Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds (from 2 medium pumpkins), rinsed and patted dry
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Heat oven to 300° F. Spread the seeds on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until dry throughout, 50 to 60 minutes.
2. Increase oven temperature to 350° F. In a large bowl, toss the seeds with the butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Return the seeds to the baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

Wicked Witch Apple Punch

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit
1 750 ml bottle sparkling apple cider
1 64 oz. bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1 Liter ginger ale
2 cups pineapple juice
Red apple slices

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large black witch’s cauldron with ice and stir.
2. Garnish with large slices of red apple floating on top and if desired, dry ice.

Eat, Drink and Be scary.

Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

If you don't have the time or patience or you are cooking multiple things at once, these may just be perfect for you . So you've just decided to host a Halloween party and you've got no time to plan. Voila! On Saturday afternoon, before you put on your costume, you can throw together some festive yet uncomplicated snacks and make these cupcakes. Shhh, don't tell anyone: the recipe uses a boxed yellow cake mix, meaning these mini cakes will be ready to bake in minutes. The addition of pumpkin pie spice and canned pumpkin puree, in combo w/ cream cheese frosting, will fool your peeps into thinking you slaved for hours on these bad boys.  Garnish with a single piece of candy corn and surround a pumpkin with them.  Easy peasy.

Ingredients

1 18.5-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus the ingredients called for in the package directions)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 8-ounce bars cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
24 pieces candy corn
 
Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Prepare the cake mix as directed but with the following change: Add the pumpkin pie spice and substitute the can of pumpkin puree for the water called for in the package directions.
3. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool.
4. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Spread on the cupcakes and top each with a piece of candy corn.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Green Tea Goodness

We all know that green tea is super good for us.Three cups a day has even been shown to help women with cancer to reduce their risk of cancer recurrence by more than 30 percent. And many weight-loss drugs promote that properties in green help to burn fat.  While there has been some research on green tea and fat burning, a new study makes a pretty compelling case to add a few cups of green tea to your day.

Researchers found that when obese mice were fed a compound found in green tea along with a high-fat diet, they gained weight significantly more slowly (45 percent!) than mice who weren't fed green tea. The special green-tea compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate — known more commonly as EGCG — is an antioxidant found in most green teas.

While the green tea research did not find that EGCG reduced appetite, researchers believe that green tea may slow down weight gain in humans and serve as another tool in the fight against obesity. Although a person would need to drink ten cups of green tea each day to match the amount of EGCG used in the mice study, researchers say that just a few cups a day of green tea could help control weight.

I'll drink to that!

3 Reasons Why You're Not Losing Weight at the Gym

You go to the gym..work out, but you still aren't losing any weight. What gives? It's a frustrating scenario but not an impossible one to change. Here are three reasons why you aren't losing weight at the gym and what to do about them.

You're Not Doing Enough (Intense) Cardio
Aerobic activity is the most efficient way to burn calories, so make sure you're consistent with cardio workouts. Do at least 30-45 minutes of cardio, three to four times a week. It's also important to pick the right kind of cardio workout. Studies show that faster-paced workouts help release fat-burning hormones in the body and that interval training is key to losing unwanted belly fat.  A recent study said that a 45-minute vigorous workout gets three times the net calories burned compared to the same 45 minutes spent walking; it also increases metabolic rate for up to 14 hours post-workout. To melt away unwanted pounds, choose high-intensity workouts like intervals, running, boot camp, or spin.

You Aren't Really Committed
You showed up to the gym, which is awesome. But what's not awesome is how you might be spending your time there — weight loss is as much a mental game as a physical one. Mindlessly walking on the treadmill while flicking through a copy of Us Magazine isn't the best way to go about weight loss. Commit yourself by finding a specific goal or personal reason that inspires you to lose the weight and use that as motivation to maintain your routine. Along the way, set smaller goals for yourself. This will help you stay focused the entire way through.

You Don't Strength Train
Even though cardio is key to weight loss, a good fitness program should incorporate one to two strength training sessions per week. Strength training can reduce overall body fat by three percent in just 10 weeks since muscle burns more calories than fat. And don't forget the after-burn: after an hour-long strength training session, the average woman burns an extra 100 calories over the next 24 hours. Maximize your time by rolling cardio and strength workouts into one. Circuit training intervals and bootcamp-style workouts focus on mixing bursts of cardio with serious strength training moves. Remember to strength train first and then do cardio if you want to do both. Eat a form of lean protein like chicken, egg whites, a protein shake..within an hour after working out. Your cells are open and will burn through the food faster within that time frame. It is crucial to eat protein right after working out.

If you get bored at a traditional gym, try Crossfit. It's taking the world by storm for a reason!

Chopping an onion without crying

Chopping an onion is one of the most basic skills every home cook should have under her belt.
Here are a few tips and tricks to make those painful tears stop and allow the chopping to ensue. Keep reading to learn how to stop crying like a little bitch and start chopping.

• Keep that baby cold. If you chill the onion in your refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes before chopping, you'll cut down on the amount of the acid enzyme, the active ingredient that actually makes us tear up, released into the air.
• Leave the root until the end. This step is absolutely crucial. If you cut off the root prematurely, the onion will start to bleed and the waterworks will begin in full force.
• Bring the heat. Light a candle and set it near the cutting board before cutting the onion. The gas released by the onion is drawn into the flame of a candle. If you want to take it up a notch, and you cook with gas at home, turn on the burner, and safely set up your chopping station next to the flame.
• Deep breaths in and out of your mouth. This will allow your olfactory nerves, closely connected near your tear ducts, to get a break. If you breath in and out through your mouth effectively, no tears will be generated. Plus, you'll be calm, cool, and collected before you continue cooking!

Plastic-Free Ways to Store Fall Produce

You try to use those recyclable / reusable Trader Joe's or Whole Foods bags so this is an extention of plastic-less-ness. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make a few easy switches that will really help the Earth, without making your life any more difficult. And here are a few...

• Store apples on a cool counter or shelf for up to two weeks. For longer periods of time, place them in a cardboard box in the fridge.
• Place avocados in a paper bag at room temp. If you want to soften them, place an apple in the bag with them.
• Cauliflower will last a while in a closed container in the fridge, but tastes best the day after it's bought.
• Eggplant does fine if it's left out in a cool room. Don't wash it until you're ready to use it; eggplant doesn't like any extra moisture around its leaves. For longer storage, place it loosely in the crisper.
• Figs don’t like humidity! Don't put these fruits in closed containers. Although a paper bag works to absorb excess moisture, you can place figs, unstacked, on a plate in the fridge for up to a week.
• For leafy greens, remove any bands or twist ties. Most greens need to be kept in an air-tight container with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. Kale, collards, and chard do well in a cup of water on the counter or fridge.
• Keep herbs in a closed container in the fridge for up to a week; any longer might encourage mold.
• Wash peppers right before you plan on eating them. Store them in a cool room for a few days, or put them in a crisper if you need longer storage.
• Pomegranates don't require refrigeration. Instead, keep them up to a month on a cool counter.
• House sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, well‐ventilated place. Never refrigerate them; these guys don't like the cold.
• Tomatoes don't need chilling, either! Depending on ripeness, tomatoes can stay for up to two weeks on the counter. Just like avocados, if you're looking to speed up the ripeness, put them in a paper bag with an apple.
• Zucchini does fine for a few days if it's left out on a cool counter (even after it's cut). Wrap it in a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage.