WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Today, Mananalu – the aluminum-bottled water brand on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics – announces the anticipated launch of its limited-edition “Aquaman” bottle to celebrate the upcoming release of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”Mananalu’s 22-ounce “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” bottle features a trident inspired by the one that Aquaman uses to protect the ocean, and a beautiful gold cap.
The 22-ounce “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” bottle is available in a six pack on Mananalu’s site at www.mananalu.com ($29.99/6 pack), and at select retailers including HyVee and Foodland until supplies last. The bottle features a trident inspired by the one that Aquaman uses to protect the ocean, and a beautiful gold cap.
Founder Jason Momoa – ocean activist and actor – not only protects our oceans as Aquaman on the screen, but also through his mission-driven brand in real life. Focused on building the belief that plastics negatively impact our enjoyment of exploring the planet, the aluminum-bottled water brand makes impact refreshingly easy through its “Drink One, Remove One” promise.
Mananalu is the only aluminum-bottled water brand offering DOUBLE impact. Through the brand’s partnership with rePurpose Global, for every bottle that’s purchased, Mananalu removes one water bottle’s worth of plastic from the world’s ocean. So far, the equivalent of 14 million bottles have been saved from entering the ocean.
“This bottle is about more than just the movie. Because protecting our oceans is up to all of us,” says Mananalu founder Jason Momoa. “And every time you drink any Mananalu bottle you are protecting the oceans one bottle at a time.”
Aquaman fans can also join the wave of change by entering to win a trip for two to Los Angeles for a screening of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” in December. By entering, Mananalu hopes it inspires its community to think about how it can be a protector of the oceans, just like the superhero himself. Details on how to enter are available on www.Mananalu.com.
Mananalu’s four core flavors – Pure, Pink Grapefruit, Tahitian Lime, and Lilikoi Passion – are available on Amazon ($19.98/12 pack). Mananalu is made with no sweeteners, calories, or bubbles, just a hint of natural flavor essence with electrolytes added for taste. The water is bottled in infinitely recyclable aluminum – with each bottle made up of at least 60% recycled aluminum – and is responsibly and locally sourced, Climate Neutral, Plastic Negative, and 1% For The Planet.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal US/DC residents, 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:00 AM PT on November 1, 2023 and ends at 11:59:59 PM PT on November 29, 2023. Limit 1 Entry per Person. Sponsor: Mananalu, Inc., 8605 Santa Monica Blvd., #82374, West Hollywood, CA, 90069-4109. Subject to Official Rules at Mananalu.com/A2Sweepstakes.
About Mananalu: Mananalu is an aluminum-bottled water brand on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics – making impact refreshingly easy via the “Drink One, Remove One” initiative, which removes one water bottle’s worth of plastic from the world’s ocean for every bottle purchased.
Founded by Jason Momoa – ocean activist and actor – this mission-driven brand focuses on building the belief that plastics negatively impact our enjoyment of exploring the planet. Inspired by Jason Momoa’s native Hawaiian culture, in Hawaiian, “Mana” means “the sacred spirit of life” and “Nalu” means “a powerful wave that pushes across the ocean.” Mananalu represents the unstoppable wave of change that is already here and making a difference. Mananalu is bottled in infinitely recyclable aluminum, with each bottle made up of at least 60% recycled aluminum, and is Climate Neutral, Plastic Negative and 1% For The Planet.
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About “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Director James Wan and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa—along with Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman—return in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Directed by Wan, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is produced by Peter Safran, Wan and Rob Cowan. The executive producers are Galen Vaisman and Walter Hamada.
The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.
Joining Wan behind-the-camera is his sterling team of “Aquaman” artisans: director of photography Don Burgess, production designer Bill Brzeski, editor Kirk Morri, composer Rupert Gregson-Williams and music supervisor is Michelle Silverman. Visual effects supervisor Nick Davis and costume designer Richard Sale also join.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents An Atomic Monster / A Peter Safran Production of A James Wan Film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” set to open in theaters internationally beginning 20 December 2023 and in North America on December 22, 2023; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
SOURCE Mananalu
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The 8,000-Year History of Pecans: How America’s Only Native Nut Became a Holiday Staple
Discover how pecans went from ignored trees to holiday staples over 8,000 years. Learn about Native American pecan use, the enslaved man who revolutionized pecan grafting, George Washington’s pecan obsession, and why the US produces 80% of the world’s pecans.
