Does Halloween signal the starting
of a whole season of unhealthy eating for you? The Halloween candy is out and we
buy early for the best selection. Then it’s in the house calling our name, and
we eat some of it (or all of it?) before the day arrives! After the
trick-or-treat event, we have leftover candy in the house. And the next thing
you know, it’s Thanksgiving and that starts the whole holiday feeding frenzy
until New Year’s!
Don’t tear your hair out! Here are 10 tips to survive Halloween in a healthy way
and head into the holiday season on a better note!
If you’ll be handing out candy to trick-or-treat visitors, consider buying candy
that you don’t even like. That way you’ll be less likely to eat it.
Get candy that isn’t too high in fat and calories, such as lollipops or
peppermint patties or hard candy.
Buy your candy at the last minute. This serves three purposes: you won’t eat a
bunch of it ahead of time, you’ll probably get a better price because it will be
marked down, and you might not find the kind you really like to tempt you
because they might be out of it already!
Wear a costume while handing out candy. It will be more fun, so maybe you won’t
think about the candy as much. Try to come up with a costume that discourages
eating, like something with a mask or long fake fingernails.
Rent a movie and pop some popcorn. Hit “pause” when the doorbell rings. The
movie and healthy snacks will keep your mind off the candy.
Keep the kids home (or invite your adult friends) and throw a costume party.
Have a contest with several categories of winners (scariest, funniest, most
original) and serve healthier treats like caramel apples or popcorn balls. Order
pizza, or make your own using turkey sausage and reduced fat pepperoni, reduced
fat cheese and lots of veggies.
Take any leftovers from the candy or party to the office, or (heaven forbid!)
throw them out!
If your kids do go out to collect treats, have them hide those treats where you
won’t find them. And suggest they ration the treats out over several days so the
candy doesn’t fill them up and prevent them from eating healthier fare.
If you don’t have children, consider leaving your lights off (the signal in most
communities that you’re not inviting trick-or-treaters) and go out for the
evening. Go see a movie, or wear a costume to a zany restaurant where it would
be appreciated!
Rake leaves by hand to burn calories (be sure to wear work gloves to avoid
blisters!) It will help undo some candy munching. You might also chop and stack
firewood, trim back the shrubs, or do other yard work in the crisp autumn air.
When Halloween is over, start planning your healthy Thanksgiving meal. Look at
cookbooks, magazines, newspapers and web sites for lower fat, lower sugar
versions of some of your holiday favorites and get ready to enjoy a day of
relaxation, or at least a day with family and friends even if you’re working
hard in the kitchen (at least you’re not working at the office!) Focus on the
warmth of relationships and the fireside, and stuff the turkey only!
About the Author Dale Reynolds is an author, speaker,
and weight loss counselor from upstate New York. She has written a book entitled
"A Slim Book On Weighty Matters", and has a website with ordering information
for the book as well as a free email newsletter and daily tips for weight
management; www.slimdale.com
ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS
2 c. pumpkin seeds
1/4 c. lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
3/4 tbsp. salt
Dilute the salt with the lemon juice; then, mix in the pumpkin seeds. Keep
mixing together until all seeds are very wet and soaked. Place seeds in a glass
bowl and put in the microwave on very high temperature for 4 minutes. Take out
and stir them very well and place back in the microwave for another 2 minutes.
Keep repeating for 2 minutes at a time, stirring in between until they are
roasted (golden brown). Enjoy.
SALTED PUMPKIN SEEDS
2 c. washed seeds
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tbsp. melted butter
Mix above ingredients with seeds. Spread on cookie sheet with sides and bake 1
hour at 250 degrees stirring every 15 minutes.
TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS
Separate fiber from unwashed pumpkin seeds. To 2 cups of seed. Add 1-1/2
tablespoons melted butter and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt. Mix well. Spread on greased
shallow pan. Bake in slow oven (250 degrees) until crisp and brown.
Scoop out the seeds from a pumpkin. Wash the seeds. Put on paper towel to dry.
Grease cookie sheet with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Spread seeds on cookie
sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake in 300 degree oven for 1 hour or until seeds are
golden brown.
SEASONED PUMPKIN SEEDS
3 c. pumpkin seeds
1/2 c. butter
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. season salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. celery salt
Place seeds on cookie sheet, bake seeds 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Melt butter
and stir in, coat seeds with other ingredients. Mix and bake at 250 degrees for
3 hours.
HALLOWEEN FACE PAINT
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
Food coloring (variety)
Sm. yogurt container, clean and dry
(1 for each color paint)
Stir together the cornstarch and cold cream until blended. Add water and stir.
Add food coloring until desired color.
COLD CREAM HALLOWEEN FACE PAINT
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
Several drops food coloring
Muffin tin
In each cup of the muffin tin, mix all ingredients together, using several drops
of food coloring in each muffin cup. Stir. Repeat for other colors. Now you're
ready for face painting. Have a grown-up help. This doesn't wash out of clothes
too easily. To make taking face paint off a little easier, cover your face with
cold cream first.
In one section of a muffin tin, mix together shortening, flour and one drop of
food coloring. Repeat to make several colors in different sections of muffin
tin. Use fingers to paint face. Wash off with soap and warm water.
HALLOWEEN KIDS FACE
PAINT
Cornstarch
Water
Muffin pans
Food coloring
Cold cream
In each cup of the muffin tin, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon water,
1/2 teaspoon cold cream and a couple drops of food coloring, a different color
for each cup. You're ready. See if you can get a grown up to assist you.
HOMEMADE FACE PAINT
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
Food coloring (variety of colors)
Sm. containers (one for each color)
Sm. paint brush
Stir together cornstarch and cold cream until well blended. Add water and stir.
Add food coloring, one drop at a time, until you get desired color. Pain removes
easily with soap and water. Face paint may be stored in covered containers.
Color Chart: 3 drops blue plus 1 drop green = turquoise 2 drops yellow plus 1
drop red = orange 2 drops blue plus 1 drop red = violet.
EASY HALLOWEEN
FACE PAINT
2 tbsp. powdered paint
1/4 c. hand lotion
1/4 c. liquid dish detergent
Or mix small amount of powdered paint with cold cream.
