says Charles A. Birbara, M.D., a rheumatologist with the Clinical Pharmacology Study Group in Worcester, Mass.

Doctors say capsaicin binds to specific receptors on nerves responsible for pain. When the cells open, extra calcium enters. The nerves become overwhelmed and shut down, thus numbing the pain from several weeks to months.

“What we are looking at here is a very targeted therapy,” Dr. Birbara says.

Doctors say because capsaicin pinpoints the pain, patient’s are reporting few major side effects except the initial burning sensation when first injected.

“If you can take it in your stomach you certainly can put it in your knee,” Johnson reasons.

Heat that’s making the hurt go away.

Doctors are also studying Adlea for surgical pain. Initial reports suggest pain is improved and patients may need less pain medication afterwards. Adlea is not FDA approved and doctors are still testing to see just how long the pain is relieved.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Anesiva
http://www.anesiva.com
(650) 624-9600
Gilbert Wong, MD
Director of Clinical Research
cbwang@wcpglobal.com