Halloween Treats

Halloween is just one week away. What treats are you making this year? Here is a delicious Halloween recipe that is easy to make and perfect for any party. You can learn morehere.

Eat Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy can rack up the grocery bills. However, there are ways to eat healthy, while sticking to a budget. Sales, seasonal foods, and freezing are three ways to save money on your favorite healthy dishes. You can learn more at The Kitchn.



1. Buy fresh produce when it's in season and freeze it.

Fresh produce is always great, but the cost can add up fast. Stick with buying what's currently in season, and consider stocking up when you find a good deal.


In the summer I will buy three or four dozen ears of corn when it is two ears for a dollar (or less). You can cut it from the ear and freeze it in bags, or freeze it whole (though the former takes up less freezer space). Then you have (really great tasting) corn for cheap for several months. Same goes with other vegetables. - doilyglove
2. Look for sales and plan meals accordingly.

If your local grocery store offers a savings card be sure to sign up, and check the weekly circular to see what's on sale. Instead of shopping for groceries based on your weekly meal plan, consider planning your meals around what's on sale.


If the store you usually shop at has a weekly circular my best piece of advice is to check it every week and plan your meals around what's on sale. This has saved me so much money lately. It can also force you to get creative and maybe try some items or dishes you've never had. - kristen44




If you do not like prep I strongly recommend watching for sales on frozen vegetables. Here we sometimes get 10 for $10 sales on frozen vegetables, so I always stock up on onions, bell peppers, carrots, and peas. Makes it super easy to make something healthy. - Liz@LamentingLizzie


3. Try less expensive cuts of meat.

You can still enjoy meat, even when you're on a tight budget. Look for less expensive cuts of meat, like chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, and trydifferent cooking methods, like the slow cooker, to make tougher cuts of meat tender and juicy.


If you're a meat-eater, learn to love cheaper cuts! Bone-in, skin-on, tougher cuts of red meat, and organ meats are all dirt-cheap (and more nutritious and flavourful!) compared to, say, boneless skinless chicken breasts, even if you're buying the organic/free-range stuff. Don't be afraid of (good-quality) fat, especially if you're trying to lose weight! - the enchantress


The Crock-pot does an amazing job of taking cheap cuts of meat (pork shoulder, chuck roast, etc) and making them tender and juicy. - Sarah_L.


Look for cheaper cuts such as lamb neck fillets, pork belly and cheeks, shin of beef, whole chickens that will yield enough for leftovers, plus a carcass for soup or congee, chicken livers, gizzard, etc. Perhaps borrow a book from the library that will show you the techniques for bringing out the best from these cuts. - pearmelon
4. Embrace whole grains and beans.

Beans and whole grains, like quinoa, freekeh and brown rice are an inexpensive and tasty way to bulk up meals, and can even be a meal in themselves.


I use black beans to stretch my meat. You can spend $15 and get the ingredients to make chili which will last for one person, 10 meals. I mix (cooked) black beans with ground turkey and make turkey burgers using that. - Christy Belville


Whole grains can really bulk up a meal and make it more filling and they're generally on the cheaper side. Buy a package of wheat berries, whole wheat couscous, cook it up and freeze it in single portions to throw into salads or soups when you need them. The whole grains will also keep you full longer and may help aid in your weight loss efforts. - kristen44
5. Plan and prep meals ahead.

Whether it's veggies for the week, tomorrow's breakfast, lunches or dinners, prepping food in advance is a step in the right direction towards eating healthy. Plus, it's also a good way to make sure you're eating what's in the fridge, to minimize waste.


I spend some time every weekend planning my meals for the week. I don't mind eating leftovers so I plan on eating the same thing several times. I try to at least get my lunches prepped on Sunday so I'm starting the week off right. Then I might make something to eat on Monday night for dinner and eat that several times as well. - sweetautumn


I can cook two meals on Sunday night, package them up in portable containers and be set for lunch and dinner all week — with just one night of cooking. (This only works if you don't mind eating the same thing every day - and I've learned it's important to stick with what you like or outside temptations will be everywhere!!!) But it's great to save time and money! - PropTart


6. Broaden your culinary horizons!

Cuisines, like Mexican and Indian, rely heavily on inexpensive ingredients, like beans and rice.


