Ah, Halloween in Southfield—a time of spectral spooks, sugary loot, and, courtesy of my childhood dentist neighbor, dental hygiene party favors. While other kids on the block dodged toothbrushes in favor of tooth-decaying delights (big ups to the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup People), my Halloween heart belonged to the simpler joy of pumpkin seeds. Yes, folks, just plain old salted pumpkin seeds.

But hold onto your hats (and brooms), because this isn’t just a nostalgic nod to those salt-speckled morsels of the past. We're turning the snack game on its head with a Weinstein original: Mac & Cheese Pumpkin Seeds. Before you doubt the sanity of mixing a beloved cheesy classic with the humble pumpkin seed, let me assure you, it's a concoction so good it’s spooky!

The Ingredients of Innovation

• 10 plump pumpkins (for optimal seed harvest and jack-o’-lantern potential)
• 6 mega-sized boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (accept no substitutes, this is cheesy business)
• 1 cup of whole milk (because we're wholeheartedly into this)
• 1 stick of real butter (margarine need not apply)
• 1/2 cup of Kosher salt (for that hauntingly good crunch)
• 2 or 3 deep-walled aluminum pans (because we’re diving deep into flavor town)

Spooktacular Seed Prep: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pumpkin Gutting: Carve those pumpkins with a gleeful spirit. Aim for designs that scream Halloween! Extract the seeds, and don’t fret about a bit of goo (or pumpkin snot, as I like to call it)—it adds character (and flavor!). Let the seeds dry out on kitchen towels; this isn't a rush job.
2. Boil the Bewitched Seeds: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees and bring a large cauldron of water to a boil. Yes, we're getting witchy with it! Boil the seeds for 5 minutes to soften their spirits.
3. Cheesy Alchemy: Strain the seeds and return them to the cauldron. Stir in the milk, butter, and four packets of the golden powdered cheese (Save two packets for the baking process). Keep the concoction on the heat until the butter melts and the mixture thickens into a velvety potion.
4. Baking the Magic: Pour the seeds into your prepared pans, spreading them about half an inch thick. Salt them according to your spectral preference and slide them into the oven.
5. The Crucial Stir and Taste Test: Stir the seeds every ten minutes, tasting as you go. Feel free to sprinkle in extra two packets of cheese powder for an intensified flavor. They should turn a ghoulish golden brown without succumbing to the burn.
6. Final Transformation: You'll know they're ready when the kitchen smells like a cheesy paradise and the liquid has nearly vanished.

And voilà! What emerges from your oven are not mere seeds, but golden nuggets of Halloween perfection. From a simple childhood treat to a gourmet delight, these Mac & Cheese Pumpkin Seeds are set to become a legendary Halloween tradition in the Weinstein household.
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So, this Halloween, while the goblins gobble up candies and the witches brew their potions, why not whip up a batch of these devilishly delightful seeds? They're guaranteed to cast a cheesy spell on your festive celebrations!

Welcome back to Mike’s Favorite Things, where today I’m hanging up my hesitation and diving into the world of Modular Closets—the home organization wizards who’ve mastered the art of marrying function with flair!

Who Are They?
Imagine transforming your chaotic closet space into a bastion of beauty and organization—this is the promise of Modular Closets. Launched in 2015, they've taken the closet game by storm, crafting systems that are as DIY-friendly as they are delightful. They prioritize quality, affordability, elegant design, stellar customer service, and user-friendly installations. It’s like they’ve nailed (or should I say, screwed?) the formula for perfect storage solutions!

Why Modular Closets?
When a relative moved into her new apartment, the existing closets were about as appealing as a sock drawer after laundry day—just a mess! The quote from California Closets nearly had us selling my kidney on the black market, and other companies had wait times longer than a dermatologist's waiting room. But then, Modular Closets came to the rescue faster than you can say "clutter crisis."

Their website, a treasure trove of organization, features a design wizard so easy that even I could handle it. And if you're design-challenged, fear not! Their brilliant designers, like the savvy Bella Alter, are just a Zoom call away to tailor your closet dreams to fit your space and style.  She spent a couple of hours with us on the design, making great suggestions.  She even spoke with her boss Jeff Rudolph, and got us an additional discount.  This part of the process was pain free.

