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How Mexican Sauce Brand I Love Chamoy Went Viral on TikTok

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, 2022-09-19 05:02:23,

When Annie Leal’s dad was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago, his entire lifestyle had to change. But little did she know it would one day change her life, too.

“My dad immediately changed his diet around, but he’s always had a sweet tooth and I’ve known for years that he has a cabinet full of sugar-free treats,” Leal explains. About 18 months ago, she rummaged through the sugar-free treats her dad stashed in his pantry, hoping to find something sweet for herself. She also wanted to fulfill the craving for Mexican candy, something she particularly enjoyed, having been born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. Yet there was nothing—only chocolates, lollipops, and caramels.

“I was like, ‘How do they not have sugar-free Mexican candy?’ and he was like, ‘Mija, I can’t find it,’” Leal reenacts. She was in disbelief, spending the entire evening combing the internet for some form of spicy and sweet sugar-free candy to provide for her dad, but there was none. The answer was immediately obvious to her: she would have to make it herself. That was the beginning of I Love Chamoy, a Mexican sugar-free sauce brand created by Leal.

“The next day, I had my dad drive me to Target to pick up notebooks and markers, like it was the first day of school,” Leal laughs. “I had no idea where to start, but I just began drafting up names and a logo.”

Leal has a background in social media and marketing, and had been developing branding for a business helmed by a food engineer. It was then that she decided to enlist her help for the recipe and development part of I Love Chamoy. “I never thought I’d be in consumer goods,” she says, adding, “I truly cannot cook to save my life, which is the funny part.”

Although Leal didn’t know exactly how research and development worked, she intimately knew what chamoy should taste like. Thus began her journey of testing iteration after iteration of sugar-free chamoy, concocted with chili pepper, limes, citric acid, and sweetened with monk fruit. By the 27th version, Leal was convinced she had nailed the flavor down and presented it to her dad and sister.

Although she loves her family and their unending support of her and the business, they are not ones to be dishonest. “My little sister is critical but in the best way possible,” Leal laughs. “I expected her to be like, ‘This is so good,’ but instead she was like, ‘You’re not there yet.’” It was back to the drawing board and version 44 turned…

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NYC’s Feast of San Gennaro 2022: What to Do & Where to Eat

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, 2022-09-16 13:23:47,

The ultimate NYC Italian celebration is officially here. The yearly, massive Feast of San Gennaro is planting its roots in Manhattan for ten whole days, from September 15 through September 25.

The feast is coming back to the city for its 96th edition, and it will introduce New Yorkers to authentic Italian flair through food and culture. Taking over Little Italy’s Mulberry Street, the Feast celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, who was both a bishop and a martyr, as well as the Neapolitan community of Manhattan, who immigrated to the US decades ago together with their Italian traditions.

In an authentic Italian fashion, food will be central to the Feast. A wide selection of vendors will flock to Little Italy to delight visitors with Italian delicacies, from Sicilian cannoli to real Neapolitan pizza. Foodies will get the chance to taste chicken and meatball parms from the oldest cheese shop in the US, dubbed Alleva Dairy, while Roll Up will be ready to serve its deep-fried Italian egg rolls. There will be plenty of cannoli to satisfy your sweet tooth too, and Caffè Palermo will be offering fried pastries as well.

Plenty of entertainment is slated to make this year’s feast memorable. Of course, some of it will be food-related. The 24th annual cannoli eating contest takes place on September 16, where participants will fight to the last pastry to win the title. If you can’t make it to this food eating contest, do not fret—there will be many more. On September 21, from 1–2:30 pm, the 3rd annual zeppole eating contest will take place, and the brave foodies who are interested in participating can sign up by sending an email to this address. Two days later, on September 23 from 1–2:30 pm, pizza fans will be able to gather around the 2nd annual pizza eating contest, while the last day of the festival will culminate with the 5th annual meatball eating contest at 1 pm (you can sign up here to participate in either contest).

Live music, parades, and celebrations are in order for the next Feast days as well. On September 17, the Grand Procession will entertain the audience from 2–4 pm, featuring amazing floats, antique cars, and celebrities. The iconic statue of San Gennaro will be brought out and paraded as well, and the Red Mike Festival Band will provide upbeat musical entertainment to the whole procession. Grand Marshall and former NASA Astronaut Michael J. Massimino will be present, and Mayor Eric Adams will appear as Honorary Grand Marshall. The…

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Things to Do in Positano in Amalfi

Things to Do in Positano in Amalfi

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, 2022-09-16 15:48:07,

You’ve probably seen it on a post and wondered where it is: the colorful homes tumbling down the hills to glowing blue waters. Amalfi may be synonymous with vacay paradise, but it’s Positano that’s the crown jewel of the Amalfi Coast—and you don’t even need to speak Italian to visit.

