H – A – Double L – O – W – Double E – N

.......spells Halloween. I sing that in my head every year. It’s just one of the things I can’t get rid of from my childhood memories. This is how I learned to spell Halloween thanks to my music teacher!

As a child, Halloween is about picking the right costumes, parties at school, neighborhood block parties, and lots of tricks and treats. But as an adult, this can be a very dangerous time of year. I don’t mean the scary neighbor who wants to give your kids un-wrapped food. I am talking about the pumpkin cookies, the mud/worm pies, candy bars filling your child’s pumpkin, and even the receptionist’s candy dish she’s been filling with candy since September 1st. Then there is the adult Halloween parties which consist of non-stop snacking and treats in a glass. The ever so yummy hot apple cider and rum, who can resist right?

Here are a few tips to hopefully get you through this season:

#1 - It’s OK not to eat every treat your co-workers bring in. Don’t let them pressure you into having a huge slice of pumpkin pie with cool whip at 8 AM. On the flip side, it’s also OK to have one or two pieces of candy per day. But that’s it. (If you can’t handle just one or two, then don’t have any). If you can, have yourself a handful of candy corn. This will not ruin your diet. Just make sure it’s all accounted in your calories. We still have to live this life and have fun doing it. Denying these things will become the destruction of your new workout/healthy-self.

#2 - What do you do if you’re the mom who has to make cupcakes with the candy ghosts, goblins, and gummy worms on top for school? Don’t lick the bowls and spoons when you’re done (huge number of unaccounted calories). Quickly throw everything in a sink of hot water and don’t offer it to your children. They don’t need it either. Make sure you send ALL the snacks to school. Don’t leave any at home. If you can get away with skipping the cupcakes, cakes, pies, etc. then try and make a healthier snack choice for the school parties.

#3 - Put together some yummy trail mix in cute Halloween gift bags and throw in a handful of M&M’s. This way you won’t become the mean health-nut mom at the parent/teacher meetings. Or cut up small apple chunks, sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon and dry them in your oven or dehydrator. Add pumpkin seeds to the mix. They are really healthy for you as well. Watch the sodium levels when using soy sauces or lots of regular salt for your pumpkin seeds.


#4 - When your child comes home from trick-or-treating, (this one is going to hurt) take half the candy and toss it out (when they aren’t looking of course). Or limit the amount of houses you take them too. Kids don’t need this rush of sugar. It causes bad habits as an adult. Why do you think you are so tempted by the candy dish at work? Keep adult hands out of the kids’ candy. It’s OK to let them have a few as it’s all about tradition and you don’t want to strip them of the memories, but you also don’t want the plastic pumpkin on the top of the fridge tempting you either. You have come such a long way in making the right choices don’t let a few tiny snickers bars tempt you to think because they are small you can have four. Now you just had an entire candy bar!

#5 - Go to a hotel with a pool Halloween night. With all the money you are saving on NOT buying the neighbors candy, you can spend a fun night with your kids. Swim until the pool closes, play some games, wear them out, make your own traditions. The children can’t see what’s going on outside to be jealous of their friends. After a few fun years, they won’t even miss the candy tradition. Your also not home, lights out, and no one will expect you to be passing out junk food. It’s a good message to your friend/neighbors who have been giving you a hard time for your healthy ways.

#6- Use your head. You know better. You have been doing so good for so long, why let a silly traditional holiday get in the way of your goals. So have that one Peppermint Patty shaped like a pumpkin with orange filling and call it good.