MSPI: Safe Halloween Treats for Children

I am the Mother of a MSPI child just under 14 months of age. We recently retested my son's food allergies to find he was unfortunately still bound by their restrictions. In order for him, and other children like him to thrive, it is imperative that their dietary limitations are considered. Many other Moms like me, began their journey into this dietary limbo as breastfeeding mothers who took on the MSPI-free diet for their child's sake. We have firsthand knowledge of its challenges and benefits. Ultimately, it's a healthier lifestyle although one, in which we must get creative to enjoy at times.

This Halloween, take a few moments to plan some treats that will satisfy any MSPI child's sweet tooth. There are great alternatives to packaged candy if you're willing to spend a little time in your own kitchen.

For starters, try spending some time decorating your front door and working on craft projects together in celebration of the holiday. You could consider giving out alternatives to candy such as plastic, spider rings, temporary tattoos, and wax fangs. These giveaways are easily found at most dollar stores and make it fun for you and your child to decide on each year.

Great seasonal treats for classroom and slumber parties are homemade, candy apples. These are pretty simple to make from scratch and taste yummy with no missing feeling from the naturally lacking milk and soy ingredients.

For a batch of 8 candy apples you will need:

8 apples
8 wooden skewers
2 cups of granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
½ cup hot water
½ cup Red Hots candies

Begin by prepping a baking sheet with an aluminum foil liner, then spraying with a nonstick cooking spray. Wash and dry your apples carefully, making certain to remove the stems. Place skewers firmly in the stem ends of the apples. Combine the water, corn syrup, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then continue to cook, without stirring until the mix reaches 250 degrees. (Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush periodically to prevent crystallization.)

Once the candy reaches 250 degrees, add the Red Hots candies and stir to incorporate. Continue to cook, washing down the sides, until it reaches 285 degrees. Remove from heat and stir until the mixture is smooth and even. Hold an apple by the skewer and dip it in the candy, tilting the pan at an angle and rotating the apple to cover it completely. Pull it out of the candy mixture while twirling to eliminate excess, than sit it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all remaining apples. Allow the apples to cool slowly at room temperature.

Another great Halloween treat for MSPI children is popcorn balls. Try this simple recipe for cheers from your little ones.

10 Sweet, crunchy balls of popcorn:

1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons Fleischmann's unsalted margarine
1 teaspoon cold water
1 1/4 cups and 1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup marshmallows
10 cups plain popped popcorn

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, margarine, cold water, confectioner's sugar and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel well. Grease hands with vegetable shortening and quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before cooling. Wrap finished balls with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

There are many great resources on the web for MSPI information and recipes. Please take a few moments to visit mspimama.blogspot.com and mpsikids.info, or kidswithfoodallergies.org to find great resources for living with children possessing this challenging allergy. Besides, anyone can still have an awesome Halloween without milk and dairy products. Visit a haunted house or take a hayride after searching for the perfect pumpkin to create your glowing jack-o-lantern for Halloween night. Spend time reading chilling and spooky tales or roasting marshmallows over nighttime bonfires - It's all in what you make of it and the time spent together is more important than the foods we eat any day of the year.