The Coolest Halloween Party Playlist

Thanks again to www.goop.com for this killer Halloween playlist and party food ideas.  You'll have the coolest Halloween party around by using these songs and ideas!  Now all you need to worry about is your costume...

The Halloween Party Playlist

This week, we bring you the perfect Halloween soundtrack by Randall Poster, one of the greatest music supervisors around (think Royal Tenenbaums, Country Strong, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Boardwalk Empire, and more), and a strangely awesome way to make your party extra cool by the amazing food art duo, Bompas & Parr.

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Halloween Playlist:

You can listen to our entire playlist on Spotify by clicking here, or click on each individual song to listen.

	"Death Potion" by Early Man from the albumDeath Potion.
	"Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)" by Sister Double Happiness from the album Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson.
	"I Walked with a Zombie" by REM from the album Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson.
	"You’re Gonna Miss Me" by The 13th Floor Elevators from the album The Very Best Of: Going Up.
	"Demon Tied to a Chair in my Brain" by Dax Riggs from the album We Sing of Only Blood or Love.
	"Monster" by Kanye West (featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj) from the albumMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
	"Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group from the album They Only Come Out At Night.
	"River of Blood" by The Black Angels from the album Phosphene Dream.
	"Nail In My Coffin" by The Kills from the albumBlood Pressures.
	"Blood Moon" by Deer Tick from the album The Black Dirt Sessions.
	"Me and the Devil" by Gil Scott-Heron from the album Me and the Devil.
	"Black Ghost Blues" by Lightnin' Hopkins from the album Double Blues.
	"Death" by White Lies from the album To Lose My Life.
	"I Put a Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins from the album Cow Fingers and Mosquito Pie.
	"Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by George Harrison from the album Brainwashed.
	"Is There a Ghost" by Band of Horses from the album Cease to Begin.
	"The Ghost Who Walks" by Karen Elson from the self-titled album.
	"Running Scared" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, from the album Kicking Against the Pricks.
	"The Devil" by Anna Calvi from the self-titled album.
	"Heebie Jeebies" by The Boswell Sisters from the album It's You.

Bompas & Parr

A Jelly project by Bompas & Parr. Photograph by Chris Terry.

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr are a London based food design duo. Famous for their jellies (jello, in US English), they also create spectacular feasts and food-related events. Their most recent book, a foray into making the perfect drink, Cocktails with Bompas & Parr, was published in the UK in September. Here are two of their recipes that are perfect for a Halloween party or event.

Glow in the Dark Gin ‘N’ Roses Jelly (take out the Gin for the kids!)

Photo by Charles Villyard

"With jelly, half the fun lies in the spectacle. People always enjoy the wobble, but that’s to be expected. No one is surprised by a wobbly jelly. To really bowl them over, you have to sex it up a lot. One way of doing this is to make it glow in the dark ...

To make the jelly glow in the dark, food-safe quinine is included as an ingredient and the jellies are served in an area where UV blacklights cause them to fluoresce. The invisible ultraviolet light from the blacklights is absorbed by the quinine, which then re-emits bluish light at the edge of the visible spectrum, making the jellies appear to glow in the dark."

Note: To be really effective, you need total darkness save for the UV light.

For the Jelly

• 200ml/7fl oz/generous ¾ cup Hendrick’s Gin
• 300ml/10fl oz/1¼ cups Indian tonic water
• a splash of rose water
• 5 leaves gelatine

Kids version: for a child friendly version, lose the gin and use 100ml elderfower cordial and 400ml tonic. The rest is the same.

For the Glow

• UV blacklight

Note: You can buy UV backlights at places like Home Depot.

Combine the gin, tonic water and rose water in a jug (pitcher) and set aside. Cut the leaf gelatine into fine pieces and place in a heat-proof bowl with enough of the Gin & Tin mix to submerse. Leave until soft.

When the gelatine has softened, melt it by placing it over a pan of simmering water.

Then add the remainder of the gin and tonic and pour through a sieve (strainer) and back into the jug (cup). Now fill your mould.

Unmould the jelly by briefly immersing in a bowl of hot water and inverting over your chosen plates. For maximum effect, turn off all lights to achieve total darkness. Switch on your blacklight and serve the glowing jelly to thrilled diners.

Why does the Jelly Glow?

The quinine in the tonic water is UV-active. When the blacklight is switched on, it will fluoresce beautifully.

Cucumber Ice Cream

We serve the jelly with cucumber ice cream. Harry adapted the recipe for Cucumber Ice Cream from Mrs Marshall’s Book on Ices. Try it, it's surprisingly tasty.

