Mind Tricks and Treats
Roaming around the cold streets of our neighborhood, smelling the singed pumpkin from our suprisingly flammable jack o’ lantern and fearing that my children will never go to sleep due to the candy that they are opening and shoveling faster than I can grab it from their sticky paws has made me delusional.
First, I woke up this morning and had a cookie for breakfast. In my mind, it tasted like this:
But it actually looked like this:
A Fitnessista inspired breakfast cookie made from:
- 1/3 c. pumpkin
- 1 T. hemp vanilla spice protein powder
- 2 T. almond milk
- 1 T. chia seeds
- cinnamon
- stevia
- raisin mouth
- chocolate chip eyes
I mixed everything up last night, stuck it in the fridge and then about 20 minutes before I wanted to eat it today, I stuck it in the freezer so it would harden up. That’s what she said.
After digesting, I hit the treadmill for what has been my longest post-surgery run: 3 miles! But in my mind, it felt like this:
In my mind I have abs like that too. After some weights and some obviously totally unneccessary ab work, we got the girls’ costumes all ready. This included laundering a witch costume because somebody was so excited they peed their pants. Twice.
In case the washer and dryer cycles took until Spring Break to complete, Gigi was prepared.
We had some lunch while we waited.
My salad had:
- spinach
- cabbage
- carrots
- red pepper
- broccoli
- pickles
- leftover tofu
- almonds
- tahini dressing
I also had a cup of butternut squash soup, but I only finished half of it, because I was so full after my salad. In my mind, I felt like this:
I must be delusional to think it is worth a laugh to show you that picture.
Finally, we were ready to get costumed.
Gigi was a “GOOD witch.”
I’m sure in her mind she looked like this:
And Lulu, well…
Don’t you recognize the “Skittish Toddler” costume?
She had no interest in wearing any costume, banana or otherwise.
We visited my mom and did a bit of grocery shopping/trick-or-treating.
Then we headed home and got all prepped for the evening’s festivities.
I made some Moroccan Chickpea Stew for dinner:
In my mind, you want the recipe.
- 1 t. cumin
- 1/2 t. allspice
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. garam masala
- 1 onion, chopped,
- 4 carrots, chopped (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 c. – 1 c. vegetable broth
- 1/2 c. apricots, chopped or golden raisins
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 T. tomato paste
- 1 T. sugar, stevia or sweetener of choice
- 1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 t. arrowroot powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro for garnish
Spray a pot with cooking spray and place over medium high heat. Add spices and heat for 30 seconds. Add chopped onion and saute for three minutes.
Add carrots, broth, tomatoes, tomato paste and sweetener and bring to a slow boil. Lower heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes.
Add zucchini, dried fruit and chickpeas and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
In a small dish, ladle a small amount of hot liquid from pot and stir briskly with 2 t. arrowroot. Return the roux to the pot to thicken stew. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with cilantro.
Before we ate, though, we had some serious trick-or-treating to do.
We were joined by our good friends. A hint to what great friends they are, today the dad texted the mom, who then texted me to alert me to the fact that the Vitamix is being sold RIGHT NOW at Costco for a limited time. Do they know me or what?! Of course, in my husband’s mind, he’s simply seeing:
Trick-or-treating commenced with all the kids excited for their treats, except for Lulu who ran for me as soon as the door opened.
After we parted ways with our friends, Gigi bravely forged ahead.
And Lulu perfected her “Skittish Toddler” costume.
Then a strange wind blew in from the East, and all of a sudden, Lulu was filled with courage and bravery!
Then Lulu just got overly confident.
That’s NOT our house. “Open this door right now and give me some damn candy!!!”
But that was not the funniest moment of our trick-or-treating adventure.
In my mind, he fell into a koi pond.
We also heard that some firefighters had their trucks parked near our house, handing out candy.
In my mind, I pictured this:
But in actuality, it was this.
We finally called it good and came home to eat our dinner.
Along with the stew, I had a salad topped with Cinnamon Cumin Vinaigrette from ED&BV and some chopped almonds.
It was delicious, and in my mind, I was in Morrocco.
After excitedly putting their leftover candy away to leave for the Treat Fairy,
we eventually got the girls to bed.
I’m planning on having a little pumpkin ice cream for dessert, but in my mind, it will be this:
It really was a fanastic day, and one that I will always remember fondly in my mind, and hold forever in my heart.
you are hilarious! quick question…now when you say, “excitedly putting their leftover candy away to leave for the Treat Fairy” does that mean the Treat Fairy takes all the candy while they sleep?! If so, I am really impressed your daughters give up their candy so easily.
