Livin' It Up... E.T. Costume

Halloween can be a challenge when deciding what to be with so many great costumes and ideas. I can no longer walk into a costume shop and find something that isn't slutty or one of a kind, which means, homemade. I tend to lean towards pop-culture inspired costumes. Halloween 2012 I was the girl from the SunDrop commercial and Halloween 2013 I was the Energizer Bunny. I've been told I outdid myself with 2012's costume and won a cash prize that year at work.

My job hosts an annual costume contest and the competition has really gotten fierce, especially with fresh faces each year. I work with a very talented group of individuals who are so creative! This year the Headless Horseman, Miss Piggy, and Minions showed up. My costume wasn't prize worthy but I did place 3rd as Elliott from the iconic movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Yes, before my time and not a costume the younger generations appreciate.

I got a lot of compliments while taking Little Man trick-or-treating and that was reward enough for the effort put into my costume. I've made my costumes every year since being hired at my job but Little Man prefers store-bought. I'm okay with that because it's easy. I can't wait for him to request a costume that can't be store-bought though.

After shopping at 3 stores I had all of the supplies needed to make my costume. If you want to recreate the costume you'll need a red hoodie, bike handle bars, milk crate, a pillow, white sheet, cardboard, and a poster size print of an E.T. image. The more supplies you have on hand the cheaper it'll be obviously. The hoodie, bike handle bars, and E.T. print cost about $70. I know, I know. Homemade costumes can be so much more expensive but they are worth it because of the creativity and one of a kind factor. 

Doin' Some Cooking... Cucumber Avocado Caprese Salad

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT!!! make this the night before. I learned that the hard way and ended up with slightly softened veggies tasting concentrated with vinegar. Nonetheless, this made for a delicious lunch to take to work. Per serving this salad is about 250 calories with 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, making this a healthy option when following this 30-Day Meal Plan. This is a meal your skinny jeans won't hate you for.

Today marked Day 24 of 30 and I am now down a total of 6 lbs with diet alone... even my mom visiting for four days did not derail my healthy eating as I continued to make healthy choices when eating out and tracked every calorie.

Cucumber Avocado Caprese Salad

Adapted From: PopSugar Fitness

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cucumber, remove seeds and cut into bite size pieces
• 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes (or whatever you prefer), cut in half
• 1 avocado, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss lightly to coat well. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Livin' It Up... Halloween Art Project - Footprint Ghost and Handprint Spider

The last time I created a keepsake footprint of Little Man's was when he was about a year old, he's 6 now. Since when did I become so lazy about documenting milestones? When I was an at home mom I made it a priority every night to journal about our day and I took a lot of photos. Over the last 3 years all I have are memories stored in my mental data bank and certain details are fuzzy.

(The handprint spider is my favorite... didn't realize the ribbon on the footprint ghost was twisted.)

While browsing Pinterest one morning I came across an art project for Footprint Ghosts and a Handprint Spider. Because Little Man is at an age where he loves to do art projects I knew we had to make these and with my mom in town visiting for four days and one of her requests being Hobby Lobby it was a no brainer. Two birds, one stone.

We picked up all of the supplies:

• small black canvas and a small white canvas
• white paint pen
• Halloween printed ribbon
• white paint, orange paint, and black paint

Once we arrived home we wrapped the table in plastic wrap and got started on our art project. I love that Little Man only needed some guidance and these are keepsakes that can be seen year after year and a great addition to our Halloween decor. He even picked the spot on the wall where he wanted these displayed. 

I came across another idea with mother and son footprint/handprints and laughed because our feet and hands are about the same size. You wouldn't be able to differentiate the two. 

Doin' Some Cooking... Almond Butter Oatmeal

Belly-stuffing-baked-oatmeal. Yes, baked oatmeal.  Two of my coworkers had never heard of baking oatmeal. I'd like to pretend that I knew about this method before this point but I didn't. This oatmeal is baked with eggs, almond butter, and soy milk. Protein-packed to keep you satisfied until lunch and best part of all, it's similar to a casserole so that means plenty of leftovers and very little thought needed when packing breakfast for work.

Almond Butter Oatmeal

Adapted From: Women's Health

Makes 6 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 cups steel cut oats
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs, beat
• 2 cups light vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp almond butter - I used Kolat's Cherry Vanilla Almond Butter, found at Whole Foods.
• 2 tbsp agave nectar

And Action:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In the baking dish, mix steel cut oats, cinnamon, eggs, soy milk, water, and almond butter together. Bake for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Drizzle with the agave nectar. 

Doin' Some Cookin'... Nonalcoholic Spinach Mojito Smoothie

With 12,300+ cocktail recipes how does one learn that they enjoy a short trip to hell with Batman? I kinda sorta hate when the bartender asks what I want because deep down I want to try one of those fun drinks and have the salty balls to tell the bartender, "Sex at my house and it needs to be quiet but quick." Props to Slutty Shirley for not giving a flying fuck.

Instead, I'll stick to a Coors Light when hanging with the boys or a strawberry mojito when I'm out with the ladies because those are safe bets that don't leave me standing in front of the bartender looking like more of an idiot.

Come to think of it, Starbucks makes me feel the same way when I order the mocha-choco-latte-ya-ya, real lady Marmalade. You know, if they are going to abbreviate your order on the cup, shouldn't they of all people understand what I want when I ask for a trenta PSL? (For those that may not know, that's a 30 ounce pumpkin spice latte and a whole lotta not sleeping.)

But we're not talking coffee here, we were talking about cocktails.

Now that Summer is over and sipping a cocktail by the beach isn't happening anytime soon, partly because I don't have the bikini bod I dream of, then I have all Winter/Spring to work towards that goal. Alcohol and my busy social life don't help with that goal either.

However, if you've already got that bikini bod or binge drank last night then this Nonalcoholic Spinach Mojito Smoothie is your hair of the dog helping cure hangover pains and tastes spot on to the boozy tropical treat. It's high in potassium, manganese, and B vitamins that aid with alleviating headaches, get you on with your walk of shame much with more pep in your step, and ability to enjoy a mojito in the middle of the workday.

Nonalcoholic Spinach Mojito Smoothie

Adapted from: PopSugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 frozen banana
• handful of spinach
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 of a lime, juiced
• 1/2 cup fresh spearmint, stems removed
• ice cubes

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smoothie. Enjoy!