Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Courtesy of Mick Telkamp

Happy Halloween Friends,

Don't scoop, then dump your pumpkin innards. Salvage the seeds then toss them with your favorite spices to put a new spin on a healthy fall favorite. Get the recipe here...

Certainly, no one is growing or buying pumpkins for the seeds, but when pumpkin puree is on the menu or Jack-o’-lanterns are carved, the flat, white seeds lurking in the glop within are a crunchy, nutrition-packed bonus, ready to be roasted to golden perfection.

Pumpkin seeds are fun to roast and even more fun to eat, but the health benefits of roasted pumpkin seeds may come as a surprise. Loaded with manganese, zinc, potassium, calcium and other vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and fiber, pumpkin seeds can aid in the prevention of kidney stones, osteoporosis, some types of cancer and can even combat depression.

Mostly, though, pumpkin seeds taste great. Tossed in butter, spiced and oven-roasted, roasted seeds are the perfect post-pumpkin-carving snack. A little salt is enough to get the ball rolling, but why stop there?

Whether you prefer savory or sweet, spicy or subtle, roasted pumpkin seeds can be spiced to suit any palate. Toss the seeds in butter and add your favorite spices to put a new spin on the nutty, crunchy goodness of an old favorite. Try this recipe for roasting your own with a few spice blends to get you started, from cheesy parmesan to sweet pumpkin pie.

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe

• 2 cups pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Spice Mixes (select one)

• Classic Salted: 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• Spicy: 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Parmesan: 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• Curry: 3 teaspoons curry powder, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Pumpkin Pie: 6 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ? teaspoon cloves
• Crawfish Boil: 3 teaspoons seafood seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Wash, rinse and dry pumpkin seeds.

In a bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with 2 tablespoons butter to coat.

Add spice mix and toss to coat.

Spread pumpkin seeds flat on a baking sheet.

Roast in 375-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Stir and roast 10 more minutes or until golden brown.

Cool and serve.

Toss pumpkin seeds in your favorite spices to put a new spin on a fall favorite...

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Live well,
Yvonne

The 6th of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Money: Make Your Front Door Inviting

Courtesy of Charity Curley Mathews
Photo By: Sarah Dorio

Hi Friends,

If it's hard to find your front door or it's confusing as to how to get in, it'll be hard for opportunity to make its way into your life as well, explains Karen. Put in an archway or gate to denote the front door if you need to, and make sure the doorbell works. The welcome mat should be bright and fresh. Sweep the steps and sidewalk in front, and add a potted plant to the entryway. Karen's rule of thumb: "If a trick-or-treater can't tell where to go, your front door isn't clear enough."

Make a pathway for opportunity...

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Live well,
Yvonne

The 5th of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Love: Add Happy Family Photos

Courtesy of Charity Curley Mathews

Hi Friends,

To improve your marriage, display smiling photos of yourself as a couple and your family in the hallways, kitchen or other high-traffic areas, suggests feng shui consultant Ken Lauher. Avoid putting family photos in the master bedroom, which should only include photos of the couple. Design by Cortney and Robert Novogratz.

An improvement to the ultimate partnership is always welcomed, right?

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

The 4th of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Money: Decorate in Red, Purple or Green

Courtesy of Bea Pila
Photo By: Nick Johnson

Hi Friends,

"Color has a powerful impact on mood, and red is considered auspicious and powerful. Think of walking the red carpet or wearing a red power tie," explains Laura. Purple and green are also key colors for attracting prosperity but there's a hitch. "If you really can't stand the color green, it won't work for you. But if you do love purple, paint a wall lavender or add a violet throw to your couch. Then tune in to how your space feels. It's not just filling your home with stuff — it's about decorating with mindfulness and enhancing the vibration and power of your own home."

Here's to the power of your home...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Earth Day!

Courtesy of National Geographic

Hi Friends,

In 1970 smog choked major U.S. cities and toxic waste flooded rivers. That same year nearly 20 million Americans participated in events on April 22, spearheaded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, to draw attention to the environmental issues plaguing the planet and human health. Named Earth Day, April 22 has remained a time to celebrate restoration and stand up for the planet. Today we wanted to share with our friends...

It's Earth Day and we thank each and every person for doing your part.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Halloween Cupcakes in a Jar

Courtesy of Glory Albin

Happy Halloween Friends,

Perfect for making in advance to take to school events, pack in kids' lunches or for parties, these portable treats are sure to please Halloween fans big and small.

Materials Needed:

• 1/2 pint canning jars (16)
• chocolate cake mix (or a from-scratch recipe)
• white frosting
• piping bag with large swirl tip (1M)
• standard cupcake pan with liners
• orange food coloring
• brown or black sprinkles

Bake and Cut Cupcakes

Layering cupcakes or desserts in a jar is such a great way to add some pizzazz to an individual serving of dessert. They make great gifts or party favors and are easy to transport. Start by baking a regular chocolate cake recipe in standard cupcake liners. Once the cupcakes are baked and cooled, remove the paper liners and cut the cupcakes in half horizontally.

Prepare a batch of frosting and add orange food coloring. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large tip 2/3 full with icing. You could also simply fill (2/3 full) a large plastic zip-top bag and cut off one corner.

Layer the cupcakes and frosting in clean jars, starting with a cupcake half, then frosting, until there are three layers of cupcake, and three layers of frosting. Top with sprinkles if desired. Serve jars open, or top with lid.



Perfect to take on the road to holiday parties, school events and more, these Halloween treats look as good on a table as they do on the go.

Cupcakes a Go-Go...

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Live well,
Yvonne

The 3rd of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Love: Add Doubles to Every Room

Courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Hi Friends,

"If you want to start a relationship, don't surround yourself with single imagery", says Laura Benko, feng shui and holistic design expert. "Avoid a single chair in the corner, solitary images in artwork and solo photographs. It's important to create the energy of partnership around you, otherwise you are continually enforcing singularity." Add a second chair to a sitting area, double up on nightstands and surround yourself with pairs of everything.

Enforce partnership in your space and in doing so creates symmetry as well...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne