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HALLOWEEN - Healthier Sweet Tooth Swaps!

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Sep 29
  • 3 min read

Artificial colors have one job...to distract people from the absence of real food. Real food is vibrant & colorful. Processed food with filler & chemicals...not so much. So, these processed food brands have to add artificial color to give the illusion that what you are eating looks presentable. Processed foods have ZERO nutritional value.

Artificial dyes are made from petroleum + have been FDA approved for awhile now. The United States originally had over 50 different artificial dyes but over the years, they have been recognized as UNSAFE + TAKEN OFF THE MARKET.

Over the last 50 years, synthetic food dye used in foods have increased by 500%. The consumption of food dyes + their ability to bind to body proteins can have a SEVERE EFFECT ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM & AUTOIMMUNITIES. Source: NCBI: 25599186

The 3 most widely used artificial colors:

Red 40, Yellow 5 + Yellow 6 are

CONTAMINATED WITH KNOWN CARCINOGENS.




Brands To AVOID




The images above (courtesy of Food Babe) show the ingredients of the same product but what each country allows. Basically, if you look under the U.S. version of the ingredients, it tells you the FDA (Food + Drug Administration) + we the people don't care what kind of toxic ingredients are in our food.

On the flip side, the United Kingdom + Japan are much more strict when it comes to toxic ingredients in their food. Therefore, brands like M&M's, KitKat, Hershey's etc. must make alternate versions of their product so that they can be sold in those particular countries.

America must do better. We all must demand better. Clean food + ingredients should be the standard.

Artificial dyes are in many items from hand soap to protein powder. I will be showing you that there are in fact cleaner alternatives in my upcoming posts but for now, let's focus on Halloween candy + treats in particular.....

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These SMALL BUSINESSES Below Make

The Yummiest Sweet Tooth Swaps!



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No Sugar, Alcohols or Soy | Colors from Nature
Certified: Vegan | Gluten Free | Fair Trade | Non-GMO























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Organic | Gluten Free | Vegan | Dye Free
No High Fructose Corn Syrup | Nut Free

YUMEARTH has a huge selection of all kinds of options for all your sweet cravings. Below are just a few of their options (available on Amazon) in a variety of sizes. I prefer to buy in bulk when I can, because it's less expensive in the long run!




(10 Snack Packs Per Bag)
(40 lollipops)
(5 oz.)




USDA Organic | Gluten Free | Kosher | Responsibly Sourced
Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa




ALMOND Butter Cups



CASHEW Butter Cups







Healthier FROSTINGS


Organic | Gluten Free | Vegan | Made with Coconut Oil

Vanilla Frosting

Chocolate Frosting





Organic | Gluten Free | Vegan | Non-GMO | Made with Coconut Oil

Vanilla Frosting

Chocolate Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

Confetti Pop Frosting

Peppermint Frosting





Organic | Gluten Free | Vegan | Non-GMO | Kosher | Made with Organic Sugar

Vanilla Frosting

Chocolate Frosting 

Wild White Strawberry Frosting




Mixes

CAKE, CUPCAKE, BREAD + BROWNIES



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The BRANDS Below Are The BEST Swaps




USDA Certified Organic + Non GMO


Grain + Gluten Free | Organic | Non GMO
No Hydrogenated Oils | No Artificial Colors | From Scratch Taste

Also available:

KETO + PALEO
Grain & Gluten Free | No Sugar Added | Low Carb
Naturally Sweetened, Diabetic, Atkins + Weight Watchers Friendly


Gluten Free | Plant Based | Paleo | Almond Flour




BROWNIE Mixes


Fudgy Brownies

Keto + Paleo, Grain + Gluten Free | No Sugar Added | Low Carb
Naturally Sweetened, Diabetic, Atkins + Weight Watchers Friendly


Almond Flour Brownies

Gluten Free + Plant Based

 
 
 

HALLOWEEN - Sharing My Favorite Healthy Snacks, Recipes, Decor + More!

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Sep 28
  • 2 min read

Updated: Sep 30



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It’s not too late to plan the best 🎃 Halloween 🎃 ever!



Get TRICKS + TREATS for a HAUNTING FRIGHT NIGHT! From GHOULISH costumes to festive entertaining to SPOOKtacular decor, make it personal by welcoming the season with personalized decor + more!



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Snickerdoodle Collagen Fuel is back from beyond to add cinnamon-sweet flavor. Just in time for Halloween + the holidays, this frighteningly delicious drink mix is so versatile!

