Monday, October 31, 2011
Chik fil A Calendar = 12 Free Items at Chik fil A!!
These go on sale 11/1!
The Chik fil A Calendar is coming soon and if you love that restaurant you will want to pick it up. The Calendar costs $6 but included are 12 free product coupons (no purchase necessary!)
The included coupons are :
January: FREE Chick-fil-A Nuggets ( 8-count)
February: FREE Small bowl of Hearty Breast of Chicken soup
March: FREE Simply Orange Juice or Dasani Bottled Water
April: FREE Large Diet Coke
May: FREE – Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or Large Waffle Potato Fries
June: FREE Large Coca-Cola Zero
July: FREE Small Hand-Spun milk
August: FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwich
September: FREE Large Coca-Cola
October: FREE Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich
November: FREE Chick-n-Minis (3-count) or Yogurt Parfait
December: FREE Large Sprite
FDA Warns Against Eating Too Much Black Licorice
This news may not make this year's Halloween a happy one for some people.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning adults 40 years of age or older to cut back on black licorice.
Eating 2 ounces of the candy a day for at least two weeks may lead to arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, which could possibly land you in the emergency room.
A sweetening compound found in black licorice called glycyrrhizin can cause the body's potassium levels to drop, which may lead to abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure.
Don't get too worked up though because (A.) we're assuming not many people eat that much black licorice and (B.) the FDA only received one report of this actually affecting a person last year. Not exactly an epidemic.
Still, you've been warned! Ha!
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$4.99 Halloween Movies at Amazon Instant Video
Today only, enjoy big savings on Halloween favorites at Amazon Instant Video. Buy it today, own it forever, watch it whenever! Own spooky and scary favorites like "Ghostbusters," "Ghostbusters 2," "Monster House," "Priest," "The Roommate," and more for just $4.99 each.
Purchased videos will be stored in Your Video Library where you can access them whenever you want--stream them instantly and watch on your computer or more than 300 HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and set-top devices, or download them to your PC or TiVo.
Click the link below to get your movies!
$4.99 Halloween Movies at Amazon Instant Video
Purchased videos will be stored in Your Video Library where you can access them whenever you want--stream them instantly and watch on your computer or more than 300 HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and set-top devices, or download them to your PC or TiVo.
Click the link below to get your movies!
$4.99 Halloween Movies at Amazon Instant Video
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Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halloween Candy Facts: 12 Things You Might Not Have Known
Halloween is a treasured American holiday -- and it is one where candy rules. Grocery stores and pharmacies begin devoting aisles to trick-or-treating booty for weeks before the 31st. It has been reported that the average American eats 24 pounds of candy a year, and most of that is likely consumed right around this time. We all have our favorite Halloween treats, but do you know which one is the most widely bought? Which one is the most widely searched for? The trends for what Halloween candy consumers look for is also changing, and it varies per state. New York searches most for kosher candy, and Wisconsin for gummy worms. Any idea on which state is the most interested in gluten-free candy?
Want to take a guess at how many millions of pounds of candy we consume each year? Here are the answers, and more interesting tidbits you may not have know about our Halloween candy culture.
1. Candy In Weight
Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy a year for Halloween.
What does that look like? Imagine 16 billion fun size Snickers bars or 158 trillion individual Candy Corns.
2. Biggest Candy Sales
A whopping 90 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold during Halloween week, taking a strong lead compared to other holidays. Almost 65 million pounds is sold during the week leading up to Easter and only 48 million pounds during Valentine's week.
But really, how can they compete? Halloween is the only time of year where the sweet stuff is given away by the handfuls and left in bowls on people's doorsteps, free for the taking.
3. $2 Billion In Sales
Over 10 percent of annual candy sales happen the days leading up to Halloween -- that is nearly $2 billion dollars in sales.
4. Chocolate Wins
Chocolate is clearly the preferred choice of sweets for many. Of the 1.9 billion sold in Halloween candy each year, $1.2 billion was on chocolate candy and only $680 million on sugar candy.
5. Candy Corn A Clear Favorite
The top selling candy: Candy Corn. Americans purchase over 20 million pounds of it a year, though it is unlikely that every last one of those millions of candies was actually consumed.
