Happy Hump Day!

Did anyone watch This Is Us last night? I was so glad to have it back after a 3-week hiatus due to the Olympics.

Since the beginning, I've hoped that Sophie and Kevin are end game, and between him and Madison growing further apart and her being such a part of this week's plot, I can't help but think there's some hope that my wish will come true...!

Also, it's about time we finally got a Beth-centric episode! She's far and away my favorite member of the family and this episode was so appreciated.

A reminder to check your sources

Last night, a tabloid publication was spreading a really awful, untrue rumor about Her Majesty the Queen. Please let this be a reminder to always check the source before believing or sharing information, especially anything that is this sensitive. Had this story been true, and we’re all grateful it’s not, there is a very specific protocol in place for how the news would have been released…and trust me when I say, it’d not have been Hollywood Unlocked breaking the story. Please, please, check your sources and never spread and share misinformation.

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Back to work...

Recently, I tested a recipe hack I had discovered on TikTok. Essentially, by flash freezing firm tofu before pressing and prepping, you can alter the texture to then get more delicious, golden, crispy results. (In this test, I air fried them as tofu nuggets). We know I love a good air fryer challenge! Check out my results in my new article for The Kitchn here.

In other food news, this morning I did a story for Food Network on a world-record breaking strawberry -- the heaviest ever, grown by a farmer in Israel. Check out those photos in the story because it's totally wild. Just imagine the treat that baby would be dipped in some dark chocolate....

Job lead

Jack Taylor PR is looking for a PR Account Director. Details here!

LOTS of open story opportunities!

Here's everything I'm working on (as of now) right now. Eeek.

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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!

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 Thursday 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!).

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Are you confused about affiliate marketing?

If you are having trouble learning how to navigate issues of affiliate marketing (trust me, we've all been there!), you may want to try out my friend Sarah Karger, a publicist, and former editor Dana Baardsen (and all-around fab girl!)'s Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists. It's a brilliant course and it'll answer all your questions (including some you didn't know you had!)

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Phew...so much for brevity.

Have a wonderful day!

<3

aly

Aly’s Newsletter

Happy Hump Day: Tons of story leads today!