How pecans went from ignored trees to a holiday staple – the 8,000-year history of America’s only native major nut crop
Shelley Mitchell, Oklahoma State University Pecans have a storied history in the United States. Today, American trees produce hundreds of million of pounds of pecans – 80% of the world’s pecan crop. Most of that crop stays here. Pecans are used to produce pecan milk, butter and oil, but many of the nuts end up in pecan pies. Throughout history, pecans have been overlooked, poached, cultivated and improved. As they have spread throughout the United States, they have been eaten raw and in recipes. Pecans have grown more popular over the decades, and you will probably encounter them in some form this holiday season. I’m an extension specialist in Oklahoma, a state consistently ranked fifth in pecan production, behind Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. I’ll admit that I am not a fan of the taste of pecans, which leaves more for the squirrels, crows and enthusiastic pecan lovers.
The spread of pecans
The pecan is a nut related to the hickory. Actually, though we call them nuts, pecans are actually a type of fruit called a drupe. Drupes have pits, like the peach and cherry.Three pecan fruits, which ripen and split open to release pecan nuts, clustered on a pecan tree.IAISI/Moment via Getty Images The pecan nuts that look like little brown footballs are actually the seed that starts inside the pecan fruit – until the fruit ripens and splits open to release the pecan. They are usually the size of your thumb, and you may need a nutcracker to open them. You can eat them raw or as part of a cooked dish. The pecan derives its name from the Algonquin “pakani,” which means “a nut too hard to crack by hand.” Rich in fat and easy to transport, pecans traveled with Native Americans throughout what is now the southern United States. They were used for food, medicine and trade as early as 8,000 years ago.Pecans are native to the southern United States.Elbert L. Little Jr. of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Pecans are native to the southern United States, and while they had previously spread along travel and trade routes, the first documented purposeful planting of a pecan tree was in New York in 1722. Three years later, George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon, had some planted pecans. Washington loved pecans, and Revolutionary War soldiers said he was constantly eating them. Meanwhile, no one needed to plant pecans in the South, since they naturally grew along riverbanks and in groves. Pecan trees are alternate bearing: They will have a very large crop one year, followed by one or two very small crops. But because they naturally produced a harvest with no input from farmers, people did not need to actively cultivate them. Locals would harvest nuts for themselves but otherwise ignored the self-sufficient trees. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that people in the pecan’s native range realized the pecan’s potential worth for income and trade. Harvesting pecans became competitive, and young boys would climb onto precarious tree branches. One girl was lifted by a hot air balloon so she could beat on the upper branches of trees and let them fall to collectors below. Pecan poaching was a problem in natural groves on private property.
Pecan cultivation begins
Even with so obvious a demand, cultivated orchards in the South were still rare into the 1900s. Pecan trees don’t produce nuts for several years after planting, so their future quality is unknown.An orchard of pecan trees.Jon Frederick/iStock via Getty Images To guarantee quality nuts, farmers began using a technique called grafting; they’d join branches from quality trees to another pecan tree’s trunk. The first attempt at grafting pecans was in 1822, but the attempts weren’t very successful. Grafting pecans became popular after an enslaved man named Antoine who lived on a Louisiana plantation successfully produced large pecans with tender shells by grafting, around 1846. His pecans became the first widely available improved pecan variety.Grafting is a technique that involves connecting the branch of one tree to the trunk of another.Orest Lyzhechka/iStock via Getty Images The variety was named Centennial because it was introduced to the public 30 years later at the Philadelphia Centennial Expedition in 1876, alongside the telephone, Heinz ketchup and the right arm of the Statue of Liberty. This technique also sped up the production process. To keep pecan quality up and produce consistent annual harvests, today’s pecan growers shake the trees while the nuts are still growing, until about half of the pecans fall off. This reduces the number of nuts so that the tree can put more energy into fewer pecans, which leads to better quality. Shaking also evens out the yield, so that the alternate-bearing characteristic doesn’t create a boom-bust cycle.
