Happy Halloween Wishes

These are the "yes" RSVPs attending the Village Parade. (Go to Heather's Animation here to see them animated. She is brilliant!)

I love Halloween just as much now as I did as a child. What's not to like about a chance to dress up in costume, eat tasty treats, spook your friends (with gore) and PARTY.

When I was a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. there were bewitching festivities on Halloween night in the streets of Georgetown. As darkness fell, zombies, skeletons and bloody, lacerated faces walked M street in every direction before dispersing into bars, restaurants and private parties.

Here in New York City the annual Village Parade marches up Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village on Halloween night. The parade was founded in 1974 by Ralph Lee, who worked as a mask and giant puppet designer in the theater. Giant marionettes, controlled by puppeteers, are still part of the parade today.

ANYONE in costume can join the parade, and it can get wildly creative and bizarre. People dress as aliens, cartoon characters, landmarks, mermaids, Frankenstein, a Monopoly Game set, a brass band of mummies, brides and grooms, celebrities, politicians, massage parlor employees, royalty, super heroes and so much more. You will see anything and everything, including dog owners with their pets disguised as a lion tamer and lion cub, or a feathered swan and "her" ugly duckling. The Village Halloween Parade may be big, exotic and original, but it's also friendly and very much a neighborhood celebration.

The Village Parade almost didn't happen this year. Last year's cancellation due to the blackout of lower Manhattan caused by Hurricane Sandy left a huge debt. The organizers successfully raised $50,000 by appealing to the public, and thanks to private donations from ordinary people, it's back on.

And now to put you in the Halloween spirit, I dug up a classic, yet haunting song performed by a dead artist who influenced an entire generation of singers who followed him. Have you heard of this iconic singer and songwriter? A blast from the past. Guess who???

Have a safe, frightening and Happy Halloween!

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Watching Game Of Thrones

NBC's Dracula

Photo: NBC

Tonight Dracula premieres on NBC as a ten episode limited series, starring Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Shot in Hungary, the bloodthirsty drama begins in London at the end of the Victorian era. I love a scary vampire story -- the colossal interplay of good versus evil -- so I hope this one, based on Bram Stoker's 1897 legendary tale, is well-made. 

I am looking forward to the lavish costumes, the period sets, the acting chops (or fangs, grrr) of an international cast, as well as, the blood, lust and gore that result when a character uses bad judgment and ends up keeping Dracula alive for another day.

A modern Dracula has to be smart, charming and drop dead handsome. Otherwise you would sense the danger and run away screaming. But to be tempted and lured into his orbit, you have to perceive evil as good (and perhaps good as evil).  Oh ... you may sense there's something off about the Count of Darkness, but your eyes see only what they want to see, and your ears hear only what they want to hear ... and so you trust! (Into his lair, you go, grrr.)

And what if you are the Bloodsucker Prince? How will you hide your evil nature? You wake up every day of your undead life thirsting for blood. For you to live another day, someone ... a human ... must die. You did not ask to be immortal ... or a monster, but so it is. A curse.

Now ... what happens if you fall hopelessly in love with a woman? A good woman. An innocent woman. How safe is that person in your arms ... considering your evil, predatory nature? Most likely, you have heightened senses. You remember what it was like to be a man. Can love ever trump evil? Or will the smell of her warm blood be too strong to resist? Will you ... in the end ... suck the life out of her???

Dracula is centuries old, so when he rises from a long slumber, he always has a few scores to settle. Festering wounds that require vengence. Surely, the past will mingle with the present. That should be fun to watch.

 I hope this mini series thrills and frightens viewers to death ... and would it be too much to ask for it to adhere to the spirit of the original ... and have a few kernals that ring true about the human condition?  

Ok, I'll settle for clever entertainment. Please writers and show creators ... just don't mess it up!

Photo: NBC: Cast of Dracula

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6PM.Com ... Outlet Shopping At Home

Calvin Klein Olwyn, $41.99 (53% off) 

6PM.COM just celebrated its sixth birthday, but I only discoverd the website recently. Best described as internet, outlet, shopping, it features name brand clearance clothing, shoes and accessories.

Since July, I've ordered several designer dresses and pairs of shoes, receiving tremendous savings. I needed 3 to 4 new summer dresses, as well as, the shoes to replace wardrobe items that wore out ... and was thrilled to find quality and style at bargain prices. Where was I for six years?

Customers can expect the same awesome customer service that sister company, Zappos, provides ... plus free shipping on all orders. But there is one difference. While Zappos offers free returns, at 6PM you pay for returns or exchanges if articles don't fit. In my opinion, the risk is acceptable because you get fabulous deals on all merchandise. You will come out ahead even when paying for return postage occasionally. To avoid ordering mistakes, do as much product research as possible. Read decriptions and google customer reviews. Other customers will talk about sizing and how they like the product. When purchases do work out, you save up to 75% off of retail.

Ted Baker

So try putting the name of your favorite brands in 6PM's search box before looking elsewhere. 

A customer loyalty program leads to additional 10% off coupons, which is a nice bonus. 

Above, meet Calvin Klein Olwyn, my new walking shoes. They are constructed of a leather and mesh material. Padding in the arches and heels, plus supportive rubber soles will make my feet happy. I love their dressy-and-sporty look. 

6PM has such a wide selection of designer goods, you really can find exactly what you need at budget-friendly prices.

Happy 6th year, 6PM.COM! Thanks for making it easy to be a savvy shopper!

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Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream

There's a new Kiehl's face moisturizer out on the market. It's lightweight and non-greasy -- an all-in-one cream that does the job of several products. As the jar says, the moisturizer contains beech tree extract, jasmonic and hyaluronic acids to lift, firm and smooth the skin. At $62 for a 1.7 ml size, it isn't cheap, but it is created to reduce the number of separate anti-aging face products you need to buy.

Kiehl's is famous for its skin care products. According to industry reports, half of its clientele in Los Angeles and New York are men. The company began as a 19th century homeopathic pharmacy in New York's East Village. The original store at 109 3rd Avenue still exists, and the lotions, creams and toners are still made from botanicals. It's a great line for sensitive, dry or problem skin.

Other Kiehl's skin care products I like include their face serum, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, which brightens your complexion and the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which is nice to slosh on right before bed. I can also recommend Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. It's rich, protective and healing, yet absorbs completely into your skin.

The cost of good skin care can take a big bite out of your budget. A face serum and moisturizer are probably your bare bone essentials. (I usually forgo the face cleanser, exfoliator, toner and eye cream. I don't want to empty my wallet, nor spend all my time in the bathroom! I use Noxzema as a cleanser and Olay as a sunscreen.) You can save a few bucks by choosing and using products wisely. Figure out what you really need, what works and never waste a drop of product.

By the way, I have my morning routine down to 30 minutes. That includes showering, hair washing, blow drying and styling, makeup and dressing. I've gotten it done in 14 minutes after oversleeping (MANIC!), but would rather ease into the morning. Multi-tasking skin care helps speed up getting ready. Sometimes a lush body lotion smoothes dry hands and tames a mane of flyaway hair. What? You've never tried it? Trust me ... just as good as John Frieda.

Kiehl's gives out tons of free samples for you to see which targeted treatment is best for you. Their staff is knowledgeable and helpful. You can buy their products online, but it's worth a trip to the store.

Photo: Kwame J - Kiehl's original store

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10 Websites That Save You Money

Like many of you, I find myself shopping more and more online lately. Not only is purchasing online convenient -- saving time and transportation costs -- the mechandise, itself, is often less expensive. Here are ten easy-to-navigate websites, which can save you big bucks on essentials, plus cut down on your errands ... leaving you with free time on your weekends:

Merchants:

1. Walmart - There is a wide range of non-perishable grocery and drugstore items you can order online and have delivered directly to your door with free shipping, as long as, you have a $50 minimun order. Examples include: bathroom tissue, snacks like dry roasted peanuts and Tazo chi tea, personal care products such as soaps, shampoo and hair condition, as well as, home goods like storage containers, blenders and food processors. The prices at Walmart are usually unbeatable; and it is easy to put together a $50 order of articles you need to restock each month.
2. Amazon - You can buy just about anything on the site -- truly the sky is the limit-- and there are always many sellers around the country, so you can select the best price. But, the reason this blog loves Amazon is because it offers amazing customer service, so if anything goes wrong with a purchase, Amazon will step in and help you resolve the issue.
3. Overstock - Offers lots of products, low prices and fabulous customer service. (See my review here.)
4. Zappos - Ditto. (See here.) Zappos began by selling shoes, but quickly expanded to include clothing and home goods. Their customer care is awesome.
5. 6PM.COM - Offers deep discounts on name brand clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. 6PM is Zappos' sister company, so you receive the same excellent customer service and free shipping on all orders. Unlike Zappos where returns are free, you pay to send back a mistake, which is fair enough considering the huge savings.

Tools: 

6. TheFind - A website to help you peruse your favorite stores, locate the best prices on goods of interest and (if you wish) receive sale alerts on products you like. You enter the name of a product in the search box to pull the information up.
7. InvisibleHand - A browser add-on to notify you when there are lower prices available on goods, flights, hotels and retal cars.
8. PriceGabber - A website that compares prices and provides product information so you can zero in on the best deals.
9. PoachIt - A browser add-on that tracks products you are watching to go on sale and emails you as the price goes down. -- out of business. People are using Shoptagr instead.
10. RetailMeNot - A website to find discounts for all your favorite retail stores. I never buy anything without first checking this site for promotional codes to save 10% - 80%.

With a little help from the internet, you can always find the lowest price, rarely paying retail for anything. Plus, what a blast receiving packages in the mail these days!

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Dr. Oz's 12 Natural Immunity Boosters

Sage Photo: Dr. Oz

I'm a big fan of Dr. Mehmet Oz. He makes medicine easy to understand and gives smart tips to follow on staying healthy. Even when you practice traditional medicine, it never makes sense to over medicate with drugs if a natural remedy works just as well. Dr. Oz is a respected heart surgeon who is open to natural remedies and alternative medicine. When someone with Dr. Oz's backgound talks, people listen (and we should!). He recommends eating a diet rich in immunity boosting foods to help your body better ward off illness or recover quicker. I am condensing and publishing his list below: 

Dr. Oz's 12 Natural Immunity Boosters:

1. Kill a Cold: With Japanese mushrooms - They are loaded with ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant that doesn't get destroyed during the cooking process.

2. Cleanse Your Gut: Try oregano oil - It helps to eliminate bad bacteria that may be dominating your digestive system. Dr. Oz says spread out your dose by taking 200 mg 3 times a day.

3. Relieve Your Liver: Eat cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, lettuce and cabbage - They boost the liver's ability to flush out toxins.

Avocado photo: Dr. Oz

4. Attend to Your Adrenals: With avocados - They contain essential amino acids, antioxidants and healthy fats to help balance hormone production. Eat 1/2 cup per day.

5. Clear Your Lungs: use ginger - According to Ayurvedic traditions, ginger warms the body and helps to break down the accumulation of toxins in the organs, especially in the lungs and sinuses. It helps clean the lymphatic system - the body's sewage system. By keeping your airways open, ginger may lessen your risk of infection.

6. Improve Your Vision: Try black currants - They contain compound anthocyanosides, which may be helpful in promoting night vision. Black currants are also super rich in vitamin C, making them a powerful immunity booster.

7. Lower Your Cholesterol: Eat Oatmeal - A super food, oatmeal contains soluable fiber. It reduces LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.

8. Get Healthy Skin: With pomegranate seeds - They contain elegiac acid and punic alagin which fights free radical damage and helps preserve the skin's collagen. It also has phytonutrients, which also promotes healthy skin.

9. Reduce Heart Attack Risk: Eat pumpkin seeds - They are rich in magnesium, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart attacks or stroke.

