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How To Handle the Halloween Stash
Many have a "love-hate" relationship with Halloween. They love that there is opportunity to enjoy bite-size chocolates and candies and they hate it for the same reason. I always embrace Halloween and all that comes with it. I buy a bag of the itty-bitty candy bars (the ones that are a perfect mini square) for Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, 3 Musketeers...and keep it in the refrigerator. Each family member might grab a few of these on certain days and that seems to help us all enjoy the season in a relaxed way (without feelings of obsession or deprivation).
Now that "bag" that you put in the refrigerator is different for everyone. What is it that you most desire during the Halloween season?
And what about the two bags or so that you need to have on hand to give out to trick-or-treaters?
How to Handle the Halloween Stash Pre-Halloween
I always look for an alternative to giving out the candy bars like Snickers and Kit Kats because plenty of my neighbors usually have that covered. I try to find the coolest "healthful" alternatives, although that's always up for discussion. In years past it's been individual packages of nuts or trail mix, gum, mini granola bars, mini boxes of breakfast cereal, etc. If all else fails, quarters are always popular. Remember to have some age appropriate treats or prizes for the littler ones who might swallow quarters and who can't chew gum or eat nuts yet.
How to Handle the Halloween Stash Post-Halloween
Here are some tips to use up that excess Halloween candy:
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Now that "bag" that you put in the refrigerator is different for everyone. What is it that you most desire during the Halloween season?
And what about the two bags or so that you need to have on hand to give out to trick-or-treaters?
Photo Credit: Elaine Magee
I always look for an alternative to giving out the candy bars like Snickers and Kit Kats because plenty of my neighbors usually have that covered. I try to find the coolest "healthful" alternatives, although that's always up for discussion. In years past it's been individual packages of nuts or trail mix, gum, mini granola bars, mini boxes of breakfast cereal, etc. If all else fails, quarters are always popular. Remember to have some age appropriate treats or prizes for the littler ones who might swallow quarters and who can't chew gum or eat nuts yet.
How to Handle the Halloween Stash Post-Halloween
Here are some tips to use up that excess Halloween candy:
- Make a batch of whole wheat buttermilk pancakes and decorate the top of the pancakes while in the pan with M&Ms or chocolate chunks from chocolate bars
- Make a batch of whole-wheat cookies or brownies and stir in bits and pieces of various candy bars.
- Send non-chocolate candy to soldiers with the US military in the middle east through www.soldiersangels.org.
- Use some of the candy bits in a homemade batch of trail mix (blend nuts and dried fruit with M & Ms and other types of candy.) Fill snack size bags with some of the "Halloween" trail mix for convenient snacks for school or after school.
Related Topics:
- Healthy Cooking with Elaine Magee, RD
- Healthy Cooking Newsletter - recipes, kitchen and shopping advice in your inbox
Labels: candy, Halloween, healthy diet
4 Comments:
A word of advice that works for me is to hand out handfuls of candy to the kids instead of giving one piece, at the end of the night so that you're not stuck with a bunch of tempting candy.
I won't even buy any candy until the DAY OF Halloween. That leaves much less time to be tempted, and much less time to nibble!
I take the leftovers directly to the food bank barrel the very next morning, prepare a bag the night before so it is unmistakable (sometimes decorate it). I also add a few healthful items and doubly help those in need...there are so many now! The food bank especially appreciates little candies to add to baskets-meals at holiday time.
Thanks for mentioning Soldier's Angels. It's a great organization and there are HUNDREDS of soldiers waiting for letters from home. I hope people will open their hearts this season, and every season, and help the soldiers' morale.
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