DIY: Halloween Treat Bags

I made Halloween Muddy Buddies to take to my coworkers as a small Halloween treat. I needed something cute to package them in so I went to Michael's to find what I needed. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I decided to make my own little treat bags. In addition to the bags I made below, I bought plastic treat bags with pumpkins on them and some fun black and orange ribbon to wrap up my treats in.

The Halloween images I used to print onto the bags I found here. They are totally adorable! You can make your own images or find different ones you would like to use online. Whatever works for you.

What you need:

1. Iron
2. Scissors
3. Images printed on transfer paper
4. Drawstring canvas bags

Instructions

Print selected images on transfer paper according to package directions. Cut out images as close to the lines as possible. Iron canvas bag to create a flat surface. Place image face down on canvas bag and iron for 60 seconds. Remove paper after it has cooled for 2 minutes.

Halloween Muddy Buddies

Halloween is tomorrow and there is nothing better than satisfying my sweet tooth for this holiday. Muddy buddies are the perfect grown up alternative to a candy bar. They don't require baking and they are a delicious treat that I will probably eat too much of. The salty bite of a mini pretzel is just what I need mixed in with all the chocolate and candy corn. Yum. This is one of my favorite muddy buddy recipes and I really hope you try it. Keep this recipe all year and you can change up the add ins for every holiday.

Ingredients

9 cups rice chex cereal
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups candy corn
2 cups mini pretzels

Directions

1. Put rice chex into a large bowl. 
2. Melt together chocolate, butter, and peanut butter in microwave in 30 second increments until it is all mixed together. 
3. Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until completely coated. Be careful not to break the rice chex! 
4. Add powdered sugar and toss to coat. 
5. Lay cereal on wax paper and let cool completely. 
6. Once cooled add pretzels and candy corn, mix together, and store in an airtight container.

Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite fall vegetables. It's actually so cool how it turns out looking just like spaghetti! Not to mention it's so easy to prepare and you can put so many different types of sauces on it. This recipe makes a skinny Alfredo sauce that satisfies a creamy sauce craving without the calories. It may look like a scary, weird food to try, but it comes out perfect pretty much every time. To cook it you can poke holes in it to roast then cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. I prefer to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast it while submerged in water. If you haven't tried spaghetti squash yet you really should.

You can did the recipe here. I only used one cup of milk to make the sauce a little thicker. There is definitely enough sauce for 4 servings instead of two!

                           

Current Obsessions

So here these are the things I'm currently obsessing over. (1) I actually search the radio for a station to be playing Counting Stars by One Republic. I love this song so much and get so happy every time I finally find a station playing it. (2) My eye is immediately drawn to stripes. I have so many stripes hanging in my closet, but I always find a reason to buy more. (3) The new embellished sweater trend is adorable. I haven't gotten around to buying a sweater for myself yet. Don't worry, it's next on my list. (4) Constantly having an apple scented candle lit in my house makes fall my favorite season. (5) I got this eyeliner in my Birchbox back in August and I have now become accustomed to wearing it. Before using this product, I was not an eyeliner girl. It just glides on so smooth and stays all day, love it. What are you obsessing over?

                         

My obsessions and other options:

1. Counting Stars by One Republic
2. Wide Striped 3/4 Sleeved Sweater - Loft
   Eversoft Envelope-Neck Block-Stripe Sweater - The Gap
   Striped Boatneck Pullover - Banana Republic
3. Jeweled Chandelier Sweatshirt - J.Crew
   Jewel Embellished Sweatshirt - Loft
   Embellished Pullover - The Gap
4. Apple Cider Candle from Yankee Candles
   Make your home smell like apple cider with this recipe.
5. Jouer Eye Definer in black (you can also find this at Nordstrom or Birchbox)

Homecoming

Yesterday was homecoming at the University of Maryland. J and I went to meet up with some fraternity brothers and sorority sisters that we hadn't seen in a while. It was nice to catch up with friends! Of course I brought my Black Bean & Corn Salsa to go along with all the hamburgers and hot dogs at the tailgate. Our team lost, but we held our own against Clemson and overall it was a really fun day. I don't think I'll be doing any tailgating after this past weekend since the weather is getting colder and colder. Luckily, the day was perfect for some football.

               

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

It's starting to get really cold in Maryland and this chili is just what I needed today to warm me up. Slow cooker meals are great when you have had a long day and don't feel like cooking. Everything is just ready to go! 

I'm not big on spicy things so feel free to add more chili powder and jalapenos if you want. You can even put everything in the slow cooker the night before, put it in the fridge, and turn it on in the morning. Warning: this makes a lot of food so be prepared to share or store it in the fridge.

Ingredients

16 oz ground chicken
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 sweet potato, peeled and shredded
15 oz low sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toppings: Mexican cheese blend, light sour cream

Directions

1. Put ground chicken in the slow cooker and break it up with a wooden spoon. 
2. Add chili powder and all of the ingredients and stir. 
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Before serving add toppings.

Autumn Inspired Salad

Some apple cider showed up in the refrigerator the other day and I decided I needed to make something fun with it. I love adding fruit to salads, especially apples. I figured a salad with apples and an apple cider vinaigrette was the way to go. This is a light salad that works well for lunch or a side salad for dinner. Walnuts add a nice crunch and the mixture of spinach and red cabbage also adds texture. Apples and pears add a sweetness that goes well with the vinaigrette. Such a perfect salad for fall. 

Anytime I can incorporate part of a recipe from Food Network I do. The have great basic recipes that you can put your own twist on and make it something you love. This vinaigrette goes so well with this salad.

                             

Ingredients
6 cups spinach, chopped

2 cups red cabbage, shredded
1 Fuji apple, chopped
1 red pear, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts
Apple cider vinaigrette

Directions

1. Make apple cider vinaigrette according to directions from Ina's recipe. 
2. Toss all ingredients together in a bowl. 
3. Add as much of the vinaigrette as you would like. Toss and serve.