If you don't like Indian or Mexican food, learn to. From my experience it's the best value to flavor ratio. In both cuisines, rice is a staple, which is cheap. Both are not meat heavy, which is also cheap. Both also allow a lot of ingredients to be used interchangeably. Less waste which equals cheap. -Baxatax


If you like Mexican food, you could do burritos filled with anything you like. Or you can do a tortilla-less version of huevos rancheros that I often make for dinner. Very filling, loads of protein and fiber. - miabica
7. Keep an organized fridge and pantry.

Leftovers are always great, but it totally defeats the purpose if they get lost in the back of the fridge. Label leftovers and keep your fridge organized to help minimize food waste.


Waste of leftovers or frozen food can be minimized by keeping an orderly fridge/freezer and by labeling. I use a strip of masking tape and a Sharpie to identify food and date on the container. Package foods in amounts you will use, such as freezing chicken pieces by twos and hamburger in patties separately wrapped. Keeping a list of items in the fridge also sounds useful but I admit I've never been able to stick with that one. -janmarie


If you freeze stuff, make sure you periodically go through your freezer and eat everything in there. Sometimes I forget this step, but my wallet and my evening hours benefit when I use up all my frozen food! -becster.henrich

8. Repurpose leftovers.

If you don't like eating the same meal over and over, consider repurposing leftovers into an entirely new and delicious meal.


Last night I made a garlicky spinach and white bean soup with leftovers from a rotisserie chicken. It made a really delicious soup that was simply lovely with toasted bread. - vintagejenta


Things that you can make into a sandwich later work well (poached chicken, meatballs, meatloaf, roast beef/pork/chicken). When whole chickens are on sale I buy two and cook them both. The first night is roast chicken and then I can make sandwiches, soup, pot pie, throw some in fried rice...you can really stretch a couple of chickens and make a lot of portable options.


Find the day when you can do some prep cooking and do a roast, then portion it out, make soup etc. to last you the rest of the week. - anotherjen


9. Go to the farmers market at the end of the day.

Depending on where you live, farmers markets may or may not save you money during regular hours. Consider visiting the market at the end of the day, when you could very likely score some great deals.


My best tip: When I was on a *really* limited budget, I would go to the public market/ farmer's market about an hour before they closed.
You can get some very good bargains on produce that way, since the sellers want to unload as much as possible before they close up for the day. (And sometimes, they'll throw in a little extra just to be nice!) - skd80
10. Shop at ethnic markets.

Consider checking out local ethnic markets. Not only are you likely to find a bargain on certain products, you'll also find some really interesting ingredients.


You can buy really varied, interesting, cheap noodles in an Asian market. I never buy rice noodles in a supermarket - they're very overpriced. That goes for just about any condiments/sauces for Asian meals. Go to an Asian grocer and stock up. The produce is usually cheaper too. One of my Asian stores has really fresh fish and meat. Just know the store and ask about it. - MaddyWho


Ethnic supermarkets (chinese, greek, lebanese, etc) are a great source for good value interesting ingredients. - AndersAu

What To Do This Weekend In Happy Valley!

What are you doing this weekend in Happy Valley?  We have some great events going on all weekend long. Keep reading for a list of great fall activities, and you can learn more by checking out Happy Valley.


Friday, October 3
First Friday

Are you ready to do some shopping? For the first Friday of the month retailers downtown will have their doors open until 9pm. Free refreshments and special deals will be offered.
JB Tree Farm Fall Frenzy

Nothing says “fall” more than romping around in the brightly-colored leaves with your family on a crisp autumn Friday. Come out to the Fall Frenzy and enjoy activities such as hayrides, hiking, pumpkin picking, or making crafts.
Hauntingdon 2014 - All of October

Starting October 1st, Huntingdon will be putting on a month-long celebration of fun events. In the past, the event has included lamplight walking tours of Huntingdon, parades, Apple Butter Festivals, historic Rockhill Trolley rides PA, public events like "Huntingdon County's Murderous Past" presentation by the Huntingdon County Historical Society, Ghosts and Goblins at Lincoln Caverns and Fall Flashlight Tours at Penn's Cave.
BCHA Gallery at the Gamble Mill

Featuring one-of-a-kind, 3-dimensional art, the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association gallery will have on display the work of Anju Jolly, Manya Goldstein, Zheka-Art, and Mary Cady Rubenstein. Sure to catch your eye are the bright mosaic wall hangings, Bubbe Meises (grandmother’s fables), and relief paintings.

