How to Have a Healthy Halloween Extravaganza

Halloween is a fun, exciting time in the lives of children. However, the candy and sugar consumed as a result of the carnival bliss known as trick-or-treating can lead to dental problems as well as unhealthy eating habits. Here are some safe, healthy alternatives for children this Halloween.

Instead of trick-or-treating, have a Halloween party or take part in a Fall Festival or carnival. If you have a Halloween Party in your own home, you have control over everything that is served and the themes. If you want it to be scary, you could make it scary, but if you wanted something different, you could plan a party from a historical time period or a mascarade. One year, our family did a haunted house. Another year, our family had a Civil War period cotillion.

Here are some healthy recipes that you can incorporate into a healthy Halloween holiday.

Blood of the Pineapple

1 large can of pineapple juice
1 large container of Hawaiian Punch, Cherry Juice, or tropical punch
1 2liter bottle of diet Sprite or 7-up

Alternative: If you don't want to add the Hawaiian Punch, you can substitute red food coloring

Jackolantern Carrot Salad

3 cups freshly grated carrots
1 large apple, cored and chopped
1/2 cup - 1 cup raisins
1/4 cup mayo
paper bowls

Mix the carrots, apple and mayo in a mixing bowl. Scoop into paper bowls. Add raisins to make jackolantern face.
I love this recipe because it is so easy to make and looks so good. It is just right for a healthy Halloween.

Finger Sandwiches

crescent rolls
hot dogs
pepperoni

It is a good idea to check the directions on the crescent roll package for baking time before you open the crescent rolls.

Open the crescent rolls and cut into 1/4

Wrap a hotdog in 1/4 of an unbaked crescent roll.

Make sure that only one end will stick out when it is finished baking.

Skim off the top of the hot dog to make it look like a fingernail.

Press pepperoni shaped like a fingernail just under the edge of the dough
where the top of the hotdog was skimmed off.

Hope you all enjoy the recipes and tips. May you have a safe and healthy Halloween holiday.