DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spray 2 standard 12-cup muffin tins generously with oil to avoid sticking. Set aside. In a medium skillet, cook the soy chorizo according to package directions. Transfer to a small bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes while you combine the other ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the cottage cheese, half of the shredded cheese, and pickled jalapeños, whisk to combine. Add the chorizo back in and mix. Pour mixture evenly into muffin tin. Sprinkle the tops with remaining cheese and a jalapeno slice and bake for 20 minutes. Repeat with remaining mixture. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes then, using a butter knife or flexible off- set spatula, remove the bites and allow to cool. Makes 16. 

NOTES: To store: Allow to cool completely then transfer to an airtight container, store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat: Place 2 bites on a microwave safe plate or paper towel and heat for 45 seconds. 

NUTRITION INFO: 2 egg bites, Calories: 280 kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 22 g, Fat: 17 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 297 mg, Sodium: 802 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 2 g

🐾 Cujo by Stephen King - This was my first and last time reading anything by the horror master himself, and I didn’t even attempt to watch the movie.  

🤡 Poltergeist - This movie MESSED.ME.UP. You know the scene where the kid fights the clown in his bedroom? Well, I’ve been terrified of clowns ever since. I was about 12 years old when this movie came out, and I ended up sleeping between my parents every night for a week after I watched it. 

🫣 Cat People - First, a little backstory. Growing up, my best friend, Karen, loved horror movies (Still does!) She tried so many times to watch them with me, but I kept my eyes covered throughout the entire movie - well, most of it. She would trick me by saying, “Nothing bad is happening right now. I promise. You can look”. And, of course, gullible me would believe her, and I’d open my eyes to someone’s throat getting slashed. Cat People was one of those movies…so was Friday the 13th, Nightmare On Elm Street, and Amityville Horror. 

👀 Speaking of movies, I can’t watch the trailers for horror movies either. As soon as they come on, I close my eyes. The last one I remember watching all the way through was The Strangers in 2008, and it gave me nightmares. 

♠️ Ouija - Karen somehow talked me into doing other scary things, like playing her Ouija game. I’ve always believed there are things in this world that can’t be explained, and this game is one of them. I’ll never forget the spooky aura that surrounded us while we played, and I haven’t gone anywhere near a Ouija board since. 

🏚️ On the subject of bad auras, I had another one when I visited my first “haunted” house with Karen. (Have you noticed how she plays a significant role in my fear of scary things?) There was an old abandoned house deep in the woods behind the home where she grew up, and one day when we were teenagers she finally convinced me to go there. Y’all…I’m not joking when I say I felt something very strongly in that house. It was the strangest sensation and one I haven’t felt again since that day. Needless to say, I never went back.

I hope you all have a safe and fun HALLOWEEN! 🎃 

DIRECTIONS: Heat a large pot over medium-low heat and add the sausage. Cook, breaking up with a spoon until cooked through, 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, carrot and garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add the chicken broth, water, parmesan cheese rind (if using) and increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. When broth boils, add the Bouillon and black pepper. Stir to combine, cover and cook medium low simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Reduce heat to low and add the tortellini and spinach. Simmer until tortellini cooks to al dente according to package directions, about 5 to 6 minutes. Once cooked, remove the rind. Stir to combine then serve with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (if using).

NOTES: If you use chicken broth with salt, omit the the Better Than Bouillon.

NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1 -3/4 generous cups, Calories: 372 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34.5 g, Protein: 29 g, Fat: 13.5 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 88 mg, Sodium: 990 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 5.5 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)