Tommy Roberts at the Happy Valley Winery
Saturday, October 4
Cheesesteak-eating Contest



I hope you’re hungry! Bradley’s and OrderUp are challenging local eaters to put their tummies to the test as they try to devour a 30-ounce cheesesteak. The first group to finish will win an Xbox One.
Downtown Fall Festival

The 15th Annual Fall Festival is perfect for the whole family, with fun and games, pumpkin decorating, alpaca, a climbing wall and a fun house.
Mt. Nittany Harvest Fest

Feel like some more sophisticated fun? Stop by Mt. Nittany Winery for their annual Harvest Fest. There will be free wine tasting and tours of the winery all day long. There will be food from local vendors available for purchase such as Tait Farm Foods, Goot Essa Cheese, Rip Rap Baking, Gemelli Bread and more. There will be music during the afternoon as well, certain to be eclectic and fun.


Oktoberfest

Have a blast at Tussey Mountain with fun, food, entertainment and plenty of beer!

Central PA Health and Fitness Expo - get buff
Murder Mystery at Old Bedford Village - The only thing you know is whether you did it.
Faculty Recital
Apple Cider Demonstration Day at The Way Farm
Bike Ride with the Mayor in State College
Meet the Creek at Shaver's Creek (Big birds included)
Fall Foliage Celebration at The Swigart Museum
Sunday, October 5
Pumpkin Giveaway

Win prizes for your pumpkin carving abilities, a good time for all ages.

A Recipe for the Chilly Nights of Fall

Are you ready for some fall recipes on your dinner table?  Apple desserts are some of our favorite treats for fall.  We have found a new creative recipe that you probably have never made.  Try this recipe out this weekend and let us know how it goes.  You can learn more at The Kitchn.

These little monkey breads are designed for eating on the go a little more easily than the full-sized traditional monkey bread that needs to be picked apart piece by piece. They are baked in muffin cups, and they come out all gooey and crisp from the butter. They get a lovely lemony glaze, creamy and touched by honey.






And yet they're not too sweet. That's the beauty of using pizza dough here — it's not too rich, and not sweet at all. So you have chunks of dough, yeasty and tender, encased and baked in a buttery, cinnamon glaze, and tumbled together with chopped apples, raisins, and (if you like!) dried cranberries.

All together these are a marvelous breakfast treat — warm and sweet from the oven, and good for eating on the go, or at a leisurely breakfast with family.

And one last note: For anyone who has ever had the cobblestone at Panera Bread, that muffin-shaped monkey bread of cinnamon, raisins, and citrus glaze, these are really an attempt to get them at home. I like these much better — they have all the right flavors, but they're not so teeth-achingly sweet.

Apple Cinnamon Mini Monkey Breads
Makes 12 mini monkey breads

1 1/2 pounds prepared pizza dough OR 1 batch dough (below)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup mixed dried fruit, such a mix of raisins, currants, and cranberries
2 small or 1 large apple, about 1/2 pound
1 lemon, zested
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
Flour, for dusting the dough

For the glaze:
1 tablespoon cream or milk
2 teaspoons honey
Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 tablespoons
3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar

Lightly mist a large piece of parchment or baking sheet with baking spray. Lay the dough out on it and pat into a roughly 2-inch-thick rectangle. Use a knife or bench scraper to cut it into 4 roughly equal pieces. Cut each of these into 12 lumps, for a total of about 48 dough lumps about the size of your thumb. Sprinkle flour over top of the dough pieces, cover with towel, and set aside while you prepare the monkey bread filling.

Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by lightly greasing the wells or lining with paper muffin cups.

To make the filling, melt the butter in a saucepan or the microwave. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and set aside to cool completely.

Roughly chop the dried fruit and place in a large bowl. Peel and core the apples, and grate them into the bowl with the dried fruit. Stir in the lemon zest as well as the brown sugar. Sprinkle the dough pieces again lightly with flour, to help keep them from sticking to each other, then toss them with the dried fruit, apples, and brown sugar. Pour the completely cooled melted butter into the bowl and stir to coat the pieces of dough.

Quickly scoop up handfuls of the dough and fruit mixture and place them in muffin cups (about 4 pieces to each cup). If there is any leftover butter in the bowl, pour this evenly over the monkey breads.
At this point the monkey breads can be covered lightly and refrigerated overnight. When ready to bake, take out of the fridge and let them rise for 1 hour before baking.

Set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.

Heat the oven to 400°F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned on top and the insides register about 190°F on an instant read thermometer.

While they are baking, make the glaze. Warm the cream and honey in the microwave or in a small saucepan until the honey is dissolved. Whisk together with the lemon juice and powdered sugar until it forms a thick, creamy glaze.

Remove the monkey breads from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the tops. Serve warm.

Celebrate Labor Day All Weekend

Make sure to stay in Happy Valley this Labor Day Weekend.  There are a bunch of great events going on that you and your friends can attend.  These are not just University events.  There are also community wide events that you can attend, when there you are not cheering on Penn State.  You can learn more at Happy Valley.





Labor Day Weekend starts a little bit early in Happy Valley. That’s because it’s important to celebrate the end of a great summer the right way. It all starts on Thursday, August 28 with the WingFest Finals at Tussey Mountain starting at 5:30 p.m.. You’ll be perched on the mountainside to help determine who has the best wing sauce in the area. There will be live music, a setting sun, plenty of wings, other good food and beer. Just be careful, things could get rather messy.


Friday night, August 29, Mount Nittany Winery will host their End of Summer Gala at 6 p.m., complete with a jazz quartet to set the mood for the evening.


Saturday, August 30 kicks off the 2014 football season bright and early, with an 8:30 a.m. ET game time for the Croke Park Classic. Watch the game in your jammies at home with a cup of coffee in hand, or head to one of the many local bars and restaurants that will be serving up plenty of early-morning specials for this unique kickoff time. Stay tuned to HappyValley.com for a list of establishments and specials.


Sunday, August 31 starts early with the Mt. Nittany Marathon. The 26.2 mile race meanders around the beautiful scenery of the mountain. Those who do well enough will qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon. Runners will enjoy the loading up on carbs, compliments of local restaurants, the night before at the Pasta Dinner. The day moves right along, so you’ll have to stay on your toes (but if you’re in the marathon you might be too tired, no need to apologize.) Crickfest 2014 is a fun, family event celebrating the Penn’s Creek Watershed at Coburn Park from 12-6 p.m. In addition to the food, silent auction, and new information, there’s a petting zoo.


Afterward, head to Bellefonte for a community pig roast from 5-8 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Faith Centre Food Bank as your admission. In addition to the delicious pork, enjoy beer from the historic Roopsberg Brewery. The night ends with the Aurigids Meteor Shower, which you can watch at Black Moshannon State Park. This small shower often produces a plethora of meteors, so come prepared to be wowed.


Labor Day on Monday, September 1 provides several great options for fun, too. Celebrate the end of summer at Lakemont Park. There will be free ride and slide passes for everyone all day. If that’s not a fantastic deal, I don’t know what is. Del Grosso’s Amusement Park is having their Labor Day and Customer Appreciation Day for $5.99 all day long. There will be plenty of fun and entertainment. At those prices, you can bring the whole family to both on the same day! In addition to the great parks, you can get a little time with nature. There is a Labor Day Float at Bald Eagle State Park that will take you out on a kayak. Experts on natural and cultural history of the area will join the group, so it will not only be fun, but informative.


