3 Post-Halloween Pumpkin Recipes

Stop. Don't get rid of your pumpkin just yet! 'Tis the season to enjoy the soft, sweet, rich taste of pumpkin. This seasonal fall recipe for Pumpkin Smoothies came to us compliments of the artists behind our gorgeous eco-friendly glass straws – and it sounds so yummy we just have to share! We found two more pumpkin recipes on Pinterest that also sound like must-do's: Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate and Pumpkin Waffles. After all, there's more to a pumpkin than just the seeds. Make an innovative pumpkin recipe or two and make use of your pumpkin!

Pumpkin Fruit Smoothie Recipe
Serves 2

1/2c. Diced Fresh Pumpkin (peels removed & previously frozen)
1/2c. Diced Pear (fresh or frozen)
3 Fresh Figs cut in quarters
1t. Pure Maple Syrup
3/4t. Pumpkin Pie Spice
3/4c. Un-sweetened Coconut Milk

Process using your favorite blender method.
Garnish with a fresh grating of nutmeg.
Serve in 8 oz. glasses and don't forget to add your glass straws!

We came across this amazing Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate recipe on Pinterest from closetcooking.com. Another yummy looking post-Halloween recipe we've pinned comes from girlmakesfood.com and it's for some must-try gluten-free and vegan Pumpkin Waffles.

Enjoy your post-Halloween pumpkin treats! 
 

5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Reuse for Halloween

Halloween is one holiday that offers loads of opportunity to reuse items you already have or invest in items that encourage reuse. Take advantage of these opportunities and not only will you save money, but you'll reduce your footprint and demonstrate to your kids that with a few planet-friendly choices, an 'eek-o' friendly Halloween is easier than 1–2–3 green!

Here are five ways to make reusing part of your Halloween celebration this year.

1. Swap a costume - Save money and reduce your carbon footprint by trading costumes with family and friends. Alternatively, go to National Costume Swap Day Canada and find a costume swap event near you. Using what you already have around the house also works great for costumes. Make a jet pack out of pop bottles for your little rocket man/girl or transform an old t-shirt into a scary skull for an easy adult costume.

2. Use quality face paints that last - In its 'Pretty Scary' report on heavy metals in face paints, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an alarming 10 out of 10 face paints tested contained lead, a neurotoxin. Instead of gravitating towards a pack of face paint or make up from the likes of the dollar store that may or may not contain lead or other nasties, invest in a set of quality non-toxic lead-free face paints with wood casing that will last well beyond Halloween and are ideal for birthday parties, play dates and rainy days. Another great option is to wear a reusable mask.

3. Hand out non-food Halloween treats - Choose Halloween goodies that last too. A great alternative to sugar-laden candy and snacks that disappear with one bite are non-food treats like recycled newspaper pencils, recycled crayon sticks, colourful soy rock crayons and if you want to really lead by example, compostable toothbrushes – Halloween treats kids can use for a while.

4. Use PVC-Free treat bags again and again - PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and the poisonous chemicals it can leach or off-gass into the air is bad news. For Halloween, avoid PVC's potentially nasty hormone disruption, respiratory issues and more and instead go for a PVC-free treat bag for your kids like this Envirosax pirates bag or this pretty pink sweet treats bag. Alternatively, check out this pumpkin orange, super fun Sesame Street Envirosax bag. Each of these bags can hold up to 44lbs of goodies - and is great for use year round for everything from sports gear to library books!

5.  Decorate without buying new - Consider ways to decorate without buying new and you'll not only save money but help teach your kids about the value of reusing. Here's a great idea for making spooky eyes in the bushes with toilet paper rolls and for these clever ghost lights use old bleach bottles. Take care of and try to repair the decorations you pull out year after year, rather than replacing them. After the 31st, be sure to reuse your pumpkin for pie, muffins, scones or any of these 23 Ways to Use Pumpkin Puree. For the more adventurous, try a pumpkin hair mask or pinata from these 10 Fun Things to Do with Pumpkin.

With just a little thought and planning, it's easy to reuse and enjoy a ghoulishly green Halloween!

Halloween Costume Swap & Save

This Halloween swap a costume instead of buying new and you'll save on materials, packaging - and money too! Our first ever Eek-O Friendly Costume Swap event earlier this month was a hit (pics below) - lots of swapping between families and we managed to raise a nice sum for The Lynn Valley Ecology Centre plus some great support from The North Shore Recycling Program - thanks to all! Through generous donations, we've ended up with some fantastic costumes over and above those that were swapped. So we're extending the swap through to next week during normal business hours. Pop into our Lavish & Lime Warehouse at 272 East 1st Street, North Vancouver anytime 9am-5:30pm during the week until next Friday, October 28th. Bring a costume to swap or take any costume you want with a donation to the Ecology Centre. Unicorn, horse, cat, motor cross rider, transformer, zorro, spiderman, princess & lots more to choose from! For more about us, click here.

