Taste Test With Lauren My Own Veggie Skeleton Happy Fall, y’all! I hope you all had a great Halloween! What did you dress up as? Somehow, my daughter convinced my husband and I to dress as Ana and Olaf from Frozen. Stella, of course, was Elsa. This is just one of the many reasons why I love Halloween. You can dress up as whatever or whoever you want to be. I wanted to bypass the candy and desserts as much as possible this year, so I was eager to make this veggie skeleton for our Halloween gathering. With all the junk food in the house this time of year, it’s nice to focus on a healthy alternative. The best part about this dish, aside from being vegan- and paleo-friendly, was that there is no right or wrong way to make it. Every skeleton is going to be different! Don’t focus on making it perfect. As you can see, mine certainly was not! But I sure did enjoy being silly and making it with my daughter. You can make one big skeleton for everyone to share or have your guests make individual skeletons for themselves. The first thing I started with was the head. I used vegan- and paleo-friendly ranch dressing in a small bowl. There are several options available such as Primal Kitchen, Tessemae’s, and Walden Farms, all of which can be found at your local health food store. Although it’s not paleo-friendly, this would be great with hummus as the dip too. Next, slice up the vegetables of your choosing and start assembling! I sliced zucchini and stacked it down the center for the vertebrae. Cucumber would also work well here! From there, just add some ribs (sliced bell pepper), arms and legs (carrots and celery), and hands and feet (broccoli, cauliflower, and/or snow peas). How cute is that!? And who says it has to be a skeleton? I’ve seen veggie pumpkins and skeleton kitties too! The possibilities are endless! This will definitely become a Halloween tradition in our home.
The 2020 presidential election is heating up, but Election Day 2019 still requires citizens’ voices to decide the fate of their cities, counties, states, and judgeships. As the U.S. enjoys a relatively quiet election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, use the opportunity to teach your children about their civic duty and the power of voting. Teach a Lesson About Voting This Election Day! YOUR VOTE MATTERS, AND, SOMEDAY, YOUR KID’S WILL TOO! FOR THE YOUNG KIDDOS There’s no reason why children can’t be involved in local elections. Let your kids tag along to the voting area, and ask for help from city workers and local representatives to answer your kids’ questions. You can even set up your own family election by holding a vote over what to have for dinner or where the next family vacation should be located. If you’re looking for bedtime books to feed their curiosity, try out fun reads like “O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words” by Sheila Keenan. Various websites, like KidsVotingUSA.org, also have ample resources for educators and families. FOR NEW VOTERS Turning 18 comes with the newfound responsibility of voting for our country’s leaders, and, for new voters, the system, ballots, and restrictions can be confusing. Start by walking your teen through the registration process, which can be done in person at your municipality’s office or online at USA.gov or Vote.org. Next, talk with your teen about what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Be careful not to seed your language with opinions so your teen can develop their own view. Direct them to resources like Ballotpedia. org, where they can find information, practice voting, and see local sample ballots. And, of course, when Election Day rolls around, celebrate their first vote! DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOU! Voting is a right and privilege that comes with U.S. citizenship. Don’t miss your opportunity to have your voice heard. Learn more about your local election by visiting Ballotpedia.org or contacting your municipality, and be sure to register to vote if you haven’t already. Remember, your kids learn by watching what you do, not just by listening to what you say. Inspire them to get involved and, when the time comes, exercise their right to vote!
BONE appétit!
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