News: Starbucks - Mobile Payments Now Available Nationally

Today marks the rollout of mobile payments at Starbucks nationally. If you own an iPhone, an iPod Touch or Blackberry, you can now use a Starbucks Card Mobile app to pay at Starbucks with your phone instead of a card.

If you have an Android, you'll have to wait a bit as they're still working on the Android app but it should be available soon.

The Starbucks Card Mobile app was previously limited to test markets in New York, Seattle, northern California, and Target. That's right. Target. All 1,000 plus Starbucks locations in U.S. Target stores were part of the test.

Review: Pizza Hut - Big Dipper Pizza

Pizza Hut's new limited-time Big Dipper Pizza is a big rectangular pan pizza or two medium rectangular pan pizzas placed inside a large rectangular box, depending on how you look at it. It's also a sauceless pizza or an order of 24 cheesesticks, again, depending on how you look at it.

News: Cold Stone Creamery - Adding New Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Bars

Cold Stone Creamery is adding a new hat to their repertoire with the addition of the Cold Stone Yogurt Bar to most locations by spring of 2011. Flavors will include vanilla, chocolate, and cake batter as well as the tart and tangy flavors commonly associated with the yogurt shops such as Pinkberry that are popping up all over the place.

Each Yogurt Bar will feature a number of self-serve machines and a fresh topping bar. Locations that don't opt-in to the program will still have hard-packed frozen yogurt for mixing-in on the namesake cold stone.

It seems to me like Cold Stone is jumping on a bandwagon on the verge of tipping over but I suppose customers already walking into a Cold Stone might bite on a healthier option.

News: Domino's - Smart Slices for School Lunches

Looks like Domino's Pizza is getting into the school lunch game with the introduction of their Smart Slice school lunch pizza program. A Smart Slice is a healthier version of Domino's Pizza made with 51% whole wheat white flour, reduced sodium, and reduced fat.

The Smart Slices are baked fresh at local Domino's locations and delivered to participating schools.

There are currently over 120 school districts participating in the program and Domino's plans to double that number within the next year.

News: Starbucks - No Joke, Trenta is Coming

On the plus side, the Trenta is "only" about 1/4 the size
of the fake 128-ounce Plenta shown above.

The Trenta is coming! Yes, the same Trenta (Italian for 30) is that 31-ounce monstrosity Starbucks was testing in a few select markets last year is set to roll out nationally.

For those dreaming of a 31-ounce hot latte, just stop. The Trenta will only be available for iced coffee and iced tea. It will cost about 50 cents more than a 20-ounce Venti in most markets.

The Trenta is making a staggered release mirroring warm weather patterns; it will be introduced in the South and Southwest today (January 18th), in California starting February 3rd and by May 3rd you can expect to see the Trenta nationwide.

In case you're wondering how much calories is in a Big Gulp-sized (roughly) cup of Iced Coffee at Starbucks, I've provided a rough guestimate via the magic of math:

Review: Jamba Juice - Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends

Strawberry Alive

So I tried all three Jamba Juices's new Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends which come in three flavors: Vibrant Blueberry, Strawberry Alive, and Thrivin' Mango. They normally cost $3.45 for 12-ounces but I got these for $1 each since Jamba has a coupon out that's good until the 19th.

Each features their respective fruit blended with nonfat yogurt, soymilk, and Jamba's specially formulated Probiotic Boost.

News: Panera Bread - New January Items 2011

New to the Panera Bread menu this month are three new items: Low-Fat All-Natural Chicken Soup, Thai Chopped Chicken Salad, and Wild Berry Smoothie.

The Low-Fat All-Natural Chicken Soup is a new recipe that replaces their previous version and features a seasoned chicken broth with all-natural white chicken, carrots, onions, celery and egg noodles.

The Thai Chopped Chicken Salad consists of all-natural chicken, romaine lettuce, wonton strips, fire-roasted edamame, red bell pepper and carrot tossed in a Thai Chili Vinaigrette. It is then topped with seasoned grilled chicken, Thai cashews, fresh cilantro, and a peanut drizzle.

Review: Burger King - BK Stuffed Steakhouse Burger

Burger King's new limited-time Jalapeno & Cheddar BK Stuffed Steakhouse burger features a thick beef patty with pieces of jalapenos and Cheddar cheese inside. The patty is joined by a creamy poblano (another pepper) sauce, tomatoes, and lettuce on BK's premium sandwich bakery bun. Like most of the Steakhouse line a BK Stuffed Steakhouse will run you $3.99.

News: Pizza Hut - New Big Dipper Pizza for $12

Pizza Hut's latest limited-time offer, the Big Dipper Pizza is a cross between the Big Italy (which it replaces) and the Dippin' Strips Pizza they offered back in '05.

The Big Dipper Pizza features a 1-topping, long rectangular pizza cut in 24 rectangular strips (3 pepperonis per slice if the picture is to be believed) and served with four cups of marinara sauce (so everyone can have their own) for $12.

Review: Pringles - Hoppin' Horseradish Potato Crisps

Pringles's limited-time Hoppin' Horseradish flavor is part of their "Extreme" line of chips and generally cost around $2.49 at regular price for a 6.38-ounce canister or between $1 and $2 on sale.

Review: Sonic - Strawberry Limeade Chiller

The Sonic Strawberry Limeade Chiller is, as far as I know, unique to Sonic among the fast food chains. It features a blend of the standard Sonic Strawberry Limeade and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped topping and a thick wedge of lime.

Besides Strawberry, Limeade Chillers are also available in Cherry and Lime. It's $2.49 for a 14-ounce "regular."

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Country Herb Chicken

In a change from the one pound (or more) frozen dinners I normally review, I tackle Healthy Choice's Herb Chicken dinner which features chicken tenderloins with herb gravy, red potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli florets with carrot coins, and a cherry blueberry multi-grain crisp for dessert.

Regular price on one of these is about $3.99 while sales price would be around $2 to $3.