Motherhood Mondays: Sleep training (it's tough!)

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By the time Toby was six months old, Alex and I were pretty stressed...

Like most young babies, Toby woke up several times a night. He didn't know how to fall back asleep, so whenever he stirred, he'd cry out for us to rock him back to sleep. Of course, we adored our sweet baby, but waking up many times a night was SO tough. Sleep deprivation makes you feel like a walking zombie, and waking up multiple times a night is actually a form of torture, no joke! During the day, I also wasn't able to be the energetic mother I hoped to be, since I was basically cross-eyed with exhaustion. (I felt like this guy:)

The funny thing was, Toby was tired, too. He would wake up cranky and spend the morning rubbing his eyes. After all, he wasn't sleeping deeply, but instead was just dozing, stirring and waking up all night.

Desperate to find a solution for all of us, I would try reading sleep books while breastfeeding and half-falling asleep myself; they were confusing and talked a lot about the philosophy of sleep, versus just telling me what to do.

Finally, I was chatting on the phone with my friend Allison one morning, and she recommended the book The Sleepeasy Solution. Figuring out how to encourage your child to sleep can be very emotional. Everyone seems to handle it differently, and of course, every child is unique. But after a lot of agonizing, we bit the bullet and decided to give it a try...
HOW IT WORKS

Sleep training is not easy, and we were really nervous to get started.

First, Alex and I created a bedtime routine for Toby to help him wind down. We put him in pajamas, changed his diaper, turned on the white noise machine, read a couple stories, sang his three favorite lullabies, put him in his crib with his beloved pillow pet, said "Night night, we love you," patted his belly twice, and then walked out of the room and shut his door.

But then Toby started crying.

And crying.

That first night, my heart was in my throat. As Toby cried in his nursery, I sobbed in the living room. I called my own mom for reassurance that we were doing the right thing. Alex basically spoon-fed me ice cream. (He didn't find it as hard as I did, thankfully! Otherwise we would have both lost it.)

The Sleepeasy Solution made a few great points, which I repeated to myself as a pep talk:
* "You're helping your child get the sleep they desperately need." I must have repeated that line a million times to myself.
* Consistency was KEY. Although I desperately wanted to go into Toby's room and rock him to sleep, I knew that it would make it harder for him if I kept interrupting him.
* Toby's not crying because he's hungry or wet. He's just saying, "I don't want to go to sleep! I want to hang out with you guys! I don't know how to fall asleep, and I'm frustrated!" That dialogue helped me remember that he wasn't crying for a need other than wanting help falling asleep, yet he needed to learn that on his own.
* It's ok for a child to feel frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I still catch myself thinking that Toby should feel giddy and giggly all day long, but that's not really true, right? After all, if a child cries because he doesn't want to get into the car chair, you'd still buckle him in; or if a baby wants to eat a giant brownie, you'd say no. It can be empowering to conquer frustrations; that's part of life. Learning to sleep felt similarly important to me, even if Toby didn't enjoy the whole process.
* Picture your child sleeping peacefully and soundly. Picture them waking up smiling the next morning. That was a really helpful visual and reminded me why we were doing this!

The first night, Toby cried for more than twenty minutes, which was excruciating. The longest twenty minutes of my life! He seemed so small and helpless, and I really doubted our choice. If hearing Toby cry went against my maternal instincts so strongly, was this all a big mistake?

But then he fell fast asleep. The next night, he cried for eleven minutes. The next night, three minutes. The next night, one minute. And after that, barely at all! We couldn't believe how quickly it happened. (Naps were another story, but that's a whole different post:)

HOW SLEEP TRAINING CHANGED OUR LIVES

Now that Toby knows how to sleep, he loves loves loves his crib. He even reaches for his crib when he's tired at bedtime. And he adores his bedtime routine. Experts say that toddlers thrive on predictable routines and rituals because it makes the crazy world feel safe. Toby actually scolds us if we miss a step ("Fan!" "Blanket!" "Song!").

Sleep routines also make traveling easier. When we visit California or England, Toby adapts quickly to time changes because he knows his bedtime rituals so well. And it's easy to have an evening babysitter because we can rely on him going to bed easily and sleeping right through.

Alex and I are well rested, too. During the day, we have lots of energy to play with Toby, as well as work, hang out, whatever. We also have grown-up time in the evening once Toby is asleep, which we really cherish (even if we're just making pasta and watching Mad Men reruns:).

So, not only did sleep training turn out to be a good choice for Toby, it also was good for us. And I really think it's ok to look after yourself as well as your baby. You know how on an airplane, they'll tell you that if there's a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will fall down from the ceiling, and you should put yours on before you help your child? I think that's true of parenthood overall. When you want to be a great parent, it helps to take care of and nourish yourself, as well as your children, don't you think?

Sleep training was one of the hardest parts of parenting, but it was the right method for our family. Although I know it isn't for everyone, I'd highly recommend The Sleepeasy Solution. If we have a second baby (fingers crossed), we'll definitely try it again when the time is right. One book said that it's not just about having a well-rested child, but a well-rested family. After all, you're all in it together, right?

So, I'm really curious: What do you think? Do you think it's valuable to teach your child to sleep on their own? Or do you think kids will figure it out in time anyway? Would you feel okay letting your baby cry—or not at all? Of course, everyone needs to figure out what works best for them and their sweet babies. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...

P.S. Update: Another mom's sleep-training experience; The funniest book.

(Photo by Meaghan Curry Photography)

The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE
Wow, I'll let this recipe speak for itself; take a look...
The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have
By Joy Cho of Oh Joy; photos by Bonnie Tsang

Growing up, I never actually had brussels sprouts because my parents only knew how to cook Thai food. But I had heard friends at school talk about them as this terrible vegetable that their moms made them eat. Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation for being bitter and boring, but when roasted, they're pretty amazing. Ironically enough, in the last few years, Brussels sprouts seems to have made a resurgence on restaurant menus as chefs are redefining this vegetable into something that's seriously delicious. My husband and I enjoy these at least once a week, and I love adding a touch of my Thai heritage to the mix. We're huge garlic fans too, and always throw in some extra cloves to roast which is an amazing extra touch of flavor and texture. Here's my go-to recipe...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic with Thai-Inspired Dressing
(Adapted from Momofuku's recipe)
Serves 2-4 as a side dish

You'll need:
For Brussels Sprouts & Garlic:
A bag of brussels sprouts (about 1 lb)
Olive oil
8-10 cloves of garlic (I like the pre-peeled packets to make it easier)

For Dressing:
1/4 cup of fish sauce (I like Tiparos or Red Boat)
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar
3 tbsp. of finely chopped mint
2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro stems
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds

What to do:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack on the upper third.

Cut brussels sprouts in half, length-wise, and toss in a bowl with garlic and enough olive oil to lightly coat all pieces.

Place brussels sprouts with flat-side down (garlic can be tossed in any direction) on a shallow baking pan.

Bake until outer leaves are dark brown and appear crispy. Depending on the size of your brussels sprouts, this could be anywhere from 25-45 minutes, so start watching after 25 minutes and add time as necessary. Then, make a note of the timing for the next batch.

Make dressing while the sprouts are in the oven. Simply combine all ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved. I like to put it into a small tupperware container and shake it up. Then, you already have the extra dressing in a container to save for next time.Once the brussels sprouts are done, pour into a bowl and lightly toss with dressing. You won't need all of the dressing, so it's great to save for later for your next batch. We've even added the dressing to some roasted potatoes!
Thanks, Joy and Bonnie!

P.S. More best recipes...

(Photos by Bonnie Tsang. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series)

The Best Tacos You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE

Who doesn't love tacos? Alex has started a tradition of making them every Sunday night, and we usually make them with fish and then douse them with sour cream. But I was thrilled when San-Francisco-based Kimberley from The Year In Food agreed to share her go-to (healthy!) recipe...

The Best Healthy Tacos You'll Ever Have
By Kimberley of The Year In Food, who is also writing a book!

I have a weakness for tacos. Living in California, they're abundant, typically cheap, and vibrantly flavorful. When I cook at home, I strive for healthy dishes that are rich in both flavor and color—and these tacos win on all fronts. The spice rub is so simple and so versatile: you can use it with veggies, tofu, shrimp, fish or chicken.

Recipe: The Best Healthy Tacos
Serves 4

For the salsa:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 small jalapeño, finely diced
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. sea salt

For the salmon:
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. chipotle chile powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
12 oz. wild Alaskan salmon, in filets
Corn tortillas for serving

Garnish:
Feta cheese, crumbled
Lime slices
Cilantro

What to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

First, make the salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes with the green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and sea salt. Set aside until ready for use.

Next, combine the paprika, cumin, chipotle and sea salt to make the rub. Generously season the salmon with the rub. You may have a little left over—you can save it in a sealed glass jar in the pantry for future use.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish and place the salmon fillets inside, skin side down. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but not dry. (Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of your fillet—so be sure to check after about 10 minutes.) Remove salmon from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Flake the salmon with a fork for serving.

Prepare the tacos on a single corn tortilla with the salmon first, followed by the salsa, feta cheese, and a cilantro/lime garnish if desired. Enjoy!

Thank you so much, Kimberley!

P.S. More best recipes, including caramel apple pie and a peach tart.

(Photos and recipe by Kimberley from The Year In Food. Thanks to Shoko for help with this series.)

Who's game?

To contact us Click HERE
After watching the Happy documentary, I've been mulling over the idea of happiness. One evening, I was reading a magazine, and a single quote gave me a lightbulb moment...

"Happiness isn't being cheerful all the time," says John Sharp, a psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School. "It's being interested in things—finding out more about something, learning how to appreciate something better, incorporating something new that fits with what you already have."

So! Inspired, I decided to have more everyday adventures this fall. Then I wondered if I should make it a new series on the blog, since it's more fun to do things as a group. Would you want to join me?

How it would work: Each week, I'll issue a single challenge. (Think: learn to tell a great joke, write handwritten letter, go see a movie by yourself.) The following week, we'll regroup and share our experiences! What do you think?!

The challenge for this week, should you choose to accept it, could be to not watch TV for a week. (Or, at least, cut way back.) And see what surprising things unfold in your life...

Thoughts? Are you in? Does this sound fun to you? Fingers crossed, I really hope so!!!

P.S. The no-complaining challenge...

(Photo by Christine Carreira. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

Write Press Releases that Grab Peoples' Attention

To contact us Click HERE
By Frederick Vickers

There are so many different aspects of both online and offline business that have the potential for overwhelming anyone. All the old vets of internet marketing who pioneered press release went through that and know the deal.

The primary reason for using freelance help is to allow for more time on activities that directly impact revenue.

We are not quite done with our discussion, and if you are like us the gears would be turning with fresh ideas.

While companies selling physical products like luxaflex blinds may find this marketing strategy is very useful and diverse, it just depends on your particular situation. There is a lot to consider when you are contemplating all new promotional activities. Very many online businesses are extremely serious, and therefore they will always be interested in adding new revenue streams. Perhaps that easiest path to growth is through scaling existing campaigns, and then seek to add what you can that is all new. In the end, a long time from now, just be sure you do not look back and wish you would have considered more options. Your press release's first paragraph is really important and that is why you need to be choosy about which information is included in it. Make sure you include the basics as people are going to have questions right in the start; answer their questions related to where, how, why and when right in the first paragraph, so that they don't really have any doubts and are comfortable moving forward.

You can take any one of these methods and really go all out in your business because they will open up new venues for you, to be sure. You will be positioning your self for the greatest gains with this simple approach. One thing you can easily do is test these tips and look at examples and case studies such as the company that sells luxaflex blinds using this marketing strategy, on a small scale, and that is another approach we tell people to try - just do a small test and decide. Not necessarily at all with what we are talking about today, but there are other methods and ideas that are sold and not really the best choices for people to use.

