While growing up, kids typically become fearful of various things, especially the "monsters" that live in their closets. In 2001, Pixar, the computer animation arm of the Walt Disney Studios, revealed the truth behind that fear in Monsters, Inc., a family-family animated adventure.

John Goodman lends his voice to James P. "Sulley" Sullivan, a monster who lives on the other side of the closet door. With his best friend and roommate Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), Sulley works for Monsters, Inc., a company that converts children's screams into energy for the city of Monstropolis.

Sulley is a "scarer," one of the monsters that go through the closet door and cause kids to scream. Mike collects the energy generated by the screams in large storage tanks. Sulley has to be careful, though, not to bring anything back from the human world because children are toxic to monsters. Unfortunately, a sweet little girl named Boo follows Sulley through the closet one night, thinking he's a big furry kitty.

Fearing that they will be arrested or worse, Mike and Sully hide Boo in their apartment until they can figure out how to get her back home. A jealous chameleon named Randall (Steve Buscemi) finds out what they are up to, though, and tries to steal Boo away from them.

Funny and extremely clever, Monsters, Inc. contains eye-popping computer animation and an even better story. John Goodman and Billy Crystal are a great team as the voices of sarcastic Mike Wazowski and kindly Sulley. Playing a one-eyed monster, Crystal has some truly funny moments, especially when he has to insert a giant contact lens into his huge eye.

Monsters, Inc. also contains some great running gags, especially the constant warnings about children being toxic. When one furry monster comes back through a closet with a child's sock on his back, the hazardous materials team storms in, shaves him from head to toe and then blows up the sock.

Monsters, Inc., which is rated G, is a perfect blend of sly comedy for the adults and lots of action for the kids. The only scary thing about this movie would be never seeing it with the kids.

Who says carving pumpkins is juat a Halloween activity? Carved pumpkins make great decorations for Thanksgiving as well, not to mention that they make for a wonderful family night activity. And, if you have little ones, painted pumpkins are just as fun. This week, let's talk about decorating some pumpkins for the wonderful fall season family activity.

While making your own design on a pumpkin can be fun, there are also a number of templates available online for free. And, thanks to the wonderful tools that can be found at your local department stores, you can easily recreate images on your pumpkin. There are many tricks when it comes to decorating pumpkins.

First of all, you don't have to carve all the way through a pumpkin to get a great look. You can actually use wood carving tools to simply carve away the outer layer of the pumpkin. When a candle is inserted, the flesh of the pumpkin glows giving a fantastic look.

Speaking of candles, you don't have to cut the top off the pumpkin. It's much easier to cut the back out of the pumpkin. This makes it much easier, and safer, to insert candles and light them. Of course, don't forget that you could also use flameless candles, if you prefer.

To keep your pumpkins looking fresh, you can coat them in Vaseline wrap them in plastic wrap and then refrigerate until the big day. This ensures your pumpkin doesn't look droopy once Halloween or Thanksgiving arrives.

As for painted pumpkins, you can draw the design on using a magic marker and then let kids color the images in with paint, just like a coloring book. Not only is this fun, but the pumpkins last longer as well.

Last, but not least, remember that these tips aren't just for pumpkins. Squashes can also be decorated for fall. In fact, you could do a whole scene of different pumpkin and squash characters.

Even though you may have gained ten plus pounds during pregnancy, the baby weight will drop off naturally within a few weeks after giving birth. Most women lose about 12 pounds immediately after delivering the baby, and then continue to lose a few pounds each week as the body readjusts itself. However, the former baby bump can become a major problem area, and you're likely dealing with extra fat and loose skin around your waist, also known as the "Mommy tummy."

Fortunately, there are some exercises you can do to trim down that Mommy tummy in no time. In addition to an intensive cardio routine that will blast off fat and calories each week, you can tighten and tone your midsection with these stomach-firming exercises:

1. Oblique crunches. Lying flat on your back and placing your feet flat in front of you, slowly lift your torso off the ground and bend to the side, holding it for a few seconds to contract the muscles in your waist. Oblique crunches are great for slimming down your waistline and improving your posture. 50 to 75 reps per session, two to three times per week, may be all you really need to whittle down that waistline.

2. Tummy tucks. You don't have to head to the plastic surgeon to get the benefits of a tummy tuck. Plus, this easy exercise can be performed while you're standing, sitting or just waiting in line. All you need to do is inhale and pull your stomach muscles towards your spine. Hold for a few seconds to contract your midsection, then release, pushing your stomach out as far as possible. This strengthens the muscles in your midsection and makes it easier to perform other tummy-tightening exercises throughout the week.

3. Scissor kicks. An effective abdominal exercise for tightening the lower waist and obliques, scissor kicks performed on your back will strengthen that six-pack and help you achieve a more streamlined silhouette. You'll need to perform these while lying flat on your back and keep your legs as straight as possible when performing the kick. Several sets of these a few times per week can help you get that flat stomach you crave in no time.

You don't need any special workout gear to perform these exercises, so try and incorporate them into your weekly schedule to start trimming down that Mommy tummy in no time.

Cooler weather means warmer meals. Soon families will be gathering around the table for meals that not only warm the body, but the soul as well. These meals don't have to cost a fortune and they also don't have to be loaded with fat. There are a number of cheap and healthy meals that are perfect for families. Best of all, many of these meals can be prepared on a busy work night. Take casseroles for example. Casseroles are affordable, easy, and can even be made healthy. This week, let's look at a couple delicious casseroles for those cold evenings.

Chili Cornbread Bake
Serves 4

8 cups of leftover chili
¾ cup cornmeal mix
¼ cup of all purpose flour
½ - ¾ cup milk
½ cup of sharp shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1. Pour the chili into an 8 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the cornmeal mix, flour, and milk.
3. Pour the cornbread mixture over the chili and top with the cheese and cayenne pepper.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown.
5. Serve with low-fat sour cream and salsa.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Serves 8

4 split chicken breasts, roasted
10 ounce box of frozen broccoli
1 cup of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1 can of low-fat, low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
½ cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 eggs
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
1 sleeve of reduced fat butter crackers, crushed

1. Chop the chicken into bite sized pieces.
2. Blanch and drain the broccoli and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Combine the cheese, soup, mayonnaise, eggs, and fresh cracked black pepper.
4. Toss the chicken and broccoli with the soup mixture.
5. Pour the mixture into a medium sized baking dish and top with the crackers.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
7. Serve with a side salad and crusty bread.

There are many kids who are little chefs in disguise, and even if they aren’t, come Thanksgiving, when everyone is in the kitchen, the kids will appreciate helping you out! It’s a great way to get them involved in the excitement of the big meal. Children will appreciate contributing in any way that they can.

When thinking about some tasks they can do, keep in mind both the child’s age and the amount of time a task takes to do. Make sure that the kitchen fun is age-appropriate, i.e young children should not be using knives or other sharp objects preparing food, and these types of objects should be out of reach so no accidents take place. You may want to provide an apron to your little chef to protect clothes and help them get in the mood. Also, remember that kids will not want to be in the kitchen the whole day, as there are parades to watch, the football to throw, and perhaps a turkey craft to do. So, keep their time in the kitchen limited to keep them excited, but not bored and restless.

Here are some great cooking ideas for the kids:

• Mash the potatoes
• Fill the pie shells with the filling
• Stuff the celery with cream cheese
• Arrange the vegetable tray
• Set out cheese and crackers
• Stir Jell-O
• Freeze ice cubes with cranberries
• Stuff the turkey
• Place ingredients in the salad and toss
• Whip the cream
• Fill the deviled eggs
• Rolling out the pie crust

All of these will be fun. If you have older kids (tweens and teens), perhaps they would like to peel potatoes and/or make the pie filling.
This is a great Thanksgiving Day activity and will really get your children into the spirit of the feast!

Maternity tops for the fall and winter season include a lineup of ¾ sleeve button down shirts, knot-front knits and chunky, layerable cardigans that can double as a lightweight jacket on cooler nights. If you need to update your wardrobe for the season, scoop up some of these top trends in maternity blouses and shirts:

Charmeuse tunics: ¾ sleeve charmeuse tops are a dressy and stylish top to add to your maternity wardrobe for the winter season, and will make for a great outfit over the holidays. Tops trimmed with satin and shiny beads are perfect for holiday revelries and other special occasions.

Puff-sleeve shirts: Puff sleeve shirts are a fun change of pace from the lineup of shirts and blouses available this season, and you can pick up this style in a regular length or tunic length to match with leggings or jeans. Look for bold prints and plaid designs to make the most of this look.

Button front blouses: Maternity button-front blouses are a great match for days at the office and occasions where you need to dress semi-formally. These lightweight blouses made with a stretch material will keep you comfortable all day long, and will also flatter your silhouette at any size.

Peasant style blouses: Pull off the boho chic look this season with a peasant-style blouse with ruffled sleeves and a loose fit. These flowy tops are perfect for luncheons, shopping days and other low-key events. Pair them with a pair of jeans, khaki pants or leggings for a fun and playful look.

Flutter sleeve sweaters: Cozy up in some knits this season and choose a set of flutter-sleeve sweaters and cardigans for your maternity wardrobe. These sweaters are a loose-fitting style that are perfect for snuggling in as temperatures drop. They're also a versatile addition to your casual wardrobe, easily paired with khakis, jeans, leggings and wide-leg pants.

From puff-sleeve shirts to peasant style blouses, you can celebrate the season in style with a lineup of fun knits and loose, flowy tops in maternity blouses. Take your pick from these different styles of shirts and tops when updating your maternity wardrobe.

When people think of fall, visions of pumpkin pie soon come to mind. Who doesn't love pumpkin pie? But, pumpkin is far more than just pie. In fact, there are hundreds of different recipes you can make with pumpkin. Best of all, when Thanksgiving rolls around, you can always find great deals on pumpkin puree. This week, let's save some money in the kitchen by making some delicious pumpkin treats.

First of all, don't make the mistake of purchasing pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling can be overly spiced, not to mention that it can't be used for savory dishes. Instead, purchase either whole pumpkins to make homemade puree or purchased cans of pumpkin puree. Canned pumpkin puree has a long shelf life and truly takes all the work out of pumpkin recipes.

Next, purchase pumpkin pie spice for sweet treats. Pumpkin pie spice makes it easy and affordable to prepare pumpkin treats. Instead of having to buy cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc., all you need is one bottle of pumpkin pie spice.

Now it's time to look for recipes. Pumpkin can used to make soup, bread, pie, turnovers, cake and so much more. A quick search on the internet will give you a wide selection of pumpkin recipes. Of course, you can also try the following recipe, if you like.

Easy Pumpkin Bread
Makes 1 Loaf

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 -2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, to taste
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together the butter, sugar and eggs with an electric mixer.
3. Stir in the pumpkin puree, flour, spice and pecans.
4. Pour batter into a glass loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted in the center of the loaf and comes out clean.

Halloween is right around the corner and soon, you'll need a way to keep the kids entertained. While the little ones are content trick-or-treating, and you may feel safe allowing older teens to attend Halloween parties, what about preteens? Is there a way for families with preteens to enjoy Halloween at home? Sure there is! In fact, Halloween is a wonderful evening for a family night.

First of all, Halloween at home is the perfect time to introduce your children to some of the scary movies you loved as a kid. Of course, you'll want to keep the rating appropriate for their age. You could show them such classics as Hocus Pocus or go even more classic with movies such as The Wolf Man or Frankenstein. Regardless of what you show, a movie marathon is a great option for Halloween night.

Another great way to spend the evening is making classic Halloween treats. Some great ideas include caramel apples, cut-out sugar cookies, festive cupcakes, or even a snack mix. There are a number of great places to get Halloween recipes. Of course, if you want free recipes, the internet is a perfect place to start.

