By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA
Halloween might just be my favorite holidays! All of the excitement surrounding costumes, decorations and chocolate goodies is so much fun. Now that I have my own children I get to share in the spirt if of this fun holiday in some different ways, it’s a great time to talk about better for you treats and how to handle treats at home.
Non-food treats: Create a safe environment by handing out glow-sticks, stickers, toothbrushes, fancy pencil toppers, bookmarks and coloring books.
Handling candy at home
- Keep candy in a location only accessible to you. Consider giving away the candy or disposing of it after a few days.
- Inventory the Halloween treats for forbidden and safe treats; allow a few pieces on Halloween night.
- Give one piece of candy along with a healthy food such as fresh fruit or at the conclusion of a healthy lunch or dinner.
- Always brush your teeth after eating candy – perhaps there is a new toothbrush in your Halloween bag!
Now let’s get to the fun! These toothsome treats are a fun and healthy break from Halloween sweets.
Green Goblin Apples
Makes: 4 Apple Goblins
Ingredients:
- 1 Granny Smith apple,
- 1 Strawberry, sliced
- 2 Tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp Sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
- 6 to 8 Candy eyes*
Directions:
- Slice apple into quarters and core the apple, cut a wedge on the skin side using a paring knife and remove wedge.
- Spread peanut butter on the inside of each wedge and then press sunflower seeds or slivered almonds into top portion of apple for “teeth”.
- Place one sliced strawberry inside mouth for the “tongue”
- Apply a tab of peanut butter to the back of candy eyes and press into top of apple.
TIP: If you’re not serving apples right away baste with apple with lemon or orange juice to prevent browning.
*If you’re unable to find candy eyes, simply use chocolate chips instead.
Recipe/photo by: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN