Borrowed from the Boys

Beanie, Banana Republic (old) / Shirt, BCBG / Jeans, Rachel Rachel Roy / Clutch, BCBG / Shoes, Banana Republic / Sunglasses, Marc Jacobs / Nails, Essie "Recessionista"

There's something so very laid-back cool about a slightly oversized plaid shirt I've always been drawn to. I can remember stealing my dad's work shirts in elementary school back in the early '90s, when Nirvana, Pearl Jam and other grunge bands made the lumberjack fabric mainstream. And in college, I would only buy my plaid shirts from the men's department in order to achieve that same loose, relaxed feel. I have since stopped borrowing from the boys, but I still can't resist pairing even my girliest plaid with more masculine items, such as distressed jeans, a slouchy beanie and heavy metal touches like chains and studs, to help balance out the mix.

 

 

 

Horsin' Around

Hat, Vintage, from Catherine's Closet Vintage Boutique / Jacket, Victoria's Secret / Top, Banana Republic / Pants, Banana Republic / Boots, Nine West / Gloves, Target / Scarf, Thrifted / Lips, Revlon "Orange Flip"

I've found that the best Halloween costumes are often those that take the least planning. I've had this jockey cap for years and years, having acquired it from a local vintage shop on a whim, and have only used it as decoration in my closet up until now. With the addition of a few other wardrobe staples -- a cropped blazer, white button-down, stirrup pants and riding boots -- and a toy horse that really whinnies and neighs, my last-minute costume came together without a hitch, and I have to say may be one of my favorites yet.

 

Into the Woods

Top, Old Navy (old) / Faux Fur Vest, Target (old) / Jeans, Rock & Republic / Boots, Nine West / Bag, Michael Kors (old) / Sunglasses, Fendi / Cuff, Off Saks / Watch, Michael Kors / Ring, Vintage / Lipstick, Revlon "Orange Flip" + Kat Von D "Stiletto"

Being surrounded by nature has always had a calming effect on me, and this past weekend I finally had the opportunity to take a few moments to go for a walk in the woods near our home and decompress. Dark clouds and a brisk breeze created an spooky, "Sleeping Hallow" vibe, which made me even happier to be spending some much-needed time outdoors. For my walk, I opted for light layers -- jeans, a striped top and faux fur vest (acquired from the little girls' section!) -- and riding boots that provided enough comfort to run, climb and jump yet still were still stylish so we could drop into the neighborhood cafe and grab a holiday-flavored coffee on the way home.

 

 

Pumpkin Granola

When asked, "If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" my answer each and every time is pumpkin. The large, round gourds are fair game to enjoy year round, in my book, but they are especially delicious in the fall, when the sweet winter varieties are ripe for the picking. Last week the S-man brought home a particularly plump pumpkin from the farm, and after getting my jack-o-lantern-carving on, I immediately began searching for recipes that utilized pumpkin seeds. I stumbled across this recipe, and after making a few adjustments, I ended up with a nut-, gluten- and dairy-free version of granola, and was over the moon with the end result.

While many people know the health benefits of pumpkin flesh, the oft-overlooked seeds also are packed with nutrients, including protein, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant-based omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats that help the body function by building healthy cells, maintaining brain and nerve functions, protecting against disease and more.

Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber, and oats happen to contain soluble fiber known as beta-glucan, which absorbs and disposes of cholesterol before your body can absorb the nasty stuff. Insoluble fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar, improve digestion, lower the risk of certain cancers and maintain a healthy weight.

Dried fruits also are high in fiber and pack a whole lot of nutrition into a tiny package. Because most of the water has been extracted from dried fruits, what is left are higher amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as opposed to their fresh counterparts. However, watch your serving size, as dried fruits are high in sugar, both natural and added, as well as calories (good for running a marathon, bad for a marathon movie session on the couch).

As noted earlier, the health benefits of pumpkin are numerous: Low in calories and virtually fat-free, pumpkin is high in good-for-you stuff like fiber  (good for digestion), beta carotene (for healthy eyes, skin and immune system), vitamin C (for immunity and to fight cancers), potassium (for preventing cardiovascular disease), zinc (for strong bones) and more.

Rather than adding butter, oil or refined sugars, this recipe relies on the natural occurring sugars found in dried fruits, pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce and, in the case of my substitution, molasses to sweeten the dry ingredients. Which is a good thing, because applesauce contains phytonutrients, which act as antioxidants and protect DNA and cells against damage from free radicals, while molasses is a good source of iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

The granola baked up crisp and golden brown, and had just the right balance of sugar, spice and everything nice, making for a welcome alternative to all the candy overflowing in stores right now. I'll definitely be enjoying this mix, served warm over Greek yogurt or straight from the bowl with a cup of cocoa, and plan on sharing it with friends as a healthy Halloween treat.



Not Your Average Holiday Sweater

Sweater, Lucky Brand Jeans (old, similar here and here) / Jeans, Forever 21 (old) / Loafers, R2 Shoes via T.J. Maxx / Bag, Dooney & Burke, major score from the swap meet / Watch, Michael Kors

I bought this sweater years and years ago, and it has definitely become a piece I find myself pulling out of the closet on a regular basis this time of year. The large face on the front reminds me of the Tippi Hedren character from the classic Hitchcock film "The Birds," and the weight is just right to keep me warm once the sun goes down. When paired with burnt orange skinnies and sparkly spiked loafers, this look just screams effortless Halloween chic (no pun intended).

Faux Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

I have a confession: I'm addicted to Brussels sprouts. I never had Brussels sprouts as a kid, as the veggie's reputation as being "yucky" made me believe the experience of eating one would be truly horrific. Fast-forward 20 years and I'm hooked on these bite-sized cabbages. I usually stick to a pretty simple preparation for Brussels sprouts -- roasted with a splash of balsamic vinegar -- but over the weekend I stumbled upon this recipe that couldn't be more perfect for the fall running season. While the results were a bit mixed (the sauce was a bit too cheesy for my liking), I think with a few tweaks this dish will be on heavy rotation.

Brussels sprouts belong to the cruciferous vegetable family, and like its relatives cabbage, kale and broccoli, Brussels sprouts pack a whole lot of goodness in its tiny package. Studies have shown Brussels sprouts have cancer-fighting properties and help lower cholesterol and aid digestion thanks to its high fiber content. Brussels sprouts also are high in vitamins A, C, E, K and B-1 and have the most healthy plant omega-3s of all the cruciferous cousins.

Mushrooms are another small vegetable that weighs in with a heavy nutritional count. They are high in potassium, a mineral that helps lower blood pressure, and are rich in riboflavin, niacin and selenium, an antioxidant that works with vitamin E (like that found in Brussels sprouts!) to protect cells against free radicals.

Garlic breath is far from sexy, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for health. Garlic has been used as a "cure-all" for centuries, and for good reason -- the plant contains the chemical compound allicin, which helps fight everything from acne to asthma, the common cold and even hypertension, as well as minerals like phosphorus, calcium and iron. And, let's be honest, garlic also tastes good, meaning you can use this healthy herb, along with some antioxidant-rich, low-cal balsamic vinegar, to flavor food instead of salt and fat.

Moderation is key when it comes to high-fat, high-sodium foods like cheese. Luckily, Asiago cheese is quite flavorful, so it doesn't take much to get that cheesy taste most people crave. (I used 1/3 cup of cheese even though the recipe called for a full cup, and that was still too strong for me.) It also has a very salty taste, so there really is no need to add more salt when seasoning the sauce. Health-wise, Asiago cheese is a rich source of calcium, providing 20 percent of your daily recommended intake, and also provides a surprising 5 percent RDA of vitamin C, which, like calcium, helps strengthen bones.

This is where the "faux" in the recipe title comes in. I'm not a big fan of noodles; even whole wheat noodles I avoid. I've seen many, many variations for zucchini noodles (see my favorite take on it here), so thought I would substitute these ribbons for 2/3 of the pasta called for in the original recipe. Not only does this lower the calorie content quite a bit, it also adds plant-based fiber, vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, magnesium and manganese, an essential trace mineral that helps the body metabolize protein and carbohydrates and is essential for the production of proline, an amino acid that is leads to proper wound healing and healthy skin.

While I could eat just the zucchini "noodles" and be happy, long runs require energy in the form of carbs. Instead of loading up on pasta made from white flour, I used a very scant amount of a quinoa-corn-flour-blend spaghetti. Quinoa is a superfood in every way: It is a complete protein in that it contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs for muscle development; it acts as a prebiotic that feeds the microflora (good bacteria) in your intestines; it has the highest amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc of all the grains. It also is easily digestible and gluten-free, so no stomach trouble come race morning.

As mentioned previously, the next time I attempt this recipe I may reduce the amount of cheese used (or I may swap it out completely and create sauce made from Greek yogurt) and up the zucchini fettuccine. But for a first-time effort, I was pleased with the overall outcome and am happy to have found a new way to appease my Brussels sprouts addiction.