Central Texas News

This is really cool news! Mama Fu’s now has a mobile app, which is something I wished all businesses would improve their mobile and online presence. How many times have you gone online or used your phone to look at a menu and found out that the restaurant doesn’t even have a website or that the website is not mobile friendly?

Features of the Mama Fu’s mobile app include:

• Online ordering
• Funatics Club loyalty program
• Store locator
• Full menus
• Mama Fu’s news and special offers
• Facebook referral

Only available through the Mama Fu’s mobile app, customers can become Funatics by downloading the application through the Mama Fu’s website or directly from the online App Store or Google Play.

For more information, visit www.mamafus.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities please call 512-949-3211 or email franchiseinfo@mamafus.com, or visit mamafusfranchise.com. 

Available February 25, Release Contains More Than Four Hours of Episodes Plus Episode Commentaries for All 26 Episodes, an Interview with Pendleton Ward & Alternate Show Intro – All Packed Into a Custom, Collectible BMO Die-Cut Slipcase!

This February, Cartoon Network will release the third full-season installment of its most mathematical animated series on both Blu-ray™ and DVD as Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season hits retail. Continuing the franchise’s home entertainment momentum which has included a series of top-selling releases to date, the Blu-ray and DVD both feature all 26 episodes from the series’ third season, as well as must-have bonus features including episode commentaries for ALL 26 episodes, an interview with series creator Pendleton Ward, an alternate show introduction. Plus, further satiating even the most passionate Adventure Time fans, it’s BMO! Fans and collectors are in for a special treat with a custom die-cut BMO slipcase, which transforms the Blu-ray and DVD packaging into their very own collectible BMO figurine. Available on February 25 for the suggested retail price of $32.07 and $26.95 for Blu-ray and two-disc DVD, respectively.

“Adventure Time has become a phenomenon that has resonated with audiences of all ages – and we’re thrilled to keep up with the demand for full-season and Blu-ray sets for those most passionate fans with today’s announcement,” said Erik Resnick, vice president of Cartoon Network Enterprises, the home entertainment division of the network. “Our third full-season release will bring more of what Adventure Time fans love about these collectible sets: hours of their favorite episodes bundled with great bonus features created for fans by the show team, all in unique, collectible packaging.”

As one of Cartoon Network’s most popular series, Adventure Time continues to grow and thrive since its on-air debut in April 2010. With strong on-air success through its fifth season, critical acclaim, passionate fan base and strong consumer products program, the brand has become a massive hit among audiences of all ages. During its fifth season, the series was the #1 show among boys 6-11, as well as a top-rated show among kids 6-11, and kids and boys 9-14, according to Nielson Media Research. With a huge social following of more than 10 million fans on Facebook, Adventure Time consistently ranks as a top digital brand as well, with top-rated apps and online games featured on CartoonNetwork.com. Additionally, the Adventure Time consumer products program attempts to satiate the fan base’s desire to interact with their favorite characters with a robust licensing program that includes toys, apparel, publishing, accessories, interactive games, youth electronics, comic books, posters and much more. Some recent successes for the brand range from the Adventure Time Encyclopaedia from Abrams Publishing debuting on the New York Times Best Sellers list this summer to the monthly comic book line from Boom Studios winning the 2013 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (Ages 8-12) at 25^th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony at Comic-Con.

From the mind of series creator Pendleton Ward and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Adventure Time follows the unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, best buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants – and always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades. Finn, a silly kid with an awesome hat and Jake, a brassy dog with a big kind heart, depend on each other through thick and thin. The Land of Ooo is teeming with imposing mountains, lush green plains, accessible forests, ubiquitous prairies and winding rivers, the cities and towns are filled with bizarre characters in need of unique assistance. Whether it’s saving Princess Bubblegum, defeating zombie candy, mocking the “oxy-moronic” Ice King, or rocking out with undead music wiz Marceline the Vampire Queen, with Finn and Jake it’s always Adventure Time.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site presents a day of family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, featuring adventure and hands-on experiences for all ages. Representatives from a dozen central Texas state parks and state natural areas will be on hand to showcase the area’s rich natural and cultural resources.

Try your hand at archery, geocaching or the atlatl (spear throwing). See how humans compare to a bat or catch a fish out of the Pedernales River. Hike with a ranger, discover the Texas Hill Country’s ranching heritage, learn about the world beneath your feet and try to guess the wildlife you may encounter in Texas State Parks.

Visit the Game Warden’s Operation Game Thief trailer and learn how TPWD park rangers, game wardens and wildlife staff care for the state’s parks and natural areas, flora and fauna and learn how you can become stewards as well.

In addition to staff from LBJ State Park and Historic Site, rangers and staff from the following TPWD sites also will be participating in the outdoor showcase: Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park, Blanco State Park, Colorado Bend State Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Government Canyon State Natural Area, Guadalupe River State Park, Hill Country State Natural Area, Inks Lake State Park, Old Tunnel State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park and South Llano River State Park.

“We hope our visitors will enjoy the day with friends and family while learning about opportunities for fun in Texas State Parks,” says Iris Neffendorf, superintendent of LBJ State Park and Historic Site. “Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring your camera and perhaps pack a picnic lunch to create lasting family memories in the outdoors.”

Complete your day with a visit to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm to see how different rural life was in the early 1900s.  Come see why TPWD says “Life’s Better Outside.”

All activities and park entrance are free.  Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site is located at 199 Park Road 52 in Stonewall.  The park is just one mile east of Stonewall, or 14 miles west of Johnson City, off U.S. 290. For information, please call (830)644-2252 or visit: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson.

As a mom, the health of my family is very important to me. But one thing I believe we are all guilty of neglecting is our dental health. Sure we brush our teeth. How clean are our teeth really getting? No one thinks about your dental hygiene until you have to call the dentist.

Surprisingly, oral disease has become the most chronic childhood illness in the U.S. Millions are affected, suffering from various forms of oral disease like tooth decay, and experience pain so severe it affects their ability to eat, sleep and learn. It impacts children of all backgrounds, but especially the millions who are unable to afford access to regular professional care that can help treat these conditions.

We are fortunate enough to have dental insurance for our family but I know many who do not. And that makes your dental hygiene even more important.

Did you know that there are more germs in your mouth than there are people on earth? That’s right – and believe it or not, even if you brush and floss, you’re likely missing millions of them! In fact, brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth, which is why it’s critical to go that extra step to achieve optimal oral health for yourself and your family.

That is why when I was asked to join the LISTERINE^® 21-Day Challenge I jumped at the opportunity! We as a family are looking forward to taking the challenge. We brush our teeth as a family daily but probably not as much as we should. I have to be honest, the kids think floss is to play with and leave scraps all over the house lol and we have used mouth wash off and on but not every day. I will also admit that we have had our share of cavities over the years. And I have to get a tooth pulled. The root canal has collapsed and they can’t save my tooth, but I am not looking forward to scheduling the procedure. But it is time for a change.

For the LISTERINE^® 21-Day Challenge we visited our local Target and purchased

• LISTERINE^® Antiseptic
• LISTERINE^® SMART RINSE^®
• LISTERINE^® WHITENING^® Original Gel Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste
• REACH^® Floss

You and your family can join in the challenge too! For every person who posts a “Swish Selfie” to LISTERINE^® Brand’s Facebook page, LISTERINE^® Brand will make a $5.00 contribution to Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America^® program, up to $85,000, toward their goal of connecting 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2014.

What a great way to have fun but educate your family at the same time.

Disclosure / Disclaimer:  I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® 21 Day Challenge. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

We are so excited that today we are going to The Long Center in Austin to see The Peking Acrobats! 

The show starts today 2-9-14 at 3PM and there are still tickets available here. All ages welcome, so this would be great for the whole family!

 The Peking Acrobats® are a troupe of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.

Since their Western debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats® have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics all while being complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.

The Long Center
The Peking Acrobats on Facebook

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Everyone has old technology lying around that no longer works great, and now you can trade it in and get what you really want! Microsoft is offering special deals for people who want to trade in old tablets, smart phones or gaming consoles. From the sleek Surface 2, to the ultimate gaming device with the Xbox One and the amazing camera-ready Nokia Lumia 1020, trade in an old device to get a great deal on something new from the Microsoft retail store.

This week, you can get up to a $250 in store credit for your old smart phone or tablet so you can get the technology you really want – like the new Surface 2 or Nokia Lumia 2520.

You can also trade in your old PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 S or Xbox 360 E that still works, and receive a trade-in value worth $100 towards the purchase of a new Xbox One console.

Available on Digital HD February 25^th and Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & On-Demand March 18^th

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents a chilly twist on one of the most humorous and heartwarming stories ever told. “Disney Animation’s best since The Lion King” (William Bibbiani, CraveOnline) will melt your heart.

Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey — teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven — to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

Bring home Frozen on Blu-ray High Definition — featuring a blizzard of never-before-seen bonus extras with gorgeous animation, memorable characters and unforgettable music. It’s dazzling fun for the whole family!

Marie Callender’s just kicked off its Marie’s Whole Pie-To Go Sale. The pie sale will be here for one month through February. During this time, guests can choose from more than 30 varieties of Marie Callender’s pies for only $7.99 plus tin. 

Marie Callender’s irresistible selections include: 

• Apple: Sliced apples, sweetened and spiced with cinnamon.
• Banana Cream: Fresh ripe bananas, rich vanilla cream, fresh whipped cream or a fluffy meringue.
• Berry: A variety of only the finest plump, ripe berries, baked in this double crust pie.
• Blueberry: Blueberries enhanced with flavorful apples
• Cherry: With juicy, tart, red cherries.
• Coconut Cream: Coconut folded into our rich vanilla cream.
• French Apple: Our traditional apple pie with a crumbly cinnamon streusel topping.
• Lemon Meringue: Slightly tart, slightly sweet, topped with a light golden meringue.
• Peach: With thick sliced peaches.
• Pumpkin: Our famous pumpkin pie has just the right amount of spice.

