Quick and Easy Treat!!!

it's that wonderful time of the year where pumpkins are everywhere. if you are like me that means halloween jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin bread and muffins, and yes all those pumpkin seeds! so what to do with all those pesky seeds you've pulled from the inside of your pumpkin? how about a tasty, crunchy and healthy (sshhh, don't tell) snack. the hardest part of this recipe is carving the pumpkin and cleaning the seeds, the rest is a snap. what you don't like to ***clean pumpkin seeds? well for those of you out there that think i'm crazy for spending the time, you can buy pre-packaged pumpkin seeds in the store, just buy them plain and cut the cooking time in half!

spicy pumpkin seed
3 cups of pumpkin seeds***
2 Tbls of oil (any you prefer)
1 tsp dry pico de gallo
(use what ever spicy seasoning you like, cayenne, ancho, ect.)
1 tsp of lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
place pumpkin seeds in a bowl and toss with all ingredients, till all are covered. spread out on baking sheet and cook in oven 10-15 mins. turning every few minutes, till golden brown and crunchy! see easy peasy!
this is the fun part, not into spicy? just use salt and pepper and omit lemon and spice. feeling kind of sweet? switch to a little sugar and cinnamon. the possibilities are endless when you follow your taste buds. happy fall!

*** to clean pumpkin seeds, remove all pumpkin strings and rinse in water, then drain in colander. spread out on baking sheet and let dry 2-3 hours or overnight, before seasoning and baking for a crunchier seed.

Lunch time fun!!

it's halloween time and what could be more fun than surprising your kids with a little fun in their lunch boxes too?! put a little BBBOOOOO!!! in your kids day! i promise, easy and super fast, you can do it between, dinner, laundry, bed time or in the morning before you head out the door.

Ghostly Sandwiches

white bread (2 slices)
cream cheese/peanut butter
jelly (your favorite)
raisins
ghost cookie cutter/ or you can free hand if your crafty

cut bread slices with cookie cutter, layer your cream cheese or peanut butter and then jelly, put slices together and make eyes and mouth from raisin pieces. come on admit it, anyone can do that right!!

edible eyeballs

carrot peeled and cut in to 1 inch rounds
cream cheese
black olives, cut in half

place carrot flat side down, place a dab of cream cheese in the center and top with olive piece!
ta da!!! spooky, eyeball goodness!!

ok... so i admit this next one takes a little more time due to the fact you have to hard boil an egg or eggs, depending on how many goblins your feeding, but well worth the extra time, for a protein packed lunch time treat!

edible eyeballs take two

eggs
1 teas mayonnaise
1/2 teas mustard
salt and pepper to taste
the amount of ingredients is based on 1 egg, adjust accordingly to how many you are making.

Place an egg in a small saucepan and cover it with cold water. Bring it to a boil and cook for one minute, then turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain the hot water and run cold water over the shell. Then peel the egg and slice it in half lengthwise.Scoop out the yolk into a bowl and mash it with the mayonnaise, mustard, and a pinch of salt. Spoon the mixture back into the egg white halves and top each with a ripe olive.

all of these recipes are curtesy of Family Fun magazine, a go to for family fun of all kinds. you can find more fun recipes and crafts at http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/
happy halloween!!!