If you are really new, then you have to know the importance of performing background research on any method that you are not familiar with. If you are not careful about what you do, then you can easily start method-hopping and getting nowhere. That experience is very common with web marketers who are relatively new and with little experience. We really pretty much do not care who it is, if something is new to you then you have to preform some research to get another side of the story. Maybe you have already had experiences in which smart homework saved you some money. In order to find success with your press release, you need to focus on some of the vital elements such as the headline. If you don't have a good headline then nobody is going to read your press release. The level of exposure that you get with your press release is completely dependent upon how well you can reach out to your target audience and impact them. Look around to see how other press releases out there have crafted their headlines so that you can emulate them while you work on conveying your own message to your readers. Do not be scared to experiment with your headlines and make changes.




About the Author:

Just about everybody who starts an online business goes through similar experiences; for example, there is a lot to be found about baby sleeping bags with sleeves strategy and their press release but you need to be careful. There can be many reasons, discussed at stop smoking London website and see their press release tips, with that as well as successful press release, so it can tough to pinpoint the exact cause. No need to bang your head against the wall, anymore, concerning this issue. We all make mistakes and have be down the same road; so do not feel like something is wrong with you.

The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE
Wow, I'll let this recipe speak for itself; take a look...
The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have
By Joy Cho of Oh Joy; photos by Bonnie Tsang

Growing up, I never actually had brussels sprouts because my parents only knew how to cook Thai food. But I had heard friends at school talk about them as this terrible vegetable that their moms made them eat. Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation for being bitter and boring, but when roasted, they're pretty amazing. Ironically enough, in the last few years, Brussels sprouts seems to have made a resurgence on restaurant menus as chefs are redefining this vegetable into something that's seriously delicious. My husband and I enjoy these at least once a week, and I love adding a touch of my Thai heritage to the mix. We're huge garlic fans too, and always throw in some extra cloves to roast which is an amazing extra touch of flavor and texture. Here's my go-to recipe...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic with Thai-Inspired Dressing
(Adapted from Momofuku's recipe)
Serves 2-4 as a side dish

You'll need:
For Brussels Sprouts & Garlic:
A bag of brussels sprouts (about 1 lb)
Olive oil
8-10 cloves of garlic (I like the pre-peeled packets to make it easier)

For Dressing:
1/4 cup of fish sauce (I like Tiparos or Red Boat)
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar
3 tbsp. of finely chopped mint
2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro stems
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds

What to do:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack on the upper third.

Cut brussels sprouts in half, length-wise, and toss in a bowl with garlic and enough olive oil to lightly coat all pieces.

Place brussels sprouts with flat-side down (garlic can be tossed in any direction) on a shallow baking pan.

Bake until outer leaves are dark brown and appear crispy. Depending on the size of your brussels sprouts, this could be anywhere from 25-45 minutes, so start watching after 25 minutes and add time as necessary. Then, make a note of the timing for the next batch.

Make dressing while the sprouts are in the oven. Simply combine all ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved. I like to put it into a small tupperware container and shake it up. Then, you already have the extra dressing in a container to save for next time.Once the brussels sprouts are done, pour into a bowl and lightly toss with dressing. You won't need all of the dressing, so it's great to save for later for your next batch. We've even added the dressing to some roasted potatoes!
Thanks, Joy and Bonnie!

P.S. More best recipes...

(Photos by Bonnie Tsang. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series)

The Best Tacos You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE

Who doesn't love tacos? Alex has started a tradition of making them every Sunday night, and we usually make them with fish and then douse them with sour cream. But I was thrilled when San-Francisco-based Kimberley from The Year In Food agreed to share her go-to (healthy!) recipe...

The Best Healthy Tacos You'll Ever Have
By Kimberley of The Year In Food, who is also writing a book!

I have a weakness for tacos. Living in California, they're abundant, typically cheap, and vibrantly flavorful. When I cook at home, I strive for healthy dishes that are rich in both flavor and color—and these tacos win on all fronts. The spice rub is so simple and so versatile: you can use it with veggies, tofu, shrimp, fish or chicken.

Recipe: The Best Healthy Tacos
Serves 4

For the salsa:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 small jalapeño, finely diced
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. sea salt

For the salmon:
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. chipotle chile powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
12 oz. wild Alaskan salmon, in filets
Corn tortillas for serving

Garnish:
Feta cheese, crumbled
Lime slices
Cilantro

What to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

First, make the salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes with the green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and sea salt. Set aside until ready for use.

Next, combine the paprika, cumin, chipotle and sea salt to make the rub. Generously season the salmon with the rub. You may have a little left over—you can save it in a sealed glass jar in the pantry for future use.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish and place the salmon fillets inside, skin side down. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but not dry. (Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of your fillet—so be sure to check after about 10 minutes.) Remove salmon from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Flake the salmon with a fork for serving.

Prepare the tacos on a single corn tortilla with the salmon first, followed by the salsa, feta cheese, and a cilantro/lime garnish if desired. Enjoy!

Thank you so much, Kimberley!

P.S. More best recipes, including caramel apple pie and a peach tart.

(Photos and recipe by Kimberley from The Year In Food. Thanks to Shoko for help with this series.)

Who's game?

To contact us Click HERE
After watching the Happy documentary, I've been mulling over the idea of happiness. One evening, I was reading a magazine, and a single quote gave me a lightbulb moment...

"Happiness isn't being cheerful all the time," says John Sharp, a psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School. "It's being interested in things—finding out more about something, learning how to appreciate something better, incorporating something new that fits with what you already have."

So! Inspired, I decided to have more everyday adventures this fall. Then I wondered if I should make it a new series on the blog, since it's more fun to do things as a group. Would you want to join me?

How it would work: Each week, I'll issue a single challenge. (Think: learn to tell a great joke, write handwritten letter, go see a movie by yourself.) The following week, we'll regroup and share our experiences! What do you think?!

The challenge for this week, should you choose to accept it, could be to not watch TV for a week. (Or, at least, cut way back.) And see what surprising things unfold in your life...

Thoughts? Are you in? Does this sound fun to you? Fingers crossed, I really hope so!!!

P.S. The no-complaining challenge...

(Photo by Christine Carreira. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

New glasses

To contact us Click HERE

Alex always makes fun of me for losing my glasses. I leave them everywhere: the playground, cabs, friends' houses. "Where are my glasses?" must be the line spoken most often in our apartment. (No one ever knows.)