The Eek-O Friendly Costume Swap

Looking for a Halloween costume? Swap and save at our Eek-O Friendly Costume Swap on Saturday, October 15th. Bring a costume, take a costume or simply make a donation to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and take what you need. Either way, you'll be making an eco-friendly difference by saving materials, resources, packaging - and money too! Instead of buying new, swapping a costume makes economical and ecological sense. Bring a costume and receive $5 OFF any Lavish & Lime purchase of $45 or more. According to use-less-stuff.com, swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6,250 tons, equal to the weight of 2,500 midsize cars! Join in the eeko-friendly fun on October 15th at our Lavish & Lime warehouse at 272 East 1st Street, North Vancouver from 9am-1pm. In addition to choosing a costume, kids can enjoy colouring and face painting too. All costumes must be brought in clean and in good condition on a hanger. Both kids and adult costumes welcome, costume accessories too. Check out just some of the costumes dropped off in advance below. For more information, click here.

Halloween Giveaway: Win Non-Toxic Face Paint Pencils

Play it safe this Halloween with non-toxic face paint pencils. Tests show that many face paints contain lead and other heavy metals. Lead acts as a neurotoxin and heavy metals like nickel, cobalt and chromium can cause skin sensitization and contact dermatitis. Enter our Halloween Giveaway and you could be dressing your kids up without the nasty chemicals - for free! We're giving away a six-pack of non-toxic Lyra face paint pencils made in Germany. These top quality wood-encased pencils require no water, have undergone rigorous safety testing and are both lead-free and paraben-free. Simply answer the question below and you'll be entered to win - good luck!
***THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!***

WIN IT!
Answer the following question and a pack of Lyra non-toxic face paint pencils could be yours!

What is your favourite homemade costume of all time?
You could have worn it, you could have seen it, you could have/will be dressing your kids in it this year!

Leave your answer in a comment below, email it to us at customerservice@lavishandlime.com with 'Halloween Giveaway' in the subject line or feel free to drop it by our warehouse shop Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm: 272 East 1st Street, North Vancouver V7L 1B3. Please be sure to include your name, email address and telephone number so we can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
Do any of the following and be sure to tell us you did!
- Like us on our Lavish & Lime Facebook Page and leave this comment on our wall:
"I just entered to win a pack of non-toxic face paint pencils at Lavish & Lime - check it out for yourself here: www.lavishandlime.com"
- Sign up to receive our email newsletter
- Follow us on Twitter





One entry per person. The winner will be chosen in a random draw by Lavish & Lime. Deadline for entries is noon PST Monday, October 24th. The winner will be notified by the end of Monday, October 24th. Open to Canadian residents only.

The Top Ten Ways to Green your Halloween

Taking a few small steps to a ghoulishly greener, healthier Halloween can be easy - and make a difference. Avoid toxins, sugars and you're well on your way.

Here are ten do-able ways to green your Halloween:

1. Avoid toxic, lead-laden face paint – In its 'Pretty Scary' report on heavy metals in face paints, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found 10 out of 10 face paints tested contained lead - a neurotoxin. Instead of gravitating towards a cheap pack of face paint/make up from the dollar store - that may or may not work - invest in a set of quality non-toxic, lead-free face paints that will last and not harm you or your child. Another option is to wear a mask.

2. Swap a costume – Rather than spending money on an off the rack costume, why not swap one with friends or family members? It not only saves money but is a great way to show kids how to reuse, especially as they seem to outgrow a costume a year.

3. Make your own original – Another costume option instead of buying one is to get creative and make it with things you already have around the house. You'll not only enjoy the satisfaction of creating something yourself, but you're guaranteed not to see someone else wearing your costume! If you're stuck for ideas, here are some great homemade costume ideas and some innovative group Halloween costume ideas.

4. Deviate from disposable decorations – Avoid buying throwaway paper decorations that once taken down on November 1st will be destined for the bin. There are lots of different options out there, including non-toxic window crayons that are not only easy to remove, but can also be used at Christmas, Easter, on the bathroom mirror - anytime you want to write on a window or mirror! Autumn leaves and twigs also add an element of spookiness to any Halloween decorating.

5. Switch up for less sugar – Why not try handing out healthier treats with less sugar and additives than the average rocket or chocolate bar? Look for fruit bars, apple crisps - or other more candy-like treats sweetened with fruit juices, etc. Shops like Whole Foods have a great selection of organic treats.

6. Alternative treats – Try handing out something entirely different this year - something that lasts a little longer than the time it takes to melt in your mouth. Why not give out a recycled newspaper pencil or a recycled star crayon? Something kids can actually use will not only be appreciated by them, but their parents too.

7. Reduce treat consumption – While loads and loads of treats may be collected - especially by older kids - there's no need for your child to consume them all. Why not suggest giving half away to charity or perhaps to children in hospital who couldn't go out trick or treating? Some schools gather excess treats to give to others less fortunate as do some community groups.

8. Reuse candy wrappers for crafts – Encourage kids to collect the wrappers from their treats rather than simply throw them away. Get creative and use them for crafts - cover a 'treasure' box, the front of a notebook, make a collage picture, even a candy wrapper bracelet - the possibilities are endless.

9. Reuse your pumpkin – Don't just throw away your pumpkin after the 31st, reuse it. Yes, there's the traditional pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin loaf, but what about a pumpkin facial? Pumpkin candles? A pumpkin air freshener. Here are some great things to make with pumpkin.

10. Get outside and enjoy the season – Take the kids to the pumpkin patch, visit a farm, go for a walk under falling leaves, collect chestnuts or simply rake leaves in the yard - whatever you do, enjoy!

For more Halloween suggestions, check out our Green Halloween Ideas page and our collection of Halloween Eco Products to help make this holiday ghoulishly greener.

Lead Free Face Paint takes the Scare out of Halloween Costumes

Dressing up in costumes for Halloween doesn't have to be scary. Choose lead free face paint pencils from established European company Lyra and you won't be putting you and your kids in toxic danger.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics alarmingly found 10 out 10 face paints tested contained lead - a neurotoxin - in its 'Pretty Scary' report on heavy metals in face paints published last year. They also found nickel, cobalt and chromium in some children's face paints. These can cause skin sensitization and contact dermatitis.

Non-toxic Lyra face paint pencils are lead-free and paraben-free. A primary ingredient is palm oil. Uniquely, these face paints require no water for use and therefore, do not dry out. They are encased in wood to keep your fingers clean and wash off incredibly easily with simple soap and water. These are quality face paint pencils that are built to last.

We've had ours for over a year now and they've been well used. The kids often find them and set up a temporary 'tattoo parlour' on rainy days - they too find them easy to use and easy to wash off. While masks are always an alternative for dressing up, not everyone enjoys wearing them.

Lyra's lead-free face paint pencils offer a safe option for adding that extra special touch to your costumes for Halloween. Plus you can choose from basic coloured pencils or a set of pink, purple and metallics.

For more ideas about how to green your Halloween and make it safer and more eco-friendly, visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about face paints, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Olympic Tattoo Horror: a case for non-toxic face paint

Before we realized it, the damage was done. In typical 2010 Olympic spirit, we were at a local kick-off event and whilst our heads were turned our seven-year-old daughter lined up with a friend to have a Canada flag tattoo affixed to her forehead.

You might think 'affixed' is a strong word to use for a temporary tattoo, but temporary it was not.

After the obligatory - and patriotic - day or so of wearing it, we decided to wash off the tattoo. We scrubbed and rubbed with soap and water and lotion and not a lot was happening. I left the bathroom and when I came back, out of desperation, our daughter had taken an emery board to the tattoo.

We quickly put an end to her innovative emery board technique yet it had removed the majority of the tattoo, so everything seemed alright - until the next morning.

She woke up with scratchy scabs all across her poor forehead. We vowed there and then, no more tattoos, no matter what. It took the better part of a week to heal, even with our calendula cream.

We normally use our non-toxic Lyra face paint pencils but because we were out and caught up in the Olympic moment I guess she/we got carried away. Never again. She's learned (and us too) to stick to what we know and trust and that's our own face paint crayons. Any designs we make with our crayons come off easily, even our three-year-old can remove them herself. And they're easy to use - no water required - just start drawing. Plus they're completely lead-free, unlike so many other face paint products on the market today.

Lesson learned. The hard way.