• 2 cucumbers
• 200ml/7fl oz/generous ¾ cup water
• 300g/10½oz/1½ cups sugar
• 600ml/1 pint/2½ cups double (heavy) cream
• 50ml/2fl oz/scant ¼ cup Hendrick’s Gin
• juice of 1 large lemon
• 3 drops of bergamot oil

Start by peeling and deseeding the cucumbers. Chop them finely and place in a saucepan with the water and sugar. Cook gently until the cucumbers are totally tender. This will take about 45 minutes.

Strain the cooked cucumbers and place in a jug (pitcher). Bash them to a purée using the end of a rolling pin. Pass the purée through a fine sieve (strainer) and add the double (heavy) cream, gin, lemon juice and bergamot oil. Give the mixture a thorough stir and pour into an ice cream machine to freeze.

The semi-frozen mixture can be spooned into any mould and placed in the feezer to firm up. To unmould the ice cream, dip briefly in cold water. It should slide out. It’s best to let the ice cream soften for about 10 minutes before serving.

Bompas & Parr’s Glow in the Dark Jelly display. Photo by Charles Villyard.

The Body Doesn't Lie

I found this article on Gwyneth Paltrow's blog and thought it was quite poignant.  I've been trying to take a more holistic approach with my health this year, and this article has some great info.  Of course in Pilates, we emphasize the connection between your mind and your body.  They are more connected than most of us realize!  Get in touch with what your body is trying to tell you, embrace changes that need to be made, and reap the benefits!

The Body Doesn't Lie

Vicky Vlachonis (an osteopath that I have the incredible good fortune to work with in London) has been instrumental in getting me to understand the importance of the mind body connection. A true healer, Vicky is one of a few very special practitioners who have taught me to take a more holistic approach, an approach which inextricably links our emotional state to our physical health. Below you will find her theory and some very practical, useful tips.

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From Vicky Vlachonis:

“As we go about our busy lives we unknowingly put our muscles, joints and bones under strain. This stress can mount up incrementally and result in a serious impact on the body such as a sudden fall or a misalignment of the spine.

As a holistic Osteopath, I look for and treat these imbalances before they develop into something serious, and re-establish harmony between the body’s structure and its function. Acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, massage and cupping can be effectively combined to restore the body’s natural balance and health so that it can begin healing itself.

Years of experience have also taught me that often lurking behind physical pain is emotional tension stored, knowingly or unknowingly, in various parts of the body. Physical releases, following realignment of the spine for example, can also trigger emotional releases. So addressing and resolving emotional traumas can also help restore harmony to the body and alleviate some of the aches and pains we accumulate.”

Positive feedback:

“More often than not our immediate reaction to pain is to take short-term measures to make it go away. While medication can be useful in alleviating the symptoms (headaches, joint and muscle pains) it does little to address the underlying cause of the pain. We need to honor the pain and try to understand the physical and emotional reasons behind it.

This holistic approach—combining balance and harmony of body and soul—is the key to long-term wellbeing. The key to reaching this balance is what I call positive feedback—steps you take to improve your body’s wellbeing will impact your psyche which, in turn, will give you the strength to address the emotional issues underlying your physical pain.”

“Here are a few tips which I think will kick start the positive feedback and help you find the right balance for your body and soul:

1. You are what you eat: Diet is very important. The foods we consume can have a significant impact on the body’s ability to heal itself. When suffering from muscle and joint pain, stop feeding your emotions and avoid acidic foods such as oranges, vinegar, alcohol, coffee, colas and junk foods which are high in sugar and wheat, as these can exacerbate the inflammation causing the pain.
2. A glass a day: Start your day with a warm glass of water, add 4 -12 drops of Citricidal Liquid grapefruit seed extract by Higher Nature, a natural cleanser which can help you maintain a healthy digestion. It also acts as an anti-viral and anti-microbial agent.
3. Hot Bath therapy: Treat yourself at least once a week to a hot bath with therapeutic Dead Sea Salts which will provide your body with essential minerals, stimulate blood circulation and improve skin hydration while reducing inflammation. As an alternative, try adding 3 drops of Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rose or Frankincense aromatherapy oils, which can help calm your mind and heal your body.
4. Calm down: Ainsworths anti-stress formula – a must for every handbag, pocket and first-aid kit! A unique remedy, specially formulated for emotional crisis and extreme fear, is invaluable for the prevention and relief of everyday pressure and stress.
5. Soothing muscles: Balsamka is a soothing muscle balm and a natural alternative to tiger balm which you can massage on the muscle or joint every night before bedtime to relieve your pain locally and encourage healing. Balsamka contains menthol, clove oil and camphor.
6. Daily exercise: Try to find an hour a day to strengthen your muscles. The stronger your body feels the better you will be able to handle any pain. Transform your body and energize yourself withMetamorphosis by Tracy Anderson, a 9-pack DVD filled with transforming muscular structure work, cardio component and a dynamic eating plan.”

