Baked Salted Pumpkin Seeds

One of the best snacks available is often discarded with the trash when people make pumpkin pies or Jack-O-Lanterns. Pumpkin seeds are delicious and nutritious, and they are great for you. Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. They also contain zinc, protein, iron, Omega 3 fats and several important vitamins.

Pumpkin seeds are great for kids since they rarely trigger allergies and can be brought to school for snacks. Studies have even indicated that pumpkin seeds aid with brain functions including depression and learning disabilities.

They are also great snacks for adults since these powerful seeds can slow or prevent prostate cancer, osteoperosis, urinary tract infections, and incontinence. Pumpkin seeds can also help lower cholesterol, aid digestion and act as a mild laxative to keep you regular.

It is easy to prepare the seeds yourself, and fun to make with kids. When you remove the seeds from the pumpkin (small or medium size pumpkins are best if you are eating the seeds with shell)put the seeds in a large bowl of water. The pulp will wash off and you can remove the clean seeds to leave to dry on a paper bag or towel, usually overnight.

It is best to cook the seeds at a low temperature to preserve the healthy oils. Toss the pumpkin seeds with a couple of teaspoons of olive or canola oil and some sea salt. (You can also use regular salt, seasoned salt or a salt substitue like Herbamare). Lay the seeds out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the pumpkin seeds at 170 degrees for approx. 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. (Stir every 15 minutes or so while baking).

You can also add pepper, chilli pepper, garlic powder or other seasonings. Let the seeds cool before you eat them. Store leftover seeds in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Making a Halloween Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses aren't just for Christmas anymore. Wilton has a line of gingerbread haunted houses you can make for Halloween. They offer 2 kits: one has the pre-baked gingerbread, along with icing pouches, candies, and instructions. The second kit offers an assembled house - so all you have to do is the decorating.

I love these houses since they serve several purposes:
1) They are a fun family/craft activity to do
2) They serve as a great decoration leading up to Halloween
3) You get to eat your work!

Don't be intimidated by the thought of making a gingerbread house. With the kits available, you don't have to be a master baker. Watch this great little video I found on how to make the haunted cookie houses. This is also a fun idea for a little party or family project.



More on these Halloween Gingerbread House Kits.
Happy haunting!

School Halloween Trick or Treat

Halloween is a big holiday for kids. With obesity rates rising, allergies increasing, and schools cracking down on treats, it has become increasingly difficult to have fun treats at school.

I have found a great way to combine fun while eliminating calories, sugar, allergy concerns and sticky messes. How? I give out Halloween toys instead of sweets.

Halloween toys do not cost more than candy. They do not tempt me to eat them and break my diet. They are not a nightmare for the school custodian to have to clean, scrape or wipe off the surfaces of the school. Kids love toys and are happy to get them. If I buy too many, I can put them away and give the extras out next year.

What kind of toys are there? My personal favourites are the toys that can be used as school – which make them a perfect gift for school treats. These would be Halloween pencils, erasers, pencil toppers, notebooks, rulers, stickers or stencils.

Kids love to do Halloween crafts and activities. Some Halloween toys are
great crafts as well. These include putty, clay, stamps, coloring books,
and wood or paper cut outs to decorate. Add in some glitter, coloured glue
and markers and you have yourself an art project.

It is not a good idea to reward kids with sugar or foods as treats. Food should be a source of nutrients, not a source of reward, love, acceptance or punishment. Instead, give your kids a hug, a play date, a book, a trip to the park or a practical reward.

Some Halloween practical toys I would recommend for kids include socks, hair accessories, bouncy balls, seasonal books or even a mug for hot beverages.

More on Halloween Treat Bags

Green House Cleaning Using Green Cleaning Supplies

With the increase in allergies in children and cancer in adults, many people are concerned with the chemicals they are using in their home and garden. There are effective alternatives to clean your home using green cleaning supplies.

These green cleaning tips will save you money and help save the environment. Best of all - you probably already have these supplies in your cupboard. Read this informative article on Green House Cleaning Using Green Cleaning Supplies for more.

Kids Back to School Time

After an end-of-summer vacation and a hectic start to the school year, I am finally able to attend to my blog again. I am posting several recent articles that I hope will be of help. Once the deluge of papers, forms, money for supplies, etc. has settled down, I will be adding additional information.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a great discovery with you. There is a new website called http://www.fitforafeast.com/. It is website for kids aged 7-17 and their parents. It covers topics on health, nutrition, fitness, sports, and topics of interest to kids. It is video based so kids love it, and combines entertainment with wellness education. The parents section contains a wealth of information on health, nutrition, parenting and fitness. Check out the parents section for advice for yourself.

Packing Healthy School Lunches

For many parents, the happiest time of the year is when the kids return to school after summer holidays. However, the daunting task of packing healthy school lunches - that the kids will actually eat - may put a damper on your enthusiasm. As a school mom who has packed thousands of lunches, let me offer you some tips for quick lunch bag ideas.

Read my article on Packing Healthy School Lunches for the tips.

Teaching Kids Table Manners

Kids' table manners seem to be in short supply, at least with the kids I have seen at school, parties and restaurants. I have made it clear to my kids that table manners are important, make dining more pleasant for everyone, and increase their chances of being invited back again.

Read more in my article on Teaching Kids Table Manners.

Fun Summer Activities for Kids

If your kids are bored at home from summer vacation or have given up swimming in the pool, this article may give you some ideas to get them motivated again. For more see my Fun Summer Activities for Kids article.