Click HERE (then click on recipes)
to make the following:
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodle Smoothie
Sweet Potato Casserole
Snickerdoodle Caramel Coffee
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes




Be sure to use my Primal Kitchen 10% OFF Coupon Code:

NDEROSA10





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Halloween Costumes







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Festive Entertaining







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Spooktacular Decor







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Spooktacular Decor









10 Healthy Candy Remakes For Halloween by Lilsipper



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These healthified candy remakes are great for your Halloween get togethers but can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season + take you through Christmas! So grab your besties, your favorite classic movie, + have a baking night in! Below are some candy remakes you’ll be snacking on all year long!








15 Spooky Halloween Recipes Kids Love

by Weelicious


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These festive Halloween recipes are super cute + a great way to help get some nutritious food in your kids before they are greeted with a candy overload from trick or treating! These 15 Spooky Halloween Recipes Kids Love are the result of years of Weelicious desperately trying to find nutritious meals with which to tempt her family before they are greeted with onslaught of candy from trick or treating that is coming down the pike.









 
 
 

From "Just Another California Newbie" to "On-Set PA" (Thanks to Justine Bateman)

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Jul 22
  • 6 min read
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In 2011, I packed up my life and moved to California. My friends were scattered across the country, but I did have a tiny network from my days at Walt Disney Imagineering in Florida. Plus, my brother with his California crew, so he kindly spread the word that his "little sister" was coming to join the West Coast cool kids. One of his friends was none other than actress, writer, producer, director, and author Justine Bateman. You know, the "Family Ties" legend? Yep. She reached out to my brother for my number, because why not? That is to say, now knowing Justine, this is just the kind of person she is...sincere, caring, engaging, extremely thoughtful and collaborative.

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Fast forward to me trying to adult in California, which included figuring out the whole “doctors and health insurance” situation. Somewhere between Google searching "best gynecologists in LA" and my new life as a freshly-minted Californian, Justine reached out. Bless her heart. We started chatting, and she casually passed along her gynecologist's info like it was the hottest tip in town. “Oh, by the way, here’s my doctor’s number. You know, just in case.” Only in California.


During our convo, she asked what kind of work I was looking for. I told her I had a nice little savings cushion, was interviewing with Disney Imagineering (still holding onto that magic, obviously), but I was also open to any cool new opportunities that might pop up. And boom, Justine drops this bomb:


“I’m producing a short film called Z. We’re filming on the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, an office in Hollywood, and Little Tokyo. You should totally come help out.”

Written by Jared Drake, Z is an action-packed short film about a goofy frozen yogurt shop employee (played by Robert Buckley) who is taken hostage by a mysterious woman (played by Helena Barrett).


I was like, wait, what? A real live movie set? I mean, sure, I'd been in the general vicinity of movie magic once or twice, like that time I was hanging out, watching my boyfriend skateboard along Broad Street in Red Bank, New Jersey and we stumbled upon Kevin Smith filming Ben Affleck in that infamous rain scene in Chasing Amy. Or the time I was a teen and convinced security at 30 Rock to let me watch Christian Slater host Saturday Night Live from the green room. But those don’t exactly count as “work” experiences.


So, I dove in headfirst.


Justine introduced me to the crew via group texts and emails. My first job? Run downtown and pick up the film permit paperwork from the line producer, Clio Tegel. I was basically a glorified messenger except, you know, with zero experience in the whole film industry thing. But hey, I was eager.



A few things to know about film permits include:


  • Filming on private property typically doesn't require a permit, but you'll need the property owner's written permission.

  • The application process involves submitting a detailed plan of your project, including locations, dates + times for filming.

  • Most locations require production insurance, covering property damage, injury liability + equipment protection.

  • Certain locations require special approvals, such as police coordination for street closures or fire department approval for pyrotechnics or hazardous scenes.

  • Always follow permit conditions to avoid fines. 



The night before filming, I received the all-important call sheet. Now, if you’ve never worked on a film set, a call sheet is like the Bible for cast and crew. It’s a day-by-day schedule with everything from call times to locations to instructions like, “Do not let the lead actor eat a sandwich right before filming” (okay, maybe I’m embellishing, but you get the point). That little sheet was the key to making sure the whole circus ran smoothly.


As I said, a call sheet is a daily schedule prepared by the assistant director that provides detailed instructions for cast and crew, including call times, locations, and shooting schedules. It's a crucial document for keeping everyone informed and organized on set, and is typically distributed the day before filming. 



