Pumpkin Spice Parfait

This parfait is a super easy, super yummy treat…perfect for breakfast, a mid day snack, or dessert! Its tastes rich and creamy...it should be spoon fed to you or someone else. I cant get over how cute it is and I want to give them out to everyone I know. That won't happen though. Get over it...and make your own..at least I'm giving you the recipe!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 C canned pumpkin
2 T dark brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/8 t ground ginger
1/4 t salt
1/4 t vanilla extract
1/2 C 0% plain greek yogurt
1 small apple, peeled and chopped
1/4 C walnuts
1/4 C cranberries

DIRECTIONS
In a small pan over medium heat place the apple and brown sugar and then cover and allow to cook until soft.

In a small bowl, mix pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and vanilla.

In a bowl, cup or mason jar, layer the yogurt, the pumpkin, the apples, the walnuts and the cranberries. See, super easy and ready to eat!!

Smoky Beef Chili

The weather is cooling down and this is such a perfect hearty healthy meal.  Makes me think of a Seinfeld episode I saw a few days ago when Jerry and Elaine are arguing over whether or soup is a meal..and it depends on if its hearty or if its a bowl or a cup. Great episode..  Well this soup Jerry is a freaking meal. I won't be a soup nazi..soup for you!

The nice thing about chili is that you can kind of just kick back and let it work its own magic. Vegetable and meat worlds collide into this perfect marriage of hearty goodness while you just sit back and do whatever gnarly thing is that you do and then you come back to find perfection just waiting for you. Hi perfection, you are delicious!  I usually won't touch leftovers with a ten foot pole but this ...now this I would get involved with. As should you. 

Feed the hungry with this hearty bowl of perfection.

Ingredients

3 lbs ground chuck

2 c. chopped onion

1 red bell pepper

2 large garlic cloves

1 tbsp tabasco

2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

6 c. beef cooking stock

1 ( 29 oz) can tomato sauce

1 ( 15 oz) can tomato sauce

2 ( 15.5 oz) cans pinto beans, drained

3 tbsp chili powder

2 tbsp ground ancho chile pepper

salt

Shredded cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, Scallions

In a large dutch oven, combine beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapenos. Cook over medium high heat until beef is browned and crumbly.  Drain well

Add beef stock, tomato sauce, beans, chili powder and chili pepper. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until thickened.  Salt, pepper and tabasco to taste. Garnish with fixings, high five yourself, your awesome and now so is your chili.

33 Ways to Stay Creative

Supplement-Me

There are so many supplements on the market today, which are right for you? You workout, you’re eating right, now time to go out and purchase some supplements to optimize your performance and metabolism.

First get a good multi vitamin..and then power up with the following:

Calcium: Its probably the most important supplement for a woman. Calcium is essential for bone development and can help alleviate the symptoms of PMS. On top of that dairy foods high in calcium have been shown to play a role in energy metabolism. Women age 19 - 50 should get 1000 mg of calcium per day.

Whey protein: is second must have supplement on your list, is isolated from dairy milk and is considered the highest quality protein available. WPI provides the richest content of amino acids all in a convenient powder format. Whey protein can be used as a source of protein for a quick meal or can be added to almost any food to supplement your protein needs. Try a peanut butter and chocolate whey protein shake!

Fish oils: Fish Oils are derived from the fat of cold water, deep-sea fish and is a source of Omega-3, which is an essential fatty acid that contains DHA and EPA. They are essential for your body to make new cells, particularly brain and nerve cells. Omega-3 fatty acid is an important nutrient for maintaining a healthy heart, brain and nervous system, as well as helping to reduce inflammation in joints and maintaining flexibility - something all active people need. Use a minimum of 3g daily.

Antioxidants: Work to decrease the harmful effects of free radicals produced by the body through a process of oxidation. By binding to active receptor sites on free radicals, antioxidants act like scavengers, neutralizing free radicals damaging effects in our body.  Common antioxidants can be found in the foods we eat, however supplements such as grape seed extract, green tea extract and lycopene isolated from tomatoes offer potent and concentrated forms of antioxidants without the added calories.

Arginine: An amino acid that the body cannot make naturally is involved in many processes including hormone secretion, the removal of toxic waste products, improving sexual function and immune defense. But perhaps the best use of arginine is its ability to produce nitric oxide, through the property of vasodilatation. Supplementing with arginine can help increase vasodilatation of blood vessels resulting in better transfer of important nutrients to the muscle, and ultimately aiding in growth and repair. Arginine can be found on it's own but can also be found in many popular pre-workout products.

Glutamine: Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, found in abundance in the human body. Glutamine has been shown to aid in recovery, reduce protein catabolism and increase protein metabolism. Its presence is found in the blood, gut and the skeletal muscles and is used as a main source of fuel for the immune system. Glutamine is considered by some as being conditionally essential, particularly in states of injury or compromised immune function. After training, injury to the muscle cells occurs, causing our immune systems to induce the recovery process to help repair tissue damage to muscles.

