The theme for September's NaBloPoMo is OPINION. If you're participating in NaBloPoMo in September -- or even if you're not! -- here are some prompts to get you going. Writing prompts are posted at the beginning of the month so you can plan ahead, Monday to Friday. (Weekends are for free-writing!)

Thursday, September 1, 2016
Do you have strong opinions? Tell us one of them.

Friday, September 2, 2016
Do you always know whether you liked a book or movie, or do you have trouble forming an opinion?

Monday, September 5, 2016
Tell us something you know is true.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Tell us a time when you believed something was fact but it turned out to not be true.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
What is your first thought when someone begins a sentence with "in my opinion"?

Thursday, September 8, 2016
Do you have people whose opinion you trust implicitly?

Friday, September 9, 2016
What would you do if your opinion clashed with the opinion of someone you trusted implicitly? Would you yield your opinion or still stick to it?

Monday, September 12, 2016
Do you read the opinion section of the newspaper?

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Do you enjoy reading other people's opinions? Has an opinion piece ever changed your mind?

Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Do you prefer to read editorials (opinion pieces generated by the staff of a publication) or op-eds (opinion pieces written by an outside expert)? Do you see a difference between the two?

Thursday, September 15, 2016
Do you read sites that purposefully push your buttons by posting outlandish opinions?

Friday, September 16, 2016
Do you feel confident in your opinions or are you shy about sharing them?

Monday, September 19, 2016
Have you ever left a Yelp or Amazon review? Was it a good one or a bad one?

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Do you think it's a good thing that everyone can state their opinions on products or places?

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
What responsibility do we have when writing our opinions online?

Thursday, September 22, 2016
Would you ever support a site where people write up their opinions... about other people?

Friday, September 23, 2016
How old were you when you formed your first opinion (that you can remember)?

Monday, September 26, 2016
Let's take a week to write an opinion piece in small chunks. Part one: Pick your topic and write the lede, attaching your idea to a current event or timely topic.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Part two: State your thesis, which is the main argument you'll be making in your piece.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Part three: Form your argument and support that thesis by bringing in pieces of evidence. Make sure you link to sources.

Thursday, September 29, 2016
Part four: Wrap up the post with a conclusion that acknowledges the other side of the argument and why it doesn't hold up.

Friday, September 30, 2016
Part five: Post your op-ed and let us know how you felt about constructing the piece.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens and Lost and Found. Her novel about blogging is Life from Scratch.

In a few weeks, #BlogHerFood16 will mosey on down to Austin, Texas, where hundreds of food bloggers, writers, cookbook authors, photographers, stylists, social influencers, and brands will join us. You'll be one of them, right? We've got a big announcement of the full program to help nudge you in our direction, so register here and make sure you won't miss a thing in Texas this year.

Food blogging is serious business, and we are serious about all things food. I personally have a passion for sweet treats… and savory foods...oh, my. I'm getting hungry just thinking about all of the food we'll experience at the conference and in the city of Austin.

The #BlogHerFood16 agenda is designed to cover the techniques, tools, and trends you need to know now to improve your food and your food content. In this fast-paced industry, we consider our conference an opportunity for you to reset, evaluate, and elevate your game for the coming year.

On to the #BlogHerFood16 breakout session schedule. Many speakers are already included, but we'll be adding more speakers over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can check out sessions in these four tracks:

The A/V Food Club

Video is one of the best ways to share your personality and expertise with your audience. We'll have an outstanding panel all about mastering the art of the cooking video on a budget, and with no outside help. You can do it!

In a new twist, live broadcasting took us by storm, and has been on fire this year. So, if you have the gift of gab like me, the session on live cooking shows is one you won't want to miss—you'll definitely learn a thing or two about the special techniques that work best for live content.

Who doesn't love those GIFs we see floating around online daily? Wanna know how to make them? We have a session just for making your own GIFs this year.

Let's not forget the A in A/V. Podcasting has experienced a tremendous resurgence over the past 1-2 years, so come discover how (and why) to create an awesome food podcast, and which tools, formats, and strategies work best on this platform.

Social Media Bootcamp

A big hit every year, our Social Media Bootcamp track will dive deep into the tools most important for food content creators. This track will also look at best practices and offer insight into how to leverage the strengths of each of your favorite platforms.

We will share tips and examples of great photo styling for Instagram, and teach you how to get your pics in fine order and engage your followers. You'll explore how Snapchat works best for food content in particular. You'll learn how to use Facebook to motivate people to share with their friends and followers. And you'll find out what's really working on Pinterest in 2016, after the platform's most recent changes.

The Art and Science of Food Blogging

Food blogging integrates a lot of different skills, whether it's your livelihood or an avocation. You're likely using your left and right brain, your analytical and creative sides, big picture and detail-oriented thinking. This track has something to help you develop every one of those different relevant skills.

Dig into the data to learn what you really know about your audience. Explore whether it's time to write that cookbook, whether or not you have a large following. Get better at working with the brands you're most interested in, and finally get organized and running like a tight ship, too. For an advanced perspective, we have four top food experts here to help you explore next-level career goals. And we'll talk about digging deeper into how social and cultural issues intertwine with food, and how integrating those concepts can enrich your food writing.

In the Kitchen

I love cooking classes, and I always learn some clever technique at the BlogHerFood conference, which is why I love the In the Kitchen track especially. This year, we'll have a session all about developing a cooking class of your own. What better way to share your expertise and earn some money by teaching others how to cook, too?

We'll also bring you a session about how to take one recipe and put a new spin on it to serve your niche, with each of our speakers demonstrating their version of a similar dish. And finally, we're bringing some nutrition experts into the kitchen to share the latest ideas in healthy eating, cooking, and recipe development.

This year's agenda is jam-packed with opportunities to learn and grow, and I know there is something for everyone that fits your interest, skill level, and focus. So register now!

I can hardly wait to see you and eat with y'all in Austin!

*Note: The flash sale ended midnight Pacific Time on September 9, 2016.

If you're a kid, it's always enjoyable to think up the perfect gift for grandma. Her unconditional kindness is absolutely lovable. When you hear stories about grandma being strict and angry, it is hard to believe. She's always neutral and sometimes even on your side when you fight with your parents.

She is always so happy to see you and the rest of the gang! She deserves to smile, and that's why hunting for a gift for grandma is an extra special one!

Let's stray away from the tacky shirts and merchandise that say #1 Grandma, and let's get thoughtful with this one. No matter what gift grandma receives, she will be overjoyed and grateful. Her appreciation for any gift gives more of a reason to make sure she receives the best of the best! Here I have put together some perfect ideas and gifts for the perfect grandma!

Appetizer Set

Grandma absolutely loves visits at her house from all the family! And, she definitely worships her fancy expensive china set that she has. But truth be told, she does cringe when she has to use it worrying that one of the younger ones may accidently drop it or knock it down.

Therefore, get her a nice ceramic appetizer set! Let her host her favorite guest visits and enjoy it without a worry. The most important part of the gift is the message. With an adorable ceramic appetizer dish set, you are letting her know that you are looking forward to the many more upcoming visits with grandma. She will definitely love that.

Handmade Pillow

Make it extra personal by spending more time on your gifts to grandma! With grandma being so mindful and absolutely grateful, she will definitely appreciate all the effort you put into your special gift.

Try sewing a little pillow for grandma with some embroidery of something special to her. Do you know where grandma met grandpa? Do you know grandma's favorite place? Did you go on a trip just the two of you? Embroider an iconic structure or map of the location on the front of your pillow.

You can practically stitch anything, so don't restrict yourself to a place. If she loves gardening or nature, decorate your pillow with a flower or tree! Grandma will definitely hold this gift close.

Coupon Book

Grandma is in love with so many things around her, but her favorite things cannot be bought and are absolutely priceless. Grandma holds the love and time with others very close to her heart. After many years of wisdom, she knows the most important things in life are the things money can't buy.

How do we put this in a gift form? Try out handmade coupons. Make them on the computer or by hand, and make it everlasting by laminating it at a retail store.