Last, but not least, get your children involved in a good cause. There are a number of different ways to help charities on Halloween. A fun idea for the whole family though is to setup a haunted house and charge admission. The money raised with the haunted house can then be donated to your favorite charity. It could be a local pet shelter, food drive, or any other charity your family believes in. This is also an activity that could take up several family nights. The earlier in October you open your haunted house, the more money you'll earn for your charity.

Halloween doesn't have to be boring for preteens. The days of a big candy loot may be over, and they may still be too young to hit teen Halloween parties, but there are a number of fun ways to enjoy the holiday at home.

The change of the seasons means it will soon be time to don those sweaters and cardigans, pick out some stylish boots and sport jackets and full-sleeve tops. When you're pregnant over the fall season, it can be hard to figure out how to put together a stylish but functional ensemble that will keep you comfortable as the temperature changes. The secret to looking great this season? It's all about the layers.

Layering your look is a simple way to wear your favorite pieces all year long and create a fresh new look each day. When you're pregnant, you also need to think about staying cool and comfortable when those hormones start to get the best of you. Fall is a great time to layer clothes such as tank tops, short-sleeve tees and button-down blouses with some fresh new pieces such as vests, cable-knit sweaters and long cardigans.

Just make sure you're picking up each piece from the maternity department so you are accommodating for your growing figure. Some of the best layered combinations for the mom-to-be this fall include:

Long chunky-knit cardigans with maternity leggings and a short-sleeve top
Wide-leg corduroy pants with a wraparound top and a long sweater
Dark brown khaki pants with a smock tank top and a long, full-sleeve cardigan
Bootcut jeans with a long v-neck tunic top and contrasting tank underneath
Knit trapeze top with twill pants and topped with a chunky sweater

When you're just lounging at home and need to wear something comfortable during those especially painful or bloated days, stick with the ¾ sleeve baby doll tops, short sleeve faux wrap tops and sleeveless baby doll tops paired with some yoga-style capris or wide-leg pants, and wear a long sweater or cardigan over it if you get cold.

Just remember: even though it's the fall season, your body may not be responding to the actual temperatures outdoors on any given day. If you're feeling especially hot in the middle of October, or feeling chills in early September, adjust your ensemble for the day by layering light and heavy clothing so you can be comfortable all day long.

What could be more comforting in the fall than stew? Also, what could be more affordable? A large batch of stew can be served for a couple days and the leftovers can be frozen for a quick meal a couple weeks later. While it may be tempting to grab a can of stew at the grocery store, homemade stews are far superior and much more affordable. This week, let's save some money by making a big batch of stew.

First of all, if you haven't already got a large soup pot, now's the time to invest in one. Large soup pots are great for pasta, soup, dumplings, and so much more. During the cold winter months you'll find yourself using a soup pot quite often.

Another great purchase is a slow cooker. Slow cookers are perfect for small batches of stews. More importantly, slow cookers allow you to cook your stew all day so that it's ready when you get home.

Last, but not least, go on the hunt for delicious recipes. There are cookbooks devoted to soups and stews, but free recipes are easily found online. You can even join online groups to find even more recipes. Of course, you know that I can't write this blog without giving you a delicious recipe to start out with.

Easy and Lean Beef Stew

Serves 6 - 8

8 cups low sodium beef stock

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

2 pounds sirloin beef tips, trimmed of fat

1 pound of baby carrots, cleaned

1 pound of baby Dutch potatoes, cleaned

2 large onions, chopped

Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

4 tablespoon cornstarch

Water

Fill a four quart slow cooker with the beef stock and tomato paste. Stir long enough to dissolve the tomato paste.

Add the beef and vegetables.

Season with pepper and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix the cornstarch with enough water to create a slurry and add to the stew.

Turn the slow cooker to high and cook until the stew thickens.

Serve with crusty French bread and a side salad.