Finally, this summer, I lost my beloved glasses once and for all, and spent a few months blind as a bat. Luckily for me, an adorable reader (below) tweeted me about her newest pair; and I loved them so much, I got the exact same ones. (Thanks, Katie!)

The glasses are from Lookmatic, my favorite online eyewear shop. Thankfully they're affordable (just $95 including the prescription), and you can try them on virtually. Now I just have to hold onto this pair!!

Have a lovely weekend.

To contact us Click HERE
What are you up to this weekend? Any fun plans? We're having dinner with friends tonight at the hidden restaurant Hudson Clearwater, and then spending the weekend doing anything but watching TV. Who knows what will unfold!! :) Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

What fashion week REALLY looks like.

Typeface for doctors.

This tumblr made me laugh out loud. (via Liz)

Chicken-parm meatballs.

Simple eyeshadow from Paris.

Wouldn't you love to walk through this rain room?

Wise words.

Dream fall shoes.

A town with no roads.

Halloween costume inspired by the Red Balloon.

Baby walrus! Mustachioed!

A bag for Anglophiles.

Flea market art.

For New York readers: This motherhood panel looks amazing.
For LA readers: Cup of Jo reader Alison had a tumor removed (and is fine now!) but has crazy debt due to briefly not having insurance. She happens to be amazing at braiding hair, so she's hosting a braid bar on October 20th to raise money. A night for ladies to come get their hair braided at a cool store in LA and have drinks and such.
Have a good one, everyone! xo

(Photo of Bath, England, by Amanda Jane Jones)

Write Press Releases that Grab Peoples' Attention

To contact us Click HERE
By Frederick Vickers

There are so many different aspects of both online and offline business that have the potential for overwhelming anyone. All the old vets of internet marketing who pioneered press release went through that and know the deal.

The primary reason for using freelance help is to allow for more time on activities that directly impact revenue.

We are not quite done with our discussion, and if you are like us the gears would be turning with fresh ideas.

While companies selling physical products like luxaflex blinds may find this marketing strategy is very useful and diverse, it just depends on your particular situation. There is a lot to consider when you are contemplating all new promotional activities. Very many online businesses are extremely serious, and therefore they will always be interested in adding new revenue streams. Perhaps that easiest path to growth is through scaling existing campaigns, and then seek to add what you can that is all new. In the end, a long time from now, just be sure you do not look back and wish you would have considered more options. Your press release's first paragraph is really important and that is why you need to be choosy about which information is included in it. Make sure you include the basics as people are going to have questions right in the start; answer their questions related to where, how, why and when right in the first paragraph, so that they don't really have any doubts and are comfortable moving forward.

You can take any one of these methods and really go all out in your business because they will open up new venues for you, to be sure. You will be positioning your self for the greatest gains with this simple approach. One thing you can easily do is test these tips and look at examples and case studies such as the company that sells luxaflex blinds using this marketing strategy, on a small scale, and that is another approach we tell people to try - just do a small test and decide. Not necessarily at all with what we are talking about today, but there are other methods and ideas that are sold and not really the best choices for people to use.

If you are really new, then you have to know the importance of performing background research on any method that you are not familiar with. If you are not careful about what you do, then you can easily start method-hopping and getting nowhere. That experience is very common with web marketers who are relatively new and with little experience. We really pretty much do not care who it is, if something is new to you then you have to preform some research to get another side of the story. Maybe you have already had experiences in which smart homework saved you some money. In order to find success with your press release, you need to focus on some of the vital elements such as the headline. If you don't have a good headline then nobody is going to read your press release. The level of exposure that you get with your press release is completely dependent upon how well you can reach out to your target audience and impact them. Look around to see how other press releases out there have crafted their headlines so that you can emulate them while you work on conveying your own message to your readers. Do not be scared to experiment with your headlines and make changes.




About the Author:

Just about everybody who starts an online business goes through similar experiences; for example, there is a lot to be found about baby sleeping bags with sleeves strategy and their press release but you need to be careful. There can be many reasons, discussed at stop smoking London website and see their press release tips, with that as well as successful press release, so it can tough to pinpoint the exact cause. No need to bang your head against the wall, anymore, concerning this issue. We all make mistakes and have be down the same road; so do not feel like something is wrong with you.

Motherhood Mondays: Sleep training (it's tough!)

To contact us Click HERE
By the time Toby was six months old, Alex and I were pretty stressed...

Like most young babies, Toby woke up several times a night. He didn't know how to fall back asleep, so whenever he stirred, he'd cry out for us to rock him back to sleep. Of course, we adored our sweet baby, but waking up many times a night was SO tough. Sleep deprivation makes you feel like a walking zombie, and waking up multiple times a night is actually a form of torture, no joke! During the day, I also wasn't able to be the energetic mother I hoped to be, since I was basically cross-eyed with exhaustion. (I felt like this guy:)

The funny thing was, Toby was tired, too. He would wake up cranky and spend the morning rubbing his eyes. After all, he wasn't sleeping deeply, but instead was just dozing, stirring and waking up all night.

Desperate to find a solution for all of us, I would try reading sleep books while breastfeeding and half-falling asleep myself; they were confusing and talked a lot about the philosophy of sleep, versus just telling me what to do.

Finally, I was chatting on the phone with my friend Allison one morning, and she recommended the book The Sleepeasy Solution. Figuring out how to encourage your child to sleep can be very emotional. Everyone seems to handle it differently, and of course, every child is unique. But after a lot of agonizing, we bit the bullet and decided to give it a try...
HOW IT WORKS

Sleep training is not easy, and we were really nervous to get started.

First, Alex and I created a bedtime routine for Toby to help him wind down. We put him in pajamas, changed his diaper, turned on the white noise machine, read a couple stories, sang his three favorite lullabies, put him in his crib with his beloved pillow pet, said "Night night, we love you," patted his belly twice, and then walked out of the room and shut his door.

But then Toby started crying.

And crying.

That first night, my heart was in my throat. As Toby cried in his nursery, I sobbed in the living room. I called my own mom for reassurance that we were doing the right thing. Alex basically spoon-fed me ice cream. (He didn't find it as hard as I did, thankfully! Otherwise we would have both lost it.)

