And, if you’re in the mood for something warm and… simply autumnal, check out the featured recipes to your left and below.

Cheers, good friends!

PS – Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover?  Perhaps a recipe or DIY idea you’re dying to share?  If so, leave a comment below.

Nothing says comfort to me like the aroma of anything with apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. This recipe dings all the bells! It is delicious, comforting and satisfies your sense of smell, your taste buds and your tummy. In fact, this is so good I think I might have to head home and make it right now!

Ingredients:

• 12.25 oz jar caramel ice cream topping
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 stick butter, cold (1/2 cup)
• 2/3 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons additional butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, stir the cinnamon into the caramel sauce. Stir the apples into the caramel mixture and spoon into the prepared baking dish. (The dish will be very full but the apples will cook down.)

In a separate bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar together with a wire whisk. Cut in the cold butter with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the oats and the pecans.

Pour the mixture evenly over the apples. Dot with the two tablespoons butter.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until top is golden and the apples are tender. Remove from oven and let sit for about 30 minutes.

Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. (I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon around the crisp and over the ice cream. It tastes yummy and makes your dish look extra special.)

I was just trapped in my house due to snow and ice on the roads. My son loves cinnamon so I made Snickerdoodles (his favorite cookie) and these Cinnamon Scones. They were so good I had to hide them from myself. Seriously… consider yourself warned. Have mercy!

Note: If you can’t find the cinnamon chips at your grocery store (with the chocolate chips), you can order them HERE.

Cinnamon Scones

Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, cold
• 1 ½ cups cinnamon chips
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into tiny pieces. Blend butter into dry ingredients with a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cinnamon chips. Add buttermilk and stir until combined. (Do not overmix or your scones will be tough.)

Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until dough comes together. Divide dough in half and pat each out into a ½ inch thick disk. Brush with the 3 tablespoons melted butter. Combine the 1 tablespoon sugar with the 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the butter coated dough.

Cut each disk into 8 wedges (like pizza slices). Arrange wedges 2 inches apart on cookie sheets (you will probably need to cook in two batches – two cookie sheets, one at a time). Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. Do not skip this step. If you don’t allow the dough to chill, the scones will spread on your baking sheets.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake scones in preheated oven for 14 minutes. Remove from oven and let set on cookie sheets for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Children are like little sponges.  They literally absorb the world around them.  As a parent everything you do and say is under a microscope.  Your children want to be just like you!

The best thing that you can do as a parent is practice healthy eating habits in front of and with your children and to include them in some type of daily physical activity.  This week I’ve compiled a list of things that my family likes to do together during the holidays as well as the rest of the year.  I will also teach you the best way to get your children involved in learning how to establish healthy eating habits from an early age.

Ten Fun Ways to Get Physical as a Family:

1. Go ice skating

2. Walk to the park

3. Jump on the trampoline

4. Go swimming

5. Create an obstacle course

6. Get involved in sports

7. Go for a bike ride

8. Participate in a 5K

9. Clean the house from top to bottom

10. Go paintballing or play laser tag

Try to make at least 5 of these activities a regular occurrence for your family.  You will make lasting memories and stay fit all at the same time!

Healthy Eating Habits

We all want the best for our children.  Their health and wellness should be our top priority.  As parents, we have the control of the kind of food that lines our pantry and refrigerator shelves.  Our children don’t know any better especially with all the tempting commercials on television.   If you’ve ever been on a diet you know how hard it is to stick to your guns when the rest of the family is munching on chips and sweets.  In the same essence, you can’t make your children practice good nutrition habits if you don’t.  It has to be a family affair.  You and your spouse must make the decision once and for all to be the best examples for your beloved children.  Think of it as a form of self-control, which is the number one thing that children (and many adults) need to get a handle on.

One way that you can get your children involved is by creating a grocery list together.  Go a step further and take your children to the store with you.  Allow them to help you fill your cart.  Read the labels together and try to stick to everything on the list.  This will help you to avoid making poor choices.  Your children will have a sense of responsibility over their eating habits and when they are older they will most likely continue practicing the good habits that you have instilled in them now.  The lifestyle that we expose our children to when they are young will set the stage for the lifestyle that they will lead when they are older.

Brunch Enchiladas

By LeAnn Rice, Recipe Contributor

This breakfast “casserole” is appealing to both men and women making it a great do-ahead breakfast when you have company staying over. You assemble the night before and then cover and refrigerate overnight before baking in the morning. Very easy. Very yummy!

