Ash & Pikachu's Final Episodes Will Air in February on Netflix

It truly is the end of an era. I can't believe it's been 25 years since I welcomed to these two iconic characters into my life. I've watched every tv series and movie they were part of. I even dressed up as Ash for Halloween. My ex-boyfriend even gave me the nickname "Pichu" because he said I reminded him of that particular pokemon. Now just like every other fan of these two characters, we have to say goodbye very soon.

Via Twitter, the Pokémon company announced that the duo's adventure will be coming to an end in 2023. Following an 11-episode story arc focused on the pair, the popular animated franchise will continue with a focus on new characters. The first of the final 11 episodes of "Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series" will on Ash and Pikachu's journey air in Japan on January 13, 2023, while the US version will premiere on Netflix on February 24th. While the iconic duo's journey is in its final chapter, fans will have new characters and Pokémon to follow. 

The show's Twitter account teased an "all-new" series and showed what appeared to be two new characters and three "starter Pokémon."

As much as it is hard for me to say goodbye to these two, I have to do it. But best believe, these two will always have a place in my heart, and I'll never let that go. Thank you so much for introducing me to Pokémon.

Meet Baja Blast: Mountain Dew's New Hot Sauce

There is a new entry into the hot sauce industry, and it came from the most unexpected of brands. Mountain Dew.

The PepsiCo brand recently released Baja Blast Hot Sauce, a limited edition batch of hot sauce for dedicated fans of the tentpole flavor. This unique edition condiment touts a blend of the identifiable Baja Blast “tropical lime” tang, tomatillos, habanero peppers, green chiles, and jalapeños. If you want to try out this new hot sauce, you better be swift about it. Mountain Dew collaborated with popular Houston sauce shop iBurn, led by James “Hot Sauce Boss” Beck, on a small batch of 750 bottles. 

If you want to be part of the game, you have to follow Mountain Dew on social media to become a part of the contest.

Log #29: Menu Scanning - The Future of Restaurant Dining

I first noticed this when I was with my fiancé down in Raleigh, North Carolina. We were at a sports bar drinking good margaritas and eating burgers that were to die for. I asked for a menu, but then it turned out that the restaurant no longer did paper menus. They asked me to take out my cell phone and scan the QR code on the sign in front of me. When you scan the barcode the menu is automatically uploaded to your phone, and you can read the entire menu via their website.

It's a simple task and you don't need to make a hassle out of it. In many cases, it's another version of scrolling down the internet. But instead of scrolling through random TikTok videos, you're scrolling up and down to see what would you like to order at your current location. All of this is being viewed on your phone and you don't have to go through a crazy hassle of looking at a laminated paper menu. In many cases, this is saving the restaurant business a crazy load of money, as well as helping out the environment in regards to chopping down a colossal amount of trees.

In my personal opinion, I support menu scanning. It's the perfect addition to our everyday lives. After all, we're glued to our phones like roaches that can't escape once they get caught in sticky tape. This is a good thing. All you have to do is scan a QR code that is right next to you. Within seconds, the entire restaurant menu is right there on your phone to view. Not only that, but there can be a benefit to this.

Let's say you want to come to that particular restaurant again. Instead of wondering what to order next, just pull out of your technology device and open the menu. Your device already downloaded it. There's nothing left to do except look at the menu and decide what to eat before your stomach becomes your worst enemy.

I support menu scanning.

Burger King Launches New Trio Chicken Sandwiches

As Burger King's new slogan says "Be Your Way," they're showing they're going to be their way in 2023 by adding a new addition to this ongoing competition that has now been named "The Chicken Sandwich Wars."

On January 5th, Burger King will be releasing three new types of chicken sandwiches to their already satisfying menu. The trio of sandwiches will include an American Original Chicken Sandwich, a Mexican Original Chicken Sandwich, and an Italian Original Chicken Sandwich. All of the new sandwiches will feature a breaded chicken patty on a long sesame seed bun. The "American" will have lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and mayonnaise. The "Mexican" will feature a spicy queso sauce and jalapeños. And, the "Italian" will have mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. 

Fun fact: Two of these sandwiches, the American and Italian, are a throwback to what Burger King used to serve on the menu back in the late 1980s. If you lived during that decade and dined at BK, chance is you came across these two sandwiches at least one. The "Mexican" chicken sandwich is only one of the three is brand new. In order words, you can say it's the youngest out of this trio chicken family.

The 'Chicken Sandwich Wars' continues since it was unconsciously declared back in 2019. But it looks like Burger King is ready to throw a grenade, and blow the current competition away

There are numerous reports that chicken sandwiches will dominate 2023 when it comes to talking about fast food trends. Let's hope the war doesn't escalate to the level it was when it first started. The average human being isn't ready for another series of loud crowds, impatient customers and employees, shortage of chicken, vandalism, car driving through the glass out of retaliation, etc.