6. Top Chocolate Sellers
After the beloved Candy Corn, the leading best sellers are as follows: Snickers, Reese's, Kit Kat and M&M'S.
7. Searching For Candy Corn?
Candy Corn is the most searched-for candy term in Google -- more popular than candy apples, gummy worms and candy pumpkins. Searches for Candy Corn are up 10 percent from October 2010.
9. Candy By State
Which state searched the most for organic candy? Colorado. Oregon searched most for gluten-free candy and Kentucky took the lead in sugar-free.
10. Gluten-Free vs. Sugar-Free
This Halloween more people are searching for gluten-free candy than sugar-free candy. Google searches for gluten-free candy are currently 20 percent higher than searches for sugar-free candy.
11. Ultimate Candy Day
The day of the year with the most candy sales? October 28th. And of all the 365 days in the year, the top five candy selling days are all in October.
12. Halloween Splurgin'
Event though the economy is tightening everyone's budget, that does not stop them from splurging a bit on this one holiday. The average American household spends $44 a year on Halloween candy. Now, that's a lot of candy.
Want to take a guess at how many millions of pounds of candy we consume each year? Here are the answers, and more interesting tidbits you may not have know about our Halloween candy culture.
1. Candy In Weight
Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy a year for Halloween.
What does that look like? Imagine 16 billion fun size Snickers bars or 158 trillion individual Candy Corns.
2. Biggest Candy Sales
A whopping 90 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold during Halloween week, taking a strong lead compared to other holidays. Almost 65 million pounds is sold during the week leading up to Easter and only 48 million pounds during Valentine's week.
But really, how can they compete? Halloween is the only time of year where the sweet stuff is given away by the handfuls and left in bowls on people's doorsteps, free for the taking.
3. $2 Billion In Sales
Over 10 percent of annual candy sales happen the days leading up to Halloween -- that is nearly $2 billion dollars in sales.
4. Chocolate Wins
Chocolate is clearly the preferred choice of sweets for many. Of the 1.9 billion sold in Halloween candy each year, $1.2 billion was on chocolate candy and only $680 million on sugar candy.
5. Candy Corn A Clear Favorite
The top selling candy: Candy Corn. Americans purchase over 20 million pounds of it a year, though it is unlikely that every last one of those millions of candies was actually consumed.
6. Top Chocolate Sellers
After the beloved Candy Corn, the leading best sellers are as follows: Snickers, Reese's, Kit Kat and M&M'S.
7. Searching For Candy Corn?
Candy Corn is the most searched-for candy term in Google -- more popular than candy apples, gummy worms and candy pumpkins. Searches for Candy Corn are up 10 percent from October 2010.
9. Candy By State
Which state searched the most for organic candy? Colorado. Oregon searched most for gluten-free candy and Kentucky took the lead in sugar-free.
10. Gluten-Free vs. Sugar-Free
This Halloween more people are searching for gluten-free candy than sugar-free candy. Google searches for gluten-free candy are currently 20 percent higher than searches for sugar-free candy.
11. Ultimate Candy Day
The day of the year with the most candy sales? October 28th. And of all the 365 days in the year, the top five candy selling days are all in October.
12. Halloween Splurgin'
Event though the economy is tightening everyone's budget, that does not stop them from splurging a bit on this one holiday. The average American household spends $44 a year on Halloween candy. Now, that's a lot of candy.
Trip to The Walt Disney Studios: Part 1 The History
Hey Sasaki Time fans! I am bringing you a trip report from The Walt Disney studios! Now the Studios typically are not open to the public though D23 members do get to attend events on the lot from time to time! But if you are not a D23 member and want to go on a regular day then you need to be invited by a Cast Member. So, a few days ago I was invited by a couple of good friends to walk around the lot!
I decided to make this trip report a three part report! The first one dealing with some of the history that is to be found on the Lot! The second part dealing with some of the wonderful food to be found at the Studio Commissary! The last part of the report is the main reason for visiting The Studios and that was to see the newly remodeled Studio Store!
So, on with Part 1 The History! I just wanted to share some of the fun historic items you can see while you walk around the Lot!
Once you get past the security gate, you enter the Zorro Parking Structure! Check out the awesome character artwork!
