Hi friends!
How was your weekend? Mine just flew by and involved a major purchase: a new car!
I didn’t mention it at the time, but I had a scary car accident experience last month that left me fine but totaled the Toyota Corolla that I drove for 11 years. I had been wanting a new car for awhile but couldn’t really justify looking for one since my current car was running fine, so the accident forced me to get one. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m pretty excited to now own a Hyundai Sonata. It’s a hybrid car, which the environmentalist in me loves.
Besides spending an entire day at the car dealership, highlights of my weekend were short hikes on both Friday and Sunday evening….
Harley on the mountain top
Sunday’s sunset skies from the trails
…nabbing a sweet Batgirl Halloween costume for my Dingo…
…which surprisingly, she didn’t seem to hate that much. I was in tears laughing at her prancing around in a tutu and fully plan on making her wear it all of Halloween.
And then there was my annual Halloween themed night in with my hubby! I’m a total dork who loves to celebrate holidays, and while Christmas is my absolute favorite, Halloween is also pretty festive in my household. A and I started a tradition when we got married of having a friendly pumpkin carving competition every October. This was the result of last night’s carving:
I usually text pictures to my family and ask them to vote on which one they like better. Most years the one that I carved is obvious (like the year I did a happy puppy pumpkin carving) but this year might not have been so apparent in the battle between the werewolf howling at the moon vs. the sadistic clown face pumpkin. In the end, I think my hubby’s werewolf got the most votes, and I agree that his looks pretty cool. We are certainly not all that talented at freehand pumpkin carving, but we have fun doing it!
The night also involved watching Halloween and Hocus Pocus, eating caramel apples, making our first fire in our indoor fireplace, and making and devouring this for dinner:
Spaghetti squash is my favorite type of squash, and while I usually make this casserole with it (<– throwback post & an all-time favorite recipe!), I decided to do something different this time. I’m calling it Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash because it includes ingredients commonly used in Italian cuisine: diced tomatoes, basil, grated parmesan and Italian bread crumbs. I also threw pine nuts into the mix for some crunch and healthy fat, and some chickpeas for added protein.
Besides the fact that this dish is packed with veggies and goodness (and 15 g of fiber!), an entire filling half of stuffed spaghetti squash only has 430 calories. Sweet right? Here’s how to make it:
Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- 1 cup canned garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
- 2 TBSP chopped basil
- 2 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
- 1-14 oz can of diced tomatoes with basil and oregano
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 TSP salt
Instructions
- First prepare the spaghetti squash (This can be done ahead of time.). There are a variety of methods, but this is how I cook it: Microwave the squash for a few minutes in order to make it easier to cut into. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the squash lengthwise in half and place on a baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
- Remove and discard of the squash seeds, then use a fork to remove strands of spaghetti squash until just about 1/2 inch of squash is left on skins. Place squash into a medium sized bowl.
- Add in the remaining ingredients - pine nuts, bread crumbs, garbanzo beans, basil, parmesan, garlic, diced tomatoes and salt. Mix together well.
- Spoon the mixture back into the squash skins, using a slotted spoon to remove any excess liquid from diced tomatoes.
- Bake the stuffed squash for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the stuffing is hot and lightly browned. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Questions… Are you a Halloween fan? Do you like spaghetti squash? Do you find dogs dressed up in Halloween costumes as hilarious as I do?
PS – Don’t forget to enter my Puritan’s Pride giveaway of chocolate protein powder, carob powder, almond butter and superfood greens powder! I’ll be announcing a winner on Friday.
Sorry, I’m not a huge Halloween fan – I’m just far too lame!
I do love your dog’s costume.
And, congrats on your new car – so exciting!!!
HA! You’re certainly not the only one that doesn’t care for it. Thanks!!
Oh my!! I’m glad you’re OK after your accident, bummer about the car!! Love the new one though. You know I am ALL ABOUT that squash life right now, YUM!
Thank you, Brittany! I’m thankful to have walked away from it fine.
Congrats on your new car! I love that it is a hybrid one. I can see you’re having fun at carving pumpkins, the result is really impressive. Also, well done with the spaghetti squash. Can I come over for dinner? 🙂
You are too kind! Thanks for the pumpkin carving love 🙂
Oh no I’m sorry to hear about that car accident, but YAY for new hybrid cars! I love it! And omg your pumpkin carving tradition is so cute –and very impressive skills you guys! And I absolutely love dogs getting dressed up for halloween 😀
Oh no, I am glad you are okay after the accident though!
Everyone is posting spgahetti squash at the moment and it is making me want to try it, but it’s so hard to get over here.
Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite kinds. It’s fun to experiment with!
That sunset is gorgeous! Also, I’m loving the pumpkins! You both have skills. I would have just drawn a smiley face and called it a day. Haha.
Harley is too cute! Yay for the new car!
Hahaha after about 45 minutes I was like, “Okay, I’m done.. this is good enough!” then proceeded to eat a caramel apple and watch Halloween while my hubby perfected his pumpkin. 😉
Your new car is so cute!! So is Harley!
Congrats on the new car! But man – that’s so scary about your old one! Glad you are okay!
And that costume – your dog is completely adorable!
I’m… not a Halloween fan. Every Halloween since high school has been disappointment. This year I don’t know what I’m doing… probably shopping for apartment things online lol.
Oh no, it’s one of those holidays for ya?! That’s usually New Year’s to me, haha.
Girl your pumpkins are looking good. If you’d see mine, you’d probably just laugh!! So happy only your car was hurt (aka totaled) in the car accident. What a miracle. Love the new car though. Sonata’s are actually one of my favorites!
Yeah I’m loving it! Thanks girlie!!
Congrats on your new car!! I’m so glad to hear you are okay after the accident. It sucks that’s how you had to end your time with the Corolla but at least your hybrid is pimpin’! 😉
I’m in awe over that sunset too- stunning! And Miss Harley. LOL. She is so freakin’ adorable!
Ah yes, the Sonata is certainly the bright side of the accident 🙂 Batgirl says thank ya!
Glad you’re okay – I can image that would be scarring!! You just made me crave a caramel apple like WHOA haha. Halloween-themed parties are the best – I can’t wait until I’m a little older so my friends will be more willing to do get togethers like that 🙂
Oh no but college is the second best time to be alive for Halloween!! You can still dress up and go out and have fun, whereas after college not many people keep dressing up… and I’m mad about it, because I haven’t been to a Halloween party in a few years! 😉
Loving the new car! How exciting! 🙂 And your dog is too cute, haha.
Congrats on the new car- sorry you were in an accident with your old one.
…I kind of want that squash!