• 8 flour tortillas (I like to use the fajita size – 8” – they fit perfectly in baking dish)
• 2 cups cubed cooked ham
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 2-3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexi-Blend Cheese, divided
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups half and half
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 can chopped green chilies, mild
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Salsa for serving (optional)

Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Divide the ham and green onions among the 8 tortillas. Top each with 2-3 tablespoons of cheese (depending on how cheesy you want to go). Roll up tortillas and place them seam side down in prepared pan.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in half and half, flour, chilies, and salt. Pour over the tortillas. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from refrigerator about a half hour before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake, covered, in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and top with remaining cheese (as cheesy as you want – I like cheese!) Place back in oven and continue to bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes to set up. Serve with salsa (if desired).

All things change with time. I no longer have to wait impatiently for the pecans to be cracked and shelled before I can eat them.  I don’t even have to hunt for a roadside stand in which to buy fresh apples. In fact, this is now a very simple, easy recipe, and even though the effort isn’t as great as in the past, the taste is still just as delicious as ever!  I made the cake for Thanksgiving AND Christmas this year, and honestly, I think it’s my family (and friends’) new “Bedwell Favorite”.

• Preheat oven to 350 and spray 13 x 9 pan with non-stick spray
• 2 sticks melted margarine
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs lightly whisked
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 large or 3 small red delicious apples cored, peeled & chopped (Appx 2 cups)
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Mix all together in order given, and pour in prepared pan.  I use a metal shiny pan.  You may have adjust the temp/time if using a non-stick.

• 1 stick melted margarine
• 1 block of 8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 16 oz or 1 box confectioners sugar

W H A T, I ask, could be better than eggnog this holiday season?  My Easy Eggnog Latte!  I whipped this drink up in honor of Starbucks’ yummy drink, but this homemade version has quickly become my favorite Christmas drink (even beating out the traditional eggnog, which I live for this time of year)!  So, here’s my recipe.  It’s simple, sweet and sure to please your taste buds.

Prepare your coffee, and make it to your family’s preference.  At our house, we use Dunkin Donuts’ Regular brew.  Pour your individual coffee servings, and stir two tbsp LOW CALORIE eggnog into each mug.  Before you turn your nose to a “light” eggnog, think about it — all you want is the eggnog taste, in case.  The thick creaminess of the low calorie eggnog will thicken up your coffee and give you a great “latte” consistency.  For the topping, simply dollop two tbsp whipped topping to your latte, and sprinkle generously with ground nutmeg.

Is your mouth watering?  Mine is!  This drink is absolutely delicious and almost as filling as dessert, but remember — it has fewer calories!  Thank goodness for guilt-free Christmas treats!

With this being T H E busiest time of year, I thought it fitting to now share my favorite tried & true basic fudge brownie recipe with three holiday twists!

• 1/2 c. melted margarine or butter
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs (lightly whisked)
• 1/4 c. powdered cocoa
• 3/4 c. self-rising flour (add a dash of baking soda & a pinch of salt if using all purpose flour)
• 1/2 to 1 c. pecans or walnuts
• 1 greased 8 x 8 pan

Combine the above ingredients, adding nuts last.  Pour mixture into your greased pan, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Not too difficult, right?!  Perfect for large get-togethers.   Check back to SeaShineMag.com tomorrow as I’ll share my lower-calorie Eggnog Latte recipe!  Mmm hmmm!  Until then, enjoy your chocolate, and stay warm.

By April Thomason, Owner of April Mae Creative

Throwing a “vintage” party can sound a little intimidating…you think you have to research a period in history and search antique stores to find the perfect elements to work together. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret… “vintage” is everywhere right now, and the beauty of the style is that nothing is supposed to match! What better time of the year to pull out the vintage than the holidays? You can borrow grandma’s china, find a use for all those old colorful ornaments that just sit in the attic, and mix & match things in your pantry to set a beautiful eclectic table. The thing they have in common…is YOU!

Fresh flowers in a juice glass or clear vase, milk and juice served in a collection of pitchers and mixed glasses, coffee and tea in mix & match mugs with a sugar bowl and creamer…use what you have! Borrow from friends and relatives, use things in new ways.

