Put a blindfold over guest's eyes for an ooooey, gooey Halloween surprise!

To make any kid’s Halloween party a bit more fun and interesting, spice it up with a little game.  Set out bowls and trays full of different textured items such as, peaches from a can, jello, and yogurt.  Have each kid take a turn being blind-folded as you guide them over the table to feel out each type of food and texture.  I guarantee you’ll get an “ewwwwww,” reaction when syrupy canned fruits feel like brains and other disgusting images the mind can conjure.  Meantime, the other kids will be giggling and laughing at this simple, old fashioned game.  Once the blind-fold is off, the player will giggle at how their mind played a silly Halloween prank on them.

Blogger Laurali Star owns her own little shop on The Damsel in the Attic!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Homemade milkshakes can be both a healthy and a tasty treat!

Here are three milkshakes that you can make at home that have all the flavor of a robust treat without all the calories and fuss!  I chose three that are not as commonly heard of but still pack a healthy punch.  It will also help introduce your family to some new fruits to place high up on the try it list, giving them a more worldly view of organic foods.

California Date Shakes: I had the pleasure of growing up in the Mojave Desert in Southern California as a kid, so this one brings back memories of long drives, date palms, the Indio Date Festival, and the serenity of the desert.  So for this one, set out some cacti and place pitted dates in an individual bowl.  Your going to need about a cup per individual milk shake.  Dates are one of the sweetest fruits and are found to be in high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and cholesterol levels.  They also come from a group of antioxidants known as tannins.  They are anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic as well as plum full of beta carotene!

How to do this?

• Take one cup of dates finely chopped and match it with one cup of frozen french vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup of skim milk.  This helps reduce the calories.
• Place both equal parts into the blender and add a little ground nutmeg and put blender on the milkshake setting.
• You can opt to add other ingredients such as nuts but it depends on your family and their food allergy history.

Who says making milkshakes can't be fun! Use props to set the scene, such as a cactus for a date shake.

Fresh Fruit With Caramel Drizzle Shake: This one is even easier than the last!  Visit your local grocery store for a few frozen ingredients.  I like Cascadian Farm strawberries and organic bananas.  Also, pick up a tub of frozen vanilla yogurt. Buy the little cubes of caramel from the candy section. Strawberries are a great source of fiber and vitamin A and C, as well as B6!  Bananas are brimming with potassium and are key to helping with belly bloat.  Good to Know!

How to do this?

• Create a mini fondue section on the counter so kids and parents can dip fresh pieces of fruit in melted caramel.  Yum!
• Cut up the strawberries and bananas and add to the blender, along with an equal cup of frozen vanilla yogurt and a half cup of skim milk.  Push the milkshake button and blend.
• When shakes are done drizzle hot caramel over the top for melty goodness on extreme cold.  Enjoy!

Make a Family Gathering Special by Letting Kids Help in the Kitchen!

Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes:  With Halloween just around the corner I thought I should add one for the glorious autumn season!  This one takes a few more ingredients than the other two but is still user-friendly and simple.  Set the stage with some pumpkins and gourds, a cinnamon broom, and some pinecones for this delicious treat.  You just need graham crackers,1/3 pureed pumpkin, 2 teaspoons organic brown sugar, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of milk, cinnamon, and a cup of frozen vanilla yogurt!  Awe, what can we say about pumpkins?  The bright orange color of the pumpkin means its teeming with beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body.  It also helps reduce the risks of cancer and the signs of aging.  Talk about incentive!

How to do this?

• Add everything into the blender, let the kiddies stir!  Save the frozen yogurt for last so that you get a certain mushy consistency.  Add the nutmeg and the graham crackers to the top of the shake and serve chilled.

Try these out and let me know what you think!  We’d also love to hear about some of your own food bonding stories and ideas!  Happy Milkshakes!

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on The Damsel in the Attic and her new blog.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

As a mother, we never really expect our children to buy us a gift for Mother’s Day.  Something made with love however, gets a nod of approval from moms all over the world.  Add a green element to it and were as good as any gold jesus piece chain!  Here are a few easy craft projects that your little one can do to make this Mother’s Day a little brighter.  Hint:  Be sure to have daddy read this first for some fresh ideas!

Handmade Charm Bracelets (Ages 8 and up):

Handmade charm bracelets make a personalized, fun gift for mommy!

How to do this:

First head to your local craft shop for spacers, a 21 gauge wire, needle nose pliers, and beads.  A great place to try would be your local dollar store, Joanne’s Fabrics, and Michael’s.  Set out the beads and spacers in an assortment of bowls on the table or counter, then start designing!  Does mommy like vintage?  Hit your local thrift or vintage shops to see if you can discover a rare piece that can be added to the bracelet.  Mom will be absolutely charmed on her special day.

DIY Terrariums (Ages 3 and Up):

Recycle an old fish bowl to make the terrarium of mom's dreams!

How to do this:

Find an old fish bowl from around the house or purchase a cheap one at your local pet store.  Have the kids fill it with rich soil, plants, rocks, and whatever kind of decor that will turn mom’s head this Mother’s Day.  Fun for the whole family and easy to do!

Cork Board Creativity (Ages 3 and Up!):

Your basic cork board can be converted into a theme for mom with recycled pictures, letters, postcards, and more!

How to do this:

This one is fun and easy for nearly all ages in your family.  Almost every mom has a box of sentimental memories she’s been keeping and meaning to organize.  Pull the box out and pick out old letters, favorite pictures, artwork, pressed flowers, and more to create a themed Mother’s Day Cork Board to show mom just how much she means to you.  Be sure to add your own personal note to the board.

Happy gifting!  Mom is guaranteed to appreciate the effort and love that went into your gifts.

Blogger Laurali Star can also be on The Damsel in the Attic and her blog.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

We love these organic cotton Halloween themed toys from our friends at Dandelion!

An organic toy for your little pumpkin!

A cute little rattle, book, and finger puppet organically made from cotton and stuffed with fluffy corn fibers.  Safe, eco-friendly, and fun for your little boo!

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Awe, spring is finally here!  Which also means that summer is just around the corner and it wont be long before your baring your bikini at the pool or beach.  It’s time to get in shape!  It turns out, you can create a work-out program that doesn’t involve the over-use of heavy machinery that impacts the Earth.  Here are some ways to work out in a green-friendly way:

Stopping to Enjoy the Scenery on a Nature Hike

Get Outdoors: When the weather warms up, there are many activities that you can do that not only clear your head but burn major calories.  Visit your local park for a hike in the woods, kayak, snorkel, surf, run outdoors, swim like a fish, and bike to take in the beauty of natural scenery.

Gardening: Planting, digging, mulching and creating a beautiful garden is a great way to boost endorphins and burn calories galore.  It also tends to have a meditative effect on your psyche so dig in!  Just be sure to wear sunscreen, preferably an SPF of 30 or higher is best.  One hour of gardening effectively burns off 345 calories!

Wash Your Car: Yes, washing your car with a hose can be wasteful and cause pollutants to run off into our oceans.  Use a single bucket filled with biodegradeable soap to conserve water and if possible pull your car onto the lawn instead of the driveway to prevent pollutants and water your lawn.  In the meantime, your getting a great workout hand washing your car by burning off a whopping 181.46 calories in an hour.

Now that’s a reason to smile!

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.