Heading out of the structure across the street you will see the various Studio sound stages where some of the greatest Disney films and TV shows ere filmed. In some of them, the first attractions for Disneyland were built and tested. Stage 2 is very famous and is known as the Julie Andrews Stage. Mary Poppins and The Princess Dairies were both filmed here!
Here is the plaque so you know this is the Julie Andrews Stage.
From here you can see the famous water tower.
I saw this poster and had to take a picture of it. The Golden Oaks Ranch was the home to the Spin and Marty Show that was part of the original Mickey Mouse Club Show. Looks like they ranch is ready to do more filming!
We continue to the Hyperion Bungalow, one of the buildings from the old Hyperion Studio Lot that was moved to the Lot here in Burbank. Sorry the image is so dark!
Across from the Hyperion Bungalow is the Studio Commissary but because it is too early for lunch we will just look at the two flag poles out in front. Here is one of them. This is one of two flag poles that were used during the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley in 1960. Walt Disney was responsible for both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Continuing up the street we run into a well photographed corner on the Studio Lot. This is the corner of Dopey Drive and Mickey Avenue. And yes the signs are pointing to the places where all of those different animation divisions once were.
As we pull back from this famous corner, you can see one more famous part of this corner. Yes, I do mean the fire hydrant! That's Pluto's Corner!
Let's take a closer look at Pluto's Corner shall we? If you have to ask why are their only three paw prints, you aren't thinking hard enough or funny enough! Hahaha!
As we continue up the street, we run into the Studio Theater. It underwent a major overhaul to modernize it a few years ago. All the Studio screenings are held here. Before the upgrade there use to be hand prints and signatures in concrete of early Disney Legends before they built Legends Plaza.
Right across from the Studio Theatre is the Animation building or what was the Animation building. It is still home to offices of many different production groups. The Feature Animation team is in the "hat" building next to the ABC West Coast Offices which is across the street from the main Lot.
Of course this building is historic and you can read the plaque on the outside of the building.
As we exit the Animation building we have our first look at the Team Disney Burbank building. This holds the offices of the top management of The Walt Disney Company including CEO Bog Iger. How fitting that the film that helped Walt build this studio is now the characters that are holding up the building?
Next to the Team Disney Burbank building is Legends Plaza. This is the home to the people that made The Company what it is today!
They have a larger than life version of the Legends Award.
There is another Partner's Statue. Feels like being down the road at Disneyland!
Nearby is the statue of Walt's brother Roy and Minnie. You can find this at Walt Disney World.
We continue our tour and head to the Frank G. Well's building. Inside is the home to The Walt Disney Archives.
Before we step inside, let's take a look at one of the original multi-plane cameras!
Let's step inside.
And take a look around!
As we head back outside, there is a display of some of the famous hats worn in Disney movies or attractions! This is my favorite one, from The Rocketeer!
I hope you enjoyed a look at just some of the history of the Studios! Check out Part 2 The Studio Commissary because it is now time for lunch!
I decided to make this trip report a three part report! The first one dealing with some of the history that is to be found on the Lot! The second part dealing with some of the wonderful food to be found at the Studio Commissary! The last part of the report is the main reason for visiting The Studios and that was to see the newly remodeled Studio Store!
So, on with Part 1 The History! I just wanted to share some of the fun historic items you can see while you walk around the Lot!
Once you get past the security gate, you enter the Zorro Parking Structure! Check out the awesome character artwork!
We continue to the Hyperion Bungalow, one of the buildings from the old Hyperion Studio Lot that was moved to the Lot here in Burbank. Sorry the image is so dark!
Let's step inside.
I hope you enjoyed a look at just some of the history of the Studios! Check out Part 2 The Studio Commissary because it is now time for lunch!
Toshiba 46" 240Hz 3D LED LCD TV w/ 4 3D glasses for $900 + free shipping
Get Four Pairs of 3D Glasses with the Purchase of a Toshiba LED HDTV
To take advantage of this offer, simply add the Toshiba 46WX800U 46-inch HDTV and the 3D glasses from the list below to your Shopping Cart. You will not be charged for the 3D glasses. To receive all pairs of glasses, change the quantity to four during checkout. Qualifying products must be purchased from Amazon.com; does not include purchases from other sellers on the Amazon.com website. See terms and conditions.