10. Ease a Cough: Use sage extract - It works as an expectorant, which helps your body move mucus out of your respiratory tract and helps calm your cough. Dr. Oz recommends putting a drop of sage extract in tea or hot water, as needed.

11. Strengthen Your Hair: Eat eggs - The iron, biotin and vitamin B12 in eggs can help to strengthen hair, and the iron will guard against anemia - a cause of hair loss in women.

Graviola photo: Dr. Oz

12. Kill Cancer: With graviola - As a natural immunity booster, graviola has been traditionally used to kill parasites, ameliorate liver problems, reduce fevers, and help treat colds and the flu. Scientists have studied graviola since the 1940s and research has centered around annonaceous acetogenins, a group of natural compounds that appear to have anti-tumor properties, meaning they may fight cancer and boost immunity.

Eating a diet of healthy food to boost immunity is a time honored way of staying healthy. Your grandmother preached it. But never, ever treat yourself for a serious illness. If a cold, cough or condition lingers, hot tail it to your family doctor. Listen M.E.N., you especially ... nip it earlier than later, because we love you!

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Let's Have A Pillow Talk

How often do you wash your pillows? I checked several sources, and they differ. Some experts say every six months using laundry detergent, bleach and borax, while others cite once a year in cold, warm or hot water and mild detergent. Pillows aren't cheap, so homemakers have two issues: cleaning versus perserving pillows.

What people worry most about is getting rid of dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on dead human skin and live in your house and in bedding, including your pillows. Dust mites leave droppings causing some people to have asthma and allergies. (Wow, everything poops!) Over time 2% of the weight of a pillow can be dust mites.

Are you alarmed!?! Don't be: The majority of us will be just fine by washing our bed sheets once a week, and our pillows once a year; however only hot water kills dust mites. (AMAZING, if you or I got thrown into a washer filled with water, detergent and spun around for 30 minutes, we'd die, but not those pooping dust mites!) A New York Times' article explains who should be concerned about dust mites and who shouldn't. Bottom line: If you do laundry regularly, no need to worry. You will still have some dust mites, but they won't hurt you.

People are very particular about the type of pillow they like sleeping on. It comes down to different stokes for different folks. For tips on selecting a better pillow click here.

My pillows are 75% white goose down with 25% goose feathers. The down gives a pillow plushness and softness; the feathers structure and fullness. I can sleep on synthetic filled pillows as a guest in someone else's home, but I love my natural fills. They are firm, but soft and supportive.

All the pillows in my home are encased in pillow protectors to guard against dust mites, feather allergies ... and bed bugs. All New Yorkers (including transplanted New Yorkers) are petrified of bed bugs. The local news makes us very paranoid! Don't even get me started: I can't tell you how many times I've nearly freaked over discovering a black speck, which turned out to be a dark piece of lint. (That's normal, right?) I highly recommend pillow protectors to extend the life of your pillows, and why not get the most protection for the buck? (If you think I'm bad, try attending a party in a New York City luxury building. Rich folks don't let guests bring their coats inside their apartments. Coats are hung on a coat rack in the hallway ... far, far away from the host's closets, or bed.)

On Friday I decided to wash my pillows. I used a front load washing machine, hot water, a mild eco-friendly detergent and tumble dried them on hot for 30 minutes. Some people like to throw a few tennis balls into a dryer to fluff  them up. (I didn't.) As of Monday morning, my pillows are still slightly damp.

So be sure to have alternate pillows to sleep on. After a wash, you want your pillows completely dry before putting them back into their encasement to prevent mold.

And as for the saying "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" ... please!  I perfer, "Sweet dreams."



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Losing Weight: I Want To Zip Up My Jeans

Photo: Scott Snyde

I am trying to lose 15 pounds. Why? I can't fit into my jeans. It is HARRRD and excruciatingly slow going, but I am ever so slowwwly losing about a pound a week.

Here is how I'm doing it.

Breakfast:
Eat a protein (like a Nature Valley chewy protein bar) and a 16 oz cup of coffee with milk. 

Lunch:

Photo: Dreamtime

Eat a low-cal, high-protein smoothie: Consists of a scoop of Whey protein powder (either chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry), one cup skim milk, and 4 ice cubes. Mix the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Once you acquire a taste, it's rich and creamy like a milkshake. At 68 grams of protein, it keeps you going until dinner. (Select a brand without heavy medals.) Sometimes I throw frozen spinach, blueberries or strawberries into the smoothie for variety.

Dinner:
Eat low-fat, regular food, a balanced meal: a protein, starch and two vegetables, plus drink milk. I might also have fruit and/or a side salad with vinaigrette dressing.

Snacks: 
I had to eliminate snacks, except for one: Eat a small late night snack - either flavored soy chips, a serving of nuts or thin slices of extra sharp cheddar cheese on saltine crackers. I could eat the whole freaking block of cheese, but don't let myself!

Free food/beverages: Diet Arizona Tea and/or afternoon coffee or tea with milk: I get tired of just water, but drink plenty of it because often we mistake thirst for hunger. If you eat enough protein, you should last from one meal to the next. I might eat stalks of celery for crunch, or a few strawberries or blueberries in between meals if I buy them.

Just a few years ago, the weight would have dropped off quickly on such a diet. Not anymore.

And of course, if I attend a party and eat a piece of cake, or drink a single glass of wine ... sometimes you have to be a good sport, I can gain two pounds in an evening that took a week to take off. That's why I say I am losing a pound a week. One pound less a week is what is sticking. Arghhh, it shouldn't be so ridiculously HARRRD!

From my experience of losing seven pounds, so far, I find:

1. You lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume in a day. Period. It doesn't matter when you eat most of your calories, morning, noon or night, or if you eat or skip breakfast. What matters is calories in, calories out. 
2. To lose, figure out when you get hungry and plan your meals accordingly. I don't do well eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. There's no evidence it matters. So figure out what works for you. I like to eat breakfast like a pauper, lunch like a prince and dinner like a king, and I can't seem to give up my nightly (after 9 pm) snack. For some reason, food tastes AMAZING late at night! So I must work with my appetite, and so do you. (For me, 3 bigger meals and a snack works. Six small meals a day would not. Once I take a bite of food, I turn into a gobbling Pac-Man!)

Photo: Today Gourmet Foods

3. Let yourself get hungry, but not too hungry. Eat when you are hungry (not bored, stressed or gluttonous), and eat nutritious foods (mix it up: protein, whole grains and a variety of vegetables - colors and textures) so you feel satisfied. 

When all is said and done, you need the resolve to drop the pounds. Kate Moss got a lot of flack for saying it, but she is absolutely right. You must have her mindset: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." I don't believe she meant that people should starve, or be bone thin. That is sick, not attractive. She meant, it takes discipline to maintain a desired weight, and it does. People who claim otherwise are lying.

There is no one standard of beauty. Whether you have been slender or large your whole life, we are all the same. Dropping a pound is challenging for everybody regardless of size. It is HARRRD!

This post is part of a conversation Patricia and I had on her blog, The Red Cardinal. Later she plans to write about her recent weight loss, and I look forward to hearing about her success.

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My Impromptu Red Wine Sangria

Photo: A Kozy Kitchen

I've been trying to solve a problem for two days. In the scheme of life, it's not much of a problem. L.A's Second Glass Wine Riot gave me three full bottles of opened Spanish red wine after an event they hosted here in Manhattan on Saturday, in which I participated. Very thoughtful ... bless 'em! The problem ... even with the help of other people, I can't drink 3 bottles of already opened wine before they go bad ... and get much of anything else done.

So to impede the time of expiration, I turned them into a quick, delicious sangria. I'm making one batch at a time, and each batch should last a few days. Drinking sangria was not in the plan, but damn ... is it good, and so simple to make. I used nooo sugar. Here is my recipe:

My Impromptu Red Wine Sangria

Indredients:
one bottle good, red wine
1 lemon
4 ounces premium orange juice
Part of a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks, with pinapple juice
Dash of organic Stevia extract

Directions:
1. Pour the bottle of red wine into a glass pitcher
2. Roll the lemon on a cutting board, cut, squeeze the juice into the jug, then cut the lemon into sections and throw it into the jug.
3. Add the premium orange juice. If you have an orange, cut it into sections and throw it into the pitcher too. I didn't have one. (What? Am I a supermarket?)
4. Pour the pineapple juice from the can into the pitcher, and throw in several chunks of pineapple.
5. Sprinkle a tiny bit of Stevia into the mixture to sweeten.

Feel free to use whatever you have on hand. If you have a peach, strawberries or an apple, cut them up and add. If you don't have Stevia, use a little bit of sugar, or agave sweetner, or what you like. Making sangria isn't rocket science ... but, it is refreshing and a treat!

Chill with ice. Here are the jugs I am using to store what remains in the refrigerator.

Serve a glass of sangria with dinner, or crackers, cheeses and avocado dip. Cheers!

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3.1 Phillip Lim For Target

Phillip Lim is the latestest fashion designer to collaborate with Target® to bring out a full line of affordable menswear, womenswear and accessories. The items range from $19.99 (for a man's pocket tee) to $299.99 (for a man's leather jacket - wait for it to go on sale), and the goods are available at Target stores and online now for a limited time (meaning they will sell out fast!).

Lim says he strives to put "street elegance" into his clothing. I call his style casual smart since he is known for crossing dressy with casual in his collections. Most of his clothing can go from the office to a night out on the town. His collections are always practical, comfortable and chic, without the fuss.

It's worth a browse to spot a few trendy, budget friendly articles. Mixing and matching cheap and expensive pieces is how you can create your own style. I often do it, and end up getting compliments on my inexpensive pieces, which is fun. 

Many times the quality of the merchandise is surprisingly good. I picked up a Liberty of London For Target® cotton dress (lined and embroodered for $24 bucks), which still looks new after 3 years of wear. So don't be afraid to mix it up.

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A Dream Pumpkin Cake

Photo: tomsfarm.com

Autumn begins on Sunday. Temperatures are dropping making it the perfect time to turn on the oven. A recipe that's traveling around the internet [see The Novice Chef] sounds delicious. As usual, I tweaked the ingredients to make the cake slightly healthier, but don't fool yourself! It's still a gooey, buttery dessert, not an all-you-can-eat leafy green vegetable. However, if you eat healthy most of the time, you can have a slice of cake, unless of course your doctor says otherwise.

Dream Pumpkin Cake

For the cake -

Ingredients: 
3 cups flour (I use half all purpose and half whole wheat.)
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
1 ¼ cups sugar (I reduce it from 2 cups, eek!)
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
A dash of cinnamon
1 15 oz can pumpkin
¼ cup olive oil
1 cup buttermilk (Add another ¼ cup, or so, if needed to get a not too dry or runny consistency. Eyeball it.)

Directions:

Photo: The Novice Chef

1. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt.

2. Add the remaining ingredients, one at a time and blend with an electric mixer until creamy.

3. Divide the batter evenly by pouring into 2 greased cake pans.

4. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until done in the center.

5. Let cool for about 5 - 10 minutes in the freezer and remove from the pans. Don't let the cakes continue to bake in the hot pans. You want to keep them moist.

For the frosting -

Ingredients: 

12 oz (1 ½ packages) cream cheese, softened 
½ cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablesoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
6 cups powdered sugar 

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese until creamy.

2. Beat in maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. 

3. Add the powdered sugar and blend until smooth. 

4. Frost the top, middle and sides of the cake.

5. Professional bakers will put the cake into the refrigerator to let the frosting set, then remove it to frost it again. So a second frosting is totally up to you.

Serve with coffee, tea or milk. 

You get some protein, fiber, vitamins A, B, E, D and calcium in this pumpkin cake, but probably not enough to offset the sugar, nor count as a healthy food. So it's a ring-in-the-fall special treat. Enjoy!

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