The Unboxing Saga
Fast forward three weeks and cue a pallet of possibilities landing on my doorstep—50+ boxes ready to transform chaos into order. The setup was so straightforward it made IKEA instructions look like quantum physics. With tools in hand and dad jokes at the ready ("Did you find the stud finder, or is it still looking for me?"), I embarked on my DIY adventure.
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Perks of Going Modular

• Strength and Durability: These closets can handle your heavy winter coats and then some, without buckling under pressure.
• Cost-Effective: Why pay more when you can get quality materials at a fraction of the cost of custom?
• Stylish By Design: there are many styles to chose from here, and they don't have that Home Depot look to them.  They look custom.  There are many accessories you can chose from...from jewelery drawers to valet hangers to hampers.
• DIY Dream: If you can follow a recipe, you can assemble these closets. Mix, match, and mount!  Just make sure you get the measurements correct.  

Lessons Learned and Tips Shared

• Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to assembly. Take it slow, like a leisurely stroll through the park.  The shipping invoice has all the boxes for each project (I had 4 closets). Group your projects together and take one project at a time.
• A laser level, a handheld level, and stud finder are your best friends. Keeping things straight will prevent you from having a wonky wardrobe.  I cannot stress enough this part of the process....walls are rarely perfectly plumb.  Buy some woden shims beforehand.
• Customer service that cares: When a drawer debacle threatened to derail our decor dreams, Modular was quick to correct the course, proving they stand behind their solutions.  Use the toll free number and call with questions.

In conclusion, if you’re seeking a storage solution that blends beauty with practicality, Modular Closets is your go-to. They didn’t just save my butt; they stylishly supported it too. Check them out for a closet that complements your home and simplifies your life, one shelf at a time!

Welcome back to Mike's Favorite Things, where today we're "rooting" around for products that tackle more than what meets the "scalp"! Yep, you guessed it, we're talking about Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, a product that has flown off the shelves not just for dandruff despair but for its potential benefits in the hairy situation atop our heads!


The Unexpected Hero: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
So here's the lowdown: Nizoral isn’t just flaking on its original use—it’s branching out. Thanks to the active ingredient Ketoconazole, this shampoo might just be the undercover hero for those of us who are, let’s delicately say, ‘follicly challenged’. Ketoconazole is known for battling more than just those pesky white flakes; it might also help with hair retention. Here’s how it combs through the problem:

• Androgenetic Alopecia: This is the highbrow term for common pattern baldness, where Ketoconazole blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into the notorious hair-follicle foe, DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
• Fungal Fighters: For those losing strands to fungal foes, Ketoconazole soothes inflammation and clears up the infection.
• Scalp Saboteurs: It’s also great for tackling other scalp conditions that might be thinning out your lush locks.

Personal Experiment: The Mike’s Favorite Things Hair Trial
No, I don’t have dandruff, but a TikTok tip-off led my wife, Allison, to suggest I give Nizoral a whirl for a thinning thatch. Using the 1% over-the-counter strength, I embarked on what I’m cheekily calling the ‘Nizoral Hair Hold Experiment’.

Observations So Far:

1. Thickening Plot: A little over a month in, and it’s not just the plot of my favorite streaming show that’s thickening. The sparse territories atop my dome are showing signs of a comeback.
2. Ear Hair Forest: And here’s a fun side effect—my ear hair has turned into an Amazon rainforest! My ear and nose waxer, Cindy at Classic Technique Salon in Ferndale, was nearly as floored as I was by the growth.

​Going Stronger? Visit a Dermatologist
For those looking to turn up the volume on their hair preservation efforts, you might want to consider the 2% strength Nizoral. This requires a visit to your dermatologist. If you need a recommendation, why not drop in on Dr. Craig Singer, famously dubbed "Mohel to the Stars"? He’s the go-to for a head-to-toe checkup.

Wrapping It Up:
Early Days YetThough the results are budding, it’s early days yet. The full "hair-raising" story will take at least four months to unfold. But if the burgeoning bush in my ears is any hint, there might just be a mane event to look forward to.

If you’re curious or desperate enough to try anything to keep your hair from bidding adieu, why not give Nizoral a shot? You can grab a bottle right here on Amazon. And remember, it’s not just for dandruff—your hairline might just thank you (and TikTok!) later.

Stay tuned for more updates in Mike’s Favorite Things, where we explore the curious, the unusual, and sometimes, the surprisingly effective. And hey, if it doesn’t work, at least your scalp will be flake-free and your ear hair lush enough to warrant its own zip code!