Grandma may have trouble calling you and redeeming her coupons because she may feel that she is a burden and a bother. After some time, give her a call and express that you are upset she hasn't redeemed any of her coupons. She will definitely love to hear that you are waiting and immediately want to call you. Here are some ideas for coupons:

1. 1 hug for Grandma
2. 20 minute Walk with Grandma
3. An immediate visit with Grandma
4. Afternoon tea hour with Grandma

Shopping for grandma is not difficult at all. She is grateful and happy for all the gifts she receives. But, the best gifts don't require much shopping. Grandma is at her happiest when she receives love from the people she loves the most: her family.

All of the gifts listed above have a deeper priceless emotion attached. The ceramic dish set shows her that there will be many more visits with grandma from you and the rest of the family. The time taken to sew a pillow just for grandma is priceless and, to top it all off, to embroider something special to her on it makes your gift absolutely incredible.

Lastly, each and every coupon gives grandma special bonding time with her favorite grandchild. To send such a deep emotion to grandma is priceless because you are sending pure love through Nutcracker Sweet Gift Baskets Toronto. That’s all grandma wants and she definitely deserves nothing less! 

I'm excited to announce the first of our #BlogHerFood16 keynotes today: What It Takes to Be a Celebrity-Chef. Our closing keynote will feature restauranteur, cookbook author, "Top Chef" winner, and "The Chew" co-host, Carla Hall, along with actor and author of the new cookbook "Back to the Kitchen," Freddie Prinze Jr.

Clearly, the concept of celebrity chefs is not new — we've been lionizing the masters of the kitchen since Julia Child's time — but with the explosion of niche cable TV channels and then social media, we've seen the nature of that celebrity intensify. The opportunity and the pressure to "perform" has certainly increased for chefs who want to move from the kitchen to a more public arena. And we've also seen social media influencers becoming food stars, and stars from other media joining the world of food celebrity.

But that all represents opportunity! You can be a celebrity via your social media platforms alone, and celebrities and weblebrities (as I like to call them) alike can broaden their reach via cookbooks, TV cooking competitions, and an ever-growing schedule of personality-driven cooking shows.

There has never been a better time to turn a personal passion and special talent for food into a new type of career. This keynote will explore how to handle establishing credibility, growing a fan base, and staying focused on what you love best —the food—while navigating the new continuum between chef and celebrity-chef.

Don't miss it: Register for #BlogHer16 now! We'll see you in Austin next month!

Elisa Camahort Page
Chief Community Officer and BlogHer Co-Founder
elisa.camahortpage@sheknows.com
Twitter: @ElisaC
Instagram: @ElisaCP

I love social media. It was literally designed for someone like me: a creative type who enjoys sharing, storytelling and expressing themselves. But as the years have gone by, we're only getting more apps, more sites, and more tools to do all of that stuff and well... it's overwhelming. How can one keep up?

Even though this is a bit unorthodox for me since I rarely posts tips of any kind, I wanted to share some social media hacks I've learned in hopes that I can help some people to navigate their social media usage in a more streamlined and less-stressful or time-consuming way. Some of you may know all of these or only a few. Either way, I hope you find them helpful.

Saving Links on Facebook

One of the hardest things to build for your blog is reach. Coming up with new material has generally not been as issue for me, but once I find the time to actually write and publish a post I am NOWHERE NEAR done. I have to share the link online and cross my fingers that people will actually see it and read the damn thing.

Think about your Facebook experience: you're usually aimlessly scrolling from your phone in myriad locations: in a line at the grocery store, in church during a boring wedding ceremony (whatever, it's fine... we all do it), or on the couch while half-watching a movie.

In those scenarios, it's not always the best time to read an article or blog post, so you skip over it. You might make a mental note that you want to read it at some point, but chances are you'll forget and won't ever get the chance. So, what's the solution?

Facebook gives you the option to save a link. You can select that from the drop-down arrow on the top right of the post, save it, and not only will Facebook remind you to read it, but it will also show up in the "Saved" section on the left side of your home Facebook screen. Do you ever find yourself missing good stuff on the Internet (*cough* - like my posts)? Problem solved.

Feedly

A wonderful tool called "Google Reader" existed back in the day. It was a place where you could drop links to all your favorite blogs, and it would curate them all into one spot for easy viewing. Then on one terribly dark and sad day, Google announced they were getting rid of it.

Nooooo!

I quickly did some research and found out that Feedly essentially did the exact same thing, so off I went to join. Feedly is a literal lifesaver for me as a blogger who wants to stay in touch with all my Blogging Buddies who work their behinds off on this little craft.

I have EVERY single blog I read on there – along with my favorite popular websites– so I do not miss an update. And if you're totally overwhelmed after being at work all day and unable to read ANYTHING? Prioritize the most important first and read in the order that you can; saving others for later.

Or, if you're like me, read only your friends/fellow bloggers' stuff and then delete everything from the Buzzfeeds of the world. That "What Disney Princess Are You?" quiz ain't that important.

Turn On Notifications

Do you follow a ton of people on Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter? I do, and if I have one of those days where I can't check the apps for a long period of time I feel like I miss EVERYTHING. And yes, I know what you're thinking: who cares?

For the most part, I agree with you – but it makes me super sad when I visit my brother's Instagram one day and realize he posted a picture or video of my niece days ago that I never saw. #SadFaceEmoji.

That said, I now have post notifications on for all the VIPs in my life: the people whose stuff I don't want to miss, the people who consistently post really great content, and the people who are always super supportive of me and I want to be sure to reciprocate. I do it on both Twitter and Instagram, but you can do it on Facebook, too. Don't turn on notifications for EVERYONE, though, guys. That's just silly.

Turn Off Notications

Ever sign on to Facebook and see a grandiose announcement? A pregnancy, an engagement, a new home purchased? Or maybe it's really sad news like a death in the family. Admit it: you've wanted to write something in the comments but you *know* you're about to get inundated with notifications after everyone else in the universe posts after you. I get it.

But here's my little trick: when Jack and Jill post that over-the-top cheeseball "WE'RE ENGAGEDDDDDDDD!" status update, I write my obligatory "ZOMG CONGRATS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!" and then IMMEDIATELY do this:

Turn off notifications from that drop down menu for the single post. You're welcome.

Twitter Lists

Last one! If you're on Twitter(I gotta say, it's one of my favorites) I'm really not sure you can fully enjoy it if you don't separate the users you follow into lists. Twitter allows you to create a list, give it a name (a few examples of mine: Friends, Blog Faves, Dating/Single Life, NYC, Celebs I Love) and drop in certain Twitter uses based on what category they fall into.

Why is this so great? Again, if you're pressed for time and hop on Twitter and ONLY want to see what your friends – the people you know in actual real life– are posting, you can check them first. Or maybe you're feeling down and want read some funny tweets: head on over to the list you created of your favorite comedians or just downright hilarious regular folks. I VERY rarely go on Twitter and start viewing my timeline chronologically... ain't nobody got time for that.

Well, those are my favorite social media tricks. I know you guys must have some for me – let me know in the comments!

Read more at : www.allisonarnone.com

Hot yoga can be a hot mess if you're not prepared. I'll never forget my first time trying hot yoga. I had a Groupon to try hot yoga that was about to expire and figured I might as well try it. I figured it couldn't be that different from the yoga classes I had been taking at 24 Hour Fitness.

I showed up 10 minutes before class started in baggy cotton sweat pants, a t-shirt, no water, no towel, and a cheap $5 mat from Target. It all went downhill from there.

Within minutes, I was dripping in sweat, my clothes were soaked, I was slipping all over my mat and started panicking because of the intense heat. I vividly remember getting to the point where I thought I was going to pass out so I ran out in the middle of the class and lay on the cold tile floor in the bathroom to cool off.

I stayed in the bathroom until class was over, got my mat, and didn't go back for months!

After spending some time researching what to bring to hot yoga, what to wear, and what to expect, I finally got the courage to go back to class a little more prepared. It was one of the most mentally and physically challenging things I've ever done, but I finished the class and left feeling accomplished and energized.

Fast-forward to 5 years later... I now go to hot yoga 4x/ week at Corepower Yoga. It sounds so cliche to say yoga has changed my life, but it really has. Yoga has been instrumental in my running recovery, keeping me strong and toned, decreasing my stress and anxiety, and constantly keeping me motivated and challenged.

If you have been thinking of maybe trying a hot yoga class but are kind of hesitant or scared this post is for YOU! Take it from me -- who has made every mistake in the books when it comes to hot yoga -- these 7 tips for surviving your first hot yoga class will save your life.

Bring the Right Equipment

Bringing the right equipment to your first hot yoga class really can make or break your experience. I didn't bring a towel for my mat or water to my first yoga class and instead of enjoying class I spent the entire time trying not to slip off my mat while dying of thirst... good times. So what do you absolutely need?

• Yoga mat: Some studios have mats that you can rent, but I've also been to studios where they don't have anything. You can find very cheap yoga mats at places like Target or Walmart. If you're looking for a quality mat I love the Manduka mat for hot yoga.
• A small face towel: Even the highest quality Lululemon headband won't keep sweat out of your eyes in class -- believe me, I've tried them all! To avoid sweat stinging your eyes and just being uncomfortable always bring a face towel.
• Insulated water bottle: There is nothing better than ice cold water during a hot yoga class, but if your bottle isn't insulted, your water is going to heat up pretty darn quick. I swear by Hydro Flask bottles! I leave class and there is still ice cubes in mine.
• A towel for your mat: Brands like Yogitoes make towels specifically to go over your mat to prevent you from slipping around during class. I love Yogitoes towels because they stay in place and absorb sweat very well! Like a quality mat, a quality towel is also pretty expensive, so if you're not ready to drop $50, a large beach towel can also work.

Hydrate Before, During, and After Class

If you know you're going to try your first hot yoga class, I highly recommend making a conscious effort to drink some extra water a couple days before. I'll never forget in one of my first classes being so thirsty that I was chugging my water bottle and the teacher looked at me and said, "it's way too late for you hydrate".

I don't know why that stuck with me, but ever since, I try to make an effort to be extra hydrated on yoga days. As for post yoga, it's very important to drink water and maybe even add electrolytes. I highly recommend Nuun hydration tabs.

Arrive Early

If you take anything away from this post, please make it be this! Hot yoga is popular, especially at well-known studios like Corepower Yoga. Don't ever assume because a class starts at 9:00 am that you can show up at 8:55 am and get a spot. Classes often get full and you don't want to be THAT person making people move their mats for you.

I highly recommend always being at least 20 minutes early, especially if it's your first time since you may have to fill out paperwork. You also want to allow yourself enough time to acclimate to the heat before class starts.

I highly recommend going into the room at least 10 minutes early and just laying down on your mat. This will ease your body into the higher temperatures and make class much more enjoyable.

Wear the Right Clothes

I'll never forget wearing baggy cotton sweat pants and a t-shirt to my first hot yoga class. I have no idea why I thought this was even remotely a good idea when you're going to HOT yoga to sweat in a 100 degree room. 10 minutes into class, my clothes were wet, heavy, and uncomfortable.

You need to wear clothing made with light, breathable, sweat-wicking fabric! I love brands like Lululemon, Zella and Nike for yoga clothes.

Breathe

A huge part of yoga is connecting body movements to your breath. Your teacher will prompt you to breathe in and breathe out during class. For the longest time I thought this was just a bunch of B.S. until I decided one class just to see if breathing really helped.

With proper breath I had better balance, was more flexible, and didn't get dizzy or winded in class. REALLY try your best to breathe, and you'll have a much more successful first class and yoga career.

If you do start to panic in class from the heat, the first thing you should think of is if you're still breathing. If not, sit down on your mat and take a break until you can connect back with your breath.

Listen to Your Body

There is a reason people call yoga a practice. Practice makes perfect, and believe me, even in the most advanced yoga classes, people are off balance, falling over, and a mess. The only way you can improve is to try.

Don't pay attention to what anyone in class is doing and take each move/posture to the level that feels best in YOUR BODY THAT DAY! Every single day your body feels differently and every single yoga practice will be different as a result.

Another HUGE thing to be aware of is that the heat helps make you a lot more flexible. This is great but be very careful not to push your body too far. If you ever feel numbness or pain, stop immediately and make adjustments. As you take more classes you will start to learn your limits.

Be Prepared for Heat

Guys, it's called HOT YOGA! Depending on the style of yoga, classes range from about 90-105 degrees. You are going to sweat. You are going to get hot. You are going to be uncomfortable. But you CAN get through it!

One of my teachers said it best stating that the point of the heat is to keep you mentally present in class. A big reason yoga helps with stress and anxiety so much is because you train your mind to just focus on breathing one movement at a time and staying present in the moment.

It's so easy in a non-heated fitness class to just half-ass it and let your mind wander, but in hot yoga, where you truly sometimes feel you're struggling to survive, remember that the heat is just there for you to stay mindful.

I promise after a few hot yoga classes your body will acclimate to the heat and it won't even affect you anymore.

Your turn: Have you ever done hot yoga? Do you enjoy hot yoga? Do you have any tips to add about surviving your first hot yoga class?

Before we begin, let's make it clear, I am not a psychiatrist. Nor do I have the secret to magically transcend anxiety or stress. If experience is education, however, I do feel pretty comfortable speaking on the subject. Although my ability to speak freely and calmly about how I handle these things is, at best, a recent development.

During this past summer, due to events outside of my personal control, my life got fairly complicated. I drew pretty near to my personal breaking point. I have learned a few coping techniques that I use in order to help myself deal with the challenges I am facing.

Again, I understand that I am not an expert, but quite often, I have personally benefited from something one of my blogging friends has penned. So here we go.

Try to Be Realistic of Your Time When Scheduling

I have a limited amount of time, as does each member of my family. Realistically planning for what we all can do in one single day is vital to reducing some of the anxiety that can be felt by over-scheduling yourself and those around you.

I know that sometimes, for example, we can't control that the Spelling Bee is going to happen at the same time as the doctor's appointment that we scheduled months in advance. And since we can't be in 2 separate places at the same time, we need to choose to spend our time in the way that is most important.

This might involve making arrangements and communicating what you will realistically be able to do, and maybe even disappointing your child by not attending their Spelling Bee.

It really is that easy, and I promise that if you do miss the 2nd grade class Spelling Bee, it won't become part of an emotional backstory that eventually sends your child on the road to becoming a supervillian.

Take Deep Breaths

I stop midstream in the middle of my most intense days and take a moment to deep breathe. I have done this when tempers were high, in ER rooms and pretty much every stressful place you can think of.

It works and doing so helps to give you a moment to collect yourself, re-focus and bring yourself back to the issue at hand.

Cultivate a Sense of Humor

I have shared this story before, but many years ago on a night that now lives in familial infamy, all 3 of my young children threw up at exactly the same moment. The carnage was vast and far reaching. I remember standing there shocked and covered in vomit, and as I looked at my husband, the look of shock and horror we saw mirrored on one another's face made us laugh out loud!

What happened that night wasn't funny, but dealing with it in a humorous way helped us take care of the situation. But, yeah, we never went into that McDonald's again. Positivity and humor only goes so far.

Teach Children and Partners to Lend a Hand

In my home there are 6 people, and successfully managing that many people is a lot of work. So around here I make sure every family member shares the load. We help each other by doing chores, helping siblings with homework, cheering one another on at games, activities and so forth.

Although it is still is a lot of work, our family works together as a team with the understanding that this work helps to directly benefit the life of each family member.

This summer as I spent many hours at the hospital caring for my mom who had just suffered from a stroke. I was impressed and heartened to see my children carrying much of the load at home. They did laundry without complaint, cared for younger siblings and helped to keep our family running.

I have never been more proud as a mother. Also, doughnuts might have been involved.

Pray

I remember one intense day this last summer where I felt like I was drowning. I had too much on my plate, and I felt like my ability to cope was maxed out. I excused myself for a moment from the medical meeting that had just ended and walked out to my car and sat in it for a moment and prayed.

I asked God to give me the strength to deal with this latest occurrence, and to do it in a way that was true to who I was and would benefit the life of the family member for whom the meeting had been held. This simple prayer worked for me, and it gave me the strength to continue with the rest of that very long day.

I have even been known to quietly pull my children to the side during stressful situations to offer a prayer. Some might think this is weird, but truthfully I don't care. My belief in God gives me strength, and that is all the explanation I feel should be needed.

Just Don't Do It

Or in other words just say NO. If doing something is going to exceed your ability to cope, then say no. If the task is unavoidable, reach out for help and explain to others why you need their help. I have never had someone do this with me and felt anything other than compassion for the struggle they were facing.

