Hi {{first_name | Friends}},
October is officially in full swing, and my neighborhood is getting spookier by the day! This week we’ve got a bonus episode of Still Hot with Michael Burger sharing more about life as a warm-up guy in what we’re calling the Wine Down. There’s also a chocolate-dipped snack I couldn’t stop eating, and a very special key from a very special woman on Getting Naked: The Podcast. Pull up a chair, because we’re also talking about AVA this Wednesday!
🍷 STILL HOT IN CLEVELAND
Todd and I are trying something new, and it’s called The Wine Down. For our very first one, we sat down with Michael Burger to hear what it’s really like to be the warm-up guy. He tells the story of a cruise ship talent show that landed him in front of NBC, a biker bar that did not appreciate his act, and the time a stranger asked him “why aren’t you on the air?” in the middle of church. Pour yourself something and come hang out. Join for $2/month to watch the full episode - first week is free.
🎧 On YouTube and Spotify - a few weeks behind VP, catch up now:
→ Watch on YouTube
→ Listen on Spotify
🎃 VHC HALLOWEEN WATCH PARTY REPLAY
Missed the watch party? I got you. I watched Pumpkins, Sweets and Treats live with all of you, reactions and commentary included, to get us in the Halloween spirit and thinking about what to cook this October. Catch the replay, then go raid the Halloween playlist below.
🧢 QUICK QUESTION
We’re making a limited run of merch, and I want to make what you actually want. What do you want to see in the shop?
🎬 GETTING NAKED: THE PODCAST 🔑
This week I sat down with Caitlin Crosby, founder of The Giving Keys, and I’m still thinking about it. She takes old keys, engraves them with a word you need, and asks you to pass it on to someone who needs it more. We get into radical self-acceptance, starting over, and why the hardest seasons can be the ones that make you shine.
Members get the Full Reveal where we answer your questions about breakups and walking around New York alone. Join for $2/month to watch the Full Reveal - first week is free.
💛 A special treat from Caitlin: Use the promo code DIVINE30 at thegivingkeys.com for 30% off, including a custom key that says divine.
Follow Caitlin @caitlincrosby and @thegivingkeys.
🎧 New episodes every Friday on Valerie's Place and the following Monday on Spotify and YouTube.
→ ▶️ Watch on YouTube
→ 🎵Listen on Spotify
🥜 MEALS FOR ONE
Every video online makes protein peanut butter balls look effortless, so of course I had to test that. I flattened mine into discs, dipped them in melted chocolate, and made a gloriously messy kitchen in the process. They taste like peanut butter (which tastes healthy to me), the applesauce is a lovely touch that doesn’t take over, and I’m giving them a big yes.
🥚 VAL’S TIPS & TRICKS
Tired of shells that take half the egg with them? Sophie and I put an egg-peeling trick to the test, and you can try it in your own kitchen tonight. Quick, fun kitchen know-how. No fluff, just the good stuff.
Deviled Eggs, Three Ways from Valerie’s Gives Back
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Now that you can peel an egg without a fight, put it to work. These deviled eggs come three ways: pickles and capers, wasabi and ginger, and sesame carrot. They’re a showstopper for a Halloween table (or for you, standing at the counter, “just tasting”). This recipe comes from Season 1 of Valerie’s Home Cooking.
👻 VAL’S HALLOWEEN PLAYLIST
It’s spooky season, and I’ve pulled together my favorite Halloween treats and seasonal meals in one place. There are baked pumpkin doughnuts, a spiced pumpkin mocha, S’mores popcorn, mini caramel apples, and a butternut squash and arugula pizza when you need dinner too. There are 8 episodes and 10 recipes, so you can cook your way through October.
📅 OCTOBER CALENDAR
October 14th: Live AVA around 2 or 3pm ET - stay tuned
October 21st at 5pm ET: Still Hot In Cleveland Live Episode
October 22nd: Episode #3 of Undeveloped
October 27th: Now We're Reading... Atmosphere
📣 AVA THIS WEEK: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14
AVA (Ask Val Anything) is back on Wednesday, October 14. I’ll be live, answering your questions, and I want to hear what’s on your mind. Watch live as a VP Preferred or VIP member, and stay tuned to our Instagram or sign up for live reminder emails so you don’t miss it. Not a member? Join VP Preferred today, your first week is free.
See you at Valerie's Place!
Valerie 💛
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