FASHION

COSTUMING ON A BUDGET

By Rebecca Gutnecht

The season for pop and color and pizazz is here. Hallows’ Eve is right around the corner, and it’s time to bring out your wild side. Instead of thinking of the holiday in simple terms of costuming, generate a new vibe of creating an alter ego. Step into a character, a personality, anyone you want to be for one night. Sure, a witch, vampire, or cat are great, but how about expanding your creative juices a smidge?

Here are a few suggestions to boggle the mind. Picture a 1970’s hippie dressed in a long skirt, psychedelic colors and floral headband. Or a Marilyn Monroe lookalike: perfectly coiffed hair, red lips, white frilly dress and the iconic mole to match. Mad scientist? Get a little wild with a white trench coat, crazycolored hair, and a pair of glasses to complete the look. The point is to have fun, go all out and let yourself enjoy a night of mystery.

Only problem? The budget is tight and there just isn't enough time to create an entire costume from scratch. The solution lies in your innate creativity! There’s no need for expensive outfits and time-consuming projects. Here's a secret: check out your local thrift stores to find affordable costume pieces. A plethora of outfits from various decades all combined into one store. You honestly

never know what you will find. All of the above items from the characters listed could be in a thrift store. If you haven’t gone yet, give it a whirl.

If you happen to be stuck on a particular item, online shopping is a great resource. Instead of buying a high-end pair of glasses at a fashion boutique, you can easily track down something similar online. As a last resort, your local craft store will do the job. Buttons, generic t-shirts, and assortments of materials are at your beck and call.

Whatever you do, have fun and make Halloween your party!

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Pomegranates HAVE JOINED THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

By Christian Dischler

With a flavor as delicious and it is elusive, the pomegranate has danced across the human palette for centuries. Originally from Northern India, these unassuming fruits are packed with nutrients beneficial to our health. Each pomegranate seed (called arils) contains high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals. These nutrients provide an astronomical number of benefits. Ranging from anti-inflammatory properties, strengthening our blood cell counts, reducing protein buildup and calcification, dissolving gallstones or kidney stones, and restoring glucose levels to our liver. This tiny super food truly does it all.

According to an aggregate study published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), “in Ayurvedic medicine, the pomegranate was considered to be a whole pharmacy unto itself.” Its ability to help prevent breast cancer is more important than ever. In a year where 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent the disease before it’s too late.

Pomegranates contain polyphenols, antioxidants and specifically phytochemicals called ellagitannins—which are recognized medically for their ability to downregulate estrogen responsive genes. This is important in the prevention of breast cancer, because “steroid hormones, particularly estrogens, are believed to play a central role in development of breast cancer.” By reducing this influx of harmful hormones, we reduce our risk of developing breast cancer.

The ellagitannins contained in pomegranates actively regulate how these toxic hormones interact with our bodies, and help us manage their damage. Direct links have been drawn by medical studies, with the NLM stating that “several studies investigating the chemo preventative potential of pomegranate against breast cancer have highlighted the importance of antioxidant properties manifested in its components.” Furthermore, going on to recognize outright the “data suggest that intake of pomegranate may be a beneficial strategy for breast cancer chemoprevention.” In short, pomegranates flush out the bad hormones and promote the good.

Whether it’s the anti-estrogenic functionality of the pomegranate, or the antioxidant activity—there’s no reason to keep this super fruit out of your diet. Use it as a garnish on savory dishes like guacamole, or pick up a bottle of pomegranate juice to give yourself a boost midday. It will replenish your glucose levels and ensure your liver won’t need to pump cortisol into your blood to keep you going. However you choose to enjoy this remarkable fruit, your body will thank you for its restorative benefits and total wellness contributions to a cancer-free life.

Instant Pot

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

By Nellie Palmer

The Instant Pot or pressure cooker prevails again with this incredible chicken tikka masala. This recipe is quick to make, and it’s perfect after a long day when you don’t want to work too hard in the kitchen but still want something tasty. What Is Chicken Tikka Masala? • A true chicken tikka masala has the yogurt marinated chicken cooked in a wood or charcoal fired tandoor until the meat is thoroughly charred. Since we’re doing this in the Instant Pot, to achieve that char flavor, use your grill to grill the meat until it’s charred, which should happen fairly quickly because of the yogurt marinade. • If garam masala isn’t available you can substitute it for one part cumin and 1/4 part allspice.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken Tikka • 2 lb skinless and boneless chicken breast • 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt • 3 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 tbsp garam masala • 1 tbsp ginger minced • 5 cloves garlic minced • 1 tsp salt Curry Sauce • 3 tbsps peanut oil • 2 large onion chopped • 5 cloves garlic minced • 1 tbsp ginger minced • 1 tsp turmeric • 2 tsps garam masala • 2 tsps ground coriander • 2 tsps ground cumin • 2 tsps chili powder • 14 oz fire roasted tomatoes • 2 cups pureed tomato sauce • 1 1/2 cups half and half • 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt • 2 tbsps ghee • 3 tbsps fresh chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS

 Combine all the chicken tikka ingredients together in a large bowl and mix thoroughly so that each piece of chicken is fully coated in the yogurt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 48 hours.  On a hot grill, char chicken on both sides without cooking through. Remove from grill and save remaining marinade.  Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. (See your manufacturer's guide for detailed instructions on how to use your Instant Pot.)  Add the peanut oil, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin and chili powder. Stir and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion softens.  Add the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and stir. Add the chicken, including all the yogurt marinade and stir.  Close the lid (follow the manufacturer's guide for instructions on how to close the instant pot lid). Set the Instant Pot to the poultry setting and set the timer to 5 minutes.  Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, wait until the natural release cycle is complete, about 10 minutes. Follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release. Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the Instant Pot.  Add the half and half, salt and butter and give it a good stir. The butter is added to smooth the sauce.  Garnish with cilantro and serve warm over cooked rice with naan or roti.

Mummy JALAPENO POPPERS

By Nellie Palmer

EVERYONE LOVES JALAPENO POPPERS! DON’T LET YOUR HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION GO WITHOUT THESE MUMMIES! SIMPLE AND QUICK, BUT THEY WILL BE A HUGE HIT!

INGREDIENTS

• 12 Jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded • 1 package Philadelphia cream cheese • 1 bag, 16 oz, Mexican shredded cheese • 1 jar Tabasco jalapeno pepper jelly • 1 Pillsbury pie crust • 48 decorative edible eyes

DIRECTIONS

 Place jalapeno halves on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure all seeds have been removed. Leave the stem in tact.  Put a tablespoon of shredded cheese in each pepper half.  Put a teaspoon of pepper jelly in each pepper half.  Top each pepper half with two teaspoons of cream cheese.  Place the pie crust on a bread mat or a piece of parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter or pastry cutter, slice pie crust into thin strips. Cut the strips into smaller four inch strips. Wrap the pie crust strips around the peppers in a mummy fashion, tucking the loose ends under the pepper.  Bake at 350° until pie crust strips are golden and cream cheese is bubbly.

Makes 24 Poppers