Keith Maddox

These Halloween Treats are actually somewhat healthy! These treats have easy to follow directions so you can make them with your children.

Healthy Halloween is a contradiction in terms, right? After all, no self-respecting ghost would be caught dead with the likes of a wheat-germ cookie or a piece of fresh fruit. Halloween is meant for the spirited ravaging of sugar-laden candy bars.

But if you’re one of those moms who recognize that the kids will be getting plenty of sweets without you contributing to the loot, you may want to hand out some Halloween treats that lean to the healthy side — without compromising the spirit of the holiday. Try some of the following recipes to make homemade treats that kids (and their parents) will be pleased to get.

·  Caramel Honey Apples

·  Take-Along Snack Mix
Divide this up into individual resealable snack bags for distribution.

·  Spice Pretzels
Divide this up into individual resealable snack bags for distribution.

·  Dough Pretzels
Make these with your kids as a fun afternoon activity. Twist into Halloween shapes such as pumpkins and cats.

·  Hermits
A real fall treat: Wrap them individually in Halloween plastic wrap.

·  Spicy Roasted Soybeans
Their salty-spiciness is a welcome contrast to the sweetness of the candy.

·  Spooky Honey Popcorn Balls
A great project for the kids. Wrap in individual wax paper bags.

Once your kids are back from their neighborhood prowl, remember that one of the healthiest ways to deal with the candy that comes home is to manage its consumption. To avoid arguments when the temptation of candy is staring them in the face, set up the rules with the kids first, before they head out the door to trick-or-treat. Some good tricks that seem to help:

·  send them out with tummies full of a warm and healthy dinner so they don’t come home starved or, worse, end up eating candy along the way.

·  Be a sport and allow a little extra on Halloween night.

·  Store candy out of sight, such as in a kitchen cupboard that only you can reach.

·  Limit candy to one a day at an agreed-upon time, such as with a glass of milk as an after-school snack, or for dessert at dinner