Lyra face paint pencils are made in Germany and are available in two different colour packs - basic and plus. For more information, visit Lavish & Lime. Have you had a bad experience with your kids and tattoos? Any thoughts or ideas about natural face paints? Please leave your comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

3 Ways to Green Your Halloween

Who says you can't be green and spooky too? Here are three ways to enjoy a spooktacular Halloween that's fun, good for you and the planet too.

1. Choose non-toxic face paints and pencils
There are loads of products out there for making up your little lion, pirate, princess, witch or black cat, but aren't you just a little concerned about the potentially toxic ingredients you're smothering on your child? And what about the washability factor? Then there's the quality, ie. do they actually work.

Lyra is an established European art supply company that's been around since 1806. Their pack of six face painting pencils is dermatologically tested and non-toxic. The leads are extensively compressed (for high intense colour) and encased in a wooden barrel for easy handling. You don't need to dip them in water to start painting and they wash off easily with warm water. Check out Monday's review on ParentingPink.com for more. These top quality pencils are made in Germany and come in two different colour packs of six - the basic has the primary colours plus green, black and white and the plus pack includes gold, silver, pink, purple, orange and brown.

For more coverage, try these plant-based body and face paints. They're all natural and completely toxin-free - ideal for any little witch, devil or ghost with sensitive skin. They're also made in Germany. And for dressing up nails and eyes without the nasty chemicals, try made in Canada water-based nail polish or mineral eye shadow in bright blue or glittery pink.

2. Choose eco-friendly decorations
With eco being the trend, why should Halloween be the exception? Admittedly, spooky and gruesome does translate well into highly toxic plastics found at the dollar store but why not go green on October 31st with biodegradable classic pumpkins - carved and glowing or even painted - hay bales, ornamental corn, cobwebs fashioned out of hemp string. Give the little ones a pack of non-toxic window crayons to go crazy with on the front window - rather than splurging on throwaway paper or cardboard decorations that tend not to last.

3. Choose local for costumes
If buying Canadian to help lower your carbon footprint and support the local economy and jobs is important to you, stay the course for Hallow's Eve. There's no need to stray. These kids' helmet covers are made in Ontario and ideal to top off any Halloween costume. Choose from a red devil, lion, shark, zebra, pig, bunny or turtle. They'll keep your little one's head warm during the big trick or treat and beyond. These covers stretch to fit any helmet - bike, ski, snowboard, skate, equestrian - and not only increase visibility of the wearer on the slopes, roads, rink, etc. but encourage kids to wear their helmets and provide added warmth.

For the ideal black cat costume that doubles for dance class, there's a lovely all-black tutu - often a challenge to find - made in Vancouver.

If you're pressed for ideas, there's always rentals - a great way to reuse. Don't forget local thrift stores and charity shops are are virtual costume treasure troves - and supporting them means you also support a good cause for a Happy Halloween all around.

Enter our contest to win a Glam Pack for a green Halloween simply by telling us about your best ever Halloween costume. If you have any thoughts or ideas about how to green Halloween, we'd love to hear them. Please leave a comment below.

WIN a Glam Pack Giveaway for a Green Halloween

You want to them to have fun dressing up for Halloween - but without all those nasty ingredients all over their skin. It may only be for one night, but still.

Tell us about your best ever Halloween costume and you could win a Glam Pack filled with Canadian-made, safe make up from Girl Power Beauty! The pack contains a special Girl Power angels necklace made of lead & nickel-free gold plated metal plus two bottles of water-based nail polish in pink and blue and two matching eyeshadow pots (great as body glitter too) made with certified organic corn starch and mineral pigments - all in a funky dot reusable cosmetic bag. These products do not contain any harmful ingredients and are preservative and dye-free. They're great for making up any princess, mermaid, ballerina or Hannah Montana - safely and without worry that toxins will be absorbed into the skin. The Glam Pack is worth $45 - but you could win it for free!

To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us about your best Halloween costume. Was it for you? your child? your partner? Did you make it or put it together yourself? (Admittedly, we're partial to homemade, but are keen to hear all!)

We'll be drawing for one lucky winner on Monday, October 26th (we want to ensure the prize is received before the 31st!) so please be sure to leave a comment by midnight on October 25th.

Good luck and we look forward to hearing about your costume!

The new Girl Power Beauty line of natural skin care products at Lavish & Lime is aimed at girls between 8 and 14 years, but frankly, the Pink Grapefruit 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner and Apple Blossom Deodorant work just fine for adults too - and the scents from the natural plant and flower extracts are well, absolutely lovely!

For a selection of non-toxic Halloween face paint pencils (in pink, gold and silver) and plant-based body paint, visit our Kids Music & Art category.