Furyk isn't obsessed with No. 1, but he wouldn't mind claiming it

Jim Furyk focuses on his golf game. He focuses on the leaderboard. He focuses on his position each round, particularly the back nine on Sunday.

What this year's PGA TOUR Player of the Year doesn't focus on is his spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.

"I've never worried about rankings," he said Wednesday during a visit to the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse.

But Furyk, currently No. 5 in the world, will change his outlook should one thing ever happen -- he ascends to the No. 1 spot in the world.

At that point, he will sit back, give himself a chance to reflect and appreciate the journey that got him there.

"It would be cool just to say one day, even for a week, I was ranked No. 1 in the world," Furyk said. "That's my one exception to the rule for world rankings. It would be cool to say that."

Right now, Lee Westwood is the current No. 1, having moved into that position six weeks ago for the first time in his career while ending Tiger Woods' record 281-week stay atop the rankings.

Woods is now No. 2, followed by Martin Kaymer (No. 3), Phil Mickelson (No. 4) and Furyk.

"Lee Westwood's got to be giggling right now," Furyk said. "It's something he'll be able to tell people forever."

Thanks to his win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa last weekend, Westwood guaranteed himself of maintaining the No. 1 spot for at least the rest of this month going into 2011.

But the expectation is that the No. 1 ranking could be juggled among several players in 2011. With the competition at the top so tight, and those higher-echelon players spread out among the PGA TOUR and European Tour, the No. 1 spot could ping-pong back and forth across the Atlantic all year.

One of those players, of course, is Furyk. In 2006, he rose to No. 2 in the world after winning the RBC Canadian Open. But that's about as far as he could go with Woods in such dominant form.

"In the past, Tiger had such a big lead (in the rankings) that it didn't matter how well you played, you couldn't catch him," Furyk said. "... It wasn't possible.

"Now, those numbers are so close that there's probably five or six guys legitimately sometime during this year could be ranked No. 1."

Producing similar results in 2011 like the ones he had this year, when he won a career-high three events as well as the FedExCup, could be enough to move Furyk to No. 1. Remember, too, that the rankings are based on a two-year "rolling" period. So if he has a great 2011, it would replace the 2009 season in which he failed to win.

"I think just by the numbers there's probably already a scenario of some sort," Furyk said about his shot at No. 1.

But he insists he won't adjust his playing schedule if he gets close. He will start his season in Hawaii at the first two events of the year, and will make a couple of dozen or so starts.

Starting the season as a 40-year-old, Furyk knows his concentration must remain on the immediate tasks -- staying in shape, maintaining his good health, keeping a consistent swing and, most of all, taking advantage of his Sunday back-nine opportunities.

Still, he knows the rankings discussion will be a watercooler topic all year.

"I think this year will be more interesting with the parity being brought up," Furyk said. "It will actually make for a good story this year -- where it hasn't been able to for a lot of years."

For at least one week in 2011, Furyk would like to be the main topic of that story. 

That would be cool.

Source  http://www.pgatour.com/2010/r/12/08/furyk-rankings/

Tips on selecting the right Christmas tree

If you're shopping for a live Christmas tree, there's some things you need to know before you head out the door. Before you even get to the tree farm you should measure your ceiling because the tree outside will look smaller than it will inside your home.

"If you have 10ft. ceilings, get a 9 ft. tree and it fits in nice and there's room for the star on top of it," says owner of Nieman's Christmas Tree Plantation, Tom Nieman.

if you don't have a lot of room for a tree you may opt for a more narrow shape. But there are also wide trees and different varieties to fit any style.

"Frasier furs are one of the most fragrant there is. What we recommend is that people go in the back of the tree and break some of the branches every couple of days. And the odor will go through the whole living room and you'll be able to smell it all the time, which is really nice," says Nieman.

Other kinds are Colorado Spruce and Douglass Fir. Christmas trees take about 8-9 years before they're ready to cut.

"The one thing you want to look for is good color. If the tree is yellowish cast then there's probably a chance that it might not hold up as well," explains Nieman.

If you see some trees that are dyed green, it may already be dried out and will not last through the season. A test of the tree's health is pulling on the limb. There should not be any needles in your hand. Once the tree is home, it will be very thirsty.

"I'd just keep checking it every day. Some people with those big trees, 12 footer, they'll tell us they'll check it twice a day. It'll pull up maybe 2 gallons of water a day. The smaller ones, not so much," says Nieman.

Properly watering the tree will reduce the risk of fire and keep it looking healthy through the holidays.

Source  http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Tips_on_selecting_the_right_Christmas_tree_111135759.html

10 healthy diet tips during holidays

Dreading the holiday season, as it would crash your plans to maintain a healthy diet? Well, you don't have to worry, for an expert has come up with a few tips to help you keep healthy habits intact during this time of the year.

"Attitude and commitment are so important to eating healthy any time of year," said Brittany Glassett, registered dietitian at Porter Adventist Hospital.

"There is no need to deny yourself all ''treats'' this time of year, but if you are mindful of what you are eating and practicing moderation, then you can be successful in your weight management goals - and know that you are sticking with your healthy habits," said Glassett.

Here's is the 10 tips for healthy eating during the holidays:

1. No skipping meals. The old adage rings true -always eat breakfast. Eat small, frequent meals and healthy snacks during the day to help avoid overeating at holiday parties.

2. If you overindulge at one meal, don't stress about it - just get back on track with your next meal.

3. Don't drink your calories! Monitor alcohol and soda consumption. Both are high in calories. Try alternating water with alcoholic beverages.

4. Substitute - yogurt for cream, sour cream and mayonnaise, and substitute herbs and spices for salt and fats. You can also add strained applesauce instead of butter or cooking oil when baking.

5. Eat smaller portions or use a smaller plate. Share a piece of pie and don't go back for seconds.

6. Pace, don't race. Eat your food slowly. If you eat too fast your stomach won't have time to register that it is full. Savour each bite.

7. Skip the appetizers - or bring your own healthy appetizer to a gathering. Nibble on raw vegetables, low fat dips and salsa.

8. Don't loiter in the same room as the food. Focus your attention on the company, rather than the buffet or the bar.

9. Trim back the trimmings. Dressings and side dishes are typically high in calories. Eat turkey without the skin, make gravy with little or no fat and use lighter dressings.

10. Make sure you get regular exercise throughout the holidays. It helps you maintain your weight and decreases your stress. Get the family together for a walk after dinner or get to the gym in the mornings before the holiday activities begin. Better yet, sign up to run (or walk) a Turkey Trot or other event.

Finally, don't deny yourself, said Glassett. Have a tiny taste of those things you really enjoy, but the key word is taste.

Read more: 10 healthy diet tips during holidays - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/10-healthy-diet-tips-during-holidays/articleshow/6981978.cms#ixzz16HRRSrDK