Pie Sale excludes cheesecakes, seasonal fresh fruit pies, and promotional pies. Please visit www.mariecallenders.com for a complete listing of pies.

With the new addition to our family I really wanted to have family pictures. Unfortunately, we have done the box store photos in the past and were less than happy with the results. I am sure there are wonderful people working there and it is nothing personal but I just don’t like having a fake backdrop feel to the pictures.

I met Ashley Kontnier on Facebook and took a look at her Facebook page Just A Girl With A Camera Photography and saw all the wonderful work she has done. I was really excited for the opportunity to work with her on our family photographs.

We scheduled a location in New Braunfels under a bridge where there is a damn. Thank god I did not wear heels. It is pretty down there but not so easy to get to lol.

Ashley was prompt and professional and she worked very well with us and our children. It was not complicated or ridged in any way. She provided a very relaxed and inviting environment.

She was really quick with editing the images and actually hand delivered them to us at our home which was absolutely wonderful. I was so excited to see that our pictures came out amazing. She did a stellar job and would use her again in a heartbeat.

If you are in the Central Texas Area and are looking for a photographer I highly recommend Ashley Kontnier.

Here is Ashley Kontnier’s Bio:

[pullquote width=”500″]My name is Ashley Kontnier. I have lived in Kyle almost 2 years now with my husband and 2 dogs. I have been interested in photography since I was about 15 years old and received my first nice camera at age 16.I am currently attending Texas State University, and in August of 2014 I will graduate with a photography degree. I do portrait photography, which includes weddings, engagements, senior photos, maternity/baby/children, events, families, glamour, and just about anything else you can think of that involves people. I mostly shoot outdoor in different parks and areas around Kyle/Austin/San Antonio. Sometime next year, I hope to open a physical studio and be able to shoot indoors more. I love to capture people’s special moments. My clients are my #1 priority and I will do whatever it takes to make sure each one is 100% satisfied with my product![/pullquote]

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I am always in the market for a new and improved pan. Probably because every pot and pan purchase we have made could not stand up to our families cooking demands. How many of you bought a pricey pan because it had some well-known persons face on it? Then after using it for a few months food starts to stick, no matter what you do? The pain start to chip and the coating peel. Well this is the story of my life.

I was recently given the opportunity to review the Ozeri  8” Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan. With my history of buying pots and pans and being very disappointed I thought this would be a great opportunity to try before I buy.

The Ozeri  8” Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan is 100-Percent PTFE and PFOA Free. Which is great!

Ozeri  8” Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan Details:

• Unlike other ceramic pans the Ozeri Green Earth Pan utilizes GREBLON – an ultra-safe ceramic coating from Germany which is 100% PTFE and PFOA free.
• Innovative textured pan surface delivers enhanced heat distribution and superior non-stick performance without ever releasing harmful fumes or toxins.
• Features a scratch-resistant 100 percent ceramic coating that is super easy to clean.
• Made out of durable heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum with no heavy metals or harmful chemicals.
• Boasts a comfortable heat resistant silicon coated handle
• and a magnetized induction stove safe base for rapid heat transfer.

My test was frying Spam for lunch. Which is a task in my other pans because the Spam always sticks. To my surprise, it did not stick. In fact I was able to slide the meat right off the pan with no sticking at all. After I was done cooking I could simply wipe away all the remaining grease and residue in the pan with a paper towel! It was that simple.

I am really impressed with the Ozeri  8” Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan and use it every chance I get now. After 2 months of use, it still holds up as it did the first day. I have not had any issues with chipping, peeling or scratches at all.

The only issue I have right now is, I wished I had 5 more in different sizes! lol

You can purchase your own Ozeri 8” Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan from Amazon.

Visit the Ozeri Facebook page.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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On February 14^th, Alamo Drafthouse is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a very special Valentine’s Feast screening of MOONSTRUCK.  Anchored by an Academy Award-Winning Cher performance and featuring a truly Marlon Brando-caliber performance from Nicolas Cage, MOONSTRUCK is an energetic and comedic tale of love.  This ultimate tale of romance will be made even better with a feast created by Alamo Chef Trish Eichelberger that is inspired by the film.

“This is a great food movie,” says Eichelberger, “mainly because of the central nature of food in the Italian family.  It seems no rite of passage in the typical Italian family, be it just waking up or getting married, happens without a meal of some sort.  All of the dishes being served at the MOONSTRUCK Valentine’s Feast are inspired directly from the movie.  The Italian Wedding Soup is in honor of the proposal(s).  The Egg in a Hole with roasted pepper is a dish that Loretta’s mother prepares for her for breakfast. The Steak and Pasta is a meal that Loretta prepares for Ronny. The Champagne Zabaglione is a dessert custard made from sugar and champagne to represent the sugar cubes in the champagne that you see in the film.”

The MOONSTRUCK Valentine’s Feast will be on Friday, February 14 at 7:00PM at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline in Austin. See and download full menu for the event below to see all four amazing courses.  Tickets are available now!