Aly's Newsletter: Hump Day Edition

Hi, friends!

Had the best time last night at a murder-mystery party.

Spoiler: I was not the murderer, or the murdered. That means I had time to drink fun cocktails and help to solve a murder!

This is actually one of very few event-events I’ve done since “before times” - which I have been super selective about. But the brand did everything right. They checked vaccination proof and ID at the door, and had roundtrip transportation. They also held the events in a well-spaced rooftop area (with covered sections when the weather did not agree) and the drinks were served in disposable cups (like those big red solo cups!), so that no servers had to handle cups someone had drank out of. It was super fun — and creative.

As always - if anyone ever wants my thoughts on events, press dinners, trips, etc in the context of “now” vs “then” you can always feel free to email me!

What I’m working on this morning is almost identical to what I posted last night, but as that was late in the day and I know those posts don’t have quite the same level of open rate, going to re-address here.

1. For Clean Plates, I'm wrapping up my guide to the best store-bought healthy (or healthier) chicken nuggets in the next day or so. I'd love an RD or nutritionist to weigh in over email on a few questions I have and to give input on a few nuggets brands/varieties I'm adding to my roundup. (And yes if you already emailed me, and we already discussed, this is not replacing any comments you gave but in addition to those.) This is kind of urgent so if you have an RD who can answer questions over email today, please please send them my way.

2 - For Spy.com, I"m working on the following for tomorrow EOD:

The best:

Target stocking stuffers - i.e. stocking stuffers you can get at Target. Keep in mind that while I can cover items for all interests, Spy is mostly geared towards men's interest so it may be a better bet to veer in that direction.

Christmas books - I'm hoping to include a really great selection of Christmas books available online.

Hanukkah decorations: Decorations, menorahs, dreidels, all the fun Hanukkah stuff. PS: Someone emailed me last night and showed me what was clearly a Christmas tree ornament and called it a Hanukkah decoration. Believe it or not, Hanukkah is not just the Jewish way of saying Christmas - tree ornaments do not apply.

I’m also looking for great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on Amazon and Walmart - this is new since last night.

3 - Also for Clean Plates I'm writing a story on the Air Fryer vs. the Instant Pot - which we love more, and why (and obviously I have a vote here...but I really want to make this fair and balanced. So excited to hear input from experts with points/counterpoints so far as which one is better for versatility, healthy food, price/size/space it takes up, value, etc 

Stories that have been published in the last day:

AllRecipes

Dining Out With Diabetes: 6 Menu Words to Avoid

Goalcast

Server Notices Man With Cerebral Palsy Struggling to Eat – Drops Everything To Help Him Enjoy His Meal

Quick-Thinking Sikh Hikers Use Their Turbans To Create A Rope And Save Man From Falling To His Death

Today.com

Chipotle to open virtual restaurant for Halloween, give away $1 million in free burritos

Free doughnuts, tacos and other frighteningly good food deals for Halloween

That’s all for now - have a great day!

<3

aly