American Airlines Fortune Cookie Promotion

American Airline's stupid and annoying Fortune Cookie

My co-worker and I went across the street to a local Chinese restaurant for the $5.99 lunch special. After my cup of hot and sour soup and chicken chow mein...the waitress brought the check and two fortune cookies. (BTW, did you know that fortune cookies were developed in California? It's disputed who invented them but they were definitely popularized in America.)

I opened it and get this message.

WTH?!

The other side of American Airline's stupid and annoying Fortune Cookie

Then I flip it over thinking my fortune would be on the other side and get this stupid message!

WTH?!

Where's my fortune? How am I supposed to plan my day?! ;) I need to know my winning lotto numbers (never play, but I want to know what could bring me riches) and if "you will see a long lost friend today." I felt totally ripped off.

And, yes, I went to the AA website and typed in my code. I wasn't a winner and still didn't get a fortune.

Hey, American Airlines, this promotion? It sucks.

I tweeted this cell phone picture and learned that several others got this message (I think this might be a Los Angeles thing because they are promoting flights from LAX). And, we all don't have tender feelings for you, American Airlines for stealing our fortunes (Oops, I was almost used the word hijacked but that would have been bad.)

Thanks for listening to me vent...I'm going back to baking now. ;) - mary the food librarian

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Homeboy Industries Chips & Salsa

Homeboy Industries Chips & Salsa

Just wanted to let my Southern California friends know about Homeboy Industries new line of chips and salsa available at Ralphs.

Homeboy Industries is a great organization that helps at-risk and former gang-involved youth with job skills, education, counseling and tattoo removal. Founded by Father Greg Boyle, it has really changed the lives of many people in Los Angeles.

With the motto,"Nothing stops a bullet like a job" and "Jobs not Jails", Homeboy Industries has a bakery and the Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. Now, they have a line of chips and salsa for sale in Ralphs grocery stores!

This Los Angeles Times article (Feb 17, 2011) discuss the agreements (chips and salsa are made by commercial companies with Homegirl recipe). I brought the chips and salsa to the library and they were enjoyed by all. Shout out to Ralphs/Food for Less company for waiving the placement costs and donating $50K to the project. If you are hungry for some chips and salsa (and who isn't?!), pick up some Homeboy Industries chips and salsa and help this vital and important non-profit organization!

I bought the Pico de Gallo (hot) salsa and the Mango salsa...it was on sale at Ralphs for $2.99. I forget the regular price. Enjoy! - mary the food librarian

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Trader Joe's Candy Cane Green Tea (Polar Bear Tea) & Chocolate Peppermint Soy Milk

I know there are a bunch of food bloggers out there who are rolling out their favorite holiday cooking and baking recipes. Me? I'm going to start the holiday season by telling you things I like to BUY. :)
 
Here are two of my favorites: Polar Bear Tea and Chocolate Mint Soy Milk

While the official name is "Candy Cane Green Tea," I call it Polar Bear Tea. Trader Joe's sold it last year for the first time and it sold out in an instant. This tea is perfection for me; I don't drink caffeine, love decaf green tea and love peppermint. Score! When I saw it back in the store this year, I quickly picked up 6 boxes. 2 boxes are already gone. I need to go back. ($1.99 at Trader Joe's)

 

However, this year, I discovered this is Celestial Seasonings' holiday tea: Candy Cane Lane. Trader Joe's doesn't allow vendors to say they supply TJ's items (you should read this really good Fortune Magazine article: Inside the Secret World of Trader Joe's by Beth Kowitt). But the ingredients are EXACTLY the same. If you don't have a TJ near you (poor mija), then try the Candy Cane Lane from Celestial Seasonings. Personally, I think the Trader Joe's Polar Bear in Bridget Jones' worthy jumper chillin' out on the iceberg is cuter than the worker bee Celestial Seasonings bears.

My other favorite this holiday season is West Soy Chocolate Peppermint Stick Soy Milk. Yummy stuff for the lactose-intolerant or vegan. If you heat this up in the micro for a few minutes, it is delicious. 

Finally, here is a note to retailers. I went to the mall on Thursday, November 18th (a full-week before Thanksgiving) and Santa was at the mall. The whole photo set up going on. This is so wrong. First, stores are still hawking 75% off Halloween stuff. Second, we were a week away from Thanksgiving! You need to wait til Thanksgiving. Third, Santa looked sooooo freaking bored. I think kids thought he was a creepy leftover Halloween costumed man hanging out at the mall, and not Santa. And, really, shouldn't he and his people be making all the toys during this time? Sigh. Come on back in January as I rant about the Easter Bunny set up.

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