To maintain your sanity in this hectic time of the year, choose things you can either make ahead or prepare somewhat in advance. Don’t forget, you may have company Christmas morning, waiting eagerly for a meal that won’t happen until late afternoon…these ideas are perfect for anytime you need to throw a quick breakfast together! I chose a crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole that can assembled and refrigerated overnight!

Easy (Delicious!) Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground lean sausage

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls

2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

4 eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

3/4 c. milk

Cook and drain sausage. Line 9” x 13” greased baking dish with crescent rolls (pressing perforations together). Sprinkle sausage and cheese over rolls. (Here is where you can be creative! Add your favorite ingredients: mushrooms, onions, green peppers, jalapenos, and any herbs and spices your family enjoys.) Combine eggs, salt, pepper and milk and pour on top. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. (This can very easily be doubled)

Another overlooked breakfast staple is the scone! A rich buttery scone is nothing more than a glorified biscuit, but you can take a basic scone recipe and add your own twists to make a whole buffet of deliciousness!

Basic (Amazing!) Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 c. all purpose flour
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 c. ice cold butter, cut into cubes
• 1 c. whipping cream, divided
• wax paper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture until crumbly (should look like small peas). Freeze for 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cream, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto wax paper; gently press or pat dough into a large circle (mixture will be crumbly). Cut into 8 wedges. Place wedges 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush tops of wedges with remaining 2 tablespoons of cream just until moistened. Bake at 450 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until golden.

Here are a couple of variations!

Sweet:

Chocolate – add 1/4 c. dried fruit & 2 oz. chopped semisweet chocolate with cream

Brown Sugar Pecan – substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar, stir in 1/2 c. chopped pecans with cream

Savory:

Bacon, Cheddar- omit sugar, stir in 3/4 c. shredded sharp cheddar and 1/4 c. chopped cooked bacon with cream

Ham and Swiss – omit sugar, stir in 3/4 c. shredded Swiss and 3/4 c. finely chopped baked ham with cream

…have fun…invent your own combination!

Here’s to A Merry Vintage Christmas!

If this is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year” then why do we get so stressed out about it?  This holiday season I encourage you to be proactive instead of reactive.  Take the next few minutes to find out 6 ways to beat holiday stress before it gets the best of you.

1. Start a family tradition

Every year at Christmastime, my husband and I take the kids ice skating and to look at lights.  I love to hear my children “oo” and “aw” as we drive past all the beautifully decorated homes and to watch their little faces light up when they see their favorite Christmas characters.  For those few hours, everything else just seems to disappear and all that matters is that we are together, creating lasting memories.

2. Surround yourself with positive people

Remember the saying, “misery loves company”?  This is so true!  Make it a point to hang out with positive people who lift you up and encourage you to be your best.  There is nothing worse than being around a negative person who constantly complains and finds faults in others.  You don’t have to de-friend them on Facebook!  Just keep your distance and try to be a positive light to them.

3. Go take a hike!

One of the best ways to boost your energy levels and to overcome stress is by exercising regularly.  If you don’t have time to hit the gym this holiday season, go for a nightly walk with your family for at least 20-30 minutes.  By doing so, you will reduce tension and fight fatigue.  It will also give you a chance to talk and unwind and share quality time with one another.  Did you know if you workout on a regular basis and suddenly stop exercising, you will experience fatigue and depression after just one week of inactivity? You better keep moving!

4. Watch what you eat

Try to resist overloading on those delicious little sweet treats that will only make you feel sluggish and guilty afterwards.  Instead, go for healthy food choices like fresh veggies and fruits and lean protein like chicken and fish.  You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of your favorite holiday foods but be very careful not to overdo it.  Use good judgment when it comes to portion size.  And remember, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages have empty calories too!

6. Be thankful and give to others

The store shelves are overflowing with the latest high-tech gadgets and must-have toys and it’s so easy to start thinking about all the things you don’t have.  It’s hard enough to say “no” to the kids, especially when they want EVERYTHING they see.  I encourage you to focus on all the wonderful things that you do have like family, good health, friends, a job, shelter, clothes, food, a vehicle, etc.  Also, find a way to help someone else in need.  There are families who are doing without in some way or another this holiday season.  Be sure to let your children be a part of blessing another family.  This will really open their eyes and will teach them to be grateful for what they have.  For more information on helping someone in need wherever you may be, visit World Vision’s website now.