Halloween’s a Beach
It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween…and Spring Break.
I woke up this morning and hit the treadmill while the Today show revealed their annual over-the-top Halloween costumes.
I saw Matt Lauer first, and for a good half of a mile, I thought he was dressed as Ellen DeGeneres.
After my run, I came in to get Gigi ready for school.
Rather than have a bunch of kids showing up dressed like “Zebra Pimps” and “Runway Divas…”
…they let the kids come in their pajamas and called it a Nocturnal Party.
Gigi was totally into it.
Lulu used it as an excuse to stay in her pjs for carpooling purposes too.
I donned my very scary Halloween costume: Vegan MILF MILS (Mother I’d Like to Shower)
Absolutely terrifying.
After getting Gigi settled into school, Lulu and I came home to make some breakfast.
It’s so eerie with that baby doll arm in there.
I heated up a chopped up Honeycrisp and topped it with cinnamon, Kashi Go Lean and Pumpkin Spice Granola.
In a perfect,or at least a minimally hygenic world, I would have showered, but I MIGHT VERY WELL be wearing my Vegan MILS costume RIGHT NOW. The good news is, Daddy won’t read this until Monday, and I’ll have had at least one shower by then.
We picked Gigi up and had the task of picking up our Halloween “treats” for tomorrow’s handouts.
Raisins? Pennies? Toothbrushes? PETA comic books?
Am I a terrible mother for actually having read those to my kids?
We actually picked out two HUGE bags (Hugh Jahbags?) of Yummy Earth lollipops.
I’m at peace with this decision and feels it’s a good balance of a treat that is somewhat healthy but won’t ensure that a flaming bag of dog excrement will be placed on our doorstep. At least not purposefully.
While Gigi sampled a lollipop on the way home, Lulu tried some Koala Crisp they were handing out in the store. I think she liked it…or did she?
Stink eye, much?
It was definitely time for lunch.
Broccoli, carrots and salsa, leftover tofu and butternut squash soup.
We also had to hang Gigi’s artwork from the day.
They also taught her how to make a ransom note to try to extort money from David Letterman.
What better activity for a Halloween Eve afternoon than baking?
Here’s my confession: sometimes on one of the other websites that I blog for, I post recipes. Sometimes I’ve made these recipes before. Sometimes I haven’t. Now you will NEVER EVER buy any cookbook I am associated with. Fair enough.
In any event, I thought it was about time to test my Vegan Pumpkin Bars recipe out, in cupcake form.
Vegan Pumpkin Bars (or Cupcakes)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or a combination of whole wheat pastry flour and all-purpose flour)
- 3/4 cup unrefined sugar, or sweetener of your choice
- 1 T. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1-1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 c. finely ground flax seed
- 3/4 c. water
- 15 oz. organic canned pumpkin
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips (if desired)
Mix flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.
Add the water to the ground flax seed to make a thin paste.
Add flax seed paste, pumpkin, and applesauce to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Pour batter into an UNGREASED 15×9×1 baking pan (or lined muffin tins) and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack.
“Cream Cheese” Icing
- 1 container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
- 1/2 cup Earth Balance soy margarine
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Combine the cream cheese and margarine. Slowly add the powdered sugar, then vanilla and lemon juice. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars/cupcakes. Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if desired.
My blind vegan recipe inventing thankfully turned out AWESOME. I’m going to make up a foolproof cure to cellulite in a story next week and hope that turns out equally as well.
I even caught Gigi doing this when I wasn’t looking.
I haven’t the slightest inkling of where she would have ever seen anyone do such a thing (ahem*with tahini dressing, hummus or almond butter*ahem).
As if this day wasn’t exciting enough as it was, Daddy came home with a big announcement that we are going somewhere MAJOR for Spring Break. I’ll give you a hint: as soon as the girls heard where we were going, they ran for their rooms and returned fully prepared.
Though they are very “Kourtney and Khloe” here (aside from unplanned pregnancies and rushed, publicity stunt marriages to NBA superstars) we’re not “Taking Miami.”
I’ll give you another hint: we’ve been there before.
Look at how little and adorable they are! I’m not talking about my boobs again.
Yes, we are hitting the beaches of Hawaii for Spring Break…but we had to eat dinner first.
I had some broccoli and mushrooms topped with marinara, basil and nutritional yeast.
On the side, I had a salad of spinach, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, almonds and tahini dressing.
