HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

It's best not to feel bad over the lose of something that was never ours to begin with.

"Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare,
and look forward to the time when we can pick the fruit."
By Anton Chekhov

"Prey to the Moon when she is round. Luck with you will then abound. Whatever you seek for shall be found. On the sea or solid ground."

Spices

Eating a diet rich is spices like turmeric and cinnamon reduces the body's negative responses to high-fat meals.

Autumn Drink

2 cups of all natural cranberry juice

2 cups of pineapple juice

1 cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until hot and steaming(the longer the simmer, the better the flavor).

Remove cinnamon stick and pour into mugs.

Serve hot.

Healthy Halloween Treats

Here's some healthy goodies to give as treats on Halloween.
Fruit snacks such as raisins, fruit strips, and fruit leathers are very satisfying for a sweet tooth.
Dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate. It also has more antioxidants which makes for a perfect treat for trick-or-treaters.
Don't offer nuts because some kids have nut allergies. Instead offer licorice or sugarless candy.

Garlic Facts

The Greeks and Romans believed that garlic- also known as the "stinking rose"- could be used to treat eczema, toothaches and snakebites.
Information from "the food encyclopedia"

Apple Sauce

Ingredients;
6 to 10 medium
McIntosh, Crispin, Jonagold, or Cortland apples cut into 3/4 inch pieces
3/4 cups of water
1/4 cup of honey
2 tbs fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Combine apples, 3/4 cups water and honey in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are very tender and skins are softened.
Uncover and simmer until almost all liquid in saucepan has evaporated. Remove from heat. Cool for 30 minutes.
Using fork or potato masher, mash apple mixture until coarse and chunky. Serve at room temperature or serve chilled.

Garam Masala Lentils and Potatoes

Ingredients;
1 pound brown lentils, rinsed
1 1/2 pounds all purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 onions, peeled and chopped
1 can of no-salt- added diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tsp garam masala seasoning
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 yellow or red peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces, seeded and cored
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
3/4 cups toasted slivered almonds

In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, lentils, onions, potatoes, diced tomatoes, garam masala, salt, cumin and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered for 35 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add yellow peppers and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Stir in cilantro and sprinkle almonds over top.
(From; Family Circle magazine)

Nuts for Health

Even though nuts are high in fat, studies have not linked them to weight gain. Most of their fat is the healthy unsaturated type. Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber and phytochemicals. Nuts are good to add to any weight reducing diet.

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
By Emily Bronte

Pumpkin Facial Mask

This facial mask is made with pumpkin puree, which is packed with Vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients;
2 tsp pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp whipping cream
Mix all ingredients and apply to face. leave on for 10 minutes.
(Information from; Bonding over beauty)

An Autumn Sunrise

Enjoying a pretty autumn morning from my front porch.