http://www.102clearfm.com

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Trick-or-Treaters:

• Carry a flashlight
• Walk, don’t run
• Stay on sidewalks
• Obey traffic signals
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods
• Don’t cut across yards or driveways
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark
• Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground
• Shoes should fit (even if they don’t go with your costume)
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props
• (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape
• Approach only houses that are lit
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know

Parents:

• Make your child eat dinner before setting out
• Children should carry quarters so they can call home
• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home
• You should know where they’re going
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect

Homeowners:

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater
• Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle
• Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later
• Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins

bonus code: sweettooth

We just got back from the first annual UNICEF Celebrity Pumpkin Carving Contest at Kildonan Place. What a great time! The pumpkin we carved? Not so great. It sort of turned out to be an evil looking Yoda from Star Wars (Billie Jo has no idea what I’m talking about.) Actually, I think it’s a good bet that this pumpkin now looks sort of what I look like first thing in the morning through Billie Jo’s eyes

Even though we didn’t win any prizes (and had very little cash to bribe the judges with) we had a lot of fun and helped to raise money for UNICEF’s Schools for Africa program. You can find more about the amazing things Unicef’s doing by clicking here.

It was great to see some of our favorite people too, including Sylvia Kuzyk from CTV, John Sauder from CBC, and Fred Penner & his son Damien.  Check out the pics below, and maybe get an idea or two for your own jack o’ lantern

**Click on pictures for larger view**

Bonus Code: yoda

I caved Friday night and went for the Halloween candy. I promised myself I wasn’t going to, but I’m glad I did because what I discovered is shocking. THEY’VE MADE THE CANDY SMALLER!!!! I wish I had some chocolate bars leftover from last year so I could show you! The bars this year are at least HALF the size they were last year. I was only going to have 2 Crispy Crunch bars but I had to wolf down 5 just to get the same yummy satisfaction. Has anyone else noticed this? I usually give out at least 2 or 3 bars per trick or treater – I better up that amount this year or risked being called a cheapskate!

Reminds me of the Cadbury Creme Egg (I love them!!!) conspiracy. Have you noticed that over the years they’ve shrunk too? Proof is below. Anyone else feel ripped off?

BONUS CODE: sizematters

I love Halloween! I get as excited for this time of the year as most people do for Christmas. I even decorate the house with zombies, lights and spider webs

Have you got the little ghosts and goblins ready for Halloween? Stuck for a quick and easy costume idea?

* Cover yourself with a clear plastic garbage bag, fill it with different colored balloons, write ‘M’ on the balloons and go as a bag of M&M’s.
* Wrap yourself in tin foil and go as leftovers!
* Cover your and your friends in sheets. One person wears horns, and goes as bull sheet. The other has feathers, chicken sheet. And finally wear a sign that says ‘happens.’ Sheet happens.
* Wear a green shirt and attach Christmas ornaments, go as a Christmas tree.
* Painted your head red and go as a candy apple.
* Dye Your hair blue and say you’re a Ban Roll-On.
* Put on dark glasses and write “venetian” across your chest and go as a venetian blind.

Got any others? Love to hear them

BONUS CODE: spooky

It’s no secret, I’m no cook. But at least I don’t pretend to be.

This am Jay and I started talking about fun foods for Halloween parties. I think I kind of got sidetracked and went on to tell him how I always bring the same thing as a party  appetizer.

“Ham Dip”  (I refuse to call it SPAM)

- One can of Flakes of Ham…..Yes, minus the gelatinous goo Jay 

 - Mayo

- Chopped Dill Pickles, Celery, Onions, a little parsley

- Grated Cheese

Mix it up and serve with crackers (simple, easy and no oven required)

Funny thing is….everyone @ the party always loves it. Mind you I spend most of the night avoiding the question, “What’s in your dip?”

Anyways…a few of our VIP Clear Club members agree with Jay and think my ”Ham Dip” is gross. Check out their recipes instead…much better. ENJOY:)  

From Cindy:  Throw out the canned ham!!

Cut a jalapeno pepper in half, scoop out seeds, spoon cream cheese into it, wrap a half strip of bacon around the pepper, secure with a toothpick,make as many as you want, bake at 350 for about 20 mins, delish!!! Give it a try!

From Bonnie: I heard your conversation this morning about your ham dip you bring to parties. Well, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you that your friends will ask you to bring to every party. It’s simple and absolutely awesome! It’s called the Extraordinary Cheese Dip (and of course by eating it you will not look like those girls on the Shape.com website). It’s made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and 3 of the Epicure Selections dip mixes (3 onion, Cheese chives and bacon, and Lemon Dilly) (www.epicureselections.com). All you do is mix up the ingredients and heat it up.

Bonus Code Word: hamdip (worth 100 points)

Want to see the Sarah Palin appearance on SNL this week? Check out the latest video here

Don’t spend more than you earn! Ya right….easier said than done.

With the economy in rough shape & our dollar taking a hit. All the experts are saying it’s time to tighten the wallet. 

Everyone is taking about how you can save money…Even Oprah! She had some great tips on her show this week. Check it out.

I hate to admit it, but I cringe when I’m standing behind someone at the grocery store line and they pull out this wad of coupons. Under my breath I’m saying…”uhhhhh how long is this gonna take?” However after listening to the experts I’m starting to wonder why I’m not clipping coupons or using my rewards cards.

A couple other things:

Instead of buying DVD’s or renting them…why not go to the public library and take them out.

Instead of a land line home phone…use your cell.

All things to think about I guess.

Bonus Code word: saveit (worth 100pts)

Winnipeg harvest is hoping that you’ll find it in your heart (and your budget) to help the less fortunate this weekend. This month alone, 35,000 Manitobans will receive food from Winnipeg Harvest – 40% are children!

You might have seen the brown paper shopping bags throughout the city over the past couple of weeks. Please, if you can, fill it next time you’re shopping, and drop it off at any Safeway store or Winnipeg Harvest by tomorrow.

What to buy? Here’s the list of the top 10 most needed food items:

-canned fish in water
-baby food
-canned fruits
-peanut butter
-canned beans
-whole wheat pastas
-rice
-pasta sauces
-high fiber cereals (no sugar coated cereals)
-canned soups and stews

BONUS CODE: no more hunger

We head to the polls on Tuesday and it won’t be easy – I’ll still be stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner (and all the leftovers that go with it.) I’m very excited that my friends Gayle and Ford invited me over for dinner – they’re the best hosts EVER!

Want the latest campaign promises? They’re all laid out here from the Winnipeg Free Press – it’s a good read and might help you make that all important decision next week.

———————

Speaking of Thanksgiving, this is a great website from Kid’s Turn Central for the little ones. There’s lots of craft ideas (I really like the craft stick turkey greeter) recipes, and the history of the holiday.

We’ve all been taught this stuff, but it sure doesn’t hurt to go over this little check list with the entire family every now and then.

16 ways to keep your family safe:

Smoke alarms are outside all sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

Smoke alarms are in working order and tested regularly.
All escape routes are planned and practiced with every family member.

Escape routes are clear of clutter and easily accessible.

The clothes dryer vent and filter are clean and clear of lint.

Extension cords are not used in place of permanent wiring.

Electrical outlets are not overloaded and cords are in good condition.

House numbers are visible from the street day and night.

Carbon monoxide detector is installed outside sleeping areas.

An adult stays in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove.

Smokers use proper ashtrays and do not smoke in bed.

Furnace, heaters and stove have 3 feet of clearance from combustibles.

Chimneys and furnace are cleaned and inspected once a year.

Candles are never left unattended and candleholders are stable.

Matches and lighters are kept out of reach of children.

Remember, you can check out the open house at your local fire station from noon – 4 this Saturday the 11th. You might even get to see Sparky the fire dog!

Stay safe