Sometimes we try to bottle it all up to attempt to exemplify the whole "stiff upper lip" behavior. Doing this is a bad idea. Every one of us will have situations where we desperately need help and trying to hide it hurts us. It really does.

A few months ago during a chance meeting at a local park, I had a heart to heart with a woman who was struggling with postpartum depression. She hadn't even been diagnosed. She actually hadn't even yet admitted to anyone how bad she felt, but that day she hit her own personal rock bottom.

I was grateful to be there. Together we cried and I shared with her that what she was feeling happens to so many of us. She was not alone, and taking the first and most scary step of talking about it was huge.

And on That Note, Let's Talk About Kindness

After that experience with the mother at the park, I was reminded of the fact that you never know the battle another person is waging. So be kind, because someday it might be you on the receiving end of a kindness that feels like a lifeline.

Queen Mom Jen
http://www.jenerallyinformed.com

In just under one month, we'll mosey our way to Austin, Texas, where we'll celebrate all things food, as well as our #BlogHerFood16 community.

And we'll close things off right at Maggie Mae's, an iconic institution right in the heart of Austin! Come join us from Sixth Street's largest rooftop for expansive views of Austin's skyline. We'll hang out in the Gibson Lounge, which has a vintage vibe with its classic Gibson guitars, and be served cool craft cocktails.

The party closes out this year's conference agenda. We've got two days full of programming, networking with sponsors, and time with friends new and old.

And Austin's an amazing food city, too. We've made time in the schedule for you to explore downtown Austin on Saturday afternoon.

So pack your walking shoes, pack your appetite, and be sure to pack your dancing shoes, too!

Closing party location: Maggie Mae's, 323 E 6th St, Austin, TX
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2016
Time: 7-10 PM

Don't wait! #BlogHerFood16 will take place October 7-8, 2016, in Austin, TX. More details:

• Register now: Space is limited.
• Book your hotel room.
• Sign up for the conferences newsletter for announcements and opportunities.
• Follow us on Twitter.

We are just a few weeks away from seeing you all in Austin! We've got opportunities aplenty for you to eat, learn, and connect with your favorite brands and bloggers, and today we're excited to announce some very special events from a few of our sponsors.

What are sponsored special events? These are smaller, more intimate events that take place at #BlogHerFood16, They allow sponsors to connect with attendees to talk about product launches, new services, social issues, or just plain informally network and have fun.

At #BlogHerFood16, every sponsored special event has room for open RSVPs, but space is limited, so we have a first-come, first-served process ... with a twist.

Just like last year and at our annual conferences, we're opening up our special sponsor events in phases and on different days. There will be a morning phase and an evening phase, so if you aren't at your computer when an event opens in the morning, you will still have a chance to put your name in the hat during the evening phase.

It may seem a little complicated, but we found this process to be the best way to give a fair chance to sign up for as many attendees as we possibly can!

The following events will open up for sign-ups Today, Tuesday, September 13, at 11 AM PT (2 PM ET) and then again tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14, at 6 PM PT (9PM ET).

And now, here are the events (they are not live yet, so you cannot register until the times above) and brief descriptions.

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Thursday, October 6:: Brought to you by Canadian Lentils

Enjoy a custom menu served and curated by Urban Cowboy Southern Fusion Food Truck, showcasing the versatility of lentils.

Transportation will be provided. Please note that this event is outdoors and casual in nature.

Date: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 5:30-8PM (includes dinner)
Location: Meet in the Hilton Austin Lobby, 500 E. 4th Street

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallcanadianlentil.splashthat.com/#

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Clover Stornetta Farms

Welcome to Clover Country! You are invited to join Clover Stornetta Farms, a Northern California dairy nestled in beautiful Sonoma County, at an intimate luncheon. Clover is looking to develop relationships with food bloggers like you, who have a love of wholesome organic and non-organic dairy products. Come taste some of Clover's delicious, nutritious products, learn more about Clover and sustainable dairy nutrition with "The Fit Foodie" and Holistic Nutritionist Mareya Ibrahim, and join the conversation. We look forward to meeting you!

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 12-1 PM (lunch included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 616B

A few notes:
*This event has appeal to West Coast attendees, as the brand is based in California, so registrants from this region will have priority.
*This event will not have vegan options; dairy will be served.

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallcoverstornetta.splashthat.com/#

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Riedel

BlogHer and Riedel invite you to put your nose and tastebuds to the test with our Riedel Comparative Glass Workshop.

Experience the impact that the size and shape of a wine glass makes on your favorite wine in a fun and informative tasting hosted by Riedel Representative Chris Hillin.

Each guest will receive a four-glass red and white tasting kit that will be theirs to keep (a $140 value!). From newbies to the world of wine to the most seasoned connoisseurs, this seminar is not one to miss!

In addition, you will meet Riedel E-commerce Manager Vince Sehgal to enter Riedel's affiliate marketing program to earn cash for promoting Riedel.

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 1-2PM (wine tasting included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 602

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallriedel.splashthat.com/

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Food Insight

The science of flavorful cooking meets the art of mindful eating in this hands-on session. You’ll learn how to take your readers on a sensory journey, from meal prep to the last bite. Chef Chris Warsow will demonstrate how to build healthy Mediterranean meals that are packed with flavor, using ingredients from your pantry. Tips and recipes will be provided during his live demonstration.

Then we'll get to taste his dishes in a mindful eating exercise led by nutrition expert Katherine Hall, RDN. She will show how mindful eating can help you and your readers eat healthier. She’ll also provide tips to help even the busiest families eat more mindfully.

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 2:45-4:15PM (snacks included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 616A

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallfoodinsight.splashthat.com/#

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That's it for today. Set your alarms, and get ready to join in on some of the special event fun! Please note that you must be a registered attendee of #BlogHerFood16 to be eligible to participate in these events.

Don't wait! #BlogHerFood16 will take place October 7-8, 2016, in Austin, TX. More details:

• Register now: Space is limited.
• Book your hotel room.
• Sign up for the conferences newsletter for announcements and opportunities.
• Follow us on Twitter.

Erin Groh
Director of Sponsor Experience
Expert Enchilada Maker, Online Researcher, and Dog Instagrammer
@ErinRoseGroh

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It's easy to get caught up in all of the cool tools available for your blog or online business. And some people will try to make you feel less than if you don't use the most popular paid tools available.

But when you're just getting started, you don't always have the budget to purchase every paid tool to run your blog or business. And sometimes the popular paid tools have way more functionality than you need.

There's no shame in taking advantage of the various free tools out there. In fact, if you can get what you need out of a free tool, you're savvier than those who rush to invest in tools just because everyone else is using them.

There's no denying it - Adobe Photoshop is a great tool. And none of the options mentioned in this post are meant to replace it. But not everyone can commit $10.00 a month to Photoshop, and not everyone needs every feature Photoshop offers. So here are five Photoshop alternatives to consider for your image creation and editing needs.

Corel Paint Shop Pro

My secret weapon! I have been using this program since prehistoric internet times. And I never see it mentioned in the blogging or online business circles. It's as close as you can get to Photoshop without actually buying Photoshop. And there's no monthly fee – you pay $80.00 one time.

Pros

• A one-time purchase price of $80.00. And you get discounts on upgrades for new versions when they come out.
• Photoshop-like interface
• Advanced editing tools, vectors, layers, transparency, and filters

Cons

• Big learning curve if you've never used Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop
• Windows only
• Resource heavy

Get Corel Paint Shop Pro here.

Pixlr

Another Photoshop-like editor similar to Paint Shop Pro, but this one is web-based. You won't have to download anything, and you can use it anywhere you have a web browser and an internet connection.

Pros

• Free
• Web-based and no sign up required
• There's a phone app available

Cons

• Big learning curve if you never used a Photoshop-like interface
• No cloud storage or autosaving

Get Pixlr here.

Canva

A beautiful web-based image editor with lots of great free features and a pro option for those who need more functionality.

Pros

• Free with a pro option
• Storage and autosaving
• Stock photos and lots of free shapes and icons

Cons

• Pro version is more expensive than Photoshop if you want to pay on a month by month basis
• No mobile app
• You can't resize your image once you've started working on it

Get Canva here.

Gimp

A Photoshop-like editor that you have to download to use, but it's open source and completely free.