The Sleepeasy Solution made a few great points, which I repeated to myself as a pep talk:
* "You're helping your child get the sleep they desperately need." I must have repeated that line a million times to myself.
* Consistency was KEY. Although I desperately wanted to go into Toby's room and rock him to sleep, I knew that it would make it harder for him if I kept interrupting him.
* Toby's not crying because he's hungry or wet. He's just saying, "I don't want to go to sleep! I want to hang out with you guys! I don't know how to fall asleep, and I'm frustrated!" That dialogue helped me remember that he wasn't crying for a need other than wanting help falling asleep, yet he needed to learn that on his own.
* It's ok for a child to feel frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I still catch myself thinking that Toby should feel giddy and giggly all day long, but that's not really true, right? After all, if a child cries because he doesn't want to get into the car chair, you'd still buckle him in; or if a baby wants to eat a giant brownie, you'd say no. It can be empowering to conquer frustrations; that's part of life. Learning to sleep felt similarly important to me, even if Toby didn't enjoy the whole process.
* Picture your child sleeping peacefully and soundly. Picture them waking up smiling the next morning. That was a really helpful visual and reminded me why we were doing this!

The first night, Toby cried for more than twenty minutes, which was excruciating. The longest twenty minutes of my life! He seemed so small and helpless, and I really doubted our choice. If hearing Toby cry went against my maternal instincts so strongly, was this all a big mistake?

But then he fell fast asleep. The next night, he cried for eleven minutes. The next night, three minutes. The next night, one minute. And after that, barely at all! We couldn't believe how quickly it happened. (Naps were another story, but that's a whole different post:)

HOW SLEEP TRAINING CHANGED OUR LIVES

Now that Toby knows how to sleep, he loves loves loves his crib. He even reaches for his crib when he's tired at bedtime. And he adores his bedtime routine. Experts say that toddlers thrive on predictable routines and rituals because it makes the crazy world feel safe. Toby actually scolds us if we miss a step ("Fan!" "Blanket!" "Song!").

Sleep routines also make traveling easier. When we visit California or England, Toby adapts quickly to time changes because he knows his bedtime rituals so well. And it's easy to have an evening babysitter because we can rely on him going to bed easily and sleeping right through.

Alex and I are well rested, too. During the day, we have lots of energy to play with Toby, as well as work, hang out, whatever. We also have grown-up time in the evening once Toby is asleep, which we really cherish (even if we're just making pasta and watching Mad Men reruns:).

So, not only did sleep training turn out to be a good choice for Toby, it also was good for us. And I really think it's ok to look after yourself as well as your baby. You know how on an airplane, they'll tell you that if there's a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will fall down from the ceiling, and you should put yours on before you help your child? I think that's true of parenthood overall. When you want to be a great parent, it helps to take care of and nourish yourself, as well as your children, don't you think?

Sleep training was one of the hardest parts of parenting, but it was the right method for our family. Although I know it isn't for everyone, I'd highly recommend The Sleepeasy Solution. If we have a second baby (fingers crossed), we'll definitely try it again when the time is right. One book said that it's not just about having a well-rested child, but a well-rested family. After all, you're all in it together, right?

So, I'm really curious: What do you think? Do you think it's valuable to teach your child to sleep on their own? Or do you think kids will figure it out in time anyway? Would you feel okay letting your baby cry—or not at all? Of course, everyone needs to figure out what works best for them and their sweet babies. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...

P.S. Update: Another mom's sleep-training experience; The funniest book.

(Photo by Meaghan Curry Photography)

The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have

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Wow, I'll let this recipe speak for itself; take a look...
The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have
By Joy Cho of Oh Joy; photos by Bonnie Tsang

Growing up, I never actually had brussels sprouts because my parents only knew how to cook Thai food. But I had heard friends at school talk about them as this terrible vegetable that their moms made them eat. Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation for being bitter and boring, but when roasted, they're pretty amazing. Ironically enough, in the last few years, Brussels sprouts seems to have made a resurgence on restaurant menus as chefs are redefining this vegetable into something that's seriously delicious. My husband and I enjoy these at least once a week, and I love adding a touch of my Thai heritage to the mix. We're huge garlic fans too, and always throw in some extra cloves to roast which is an amazing extra touch of flavor and texture. Here's my go-to recipe...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic with Thai-Inspired Dressing
(Adapted from Momofuku's recipe)
Serves 2-4 as a side dish

You'll need:
For Brussels Sprouts & Garlic:
A bag of brussels sprouts (about 1 lb)
Olive oil
8-10 cloves of garlic (I like the pre-peeled packets to make it easier)

For Dressing:
1/4 cup of fish sauce (I like Tiparos or Red Boat)
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar
3 tbsp. of finely chopped mint
2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro stems
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds

What to do:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack on the upper third.

Cut brussels sprouts in half, length-wise, and toss in a bowl with garlic and enough olive oil to lightly coat all pieces.

Place brussels sprouts with flat-side down (garlic can be tossed in any direction) on a shallow baking pan.

Bake until outer leaves are dark brown and appear crispy. Depending on the size of your brussels sprouts, this could be anywhere from 25-45 minutes, so start watching after 25 minutes and add time as necessary. Then, make a note of the timing for the next batch.

Make dressing while the sprouts are in the oven. Simply combine all ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved. I like to put it into a small tupperware container and shake it up. Then, you already have the extra dressing in a container to save for next time.Once the brussels sprouts are done, pour into a bowl and lightly toss with dressing. You won't need all of the dressing, so it's great to save for later for your next batch. We've even added the dressing to some roasted potatoes!
Thanks, Joy and Bonnie!

P.S. More best recipes...

(Photos by Bonnie Tsang. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series)

The Best Tacos You'll Ever Have

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Who doesn't love tacos? Alex has started a tradition of making them every Sunday night, and we usually make them with fish and then douse them with sour cream. But I was thrilled when San-Francisco-based Kimberley from The Year In Food agreed to share her go-to (healthy!) recipe...

The Best Healthy Tacos You'll Ever Have
By Kimberley of The Year In Food, who is also writing a book!

