Many people are asking me what do I give out for Halloween as a nutritionist? How do I allow my kids to enjoy the holiday without being that “Mom” or that “neighbor” that no one wants to visit on the street. I want to enjoy the tradition without adding to the sugar
craze and the harmful effects as there is so much candy everywhere already.
There are many ways to think and go from here and we just need to be creative and how much do you want to spend on time and money for this fun holiday? I personally don’t have kids, but do have a nephew and check in with him to see what his plan is each year. I also bring myself back to my fond memories on the east coast of dressing up in crazy cold weather, sometimes it was even snowing and trying to decide if I wanted long underwear under my costume each year…gloves? No, Mom that changes my costume. I had many walking halloween evenings in the drizzling snow/slush where it’s just about to start to freeze, but not quite yet, and we would get super wet and soggy, coming home and drudging through the front door in soaking wet outfits. Then the trading begins, trading of candy that is. I loved those Reeces peanut butter cups, thats about it, maybe a few others, but I tried to get my hands on trading out everything else I had for those peanut butter/chocolate yummies. I also looked back and realized after trading candy I never really ate my candy, it just sat in my room, and slowing it would be diminishing over the next few weeks as I guess I had the parent nibbles coming in….What I did love was collecting for Unicef and wanting to get lots of change at every door to help support that organization, as a kid I really didn’t know what I was doing, but it felt so good, listening to our intuition happens so early in life! I also noticed I loved all the “odd” things I got for halloween, our neighbor always made these popcorn balls every year, that was my first house I “stopped” at as she would run out early. What a fun treat to get, and so different. I also loved another house, it was down the street, around the corner and down a long block of dark creepy houses, it was kind-of scary to go to as a kid as the other kids didn’t want to go, but I loved what they gave out, so I made it my mission every year. Walking up to their door they were the ones that always had something that scared you too, a scarecrow that moved when you walked by, or something popping out of the ground, scary music started when you walked by that certain tree. It was so fun to be scared and excited at the same time. When we got to the door the owner always dressed up as a witch, and the really scary kind, a painted green face, her nose was made up to look super long with fake warts on it, long straight black hair and the best witch’s hat Ive ever seen, along with a long silky black cape and of course her broom followed. I think she ever had a black cat! She talked in a funny scratchy voice and when I saw her the next day she would always pretend that she wasn’t home on halloween and it must have really been a witch! She held put her bucket of…wait not candy…but fun toys and games and stickers, and glowing things, it was so fun to choose which one did I want to play with? the bouncing glow-in-the-dark ball or the cool glitter sticker for my notebook? I loved that house and the memories I have each year will bring me back to that time of giddy excitement.
Would you ever consider not giving out candy for halloween? I can go on and on about what sugar does to our systems, and being a child this time of year its full on overload. (Plus with Covid we really need to be on top of our immune systems). On top of all of what halloween represents, the dressing up and warding off ghosts somehow candy became the ruler of this tradition, and how can kids get the most amount in the shortest amount of time. I always reflect on that popcorn ball that I loved so much and also the house where I received fun “toys” and enjoying time with friends and also maybe getting a little scared…
I now have moved into a neighborhood that I can give out treats at halloween, or I guess do a trick, maybe not. I have decided to be “that house” this year and every year. I found a bunch of halloween decorations at a garage sale and excited to put everything up in a few weeks, but also what I am going to give out. I think I will put on my best costume, don’t think I can top that witch all those years ago, but I will find something for the occasion and my choice of “toys” to give out will be going to target and rooting through the dollar bins and finding some gems to give away, hoping for some sparkle pencils, and stickers, maybe glow sticks, bouncing balls, and whatever else might be super fun! I also have a nutrition friend give out honey sticks, which were a hit back in California. Maybe I’ll try and work my magic in the kitchen and do some popcorn balls with honey to hold them together on a stick (on pencil) as a surprise…lets get creative together and not rise up kids insulin levels this year. Who’s with me? It’s ok if your not, I don’t judge or mind, its everyones choice to live by their own rules, I just hope this can be a fun tradition for our new neighborhood to continue and maybe others will follow in future years. I’ll keep you posted and let you know how it goes. Hop eI have sparked some excitement and creativity for your Halloween festivities this year.
