Tips and Treats for a Healthy Halloween

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Tips and Treats for a Healthy Halloween

 

It is that time again. The time for all your ghosts, goblins and

neighborhood witches to come a knockin'.

 

When finding treats for your guests, you may want to consider low-

calorie, low-fat options. Snacks that are fun and good for your kid's

health is a win-win situation. Halloween/holiday packaging has even

become more creative in recent years to add to the enticement value.

You may want to consider

 

Sugar-free gum

100% Juice boxes

Cheese sticks

Cheese and cracker snacks

Organic candied apples

Dark Chocolate treats

Popcorn or popcorn balls

Apples

Grapes

Bananas

Unshelled peanuts

Low sugar cookies, pumpkin muffins or peanut butter drops (see below)

 

 

There are great non-food treats you can offer such as rubber spiders

or worms, stickers, baseball cards, balloons, crazy top pencils,

crayons, colored chalk, comic erasers and whistles.

 

Make sure all your treats are individually wrapped. Even the non-food

goods. If you buy in bulk, you can find great little gift bags you

can fill and then close them up with a twist or steam seal. Tag your

goodies with a note with your name and address. This eases the mind's

of fellow parents.

 

Safety Comes First

 

Be sure your kid's costumes are flame-resistant. If there is a mask

with the costume, be sure they have plenty of breathing room and make

sure the mask does not obstruct their view. Comfortable shoes are

important to avoid blisters and accessories should be kept to a

minimum, the younger the child is.

 

Be sure and impose the basic rules:

 

1. If not accompanied by a parent, be sure kids travel in groups.

 

2. Keep on sidewalks as much as possible. If there are no sidewalks,

stay to the extreme side of the road.

 

3. Carrying a flashlight or glowstick.

 

4. Reflective stickers can added to costumes and shoes.

 

5. Visit homes that you know. Most people will keep a light on the

front porch as a welcome indicator.

 

6. Be sure to tell the kids to always be pleasant, courteous and

thankful.

 

7. It is always a good precaution to examine all treats before

letting your children eat them to be sure they have not been tampered

with. Be sure packaged candies are unopened and fruits and vegetables

are in good condition. Cut all fruit in quarters before opening.

 

8. If you are inviting guests, turn on your front light or decorate

your front door to make it inviting to guests. Make sure your front

door is not cluttered with objects that children may trip over. If

you have pets, be sure they are secured away from the door.

 

9. Halloween parties at home can alleviate fears of your kids going

outside, especially if it happens to be bad weather.

 

10. Remember: safety comes first.

 

Halloween Treats

 

These are some great suggestions that the kids can help you make, if

you have kids. You can also have a great time making them yourself

for your little guests (or even your big guests!)

 

Pizza Faces

 

Let kids arrange sliced olives, green peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni,

and other things on English muffins brushed with tomato sauce. Top

with grated cheese for " hair " and heat in the microwave or oven until

the cheese melts.

 

 

Peanut Butter Drops

 

1 jar reduced fat Peanut Butter

1 box confectioner's sugar

 

 

Blend 4 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter with 3 teaspoons

confectioner's sugar. Add a little water of it is too binding. Then

drop on a cookie sheet and bake at 350° F for 10 minutes.

 

 

Quick Pumpkin Cupcakes

 

1 box regular yellow or vanilla cake mix, 2-layer-size

2 eggs

1 Tablespoon oil

2/3 cup canned pumpkin

1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup water or apple juice

 

 

Decorations:

Canned low-fat vanilla frosting

Candy corn

Black or orange jelly beans

Black licorice

 

 

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray each muffin cup with nonstick cooking

spray or use paper cupcake liners. Blend the cake mix with the eggs,

oil, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and the water or juice with mixer at

low speed until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Spoon

into the prepared muffin pan. Bake 18 minutes or until done. Cool in

pan completely before frosting. Kids will love to decorate these

cupcakes. Makes about 18 cupcakes.

 

 

Halloween Cereal Balls

 

1/4 cup Smart Balance margarine or butter

1 package (10 oz.) marshmallows

2 Tablespoons orange-flavored gelatin

6 cups crisp rice cereal

1/2 cup candy corn

 

 

Combine margarine and marshmallows in 2-quart glass bowl. Microwave

(high), uncovered, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until marshmallows are

puffed. Add orange gelatin; mix until combined. Stir in cereal until

well coated. Mix in candy corn. Cool enough to handle. With buttered

hands, form mixture into 24 balls. Place on waxed paper until cool.

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap for storage. Tips: Pieces of cut black

licorice can be substituted for candy corn. Mixture can be pressed

into greased 13x9-inch baking pan and cut into squares for serving.

Per Serving: 85 calories, 1 g. protein, 2 g. fat, 119 mg. sodium, 0

mg. cholesterol.

 

 

Vampire Bites: Garlic Puffs (better for adults)

 

Make your own dough or substitute homemade dough with ready made pop

up croissants or rolls.

Roll out the dough and spoon in fresh or chopped garlic.

Roll them up and place them on a cookie tray.

Place them in a pre-heated oven at 350° F for 10-15 minutes.

 

 

Enjoy the holiday!

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

Peacefulmind.com

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