Now that I have carpal tunnel syndrome, I’m going to step away from the computer. I’ve got a witch/banana/pink princess/ballerina/Hawaiian tourist or two to deal with in the morning!
Your cupcakes look so good! I love that your girls got all excited about the vacation and they are behaving a bit better than the Kardashian girls!
OMG Great Post!
The cream cheese frosting looks amazing! As do the cupcakes but I don’t really care about cupcakes when I can have frosting! I wonder if there’s a non-soy product like Tofutti..probably not. I do concoct some whipped & sweetened cashew cream action but yeah the Tofutti frosting of yours looks delish.
As does the brock salad w/ marinara & nooch. And some little ‘shrooms on the side. Great work, you just gave me inspiration. Thank you!
Spring break? As in like the spring? If you told your girls about a trip that’s months away…I give you major props. My daughter doesn’t even know she’s going to a local strip mall for trick or treating at noon tomorrow b/c the amp’ed up tizzy she works herself into is horrible. For me and her father. So we dont give any advance warnings whatsoever b/c we are not gluttons for punishment anymore. LOL
But seriously, what a great surprise and I hope you have an amazing time!!!!!!! We are going away for almost a month over the holidays and I am so excited.
Happy H’Ween Mama Pea & Family!!!!!!!
Aw the girls look so little in that Hawaii pic.
So funny that Matt looked like Ellen. I joked with Hunni one time that Luke looked like Ellen and he promptly denied it as a true Star Wars geek.
Enjoy your day with the kiddies (your’s and the TorT kids).
Yay for Hawaii and Yay for those awesome cupcakes! The licking of the plate picture is priceless….and something I would never do….yeah right. If it’s delicious it is a necessity!
Your lunch is exactly something I would make, I love to snack for my meals, it is so much fun. And that dinner! WOW! Amazing.
Oh my gosh! I just LOVE all the pictures!
Not going to lie: I’m far far far away from being a mum, but your posts always make me a lil excited for that point in my life.
And you’re witty, which I spose makes it even better
Hawaii! I really would love to go there someday.
Those cupcakes look and sound so good. And love your salads as always
Fab post!! But, I got totally jealous and started hating you as soon as I saw that you were going to Hawaii. I’m going to stop reading! Too jealous.
kidding
But, awesome! The girls must be excited!! How old is Lulu there in the Hawaii pic and how did you get so tiny post-pregnancy!?
I’m cracking up at how you said Matt Lauer looks like Ellen. He totally does!
I’m going to Maui for my honeymoon in April. Maybe we’ll be in Hawaii at the same time!
HAHAHA
so much to laugh at in this post!!
Can say again how happy I am that you are back?!
You look absolutely gorgeous as a MILS!
Hawaii?! sooooooooooo jealous! I’ve never been, but my parents go often together. (Don’t think I’d want to be there with them on THAT trip though, if you know what I mean.)
YUMMY EARTH lollys! ha! that’s what my Mom bought too!! we twinssssssssss
Fabulous photos and recipe (as freaking always – love ya
)!!
Happy Halloween!!
I love excited the girls got! Too cute!
Take me with you. I can be your vacation nanny so you and the hubs can do yo’ thang. please. I’ll do it for free.
One of the best parts of my day is waking up in the morning, drinking a cup of hot tea and reading your blog. You had me cracking up over Matt Lauer’s Star Wars/Ellen Degeneres costume. Then Gigi licking the plate (wonder where that came from??), the Kardashians lying on their beach towels…and of course the food. I am so making that tahini dressing! Can’t believe I haven’t done it already.
Thank you, as always, for making me laugh and smile first thing in the morning.
P.S. – Aloha!! Hawaii sounds awesome! We were there in February…I cracked up over your little boobies comment..
I have never been to Hawaii! I am so envious.
I do not eat a vegan diet but you pumpkin bars look delicious. I especially love the cream cheese icing. Anything with cream cheese: count me in.
Love the artwork
Those pumpkin cupcakes look really good!
The bit about Matt Lauer cracked me up! And YaY Hawaii!! How exciting!
Hey! Love the new blog.. you never cease to make me laugh! I just have a question for you.. I see you eat a lot of raw veggies.. I do too, usually huge portions of raw veg for lunch and dinner.. however it kills my stomach.. does it do that to you too? Or are you fine after it? Thanks!
OH hawaii… i swear I left part of myself there when I last visited… its like, I’ve never been THAT relaxed before! I love the organic candy… if I can find something similar, I”ll get it. Otherwise, it’s going to be candy I don’t like (skittles) or we’ll be those meanies that turn off the light!
