Happy Halloween, everyone!

This year when the kids ring your doorbell and sing “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat,” wouldn’t it be nice to give them something “good for them” to eat for a change? You know, instead of handing them junk food that has no nutritional value and can damage their health in the long run.

Halloween is a day where kids go door-to-door and receive a bunch of candy that is usually high in calories, saturated fat and sugar. Eating a bunch of these treats can be harmful to our kids’ health. This is an especially large problem with childhood obesity on the rise. Obesity is practically an epidemic among children in the United States. This is a serious issue, because overweight or obese kids will most likely turn out to be overweight or obese adults, putting them at greater risk of many medical conditions. So, you can do your part to combat obesity by giving children healthier treats this Halloween.

What should I give out for Halloween?
Halloween treats do not have to be unhealthy. There are a lot of healthier alternatives that you can give that aren’t as likely to get your house toilet-papered as the toothbrushes the dentist in my neighborhood used to give out. The kids will also probably enjoy them more than I enjoyed the Milk Duds that my neighbor seemed so fond of giving out. Here are 5 suggestions that you can try this year:

1. Raisins: You can give out small boxes of raisins. Not only are raisins tasty, but they are also a good source of dietary fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals.
2. Trail mix: These mixes are usually filled with a variety of nuts and dried fruits and tend to be a healthier alternative that has much less sugar and unhealthy fats than candy bars.
3. Fruit snacks: Kids love fruit snacks and they are much healthier than candy bars. Just make sure to purchase the ones that are made from real fruit and are trans fat free.
4. Lollipops: Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both carry organic lollipops that contain no artificial flavors or colors. They are still made primarily of sugar, but at least they are healthier than a candy bar. They are fat free and have less calories, about 25 per lollipop.
5. Non-candy treats: School supplies and inexpensive toys make great treats. Mechanical pencils, colored pencils, balloons, crayons and party favor style toys are not that expensive. Plus, every kid loves little gifts, especially toys, and will enjoy them for much longer than a couple pieces of candy.

The bottom line:
Kids look forward to Halloween all year long. It is a fun time when they can dress up and walk door-to-door to get free treats. But let’s show kids that treats don’t have to be unhealthy to be fun. Let’s give them treats that are better for their health and make this Halloween a happier, healthier one for kids! They will thank you in the long run. And if you do it right, in the short run as well. Happy Halloween, everyone!

Well, Halloween is here and, as we all know, it’s not just the kids that are tempted by “treats” and “tricked” into eating things that compromise their health. Don’t worry, I’m not advocating you forgo all those Halloween treats. I’m just advocating consumption of those delectable treats in moderation.

The great thing about Halloween is that you can dress up in costume and watch all the scary movies you want without any health concerns.  It’s not all about binging on candy until you feel sick like we all did as kids.

In case you don’t know where to start with a healthy Halloween, I found some health related links that should come in handy to help you out.

Now in honor of Halloween, it’s time to ask that eternal question, “Trick or treat?” Not sure which choice you want to take?  Well there are a couple items in each category, but, unlike those kids on your doorstep that also want you to smell their feet, I’ll be nice and let you know what your choices are. Yep, I’m super nice. No blind choices here at BeingHealthy.tv.

So first here are the Tricks:

1. Gaiam brings us 3 techniques to dissolve stress fast (No yoga required).
2. Care2 teaches us how to make floating pumpkin candles that we can decorate with for the holiday.

And now here are the Treats:

1. Care2 is a double threat bringing us not only a trick, but also a wonderful treat: a healthy pumpkin pie with a pecan crust.
2. In case you have a little one in your life, babyfit.com brings you some healthy treat alternatives for them.

Whether you choose a “Trick” or a “Treat,” you’ll be getting something that is healthy to enjoy this Halloween.  So, enjoy whatever you choose.  The tips are on the house, but after you decide, please leave a comment telling us what you chose or suggest another trick or treat of your own. Have a Happy, Healthy Halloween, everyone!

It’s that time of the year again. The holidays are starting, Halloween is just around the corner and our healthy diets are at risk of being sabotaged. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. We can emerge unscathed from this holiday season with a little thought and preparation beforehand.

When we were kids, we were afraid of witches, ghosts and goblins on this night. Now we’re afraid of the bags of chocolates, candies and gum. We are afraid of succumbing to the temptation of the candy. I remember when I was a kid, I used to have to work to get that candy. I went to house after house after house. I covered some serious ground. Now, I only have to hit the closest store to stock up on bags of the stuff. It’s so much easier now.

