Pumpkin?  Check.  Spooky Halloween Decorations?  Check.  Ready for Fun?  Check.

Let’s get the party started!  Welcome your family and friends with some of my easy group pleasing ideas that are tried and true!

Let’s get moving!!!

Looking for this glass specifically? We're all out online but you can use this retailer locator to find one in a store near you.

It’s all in the family!  Pumpkins are a member of the melon family, so let’s pucker up and try an Updated Midori Sour!  This neon green cocktail punches big melon flavor.  Forget the sour mix and brew up this simple recipe with real citrus and no added sugar.  The taste reminds me of a Jolly Rancher candy.  I wish you much luck in finding those little gems in the trick or treat bags!

Midori Sour

• 2 OZ Midori
• ½ OZ Lime Juice
• ½ OZ Lemon Juice
• 2 OZ Soda Water

Have you carved your pumpkin?  Don’t throw out the seeds!  Try a fun activity snack!  My children loved the gooey mess of carving pumpkins!  We washed the seeds, dried them, tossed them in oil, salt and spices and bake.  My favorite spice to use is Old Bay, but the combinations are endless!  So good for a crunchy snack, and adults love it too!

Did you know October is National Chili Month?  I can think of nothing better than a warm bowl of delicious chili on a crisp October night.  Chili is easy to make and a perfect dinner solution for families on the go!  Turn your slow cooker into a cauldron of savory goodness that wafts “YOU ARE HOME” as family and friends walk through the door with their bags of loot from a great Trick or Treat haul.

Here is my favorite Chili recipe.  It is not spicy and seriously delicious!  I like to serve my chili over noodles or rice and add toppings of choice for adult and kid friendly appeal! And I never use beans, as I’m conscious of my carbs. And my recipe is very flavorful with lots of depth because of the sausage.

Lolita’s Skinny Chili

I love making Chili in the Fall! This is a go to recipe of mine (original recipe credit @ketokarma, with changes, my own), that will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I make my Chili skinny, as I am a carb watcher, and based upon current research, beans are really not that good for you as a protein because of their very high carb content…and because of the addition of ground sausage, this chili is very flavorful and satisfying, I promise you won’t miss the beans.  And it sticks with you! Perfect to have in the refrigerator as back up or a main, anytime!

Ingredients:

• 1 .5 LB   Ground Beef  
• 1 .5 LB   Ground Sausage   (I use mild, but you can use spicier! Has to be ground, though)  
• 1   Small Red or Vidalia Onion   chopped  
• 1   large Green Bell Pepper   chopped  
• 1   can of Diced Tomatoes (I use San Marzano, also order from Giatzy, Giada’s online store)
• 6 oz. Tomato Paste   6oz  
• 1   TBSP Chili Powder
• 1/2   TBSP   Ground Cumin  
• 4   Garlic Cloves   crushed (or 1 TBSP Garlic powder, which is .8 net carb additional per serving)  
• ½ cup of water

Brown all of the meat in a pot and drain fat.

Put meat in the pot.  Add the remaining ingredients, cook on low for about 40 minutes. Spice it up as you like but this recipe is divine as is!

Serve topped with shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream, and/or sliced jalapenos.

Enjoy! About 8 carbs for an 8 oz bowl

What beverage goes with chili?  Um, BEER.  Lots of people will agree with me on this one!  My Lolita Beer Collection is a fun way to appeal to the beer drinkers, and great party favors. Serve each person that likes beer in one of these babies, and you have an instant party favor and friend for life.

Last and certainly not least, dessert!  A great departure from candy galore is fresh dipped strawberry ghosts.  Yes, you can probably get everyone to eat fruit this way…  They will be gobbled up, just watch! Dip in melted white chocolate, use brown tube icing for faces! So easy.

For more recipes and décor ideas, check back here… and Happy Early Halloween!!!

XOXO 

LOLITA