The spooky, scary and creepy Halloween holiday is almost here--and with it comes tons of sugar, fat, calories and extra pounds. Halloween is typically full of sugary treats, not to mention all the trash and wrappers that wind up cluttering the land. You can still enjoy all the spooky fun of the Halloween holiday, but without rotting your teeth, adding pounds and polluting the earth.
Step 1
Make a decision to banish bags of Halloween candy. Instead of picking up bags of packaged candies at the store, opt for healthier choices and those with less packaging. Consider healthier granola or cereal bars or bags of dried fruit. Try to buy in bulk, or look for treats that use less packaging--looking for brands that use recycled or recyclable packaging are also a good way to have a green Halloween.
Step 2
Hand out healthier treats. Try handing out fresh fruit instead of candy--opt for apples, oranges or bananas. They're green because they have no packaging, and they're much healthier for kids. You can also make homemade popcorn balls and package them yourself. Hand them out in recycled paper bags decorated with Halloween drawings, stencils, stamps or stickers. Boxes of raisins can also make a good treat, and many kids enjoy the sweet and healthy treat.
Step 3
Walk the trick-or-treat route. Instead of packing up the kids in the car and driving from house to house and neighborhood to neighborhood, hoof it on foot instead. Make sure you and the kids are wearing comfortable walking shoes, and walk the neighborhood route. You'll get good exercise, cut down on air pollution from exhaust and work off some of that candy you're sure to eat. You can also bike around your neighborhood; just make sure that costumes won't get caught up in the wheels--also wear a helmet and reflective clothing.
Step 4
Get creative and make a costume out of things you already have, rather than buying a new costume. A ghost from a white sheet is always a good stand-by, but you can also use plain black pants and a black top, add a homemade tail and headband and you can be anything you want--a cat, a dog or a bumblebee. Swap costumes with a friend or use his work uniform--go as a nurse, doctor or cowboy with some chaps and a cowboy hat.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure your kids (and you) eat dinner before you head out trick-or-treating--they'll be less tempted to gorge on candy if they're full from a healthy dinner.
- Practice careful safety measures when out walking the streets on Halloween. Try to trick-or-treat before dar, and carry flashlights--always be on the lookout for cars.
Things You'll Need
- Popcorn
- Fruit
- Healthy dessert recipes
- Walking shoes
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