Give Meals a Halloween Twist

pumpkinseeds

pumpkinseedsHalloween is a fun and exciting time for everyone. Kids anticipate dressing up, treats and being scared. It is as much fun for many parents as it is for the kids. Enjoying Halloween all day long can be one way of keeping those ghosts and goblins excited up to the last minute. Here are few ideas that you can incorporate into your Halloween meals, snacks, treats and parties to keep the excitement fresh all day.

Start them out on their Halloween adventure with a spooky morning breakfast. Toast can be transformed into ghosts by toasting the bread then using a gingerbread cookie cutter to cut the bread into ghosts. Smoother the bread with whipped cream cheese or plain yogurt and add raisins for the eyes.

Pumpkin oranges are another great breakfast idea. Use a toothpick or small sharp knife and carve a jack o lantern face into the outside of the orange. Be careful not to go to deep that you pierce the orange meat.

Lunch can also be transformed both at home and in the lunchbox. Goblin tongues can be the perfect tough. Use mini bagels and lightly spread them with mayonnaise. Cut slices of bologna into the shape of tongue and place on the bagel so they hang slightly over the edge of the bagel.

How about a worm sandwich? Slice hotdogs into several thin slices. Place them in the microwave and heat on high for a minute or so or until the hot dogs begin to curl slightly. Place them on a bun with ketchup to make them slimy.

You can also make ghost sandwiches. Add the filing to white bread then use a gingerbread cookie cutter to cut out the sandwich ghost. Remove the crust for the perfect ghost.

Don’t forget dinner? Transform devilled eggs into scary eyeballs by adding red food coloring to your egg yolks. Place a slice of black olive in the center for the pupil and you have some great blood shot eyes.

Having Italian for your Halloween dinner? Why not add Salty Bones to the meal. Use refrigerated breadstick dough and roll each triangle into a long skinny bone shape. Sprinkle with salt and bake as directed on the package.

Let’s not forget those snacks. Spider snacks can be a fun snack. Spread one round cracker with a dollop of peanut butter. Press stick pretzels into the peanut butter for the legs. Add raisins or small candy pieces for the eyes.

Graveyard snacks are also exciting. Use a cup of popped popcorn. Stir in the mini pretzels, marshmallows, chocolate chips and raisins to finish off the treat.

There are numerous ideas out there that will help in transforming any meal into a Halloween adventure. Cook up something spooky and don’t forget the BOO!

Easy Breakfast Ideas for Those on the Run

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oatsIt’s a school day and you are running late for work. The kids are almost ready to catch the bus but they need breakfast. Quick – grab a cereal bar. STOP! Did you know that there are a lot of ideas out there for a good, HOT breakfast for you and your kids that don’t take a lot of time to prepare? Here are just a few ideas to make your working day and their school day a great day from beginning to end.

Egg tortillas only take about 5 minutes to prepare. Scramble some eggs and add the ingredients you already have at home, such as shredded cheese, onions or green peppers. Place the egg mixture in a tortilla or on a piece of bread, roll, and eat. These are hot, easy, and ready to eat in just a few short minutes. Add some salsa or hot sauce and you have added some southwest flair.

How about a quick meat sandwich? Use leftover sausage patties, ham slices or even bacon. Place in a toasted croissant or toasted English muffin and add a slice of Swiss or American cheese, It’s a hot breakfast to go! For something extra eggs can be added and you have created even a different taste sensation.

Rolled up pancake treats are a special favorite with kids. Cook extra pancakes or use the pre-packaged ones from the store. Spread the pancakes with some honey, powdered sugar, apple butter or even peanut butter and jelly. Just
Roll them up and enjoy. You can also roll up your favorite breakfast meat in the pancake. Use bacon or sausage links and have pigs in a blanket for breakfast.

Bagels are a great choice for breakfast on the run. You can add your favorite breakfast meat or even a fried egg with cheese to create a new tasty flavor to savor for breakfast. Spread on some flavored cream cheese or drizzle with honey. They are quick, easy, and hot. Kids love these and so do adults.

Breakfast can be hot and quick, not just something cold and easy. Start the day off right with a good breakfast that is hot and full of nutrition and easy to prepare.

A Quick Breakfast Can Be More Than a Bowl of Cereal

granolafruit

granolafruitQuick breakfasts can be more than you ever thought. Most people think of breakfast as a bowl of healthy cereal and a glass of milk or cup of coffee with some juice. There are many alternatives to this thought concept that are just as quick and easy. It takes planning ahead and some time on the weekend, when you aren’t rushing around getting kids ready for school and getting ready for work.

Fruit is a wonderful alternative. Cut up some fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, some kiwi, some watermelon or even bananas and place in easy to go snack bags made for the refrigerator. Grapes are another great way to start the day.

You can add almost anything to a tortilla to make a great breakfast. Peanut butter and jelly is a great choice. Honey, cream cheese, some cut up raw vegetables or salad mix with your favorite dressing, even applesauce will make breakfast tortillas a favorite with your family. Use your leftover steak or chicken in a sandwich form or in a tortilla with some shredded cheese and some low fat mayonnaise and roll and go.

Cereal bars or breakfast bars that you can find at the grocery store are wonderful to start the day. Add a juice box of orange juice for the car and you have healthy breakfast for them to consume.

Grocery stores have granola bars, graham crackers, and even single serving yogurts in easy to serve packages. Try taking a graham cracker and some honey or cream cheese and making a sandwich out of it. The kids will crave them. They also have yogurt in a tube like a Popsicle that is easy to eat and very nutritious. Nuts are a great source of protein. Take a graham cracker sandwich and a handful of nuts and your kids are good to go for the day.

Bagels are another quick morning meal. Add some cream cheese or even a regular slice of cheese and you have a healthy, well-rounded breakfast to start their day off right. Top them with jelly, apple butter or honey for a special treat.

Breakfast isn’t for cereal anymore. In today’s fast paced world with two parents working environment, you need to think ahead and try to give them the best beginning for the day that you can. Sometimes, ingenuity and having ingredients on hand can be the start of a beautiful day. Just thinking outside the box can make all the difference in the world.