Tricks and Treats with Halloween Sweets
B-O-O Brownie Pops
Halloween Goldfish Munch
Family Crossings – The bewitching season is here! Gather the goblins, conjure up some creative costumes and prepare scary, scrumptious sweets for a great ghostly gathering.
Making these frighteningly fabulous party treats together is a perfect way for mom and the kids to share some spooktacular fun.
- Cast a spell right from the start with a Happy Haunted House. Begin with a ready-to-decorate Halloween Cookie House Kit available at craft and hobby stores. The house is pre-assembled; just decorate and enjoy!
- B-O-O Pops are easy…nothing sinister here! Use a brownie mix for convenience and bake in the Brownie Pop Silicone Mold to ensure perfect pops. The kids can insert the lollipop sticks, then dip pops into the colorful Candy Melts. Decorating sprinkles and sugars add the finishing flourish.
- Goldfish Halloween Munch is a snappy party snack or a tantalizing take-away for ghoulish guests. Kids can mix the Goldfish crackers (graham and pretzel flavors), with nuts and dried fruits while Mom melts the Spooky Green Candy for drizzling.
Add favorite beverages and let the spookalicious party begin!
For additional information about Goldfish Grahams, recipes and nutrition information, visit www.pepperidgefarm.com.
Find more ways to bake, decorate and celebrate, or order the Halloween Cookie House Kit at www.wilton.com.
B-O-O Brownie Pops
Ingredients
- 1 package (about 16 ounces) brownie mix (8 x 8-inch size)
- Egg, water and oil to prepare mix
- 48 lollipop sticks
- Wilton Orange, Spooky Green and Light Cocoa Candy Melts
- Wilton Spider Mix, Hallow Pumpkin Mix, Halloween Nonpareil Sprinkles, and Orange, Black and Lavender Sugars, as desired
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray brownie pop mold with vegetable pan spray; place on cookie sheet.
- Prepare brownie mix following package directions. Spoon batter into prepared brownie pop mold, filling cavities 2/3 full. Bake 15 minutes. Remove mold from oven; insert lollipop sticks. Return to oven and continue baking 10 to 15 minutes or until brownies test done. Cool brownies in mold on cooling grid 20 minutes; remove from mold and cool completely.
- Melt each color candy following package instructions. Dip cooled pops into melted candy, covering completely. While the candy is still soft, sprinkle with or dip pops into sprinkles and sugars. Place on parchment paper to set.
Serves
Makes 48 pops
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Note: If desired, bake brownies completely without inserting stick. After brownies have cooled, dip lollipop sticks into melted candy and insert into either end of brownie. Let set before decorating.
Halloween Goldfish Munch
Ingredients
- 3 packages (6.6 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon, Chocolate or Honey Goldfish Grahams (or any combination)
- 1 package (8 ounces) Pepperidge Farm Pretzel Goldfish Snack Crackers
- 1 can (10 ounces) salted mixed nuts
- 1 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 2 packages (10 ounces each) Wilton
- Spooky Green Candy Melts
Preparation
- In large bowl, combine crackers, nuts, apricots and raisins; divide between 2 large cookie pans.
- Melt candy following package directions; drizzle over snack mixture. Refrigerate until firm.
- Break apart and store in airtight container until ready to serve.
Serves
Makes about 14 cups treat mix
Family Crossings- Celeste LaBonte’s knee gave out one day at home. Her orthopedist told the Blackstone, Mass. mom that the knee damage was caused by her excessive weight.
Celeste found that, at 294 pounds, she had to use a seat belt extender on planes and that she had a difficult time going up stairs. But it wasn’t until she learned of her husband’s upcoming professional award and imagined embarrassment at the ceremony that she decided to make a big change.
Celeste isn’t alone. With challenges to the body like a slowing metabolism, stress, childbearing and easy access to less than nutritional food, it’s no wonder that so many women struggle with their weight.
Weight can affect your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, being overweight increases your risk for a host of health problems, including:
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)
The Search for a Solution
Millions of dollars are spent each year on diet programs, yet up to 95 percent of dieters fail to maintain weight loss. There is often an initial loss of weight, but then many people hit a plateau and stop losing weight. Another problem with many diets is that people just can’t maintain a diet long-term.
But many of those programs are based on a flawed premise: if you simply eat less and move more, then you’ll be smaller. There’s more to it than that.
Metabolism Matters
When calories are restricted, your metabolism drops. When this happens, you hit a plateau and the pounds stop coming off. In order to break through that plateau, most diets call for a further reduction in calories. This lowers the metabolism more, requiring a lifetime of low-calorie dieting to maintain your goal weight.
Celeste joined Curves, a fitness franchise designed for women. She signed up for their free weight management plan, which takes metabolism changes into account. She’s lost over 60 pounds so far.
“The Curves plan has changed how I think about food,” said Celeste. “It helped me jump-start my weight loss, and I’ve been following the essentials of the plan ever since.” She also found that the program, combined with 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, improved her cholesterol, blood pressure, acid reflux and knee pain.
The Real Key to Weight Loss
“The secret is not willpower or self discipline,” says Nadia Rodman, senior dietician for Curves, “but rather a proper understanding of how we can change our behavior, or, more specifically, our habits.”
Rodman believes that women can take charge of their health and combat the effects of aging and disease. “We’re about fitness, health, and moving away from disease,” she says. “We’re about losing weight and gaining strength. In a community of support and encouragement, you can reach your goals.”
Celeste has a new vision of herself. “I’d always be looking around, asking myself, ‘Am I the fattest person in the room?’ This has changed the way I view myself. I’ve always been happy, but now it’s about having fun, not making fun of myself.”
Picking a Plan
According to the Weight-Control Information Network, safe and effective weight-loss programs should include:
- Healthy eating plans that reduce calories but do not forbid specific foods or food groups.
- Tips to increase moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Tips on healthy habits that also keep your needs in mind, such as lower-fat versions of your favorite foods.
- Slow and steady weight loss. Depending on your starting weight, experts recommend losing weight at a rate of 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. Weight loss may be faster at the start of a program.
- A plan to keep the weight off after you have lost it.
Plan the Solution
From the book “Curves Fitness and Weight Management Plan”:
Setting goals is a must. Your goals must be specific, written, exciting and achievable. Begin by asking yourself these questions:
- What personal strengths will help you succeed?
- What are your triggers for making poor food choices?
- How can you manage those triggers more effectively?
- What time of day will you take a 30-minute walk?
- What are your biggest fears about starting a new plan?
- How could you proactively address those fears?
How One Plan Works
The Curves Weight Management Plan is a cycle made up of three phases.
- Phases 1 and 2 are weight loss phases that you use for a combined 30 days.
- Phase 3 is two to four weeks of metabolic recovery.
Research has shown that by following a strength training program, such as the one offered by Curves, and eating a higher protein diet, metabolism is not significantly decreased. Sometimes, it actually increases – making it easier to burn fat and maintain permanent weight loss.
For more about the free weight management classes – available to non-members as well as members – visit your local Curves or curves.com.
How much will owning a pet cost? How much time do I really need to devote to a pet? These are questions potential pet owners should ask prior to adopting. However, not everyone takes the time to assess the responsibilities and requirements associated with pet ownership, increasing the likelihood a pet will be surrendered to an animal welfare organization. Sometimes a pet is given up for hardship reasons such as displacement after a natural disaster or home foreclosure. But one of the biggest and more controllable factors affecting pet relinquishment is a lack of knowledge on the owner’s part.
The good news is pet relinquishment is often preventable through education. Potential pet adopters who truly evaluate their situations and get answers to important questions before bringing pets into their homes can increase their chances of a permanent pet adoption.
– In 2003, a student’s discovery of 8.5 fluid ounces of elemental mercury in an unlocked chemistry cabinet forced a high school in Washington, D.C., to close for 35 days. The cleanup cost more than $1 million.
In August 2008, a school janitor spilled two gallons of hydrochloric acid at the Edison Technical and Occupational Education Center in Rochester, N.Y. One employee inhaled the fumes and had to be taken to the hospital for evaluation.
From elementary school maintenance closets to high school chemistry labs, outdated, unknown or unneeded amounts of hazardous or inappropriate chemicals are found in K-12 schools across the nation, potentially putting students and staff at risk.
Learning about the chemistry in the world around us is essential to a well-rounded education, yet many lab chemicals, if mismanaged, can be hazardous to students and school staff. Ceramics kilns are sometimes vented directly into schools, releasing carbon monoxide, metal fumes and ozone. The use of flammable and volatile products by maintenance staff can pose fire safety issues and affect the indoor air quality.