McDonalds Channel: Burger Joint Launching In-Restaurant TV Network
Here's one way to stop that drive-thru coning epidemic: make the inside of your restaurant more fun than the outside.
The Los Angeles Times reports that fast food chain titan McDonalds is expanding a test run of on-site TV programming, creating a closed circuit network that will play on big screen TVs in 800 locations in central and southern California. Called simply McDonald's Channel, it will feature content from such big time producers as reality king Mark Burnett, BBC America and a Los Angeles news network.
The channel will also feature music, fashion, nightlife and entertainment features, as well as inspiring features and more local stories, such as high school sports. It will be audible in 70% of the restaurant, which allows for a quiet zone for people to go and eat their Big Macs in peace.
What remains to be seen, however, is how the restaurant will use some of its iconic characters. Will they show episodes of the mini-series "Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald," which came out on DVD and video in the late 90s-early 2000s? Will they feature old commercials starring Ronald and friends like Grimace, Mayor McCheese, Fry Guys, and the Hamburglar? And how about those touching commercials from the 80s?
In hopes of inspiring them to do so, here is a video archive list of some suggestions for their programming chiefs. For more details on the channel, click over to the LA Times.
Disney Movie Rewards: 105 free points
- Click here to register
- enter code "SIMBA" for 25 points
- enter code "MATER" for 25 points
- enter code "HUNNY" for 25 points
- enter code "FPSNN83JX9" for 25 points
- enter code "HSIU87FJ457" for 5 points
- your 105 points will then show on your account
Rambo: The Complete Collector's Set [Blu-ray] for $25.00 (55% off) + Free Shipping!
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Sylvester Stallone (Actor), Julie Benz (Actor), Sylvester Stallone (Director), George P. Cosmatos (Director) | Rated: R | Format: Blu-ray
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sur La Table: Free knife sharpening in-store
In-store at Sur La Table, get two knives professionally sharpened for free. (Additional knives cost $1 per inch.) That's tied with our June mention as the best deal we've seen for this service. Click here to find a store near you. Deal ends October 31.
Einstein Bros. Bagels coupon: Free Espresso Beverage w/ Breakfast Sandwich
At participating Einstein Bros. Bagels locations, purchase a Breakfast Sandwich and receive a free Espresso Beverage via this printable coupon. It's among the best freebie offers we've seen from this establishment. Some restrictions may apply. Deal ends November 10.
P.F. Chang's coupon: 20% off online orders
Do You REALLY Want To Know What's In The McRib?
We're warning you now!
It's not for the faint of heart! LITERALLY!
The always elusive McRib has somehow slithered its way back into the McDonald's menu at select locations throughout the country, and although it's no secret to most that no, it's actually not a real rib, one may surprised to find out exactly what's in it - and how unhealthy it truly is!
According to the fast food joint's website, there are 70 ingredients in the sandwich - 34 in the bun alone - which include ammonium sulfate, polysorbate 80, and azodicarbonamide, which is a flour-bleaching agent most commonly used in the manufacturing of foamed plastics and the soles of shoes!
And if that isn't incentive enough, one contains 980 mg of sodium, more than half your recommended daily intake, and 10 g of saturated fat!
YUM! Who's hungry?!
Marble Slab Creamery: $3 off Ice Cream Pizza Coupon
Marble Slab Creamery is offering $3 off Ice Cream Pizza Coupon valid until November 28.
[Marble Slab Creamery Locator]
T.G.I. Friday's: Wear a costume, get a free appetizer
Should food stamps be used at fast-food chains?
Should food stamps be used at fast-food chains?
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides low-income, disabled and homeless people a debit-like card with a monthly allowance to buy groceries.
40 million Americans rely on this assistance and soon they might be able to use those cards at drive-thrus across the country.
Yum! brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and other popular chains is currently lobbying with hopes to make this possible.
Helen Hussey, a dietitian at Memorial Health, believes this could benefit low-income people who might not have kitchens or electricity to cook food.
But one mother of three in Texas who uses food stamps says she is torn on the idea because she doesn't believe fast food is a necessity.
Hussey says if this program were to go into effect, there would need to be rules in place so people would buy the healthiest options available at restaurants.