I have a weakness for tacos. Living in California, they're abundant, typically cheap, and vibrantly flavorful. When I cook at home, I strive for healthy dishes that are rich in both flavor and color—and these tacos win on all fronts. The spice rub is so simple and so versatile: you can use it with veggies, tofu, shrimp, fish or chicken.

Recipe: The Best Healthy Tacos
Serves 4

For the salsa:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 small jalapeño, finely diced
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. sea salt

For the salmon:
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. chipotle chile powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
12 oz. wild Alaskan salmon, in filets
Corn tortillas for serving

Garnish:
Feta cheese, crumbled
Lime slices
Cilantro

What to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

First, make the salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes with the green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and sea salt. Set aside until ready for use.

Next, combine the paprika, cumin, chipotle and sea salt to make the rub. Generously season the salmon with the rub. You may have a little left over—you can save it in a sealed glass jar in the pantry for future use.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish and place the salmon fillets inside, skin side down. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but not dry. (Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of your fillet—so be sure to check after about 10 minutes.) Remove salmon from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Flake the salmon with a fork for serving.

Prepare the tacos on a single corn tortilla with the salmon first, followed by the salsa, feta cheese, and a cilantro/lime garnish if desired. Enjoy!

Thank you so much, Kimberley!

P.S. More best recipes, including caramel apple pie and a peach tart.

(Photos and recipe by Kimberley from The Year In Food. Thanks to Shoko for help with this series.)

Who's game?

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After watching the Happy documentary, I've been mulling over the idea of happiness. One evening, I was reading a magazine, and a single quote gave me a lightbulb moment...

"Happiness isn't being cheerful all the time," says John Sharp, a psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School. "It's being interested in things—finding out more about something, learning how to appreciate something better, incorporating something new that fits with what you already have."

So! Inspired, I decided to have more everyday adventures this fall. Then I wondered if I should make it a new series on the blog, since it's more fun to do things as a group. Would you want to join me?

How it would work: Each week, I'll issue a single challenge. (Think: learn to tell a great joke, write handwritten letter, go see a movie by yourself.) The following week, we'll regroup and share our experiences! What do you think?!

The challenge for this week, should you choose to accept it, could be to not watch TV for a week. (Or, at least, cut way back.) And see what surprising things unfold in your life...

Thoughts? Are you in? Does this sound fun to you? Fingers crossed, I really hope so!!!

P.S. The no-complaining challenge...

(Photo by Christine Carreira. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

Motherhood Mondays: Sleep training (it's tough!)

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By the time Toby was six months old, Alex and I were pretty stressed...

Like most young babies, Toby woke up several times a night. He didn't know how to fall back asleep, so whenever he stirred, he'd cry out for us to rock him back to sleep. Of course, we adored our sweet baby, but waking up many times a night was SO tough. Sleep deprivation makes you feel like a walking zombie, and waking up multiple times a night is actually a form of torture, no joke! During the day, I also wasn't able to be the energetic mother I hoped to be, since I was basically cross-eyed with exhaustion. (I felt like this guy:)

The funny thing was, Toby was tired, too. He would wake up cranky and spend the morning rubbing his eyes. After all, he wasn't sleeping deeply, but instead was just dozing, stirring and waking up all night.

Desperate to find a solution for all of us, I would try reading sleep books while breastfeeding and half-falling asleep myself; they were confusing and talked a lot about the philosophy of sleep, versus just telling me what to do.

Finally, I was chatting on the phone with my friend Allison one morning, and she recommended the book The Sleepeasy Solution. Figuring out how to encourage your child to sleep can be very emotional. Everyone seems to handle it differently, and of course, every child is unique. But after a lot of agonizing, we bit the bullet and decided to give it a try...
HOW IT WORKS

Sleep training is not easy, and we were really nervous to get started.

First, Alex and I created a bedtime routine for Toby to help him wind down. We put him in pajamas, changed his diaper, turned on the white noise machine, read a couple stories, sang his three favorite lullabies, put him in his crib with his beloved pillow pet, said "Night night, we love you," patted his belly twice, and then walked out of the room and shut his door.

But then Toby started crying.

And crying.

That first night, my heart was in my throat. As Toby cried in his nursery, I sobbed in the living room. I called my own mom for reassurance that we were doing the right thing. Alex basically spoon-fed me ice cream. (He didn't find it as hard as I did, thankfully! Otherwise we would have both lost it.)

The Sleepeasy Solution made a few great points, which I repeated to myself as a pep talk:
* "You're helping your child get the sleep they desperately need." I must have repeated that line a million times to myself.
* Consistency was KEY. Although I desperately wanted to go into Toby's room and rock him to sleep, I knew that it would make it harder for him if I kept interrupting him.
* Toby's not crying because he's hungry or wet. He's just saying, "I don't want to go to sleep! I want to hang out with you guys! I don't know how to fall asleep, and I'm frustrated!" That dialogue helped me remember that he wasn't crying for a need other than wanting help falling asleep, yet he needed to learn that on his own.
* It's ok for a child to feel frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I still catch myself thinking that Toby should feel giddy and giggly all day long, but that's not really true, right? After all, if a child cries because he doesn't want to get into the car chair, you'd still buckle him in; or if a baby wants to eat a giant brownie, you'd say no. It can be empowering to conquer frustrations; that's part of life. Learning to sleep felt similarly important to me, even if Toby didn't enjoy the whole process.
* Picture your child sleeping peacefully and soundly. Picture them waking up smiling the next morning. That was a really helpful visual and reminded me why we were doing this!

The first night, Toby cried for more than twenty minutes, which was excruciating. The longest twenty minutes of my life! He seemed so small and helpless, and I really doubted our choice. If hearing Toby cry went against my maternal instincts so strongly, was this all a big mistake?

But then he fell fast asleep. The next night, he cried for eleven minutes. The next night, three minutes. The next night, one minute. And after that, barely at all! We couldn't believe how quickly it happened. (Naps were another story, but that's a whole different post:)

HOW SLEEP TRAINING CHANGED OUR LIVES

Now that Toby knows how to sleep, he loves loves loves his crib. He even reaches for his crib when he's tired at bedtime. And he adores his bedtime routine. Experts say that toddlers thrive on predictable routines and rituals because it makes the crazy world feel safe. Toby actually scolds us if we miss a step ("Fan!" "Blanket!" "Song!").