Other potential hazards found in public schools have included:
- cyanide salts
- water reactive metals such as sodium, lithium and potassium
- arsenic
- flammable materials such as paint thinner
- radioactive materials such as thorium nitrate and uranium tetrachloride
In addition to the presence of hazardous materials, more risk comes when school staff is not properly trained in the hazards associated with them, and where there is a lack of protective equipment or health and safety practices.
Bar·gain [bahr-guh n] – noun: an advantageous purchase, a great deal, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost.
These days, people are getting more creative with how they spend. When it comes to shopping, many are turning to the Internet for great deals on seasonal items, trendy fashions and the latest in tech gear.
One popular shopping resource is eBay. With more than 88 million worldwide users each month, it has long been known as a place to find deals on new and used items.
Three eBay insiders – Constance White, style director, Cat Schwartz, gadget and toy director and Karen Bard, pop culture expert – have some tips to help deal-hunters in their quest for the hottest items and the best bargains this year.
What to Shop For
Savvy shoppers should look for deals in these trend areas this year:
Family Staycation. Cat Schwartz: “This year, more families are trading the family vacation for a staycation. Look for the latest toys and gadgets at a great value to make this year’s backyard vacation more fun than ever.”
Bring Sexy Back. Constance White: “Shop by look rather than by designer label and then choose the brand with the best price. Keep an eye out for those body-hugging dresses and bold Ikat prints!”
What’s Hot. Karen Bard: “What’s old is new again. The 80s are back! Look for nostalgic, vintage and pre-loved pop culture classics – from retro clothing to vintage Madonna albums.”
Rules of Savvy Searching
To make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for keep these insider search tips in mind.
“The key is in the keyword search,” says White. “To find the best deals, be specific with your search terms. Instead of searching for shoes in general, try searching by designer, style, trend or even intentionally misspell the brand name to unearth hidden gems.”
Schwartz advises, “Consider searching pre-owned, re-furbished or used products, as well. Buying these goods eliminates waste going to landfills and scores you a great deal on a unique find.”
Bidding and buying strategies also play a key role in how much you’ll pay and how soon you’ll get the item. The basic strategies are:
Daily Deals. Follow eBay’s Daily Deals, hot items at steep discounts. Visit http://deals.ebay.com to sign up for the Daily Deals e-mail, and information about the freshest deals will be delivered directly to your inbox every day.
Buy It Now. Buy the item at a fixed price, and forgo the auction process. “Buy It Now is an easy way to make a quick purchase without bidding,” says Schwartz. “Use this option to purchase the item at a guaranteed low price.”
Bid Early. In auction-style listings, bidding early with the absolute highest price you are willing to pay (a true maximum bid) allows eBay’s Automatic Bidding to do the work for you.
Watch, Wait, Bid Late. “Another approach to auction-style listings is to watch the listing,” says Bard. “Most bidding takes place at the end of the auction. Bide your time; you’ll get alerts when items you are watching are ending soon so you don’t miss out.”
Whether you’re an eco-conscious fashionista or are trying to keep up with the latest tech trends, being a savvy shopper can get you what you want without breaking the bank.
For more information and to find great deals on must-have items, visit ebay.com.
Make Extra Cash
Thinking about selling some items to make extra money? You’re not alone.
An eBay survey from 2008 by Harris Interactive found that:
- One in 10 U.S. adults (11 percent) is currently selling personal or household items to generate extra cash, with the majority (59 percent) doing so via online sales or auction sites like eBay.
- Thirty percent of all U.S. adults say they are likely to sell their personal or household items over the next three months to earn extra money.
eBay just made it easier for casual sellers to make some extra cash, risk-free. Now, you can post up to five eBay listings free every 30 days. Visit ebay.com for more information.
In these tough economic times, people throughout the country are looking for innovative ways to get involved in their local communities, enrich lives and make a real difference. Fortunately for everyone, as the charitable spirit continues to spread throughout the U.S., getting involved has become easier and less expensive than ever as corporations, nonprofits, schools and even our own administration have actively encouraged citizens worldwide to volunteer their free time to those who need it most.
When it comes to volunteering, there is no right or wrong way to get involved. Rather, there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your everyday life and really make it count. Here are a few small things to consider when looking for opportunities that make a big impact.
Find an employer that fosters volunteerism.
Many corporations are moving towards the trend of offering their employees volunteer opportunities throughout the year. For example, team members at Target have volunteered millions of hours to community projects, from assembling and distributing disaster relief kits to reading to young people and helping makeover local school libraries. When researching a potential employer, look to see if they have an organized volunteer program. Or if your current employer doesn’t offer a company-wide volunteer program, consider starting one.
