Meatless Monday Encourages People to Improve Diet, Eat Less Meat

The Monday Campaigns and Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future announced the results of a national survey that suggest how Meatless Monday can be an effective tool to meet this challenge. An online survey conducted by FGI Research found that Meatless Monday not only influences people to reduce meat intake, but encourages them to incorporate healthier alternatives into their weekly routine.

The survey found that over one-third of people (36 percent) aware of Meatless Monday said that the campaign has influenced their decision to cut back or to consider cutting back on meat. Overall, this group reported improvements in consumption of a range of healthy foods, with 73 percent saying they eat more vegetables, 64 percent eating more fruits, 42 percent eating more beans and 47 percent eating more whole grains.

Perhaps most significantly, the results suggest that Meatless Monday is helping people create a habit of eating more meatless meals and is inspiring cooks and diners to experiment with new options. Sixty-two percent of those influenced by Meatless Monday say they are working to incorporate Meatless Monday into their weekly routine. Half of the respondents say they've experimented with new meatless recipes when they cook at home and 42 percent have tried more meatless meals when eating out.

"We started out with the simple goal of cutting back on meat and saturated fat and along the way found that Meatless Monday had become a way to get lots of delicious meatless alternatives on America's plates", says Sid Lerner, chairman and founder of The Monday Campaigns. "Meatless Monday gives chefs and home cooks a weekly opportunity to think creatively about what to cook instead of meat."

Nutrition professionals can easily take advantage of Meatless Monday's simple message. "In a clinical setting, dietitians can counsel patients on the benefits of eating weekly meatless meals and even send out pre-Monday reminders via e-newsletter or social media," says Allison Righter, MSPH, RD with the Center for a Livable Future. "Dietitians working in food service, with community organizations, in education or research, or in a private practice can all adapt the campaign in their own way – through creating interactive and informational displays, developing and promoting healthy meatless options, leading cooking classes, or organizing consumer contests."

For more on Meatless Monday and how the campaign can be used to promote a well-balanced diet, guests at FNCE can visit booth 1241. Information and delicious, healthy recipes are also available at meatlessmonday.com

The Monday Campaigns is a non-profit initiative that uses weekly prompts and the unique cultural associations of Monday as the beginning of the week to positively affect a range of healthy behaviors, including eating healthy, exercising, and quitting smoking.

Meatless Monday, founded in 2003 in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, encourages people to reduce meat consumption by 15% (one day a week) to benefit their personal health and the health of the environment.

The Center for a Livable Future(CLF) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides scientific expertise and technical assistance to the Meatless Monday campaign. For this survey, CLF served as an advisor in developing the questions and analyzing the results.

FGI Research is a leading provider of custom market research, panels and surveys and data collection. This online survey was administered in July 2012 to a nationally representative sample of 1,005 U.S. adults ages 18 and over. The margin of error is 3%.


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Celebrate the Pasta-bilities: October is National Pasta Month Too

With only 12 months to go around, it stands to reason, that October has a lot more to celebrate than just hot dogs and sausage. How about pasta? The National Pasta Association (NPA), yup, there's an association for pasta too, says that pasta is America's favorite food. And it has a survey to prove it.

According to a 2011 survey conducted by the National Pasta Association, pasta lovers eat their favorite food seven times a month – nearly twice a week! Bringing American families exactly what they are looking for, pasta is a versatile dish which can easily fit into a healthy lifestyle. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that when asked what food they could not live without 60% of those surveyed chose pasta, even instead of chocolate!

Celebrate this household staple over family dinner this October during National Pasta Month. Quick, fun, fall recipes the entire family will enjoy like Acorn Squash ‘n Pasta Soup, Pasta with Turkey-Black Bean Chili, and Apple Frittata are available atwww.ilovepasta.org. If you are looking for a reason to celebrate pasta, here are some interesting facts that might persuade you:

Americans eat approximately 20 pounds of pasta each year. This may sounds outrageous but in Italy, the average person eats 51 pounds – salute! 