Own your pain

“When women experience low back pain they have to ask themselves whether the pain is linked to muscle strain, pain from sitting at the office or disc problems. Could it be their ovaries? Their period? Is the pain coming from the kidney area? It is at this stage that you need to stop and think. Think about how you have been treating your body. Have you had a smear, a swab or a scan recently? When was the last time you went to see your gynecologist? You may realize that the last time you had an appointment was last year but that you had to miss it to catch a flight and never had the time to make another appointment. In simple terms: you have neglected to listen to the signs and the back ache is your body's way of sending you a message that something else is going on. It is asking you to solve the mystery.

Neck and shoulder tension is another common complaint made by my patients. In most cases, although the pain manifests itself in a physical way, the root of the problem is predominantly emotional. Those of us experiencing these types of pain have to listen to our body and then have an introspective moment. What could be causing this pain? Am I feeling anger or fear? Insecurity perhaps? Could it be that the bonus you were expecting never came? Does that make you feel inadequate? Does it leave you feeling scared about you and your family's future? Does it leave you feeling out of control? Are you having sleepless nights? All of these emotions have a compounding effect which ultimately triggers the physical shoulder and neck pain. It has a domino effect. One emotion leads to another and then another and it all accelerates, becomes overwhelming and collapses into a physical ache.

Emotions in themselves are a normal part of life and are neither good nor bad. For example, feeling angry and frustrated can be a motivating factor to make major positive life changes. Problems start not because of the nature of an emotion but because, unchecked, emotional build up can become excessive and affect the organs and cause disharmony within the body.”

1. “Neck pain
   Physical symptoms: e.g., osteoporosis (loss of bone density) or disc disease.
   Emotional source: Fear of life and insecurity; too much to cope with; life overload.
2. Low back pain in men
   Physical symptoms: Sciatica, prostate or kidney stones, colon.
   Emotional source: Anger issues, stress of unsatisfying job/home life.
   Low back pain in women
   Physical symptoms: Ovaries, pelvic disorder (remember: scan, smear or swab regularly).
   Emotional source: Loss of power, buried emotions.
3. Acute mid back pain/shoulder level 
   Physical symptoms: Poor circulation, liver condition, Anaemia or low blood pressure.
   Emotional source: Feeling anxious, palpitations, difficulty in sleeping; fear of the future.”

Vicky Vlachonis is a successful osteopath and mother of 2. Vicky graduated from the British School of Osteopathy and obtained her Master's degree from the European School of Osteopathy. Vicky is registered with General Osteopathic Council and the British Medical Acupuncture Association. Her services are covered by Medical Insurance, including BUPA, PPP, Norwich Union and Standard Life.

Butt Exercises in Bed

Don't want to get out of bed this weekend?  You can still do some butt exercises!  

This article cracked me up, but has accurate information from Livestrong.com.  Plus, it mentions one of our STOTT Pilates exercises for your rear end!  Always remember to keep your abdominals engaged while working your glutes--otherwise it is easy to overuse your low back muscles and compress your lumbar spine too much.  

BUTT EXERCISES IN BED

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Oct 4, 2011 | By Lisa Mercer 

Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images

OVERVIEW

When your doctor prescribes bed rest, your butt muscles need not suffer from inactivity. A little bit of creativity goes a long way when it comes to creating exercises in bed. Your bed springs add a balance challenge to your gluteal muscle workout, and the height of your bed increases the range of motion of some of the exercises.

THE HEEL SQUEEZE

The heel squeeze exercise, which comes from the Stott Pilates method, teaches you how to voluntarily contract your butt muscles. Lie prone on your bed with your knees bent and separated, and your heels together. Rest your head on a pillow for neck support. Contract your gluteal muscles by pressing your heels together. Hold the contraction for 10 seconds, then relax. To progress the exercise, lift both knees and thighs off the bed as you press your heels against each other.

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PRONE HANG

Physical therapists at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma use the prone hang as a rehabilitation exercise after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, but a few modifications turn it into an effective butt workout. Lie prone at the edge of the bed, and let your legs hang toward the floor. Contract your gluteal muscles and lift both legs to the height of the bed. Use control and lower them back to the starting position. To add variety to the exercise, adjust your legs so they turn out, with your heels together and your feet turned away from each other.

BED BRIDGES

Your bed adds fun and variety to the traditional bridge exercise. To improve your balance, lie supine on your bed with your knees bent and your feet on a pillow. Contract your butt and abdominal muscles and peel your spine away from the bed, until you create a bridge position. Sense each vertebra sinking into the bed as you return to the starting position. To increase the range of motion of the exercise, bend your knees, place your feet against the wall and perform the same movement. Add challenge to each variation by performing the exercise on one leg at a time.

SIDE-LYING EXERCISE

The side leg raise targets the gluteus medius, the muscle group responsible for abducting or moving your leg away from your body's center. When performed on the ground, the floor limits the range of motion of the exercise. Your bed adds challenge by increasing the range of motion. Lie on your left side near the edge of your bed. Bend your left knee and lower your straight right leg toward the floor. Slowly raise your right leg to the height of the bed, and lower it with control.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/545888-butt-exercises-in-bed/#ixzz1bSN89W2I

Best Apple Recipes

Help!  I have a giant bag of apples and I'm not sure what to do with them...

Once again, Real Simple Magazine comes to my rescue with a slew of amazing recipes to use up my apples!  Yum!  

Best Apple Recipes

Celebrate fall’s bounty with mouthwatering sweet and savory dishes.

Antonis Achilleos

Pork With Sautéed Granny Smith Apples

Cook tart apples until tender and golden-brown and pair with crisp cumin-dusted porkcutlets.

Get the recipe.

Beatriz Da Costa

Arroz con Pollo With Apples

Granny Smith apples are a surprisingly tasty addition to this otherwise traditional one-pot meal.

Get the recipe.

Jose Picayo

Ravioli With Apples and Walnuts

Add crunch to your favorite store-bought ravioli with chopped apples and walnuts.

Get the recipe.

 Miha Matei

Roast Chicken, Apples, and Leeks

Rosemary adds an earthy flavor to this no-fuss chicken dish.

Get the recipe.

Kana Okada

Potato Pierogi With Sautéed Cabbage and Apples

Turn frozen potato pierogi into a meal by serving with a simple side of apples,cabbage, and onions.

Get the recipe.

Beatriz Da Costa

Roast Pork Tenderloin With Spicy Apple-Green Chile Salsa

A tangy, spicy salsa adds heat to flavorful, moist pork tenderloin.

Get the recipe.

Petrina Tinslay

Creamy Barley Salad With Apples

This salad packs a nutritious punch thanks tobarley, a high-fiber food that helps lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Get the recipe.

 Ken Kochey

Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Soup

Warm up with this healthy vegetarian soup, which gets its rich consistency from pureedsweet potatoes.

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Beatriz Da Costa

Apple Vichyssoise

Add sweet apples to a traditional coldpotato leek soup for a refreshing upgrade.

Get the recipe.

 Con Poulos

Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples

These savory treats can be assembled and frozen up to 1 month in advance.

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Grant Cornett

Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Stuffing

Gala apples, dried cranberries, and nuts add sweetness and crunch to an anything-but-basic stuffing.

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Beatriz Da Costa

Cabbage and Apple Slaw

This crisp, creamy slaw has a bit of cidervinegar and celery seed to add brightness.

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Melanie Acevedo

Potato-Apple Gratin

Melt Swiss cheese over sliced apples andpotatoes for a creative spin on this rich, hearty side dish. 

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Susie Cusher

Cranberries With Apples and Brandy

Dress up a classic holiday dish with cubedapples and a touch of brandy; bake until the fruit is tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

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Quentin Bacon

Chunky Apple and Raisin Sauce

Spoon this sweet, simple sauce over cooked meat to add moisture and flavor in an instant.

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Michael Paul

Broiled Apples

Drizzle sweet maple syrup onto baked applesand serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect last-minute dessert.

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Anna Williams

Sweet Baked Apples

Stuff the fruit with a mixture of choppednuts, brown sugar, and butter for a decadent autumn treat.

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Amy Neunsinger

Apple Cake With Caramel Glaze

Pour a sticky caramel sauce over the spicedapple cake and let it soak in to add extra moisture and another layer of flavor.

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Kirsten Strecker

Caramel Apples

Use packaged candies to make this classic caramel-coated treat in just 10 minutes.

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Beatriz Da Costa

Upside-Down Apple Polenta Cake

Tender caramelized apples dress up a rustic polenta cake; serve warm or at room temperature.

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William Meppem

Apple Crisp

This recipe couldn’t be easier—combine sliced apples with honey and pecans, top with flour, brown sugar, and butter, and bake.

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Mikkel Vang

Sour-Cream Apple Crumb Pie

This pie is the essence of fall—a cinnamon-and-walnut topping gives way to the apple-raisin filling and buttery crust.

Get the recipe.

Quentin Bacon

Apple Kuchen

Glaze the baked tart with warm apricot jam to add extra shine and moisture.

Get the recipe.