Make it a family affair.
As family vacation and activity budgets shrink, find a fun volunteer event that’s not only free but allows your family to play their part on making the world a better place. Many people find that giving to the community can be a rewarding and exciting way to instill values in children, encourage teamwork and foster a positive attitude within the home. Working together as a family is especially rewarding when you choose to support an organization that has special significance or meaning.
Find a cause that inspires you.
Identify an organization or cause in your community that matters to you most. To find a great place to volunteer in your area use Web services, like VolunteerMatch, which are dedicated to bringing together good people and good causes. VolunteerMatch offers an array of programs to support community and civic service 365 days a year, and any nonprofit organization can join its network.
Change the world…one simple act at a time.
The old saying ‘no good deed goes unnoticed’ is true to its core. It’s not about a huge cash donation, but rather finding those small, yet everlasting ways to touch people’s lives, like grocery shopping for the elderly or driving the local neighborhood kids to their sporting events. Truly no effort is too small.
Grow your skills.
The great thing about volunteer work is that it’s not only good for the cause, but also for the people who donate their time. Volunteerism is a way to develop new skills, discover new areas of interest and connect with other people in the community.
Don’t over-commit your time.
Remember to let volunteering be a fun and rewarding part of your day. If you’re short on time, consider virtual volunteering. Utilize your online skills to help students with homework questions, electronically visit with someone who is homebound or in the hospital, or design a newsletter or brochure for a nonprofit. Whatever you do, make sure it’s a choice – that’s why it’s called volunteer work!
For more information on Target’s volunteer program, visit www.target.com/community. Or to find volunteer opportunities in your area, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
Nutrition 101: Get Smart About Veggies for Back to School
The start of another school year means parents will be looking for ways to set their children up for success in the classroom, including making sure kids are getting healthy fuel for their bodies and minds. With approximately 84 percent of kids trading lunch items with their friends at school*, it’s important parents fill their children’s lunchboxes with items that are both nutritious and enticing.
As a registered dietitian, childhood nutrition expert and mom, Jodie Shield knows first-hand the challenge of ensuring kids eat nutritiously – especially during school hours – but says it’s all about engaging children in the process of proper nutrition and keeping veggies yummy.
Shield has put together some creative tips and fun activities to help get kids excited about eating and loving vegetables.
Take a Dip: Make veggie eating fun and more flavorful by serving ready-to-eat veggie sticks with delicious dips, like low-fat ranch dressing, hummus, pesto, honey mustard or peanut butter.
Teach from Store to Snack: Let your kids help fill the shopping cart at the grocery store with vegetables they’d like to try. And ask them to guess how much four apples weigh, then weigh the fruit to see if they were close. At home, let them help prepare their own lunch. They’ll be proud of the meal they made come lunchtime at school.
Play with Your Food: Combine snack time with activity time. Create veggie critters as an after-school treat by assembling a variety of pre-cut vegetables with ranch dressing “paste” into bug shapes.
For more great back-to-school recipes, creative nutrition tips and fun activities, visit LoveYourVeggies.com.
*American Dietetic Association, August 2004Veggie Critters
Ingredients
You’ll need
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 2 8-ounce tubs reduced fat cream cheese
- A wide variety of chopped, colorful vegetables such as asparagus, cherry tomatoes, crinkle cut carrots, baby carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, shredded carrots and olives
Preparation
- Add the seasoning mix to the cream cheese.
- Stir until well combined.
- Using a variety of vegetables – and a little imagination – you can build critters with your child.
Serves
Serves: Several hungry after-school snackers
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Ideas:
Butterflies: Use asparagus for the body. Use the ranch and cream cheese mixture to attach crinkle-cut carrots for wings, and add decorations to the wings with bits of bell pepper.
Lady Bugs: Slice a cherry tomato in half. Use the ranch and cream cheese mixture to attach the tomato to a slice of cucumber or eggplant; attach the other cherry tomato half for the head. Then attach lady bug spots with bits of olive.
Caterpillars: Cut cauliflower into florets. Use the ranch and cream cheese mixture to attach the pieces of cauliflower together. Then attach shredded carrot for legs and asparagus for antennae.
Note: Since there will plenty of the ranch mixture leftover, store it in the refrigerator. It makes a delicious veggie dip.