Pasta is the ideal delivery system for nutritious foods! It boosts energy, satisfies hunger, tastes great and can be prepared in countless ways. It’s great to pair with fiber-filled vegetables and beans, heart -healthy fish and oils, antioxidant-rich tomato sauce and protein-packed poultry and lean meats.

 
The first American pasta factory was opened in Brooklyn in 1848. If you think it was an Italian that started the US industry, you are wrong; it was a Frenchman named Antoine Zerega. 

There are over 600 different shapes of pasta which can be made into an infinite number of meals. With pasta varieties ranging from fusilli and ziti to farfalle and orecchiette, it’s hard to pick a favorite. In 2011, Americans named spaghetti as their favorite shape. 

54% of Americans keep 1-4 packages of pasta in their pantry at all times. An easy meal to toss together, a pasta dish can create a delicious and nutritious last-minute meal when the pantry is otherwise bare.

There are so many ways a food lover can celebrate National Pasta Month, from learning how to cook the perfect pasta to trying out a new pasta shape, or even creating a pasta dish with a healthy twist. To share your low-calorie recipes and for more information on how Pasta Fits into your diet, lifestyle, and budget, visit www.pastafits.org orwww.facebook.com/PastaFits.

About National Pasta Association

The National Pasta Association (NPA) is the trade association for the United States pasta industry. Founded in 1904, the NPA’s mission is to increase the consumption of pasta, to promote the development of sound public policy, and to act as a center of knowledge for the industry and the consumer. For additional information, please visit: www.pastafits.org or www.facebook.com/PastaFits.

Hot Dog & Sausage Council Kicks Off National Sausage Month With New Charcuterie Guide

Hmmm... Learn something new every day, yes I do. First there is a National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. This is kind of a cool web site. This council keeps tabs on how many hot dogs people eat (7 billion just between Memorial Day and Labor Day) and how much Americans spend on said hot dogs each year. ($1.7 billion.) Dallas is no. 6 in hot dog consumption.

Sausage also is a billion dollar industry - $2 billion for dinner sausage and $3 billion for breakfast. Folks in San Antonio are the top consumers of said dinner sausage. Houston is no. 3 and Dallas no. 6. We Texans do love our processed meats!

The next new thing: the word "charcuterie." Charcuterie is the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products (mostly pork), like bacon, ham, and sausage. Well with a fancy word like that, you can bet there is a month devoted to it. Well almost. October is National Sausage Month. The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council say so! Check out the news release below for links to some great recipes!

Charcuterie plates have been growing in popularity in recent years, and to celebrate October's National Sausage Month, the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC) is debuting a new guide to help people create their delicious and appealing platters of sausage and other cured meats. The comprehensive guide assists with everything from planning the perfect charcuterie plate to choosing different sausage, cheese and wine options to serving tips. The guide and accompanying video are available in a new special section on http://www.hot-dog.org/.

"National Sausage Month is a perfect time to celebrate the charcuterie trend," said NHDSC President and 'Queen of Wien' Janet Riley. "Few may realize that charcuterie is a French culinary art dating back to the 15thcentury. While charcuterie may often be featured in restaurants, it's easy to put together one at home."

Charcuterie Photo Contest

As part of the new charcuterie guide debut, the NHDSC will also run a contest in October for the best charcuterie photos. Entries can be submitted on the NHDSC Flickr orFacebook pages and will be judged on food styling and creativity. The grand prize winner will receive a $250 gift card for sausage while two runner ups will get new NHDSC t-shirts.

In addition to the charcuterie guide and contest, the NHDSC has several new recipes available on its website including October's mixed sausage grill. An A to Z Guide of Hot Dog & Sausage recipes is also available at http://www.hot-dog.org/ including five sausage recipes that cost $15 or less to make and five low calorie sausage dishes.

Full contest details as well as the new charcuterie guide are available at http://www.hot-dog.org/.

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Crafting with Epsom Salt

While Epsom salt is hundreds of years old, now there's a new way to use it: making crafts.

The Epsom Salt Council has added a new page to its website (http://epsomsaltcouncil.org/salt-crafts/#) with instructions for a variety of craft projects. Frost your windows, decorate champagne glasses or make sparkly Easter eggs. Whether it's Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, the Holidays or just an uneventful day at home, Epsom salt can help you celebrate and have fun.

"Using Epsom salt as a craft medium is becoming more and more popular," said Amanda Formaro, a former craft expert for Disney's Kaboose.com who now runs the websiteCrafts by Amanda, which offers easy tutorials for kids and adults. Formaro offered guidance to the Council as it created its new web page.

"Epsom salt is perfect for creating pretty textures for all sorts of projects," Formaro said. "And it's an inexpensive material that's readily available at discount stores, dollar stores, pharmacies and groceries."

Among the projects featured on the Epsom Salt Council's new web page:

• Shimmering luminaries – Add sparkle to candleholders at a party or even a wedding. 
• Greeting cards – Customize a homemade card for someone you love. 
• Early frost fall decor – Coat your pumpkins and gourds, making an attractive fall display. 
• Holiday jars – Paint them red, white and blue on the Fourth of July or choose different colors for other holidays. These are great for holding napkins, straws and utensils, dressing up your celebration. 
• Snowballs – You can hang them as ornaments or place them in a basket or vase for a winter-themed centerpiece. 

"There are so many fun crafts you can do with Epsom salt, and this is another reason why it's always been one of the most versatile household products," said Epsom Salt Council Vice President Mark Vincent. "Whether it's creating a craft, relaxing with an at-home spa treatment, soothing aching muscles, boosting your garden, or nurturing your health, we are pleased that people keep finding new benefits of Epsom salt."

About Epsom salt
Epsom salt – actually magnesium sulfate – is one of the most versatile household products, with uses ranging from creating at-home spa treatments to soothing aching muscles to helping start or improve gardens to nurturing your health. It's been used therapeutically for hundreds of years, and it's gaining a new generation of fans looking for a safe, economical alternative in a sea of expensive, over-the-counter remedies. Epsom salt is easy to use, easy to find in your local pharmacy or grocery store and it costs about the same per use as a cup of coffee. For more information, please visit either www.epsomsaltcouncil.org or www.facebook.com/epsomsalt,

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Tips from RISE to Keep Pests out this Winter

Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment®, RISE is campaigning to equip all homeowners, and especially first-time or new homeowners, with valuable tips to prepare their homes and yards for the coldest season of the year and to keep out pests looking for a winter home.

According to a Realtor.com survey of real estate agents and brokers, nine out of 10 new homeowners in 2012 have been interested in purchasing distressed properties. These bargains often come with tall grass, overgrown shrubs, unmanaged pools and clogged gutters that may have turned into a haven for pests that can threaten the health and safety of families, homes and communities. Exposure to weeds and rodent and insect allergens can also trigger respiratory problems and illnesses like hay fever and asthma, especially among young children, toddlers and the elderly.

Since fall is the best time to prepare for winter and spring, RISE is helping all homeowners keep their homes, yards and communities healthy and safe during National Inspect and Protect Week. Each day of the week will coincide with steps that match RISE's easy-to-follow acronym: INSPECT (INvestigate, Study, Prepare, Eliminate, Clean and Treat).

RISE is providing these simple tips to help homeowners, especially new owners of distressed properties:

Indoors:

• Proactive and preventive treatments are key to keeping pests under control from the very start of your home ownership. 
• Start off right. Eliminate pests' pathways into your house by sealing spaces around pipes and electrical wires entering the house. 
• Eliminate food sources, water and shelter that may attract pests. 
• Remove stacks of cardboard (including those moving boxes) from your home as they provide attractive shelter and food for pests. 
• Check for water leaks under the sink, refrigerator and other related areas. 
• Store food items in air-tight and pest-proof containers or in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Outdoors:

• Remove all standing water in areas such as pots, buckets, toys, pet bowls, bird baths, etc. 
• Clean out ornamental and flower beds and be sure to place mulch in the right places — at least 12 inches from your foundation. Pick up fallen leaves and branches to help eliminate places where ticks like to hide. 
• Prune back tree branches that are touching the house or roof. Branches leading to your home form a bridge for insects and rodents. 
• For pier and beam foundations, keep the area under the house free of clutter and sealed so no wildlife make it their home. 

"Maintaining your property is key to effectively avoiding a winter pest infestation," said Robin Tabuchi, research entomologist with the University of California at Berkeley. "Taking action to inspect and protect your home this fall will safeguard your family's health as well as property, helping everyone to safely enjoy the colder months ahead."

About RISE

Located in Washington, D.C., RISE is the national association representing the manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders involved with pesticide and fertilizer products used in turf, ornamental, pest control, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and other non-food/fiber applications. Learn more about RISE at www.debugthemyths.com.

Source: PRNewswire

National Park Foundation Unveils The 2012 "National Parks Fall Foliage Guide"

The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, today announced their 2012 "National Parks Fall Foliage Guide." This year's list of parks boast exceptional fall colors, however they represent only a few of the national park sites where foliage lovers can enjoy the spectacular spectrum of the season's palette. Find out more about national park sites from coast-to-coast, share your favorite park foliage pictures and videos, and learn how your support is critical to preserving these majestic places at www.nationalparks.org.

With its breathtaking colors, Autumn is also the perfect time to photograph nature's beauty and the national parks can provide infinite inspiration. Amateur photographers are invited to submit the photos to the 12th annual Share the Experiencephotography contest for the chance to have their image selected for use on the America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

The list below includes information on region-specific flora as well as estimated timing on the peak of their colors:

Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington) – Peak foliage times range across the rivers, canyons, prairies and mountains of this park which overlaps four states. The short-grass prairies of White Bird Battlefield (ID) and Spalding (ID) peak around mid to late October. The plains and plateaus of the sagebrush steppe eco-region include a site called Buffalo Eddy (WA) where fall foliage also peaks around mid to late October.

Steamtown National Historic Site (Pennsylvania) – Take a ride back in time on a 1920s era passenger car, with either a 1917-built steam or historic diesel-powered locomotive, to combine a view of the autumn scenery with the history of railroading. Peak is estimated to be October 7-20.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (New York) – Visit the site of Theodore Roosevelt's home around mid-October to see the changing colors of oak-tulip tree, hickory and copper beech. Sagamore Hill Day, a Fall Family Festival giving tribute to the agricultural heritage of the site, is conveniently planned for October 20 which is also Theodore Roosevelt's 154th birthday!

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (Wisconsin, Minnesota) – The St. Croix and Namekagon rivers create a 255-mile corridor with a variety of color from one end to the other, including maple, aspen, oak, and birch trees. Visit this park soon, as leaves are changing quickly, with peak colors from now through mid-October.
Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky) – Foliage at this park includes the changing colors of black gum, poison ivy, and dogwood, peaking from mid to late October. Join the Friends of Mammoth Cave for a Walk-In-The-Park on October 6, and choose one of three different walks that are sure to suit your interests and abilities while allowing the perfect opportunity to support the park and view a variety of fall colors.

Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi) – The location of a critical battle in the Civil War, this park has a brief period of fall foliage, usually lasting from mid-October through mid-November. Visitors can see changes in the hickory, pecan, and black walnut trees, among many others. Plan a visit around October 27, and the kids can participate in a "Shape Up, Junior Ranger Owl Discovery Walk." This 1-mile walk teaches more about the park's nighttime creatures, and is the perfect chance to test out this year's Halloween costume.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (Texas) – Located in the Hill Country of Texas, leaves at this park change from mid-October through the end of November. The sumac, oaks, and haw holly add bursts of fall colors, while the pecans cover the ground and the purple flowers of the gay feather herb enhance the color palette and autumn atmosphere. For a fantastic foliage tour, start with a drive through the LBJ Ranch and tour the Texas White House. Make your way into Johnson City to visit the Boyhood Home and finish out your tour with a walk down the nature trail to the Johnson Settlement and the 1960s cabin and barns.

Flight 93 National Memorial (Pennsylvania) – This national memorial, dedicated to the brave passengers and crew of Flight 93 who fought back against terrorism on September 11, 2001, encompasses 2,200 acres of rolling hills, wild flowers, wetlands and old-growth and newly planted trees. Once a coal mine, this location has experienced a breathtaking rebirth as a place of national honor and reflection. Peak viewing times span early to mid-October, but if you can't get there in person, you can enjoy the foliage from the park's Live webcam.

Several factors affect the intensity of fall shades at each park including moisture, temperature and length of sunlight exposure. Visitors are strongly encouraged to contact parks directly for specific information on seasonal events and optimal viewing periods.

Share the Experience entries will be accepted through December 31, 2012. Contestants are able to view a complete list of rules and prizes as well as submit their photos directly at: www.sharetheexperience.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.

Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land. www.nationalparks.org.

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Thrillvania Haunted House Grand Opening 2012 in Terrell Texas

Labor Day has come and gone, the kids are back in school and the days are growing shorter.  With the frost on the pumpkin and the long dark nights comes another Texas tradition, the annual grand opening of Thrillvania Haunted House in Terrell, Texas!

What:	Thrillvania Haunted House
When:
	October 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 31
	November 2-3
	Times vary please check Thrillvania.com
Where:	Terrell, Texas
	2330 County Road 138, Terrell, Texas 75161
Cost:	Adult $30 +tax
	Child $15 +tax (10 yrs & under)

Opening its doors on Fridays 8pm till 11:00pm, Thrillvania has added even more thrills, chills and mind-boggling spooktacular dioramas this year, making it Hauntworld Magazine's number one pick for Scariest Haunted House in America.

A veritable smorgasbord of creatively themed indoor and outdoor haunts, Thrillvania combines elaborate, movie quality sets, pyrotechnics, giant spiders, complex animatronics and live monsters that come at you from all sides in six amazing attractions on nearly 50 haunted acres. From their flagship World Famous Verdun Manor to Cassandra's three-dimensional psychedelic Labyrinth of Terror, the haunt literally has something for everyone from 2 to 92.

The labor of love of haunted industry icon Lance Pope, Thrillvania started out in 1996 with just Verdun Manor, 8000 square feet of decaying mansion whose living room is a "dying room," where skeletons play a ragtime waltz on the piano and ominous, macabre decor is the order of the day. Lance's mother Sue continues to run Thrillvania since his untimely death in 2002, and this year she's really done Lance proud!

Carpenters, set designers, creative artists and evil geniuses have all been working the graveyard shift, adding more footage, more carnage, more dark humor and things that go bump in the night to get Thrillvania ready for the 2012 season.  From the thick foggy swamps of the Voodoo Bayou to Sam Hain's chilling Trail of Torment, the eerie darkness of Thorn Hall and the rabid clowns of Cassandra's Labyrinth of Terror (something you might want to avoid if you have a fear of clowns), the illusions, special effects and animatronics are hairier, scarier and more electrifying than ever before.

For younger guests and fraidy cats, Granny Lupus' Seance Theatre supplies a tamer set of thrills, and a midway with games and refreshments is always a safe place to hide out.  But for the bravest of the foolhardy, Verdun Manor is still the haunt to die for, and people literally run out the back door screaming - that is, if they manage to make it out at all.  Enter at your peril!

Open every weekend through the 3rd of November plus Halloween. Go to www.Thrillvania.com for times.

Thrillvania awaits, just east of Dallas on a dark country road.  Are you ready?

Thrillvania Haunted House selected as one of the best haunted houses in America by Haunted House Ratings.com, AOL, Fangoria, Haunted Attraction Magazine, MSN and America's Best Haunts.

About Thrillvania Haunted House

Thrillvania Haunted House is located approximately 33 miles east of Dallas, Texas at the intersections of I-20 and Wilson Road in Terrell Texas. With 6 haunted attractions, including the world famous Verdun Manor, Thrillvania Haunted House is an experience not to be missed! Visit www.thrillvania.com or call  214-697-9223 for more information. Media Contact: Alicia Warden –  214-697-9223 or alicia.thrillvania@gmail.com.

SOURCE Thrillvania Haunted House

Celebrate International Frugal Fun Day, Oct. 6

Saving money isn't always easy, but putting aside a few dollars here and there can add up. International Frugal Fun Day, October 6, is the perfect time to begin the habit of making small adjustments so you can have a frugal fun night and put the savings toward something even bigger later.

Here are some suggestions on how to be frugal but still have fun.

Rent a movie. Before spending a small fortune to see a recent release, rent a movie you forgot to see before it left theaters. Spend $15 on the rented movie and snacks from the grocery store and put the remaining money in your savings account. What would have been a $45 date night is now a frugal movie night.

Savings: $30 on the cost of movie tickets and theatre snacks

Take a picnic to a public park. Instead of spending your play money to go out to eat all the time, pack up a picnic basket and head to a nearby park with your loved ones. Enjoy the outdoors by bringing a ball, kite or frisbee so you can play after lunch. Many state parks require a small fee, but most local public parks are completely free. A day in the sun is the perfect time to save for a rainy day, so deposit the money you would have spent eating out straight to your savings account.

Savings: $40 on the cost of an appetizer, two entrees, and drinks at a restaurant

Visit the museum and zoo on free days. Many entertaining destinations like these have a designated day each month for the public to enter at a free or reduced rate. Instead of paying around $30 for two adults to be admitted, with a little planning you can check out American Indian relics, paintings and animals for little or nothing.

Savings: $30 on the cost of admission

Take a bike ride. Who decided exercise had to be boring? Take a new bike path or explore a neighborhood you've always wanted to see. You'll find out more about the area in which you live and make yourself more fit in the process.

Savings: $5 on the cost of gas

Participate in a seasonal tradition, visit a pumpkin patch. Fall, food and fun—you can't go wrong. Take some friends to pick pumpkins, and later, spend the evening baking pumpkin pie. If you pull the money for pumpkins out of your grocery budget, you will have spent no money on entertainment at all.

Savings: $0 total—but your monthly budget now allows $5 more for entertainment!

By participating in a little frugal fun, you can work toward your savings goal without radically changing your lifestyle; if you do one of the ideas mentioned each weekend, you can save your way to something even more fun, like an island getaway. Make sure to tell everyone on the beach how you did it.

For more information on budgeting and saving, visit www.bmoharris.com.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1oW2L)

Creative Christmas Giving

Christmas has always been a big deal at our home, and when I knew I was going to be retired from my public relations job, I started looking for ways well before the impending lay off to save money and still make Christmas a memorable family gathering.

We knew we had to make changes in how and how much money we spent. We also realized that this was the perfect time to make lasting changes in how we celebrated the holiday. None of us really need or want anything. If we do, we are fortunate enough to be able to buy most anything we need or want. No, we decided that Christmas presents had to be meaningful.

One of the changes we made was to say that at least one gift to everyone and from everyone had to be personally handmade. I sew, so this year, I made felt shopping bags for everyone. Felt is cheap so it that helps on the Christmas budget. It’s also easy to personalize each bag. But more importantly, reflects my desire for my family to be more green.

Last year, the first year that we did this, my daughter created beautiful, handmade canvas prints of my grandson. My dad made me a beautiful cake plate – and even baked cookies! My sons, not much on the creative front, give me framed photos. Those are gifts I'll cherish forever.

Buying locally produced products also is important to us, so at least one gift had to be made in Texas or at least made in the USA. This was my excuse to hit the McKinney Downtown Square.

Loco Cowpoke and Landon Winery are two of my favorite shops for made in Texas goods. Every item sold at Loco Cowpoke is made in Texas. My son-in-law the barbeque connoisseur got a selection of Texas-made barbeque sauces; my mother and daughter got the amazing margarita jelly; my youngest son, the amazing Texas grown and pickled olives. There’s also Texas-made peanut butters, chocolates and honey as well as the expected sauces.

Landon Winery is a popular gift with by parents and my brother – whose name happens to be Landon. We’re partial to the fruit wines and the dessert wines. And I got the gift box – for obvious reasons.

Another thing I started a couple of years ago, is the "coolest thing ever" gift. I buy one outrageously practical, but totally cool gift in bulk and every family gets one. The first year I did it, I bought Megabrite LED Color Changing Night Lights in multi-packs. You plug these decorative night lights into the wall, and they fade from one color to the next. Practical and pretty. I got a lot of strange looks when those gifts were open. Everybody thought I was off my rocker, but when I go into their homes, they all have them plugged in.

Last year, I gave the even more practical memory foam bath mats. My youngest son was the loudest to yelp about such an odd ball gift. Then a couple of weeks after Christmas, he called with an admission: "Mom, I didn't get what was so special about that bath mat. Then I jump out of the shower this morning, and it was cold! When my feet landed on it, I got it!” Not to mention that it helps reduce my elderly parents chances of slipping or eases the burden on my daughter’s knees when she baths my grandson.

While I haven’t decided this year’s coolest gift ever, I almost always buy them from a warehouse store so I can get them in bulk and for much, much cheaper than you can get them anywhere online.

Beyond the quest to be green and to be practical, I also have a couple of frugality strategies.

Last year, I discovered Coin Star’s free coin counting service. You can take your jars full of change to Coin Star and exchange them for e-certificates and gift cards for free. Participating retailers are practical places where you’re like to shop for Christmas anyway: Penny’s, Sears, Toys R Us, Lowes, Gap and Amazon.com, just to name a few. There’s also several grocery stores and restaurants participating. I bought most of my grandson's 2011 Christmas with Coin Star generated gift cards and will likely do the same this year as I have filled three big jars since last Christmas.

A couple of things to note: not all merchants are available at all coin star machines. For example, at Walmart, you can only get restaurant and hotel gift certificates. I found that out the hard way and ended up trekking across the street to Kroger to get the Toys R Us deal. Coin Star has since upgraded its web site so that you can find a vending machine that offers the gift certificate you’re looking for before you head out.

Also be aware that the rules for each gift card and e-certificate is different from vendor to vendor, and you won’t necessarily find the answers online – only on the printed receipt you receive after you've cashed in your coins. I figured out that the hard way too. Toys R Us/Babies R Us issues e-certificates which can only be used to make online purchases, which I - and the store staff - learned after several phone calls to corporate. I had to go home and make my purchase. I was able to do in store pick up at no cost, but that option may not be available on everything you buy. Be aware that your purchase my include shipping costs and could take up to two weeks to arrive. Make sure you do this with plenty of time to spare.

Now for something new that I'm doing this year.... Selling Avon. You can become an Avon rep for only $10. (Most other direct sales opportunities are $150 or more to join). As a new rep, you get up to 40 percent discount on your first four orders if those orders are at least $100 each. (Discount depends on the product). You get $100 with of products for $60 (plus shipping and tax)

You can order stocking stuffer favorites for women, men and kids super cheap. Actually, you can get some pretty nice tree gifts super cheap too. You’ll be able to get fantastic deals on popular gifts – sleepwear, clothes, jewelry, footwear, colognes, perfumes and bath products.

Oh, and you can restock your bathroom while you’re at it. Avon is comparably priced to Wal-mart on the cosmetics, hair care and skin care products you use every day. And the quality is comparable to high-end department store products! Because everyone knows the Avon name, it’s very easy to sell to friends, family and coworkers, and they're subsidizing your Christmas shopping. Just last week, I filled three huge stockings for $4 TOTAL, thanks to my wonderful customers.

Yes, there’s a downside – you do pay for shipping, but in this day of online shopping, you should be used to that. And if you decide to make a side business of it, there are some niggly costs involved – you have to pay for brochures and samples (both of which really do encourage sales) and you pay for your gas if your customers are beyond your normal travels.

Avon does have no hassle, online sign up. Email me for the link and sign up code. I promise not to bug you.

So yes, it’s the only the beginning of October, but we’re already planning for a great Christmas!!!

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Make This Halloween A Monster Mash of Color and Flavor with McCormick® Food Colors and Extracts

Let’s get ready for Halloween! Who doesn’t have a baking shelf stocked with McCormick food colors and flavor extracts? I have all the basic primary colors, and tons of fall flavors! McCormick tells us how to scare up some spooky fun with what might already be in your cup board:

Jack-o-Lantern Orange. Banshee Black. Frankenstein Green.

This is the colorful monster mash of Halloween, encouraging creativity in everything from costumes to decorations to tasty treats. The results are sometimes wicked and sometimes whimsical — and, with the help of McCormick, always colorful and flavorful.

“McCormick orange extract and food colors are the perfect combination for Halloween,” said Mark Garcia of the McCormick Kitchens. “And, our Creepy Crawly Cake Truffles make great use of this combo. Not only are these bite-sized spiders, ghosts and bats fun on the outside, they also hold a surprise on the inside: a bright orange-flavored cake. This is just one of many playful ‘tricks’ you can try with food color and extracts on Halloween.”

For more treats that’ll turn your festivities into a delicious graveyard smash, try these recipes from the McCormick Kitchens developed especially for the season:  

·         Creepy Crawly Cake Truffles: Transform orange-colored (and flavored!) cake balls into edible monsters with sweet decorations like melted chocolate, black licorice and jelly beans. Create the mini vampire bats, spiders and ghosts or experiment with creatures of your own to match your costume.

·         Black Velvet Whoopie Pies: Dive into the spirit of the season with a tempting new take on red velvet cake. These mini cake sandwiches pop with Jack-O-Lantern Orange, Frankenstein Green and Electric Purple fillings that can be customized to your taste with flavors like Orange, Lemon and Raspberry.

·         Orange Hocus Pocus Fizz: Rim this tantalizing cocktail of rum, coconut and pineapple with black sugar for a sweetly spooky beverage that’ll be the hit of the land. Leave out the rum for a virgin “mocktail” all your little ghouls and goblins can enjoy.

·         Harvest Scarecrow Cookies: It’s fun and easy to “dress” vanilla sugar cookies as sweet scarecrows by adding shredded wheat “straw hair,” a sugar wafer “hat,” and a smiling red licorice face.

·         Candy Corn Cupcakes: Inspired by Halloween’s signature candy, these bright cupcakes feature vibrant layers of orange and yellow cake topped with creamy white frosting and sprinkles.

Monster Color Mash-up 
Need to tint frosting a freaky Frankenstein Green? Looking for the perfect potion to turn your cakes Jack-O-Lantern Orange? McCormick’s Monster Color Mash-Up has your recipe for spot-on sweet and spooky Halloween colors.

MONSTER COLOR  MASH-UP:	WHITE CAKE MIX (1 package)	GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX (1 package)	WHITE ICING (16 oz. container)	CHOCOLATE ICING (16 oz. container)
Frankenstein Green*	100 drops neon green		25 drops neon green
Jack-O-Lantern Orange	50 drops yellow 25 drops red		25 drops yellow 12 drops red
Autumn Red		1 (1 oz) bottle red		100 drops red
Banshee Black		3 Tbsp black		50 drops black

*Neon green is included in the McCormick Neon Food Color and Egg Dye package

NOTE: 1 tsp equals about 100 drops.