US pecan consumption
The French brought praline dessert with them when they immigrated to Louisiana in the early 1700s. A praline is a flat, creamy candy made with nuts, sugar, butter and cream. Their original recipe used almonds, but at the time, the only nut available in America was the pecan, so pecan pralines were born.Pralines were originally a French dessert, but Americans began making them with pecans.Jupiterimages/The Image Bank via Getty Images During the Civil War and world wars, Americans consumed pecans in large quantities because they were a protein-packed alternative when meat was expensive and scarce. One cup of pecan halves has about 9 grams of protein. After the wars, pecan demand declined, resulting in millions of excess pounds at harvest. One effort to increase demand was a national pecan recipe contest in 1924. Over 21,000 submissions came from over 5,000 cooks, with 800 of them published in a book. Pecan consumption went up with the inclusion of pecans in commercially prepared foods and the start of the mail-order industry in the 1870s, as pecans can be shipped and stored at room temperature. That characteristic also put them on some Apollo missions. Small amounts of pecans contain many vitamins and minerals. They became commonplace in cereals, which touted their health benefits. In 1938, the federal government published the pamphlet Nuts and How to Use Them, which touted pecans’ nutritional value and came with recipes. Food writers suggested using pecans as shortening because they are composed mostly of fat. The government even put a price ceiling on pecans to encourage consumption, but consumers weren’t buying them. The government ended up buying the surplus pecans and integrating them into the National School Lunch Program.Today, pecan producers use machines called tree shakers to shake pecans out of the trees.Christine_Kohler/iStock via Getty Images While you are sitting around the Thanksgiving table this year, you can discuss one of the biggest controversies in the pecan industry: Are they PEE-cans or puh-KAHNS? Editor’s note: This article was updated to include the amount of protein in a cup of pecans.Shelley Mitchell, Senior Extension Specialist in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The Grinch Meal at McDonald’s: Dill Pickle Fries & Holiday Chaos Starting Dec. 2
McDonald’s launches The Grinch Meal Dec. 2 featuring Dill Pickle McShaker Fries—a U.S. first. Includes Big Mac or McNuggets, drink, and Grinch-themed socks. Limited time only.
The meal, made in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald’s, will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last.
The Grinch Meal at McDonald’s: Dill Pickle Fries & Holiday Chaos Starting Dec. 2
McDonald’s teams up with everyone’s favorite holiday curmudgeon for a limited-time meal that’s equal parts mischief and mouthwatering The Grinch has officially left his cave on Mt. Crumpit, and he’s headed straight for the Golden Arches. Starting December 2, McDonald’s is rolling out The Grinch Meal—a deliciously chaotic collaboration with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that brings tangy flavor, spirited socks, and a whole lot of attitude to your holiday season.
Sprinkle the tangy, dill pickle seasoning into the McShaker bag and shake for a bold twist on our World Famous Fries® that will make your taste buds pucker with delight.
Dill Pickle Fries Make Their U.S. Debut
At the heart of this mischievous meal are the Dill Pickle “Grinch Salt” McShaker Fries, making their first-ever appearance in the United States. Here’s how it works: sprinkle the tangy dill pickle seasoning into the McShaker bag, give it a good shake, and watch McDonald’s World Famous Fries transform into a bold, pucker-inducing treat that’ll make your taste buds sit up and take notice. Pair those fries with your choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, add a medium drink, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate comfort meal to survive the holiday “fuss and muss,” as The Grinch himself might say.
Socks with Sass Included
But wait—there’s more mischief afoot. Every Grinch Meal comes with a pair of spirited socks featuring messages scribbled by The Grinch himself. Available in four “unhinged” colors, these socks let everyone know exactly how the green grouch feels about the holiday season. And in true Grinch fashion, they can even double as an impromptu stocking—Mt. Crumpit style.
The Grinch Speaks (Sort Of)
In typical Grinch fashion, the announcement came via a handwritten note on crumpled paper: “THiS iS MY MEAL AND i DiDN’T PARTNER WiTH McDONALD’S OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF MY HEART. i SAW AN OPPORTUNiTY TO BRiNG MiSCHiEF TO YOUR BELOVED ‘RESTAURANT’ WiTH MY DELiCiOUS CHAOS FOR THE HOLiDAYS AND i TOOK iT. SO GO AHEAD, GRAB MY MEAL STARTING DEC. 2 – YOU’RE WELCOME FOR MAKiNG YOUR HOLiDAYS iNFiNiTELY MORE iNTERESTiNG.” You can practically hear the grumbling from here.