Right now, restaurants in Arizona, California and Michigan can apply for a permit to accept food stamps as payment. A similar program is being tested in a Florida county, but only the homeless are eligible.
Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved.
40 million Americans rely on this assistance and soon they might be able to use those cards at drive-thrus across the country.
Yum! brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and other popular chains is currently lobbying with hopes to make this possible.
Helen Hussey, a dietitian at Memorial Health, believes this could benefit low-income people who might not have kitchens or electricity to cook food.
But one mother of three in Texas who uses food stamps says she is torn on the idea because she doesn't believe fast food is a necessity.
Hussey says if this program were to go into effect, there would need to be rules in place so people would buy the healthiest options available at restaurants.
Right now, restaurants in Arizona, California and Michigan can apply for a permit to accept food stamps as payment. A similar program is being tested in a Florida county, but only the homeless are eligible.
Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved.
Newsradio: The Complete Series (Slim Packaging on DVD) (1995) for $25.45 (61% off) + Free Shipping!
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Dave Foley (Actor), Stephen Root (Actor), Dave Foley (Director), Alan Myerson (Director) | Rated: NR | Format: DVD
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The Walking Dead: Season One [Blu-ray] for $19.99 (60% off) + eligible for Free Shipping!
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Andrew Lincoln (Actor), Jon Bernthal (Actor), Frank Darabont (Director) | Rated: NR | Format: Blu-ray
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An American Werewolf in London (Full Moon Edition) [Blu-ray] (1981) for $9.99 (50% off) + eligible for Free Shipping!
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Healthier Happy Meal: McDonald's Menu Gets A Makeover In Chicago
As part of McDonald's "Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices," an initiative they announced in July, the restaurant chain will launch a new Happy Meal menu in Chicago that defaults to healthier options.
Starting Friday, the pre-packaged kids meals will be served with fewer French fries, a helping of apple slices and fat-free chocolate or one percent white milk, Crain's Chicago Business reports. Diners can request more fries or soda.
Fruit has been offered as an alternative option at the chain for the past seven years, but NBC Chicago reports that only 11 percent of customers voluntarily make the switch.
"The new Happy Meal aims to address the challenges kids face in meeting the recommended daily consumption of produce," the Oakbrook-based company said in a statement, according to Crain's.
Specifically, the changes will reduce the current 2.4-ounce serving in a small order of French fries to 1.1 ounces and about 100 calories, and replace the 3.1-ounce Apple Dippers that came with caramel sauce with a 1.2-ounce serving of apple slices, Crain's reports.
The change will begin at Chicago franchises and expand to all 14,000 U.S. locations by next March, Crain's reports. New York, San Francisco and other California towns had previously proposed Happy Meal bans if the food didn't meet certain nutritional standards. The current changes don't meet all local requirements, but McDonald's plans to cut sodium by 15 percent across its menu by 2015.
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC led a survey of franchises Oct. 19 where two respondents predicted the new ingredients would drive sales up, nine said they would decrease sales and 16 didn't expect the change to make a difference, Crain's reports.
"Expect customers to try the apples and then revert to asking for all fries," one franchise owner said in the survey, according to Crain's.
Great American Cookies: Free cookie in stores with book donation
Great American Cookies offers free cookie of your choice when you donate a new or "gently-read" book in store as part of their Reading is SWEET: 2011 National Book Drive. Click here for a list of participating locations. Deal ends October 31.
Heinz Introduces First New Ketchup Flavor In A Decade
Heinz Ketchup is releasing a new variation of the tomato flavored classic condiment on November 14th, available exclusively through the company's Facebook page.
Instead of blending it with white vinegar, normally used to achieve the signature taste, they have developed a limited edition bottle blended with balsamic vinegar!
The result is a darker and browner ketchup that is "quite a bit tangier than normal Heinz". That's not a bad thing, mind you, as the review continues to explain:
"The addition of the balsamic vinegar tweaks the flavor in interesting ways without throwing the ketchup's flavor off balance."First new flavor change in a decade? We gotta try this!
Most of America, however, seems to be genuinely afraid of change, so we are curious to see if this becomes a permanent fixture on the supermarket shelf.
If you're hungry for something different, but don't like ordering condiments off of the internet, you can head to select retailers like Wal-Mart in December to pick up a bottle!