Pros

• Free and open source
• Advanced editing tools, layers, transparency, and filters
• Available on Linux, OS X, and Windows

Cons

• Big learning curve if you've never used a Photoshop-like interface
• Some users report bugs

Get Gimp here.

Ribbet

Does anyone remember Picnik, the online photo editor that Google bought and then shut down? Ribbet's interface is a lot like it. If you're looking for an easy to use and free editor to make simple edits with, it may be what you've been looking for.

Pros

• Offers effects, shapes, frames, and stickers
• Free, and a pro option is available for $5 a month or $30 a year
• No big learning curve to use it

Cons

• You can only save images as JPG or PNG
• No layers
• You have to sign up to use some of the features

Get Ribbet here.

How to choose an image editor that works for you

When thinking about choosing an image creation and manipulation program, consider the following questions:

• What's your budget? Do you want a free tool, are you okay with paying on a monthly basis, or do you just want a one-time purchase fee?
• Does it matter to you to use the most popular tool?
• What's your operating system?
• Do you need storage and autosaving?
• Do you need an app for your phone?
• Do you want to download a program or work in a browser?
• What's your skill level? Do you have time, resources, or desire to learn a new program?
• What kind of image edits do you need to do? Do you need advanced features like vector creation, transparency, layers, and filters? Or do you just need simple edits?

What's your image editor of choice?

Many in the BlogHer community were able to see Jurnee Smollett-Bell (from Friday Night Lights and currently in the incredible series Underground) in action this summer at #BlogHer16, as part of our Smollett Eats. It's a fun look at their family's food traditions—some passed down for generations, and some created brand-new by the next generation.

For the Friday evening keynote at #BlogHerFood16, four of the Smollett siblings—lead chef Jake and party planner extraordinaire Jazz, along with oldest brother Jojo and youngest brother Jocqui—will join us for an interactive keynote. They'll cook for us and dish for us, and generally recreate the convivial chemistry that's so notable in their show.

Image: Food Network

The Smolletts are the kind of family that seems almost too cool to be real. Each of the six siblings (the five mentioned above plus Jussie, star of Empire) is talented, charming, and outspoken. They grew up singing, dancing, and performing together, and they still refer to their tight-knit clan as "Smoll Nation."

They're also all really into food. How did one family become so infused with the love of food and entertaining? How does food bind their family together? I'm sure we all also want to know: How did they pitch, land, and then plan a Food Network show that is basically about the fun things they're doing together? (Dream job, right?)

If you haven't yet caught Smollett Eats on the Food Network, you definitely should. And you should also join us at #BlogHerFood16 as the Smolletts share both cooking tips and family secrets!

Check out the rest of the #BlogHerFood16 agenda and register now!

Elisa Camahort Page
Chief Community Officer, SheKnows Media and BlogHer Co-Founder
elisa.camahortpage@sheknows.com
Twitter: @Elisac
Instagram: @ElisaCP

If you're a kid, it's always enjoyable to think up the perfect gift for grandma. Her unconditional kindness is absolutely lovable. When you hear stories about grandma being strict and angry, it is hard to believe. She's always neutral and sometimes even on your side when you fight with your parents.

She is always so happy to see you and the rest of the gang! She deserves to smile, and that's why hunting for a gift for grandma is an extra special one!

Let's stray away from the tacky shirts and merchandise that say #1 Grandma, and let's get thoughtful with this one. No matter what gift grandma receives, she will be overjoyed and grateful. Her appreciation for any gift gives more of a reason to make sure she receives the best of the best! Here I have put together some perfect ideas and gifts for the perfect grandma!

Appetizer Set

Grandma absolutely loves visits at her house from all the family! And, she definitely worships her fancy expensive china set that she has. But truth be told, she does cringe when she has to use it worrying that one of the younger ones may accidently drop it or knock it down.

Therefore, get her a nice ceramic appetizer set! Let her host her favorite guest visits and enjoy it without a worry. The most important part of the gift is the message. With an adorable ceramic appetizer dish set, you are letting her know that you are looking forward to the many more upcoming visits with grandma. She will definitely love that.

Handmade Pillow

Make it extra personal by spending more time on your gifts to grandma! With grandma being so mindful and absolutely grateful, she will definitely appreciate all the effort you put into your special gift.

Try sewing a little pillow for grandma with some embroidery of something special to her. Do you know where grandma met grandpa? Do you know grandma's favorite place? Did you go on a trip just the two of you? Embroider an iconic structure or map of the location on the front of your pillow.

You can practically stitch anything, so don't restrict yourself to a place. If she loves gardening or nature, decorate your pillow with a flower or tree! Grandma will definitely hold this gift close.

Coupon Book

Grandma is in love with so many things around her, but her favorite things cannot be bought and are absolutely priceless. Grandma holds the love and time with others very close to her heart. After many years of wisdom, she knows the most important things in life are the things money can't buy.

How do we put this in a gift form? Try out handmade coupons. Make them on the computer or by hand, and make it everlasting by laminating it at a retail store.

Grandma may have trouble calling you and redeeming her coupons because she may feel that she is a burden and a bother. After some time, give her a call and express that you are upset she hasn't redeemed any of her coupons. She will definitely love to hear that you are waiting and immediately want to call you. Here are some ideas for coupons:

1. 1 hug for Grandma
2. 20 minute Walk with Grandma
3. An immediate visit with Grandma
4. Afternoon tea hour with Grandma

Shopping for grandma is not difficult at all. She is grateful and happy for all the gifts she receives. But, the best gifts don't require much shopping. Grandma is at her happiest when she receives love from the people she loves the most: her family.

All of the gifts listed above have a deeper priceless emotion attached. The ceramic dish set shows her that there will be many more visits with grandma from you and the rest of the family. The time taken to sew a pillow just for grandma is priceless and, to top it all off, to embroider something special to her on it makes your gift absolutely incredible.

Lastly, each and every coupon gives grandma special bonding time with her favorite grandchild. To send such a deep emotion to grandma is priceless because you are sending pure love through Nutcracker Sweet Gift Baskets Toronto. That’s all grandma wants and she definitely deserves nothing less! 

I'm excited to announce the first of our #BlogHerFood16 keynotes today: What It Takes to Be a Celebrity-Chef. Our closing keynote will feature restauranteur, cookbook author, "Top Chef" winner, and "The Chew" co-host, Carla Hall, along with actor and author of the new cookbook "Back to the Kitchen," Freddie Prinze Jr.

Clearly, the concept of celebrity chefs is not new — we've been lionizing the masters of the kitchen since Julia Child's time — but with the explosion of niche cable TV channels and then social media, we've seen the nature of that celebrity intensify. The opportunity and the pressure to "perform" has certainly increased for chefs who want to move from the kitchen to a more public arena. And we've also seen social media influencers becoming food stars, and stars from other media joining the world of food celebrity.

But that all represents opportunity! You can be a celebrity via your social media platforms alone, and celebrities and weblebrities (as I like to call them) alike can broaden their reach via cookbooks, TV cooking competitions, and an ever-growing schedule of personality-driven cooking shows.

There has never been a better time to turn a personal passion and special talent for food into a new type of career. This keynote will explore how to handle establishing credibility, growing a fan base, and staying focused on what you love best —the food—while navigating the new continuum between chef and celebrity-chef.

Don't miss it: Register for #BlogHer16 now! We'll see you in Austin next month!

Elisa Camahort Page
Chief Community Officer and BlogHer Co-Founder
elisa.camahortpage@sheknows.com
Twitter: @ElisaC
Instagram: @ElisaCP

I love social media. It was literally designed for someone like me: a creative type who enjoys sharing, storytelling and expressing themselves. But as the years have gone by, we're only getting more apps, more sites, and more tools to do all of that stuff and well... it's overwhelming. How can one keep up?

Even though this is a bit unorthodox for me since I rarely posts tips of any kind, I wanted to share some social media hacks I've learned in hopes that I can help some people to navigate their social media usage in a more streamlined and less-stressful or time-consuming way. Some of you may know all of these or only a few. Either way, I hope you find them helpful.

Saving Links on Facebook

One of the hardest things to build for your blog is reach. Coming up with new material has generally not been as issue for me, but once I find the time to actually write and publish a post I am NOWHERE NEAR done. I have to share the link online and cross my fingers that people will actually see it and read the damn thing.

