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I love Halloween, and I never seemed to outgrow it. Sometimes I think I love it more than New Year's and Christmas combined. Maybe because Halloween is about the total indulgence of the inner child--dressing up, being silly, and gorging on candy. (don't worry, I outgrew it enough that I don't attempt to go trick-or-treating!)
So of course this begs the question, what is your favorite Halloween treat? Is it candy apples? Mini chocolate bars? Or do you go for the little snack bags of pretzels or raisins?
When I was a kid, the mini chocolate bars were definitely the best. They were always eaten right off the bat. Anything along the lines of hard candy or chewie treats lingered and got nibbled on over the following weeks. Now, though, I love to buy the autumn mix bags--with the tiny mallowcreme pumpkins, candy corn, and Indian corn (the candy corn with chocolate tips--yum!). I'm trying to stay away from the grocery store this week, where everything will be marked down and I'll be tempted to fill my entire house with half-priced Halloween candy!
Not a free sample in the mail, but a good freebie nonetheless! Click & print for a full rebate on Physician's Formula F.L.A.T. mascara. Definitely a favorite of mine--I have really sensitive, allergy-ridden eyes and I've never had a puff or a red-eye day with this mascara. And it really makes my eyelashes look amazing. Maybe you need to be really striking for your Halloween costume? Or just looking to make your eyes go *POP*? Whatever you choose, enjoy the freebie!
A friend of mine shared the concept of a really tasty and quite healthy snack that I finally got around to trying. Well, with a twist.
She mentioned that she loooves key lime yogurt (especially Bulgarian yogurt, which I have heard is much better) with granola mixed in. It tastes like pie. Fair enough, but I thought I'd take it one step further. So I bought some fat-free graham crackers, crumbled them up, and sprinkled them into some key lime yogurt. Mmmm!! Now THAT tasted like pie! It was so tasty, in fact, that I decided to try it with lemon meringue yogurt. Delicious! I was on a roll!! Finally, I bought chocolate yogurt and ended up with something a bit like French silk pie. Ooo la la!
With all the innovations in yogurt flavors these days, I figure I should be able to find something akin to coconut cream. Any other suggestions for my new favorite indulgence?
I've had this one bookmarked for awhile, saving it for a day when my brain was too spent to come up with anything terribly creative. And I knew this would more than make up for any lack of ideas on my part.
Behold: Chocolate Obsession
THE definitive blog for and about chocolate. Now, I know there are folks out there who are indifferent to chocolate. It blows my mind, but it's all good. That's why I try to talk about things like wine and cheese and baths as well. But I also know I have some fellow choco-philes in my readership and I hope you'll enjoy.
By the way, the "about" page raises an interesting question. Dark, milk, or white? Dark is the healthiest, and I've *tried* to get into it, but I just can't enjoy it as a real treat. So milk is my fav, for sure, followed closely by white, though sometimes white is too sweet. Pair the milk chocolate with anything cherry or raspberry and I'm in my own private heaven.
There have been a number of articles written on the health benefits of owning a pet. In fact, here's one right here. But if you have a pet of your own, you certainly don't need me or any experts to tell you how much they brighten up your life. I have two kitties, Beatrice (top) and Bastet (bottom). I got them when they were only 4 months old (biological sisters) and they have filled the last six years with all kinds of sweetness and comfort. Whether it be a snuggle, a purr, or curling up against my chest at bedtime, their unconditional devotion just can't be beat. Beatrice has a tendency to sleep on the radiator (it's true!) and then curl up in my bed with me at night, which makes for one fuzzy little hot pack. How does your pet make life sweeter for you?
(by the way, I have a fish [BillyBudd] too, he's just not quite as photogenic or cuddly--but I have him on my desk and I love to watch him swimming around!)
It's so funny how I get ideas for this blog sometimes. For example, I was talking to my mom about a certain treat I'll elaborate on shortly, and I said, "Gosh! That is really my favorite fall treat of all!" Then immediately I followed up with, "Hey! I should write about that tomorrow."
So here goes. This time of year, a certain popular coffee chain offers hot caramel apple cider. Hot cider with some caramel syrup mixed in, whipped cream, and caramel on top. I get cravings for these about once a day when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Yesterday I convinced myself to go on a run by selecting a route that would end at aforementioned coffee chain, where I would reward my completion of 25 minutes of running with this sweet, steamy treat. Either because of the cool weather (I always seem to run well in this weather) or the reward I was looking forward to, I had a good, strong run. So I think I should repeat this route again--don't you agree? J
Now and again, a person comes across a favorite item of clothing. That piece that is so completely comfortable, so cozy, that it can be worn anytime, anywhere for any reason, even to sleep in. Sometimes it formerly belonged to someone else. Sometimes it's all yours.
I bought a cute little striped, thermal, hooded henley last week and the first time I wore it I fell in love. The more I wore it, the deeper in love I fell! Because with each washing, it began to fit even better. So I did what any sane person would do. I went online and bought two more in different colors.
I love it because it can be easily layered, or worn alone. It goes with jeans, with workout pants, and by itself to bed. The sleeves go just past my wrists so I can cover my hands up and keep them warm, too. It's cozy and warm and soft and comfortable and JUST PERFECT.
How about a shoutout to your perfect item of clothing?
Fill out a brief survey for your free sample of The Healing Garden's Wild Honey lotion. Mmmmmm. I love the Healing Garden bath products--in fact, I just bought a bag of the lavendar bathsalts earlier this week. Why have I not opened them yet?? Perhaps I'll have to schedule an ultra-relaxing bath over the weekend...
Okay my friends, I've done my research! January 20th is cheese day, May 25th is wine day. Sort of senselessly far apart, don't you think? Of course, no one is stopping you from having wine on cheese day, and vice versa.
Remind me again when we get closer.
In the meantime, read some happy news from the National Dairy Council about the benefits of cheese, and look up everything you ever wanted to know about cheese but were afraid to ask at Cheesenet. Got some time to kill? Drive out to the Mars Cheese Castle in Wisconsin and stock up!
Now, looking for something to do with all that cheese? I picked up a great recipe this weekend that was equal parts neufchatel cheese and caramel sundae topping. Dip some apple slices in it for a yummy snack!
Somehow I managed to miss World Bread Day yesterday. Thankfully, it looks like the only major events were in Switzerland, so it's not like there was a big party down the street that I overlooked.
I did inadvertantly celebrate in my own way. While not Jewish, nor a practitioner of any Jewish customs per se, one of my Jewish friends has gotten me totally hooked on Challah. I try to limit just eating it for pleasure, because somehow that feels a little blasphemous to me. But I think it's okay that I ordered a loaf from Peapod on World Bread Day, no? It made up most of my lunch. Mmmmmm. Not as good as the batch my friend makes (which I'm sure will one day earn her a spot as a "famous cook" on Wikipedia), but soft, egg-y comforting goodness, nonetheless!
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Diane Sparks is a 30-something professional in Chicago. 