It’s true that some people book reservations a year in advance (learned that lesson the hard way), and you’ll quickly see why. Words like stunning and breathtaking seem feeble against the reality of these views. Plus with the freshest seafood around, you’ll want to jump on making reservations too. Keep in mind, though, that September and October are much less crowded, in case you’re not the elbowing type.

Bring all the outfits and the looks—plus comfortable shoes. Though don’t worry about carrying that heavy luggage. In Positano, you’ll find porter companies where they’ll pick up your suitcase and climb the stairs for you. Here’s everything to do for a bellísimo time in Italy’s Positano.

Marianna Sulic/Moment/Getty Images

Spend your day at a beach club

Europe is known for its beautiful lido swimming pools, but the private beaches in Positano will make you rethink what top-tier means. Most of the beach clubs offer boat shuttle transportation from the main pier “La Banchina” to your destination in less than five minutes. Once you arrive, you’ll notice the energy shift to a dreamy, secluded beach with stunning views where you can spend all day eating and drinking Aperol Spritz.

There are five main beach clubs to choose from: La Scogliera Positano, Pupetto Beach Club, Treville Beach Club, Da Adolfo, and a favorite, Arienzo Beach Club.

drink on balcony
Photo by Kisai Ponce

Enjoy a sunset aperitivo

The aperitivo or apéritif (pre-meal drink) is an Italian ritual that you simply must follow and enjoy to the fullest in Positano. No, it’s not happy hour, it’s tradition. Take advantage of the beautiful views and be sure to make a reservation so you can saluti!

Aldo’s Cocktail Bar and Seafood Grill at Le Sirenuse Hotel has the best view, and it’s a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a sunset aperitivo as if you were in a movie. Ocean Bar is located just a few steps from the sea on Marina Grande and offers live music with its cocktails. At Il Tridente Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, drinks are expensive, but totally worth it once you taste them. Faro Bar has a mind-blowing…

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National Cheeseburger Day Deals: Where to Get Free & Cheap Burger Deals 2022

National Cheeseburger Day Deals: Where to Get Free & Cheap Burger Deals 2022

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, 2022-09-16 05:16:50,

National Cheeseburger Day lands on September 18. You can count on the faux holiday to land you a whole lot of deals on burgers. 

Those discounts are going to come from restaurants all over the place. Fast food chains like McDonald’s are going to have deals. Fast casual spots like Wayback Burgers will be slinging offers. And so will local restaurants. Whatever you’re looking for, burger-wise, you’re likely to find it on National Cheeseburger Day. 

Here are the best deals you’ll find on September 18 for National Cheeseburger Day.

Burger Deals on National Cheeseburger Day

Wayback Burgers
The deal: There’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the Classic Burger for National Cheeseburger Day. Order through the Wayback app. 
When: September 18

Wendy’s
The deal: Get a free Dave’s Single when you make any purchase through the Wendy’s mobile app. 
When: September 15-21

Burger King
The deal: Spend a dollar on the app or website and get a free Cheeseburger. You’ll have to be a Royal Perks member, though. 
When: September 18

Smashburger
The deal: Use the promo code “BOGO22” to get buy-one-get-one-free burgers at Smashburger. You can mix and match singles and doubles, as well as its Crispy or Grilled Chicken, Turkey Burger, or Black Bean Burger options. 
When: September 18

7-Eleven
The deal: 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members get a Cheeseburger for $2. You can also get that for delivery through the 7NOW app. 
When: September 18

Wendy’s
The deal: Grab a premium sandwich for $1 when you buy another. Grab that weekly through the end of the month. 
When: Through September 30

Dairy Queen
The deal: Take $1 off any of its Signature Stackburgers when you use the DQ app. That, unfortunately, does not include any of the Stackburger combo meals.
When: September 18

Miller’s Ale House
The deal: Grab the Classic Cheeseburger for just $7 in recognition of the holiday. You can also upgrade to a Prime Burger or Smashed Queso Burger for an extra $4. You’ll have to be a Raving Fans E-Club member for this one.
When: September 18-24

The Habit Burger
The deal: Buy a Charburger with cheese and get the second one for half-off through the Habit Mobile app. Though, you have to be registered as a user in the app by September 15 to get the deal for some reason. 
When: September 18

PT’s Taverns
The deal: The pub classic burger will be just $8 on National Cheeseburger Day. 
When: September 18

Dog Haus
The deal: Get a Cheeseburger for $5. Claim the coupon on September 18. Then…

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6 Latinx-Owned Superfood Brands You Need to Know

6 Latinx-Owned Superfood Brands You Need to Know

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, 2022-09-15 16:44:45,

Photo by Maitane Romagosa from Thrillist

Despite the fact that they were first introduced to the world in 3500 BC, chia seeds became “trendy” around 2012. Wellness blogs everywhere touted the ancient superfood for its innumerable health benefits, and we found a way to sneak them into just about any recipe that could do with a little more fiber. But if you read the back of an average pouch, it was likely the brand had zero connection to the seed’s Aztec and Mayan origins.

Luckily things are changing, and we’re starting to see more and more members of the Latinx community take ownership of the superfoods that have long-fueled their cultures—from chocho and nopales to quinoa, and amaranth. Take, for example, The Pinole Project, a family-run oatmeal brand specializing in the Aztec superfood that is pinole, a ground heirloom corn sourced from Oaxaca, Mexico.

The Mexican-American Jacquez family founded The Pinole Project to honor their grandmother, Adela, who would add pinole to many of her dishes—specifically avena, or slow-cooked oatmeal. “Adela had a lot on her plate and looked to high-quality food to help push through her physically and mentally exhausting days raising a family and working on her and my grandfather’s humble ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico,” says Bella Jacquez, head of marketing for The Pinole Project.

Pinole offers sustained, plant-based energy, with high levels of fiber and protein. “It has a low glycemic index and is a complex carbohydrate, so it’s digested slowly, providing slow-burning energy which keeps you full for longer,” Jacquez says. That also means no spike or crash. “Many of our customers comment that they’ll eat a serving before or after an intense workout and will feel full for hours.”

It’s no wonder that pinole is a popular food among the Tarahumara, an indigenous community residing in the Sierra Madre region of Chihuahua. They’re renowned for their long-distance running ability, calling themselves the Rarámuri, which, in their native language, means “light feet” or “runners on foot.”

Jacquez’s grandfather, Arsenio, learned the language of the Tarahumana as a young child, and over the course of his 85 years of life, developed lasting bonds with them. “He used to go to the mountains with his father to trade with the Tarahumara, often serving as an interpreter,” Jacquez explains. “My grandparents would welcome Tarahumara into their home to…

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Taco John’s Introduces a Four Cheese Quesadilla to Its Menu

Taco John’s Introduces a Four Cheese Quesadilla to Its Menu

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, 2022-09-14 15:27:30,

There are few absolutes in life, but “the more cheese, the better” is one. Taco John’s is with us on the subject. The fast food joint is taking its already beloved quesadilla and making it four times better.

On Wednesday, Taco John’s dropped its all-new Four Cheese Quesadilla, which is brimming with asadero, queso blanco, Monterey Jack, and all-natural Cheddar cheese. It’s stuffed with either hand-cut sirloin steak or grilled chicken (your choice) and served with zesty chipotle lime sauce.

“Here at Taco John’s, we are always finding new ways to enhance our items to create bigger. bolder. better. flavors for our fans to enjoy,” Taco John’s Chief Marketing Officer Barry Westrum said in a press release. “Some may believe it’s scientifically impossible to add more cheesy deliciousness to quesadillas, but we did it anyway with our new Four Cheese Quesadilla lineup!” 

The Four Cheese Quesadilla is available à la carte or as a combo deal that gets you a side of the famous Potato Olés and a fountain drink.

“That’s right. Our new high-quality blend of four different cheeses combines perfectly in every bite, with creamy notes of queso blanco and Monterey Jack, slight tanginess from all-natural Cheddar cheese and a dash of saltiness from the asadero cheese,” Corporate Chef and Director of Menu Innovation Brad Bergaus added in the release. “Plus, the option to add grilled chicken or hand-cut sirloin steak was a must, and our star chipotle lime sauce adds that extra zesty flare that raises the bar on quesadillas. We can’t wait for our guests to savor our new, flavor-packed Four Cheese Quesadillas!” 

To celebrate National Quesadilla Day on September 25, you can snag a freebie of the Four Cheese Quesadilla with any purchase. The only stipulation is that you sign up for Taco John’s Bigger Bolder Rewards program and order via the app. 