Green tea extract: An extract of green tea has been found to significantly increase energy expenditure and have an effect of fat oxidation. This exact extract was found to increase overall energy expenditure by 35%! The catechins in green tea extract, especially one known as ECGC (Epigallocatechin Gallate) protect your body against respiratory and digestive infections, short circuit the reproduction of cancerous cells, help lower high blood pressure, reduce the levels of LDL and total cholesterol in your blood, and – believe it or not – helps fight cavities.

Vitamin B12: is one of the top ten health supplements because it strengthens the immune system and helps relieve the effects of physical and mental stress on the body.

Co Q10: Since its discovery in 1957, CO Q10 (ubiquinone) has been widely studied. It’s a component in the mitochondria in every cell in your body, where it seems to function as an antioxidant. Among the benefits associated with taking health supplements containing CO Q10 are fewer and less severe migraines, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increased energy and heightened immune system.

Dirtiest Surfaces in U.S.

Barf right?

A new study that analyzed "germ hotspots" in six U.S. metropolitan areas identified which commonly touched surfaces are teeming with the most illness-causing bacteria.

For the study—which was conducted by the University of Arizona —hygienists swabbed 350 of the most frequently touched surfaces in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia.

The researchers then tested the swabs' ATP levels, which indicate contamination by animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast, and mold cells. Objects that had an ATP reading of 300 or higher were deemed to have an increased risk of illness transmission.

The results showed that the following surfaces had high levels of contamination:

• 71% of gas pump handles;
• 68% of mailbox handles;
• 43% of escalator rails;
• 41% of ATM buttons;
• 40% of parking meters and kiosks;
• 35% of crosswalk buttons; and 
• 35% of vending machine buttons.

Keep it clean and keep it classy people. Winter flu season is coming up and that ish is unforgiving. Do yourself and the rest of humanity a favor and carry around some anti bac hand cleanser. Thanking you.

Pear and Blood Orange Martini

Be the hostess with the mostess with this cocktail from one of my fave restaurants in LA. RED O.

The mixologist there stirred up this bad boy and let me tell you what...he is tasty.

Pear and Blood Orange Martini Makes uno

Ingredients

2 oz. pear vodka
2 oz. Italian blood orange soda
½ oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur
4 drops Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters ( or leave em out)


1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and serve in a glass.
3. Receive compliments.

Day of the Dead Blood Orange Margarita

Few things make me happier than a margarita. Why not have tequila bring people together? So without further ado...

Blood Orange Margaritas

makes 8 stiff drinks

2 1/2 cups silver tequila

1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice

1 cup cointreau

1/4 cup simple syrup

Stir all ingredients in a pitcher. Put out glasses, a bowl of ice and lime & blood orange wedges, for garnish. Let guests pour over ice and enjoy.

We like an especially tart margarita, if you like something sweeter, increase the amount of simple syrup, up to 3/4 of a cup.

Bottoms up!

Gyro Jalapeno Poppers

Appetizer of my dreams ( where is the man?? )  — gyro jalapeno poppers, stuffed with red onion, oregano, and ground lamb. My stomach made the ultimate vote. Boom.

Prepping jalapenos for poppers can be a bit gnarly. By the fourth chile or so, I could feel it gripping the back of my throat and olfactory system. But the end result is so very worth it...ahhh...as is everything in life. Just gotta go through a little pain to get there..this one's no different baby.

Ingredients

12 jalapeño peppers
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup cooked ground lamb
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt


Directions

1. Heat the oven to broil and arrange a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
2. Lay a jalapeño on your work surface so that it sits flat without rolling. Make two cuts forming a "T" by first slicing down the middle fo the chile lengthwise from stem to tip, then making a second cut perpendicular to the first about 1/4 inch from the stem, slicing only halfway through the chile (be careful not to cut off the stem end completely). Carefully expose the flaps to expose the interior of the chile, and, using a butter knife or a small measuring spoon, scrape the inside to remove the seeds and ribs. Repeat with the remaining peppers; set aside.
3. Place the cream cheese, lamb, onion, oregano, and salt in a medium bowl, season with freshly ground pepper, and mix until smooth and evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to a quart-sized resealable plastic bag, cut one bottom corner off to make a 3/4-inch-wide opening, and squeeze the mixture into the chiles until just filled (be careful not to overfill). Insert a toothpick widthwise through each chile to secure the flaps and filling. Place the filled chiles on the prepared baking sheet in two evenly spaced rows of six.
4. Broil for 4 minutes, rotate the pan, and continue to broil until the peppers are starting to char and the filling is browned and bubbly, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the oven, and remove the toothpicks if desired. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Tinsel Tips

I love twisting a good classic. Makes me wanna put on some lipstick, a dress and rock these nails.

Fast, Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Peanut Butter Waffle

Instead of dousing a whole-grain or bran toaster waffle in syrup, cut the sugar and boost the protein and fiber by spreading it with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. You can also sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of raisins, sesame seeds, or extra peanuts for even more fiber, which helps deliver nutrients slowly and steadily.