Key elements of a call sheet:


  • Production Information

    This includes the production title, contact information for the production company, producer, director + assistant director. 


  • Location Details

    The call sheet specifies the location of the shoot, including the address, parking information + any specific instructions for the location. As I said, the locations for Z included the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, an office space in Hollywood + a frozen yogurt shop in Little Tokyo


  • Shooting Schedule

    It outlines the scenes to be shot, their order + estimated times for each shot. 


  • Call Times

    This section specifies when each member of the cast + crew is required to be on set. If anything changes, it is part of the PA's job to make sure that everyone has the latest updated call sheet with the updated information. 


  • Cast Information

    It lists actors, their characters + any specific instructions for their scenes, including wardrobe or prop needs. If an item is needed or is added to the shoot, a PA can be asked to obtain a piece of wardrobe, prop etc.


  • Crew Information

    The call sheet also lists the names, phone numbers + email addresses of all crew members, organized by department. 


  • Other Important Details

    This can include weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, nearest hospital information + any special instructions or announcements. 


A Production Assistant (PA) on a film set provides essential support to the entire crew, acting as a versatile helper who ensures smooth operations. Their tasks are varied and can include anything from running errands and managing paperwork to assisting with equipment and talent coordination. 


Here's a more detailed look at the responsibilities:


Administrative and Logistics:


  • Paperwork:

    PAs handle essential paperwork like call sheets, scripts + production reports, distributing them to relevant crew members. 


  • Errands:

    They run various errands, such as picking up supplies, delivering documents, or transporting crew + equipment.

     

  • Communication:

    PAs act as a communication link, relaying messages between different departments + ensuring everyone is informed. 


  • Crowd Management:

    They may help manage crowds, extras + general on-set traffic. 



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Set Support:


  • Equipment Handling:

    PAs assist with setting up + breaking down equipment, ensuring it's readily available when needed. 


  • Talent Coordination:

    They help with coordinating talent, guiding them to their designated areas (hair, makeup, wardrobe) + ensuring they are ready for their scenes. 


  • Set Maintenance:

    PAs may help with set preparation, cleaning + maintaining the overall order of the filming location. 


  • Locking Down:

    They help secure the set, preventing unauthorized access or disruptions during filming. 


Other Tasks:


  • Craft Services

    PAs might assist with setting up + maintaining the craft services area (food + refreshments). 


  • Problem Solving

    They identify + address minor issues that arise during filming, ensuring a smooth workflow. 


  • General Assistance

    PAs are prepared to assist any department or crew member as needed, embodying the "all hands on deck" mentality.

     

Essentially, the PA's role is to be adaptable + resourceful, ensuring that the production runs efficiently + effectively. They are often the first point of contact for many onset personnel + are crucial to the overall success of the filming process. 



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Fast forward to 2017, when Justine brought me back on board, this time as a PA for another short film called PUSH written by Justine and Holiday Reinhorn.


It was a pretty different vibe, mostly filmed in a supermarket in Simi Valley. This time, Justine was both directing and acting. PUSH tells the story of a pregnant woman (played by Justine) who gives a defiant 12-year-old boy (Nolan Gross) a ride home and, well, let's just say she takes him on a trip he didn’t quite expect emotionally. It was a fantastic project to be a part of, and I got to see the magic happen from both sides of the camera.



Honestly, I feel so lucky that Justine gave me the chance to be a part of these productions. From newbie PA to actually helping bring these cool stories to life, I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities, lessons, and some epic behind-the-scenes stories like trading stories with Steven Meiers Dominguez aka Toastycakes (PUSH's onset photographer) who shaped the LA party scene as significantly as he documented it with his eye for fashion and bold, kinetic photographic style.



The moral of the story: Never underestimate a random connection, a group text, or a gynecologist recommendation. You never know when it might lead to your next movie set adventure.

Check out more of Justine's work including the 2021 film she wrote and directed called, VIOLET starring Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey and Justin Theroux.
Check out more of Justine's work including the 2021 film she wrote and directed called, VIOLET starring Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey and Justin Theroux.





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Currently in pre-production (as of 2025) is FACE which is the film adaptation of Justine Bateman's book


FACE will star Mary-Louise Parker, Carrie-Anne Moss and Liana Liberato.


Keep up with Justine + all of her creative endeavors via her website.










 
 
 
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