Labor Day Weekend in Happy Valley has plenty for you to do between the picnics. Take the whole family out for a day, two days, or a weekend of fun and memories. There will be delicious food, and plenty of activities. Enjoy the last days of summer!

The Homecoming Schedule Is Here!

Homecoming at Penn State is one of the best times of the year.  The Homecoming schedule has been released for this September, and we have all of the information below.  You can learn more at Happy Valley.


September 20-27, 2014
Football Game: Saturday, September 27 vs. Northwestern


October in Happy Valley means trading your sunscreen for sweatshirts and seeing the green foliage of summer turn into a mosaic of colors draped over Happy Valley. It also means football, and specifically Homecoming weekend for Penn State.


This year's Homecoming weekend will be on September 26-28, with the Nittany Lions taking on Big Ten rival Northwestern on Saturday the 27th.


Homecoming is one of the toughest weekends to get a hotel in State College, so start making your plans now!
Homecoming Week Schedule of Events


Important Event Dates:
Penn State Homecoming week is September 20 - 27
East Halls Celebration - September 22
Past to Present - September 23
For The Glory Talent Show - September 23
Best of Penn State Carnival and Field Day - September 24
Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social - September 26
Homecoming 2014 Parade - September 26
Student/Alumni Tailgate Competition - September 27
Homecoming Football game against Northwestern - September 27


Visit the PSU Homecoming Site

Improve Your Iced Latte

We love a good caffeinated drink to wake up in the morning!  However, there are ways to make your normal iced latte even better! This blog will tell you how to make your own homemade iced lattes better than ever. You can learn more at The Kitchn.

Here are five things to try to make that homemade iced latte oh so worthy worthy of a warm summer afternoon.

Now of course, there are those who will tell you that putting milk and a sweetener in good coffee is practically sacrilegious. I agree.

Only 35% of Americans take their coffee black, which I think has more to do with the fact that we're used to bad coffee than it does that we love milk and sugar.

But really good coffee doesn't need to be diluted with milk and sweetener; it's good on its own; in fact, if it's made with quality beans, it's better on its own. Adding milk and sweetener is almost a must if you're drinking cafeteria style coffee that's been sitting on the warmer for too long, but when you're going for a pour over of craft roasted beans, you want the coffee all to itself.

That being said, I do have one exception: iced lattes. Because come on, an iced latte is a tasty thing, especially on warm summer days. It's sort of like if you're a wine lover. Inevitably when it's hot out, and you need a refreshing late afternoon drink, you'll take the sangria now won't you?

So, how to make the best iced latte? The standard milk and sugar route is boring and expected, you need something different.

1. Create homemade syrups

Forget sugar, make your own simple syrups. All you have to do for homemade syrups is to start with a basic simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio) and then figure out a flavor that will pair well with your iced coffee or cold brew.

→ How to make simple syrup: Straight Up: DIY Simple Syrup

Here is where you can get creative. I am intrigued by the blackberry syrup fromHow Sweet it Is, made with fresh blackberries, sugar and water. Cardamom syrup perhaps?

→ Try a recipe: Recipe: Homemade Caramel Syrup for Your Coffee
2. Pair almond milk and a dash of almond extract

You can easily make your own almond-flavored creamer by adding in a few drops of pure almond extract. Pair it with almond for an extra dose of almond flavor.
3. Use coconut milk

Coconut milk is a popular iced latte ingredient in the non-dairy crowd. It works well because of its very creamy consistency. In fact there's even a recipe for making coconut cold brew by adding in toasted coconut with the coffee grounds before adding in the cold water.
4. Use your blender

If you want the ultimate in a summer drink then you're going to want your coffee blended. It's easy to make blended coffee drinks at home, which allows you to make them cheaper and healthier than they would be at a cafe. Try this recipe for a Mint and Choco Frappucino, made with dates instead of sugar and cocoa nibs as well.
5. Spike it!

It's summer after all, and if you want to add a little booze to your iced coffee then have at it. You can make your own coffee liqueur and mix that in with your iced drink, or take a tip from the bartenders making craft coffee cocktails and experiment with flavor combinations. Amaretto perhaps?