Everyday Tweet

Welcome to the Marshmallow Launch of New Blog Everyday Tweet

Today is Easter, and I hope all of you had a great time with your family, friends, and loved ones.

Even if you don't celebrate Easter, I think it's nice to take a moment to think about the general subject of rebirth. Taking the actions to live a more authentic life is a rebirth because basically you are killing off the old parts of you that no longer fit, and giving life to new parts that will take you to where you want to go or become.

Everyday Tweet is my new baby, and in many ways is kind of like a rising from the dead for me because my business, Thriving Media, and I have been hanging off the ledge lately. It came down to change or perish, so we decided to change, and give birth to something new. Here's my in-depth story of how this blog came to be. My hope is that my story and openness can help those of you in similar situations with your career or business. Grab a cup of tea or coffee.

I like to refer to this blog announcement as a marshmallow launch because it's soft and sweet. Plus, marshmallow has many positive memories for me like hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows over a camp fire, S'Mores, Mallomars, Rice Krispy treats, and Peeps.

As a former marketeer, launches of new things usually are planned and announced with grand panache and loudness, "Here I am world!" But I thought, a soft launch on Easter would be befitting because it reflects more of the essence of Everyday Tweet, low key, joyful, and a place of sweetness.

So welcome! And please feel free to share any insight, comments, and tips, you may have. Or, just say hi! We dig that :)

Change or Perish: When the Blogger "Flips & Condenses" The Blogging Strategy

Heads up: This blog post is a long one requiring a cup of tea or coffee to go with, but for those of who are struggling in your career or business right now, it is worth the read because I will take you through my process of going through the reality that my business must change or die, and my spirit along with it.

For you bloggers who are feeling kinda at the end of your rope with trying to make money from your blog(s), this long post is worth your time because I'm doing something I'm calling, "The Flip." Everyday Tweet is one end product of this process.

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Here's the latest around the Thriving Media water cooler. Last January, I went to the Philippines for vacation with my parents. Besides the quality time with the folks, the best part of the trip was being a whole ocean away from my day-to-day life so I could get a fresh look at my business, Thriving Media, and my blogging career.

I had to make some hard decisions because although I have managed to carve a really good brand and online presence for myself, to be perfectly transparent because I know many others are in the same boat, my balance sheet is in the red, and mentally and emotionally it's taken it's tool. In January, I had been hanging off the ledge, and here's how I'm climbing off....

25 Things I Did to Shed 25lbs and Keep It Off For a Year

On Facebook, I think I've been tagged like dozens of times on that "25 Things About Me" meme, and over at Twitter, now that I have over 41k Followers asking me about how I lost weight, I thought I'd combine the two together. I'm all for two-fers!

Just to recap. I started a 25lb weight loss journey back in June of 2005 and reached my goal in January of 2008, and have kept it all off ever since. I did post during the whole time I was dropping those 25lbs on my blog Back in Skinny Jeans which included Weigh-In Wednesdays. Here's that whole section called, "Steph Loses Weight." Above is me in February enjoying a day at a resort on vacation in the Philippines. Mom took the picture.

So here we go:

1. I eliminated consuming any artificial sweeteners like aspartame and Splenda which I was mostly consuming through diet sodas like Diet Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper, and in my coffee and tea drinks at Starbucks. When I did that 10lbs just fell off. My theory, and again I am no medical pro, is related to this study on how artificial sweeteners can increase your odds of gaining weight.

2. My basic eating philosophy is based around a concept I call "Eating Wellness." I created my food blog Noshtopia to share the things I love to eat, cook, and savor in. There's plenty of food shots too which helps me express my creative side. Admittedly too, I am a Whole Foods addict.

3. I pretty much stopped eating in the car like it was a restaurant on wheels. I don't go through any drive thrus either. If I want food, I park and go inside.