I love that the girls went and put on their suits!! Those are great pics!
That bat Gigi made freaked me out. I really thought there was someone sticking their face in there! haha
~Justine
you are a totally MILF, all the way
love the kourtney and khloe ref– that show sucks me in, and leaves me less intelligent every time
that bat is frightening haha
hope you all have a very happy halloween!
xoxo
How exciting! I only wish I were going too, but I will just live vicariously through your posts
I love your girls and all, but that bat freaks me out.
Haha, I watched The Today show on the treadmill too, and to be quite honest, when Meredith came out, I thought if you ignore the cinnamon buns on the side of her head she looked like Obama
Ooh which island are you going to? I’m going to Kauai this summer and I’m so excited! I’ve been to Maui and Oahu and loved both so I’m sure Kauai will be awesome too!
I did not get a chance to see Matt Lauer’s halloween costume and I am very excited to see it. LOL!
Yay for Hawaii!
I’ve never tried vegan deserts before, what am I waiting for?
I’m so happy your back!
Hawaiiiiiii!!!! Awesome! I’m jealous.
Maybe I’ll pajamas to the frat party I’m going to tonight…but maybe that’s a horrible idea.
Where do you live again? I want some of those lollipops
you know i love those lollipops.
i’m so coming to your house to trick or treat now .
i’ll be in the “i’ve been moving all week” costume. it’s similar to the MILS outfit you’ve got…
Yay! Hawaii sounds like a lot of fun
I like the lollipops you got, I couldn’t bring myself to buy any candy so I considered putting a sign on my door that said “sorry we have swine flu” but decided that might be in bad taste. I think next year I will try to find some candy like yours or some stickers or something. Kids get enough junk from everywhere else, I don’t need to add to that.
MILS – LMAO! Your are hilarious, girl!
Hawaii!! I’m so jealous! We went to Maui and Kauai last September, and I LOVED it.
Hi I LOVE your blog. Found it through your guest post on Fitnessista and I am about to add you to my favourites
Freaking Hawaii I guessed upstate NY! I’m now going as a jealous blogger for Halloween. Hmph.
I love the supersize me guy . . . he reminds me of someone . . . maybe me?
I love all of the Halloweenie things you do! Ari and I decided that in the future, Halloween will be our new “big” holiday to settle the interfaith stuff… who knows!
GOOD FOR YOU for planning a trip to Hawaii!!! You deserve a lovely vacation
Hey, I came across your blog via your guest posts on two of my favourite staple blogs, Choosing Raw and Fitnessista! i’m hooked!
Anecdotes + recipes + jokes + kids = good stuff.
i also find it funny that you seem to have a tendency not to shower after working out (or at least, put it off for some time). I don’t think this is one of those things where it’s cool to say you relate to, but well, I do!
I just figured out that I can only comment from my home computer. I can’t see the comments at work. Weird!
Anyways, I def bookmarked that vegan pumpkin recipe. Sounds FAB!
That’s awesome you’re going to Hawaii! I’ve never been, but I will go someday.
I bought horrible candy – some huge bag of mixed chocolate mini bars, and we had 4 trick-or-treaters all night…and they were all together. Needless to say, we now have a huge bowl of leftovers in our foyer. However, wishing I had a bowl of organic lollipops instead.
Loved Gigi’s bat.
that bat is CREEPY. i’m still laughing.
great recipe- i am going to give it a try this week. thanks!
ahhhhhh that bat is perhaps the creepiest piece of artwork – gigi is adorable (obvs) but that bat is hilarious.
YAY FOR HAWAII!!! so jealous. never been.
and last but not least, i loved your confession because i do the exact same thing sometimes. thanks for the shoutout mama pea – lots of halloween love to you and the fam!
I actually told a co-worker that I was having a crazy Pumpkin Bar craving today! I made the comment that I really need to healthify my recipe but haven’t ever gotten to it. You did the work for me! Thanks, Mama!
I actually did start laughing out loud while I was on the treadmill the other day when I saw that part of the Today show–Hoda totally takes the cake on that one.
Those cupcakes sound delicious! Also, I literally laughed out loud at the Matt Lauer comment- he totally DOES look like Ellen (no offense to her!).
( http://www.joelygolightly.wordpress.com )
Just made the pumpkin bars-they are yummy! Subbed pumpkin pie spice for ground cloves, and added mini chocolate chips!