1. Instead of buying candy to give out to trick-or-treaters, hand out small toys, tattoos, stickers, fruit snacks, raisins, etc so you don't end up eating the leftover candy!
2. Craving candy? Snack on dried fruit or roast up a marshmellow - satisfies your sweet tooth without ruining your diet!
3. Add some healthy orange foods to your diet to celebrate : pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, bell pepper, squash, orange, apricots, and more!
4. Jam out and dance to the monster mash or thriller - you'll have fun plus burn a couple extra calories.
5. Have the party at your place. Put out healthy snacks like light popcorn, veggies, apples, and more!
6. Going to a party? Eat a snack or light meal before, pick up a small plate to limit goodies, make healthy choices, and grab a diet drink to keep your hands busy.

You usually only see or think of sweet potatoes this time of year as the days get colder, shorter, and closer to Thanksgiving. However, sweet potatoes are delicious and are ranked as the number one super food according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Not only are they sweeter, and in my opinion much much tastier than most veggies, they are packed vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. The reason why sweet potatoes are orange is because of beta-carotene, "an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that's in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones" (self.com). My favorite fact that I have found about this orange veggie : the beta-carotene in each sweet potato eats up all those free radicals "that cause DNA mutations that can lead to wrinkles" (self.com). Sign me up for this veggie immediately!!! Studies have also proven that they contain a good amount of antioxidants because of their unique root. Antioxidants are known for riding the body of free radials which are "are chemicals that damage cells and cell membranes and are associated with the development of conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, and colon cancer" (whfoods.org).

Sweet potatoes are completely different from your normal potato. Both potatoes contain vitamin C, a good source of copper, fiber, vitamin B6, and potassium. However, sweet potatoes are a greater source of manganese and iron. The sweet potato is even in a completely different veggie family which does not contain nightshade alkaloids like baking potatoes which can trigger allergy symptoms (whfoods.org). Reader's Digest even states that if you eat a sweet potato instead of a regular ole' potato "your blood sugar will rise 30 percent less". After researching the many studies and articles over sweet potatoes, it is really incredible how great a sweet potato is for you. I definitely plan now on snacking on this sweet veggie all year round!

There are a ton of recipes out there for sweet potatoes, but here is a quick and sweet fix to try it out:
1) Wash and dry the sweet potato - prick at least 4 times with a fork or knife.
2) Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes in aluminum foil OR microwave in a wet paper towel on the potato setting for 2 pieces (8 minutes - flip over at 4 minutes).
3) Slice open or mash and add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract/sugar free syrup, and splenda.
4) Enjoy!

It's fall - my favorite season of all! However, this time of year usually is filled with weekly festivities and those delicious foods I've been craving all summer long. Here are some tips that definitely help me to not put on those dreaded extra pounds :

1 )  Before going to a party I eat a healthy snack or small meal to fill me up so I don't snack on those fatty appetizers.
2 )  Bring a veggie plate or healthy appetizer/dish/dessert to the party - then you will have a great snack that won't effect your diet!
3 )  Keep a no calorie drink in your hand - keeps your hands busy, you won't consume extra calories, and your hands will be too full to hold a plate full of food.
4 )  Exercise before you go out - if you put out your work out later there's a change you won't get it done if the party runs longer than expected.
5 )  Bring gum or mints - keep your mouth busy in times of desperation.
6 )  Walk after grubbing on goodies - you will feel a lot better plus walk those bad treats you just had to try.
7 )  Strategize how many drinks or how much food you will let yourself have before you go - portion control definitely helps in your diet.

I use sugar free syrups to cut calories, add flavor , and get some extra sweetness to my coffee creations. Sugar free syrups have no calories....actually they don't have anything else but about 10 mg of sodium per tablespoon of syrup - an amount too small to even care about. So I got to thinking...I use these syrups daily in my coffee so why not use them in foods as well?! I started to test this idea in my mission for the best healthy muffin....and it worked!!! When reviewing "regular" and unhealthy recipes for research and ideas, I replaced the recommended sugar dosage with Splenda,  added 1/4 cup of sugar free vanilla syrup, and omitted the vanilla extract. Results: Delicious! Try my Cherry Almond Muffin recipe if you don't believe me.

I can't wait to try out other syrups - there are sooo many to choose from! Since my local grocery store only carried sugar free vanilla and hazelnut in the coffee aisle I went online. I was able to find so many flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Praline, Eggnog, French Vanilla, and Coconut. I got so excited that I did in fact order all 5 of those flavors! My boyfriend thought I was crazy when they first came in the mail, but when he saw what I made with them he was very impressed. Definitely worth ordering a few to keep on hand (they have a long shelf life) and use in your favorite recipes. I'm going to try them out next in my search for an awesome brownie recipe!

I found the coolest tool when researching suggested daily intakes of foods we really should be consuming. "MyPyramid Plan", located on the USDA website, is a tool that tells you what amounts you need daily fro each food group. Just enter your age, sex, weight, height, and amount of daily physical activity and...TA DA! in seconds it spits out a whole report on what amounts you need. You'll even get the scoop on ways to get your doses in, how much whole grain to consume, veggies you should veg on, your fat/sugar suggested calorie limit, and much more!

Check out what YOU should be consuming:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx

International Delight is apparently now making three brand new flavors of non-dairy creamer in their new line called "Coffeehouse Inspirations". Caramel Macchiato, White Chocolate Mocha, and Vanilla Latte. Wow....that sounds too good to be true! I love all three of those drinks at Starbucks. With International Delight's Pumpkin Pie Spice liquid creamer I was able to perfectly mock and get my fix for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but that's only one drink I love! By using the product locator it seems that this new line is available at Randall's and Kroger. Talk about saving a bundle!

Nutrition Facts ( 1 tbsp ) : 40 calories, 1.5 g fat, 5 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 6 g sugar

Definitely going to try out this recipe:
2 tbsp Caramel Macchiato + Coffee (Try CoffeeAM's Caramel Cream) + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract + 1/4 cup microwave heated non fat milk = about 100 calories

Starbuck's real recipes for the three inspirations ( size: tall ) :
1) Vanilla Latte = 3 pump vanilla syrup + 1 espresso shot + steamed 2% milk + 1/2 inch foam = 190 calories
2) Caramel Macchiato = 2 pump vanilla syrup + steamed milk + 1/2 inch foam + 1 espresso shot + caramel syrup = 180 calories
3) White Chocolate Mocha = 3 pump white chocolate mocha syrup + 1 espresso shot + steamed milk + whip cream = 370 calories