I’m loving the idea of the Teal Pumpkin this Halloween geared toward the little ones with allergies to be able to enjoy the festivities without being worried ability their allergies.
But, if you’d like to do a little more, or are having a little party and need some tips; I’d like to share an article from a fellow blogger:
Popular TV contributor Carolina King has green, allergy-free tips for trick-or-treaters and Halloween parties.
“When did Halloween get so complicated? The days of just buying oversized bags of individually wrapped candy are disappearing. Today, there are concerns about everything from food allergies to how Halloween festivities affect our planet. Carolina King is helping take the anxiety out of Halloween for parents. “You can have a healthy and sustainable Halloween without taking any fun away from the holiday,” states King, founder of Mama Instincts and The Mama Instincts Podcast.
For example, the candy industry is starting to do the right thing. “One common candy ingredient that no longer needs to spark concern is palm oil,” she points out. “We can finally enjoy chocolate that is not tied to rainforest destruction. Today, major candy manufacturers including Mars and Nestlé are using only certified sustainable palm oil. Much of that palm oil comes from Malaysia, which is a world leader in progressive environmental policies. The Malaysian palm oil industry is a huge contributor to wildlife conservation.”
King’s ideas for keeping the little goblins and our planet healthier while trick-or-treating
King hears from parents who choose to use Halloween as a time to teach their kids about responsible choices. For those families, she offers the following tips and ideas:
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Conventional, budget-friendly treats: “While candy will probably never be considered healthy, it can be more earth-friendly by choosing brands made with Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil, such as Kit Kats.”
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Organic treats: “GoOrganic Fruit Chews are Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Certified Organic. The chews are made with Fair Trade-Certified sugar, and the bulk candy comes in home-compostable, cellophane bags.”
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Allergy-safe treats: “Dots, Skittles and Starburst are all free of the top 8 allergens. For healthier options, consider these Enjoy Life Seed and Fruit individual packets, or MySuperCookies which are organic and nut-free.
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Low-sugar candies: “Candies made with xylitol help to fight cavities. Tasty, individually wrapped options include Xyloburst Lollipops and Dr. John’s Xylitol Sunkissed Fruit Candy.”
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Novelty Toys: “These are very popular today as parents move away from giving out candy. Kids love such things as
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Glow Stick bracelets and scary Eyeball erasers. You can also get 48 Halloween-themed Slinkys for less than $15.”
Creative, sustainable food ideas for Halloween parties
King says friends and families can have a frighteningly good time with these Halloween treats.
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Do-it-yourself popcorn bar. “Start with freshly popped Malaysian popcorn (recipe below) or try some Tiny but Mighty popcorn which has really cute tiny kernels without the annoying husks that get stuck in your teeth. Set out a seasoning station with different toppings. In keeping with the Halloween theme, include these Surf Sweets Gummy Worms which are USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project verified. They are also free of the 10 most-common allergens.”
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Instead of punch, prepare flavored fruit-infused water enhanced with Regular Girl. “Some kids eat more junk food than usual and are probably not so regular this time of year. Regular Girl is a good source of fiber plus probiotics. This is so easy to make! Press fresh fruit at the bottom of a jar to release the flavor. Top with water. Add one scoop of Regular Girl for every 8 ounces of water. It blends invisibly without changing the taste, aroma or appearance of the water.”
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Make a platter of cheese ghost sticks or ghost bananas. “Use a permanent marker to draw a ghost face on an unpeeled banana or on cheese sticks. This is a fun activity to do with the kiddos and a fun way to turn a healthy snack into a Halloween snack.”
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Serve witch finger carrots sticks. “Turn baby carrots into creepy fingers by using a paring knife to give the carrot a finger shape. Shave one end of the baby carrot to make a fingernail bed and cut some grooves where a knuckle would be. Cut a small triangle piece of red pepper to use as nail. Dip one side of the pepper in honey and place on the carrot. Serve the fingers on a platter and watch your guests’ amazement!”
Hope you got some great ideas from the article!
Have a fun and safe Halloween!!
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