Sleep routines also make traveling easier. When we visit California or England, Toby adapts quickly to time changes because he knows his bedtime rituals so well. And it's easy to have an evening babysitter because we can rely on him going to bed easily and sleeping right through.

Alex and I are well rested, too. During the day, we have lots of energy to play with Toby, as well as work, hang out, whatever. We also have grown-up time in the evening once Toby is asleep, which we really cherish (even if we're just making pasta and watching Mad Men reruns:).

So, not only did sleep training turn out to be a good choice for Toby, it also was good for us. And I really think it's ok to look after yourself as well as your baby. You know how on an airplane, they'll tell you that if there's a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will fall down from the ceiling, and you should put yours on before you help your child? I think that's true of parenthood overall. When you want to be a great parent, it helps to take care of and nourish yourself, as well as your children, don't you think?

Sleep training was one of the hardest parts of parenting, but it was the right method for our family. Although I know it isn't for everyone, I'd highly recommend The Sleepeasy Solution. If we have a second baby (fingers crossed), we'll definitely try it again when the time is right. One book said that it's not just about having a well-rested child, but a well-rested family. After all, you're all in it together, right?

So, I'm really curious: What do you think? Do you think it's valuable to teach your child to sleep on their own? Or do you think kids will figure it out in time anyway? Would you feel okay letting your baby cry—or not at all? Of course, everyone needs to figure out what works best for them and their sweet babies. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...

P.S. Update: Another mom's sleep-training experience; The funniest book.

(Photo by Meaghan Curry Photography)

The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE
Wow, I'll let this recipe speak for itself; take a look...
The Best Brussels Sprouts You'll Ever Have
By Joy Cho of Oh Joy; photos by Bonnie Tsang

Growing up, I never actually had brussels sprouts because my parents only knew how to cook Thai food. But I had heard friends at school talk about them as this terrible vegetable that their moms made them eat. Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation for being bitter and boring, but when roasted, they're pretty amazing. Ironically enough, in the last few years, Brussels sprouts seems to have made a resurgence on restaurant menus as chefs are redefining this vegetable into something that's seriously delicious. My husband and I enjoy these at least once a week, and I love adding a touch of my Thai heritage to the mix. We're huge garlic fans too, and always throw in some extra cloves to roast which is an amazing extra touch of flavor and texture. Here's my go-to recipe...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic with Thai-Inspired Dressing
(Adapted from Momofuku's recipe)
Serves 2-4 as a side dish

You'll need:
For Brussels Sprouts & Garlic:
A bag of brussels sprouts (about 1 lb)
Olive oil
8-10 cloves of garlic (I like the pre-peeled packets to make it easier)

For Dressing:
1/4 cup of fish sauce (I like Tiparos or Red Boat)
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar
3 tbsp. of finely chopped mint
2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro stems
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds

What to do:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack on the upper third.

Cut brussels sprouts in half, length-wise, and toss in a bowl with garlic and enough olive oil to lightly coat all pieces.

Place brussels sprouts with flat-side down (garlic can be tossed in any direction) on a shallow baking pan.

Bake until outer leaves are dark brown and appear crispy. Depending on the size of your brussels sprouts, this could be anywhere from 25-45 minutes, so start watching after 25 minutes and add time as necessary. Then, make a note of the timing for the next batch.

Make dressing while the sprouts are in the oven. Simply combine all ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved. I like to put it into a small tupperware container and shake it up. Then, you already have the extra dressing in a container to save for next time.Once the brussels sprouts are done, pour into a bowl and lightly toss with dressing. You won't need all of the dressing, so it's great to save for later for your next batch. We've even added the dressing to some roasted potatoes!
Thanks, Joy and Bonnie!

P.S. More best recipes...

(Photos by Bonnie Tsang. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series)

The Best Tacos You'll Ever Have

To contact us Click HERE

Who doesn't love tacos? Alex has started a tradition of making them every Sunday night, and we usually make them with fish and then douse them with sour cream. But I was thrilled when San-Francisco-based Kimberley from The Year In Food agreed to share her go-to (healthy!) recipe...

The Best Healthy Tacos You'll Ever Have
By Kimberley of The Year In Food, who is also writing a book!

I have a weakness for tacos. Living in California, they're abundant, typically cheap, and vibrantly flavorful. When I cook at home, I strive for healthy dishes that are rich in both flavor and color—and these tacos win on all fronts. The spice rub is so simple and so versatile: you can use it with veggies, tofu, shrimp, fish or chicken.

Recipe: The Best Healthy Tacos
Serves 4

For the salsa:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 small jalapeño, finely diced
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. sea salt

For the salmon:
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. chipotle chile powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
12 oz. wild Alaskan salmon, in filets
Corn tortillas for serving

Garnish:
Feta cheese, crumbled
Lime slices
Cilantro

What to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

First, make the salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes with the green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and sea salt. Set aside until ready for use.

Next, combine the paprika, cumin, chipotle and sea salt to make the rub. Generously season the salmon with the rub. You may have a little left over—you can save it in a sealed glass jar in the pantry for future use.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish and place the salmon fillets inside, skin side down. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but not dry. (Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of your fillet—so be sure to check after about 10 minutes.) Remove salmon from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Flake the salmon with a fork for serving.

Prepare the tacos on a single corn tortilla with the salmon first, followed by the salsa, feta cheese, and a cilantro/lime garnish if desired. Enjoy!

Thank you so much, Kimberley!

P.S. More best recipes, including caramel apple pie and a peach tart.

(Photos and recipe by Kimberley from The Year In Food. Thanks to Shoko for help with this series.)

Canoe elopement

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If you love heartfelt weddings, you have to see this...
New York City couple Laurie and Brendan felt stressed out by the idea of a big wedding, so when her mom suggested they elope to Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks, they jumped at the chance. They spent five days doing "nature-y things," and then had a small ceremony, went canoeing and made s'mores. Here, Lauren tells their story...