Think about your Facebook experience: you're usually aimlessly scrolling from your phone in myriad locations: in a line at the grocery store, in church during a boring wedding ceremony (whatever, it's fine... we all do it), or on the couch while half-watching a movie.

In those scenarios, it's not always the best time to read an article or blog post, so you skip over it. You might make a mental note that you want to read it at some point, but chances are you'll forget and won't ever get the chance. So, what's the solution?

Facebook gives you the option to save a link. You can select that from the drop-down arrow on the top right of the post, save it, and not only will Facebook remind you to read it, but it will also show up in the "Saved" section on the left side of your home Facebook screen. Do you ever find yourself missing good stuff on the Internet (*cough* - like my posts)? Problem solved.

Feedly

A wonderful tool called "Google Reader" existed back in the day. It was a place where you could drop links to all your favorite blogs, and it would curate them all into one spot for easy viewing. Then on one terribly dark and sad day, Google announced they were getting rid of it.

Nooooo!

I quickly did some research and found out that Feedly essentially did the exact same thing, so off I went to join. Feedly is a literal lifesaver for me as a blogger who wants to stay in touch with all my Blogging Buddies who work their behinds off on this little craft.

I have EVERY single blog I read on there – along with my favorite popular websites– so I do not miss an update. And if you're totally overwhelmed after being at work all day and unable to read ANYTHING? Prioritize the most important first and read in the order that you can; saving others for later.

Or, if you're like me, read only your friends/fellow bloggers' stuff and then delete everything from the Buzzfeeds of the world. That "What Disney Princess Are You?" quiz ain't that important.

Turn On Notifications

Do you follow a ton of people on Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter? I do, and if I have one of those days where I can't check the apps for a long period of time I feel like I miss EVERYTHING. And yes, I know what you're thinking: who cares?

For the most part, I agree with you – but it makes me super sad when I visit my brother's Instagram one day and realize he posted a picture or video of my niece days ago that I never saw. #SadFaceEmoji.

That said, I now have post notifications on for all the VIPs in my life: the people whose stuff I don't want to miss, the people who consistently post really great content, and the people who are always super supportive of me and I want to be sure to reciprocate. I do it on both Twitter and Instagram, but you can do it on Facebook, too. Don't turn on notifications for EVERYONE, though, guys. That's just silly.

Turn Off Notications

Ever sign on to Facebook and see a grandiose announcement? A pregnancy, an engagement, a new home purchased? Or maybe it's really sad news like a death in the family. Admit it: you've wanted to write something in the comments but you *know* you're about to get inundated with notifications after everyone else in the universe posts after you. I get it.

But here's my little trick: when Jack and Jill post that over-the-top cheeseball "WE'RE ENGAGEDDDDDDDD!" status update, I write my obligatory "ZOMG CONGRATS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!" and then IMMEDIATELY do this:

Turn off notifications from that drop down menu for the single post. You're welcome.

Twitter Lists

Last one! If you're on Twitter(I gotta say, it's one of my favorites) I'm really not sure you can fully enjoy it if you don't separate the users you follow into lists. Twitter allows you to create a list, give it a name (a few examples of mine: Friends, Blog Faves, Dating/Single Life, NYC, Celebs I Love) and drop in certain Twitter uses based on what category they fall into.

Why is this so great? Again, if you're pressed for time and hop on Twitter and ONLY want to see what your friends – the people you know in actual real life– are posting, you can check them first. Or maybe you're feeling down and want read some funny tweets: head on over to the list you created of your favorite comedians or just downright hilarious regular folks. I VERY rarely go on Twitter and start viewing my timeline chronologically... ain't nobody got time for that.

Well, those are my favorite social media tricks. I know you guys must have some for me – let me know in the comments!

Read more at : www.allisonarnone.com

Hot yoga can be a hot mess if you're not prepared. I'll never forget my first time trying hot yoga. I had a Groupon to try hot yoga that was about to expire and figured I might as well try it. I figured it couldn't be that different from the yoga classes I had been taking at 24 Hour Fitness.

I showed up 10 minutes before class started in baggy cotton sweat pants, a t-shirt, no water, no towel, and a cheap $5 mat from Target. It all went downhill from there.

Within minutes, I was dripping in sweat, my clothes were soaked, I was slipping all over my mat and started panicking because of the intense heat. I vividly remember getting to the point where I thought I was going to pass out so I ran out in the middle of the class and lay on the cold tile floor in the bathroom to cool off.

I stayed in the bathroom until class was over, got my mat, and didn't go back for months!

After spending some time researching what to bring to hot yoga, what to wear, and what to expect, I finally got the courage to go back to class a little more prepared. It was one of the most mentally and physically challenging things I've ever done, but I finished the class and left feeling accomplished and energized.

Fast-forward to 5 years later... I now go to hot yoga 4x/ week at Corepower Yoga. It sounds so cliche to say yoga has changed my life, but it really has. Yoga has been instrumental in my running recovery, keeping me strong and toned, decreasing my stress and anxiety, and constantly keeping me motivated and challenged.

If you have been thinking of maybe trying a hot yoga class but are kind of hesitant or scared this post is for YOU! Take it from me -- who has made every mistake in the books when it comes to hot yoga -- these 7 tips for surviving your first hot yoga class will save your life.

Bring the Right Equipment

Bringing the right equipment to your first hot yoga class really can make or break your experience. I didn't bring a towel for my mat or water to my first yoga class and instead of enjoying class I spent the entire time trying not to slip off my mat while dying of thirst... good times. So what do you absolutely need?

• Yoga mat: Some studios have mats that you can rent, but I've also been to studios where they don't have anything. You can find very cheap yoga mats at places like Target or Walmart. If you're looking for a quality mat I love the Manduka mat for hot yoga.
• A small face towel: Even the highest quality Lululemon headband won't keep sweat out of your eyes in class -- believe me, I've tried them all! To avoid sweat stinging your eyes and just being uncomfortable always bring a face towel.
• Insulated water bottle: There is nothing better than ice cold water during a hot yoga class, but if your bottle isn't insulted, your water is going to heat up pretty darn quick. I swear by Hydro Flask bottles! I leave class and there is still ice cubes in mine.
• A towel for your mat: Brands like Yogitoes make towels specifically to go over your mat to prevent you from slipping around during class. I love Yogitoes towels because they stay in place and absorb sweat very well! Like a quality mat, a quality towel is also pretty expensive, so if you're not ready to drop $50, a large beach towel can also work.

Hydrate Before, During, and After Class

If you know you're going to try your first hot yoga class, I highly recommend making a conscious effort to drink some extra water a couple days before. I'll never forget in one of my first classes being so thirsty that I was chugging my water bottle and the teacher looked at me and said, "it's way too late for you hydrate".

I don't know why that stuck with me, but ever since, I try to make an effort to be extra hydrated on yoga days. As for post yoga, it's very important to drink water and maybe even add electrolytes. I highly recommend Nuun hydration tabs.

Arrive Early

If you take anything away from this post, please make it be this! Hot yoga is popular, especially at well-known studios like Corepower Yoga. Don't ever assume because a class starts at 9:00 am that you can show up at 8:55 am and get a spot. Classes often get full and you don't want to be THAT person making people move their mats for you.

I highly recommend always being at least 20 minutes early, especially if it's your first time since you may have to fill out paperwork. You also want to allow yourself enough time to acclimate to the heat before class starts.

I highly recommend going into the room at least 10 minutes early and just laying down on your mat. This will ease your body into the higher temperatures and make class much more enjoyable.

Wear the Right Clothes

I'll never forget wearing baggy cotton sweat pants and a t-shirt to my first hot yoga class. I have no idea why I thought this was even remotely a good idea when you're going to HOT yoga to sweat in a 100 degree room. 10 minutes into class, my clothes were wet, heavy, and uncomfortable.

You need to wear clothing made with light, breathable, sweat-wicking fabric! I love brands like Lululemon, Zella and Nike for yoga clothes.

Breathe

A huge part of yoga is connecting body movements to your breath. Your teacher will prompt you to breathe in and breathe out during class. For the longest time I thought this was just a bunch of B.S. until I decided one class just to see if breathing really helped.

