Whip it Up Wednesday: Halloween Style

Cliche', cliche'...yes I could go with the normal "dirt cupcakes" or the always classic "turn a ding dong into a spider," but I tried to find some unconventional recipes for this segment of "whip it up Wednesday" (Yes it's staying....I got one vote and that's good enough for me). So without further ado...some fun Halloween recipes:

Spiderweb Nacho Spread

The breakdown:This spread only has 252 calories (but I'm betting that doesn't include the chips) Maybe try multigrain chips instead.

Recipe Ingredients
Bean Layer
2 cans (16 oz each) lowfat refried black or pinto beans
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp hot Mexican chili powder
1 tsp minced garlic
3 large plum tomatoes, sliced
Middle Layer
1 1/2 cups thick and chunky salsa
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Mexican cheese blend

Guacamole Layer
4 ripe Hass avocados
3 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp minced red onion
2 large jalapeno chiles, seeded and minced
1 tsp salt
Web
1 cup reduced fat sour cream
Decoration: a clean plastic toy spider
Serve with: blue, yellow, red corn tortilla chips
Recipe Preparation
1. Bean Layer:
Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a medium bowl until well blended. Scrape the mixture onto a 12- to 14-in. round serving plate and smooth into a 10-in. circle with a spatula. Arrange tomato slices around edge of bean layer to make a border.2. Drain salsa in a strainer to get rid of excess juice. Spread over bean mixture, leaving some of the bean layer showing around the edge. Sprinkle cheese over salsa, leaving some of the salsa layer showing.3. Guacamole: Halve avocados; remove seeds and spoon flesh into a medium bowl. Add lime juice, onion, jalapeños and salt, and mash until fairly smooth. Spoon over cheese layer and spread into an even layer.4. Place sour cream in a ziptop bag; seal bag and snip a small tip off one corner. Pipe a spiderweb design over guacamole and onto the plate. Decorate with toy spider. Serve with tortilla chips.Plan Ahead: You can make 4 hours ahead, cover and refridgerate

Of course, because it's nachos, you can make this dip to your own liking...but how great of a party dip is this???

Witches Brew

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
½ oz. Fresh lemon juice
¼ oz. Fresh pomegranate juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
Shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with blueberries and enjoy.

**I will tell you that I change this recipe a bit...instead of simple syrup I add Brut or Extra Dry Champagne, and instead of lemon juice I add fresh lime juice or orange juice.

Of course you can always vary recipes, as well. Like putting green food coloring in your mac-n-cheese so it will look like boogers...I just got really excited about making these now! What foods will you enjoy on Halloween?

Orange, Black, and...Green?

Random thought: For some reason writing that title made me think of Ireland...but nope, it's for Halloween! A green Halloween that is!

**This image was found here**

You may remember last year's green Halloween post...but you probably don't. I created a list of things you can do to save mother earth while saving the green in your wallet, as well, during the holiday. I decided to come back with a few more for this year.

1. Get crafty when decorating by buying biodegradable foods at your local Farmer's market. I know that colors don't always suffice (I just happen to HATE orange) so try painting them white and then adding black designs with eco-friendly (low VOC) paints.
2. If you're throwing a Halloween party, try doing a spread with healthier options like Salsa, hummus, or..yes, if you must have them - sweets. Just try to display them in a wash-n-reuse container instead of having individually wrapped candies and "party bags."
3. If you just can't bare the thought of recycling a costume or don't have the time to make your own -- please...don't get a plastic costume. If you wanna me a mustard bottle...there are other options besides plastic (did I just think up my costume this year?? hmmm...)
4. Try organic or eco-friendly hair and makeup brands. You can probably just get them at Target.

Simple enough, right? How about all my eco-nerds out there...tell me some I might have missed!

Boo-ya!!

As you would probably expect...this week Over the Rainbow is throwing it all over to Halloween. We are already in spirit in my abode.

*taken from my "Thriller" dance performance

*Snoop "THUG LIFE" Bussell (my dog has a grill...I love it)

In loux of the tornados Arkansas received this week, I decided that my Monday topic was going to be safety. You may say "boring," but I personally value my life a little bit and yours as, well so I tried to throw in some tips to remember when you're out having your fun....some things you may not think about...some you might.

1. (IF you're a parent or taking a child out for Halloween) As bad as it sounds, this is just a fact of life now. Get on the internet and check your local state website for sex offenders. Almost every state has one, just do a search for your state sex offender site. Look up your zip code and it should have a list of registered offenders in your area that includes street addresses. Make sure that your kids stay away from these houses!
2. This tip can help you OR your child: pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that it's fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they/you are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision. It's also not a bad idea to make sure your costume is bright and reflective.
3. Beleive it or not...an astounding number of people use Halloween to hurt cats. Animal cruelty should not be tolerated under ANY circumstance. It is also punishable by law, so if you are aware of this activity it is your responsibility to report it to authorities.
4. Eat a filling dinner before hitting up any trick-or-treating or Halloween party. Nutrition is your safety net!
5. For your home: check outdoor lights and sweep walk areas -- especially wet leaves...nobody wants a lawsuit before Christmas!

