Central Texas News

I was honored to be selected to how a Chex Party MixChange! I and a MyGetTogether host and will be having this party with my family and friends. I love Chex cereal and what is better than adding a little spice to your Chex? I thought I would share a great Chex Mix recipe!

Hot Buttered Yum Chex®
Mix Makes 16
1/2 cup servings

4 cups Honey Nut Chex® cereal
2 cups Cinnamon Chex® cereal
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon rum flavoring
2 cups miniature marshmallows

Step 1: In large microwavable bowl, place cereals. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter, brown sugar and honey uncovered on High 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until mixture is bubbly. Stir in spices and rum flavoring. Pour over cereal mixture,  stirring until coated.

Step 2: Microwave uncovered on High 3 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after
every minute. 

Step 3: Cool slightly; about 5 minutes. Stir in marshmallows. Spread on waxed paper. Store in airtight container

I really like this place. I had the best hamburger ever there and they have this amazing no flower chocolate torte that is to die for!! I have only gone to the Brodie Lane location.

 for $10, you get $20 worth of American fare at Galaxy Cafe, with three locations on Lynn Street, Guadalupe Street, and Brodie Lane.

Get more information here!

For $30, you get $65 worth of natural beef atBranch Ranch Natural in Taylor.

For more than 100 years, generations of the dedicated Field family have produced antibiotic-, hormone-, and preservative-free beef from grain-finished, grass-fed cattle at Branch Ranch Natural’s farm. Branch Ranch’s beef is sourced from the farm’s pasture-raised cattle and are processed and distributed at the farm as well, ensuring customers know where their meals have come from. Furthering their dedication to their beef, ranch hands can trace each animal’s birthplace and long-lost cousins with the farm’s DNA-identification technology. 

Get more information here!

Years ago, I always mad a Chocolate Cheesecake. I do not know where I got the recipe from and at some point I lost the recipe. But today I think I found it! I am so excited.

Here it is at snackpicks.com!

Bella Cupcake Couture offers posh and chic textile-inspired cupcake wrappers. The boutique-style designs add a touch of sophistication and elegance for any special occasion. Carrie envisions the wrappers, which are printed with soy inks on recycled paper, at weddings, bridal and baby showers and as birthday gifts, housewarming gifts and a little treat for yourself.

Get more information here! This deal will expire in 12 hours.

for $2, you get five one-night DVD rentals from Blockbuster Express(a $5 value).

Get more information here!

Just $5 for $11 to spend at Joe’s Italian Cuisine.

Get more information here!

for $10, you get one adult ticket to the Wizard World Austin Comic Con at the Austin Convention Center (a $25 value). This deal is valid for admission on Sunday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get more information here!

The New York Post called it a “a groundbreaking jolt of genius.” The New York Times called it the “best musical of the year.” 

A ticket is just $25 (regularly $65), and with seven dates to choose from (October 22 to 23 and 26 to 30), you just raised the curtain on some serious savings.

Get more information here!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In in honor of that we have a great book review covering just that topic. The book is Healing with Words by Diana M. Raab.

Author Bio:

Diana M. Raab, MFA, RN was born in Brooklyn, New York and received her undergraduate degree in Health Administration and Journalism in 1976. A few years later she received her RN degree. After 25 years as a medical and self-help writer, she’s directed her creative energy towards nonfiction and memoir writing. In 2003 she earned her MFA in Writing from Spalding University’s low-residency program.

She is the author of eight books. Her most recent release, Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey (2010) is a memoir/self-help book which includes reflections, experiences, journal entries and poems all emphasizing the healing power of writing. In addition to extensive appendices, each chapter finishes with blank pages and journaling prompts for the reader to write about their own experiences.

Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey – winner of the 2011 Mom’s Choice Award for Memoir/Biography

Book Review:

Diana Raab is an exceptional writer. You get a first hand experience of a fate many women will endure. She conveys emotions so well that I felt her pain, shock, anger and fear. I come from a family of cancer survivors but in our family it was always hidden and downplayed. This book really opened my eyes to an experience that I was often shut out of and therefore never really understood. At a time when cancer is at an epidemic level, stories of survivors will be comforting and empowering for those with a diagnosis.

Diana Raab should be commended for her way of writing. She allows the reader in by not sugar coating her experience. She offers a real life view of what 1 in 8 women will experience. All this while telling her story in such a graceful way. Even if you have not been diagnosed I recommend reading this book. In your lifetime you will most likely come in contact with some one, maybe close to you, who is experiencing the exact same thing. This book will open your eyes a little and hopefully you can offer the support and comfort they need.

Diana Raab’s Website
Diana Raab’s Blog
Buy Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey from Amazon

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.

Just $7 gets you $14 to spend at Dickey’s, where hickory-smoked meats, homemade sides, and hearty hospitality go hand in hand with value. And let’s talk about time-tested — until the recent addition of a delicious new cheddar sausage, Dickey’s menu had been unchanged for five decades, since the first Dickey’s opened in Dallas in 1941.

Get more information here!

I was contacted by Sandy Arnett to tell people about her story dealing with Alzheimer’s.

I’m walking to help reclaim the future for millions. By participating in the 2011 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™, I’m committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support.

I am participating in honor of my Grandma Sandy Hare (who I was named after) and my Aunt. Both had Alzheimer’s disease. When my Grandma was in a live-in facility, she would call my mom to ask if she was expecting anyone to come to bed with her. She couldn’t remember if she had a husband or not. It was sad. My aunt is even worse with Alzheimer’s and dementia and has un-learned many things that have to do with coordination including eating. It’s so sad.

Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

I need your support to do my part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer’s Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.

Thank you for joining our movement! The end of Alzheimer’s disease starts here.

To find out more information about Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s and what you can do to help here.