What a sweet day and I think your day was WAY better than the “In your mind” one!
Lil witch n Skittish Tot were adorable
we had a last minute “say NO to costume” today too. He got over it AND we didn’t go trick or treating…just a play date with friends.
glad mine wasn’t the only non-player! I guess some years it’s a little scary! Glad she found some courage!
Love your stew too! looks warming!
Glad you had a great day!
and I wish I had known to look for the vita mix at Costco…we were there today!
how much are they going for? do you know?
sigh
may have to go back there and see it!
Happy day!
I’ve been dining on my adaptation brekkie cookie action every morning for about 6 mos. Like you could never get sick of your kashi action, I could never get sick of my rendition. I use a ridic amt of stevia though, no one else would probably even like it. Question, this: 1 T. hemp vanilla spice protein powder
What brand? I am so gunshy of hemp protein b/c the 2 I have tried thus far are dirt-like.
Great Halloween pics, glad you had a good day with your fam!
Too cute. I love your commentary. You crack me up. What a lovely day with your girls
I looked up the Vita-mix on Costco’s website, but it still seems to be much cheaper at Amazon. Just a thought.
Sounds like a perfect family day. This post really cheered me up and made me go awww
In MY mind, you and I will one day be in the same state and will meet for hugh-jass salads and maybe some jean shopping! Those are so cute! I’m sure you are like me…can never find pants that are long enough!
So sweet! The kids AND the treats! I totally wanted The Candy Fairy to come here – unfortunately I had to hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doorknob. Maybe next year Treat Fairy. Thanks for trying.
LOL. Love the Koi pond!
bahaha…I love the firefighter picture. I would run to him for candy ANY day
;)
Glad you and the fam enjoyed halloween! Looks like the perfect night! And to end it off with pumpkin icecream…well, can`t get any better then that (unless you add pb cups to it)
You always keep me laughing and entertained!! Love it!
So, how much $$$ are the vitamix’s going for? I don’t have a Costco near me but my parents do…they keep me stocked up on almond butter! Thanks for the heads up.
Word is, they are $395. The girls don’t really need college, do they? I think adequately combined smoothies are more important than higher education.
It’s so cute that lulu was so shy last night! I love the twists you always put on your posts. I felt like that racing picture after the first 5k I raced in
OF COURSE we want the recipe for Moroccan Chickpea Stew!! At least, I do. Thanks! That looks delish and so do the vegan pumpkin bars from your last post. I think this is my new meal idea site
I can’t believe it’s warm enough where you are to just wear a jacket trick or treating. We’re busting out the snowsuits here! xoxo
Hahaha Great post, as always!
I’m going to have to try those breakfast cookies, they look delicious and I like that I can switch them up any which way I want.
It is awesomely hilarious that your daughter was SO excited she peed her pants – TWICE! That is like me when it comes to Christmas….
Looks like you had a great Halloween even though the firemen weren’t bronzed adonises….
Who is the treat fairy??
Your kids look adorable. I love seeing how close they are- makes me wish I had a sister!
You mean you haven’t seen my world wide mass marketing campaign about the Treat Fairy? She comes and takes all the candy and leaves the girls a special toy! And I don’t have to listen to whines for candy for the next three months.
What a cute day. I hope everyone had fun trick or treating. The weather stayed nice here and rain held off until 10 thankfully.
Looks like the kids had a great time!
Thanks for the recipe. I’ll be trying that one. Wonder if my dried fruit hating daughter will notice the raisins?
Wonderful Halloween pics! I love LuLu’s ‘costume.’ I was always so afraid of trick or treating when I was little, too! You looked amazing hen you were pregnant by the way, I hope to look half that good.
can the treat fairy come to my house to take my leftover trick or treater candy?
i’d like a fridge please. stainless with black handles.
or shoes.
Aww, glad you had a great day. Looks like the girls did, too.
I LOL at LuLu trying to open that door, hahaha!
ah, so lulu didn’t want to adorn the banana costume. i was so long forward to that;-). my favorite line, “Then Lulu just got overly confident.” Hahaha, how hilarious that she tried to open the door.
Quick question, how did lulu adjust when gigi first went to school? were they both okay with the change?
Oh goodness I love this post! The girls look so cute Mama and you all are having such a blast!
Um, and can we talk about how cute your outfit is? I’m talking your trick&treat outfit. Love! What brand of jeans are those? I’m having the hardest time finding jeans.
