Scary Pumpkin Potaotes!

Happy Halloween! 

     These is nothing scary about these adorable pumpkin sweet potatoes expect that they are Scary Delicious! They are a great way to get in the mood of the upcoming holiday, and still have something healthy!

 

   I love these pumpkin sweet potatoes because they are so easy to make, customizable to whatever flavors you want, and so healthy too! Who says Halloween 'treats' all have to be unhealthy? At first I wanted to do something sweet and healthy to celebrate Halloween, but then I got to thinking....Halloween doesn't have to be all about the sweet stuff! Lets do something savory to celebrate the holiday!
Another great thing about these sweet potatoes is that they can be made vegan, oil-free, and sodium free if you wish!

Scary Sweet Potatoes! (Yes, sweet potatoes are sweet, but more to the savory side of things!)

1 Sweet Potato
Olive Oil (Optional)
Salt and Pepper (Optional)
Seasonings of Choice( I used a Jerk Seasoning, Pumpkin Pie Spice, and a Curry Powder- separate on different slices of potato)

You can go sweet, spicy, savory, or salty with the seasonings!

Start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Then wash and pat dry a sweet potato. You can always do more than one, I was just making 1 portion at the time! :) Then, use a sharp knife and cut slices out of the potato. BE CAREFUL!

 

Then, use a smaller knife to make the pumpkin faces. You can cut all the way through the potato, or you can just cut part of the way through. Its up to you really! :) Then toss them in the oil( if using) and place them on a foil-lined sheet.

I'm sure with practice, my pumpkin faces will improve! These are so tasty, I am sure I will be making them time and time again!

Sprinkle the seasonings on the slices. If you are using a powder, rub the powder in a bit. Then sprinkle on salt and pepper as desired.

Super cute! Now they are ready to bake! Place them in the oven for around 35-45 minutes. The time depends on how thin or thick you cut your slices. To check if they are done, just poke them with a fork. If they are soft, then they're done!

Of my goodness! How adorable are these? No, not a scary way to celebrate Halloween but defiantly fun and festive! And, if you don't celebrate Halloween, they still are fun and easy to use for a number of different occasions!

I hope you enjoyed the Halloween inspired blog post! If you try this recipe, let m know what you thought! Please share this post with your family and friends to spread the love of healthy living!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett. Please like and follow the blog to stay up to date on all things healthy!

New Post Every Friday! Happy Halloween!

Keep Healthy and Safe!
H. Banana

Father's Day + First Day of Summer

Father's Day falls on the first day of summer this year! I find this very cool, two wonderful and fun things on one day!

Father's Day
Father's Day is the time to celebrate our Fathers, Grandfathers, Great Grandfathers and so on. There are so many ways to do this! Giving a gift to your Father, to celebrate him and thank him for being such a great father, doesn't always have to come wrapped and tied with a bow. There are so many ways to celebrate and thank your father and I want to share a few ways to do that!

Make a Meal
Who doesn't enjoy a good, home cooked meal? Taking time to make a nice meal, and eat it, together with your father is very special. Try something you know he'll love, or let him pick out a recipe!

Table for 2
If you aren't into cooking, going out for a nice meal can be just as special. This gives you time to talk and enjoy time with Dad. Pick a place you love, or try something new!

Experience
Go out and do something new, or something you enjoy with your Dad. Go to the park, Zoo, museum, take a class together or something else you'll both enjoy. If you don't live close, sending a gift card for a particular activity is great too!

Pick Up the Phone
Sometimes life gets in the way and we all become a little too busy. Picking up the phone and calling your Father can be just what he wants. Talking to someone you love can lift the spirit and make your day!

Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts are always better( in my opinion) because they come from the heart. You take special time to make them, so they are worth so much more! Pick something your Father loves and create a gift based on that. If he likes grilling or cooking, make him an apron or put together a grilling set. Maybe he likes to garden, make him a garden set or maybe paint a pot for him to plant in. Making a card is fun too! I love to make personal cards for family members! See? There are endless ideas for a personal, made at home, gift for Father's Day!


Celebrating Father's Day is so much fun! Make sure to take time and tell your Dad just how special he is to you! I hope this post has given you a few ideas on how to celebrate you Father on this special day!

First Day of Summer

I love summer for so many reasons! No school, long warm days, swimming, tanning, sunshine, fruit, farmer's markets, grilling....... Celebrating the first day of summer is so much fun! Let me share with you a few ways to do this!

Party Time
Go big and throw a first day of summer party! Invite some friends and get the grill going, make some lemonade and ice tea and have a good time! Since this year Father's Day falls on the same day, double up and make the party and Father's Day party too!

Try a New Recipe
This is a favorite for me! Pick a summer themed recipe and try it out to celebrate the day. I made a watermelon Fresca the other day, it was amazing!

4 cups cubed watermelon
2 cups coconut water
1 cup lemon or lime juice
4 tbs honey

Blend in a blender until frothy. Drink right away for pour into an ice cream machine for a slushy!

Get Sun Tattoos
No, its not what you think! Sun tattoos are great fun, and naturally temporary! Apply sunscreen all over and then pick a spot where you want your tattoo. Get some Elmer's Glue and paint a picture, design or word on to the desired area. Lay out in the sun and let the rays do the work. You'll tan every where but where the glue is, so you are left with sun tattoo!

H2O
You don't have to have a pool for this one, though swimming is fun! Turn on the sprinklers, have a water balloon fight or get out the water guns! Have fun and get soaked!



I hope, what ever you chose to do to celebrate summer, that you have a wonderful First Day of Summer! I also hope that you and your Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Father figure and so on, have a great Father's Day!

Please share this post and my blog with a friend! Follow via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

Check back often for healthy living post every Monday and Friday!
ps. This post isn't on a Monday or Friday, but they'll return to normal after this special post!

Keep Healthy and Safe!
H.Banana

Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate

  Happy Cinco De Mayo! This rich, spiced, and cold dessert is the perfect healthy treat to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Its a perfect blend of chocolate and cinnamon with just a hint of cayenne! No matter when you serve this treat, its sure to be a hit!

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican's victory over the French forces in The Battle of Puebla on May 5 , 1862. This holiday is celebrated in Mexico as well as the United States!

So, lets make this delicious Frozen Hot Chocolate!

Ingredients:
1 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
Pinch of Cayenne( less is more!)
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Pinch of Salt
3 cups Ice

First, add milk, cinnamon, vanilla, cayenne and salt to a sauce pan and whisk. Bring this mixture to a simmer.

Once the milk mixture is simmering, pull it off the heat and add the chocolate chips. Let this sit for 30 sec. to a minute before you try and stir.

Once you have let this set, whisk together until the chocolate has melted and everything is combined.

Pour this into a jug or pitcher and set in the fridge. You want this mixture to go completely cool before we move on to the next step.

Once it has chilled, take it out of the fridge and give it a stir. Put the ice in a blend along with the chocolate sauce. You might need to add a splash of almond milk.

 

Blend until everything is combined and the mixture is nice and smooth!

 

Pour into some glasses and enjoy! This made enough for about 3 to 4 servings.

 

 

This was so delicious! I can't get over how beautiful all the flavors are together! The richness of the chocolate pairs so well with the warmth of the cinnamon and the cayenne adds a nice little kick! My little brother was very happy with his portion! He, my sisters and I enjoyed this for a mid morning treat!

He kept saying 'Thank you', it was so cute!

 

I hope you try this Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, or anytime! Please share this post with a friend!

 

Follow the blog here , on Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

 

Keep Healthy and Safe!

H. Banana