I do wish you all tons of fun this Halloween! Any other tips people don't often think of? Stay tuned tomorrow for an eco-friendly Halloween, and Wednesday for fun Halloween treats!

****P.S. Boo at the Zoo (Little Rock Zoo) sent me a special offer for 57% off tickets. Here's the website if you're interested.

Freaky Friday...almost

I planned to save this post for the Ides of October (tomorrow), buuuuuttt tomorrow is Blog Action Day! So, I'm spilling the Halloween beans today. Here's what's going on around my place.
(The black flame candle!!!..name that movie). Just a little bit here and there....votes? I'm not a HUGE halloween fan...so this is me getting in the spirit. I want your HONEST opinion, please! :)

Murder of One

I know I haven't been a great blogger lately...and I might as well warn you that it won't get better. My life is INSANE lately...i'm not kidding when I say i'm busy from 8 am-11 pm and at least until 7 pm the rest of the days, my free time is very precious...BUT...I am going to take the time tonight to continue a little bit more about my own personal Halloween decorations.

Here is my "mantle." These lanterns actually can be plugged in to light up, but I never use them for that. their main purpose is to cover up some of our surround sound speaker. Nifty trick, eh? Like I've told you before, I'm not big on decorating for Halloween or thanksgiving. So i can save some dollas by simply turning these Jack-O-Lanterns around to be pumkins again. As for what I will do for the middle section...wait until October ;)

Here is my enterence way table. Simple...and easy transition into Thanksgiving :)
Here is my candy bowl!!! I got it at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off!!! Do you see the Febreeze air effects can in the back?? That is a special Harvest scent and it really puts you in the season!!! It actually last a good while as well!

Sorry this one is so messy (he's clean now) This is a soap dispenser I picked up at Bath and Body works last year. Isn't he cute?? :)

That's about it!! sometime (hopefully tomorrow) I will post about my porch decoration....and my pumpkin carving adventures!! Do ya'll have any great decorating suggestions?? ps..i need a halloween outfit...suggestions????? Oh.. and my strange status? here's where it's from :)

Cause that's the thrill of- thriller nights!

I'm a nerd for holiday-decor! I've been looking for new, fun inspiration in decorating for Halloween: I think I've found out it...check it out!







These are simply, folgers or regular canned goods. All you do is take a hammer, nail, and make the pattern of your choice. Add a candle (soy preferrably) and line your sidewalk! Cute and Simple..which is always a plus here! Where else do you think would be a great place to put these??









We love christmas tress...but how about a Halloween tree? Pick out a branch of your liking. Spray paint it black and stick it in a pot. The black rocks can be purchased from the craft section of Walmart. then add some cute little bags as ornaments! Why not fill them with your favorite treats and enjoy your own 13 days of Halloween? It's also a fun countdown, don't you think?

What a fun twist on the an old classic! paint cute light fixtures on a pumpkin and let your light shine through! Want a real challenge? try to make a chandelier!! (I might try to tackle this one):)

I LOVE these, I am definitley making one of these with my Pumpkin Carving Kit ($3.99 at Kroger's!). What an awesome way to display Your initials! Get creative!!! How about your house number?? :)

HOW ABOUT SOME HOLIDAY RECIPES??

I have to write about these first, my mom use to make these for me and it brought back some great memories. they are just lolipops with a white napkin tied over them...they were my favorite:) miss you mom!

My boo loves ribs, how cute is this idea??? simply yet very seasonal!!

How cute is this cake??? I will more than likely make it and

let you know how it goes!!!

So do you guys have any ideas for Halloween decor or recipes??? What

is your favorite way to celebrate??

Going green for Halloween

I am a DORK when it comes to holidays (in fact...on my blog list I have more bl0g ideas for Christmas than all of the others put together!). I love everything about holidays: tradition, community, stories, decorations, spirt. The only 2 bad things about them are calorie intakes and they aren't always fantastic for the environment. Well hopefully I can at least help with one of those!!



1. If you decorate with lights, try LED lights instead (simple enough?)



2. Try to use household items to recycle into a costume! last year, I put on some black pants, a white v-neck tshirt, and black shoes. I got some kid leggings (I have no idea why those were still in my possession), cut off the legs and put 5 holes where i could wear them as fingerless gloves(I know it sounds weird but it was quite dashing). Then I cut jagged shapes out of old cereal boxes and mixed acrylic paint with medium to make it look like blood, and splashed it all over my shirt. Can you guess what I was? A "cereal" (serial) killer!! Everyone thought it was crafty and it was 100% recycled! (sorry, no pictures...)



3. Safety first!! use battery-free LED flashlight instead! You'll be safe and green :)



4. After carving your Jack-O-Lantern, use soy-candles.



5. try organic candy (I need to do some research of how available this is in the area). Also, use a recycled bag or pillow case intead of plastic to carry your goods :)





6. HERE"S THE BEST PART: I found the COOLEST thing: Trees for Treats offers a way to help the environment in addition to candy. Here's how it works: Adults buy “tree coupons” (bundles of 50 for $6 at .10 a piece) and give away to trick-or-treaters in addition to or instead of conventional treats. For each bundle sold, 50 trees are planted. How sweet is that? here is what the coupon looks like:





I am SO all about this!!! How about you?? Any more tips for ways to stay green even in the fall??