It’s true that some of us love getting our sugar fix at this time of year.  The rest of us want to avoid the candy, but often succumb to the temptation of the bags of candy waiting for trick or treaters.

How can we forgo the temptation?
Unfortunately, giving in to temptation is all too easy. I know that if we don’t watch ourselves, we’ll eat all the candy, restock, and eat all the candy again before the first trick or treater can even ask us to smell their feet and give them something good to eat. To avoid that, I’ve come up with a four step solution. Here it is for all of you.

1. Buy candy later: Do not buy the candy for the trick or treaters until a few days before Halloween. That cuts down on the time you have to eat the candy.
2. Buy candy you don’t like: Make sure to pick candy that you don’t like. That way, you are much less tempted to eat the forbidden candy.
3. Hide the candy: Put the candy in an inconvenient place to access. Hopefully, hard to get to candy that you don’t really like, won’t be as much of a temptation.
4. Give the candy away: Give away all the candy, even if that means giving one of the late arriving trick or treaters a pound of candy. At that point, the candy becomes their problem and not yours.

The important thing to remember is that Halloween is fun because of the costumes, the movies and the parties, not the candy. The candy is for the kids. Let’s emerge from the fire of the trial of the first of the end of year holidays with our health and physiques unscathed.

The cool, crisp air outside is a sign that fall has arrived and summer has gone. The trees all know it, their leaves already turning from green to the vibrant red, yellow and brown that we all love to see every year. That means that Halloween is just around the corner. Pretty soon it will be time to buy a pumpkin or two from your local store or pumpkin patch.

Then you’ll be carving Jack O’Lanterns or maybe making a pie. Either way, don’t forget to keep those seeds. It would be a shame to throw away such a wonderful, nutritious food.

What are the nutritional benefits?
Pumpkin seeds, sometimes called pepitas, are a very healthy snack, bursting with nutritional benefits.

• Protein and unsaturated fats: Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Minerals: They are a good source of essential minerals, such as, iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium and potassium.

• Vitamins: The seeds contain folate and vitamins A, B, C, and D as well as being considered a good source of vitamin K.

Although pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein, essential fatty acids and are rich in many important vitamins and minerals, they also contain 180 calories per ¼ cup (60 ml) serving. Like all nuts and seeds, please eat them in moderation. Eating too many of them can, after all, make you gain weight.

What are the health benefits?
Pumpkin seeds are considered one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Here is why:

• Promotes prostate health: Research shows that eating pumpkin seeds might help prevent benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

• Prevents osteoporosis: There is a strong correlation between diets low in zinc and the development of osteoporosis. Pumpkin seeds are a zinc-rich food that can help prevent osteoporosis.

• Is an anti-inflammatory: Animal studies show that pumpkin seeds are effective in reducing arthritic inflammation.

• Lowers cholesterol: Pumpkin seeds are rich in phytosterols, a compound found in plants, which helps decrease the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

• Helps against depression: Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, which has been shown to be effective in fighting depression.

• Can help prevent cancer: A diet rich in phytosterols has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancers.

Where can I find pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are easy to find.

• Find them at your local store: You can buy them at your local store usually in a pre-packaged bag or you can find them in the bulk section. Sometimes, they’re labeled as pepitas, so don’t be fooled!

• Make them yourself: You can also make them yourself when you have a pumpkin lying around. Here is a recipe from allrecipes.com that is easy and fun to do!

Make sure to keep your pumpkin seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent them from oxidizing and losing some of their health benefits.

What dishes complement pumpkin seeds?
Roasted pumpkin seeds have a nutty, sweet flavor with a chewy texture that goes well in many dishes. Of course, they are also tasty on their own. Try them in some of these dishes:

• Salads: Sprinkle some on top of your salads to add a hint of nutty flavor.

• Cookies: Add them to your oatmeal-raisin cookies for a tasty, little nutritional boost.

• Sautéed vegetables: Cook them with any of your favorite vegetables, like kale or swiss chard, to increase the nutritional benefit.

• Granola: Add them to your granola recipe. They are always a tasty addition.

• Rice: Some people mix them into their rice to add a little extra flavor.

• Stir-Fry: Pumpkin seeds are a favorite in stir-fry dishes. Sprinkle some in next time.

So, this Halloween please don’t throw away your delicious, healthy pumpkin seeds. Instead, eat them on their own or place them in your favorite dish. Your body, and taste buds, will thank you for it!