With proper breath I had better balance, was more flexible, and didn't get dizzy or winded in class. REALLY try your best to breathe, and you'll have a much more successful first class and yoga career.

If you do start to panic in class from the heat, the first thing you should think of is if you're still breathing. If not, sit down on your mat and take a break until you can connect back with your breath.

Listen to Your Body

There is a reason people call yoga a practice. Practice makes perfect, and believe me, even in the most advanced yoga classes, people are off balance, falling over, and a mess. The only way you can improve is to try.

Don't pay attention to what anyone in class is doing and take each move/posture to the level that feels best in YOUR BODY THAT DAY! Every single day your body feels differently and every single yoga practice will be different as a result.

Another HUGE thing to be aware of is that the heat helps make you a lot more flexible. This is great but be very careful not to push your body too far. If you ever feel numbness or pain, stop immediately and make adjustments. As you take more classes you will start to learn your limits.

Be Prepared for Heat

Guys, it's called HOT YOGA! Depending on the style of yoga, classes range from about 90-105 degrees. You are going to sweat. You are going to get hot. You are going to be uncomfortable. But you CAN get through it!

One of my teachers said it best stating that the point of the heat is to keep you mentally present in class. A big reason yoga helps with stress and anxiety so much is because you train your mind to just focus on breathing one movement at a time and staying present in the moment.

It's so easy in a non-heated fitness class to just half-ass it and let your mind wander, but in hot yoga, where you truly sometimes feel you're struggling to survive, remember that the heat is just there for you to stay mindful.

I promise after a few hot yoga classes your body will acclimate to the heat and it won't even affect you anymore.

Your turn: Have you ever done hot yoga? Do you enjoy hot yoga? Do you have any tips to add about surviving your first hot yoga class?

Before we begin, let's make it clear, I am not a psychiatrist. Nor do I have the secret to magically transcend anxiety or stress. If experience is education, however, I do feel pretty comfortable speaking on the subject. Although my ability to speak freely and calmly about how I handle these things is, at best, a recent development.

During this past summer, due to events outside of my personal control, my life got fairly complicated. I drew pretty near to my personal breaking point. I have learned a few coping techniques that I use in order to help myself deal with the challenges I am facing.

Again, I understand that I am not an expert, but quite often, I have personally benefited from something one of my blogging friends has penned. So here we go.

Try to Be Realistic of Your Time When Scheduling

I have a limited amount of time, as does each member of my family. Realistically planning for what we all can do in one single day is vital to reducing some of the anxiety that can be felt by over-scheduling yourself and those around you.

I know that sometimes, for example, we can't control that the Spelling Bee is going to happen at the same time as the doctor's appointment that we scheduled months in advance. And since we can't be in 2 separate places at the same time, we need to choose to spend our time in the way that is most important.

This might involve making arrangements and communicating what you will realistically be able to do, and maybe even disappointing your child by not attending their Spelling Bee.

It really is that easy, and I promise that if you do miss the 2nd grade class Spelling Bee, it won't become part of an emotional backstory that eventually sends your child on the road to becoming a supervillian.

Take Deep Breaths

I stop midstream in the middle of my most intense days and take a moment to deep breathe. I have done this when tempers were high, in ER rooms and pretty much every stressful place you can think of.

It works and doing so helps to give you a moment to collect yourself, re-focus and bring yourself back to the issue at hand.

Cultivate a Sense of Humor

I have shared this story before, but many years ago on a night that now lives in familial infamy, all 3 of my young children threw up at exactly the same moment. The carnage was vast and far reaching. I remember standing there shocked and covered in vomit, and as I looked at my husband, the look of shock and horror we saw mirrored on one another's face made us laugh out loud!

What happened that night wasn't funny, but dealing with it in a humorous way helped us take care of the situation. But, yeah, we never went into that McDonald's again. Positivity and humor only goes so far.

Teach Children and Partners to Lend a Hand

In my home there are 6 people, and successfully managing that many people is a lot of work. So around here I make sure every family member shares the load. We help each other by doing chores, helping siblings with homework, cheering one another on at games, activities and so forth.

Although it is still is a lot of work, our family works together as a team with the understanding that this work helps to directly benefit the life of each family member.

This summer as I spent many hours at the hospital caring for my mom who had just suffered from a stroke. I was impressed and heartened to see my children carrying much of the load at home. They did laundry without complaint, cared for younger siblings and helped to keep our family running.

I have never been more proud as a mother. Also, doughnuts might have been involved.

Pray

I remember one intense day this last summer where I felt like I was drowning. I had too much on my plate, and I felt like my ability to cope was maxed out. I excused myself for a moment from the medical meeting that had just ended and walked out to my car and sat in it for a moment and prayed.

I asked God to give me the strength to deal with this latest occurrence, and to do it in a way that was true to who I was and would benefit the life of the family member for whom the meeting had been held. This simple prayer worked for me, and it gave me the strength to continue with the rest of that very long day.

I have even been known to quietly pull my children to the side during stressful situations to offer a prayer. Some might think this is weird, but truthfully I don't care. My belief in God gives me strength, and that is all the explanation I feel should be needed.

Just Don't Do It

Or in other words just say NO. If doing something is going to exceed your ability to cope, then say no. If the task is unavoidable, reach out for help and explain to others why you need their help. I have never had someone do this with me and felt anything other than compassion for the struggle they were facing.

Sometimes we try to bottle it all up to attempt to exemplify the whole "stiff upper lip" behavior. Doing this is a bad idea. Every one of us will have situations where we desperately need help and trying to hide it hurts us. It really does.

A few months ago during a chance meeting at a local park, I had a heart to heart with a woman who was struggling with postpartum depression. She hadn't even been diagnosed. She actually hadn't even yet admitted to anyone how bad she felt, but that day she hit her own personal rock bottom.

I was grateful to be there. Together we cried and I shared with her that what she was feeling happens to so many of us. She was not alone, and taking the first and most scary step of talking about it was huge.

And on That Note, Let's Talk About Kindness

After that experience with the mother at the park, I was reminded of the fact that you never know the battle another person is waging. So be kind, because someday it might be you on the receiving end of a kindness that feels like a lifeline.

Queen Mom Jen
http://www.jenerallyinformed.com

In just under one month, we'll mosey our way to Austin, Texas, where we'll celebrate all things food, as well as our #BlogHerFood16 community.

And we'll close things off right at Maggie Mae's, an iconic institution right in the heart of Austin! Come join us from Sixth Street's largest rooftop for expansive views of Austin's skyline. We'll hang out in the Gibson Lounge, which has a vintage vibe with its classic Gibson guitars, and be served cool craft cocktails.

The party closes out this year's conference agenda. We've got two days full of programming, networking with sponsors, and time with friends new and old.

And Austin's an amazing food city, too. We've made time in the schedule for you to explore downtown Austin on Saturday afternoon.

So pack your walking shoes, pack your appetite, and be sure to pack your dancing shoes, too!

Closing party location: Maggie Mae's, 323 E 6th St, Austin, TX
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2016
Time: 7-10 PM

Don't wait! #BlogHerFood16 will take place October 7-8, 2016, in Austin, TX. More details:

• Register now: Space is limited.
• Book your hotel room.
• Sign up for the conferences newsletter for announcements and opportunities.
• Follow us on Twitter.

We are just a few weeks away from seeing you all in Austin! We've got opportunities aplenty for you to eat, learn, and connect with your favorite brands and bloggers, and today we're excited to announce some very special events from a few of our sponsors.

What are sponsored special events? These are smaller, more intimate events that take place at #BlogHerFood16, They allow sponsors to connect with attendees to talk about product launches, new services, social issues, or just plain informally network and have fun.

At #BlogHerFood16, every sponsored special event has room for open RSVPs, but space is limited, so we have a first-come, first-served process ... with a twist.

Just like last year and at our annual conferences, we're opening up our special sponsor events in phases and on different days. There will be a morning phase and an evening phase, so if you aren't at your computer when an event opens in the morning, you will still have a chance to put your name in the hat during the evening phase.

It may seem a little complicated, but we found this process to be the best way to give a fair chance to sign up for as many attendees as we possibly can!

The following events will open up for sign-ups Today, Tuesday, September 13, at 11 AM PT (2 PM ET) and then again tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14, at 6 PM PT (9PM ET).

