No BREAD...Low Carb Snacks

Lox With Cream Cheese

Low-carb doesn't have to mean no-carb. Pair up some heart-healthy salmon with calcium-rich cream cheese to go on a few whole wheat crackers. Or, switch out the crackers and opt for cucumber slices instead!

Avocado With Sunflower Seeds

Avocados are a creamy snack that are good on their own, but a sprinkling of sunflower seeds give them an even healthier boost. The combination of avocado and sunflower seeds brings the body a healthy dose of fiber, vitamins E and K, and potassium. You also get a little bit of protein, too!

Tuna Salad on Tomato

When you're watching your carb-counts, bread can be a major culprit. But bread doesn't have to be the only thing to build a sandwich on! The next time you whip yourself up a light tuna salad, serve it on a tomato, cucumbers, or make yourself a lettuce wrap. Tuna is packed with protein and iron, and the veggies will give the snack added vitamins and nutrients.

Cute Halloween Decorating Ideas

October's Family Circle Magazine 

Gave Us Some Bewitching Decorating Ideas 

We Just HAD to Share!

Window Decorations

Create a curtain of ghostly leaves to soften the moonlight.

Directions: Iron bleached preserved oak leaves between two layers of parchment paper using a medium setting. Tape leaves to pieces of monofilament, overlapping as desired. Suspend from window frame to create a curtain effect.

For pumpkins: To hollow, cut a 3-inch hole in the bottom with a serrated craft saw. Scoop out pulp with a large spoon. Draw leaf patterns freehand (or download templates online at digitalcardfun.com) on pumpkins with a grease pencil, etch stems and cut out leaf designs.

Gothic Dining Table

A centerpiece of lacy candlelight and bright little goblins sets the mood for a spooktacular night.

Directions

For candleholders: Cut a strip of unbleached parchment big enough to cover a glass cylinder. Cut a piece of black lace slightly larger than the parchment and spray the back with adhesive. Carefully adhere lace to parchment and let dry thoroughly. Trim edges of lace, then wrap paper around the cylinder, securing the seam with double-sided tape.

For mini jack-o'-lanterns: Cover stems of hollow pumpkins with painters' tape and paint pumpkins black using either acrylic or spray paint. Instead of leaves, sketch faces on pumpkins using white chalk. Carve and cut out.

For lace pumpkins: Stretch a piece of lace tightly around the bottom of a white pumpkin, securing with tape. To protect pumpkin, cover all but lace with paper. Holding can about 12 inches away, lightly spray laced area with black paint. Let dry thoroughly, then remove lace. For variety, patterns can be painted anywhere on pumpkins.

Scary Crows

A flock of black birds sends a menacing message perched atop a group of glowing jack-o'-lanterns.

Directions: Select pumpkins and gourds in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Sketch faces on hollow pumpkins and gourds and carve. Arrange on a ladder with crows.

Pumpkin Table Setting

Shimmering pumpkins and a flutter of winged creatures team up for an eerie evening.

Directions: Download color clip art of moths and butterflies and print on vellum sheets. Cut out images and fold wings upward to create dimension. Attach to branch with glue dots. For truest colors, print two copies of each moth or butterfly, printing the second copy as a mirror image. Spray back of image with adhesive, then place second copy faceup over first, aligning the edges. Cut through both layers and fold wings up.

For pumpkins: Use iridescent spray paint to cover light-colored pumpkins—gray, tan, white. While paint is still wet, sprinkle iridescent glitter over top and side of each pumpkin.

Spider and Web Pumpkins

A swarm of spiders and creepy webs add a frightening flourish to the evening.

Directions

For spiderweb tray: Paint an unfinished wooden plaque with black acrylic craft paint, allowing one hour drying time between each of two coats. Cut pieces of spiderweb-patterned net fabric and spray reverse side with repositionable adhesive. Arrange on top of the plaque as desired. Spray from above with a light misting of ivory paint. After a few minutes, carefully remove lace and let plaque dry thoroughly.

For etched pumpkin: Draw a spiderweb on a pumpkin with black watercolor pencil. Using a linoleum carving tool, scrape off skin about 1/8 inch deep to expose flesh below. Attach a plastic spider.

Halloween Candy Holders

Tempt revelers with an array of sweets served up in ghoulish fashion.

Directions: Paint the exteriors of small peat pots with white acrylic craft paint; set aside to dry. Glue black trim around the top edge of each and embellish with a spiderweb die cut. for pumpkin: Trace a classic jack-o'-lantern face on a hollow pumpkin and cut out shape.

Thanks, Family Circle! And have fun!

Habit Forming

Redesign Your Routine:

 Instead of falling prey to whatever food comes your way, plan ahead by packing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

Replace Unhealthy Rituals: 

The best way to break a bad habits to replace it with something better. For instance, instead of coming home, slipping off your shoes and grabbing a fistful of chips or crackers to tide you over while making dinner, munch on cut-up veggies. If it's automatic eating- meaning you're not actually hungry- swap for a different action, like listening to music or a quick phone call to a pal. Expect to fell weird at first because you're restraining yourself. but keep at it and be patient: Establishing a new habit takes 3-4 weeks!

Rely On A Few Go-To Meals:

 Get accustomed to healthy eating routines by limiting yourself to 2-3 smart breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options. When you narrow down your food choices, you up the odds of making better decisions. This is a short-term fix (follow it for 2-3 weeks) to get back on track.

Don't Be A Road Hog:

 Even if you eat well at home, it may not be manageable when you're out and about. Plan ahead by carrying fiber bars in your bag. Gnu and Oskri make some satisfying ones that your kids may ask for as a treat. And don't rule out chains: many now offer grab-and-go options, like Starbucks' Protein Bistro Box and Dunkin' Donuts' Wake-Up Wraps.

Delay Breakfast:

 If you like to munch all day, try to delay breakfast an hour or two. Otherwise, you'll consume too many calories overall. When you do eat, have something filling with protein, fiber, and fruit. Try whole-grain cereal topped with berries, chopped nuts and low-fat milk or an egg white wrap and an orange when you get to work (instead of right when you get up) you'll eat much less.

Pitch the Junk: 

Ideally, you never want to waste food. But better to throw away leftover cookies and cake thank be tempted to finish them up just because they're there. Empty calories leave you unsatisfied. Instead, fill up with with fruits, veggies, and lean protein like hard-cooked eggs, or low-fat string cheese. And when you want to indulge your sweet tooth, make sure it's with something truly worthy!

Sited: Family Circle Magazine June 2012