Want more food deals?

Here’s our huuuuuuuge running list of all the free food you can get right now, as well as the best pizza deals, reward programs, birthday freebies, gift card offers, food delivery offers, alcohol delivery deals, and perks for getting your vaccination against COVID-19. If you want a little more than, say a free taco, we also have you covered with a long list of meals you can get at fast food chains under $5. You’re welcome.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Megan Schaltegger is a Staff Writer on the News team at Thrillist.

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Make Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe for a Cozy Fall Dinner

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, 2022-09-14 16:53:04,

When it comes to developing recipes, Melissa Clark is a master. She’s penned over three-dozen cookbooks and has been reporting on food and writing recipes for The New York Times since 2007. Despite this, there is always room to explore new recipes, cooking methods, and tactics, which is how she challenged herself in her latest cookbook, Dinner In One, which is all about cooking using a single Dutch oven, sheet pan, or casserole dish.

“I want people to cook every night and enjoy it and for it not to be a huge stress,” Clark begins, noting that the stress of clean up often deters people from wanting to cook. “I really believe that if you like to cook, even just a little, you can find a way to make cooking dinner for your family pleasurable a few nights a week. I think it adds to your mental health.”

It certainly does for Clark, who considers food a loving form of communication that has enveloped her since childhood. “I grew up in a household where food was our love language,” she explains. “We cared about one another, and showed it by making a great meal or planning a celebration in a restaurant. When I’d come home from school, my mother would say, ‘How was your lunch?’”

It’s something that has stuck with Clark—the idea of expressing love and understanding using food—and she asks her husband daily what he had for lunch, much to his own exasperation. “He’ll say, ‘My day was fine, thanks, how was your day?’” she laughs. “Don’t you understand? Me asking what you had for lunch is asking you how you are.”

Clark has spent decades folded into food’s comforting arms and could not picture having a career anywhere else. “Food is so baked into my identity,” she says, pausing. “Look, I’m even using food metaphors! I can’t get away from it.”

If cooking using a singular piece of kitchenware seems too simple, and the results less exciting than multi-step recipes that involve every kitchen gadget possible, Clark is here to prove naysayers wrong. For her, flavor can easily be developed using a single sheet pan, as long as homecooks are seasoning well and being strategic about how they use their cookware. “I tell everybody in every recipe to mix the drippings into the vegetables because that’s all flavor and will take your dish up a notch and add so much,” she says.

For dishes with less drippy, schmaltzy components, it’s all about the toppings. Take Clark’s baked acorn squash, for example, inspired by a…

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Indie Band Whitney Talks Their New Album ‘SPARK’

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, 2022-09-14 07:20:34,

Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakachek of the Chicago-based indie duo Whitney have been going golfing a lot. At first they got into it “ironically,” and because it was one of the few activities during the pandemic that forced them out of the house for hours at a time. The two musicians are certain they stand out on the golf course—their tight jeans and Ehrlich’s bleach-blonde hair looking quite the opposite of the insurance salesmen types they’re often paired with for 18 holes—but it’s something they’ve picked up and kept doing, despite being pretty bad at it.

They’ve also been making a lot of meals together in their shared Chicago walkup. Unlike golfing, they admit to being good at cooking, with guitarist Kakachek on grilling duty and drummer/vocalist Ehrlich on his “soup and sauce game,” or “going crazy” with salads. After living together for nearly 10 years (save for a two-year break when they lived with their respective partners), Kakachek says the Whitney boys now have a “proper domestic life.” They’ve leveled up from the apartment they shared in their early 20s that didn’t have a working doorknob, and now try to make time to do the things that bring them joy, whether that’s an afternoon golf outing or preparing a lamb ragu before hitting up their favorite bars.

Whitney is synonymous with Chicago. The two first played in the Pitchfork-core garage rock group Smith Westerns in the early 2010s before the group disbanded and they began working on music as a duo, coming up in the Chicago scene before the release of their instant classic 2016 alt-country debut Light Upon the Lake. They also seem right at home in New York City, though. Seated in the intimate tavern Achilles Heel in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on an August visit for a recording session and to promote their new album SPARK (out September 16 via Secretly Canadian), they can’t help but indulge in memories of their past trips and tours through the city. At Achilles Heel, for instance, an old friend is among the bartenders. The intimate gastropub may look like a cozy haunt with its rustic interior and tin ceiling, but it’s often where Whitney ends up after a night out to keep the good times going. It’s also where they’ve ushered many friends-of-friends through and even members of their record label Secretly Canadian, which used to have an office down the street, connecting them with their friend behind the bar. They also have a long history with the Williamsburg venue Baby’s All Right. There, they’ve…

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NYC Is Vaccinating Its Raccoon Population Against Rabies

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, 2022-09-13 13:51:54,

New York City just launched a new mass vaccination program, and this time, it has nothing to do with humans. The city is launching a program to vaccinate its raccoons against rabies, and it even involves helicopter drops.

On Monday, September 12, The Health Department, NYC Parks, and federal and academic partners officially launched the effort, which consists of scattering oral vaccines (hidden in brown-colored baits) in wooded areas of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Staten Island’s raccoons, instead, will receive their vaccine doses via helicopter, which will drop the vaccine baits next month on the borough’s wooded and marshy regions. The program will last into October, and it is aimed at vaccinating the largest number of raccoons possible.

Attracting the animals is fairly simple. Reportedly, the bait smells like fish, and when the raccoons bite into it, it releases a pink liquid that acts like an oral vaccine. The vaccine itself is not harmful to humans, but if a person comes in contact with it, it can cause a rash. If that happens, residents are encouraged to wash their hands with warm and soapy water and talk to their doctor, and they should also notify the NYC Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Baits aren’t harmful to other animals and pets either, but they could cause vomiting if ingested.

The new rabies vaccination program is part of the City’s effort to create a safer and healthier environment where humans and animals can peacefully coexist. “Rabies is a serious disease that can affect humans and our pets,” Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said in an official statement. “New Yorkers should make sure their pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations and maintain distance from wildlife. If you see an animal you believe to be acting strangely, please call 311.”

Rabies affects the central nervous system, and while it is a fatal viral disease, it is preventable. In NYC, it is found mostly in raccoons, and for this reason it is crucial that residents and their pets refrain from getting close or touching the animals. As a further precaution, pets can also be vaccinated against the virus.

“While coming into contact with a rabid raccoon is very rare, raccoons are residents of our city, and New Yorkers should be advised,” Sarah Aucoin, Chief of Education & Wildlife for NYC Parks, said in an official statement. “If you see a raccoon, give them space, and never approach or try to feed them.”

For more information on rabies and what to do in case of an…

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Huge 420 Expo on Cannabis Is Coming to New Jersey Next Weekend

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, 2022-09-12 13:49:58,

Get ready to puff, pass, and learn a thing or two about cannabis. New Jersey’s first-ever BYOC (Bring Your Own Cannabis) consumer cannabis event, dubbed 420 Expo, is coming to the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center.

Next weekend, from September 16 through September 18, 420 Expo will open its doors to cannabis enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Celebrating cannabis in all its splendor, the event will feature over 75 vendors from the cannabis world and more than 20 seminars and panels to further educate visitors, including “Cannabis 101,” “How to Get Into the Canna Biz,” “Combatting the Social, Racial, & Economic Injustices of Cannabis,” and “Medical Marijuana,” among others. There will even be a dedicated smoking area for you to light one up and relax, and delicious food trucks will be ready for you when the munchies kick in.

You have to come stocked, though. No vendors will be selling THC products, but guests are encouraged to bring their own stuff, as long as the THC products carried are within the legal limit specified by the state of NJ.

420 Expo will be hosted by Tommy Chong, cannabis activist and iconic comedian part of the duo Cheech and Chong. For three days, the event will feature top-notch entertainment, including rolling contests, live music, and VIP appearances by model and wrestler Katie Forbes. Guests will also get the chance to participate in VIP Meet & Greets with Tommy Chong and WWE Hall-of-Famer Rob Van Dam, and they will also be able to do live Q&A sessions with both.

If smoking and chilling is not your favorite vibe, there’s no need to worry. Plenty of activities will light up the event, including glass blowing, axe throwing, and gaming areas to entertain avid gamers. Those looking to celebrate until late will be able to join a VIP lounge and VIP after parties, which will keep the fun going every night.

The event is set to bring in over 15,000 people, and co-founders are excited to highlight cannabis and its world.

“Even though more Americans now smoke marijuana more than tobacco, there is still a lot of misperception and confusion to overcome before legalization becomes normalization,” J. Handy, co-founder of the event, said in an official statement. “At 420 Expo, cannabis will be the star.”

420 Expo will take place at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ, and it will be open to adults over 21 years of age. The event will be open on Friday, September 16, from 5–11 pm; on Saturday, September 17, from 12–9 pm;…

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