Oooh, thanks Andrea! They are Diesel jeans and even though they were 50% off, I paid more for them than I’ve ever paid for a pair of jeans in my life, but I love them and know I’ll get my money’s worth!
The smell of singed pumpkin is one of my favorite scents of the season, seriously.
Friends that alert you to Vitamix availability are friends for life!
That last picture, who am I kidding ALL of the pictures are so cute! Glad you guys had a great Halloween
MAMA this post was a hoot! seriously! you are so dang creative!!!
i loved looking into your mind.
and i love the preggers picture! so beautiful!!!
Hugs to the Peas!
KOI POND! priceless
The girls are adorable, I wish they came to trick or treat at my house
Haha, okay, I get it, the Treat Fairy. That’s cute.
Question though…assuming that the Treat Fairy is fictional (I realize that’s a pretty big assumption there) where does the candy really go??
I love that Lulu got brave
A bit too brave.
Glad you had a great day with your girls.
Bahahaha! You’re hilarious!
I’m so embarrassed that you visited my blog, because due to my swine flu {in my mind, someone cool gave it to me – like say, Jillian Michaels but in reality I’m pretty sure I caught it from a bored check-in person at the airport} it hasn’t been updated in forever ever ever {tm Chris Brown}.
I want to be a skittish toddler for Hallowe’en next year…. might be a bit too creepy though. And I commend Lulu for banging on a stranger’s door for candy. I think we all secretly want to do that every single day.
I just <3 your blog!
Awww, what a great day! My halloween was way more boring.
Great recipe!
What a great Halloween! Your soup sounds delicious!
You were DEFINITELY one of those pregnant women who looks totally normal from behind, but turns around and she has the pregnant belly. I DREAM of being that pregnant woman!! But I, of course, will be the unrecognizable, obese pregnant woman with vicious mood swings and cravings for chocolate covered pickles or something. Gah!
I believe that I will stop using Bar Refaeli as my swimsuit-season inspiration and turn to Gigi! She is bringing the sass and I LOVE IT!
Lulu is a copycat!!! Excuse me, I distinctly remember telling you that I was going to dress up as Skittish Toddler this year. HMPH! Or maybe that was just IN MY MIND…
Well despite the mind trick, it was certainly a treat to see the girls have a great Halloween. That’s what it’s all about!
Oh and PS Aloooooooha! Woo hoo!
Looks like a ton of fun girl! That stew looks great.
Funny you guys trick or treat in the day light. What time was it? We always wait til dark around these parts. haha
~Justine
Love, love, love your funny writing style. Brings a big smile to my face and joy to my heart. You have a lovely family!
Aw, your daughters are too cute. What a special time for them. Memories that will last a lifetime…
I’m not quite sure how I came upon your blog, but it is now marked in my favorites. You have such a gift with words, and you and your family are simply adorable! I have two semi-grown girls and two almost grown boys, so your pictures and daily routines really bring back such fond memories! I also enjoy the scrumptious food pictures and recipes! Keep up the great work! You are fabulous!
Sexy pregnant mama. That photo made me smile – you looked great.
Sounds like a fun night of trick-or-treating. Gigi looked adorable, and I hope her witch costume made it through the evening dry.
Nice run my friend. I know you’re glad to be back. What are your thoughts on the vanilla spice hemp protein? I thought it tasted like dirt.
ahhhh i see your moroccan stew…and i raise you a duel!
love love love halloween + kids – it is so much fun, and it looks like you all had a fab time. i was kind of hoping daddy pea would fall into to koi pond too. no offense daddy pea.
i seriously feel like i’m eating a gooey trans fat laden cookie too when i’m feasting on a bfast cookie
actually it’s a far cry from mrs field’s but i try to convince myself
so glad you all had a great halloween! i love your little family
have a great night <3
HAHAHA Koi Pong cracked me up
This might be a long shot, but I swear I’ve seen other bloggers with a Vitamix giveaway before. Maybe you should write to them and kindly offer to “sample and review” one of their amazing blenders? I don’t know, could work. I’ll vouch for your credibility, you know, if you need a reference or something!
Also, what about checking on craigslist for one? I know people who have sold some pretty cool stuff on there for super cheap!
Glad you had a good Halloween. I love the pregnant pic too
I’m going to have to try that Moroccan stew, yum!
So I just wanted to let you know that… your daughter and I have the same name!
Cute! Gigi is just a nickname…Pea Daddy wouldn’t actually let me name her Gigi, but I think it’s darling!
This is the funniest post!