Aly's Newsletter: Thursday Edition
Good morning, friends!
If you ever doubt history constantly repeats itself, here we are on the brink of what looks like it could be the next world war...on the back drop of a global pandemic.
This is so 100 years ago of us.
Let's just hope the roaring 20s side of things get here soon, because I could really use some fun clothes and a cocktail.
That said, live your life. Be happy. Try to capture the moments of joy you can and don't get sucked in by the constant backdrop of horror all around us. It can be suffocating, and overwhelming, and letting it consume you is so unhealthy.
I have spent the last few months in self-imposed hibernation because of this Omicron wave. It's lonely and sad, and this current news cycle is a reminder it's time to find some joy. I made dinner plans for next week with some of my close friends and it can't come soon enough.
Relatedly, I want to send so much love to all my friends who are in Miami for SOBEWFF this week. I was almost there this season (even have my credentials!), and ended up not feeling comfortable traveling quite yet, especially for a big festival. I'm SO sad to not be there though (it’s my favorite event of the year!) and I'll be living vicariously through all your coverage!
A reminder to check your sources
Yesterday, I chatted a little about some really damaging misinformation that was spread about Her Majesty the Queen. Thankfully, that ugly rumor was untrue. I did however think it may be helpful to share an article I wrote for The List about the actual protocol in place were that to actually happen. Knowing the actual facts make it harder to believe the lies.
Keep that in mind when on social media reading about everything else going on in the world right now. There’s a lot of accounts that are spreading rumors and false information. Always check sources before spreading news that can be damaging, hurtful, or untrue.
Here's what's cooking
Speaking of food, last night I made air fryer lobster tails. You'd not believe how easy it was, and it's on my Instagram stories right now if you want to see the results. (And thanks so much to Luke's Lobster for sending me the care package that made that lobster dinner possible!)
In cocktail news, I am attending a virtual cocktail-making class for Blake Lively's new line of mixers this afternoon, and I'm so excited. If the ingredients and tools they sent over are any indication, we're going to make some really cool stuff. I'll share more deets in tomorrow's newsletter and on my Instagram later today!
Last night's Pam & Tommy
I'm obsessed with this show and I love they show the clear distinction between living your life in the public eye but also the personal trauma that happens when your privacy is violated within that capacity. I really didn't expect to go into this series seeing Pam and Tommy as sympathetic figures, and more and more, I very much do (especially Pam!).
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LOTS of open story opportunities!
Be sure to read the below list carefully. Many are stories I posted about yesterday, but some of yesterday's stories are no longer listed and a few new ones have been added since yesterday. This (below) is everything that is still a currently open opportunity as of today.
Today.com
I'm working on a big roundup of restaurants open on Easter. We’re looking for a big list of big and small chains across the country –high and low. It's the Easter version of this story we did for Christmas, if you want an idea of format I'm looking for.
For Today.com, I'm also rounding up food/restaurant chains doing special deals, discounts, and freebies in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
Finally, I'm looking for restaurant chains nationwide doing special deals/discounts for tax day (i have a few weeks to play with this one...a rare feat!)
Clean Plates
As the resident air fryer gal, I'm updating this story on quick and healthy air fryer recipes. I'm looking to include recipes that already exist online from bloggers/food writers (that I can link to and just write a bit of a blurb about), check out the link for an example of the kind of stuff I'm looking for and email me if you have any fits! As a reminder, these recipes focus on whole, better for you ingredients. We do not recommend foods that have refined sugar, corn syrup, etc., or refined grains.
For Clean Plates, I’m also doing a mattress roundup. The gist is how important sleep is for your health (wouldn’t mind an expert source to quote for this!), and then I’ll break up my choices with superlatives that fit for each one, such as Best for Hot Sleepers, Best for a bad back, etc. Please email me by Friday for this one!
Finally, for Clean Plates, I'm also working on a roundup of the healthiest, best-tasting jarred tomato sauces available at grocery stores. This is a continuation of the series I have done (examples of previous stories in this series: chicken soup, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese), for this story, I'm looking to include tomato sauces that are organic, pesticide-free (if not organic), no added sugar (or extremely low added sugar, EVOO > any other oils. Have any tomato sauces to pitch me? Email me! Nutritionist who wants to comment on this topic? Please email me also! Please make sure to glance at the examples above first so you have a clear idea of the kind of story this is.
Forbes
I'm looking for restaurants and bars that are doing fun/special menu items (food OR drink) in honor of Fat Tuesday & Mardi Gras. If you have anything that could work, please email me ALL of the following:
1 - Name of dish/drink
2 - Where available (name of restaurant, city, state, URL)
3 - description of dish/drink
4 - quote from bartender/owner about menu item
5 - image of menu item
By today EOD please! (PS: While gumbo and po boys are among my fave foods on earth, if they are always on your menu and them being there for Fat Tuesday is nothing special, that doesn't count, unless you are doing something extra or unique with them for the occasion.)
For Forbes, I'm also looking for chefs to weigh in on tips to make the perfect meatball in honor of National Meatball Day. This is more of a mistakes not to make/what to do instead piece, so I don't need a bunch of recipes, but more, just tips and hacks.
SPY.com
For SPY, I'm still rounding up great cookbooks (preferably available on Amazon) - please include name of book, description, and link to where sold in your pitch. Also open to celebrity chefs sharing THEIR favorite cookbooks and why.
For SPY, I'm also rounding up the best Jewish and/or Kosher cookbooks. In addition to cookbook pitches, I'd love if I can have a Jewish or Kosher chef comment on the role that food and family dinners play in Jewish holidays and traditions.
To pitch me for ANY of these stories, please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com (and start a new thread, please!).
Have a good day - and take some time to be kind to one another.
<3
aly