Food & Drink

Dallas – September 25, 2026 -- Smoothie King is giving away a free 12 oz. Coffee High Protein Almond Mocha Smoothie to Healthy Rewards members on September 28 and 29, getting a jump on National Coffee Day at participating locations nationwide.

The one-time offer applies exclusively to members of the brand's Healthy Rewards loyalty program during the two-day window.

The smoothie is built on cold brew and packed with protein

The drink uses cold brew made from 100% Arabica beans and delivers 14g of protein, 3g of fiber, and 0g of added sugar per serving.

Protein has been part of Smoothie King's menu for decades

The company points to more than 50 years of developing smoothies that balance nutrients and flavor, noting that protein has long been central to its recipes, including its existing lineup of Coffee High Protein Smoothies.

Customers can find participating locations and program details at smoothieking.com.

Denver – September 25, 2026 -- The Beef. It's What's For Dinner. brand, funded by beef farmers and ranchers, has released three slow-cooked recipes aimed at home cooks looking for hearty autumn meals.

Mississippi Pot Roast targets busy weeknights

The dish features tender beef in savory seasonings and rich juices, designed as a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal. It can be served over couscous, mashed potatoes or noodles.

Country-Fried Steaks bring Southern comfort to the table

Classic Country-Fried Steaks & Gravy pairs crispy, golden steaks with creamy gravy for a nostalgic, stick-to-your-ribs option suited to cozy weekends at home.

Beef Pot Pie is built for feeding a crowd

The recipe combines tender beef and vegetables under a flaky, golden crust, offering a lower-effort option for fall gatherings with family and friends.

Galena, Ill. – September 24, 2026 -- Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is offering a lineup of seasonal getaway packages this fall and winter, giving Midwest travelers a road-trip alternative about 150 miles west of Chicago in northwest Illinois' Driftless Region.

The 6,800-acre resort overlooks Lake Galena and sits within driving distance of Madison, Dubuque, Milwaukee, Rockford and the Quad Cities.

A Spooky Weekend Package Runs October 22-25

The two-night Spooky Weekend Getaway includes $75 in Eagle Ridge Dollars, two tickets per bedroom to Fear Forest at Shenandoah Riding Center, and round-trip transportation to the nighttime walking experience, recommended for ages 13 and older. Rates start at $573, with accommodations ranging from Inn rooms to five-bedroom distinctive homes.

A separate Halloween Party takes place October 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Highlands Restaurant & Lounge, featuring drinks and entertainment.

Vernon Hills, Ill. – September 24, 2026 -- Mellody Farm will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., mixing free daytime activities with ticketed evening food, drink and bonfire experiences across the Vernon Hills shopping center.

A shopping-center scavenger hunt anchors the day

The Mellody Farm Harvest Haul invites guests to pick up a free card at check-in and collect fall-themed stickers from participating retailers, restaurants and activities. Visitors who complete at least eight stops can redeem their card for a free fall-themed Mellody Farm item, while supplies last, and enter a prize drawing that includes a two-night stay at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, a Hydrafacial from OVME Medical Aesthetics, items from European Wax Center and a prize from SITKA Gear. The grand prize will be announced at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Nashville – – September 24, 2026 -- Southern Land Company opened Lupo Notte, its first full-service restaurant, on September 16 at Vertis Green Hills, the company's flagship mixed-use community and headquarters at 2035 Richard Jones Road in Nashville.

The menu centers on upscale Italian dishes made with local ingredients

Lupo Notte serves house-made pasta, 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas with 48-hour fermented dough, and shareable plates such as Lupo Meatballs made with ground wagyu beef, Italian sausage, and veal. Main courses include snapper in tomato broth and sweet corn-filled Agnolotti, alongside a beverage program featuring Italian-inspired cocktails and a wine list weighted toward Italian varietals.

New York – September 24, 2026 -- National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, marked every September 30, turns 10 this year, and Olive Oils From Spain is using the milestone to push American cooks beyond their single go-to bottle.

The campaign, dubbed a Spanish Flavor Renaissance, highlights that Spain grows more than 200 olive varieties across a production history spanning 3,000 years. Flavor profiles range from delicate green apple and almond notes to bold, peppery finishes.

Spain supplies nearly half the world's olive oil

Spain is the top global producer, accounting for close to half of worldwide supply, grown across 360 million olive trees described as the largest man-made forest on Earth. Four signature varieties define the range: the bold Picual, the sweet Arbequina, the balanced Hojiblanca, and the herbaceous Cornicabra.

New York – September 24, 2026 -- Bom Dia Brazilian Bubbles has become the first Brazilian wine ever named to Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys list, a milestone reached in only its second year on the market.

A young brand notches a historic first

The achievement builds on an earlier distinction: Bom Dia was the first Brazilian canned wine of any varietal ever exported outside Brazil. "To become the first Brazilian wine on this list, in only our second year, is an incredible moment for our team," said Antonio Motta, co-founder and COO of Bom Dia Brazilian Bubbles.

Quality scores back up the branding buzz

Bom Dia was previously nominated for Innovator of the Year at Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards in 2025. The wine also earned 90 points in the 2026 Brazil Special Report by Gabi Zimmer, published by Tim Atkin MW.

Downers Grove – September 24, 2026 -- Optimum Nutrition has launched a new ready-to-drink shake combining 30 grams of protein with 8 grams of prebiotic fiber, targeting consumers who want both muscle support and gut health benefits in one product.

Fiber joins protein as a top consumer priority

Roughly 31% of Americans say they're seeking more fiber in their diets than a year ago, according to Ipsos data cited by the brand. Nearly one-third of Americans fall short of the recommended 28 grams of daily fiber, per the International Food Information Council. Optimum Nutrition's new 30G Ultra-Filtered Milk Protein Shake + Fiber aims to close that gap without sacrificing taste.

Fly Creek, N.Y. – September 23, 2026 -- Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard has been voted the Best Cidery in the United States in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, marking the second national #1 ranking for the Upstate New York destination in three years.

The historic mill, located three miles from Cooperstown, previously topped the same list in 2024 and placed third in 2025. The USA TODAY 10Best competition nominated leading cideries nationwide, with rankings decided entirely by public vote.

The mill still runs on 19th-century water power

Built in 1856, Fly Creek presses cider using an 1889 Boomer & Boschert rack-and-cloth press. The equipment is powered by an 1872 water turbine that harnesses a 10-foot head of water from the on-site Millpond, letting visitors watch cider being made the same way it was generations ago.

New York – September 23, 2026 -- MyRecipes, a People Inc. brand, has launched a namesake app now available on the App Store and Google Play, offering more than 100,000 recipes pulled from brands including Allrecipes, Better Homes & Gardens, EatingWell, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Serious Eats, and Southern Living.

The app's standout feature lets users save recipes found on Instagram, TikTok, and thousands of other food sites, storing them in one searchable place so they don't get lost in a social feed.

The app organizes recipes by skill level and occasion

Content spans breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, snacks, desserts, cocktails, mocktails, and smoothies, alongside recipes from chefs including Bobby Flay, Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis, and Julia Child. New test-kitchen approved recipes are added daily, and editors curate more than 100 themed collections, such as Great Game Day Snacks and Top-Rated High Protein Dinners.