What was your ceremony like?
Really quick and sweet. I gave Brendan his ring. It was super fun. The judge told us what he does during the day, throwing guys in jail. We had a whole conversation. But that was so us! We’re the most unromantic people in the entire world.

Where did you stay at night?
We slept in a lakeside cabin, where the lake comes almost up to the window. We had a fire every night. It's one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been—both the scenery and the hotel itself. When you stay there, it’s always part of your life afterward.
How long have you and Brendan been together?Thirteen years. We met when I was just 15, and he was 18, and we’ve been together ever since. It was just like, ahh, there we go, that’s done.

Where did you find your dress?
Ralph Lauren's fall 2008 runway show had a buffalo plaid ballgown, and I always wanted it for my wedding dress. So, I had it made to look exactly like that. My friend is a designer, so he helped me find a guy who makes clothes, and we got Ralph Lauren fabric.

Your deep blush is so beautiful.
I’m absolutely terrible with makeup! I texted my sister for advice, and she said, whatever you do, go darker for the photos. I used Armani Eyes to Kill mascara (best mascara in the entire world) and NARS Mati Hari blush. On our drive up, I saw a pharmacy and grabbed a berry-colored lipstick; I was like, that looks fine!
Would you recommend elopement to other couples?
It’s the way! All our friends are like, we’re just going to do that. It was stress-free. At the time, I was helping my friend with her wedding; she’s the coolest cucumber, but just seeing the politics and expense of it, I kept thinking, I’m so glad I eloped.

Anything you’d do differently?
It would be fun to bring two friends—the best man and the maid of honor. Although we had a blast by ourselves as well.

Congratulations, Lauren and Brendan! What do you think? Would you ever elope? This makes it look pretty appealing!

P.S. A North Carolina elopement, an Australian elopement and colorful wedding dresses.

(Photos by Jon Zander Photography)

Write Press Releases that Grab Peoples' Attention

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By Frederick Vickers

There are so many different aspects of both online and offline business that have the potential for overwhelming anyone. All the old vets of internet marketing who pioneered press release went through that and know the deal.

The primary reason for using freelance help is to allow for more time on activities that directly impact revenue.

We are not quite done with our discussion, and if you are like us the gears would be turning with fresh ideas.

While companies selling physical products like luxaflex blinds may find this marketing strategy is very useful and diverse, it just depends on your particular situation. There is a lot to consider when you are contemplating all new promotional activities. Very many online businesses are extremely serious, and therefore they will always be interested in adding new revenue streams. Perhaps that easiest path to growth is through scaling existing campaigns, and then seek to add what you can that is all new. In the end, a long time from now, just be sure you do not look back and wish you would have considered more options. Your press release's first paragraph is really important and that is why you need to be choosy about which information is included in it. Make sure you include the basics as people are going to have questions right in the start; answer their questions related to where, how, why and when right in the first paragraph, so that they don't really have any doubts and are comfortable moving forward.

You can take any one of these methods and really go all out in your business because they will open up new venues for you, to be sure. You will be positioning your self for the greatest gains with this simple approach. One thing you can easily do is test these tips and look at examples and case studies such as the company that sells luxaflex blinds using this marketing strategy, on a small scale, and that is another approach we tell people to try - just do a small test and decide. Not necessarily at all with what we are talking about today, but there are other methods and ideas that are sold and not really the best choices for people to use.

If you are really new, then you have to know the importance of performing background research on any method that you are not familiar with. If you are not careful about what you do, then you can easily start method-hopping and getting nowhere. That experience is very common with web marketers who are relatively new and with little experience. We really pretty much do not care who it is, if something is new to you then you have to preform some research to get another side of the story. Maybe you have already had experiences in which smart homework saved you some money. In order to find success with your press release, you need to focus on some of the vital elements such as the headline. If you don't have a good headline then nobody is going to read your press release. The level of exposure that you get with your press release is completely dependent upon how well you can reach out to your target audience and impact them. Look around to see how other press releases out there have crafted their headlines so that you can emulate them while you work on conveying your own message to your readers. Do not be scared to experiment with your headlines and make changes.




About the Author:

Just about everybody who starts an online business goes through similar experiences; for example, there is a lot to be found about baby sleeping bags with sleeves strategy and their press release but you need to be careful. There can be many reasons, discussed at stop smoking London website and see their press release tips, with that as well as successful press release, so it can tough to pinpoint the exact cause. No need to bang your head against the wall, anymore, concerning this issue. We all make mistakes and have be down the same road; so do not feel like something is wrong with you.

The Best Potato Chips You'll Ever Have

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Here's a bonus best recipe for today for anyone who loves potato chips (and who doesn't?). Nikole from Herriott Grace has discovered the best recipe for a homemade version—crispy, salty and perfect alongside any sandwich. And how great would they be at a dinner party? Here's the recipe...

The Best Potato Chips You'll Ever Have
By Nikole from Herriott Grace

One of my fondest food memories is making french fries in an old-school deep fryer with my mom. These are a take on those—more potato chip than french fry but equally delicious. We had them last with roast beef sandwiches, but I think they're perfect with a glass of beer as well!Note: The recipe below is by Gourmet Magazine; I just substitute fingerling potatoes and keep the skins on the potatoes, since I think they're better that way.

Recipe: Homemade Potato Chips
By Gourmet Magazine

You'll need:
2 pounds fingerling potatoes
4 cups canola oil for deep-frying

Put the potatoes in a bowl of cold water to cover. Pat one potato dry. Using a mandoline, cut potato into paper-thin slices, and let the slices stand 5 minutes in another bowl of cold water. Drain potato slices and spread without overlapping on a triple layer of paper towels. Blot slices completely dry with another triple layer of paper towels.

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat oil until a deep-fat thermometer registers 380°F. Working in batches of 8 to 10 slices, fry potatoes, turning once or twice, until golden, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, making sure oil returns to 380°F before adding next batch. Transfer chips as fried with a large slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt. Continue to pat dry, cut, dry and fry remaining potatoes in same manner. Potato chips may be made 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container.

Delicious! Thanks, Nikole (and Gourmet!).

P.S. More best recipes, including avocado toast and hummus...

(Photo by Michael Graydon, styled by Nikole Herriott. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series)