And now, here are the events (they are not live yet, so you cannot register until the times above) and brief descriptions.

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Thursday, October 6:: Brought to you by Canadian Lentils

Enjoy a custom menu served and curated by Urban Cowboy Southern Fusion Food Truck, showcasing the versatility of lentils.

Transportation will be provided. Please note that this event is outdoors and casual in nature.

Date: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 5:30-8PM (includes dinner)
Location: Meet in the Hilton Austin Lobby, 500 E. 4th Street

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallcanadianlentil.splashthat.com/#

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Clover Stornetta Farms

Welcome to Clover Country! You are invited to join Clover Stornetta Farms, a Northern California dairy nestled in beautiful Sonoma County, at an intimate luncheon. Clover is looking to develop relationships with food bloggers like you, who have a love of wholesome organic and non-organic dairy products. Come taste some of Clover's delicious, nutritious products, learn more about Clover and sustainable dairy nutrition with "The Fit Foodie" and Holistic Nutritionist Mareya Ibrahim, and join the conversation. We look forward to meeting you!

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 12-1 PM (lunch included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 616B

A few notes:
*This event has appeal to West Coast attendees, as the brand is based in California, so registrants from this region will have priority.
*This event will not have vegan options; dairy will be served.

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallcoverstornetta.splashthat.com/#

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Riedel

BlogHer and Riedel invite you to put your nose and tastebuds to the test with our Riedel Comparative Glass Workshop.

Experience the impact that the size and shape of a wine glass makes on your favorite wine in a fun and informative tasting hosted by Riedel Representative Chris Hillin.

Each guest will receive a four-glass red and white tasting kit that will be theirs to keep (a $140 value!). From newbies to the world of wine to the most seasoned connoisseurs, this seminar is not one to miss!

In addition, you will meet Riedel E-commerce Manager Vince Sehgal to enter Riedel's affiliate marketing program to earn cash for promoting Riedel.

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 1-2PM (wine tasting included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 602

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallriedel.splashthat.com/

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Friday, October 7: Brought to you by Food Insight

The science of flavorful cooking meets the art of mindful eating in this hands-on session. You’ll learn how to take your readers on a sensory journey, from meal prep to the last bite. Chef Chris Warsow will demonstrate how to build healthy Mediterranean meals that are packed with flavor, using ingredients from your pantry. Tips and recipes will be provided during his live demonstration.

Then we'll get to taste his dishes in a mindful eating exercise led by nutrition expert Katherine Hall, RDN. She will show how mindful eating can help you and your readers eat healthier. She’ll also provide tips to help even the busiest families eat more mindfully.

Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 2:45-4:15PM (snacks included)
Location: Hilton Austin, Room 616A

Submit your request to attend here: https://bhfood16opencallfoodinsight.splashthat.com/#

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That's it for today. Set your alarms, and get ready to join in on some of the special event fun! Please note that you must be a registered attendee of #BlogHerFood16 to be eligible to participate in these events.

Don't wait! #BlogHerFood16 will take place October 7-8, 2016, in Austin, TX. More details:

• Register now: Space is limited.
• Book your hotel room.
• Sign up for the conferences newsletter for announcements and opportunities.
• Follow us on Twitter.

Erin Groh
Director of Sponsor Experience
Expert Enchilada Maker, Online Researcher, and Dog Instagrammer
@ErinRoseGroh

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It's easy to get caught up in all of the cool tools available for your blog or online business. And some people will try to make you feel less than if you don't use the most popular paid tools available.

But when you're just getting started, you don't always have the budget to purchase every paid tool to run your blog or business. And sometimes the popular paid tools have way more functionality than you need.

There's no shame in taking advantage of the various free tools out there. In fact, if you can get what you need out of a free tool, you're savvier than those who rush to invest in tools just because everyone else is using them.

There's no denying it - Adobe Photoshop is a great tool. And none of the options mentioned in this post are meant to replace it. But not everyone can commit $10.00 a month to Photoshop, and not everyone needs every feature Photoshop offers. So here are five Photoshop alternatives to consider for your image creation and editing needs.

Corel Paint Shop Pro

My secret weapon! I have been using this program since prehistoric internet times. And I never see it mentioned in the blogging or online business circles. It's as close as you can get to Photoshop without actually buying Photoshop. And there's no monthly fee – you pay $80.00 one time.

Pros

• A one-time purchase price of $80.00. And you get discounts on upgrades for new versions when they come out.
• Photoshop-like interface
• Advanced editing tools, vectors, layers, transparency, and filters

Cons

• Big learning curve if you've never used Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop
• Windows only
• Resource heavy

Get Corel Paint Shop Pro here.

Pixlr

Another Photoshop-like editor similar to Paint Shop Pro, but this one is web-based. You won't have to download anything, and you can use it anywhere you have a web browser and an internet connection.

Pros

• Free
• Web-based and no sign up required
• There's a phone app available

Cons

• Big learning curve if you never used a Photoshop-like interface
• No cloud storage or autosaving

Get Pixlr here.

Canva

A beautiful web-based image editor with lots of great free features and a pro option for those who need more functionality.

Pros

• Free with a pro option
• Storage and autosaving
• Stock photos and lots of free shapes and icons

Cons

• Pro version is more expensive than Photoshop if you want to pay on a month by month basis
• No mobile app
• You can't resize your image once you've started working on it

Get Canva here.

Gimp

A Photoshop-like editor that you have to download to use, but it's open source and completely free.

Pros

• Free and open source
• Advanced editing tools, layers, transparency, and filters
• Available on Linux, OS X, and Windows

Cons

• Big learning curve if you've never used a Photoshop-like interface
• Some users report bugs

Get Gimp here.

Ribbet

Does anyone remember Picnik, the online photo editor that Google bought and then shut down? Ribbet's interface is a lot like it. If you're looking for an easy to use and free editor to make simple edits with, it may be what you've been looking for.

Pros

• Offers effects, shapes, frames, and stickers
• Free, and a pro option is available for $5 a month or $30 a year
• No big learning curve to use it

Cons

• You can only save images as JPG or PNG
• No layers
• You have to sign up to use some of the features

Get Ribbet here.

How to choose an image editor that works for you

When thinking about choosing an image creation and manipulation program, consider the following questions:

• What's your budget? Do you want a free tool, are you okay with paying on a monthly basis, or do you just want a one-time purchase fee?
• Does it matter to you to use the most popular tool?
• What's your operating system?
• Do you need storage and autosaving?
• Do you need an app for your phone?
• Do you want to download a program or work in a browser?
• What's your skill level? Do you have time, resources, or desire to learn a new program?
• What kind of image edits do you need to do? Do you need advanced features like vector creation, transparency, layers, and filters? Or do you just need simple edits?

What's your image editor of choice?

Many in the BlogHer community were able to see Jurnee Smollett-Bell (from Friday Night Lights and currently in the incredible series Underground) in action this summer at #BlogHer16, as part of our Smollett Eats. It's a fun look at their family's food traditions—some passed down for generations, and some created brand-new by the next generation.

For the Friday evening keynote at #BlogHerFood16, four of the Smollett siblings—lead chef Jake and party planner extraordinaire Jazz, along with oldest brother Jojo and youngest brother Jocqui—will join us for an interactive keynote. They'll cook for us and dish for us, and generally recreate the convivial chemistry that's so notable in their show.

Image: Food Network

The Smolletts are the kind of family that seems almost too cool to be real. Each of the six siblings (the five mentioned above plus Jussie, star of Empire) is talented, charming, and outspoken. They grew up singing, dancing, and performing together, and they still refer to their tight-knit clan as "Smoll Nation."

They're also all really into food. How did one family become so infused with the love of food and entertaining? How does food bind their family together? I'm sure we all also want to know: How did they pitch, land, and then plan a Food Network show that is basically about the fun things they're doing together? (Dream job, right?)

If you haven't yet caught Smollett Eats on the Food Network, you definitely should. And you should also join us at #BlogHerFood16 as the Smolletts share both cooking tips and family secrets!

Check out the rest of the #BlogHerFood16 agenda and register now!

Elisa Camahort Page
Chief Community Officer, SheKnows Media and BlogHer Co-Founder
elisa.camahortpage@sheknows.com
Twitter: @Elisac
Instagram: @ElisaCP