BOO🎃🎃🎃Happy Halloween!! Do kids *really* need more candy?? Of course not, none of us do. It's just that it's really fun to be silly and wear costumes and have the act of trick-or-treating. So here is what my family does with all that chemical crap storm of sugar and food die wrapped in plastic and disguised as a reward.

The switch witch comes. If you leave your candy outside then she will come and "switch" it for a toy. She Won't come until you want so you can keep it for a day or two and then put it out. If you don't like the term witch it could be a candy fairy instead. I know my kids are beyond thrilled that she comes and would highly prefer a toy over candy. In fact all three of them plan to put it out tonight after consuming a few select pieces. And I am prepped with a fun toy for each of them.

And speaking of choices, think about what you are offering at your doorsrep. Not all offerings have to contain sugar. The dollar store has a selection of toys. stickers or mini travel sized notebooks. Juice boxes or water bottles are a nice refreshing welcome after a long walk! Who says you have to offer crap? If you do want to offer the candy thing perhaps think about companies that don't use GMO junk.

I post a lot about breakfast because it is so important to start off your day with good nutrition. It sets the stage for what the remainder of the day looks like. If you are starting the day with cold cereal or pastries...STOP! Your blood sugar is going through the roof and will be crashing down by late morning, making you crave MORE sugar.

Here is another breakfast suggestion. I make my oats with unsweetened coconut milk and a little bit of real vanilla extract. I top it off with hemp hearts, which are high in healthy Omegas (that our body needs and cannot make on its own), raisins and pumpkin seeds. I usually add some crushes walnuts or cashews when I have them in my kitchen too.

Put it in a large mug and away you go!

I suggest avoiding instant or quick cooking oats as they will not keep you full as long. I like using Bob's Red Mill, gluten-free oats. I also purchase raisins that DO NOT have sugar added to them! Check your labels;).

There is something so therapeutic about making bread. Rolling out the dough, feeling the texture in your hands. It massages your palms and feels so good. It is such a wonderful activity to do with your kids or grandkids too. Then you watch it rise. How cool is that!
I have my kids do the measurements so my oldest learns fractions while my youngest learns how to use caution tapping the flour out of the cups. My middle child loves to mix it all together and get his hands yucky. It's like playdough! This recipe is from my kids school. It is a standard part of the early childhood program. While not gluten free it is simple and very tasty. Especially if you add honey butter to the hot buns! I'm hungry now....

Are you feeling that summer glow starting to fade? A great way to bring a little color back to your skin is through your diet! Foods high in carotenoids are not only great for decreasing disease but also for bringing a little glow back into your skin again! Don't worry...you won't turn into an Oompa Loompa...but it will take away some of that pasty white! Break out the carrots and pumpkin...and stay away from the nasty tanning bed...your aging skin will thank you for it:). What are some of your favorite carotenoid recipes!?!

Fnny timing because I have been craving squash lately. I will often just eat 1/2 a squash as a meal. Sooo yummy with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup and salt and pepper. That is warm and comforting. I will chop in chicken sausage links for my kids. They love maple syrup and sausage so this is a good way to get some orange thrown in too. Oompa Loompa!

NACHOS!!!!!!
My kids LOVE nachos They are so super easy to make and a great appetizer. You can customize it to suit your palate/needs. Spicy or not; Meat or not; Healthy or not...You choose!
Here is the one we whipped up last night. Steps under each photo. This wellness group is about inspiration so feel free to modify the recipe so it works for your family.

Bake your nachos in a skillet, pie or cake pan or even just layered on a cookie sheet.  You will need tortilla chips, beans and/or meat, shredded cheese or vegan cheese, spice from salsa and jalapeño and Mexican spice, toppings like Guac, sour cream, black olives and avocado plus herbs like chives or cilantro.  If using meat, brown it in pot. You can beef up the flavor by adding chopped onion and jalapeño.  Once cooked add your favorite spices. I love a squirt of Tomato paste, a drizzle of broth or water to make it slightly soupy and this Frontier Mexican fiesta spice.  Layer the chips into your baking dish. Add salsa, meat, beans and cheese stacking each on top of each other.  Ground beef or grilled chicken work well. If meatless using different types of beans work great.  Add shredded cheese and Bake at 350 deg until cheese is melted ~about 10 min.  Add pretty and yummy toppings. We used black olives, Guac, sour cream, avocado and fresh chives. Curb appeal or "eating with your eyes" goes a long way!

Did you know that you should be chewing your smoothie...not just drinking it!?! The act of chewing stimulates digestion. It actually causes the gallbladder to release bile, the pancreas to release trypsin and the stomach to release pepsin. All of these are necessary when the body needs to break down the food and allow as many of those delicious nutrients to be absorbed! Next time you make your smoothie, add an avocado for thickness or don't blend it as thoroughly when adding frozen fruit....chew, then swallow!