The Grinch is also sneaking a piece of mischief into every meal: a pair of spirited socks, scribbled with messages from the Grinch himself to let everyone know exactly how he feels this holiday season.
Limited Time, Limited Chaos
The Grinch Meal will be available at participating McDonald’s locations nationwide starting December 2, but only while supplies last. So if you’re ready to add a little pickle-flavored pandemonium to your holiday routine, you’ll want to act fast. After all, this is one holiday takeover that’s actually worth celebrating—even if The Grinch would never admit it. Ready to embrace the chaos? Head to your local McDonald’s starting December 2 and grab The Grinch Meal before it disappears faster than presents on Christmas Eve.For more information about McDonald’s, visit www.mcdonalds.com or follow them on social media. Learn more about Dr. Seuss Enterprises at DrSeussEnterprises.com.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Holiday Goodies: Gadgets and gizmos may be all the rage, but stuffing stockings with holiday gifts can be as simple as delicious goodies that highlight the flavors of the season. When seeking that special surprise for a special someone, look no further than a customizable combination of festive snacks.
(Family Features) Gadgets and gizmos may be all the rage, but stuffing stockings with holiday gifts can be as simple as delicious goodies that highlight the flavors of the season. When seeking that special surprise for a special someone, look no further than a customizable combination of festive snacks. Whether selecting a unique ready-to-go hostess gift, crafting the perfect combo for every person on your list or picking up hard-to-find ingredients for holiday treats, Nuts.com can deliver something for everyone and every need. Its convenience makes it an ideal destination for hosting and gifting, no matter your budget. Give a gift box filled with favorites, curate your ultimate party tray or build the trail mix of your dreams with thousands of showstopping snacks, treats and ingredients to choose from, all without the hassle of heading to the store. Consider these unique gift ideas and find more by visiting Nuts.com. Mixed Nut Sampler Perfect for family and friends who like to entertain or to elevate your own gathering, the Large Mixed Nut Sampler is a bountiful tray with 2 pounds of premium goodies. It includes a little something for everyone with jumbo pistachios, milk chocolate peanuts, milk chocolate raisins, butternut peanuts, jumbo roasted and salted cashews and more. Winter Wonderland Cheer Delicious snacks can taste just as good as they look, especially when they offer the friendly flavors of the season. Give a festive Box of Winter Wonderland with 3 pounds of tasty goodies including salted pistachios; dark, peppermint malt balls; chocolate-covered sunflower seeds and additional tasty, crunchy treats. Custom Holiday Tray If you just can’t find the right gift for that special someone who has it all, a Custom Tray may be the perfect fit. You can mix and match from 150-plus available morsels and sweets to create the five-snack tray of your loved one’s dreams. The options are nearly endless, including cinnamon gummies, Turkish figs, chocolate-covered espresso beans and beyond. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family holiday party) SOURCE:Nuts.com
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art.
Whether selecting a unique ready-to-go hostess gift, crafting the perfect combo for every person on your list or picking up hard-to-find ingredients for holiday treats, 
Mixed Nut Sampler Perfect for family and friends who like to entertain or to elevate your own gathering, the Large Mixed Nut Sampler is a bountiful tray with 2 pounds of premium goodies. It includes a little something for everyone with jumbo pistachios, milk chocolate peanuts, milk chocolate raisins, butternut peanuts, jumbo roasted and salted cashews and more. 
Winter Wonderland Cheer Delicious snacks can taste just as good as they look, especially when they offer the friendly flavors of the season. Give a festive Box of Winter Wonderland with 3 pounds of tasty goodies including salted pistachios; dark, peppermint malt balls; chocolate-covered sunflower seeds and additional tasty, crunchy treats. 
Custom Holiday Tray If you just can’t find the right gift for that special someone who has it all, a Custom Tray may be the perfect fit. You can mix and match from 150-plus available morsels and sweets to create the five-snack tray of your loved one’s dreams. The options are nearly endless, including cinnamon gummies, Turkish figs, chocolate-covered espresso beans and beyond. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family holiday party) 