Strawberry Shake

In a shaker or a magic bullet, combine a packet of vanilla or strawberry instant-breakfast powder (look for the no-sugar-added kind, such as Carnation) and 1 cup of low-fat strawberry milk or soy milk. (You can also mix this the night before.) If you have time, use a blender/magic bullet to add strawberries or a frozen banana, for extra fiber, and a scoop of protein powder.

Egg McMuffin

Yes, you read that right. If you must eat fast food in the morning, get an Egg McMuffin at McDonald's. At 300 calories, it's not an outrageous meal. Plus it has a good amount of lean protein from the egg and the Canadian bacon. To trim empty calories, remove the top half of the muffin. For additional fiber, add a fresh orange.

Easy Peasy Pumpkin Brownies

Here is a delish fall dessert that combines pumpkin with brownies. The spiciness of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne in the pumpkin layer complements the sweetness of the rich brownie layer. Pumpkin pie is great but can be so boring so here's a fresh take on the best of both worlds.



Layered Pumpkin Brownies

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or other nuts

 
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.
4. Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl. In other bowl, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don't set.
5. With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with nuts.
6. Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.

Oui! Oui!

I found the most adorable jewelry  on STREET BAUBLE! I die. There is so much cool shit on Etsy I could spend countless hours wasting my life on there.

ps- street bauble is having an october giveaway. the winner can pick anything $50 or below, including this ring! check all the details on their facebook page. good luck!

Oui please!

Objects of Desire

Ugh. Want. Want and more want. This week's outfit inspiro's. If only I had $957938568204857 ...

Truth

To often we do not say what we are feeling in our hearts and we hold back our true words of love, courage and compassion that should be said. When you become courageous enough to express the Truth of how you are really feeling,  you set yourself free and align with the vibration of your Truth. This is when miracles, synchronicities and amazing things begin to happen. At first it might be a little rough because you are clearing out everything that isn't true for you. But it's my promise to you dear friend that once you've reached a clean slate, your Truth will set you free, your Truth will make you happy and your Truth will always provide for you. My biggest promise to you is that your Truth will deliver a life greater than you have imagined. All you have to do is let go of what is not true for you and let it in what is.

- Jackson Kiddard

Up did's

Just.Cant.Get.Enough.

Clever Organizing Tricks & Storage Ideas

Use Shower Curtain Hooks

If space allows, place hooks on a closet bar and hang purses from them to keep your carryalls at eye level. Say good-bye to a mess of accessories on your closet floor.

Use a Tissue Box

Dispense plastic grocery bags with ease by stuffing empties into an old tissue box stored under the sink; simply pull out one when you need it. For a slimmer solution, try a cardboard paper-towel tube.

Use a Paper Towel Holder

Marathon gift wrapping? For easy access to ribbon, slide spools onto a paper towel stand’s post. Stack them from largest to smallest, bottom to top. When done, tape the ribbon ends to their spools to keep them neat.

Use Velcro Tape

 

·      Use a Tension Rod

To keep pot lids from rattling around and getting lost in kitchen drawers, position a short tension rod to create a divider. Stack pots and pans in the larger section and lean lids against the rod on the smaller side.

Use a Coat Rack

Hang your best-loved (and most frequently worn) necklaces and bracelets within easy reach on a wall-mounted coat rack. Bonus: They’ll stay tangle-free when not decorating your neck. Or mount corkboard—available in various sizes—on a wall and drape necklaces from straight pins.

Use a Desk Organizer

Sort cookie sheets, cutting boards, and jelly-roll pans in the kitchen for easy access (and no more cymbal-crashing sounds) in an overstuffed cabinet.

Dish Towel as a Wine Bag

Place the bottle along one side of the fabric so that the bottle’s top meets the top of the fabric. Fold the excess material at the bottom over the bottle, forming a pocket of sorts. Then roll the dish towel evenly and secure at the neck with ribbon.

Gift Box as Cupcake Carrier

If the forecast calls for iced roadways, stabilize your sweet cargo by cutting X’s into the tops of gift boxes and inserting the cupcakes. (A shirt box will hold about eight.)

Greeting Cards as Gift Tags

Create a gift tag by cutting a greeting card down to size, then punch a hole in the corner and slide a ribbon through it.

Neutral Nail Polish for Every Occasion

Deborah Lippmann in Naked

The name doesn’t lie—this barely-there hue is the perfect nude. When you don’t want to fully commit to a bold shade or you wanna be a classy bitch.

To buy: $16, lippmanncollection.com.

Zoya Nail Polish in Minka

For a little shimmer in your life, use this iridescent creamy hue. This version of glitter lacquer won’t take you back to grade school, but instead adds a little pizzazz.

To buy: $8, zoya.com.

Butter London in Hail to the Queen

Sip your tea with prim and polished tips with this opaque beige that is so soft it’s fit for—who else?—a queen.

To buy: $14, butterlondon.com.



 

 Essie in Glamour Purse

For those of you that usually gravitate towards pale pinks, try this almond taupe that is a neutral version of your standard pastel. It looks especially good with olive skin tones.

To buy: $8, ulta.com.