Halloween is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing: Free candy from strangers. One day a year we send our children out into the lone and dreary cold to knock on peoples doors and beg for candy. Truthfully, I have to tell you that it is quite literally my all time favorite holiday. The costumes, the festive atmosphere and playing with friends brings out my inner ten-year old. I love Halloween and Trick-or-Treating.
However, my forty year old body does not love this time of year. I start battling those unwanted pounds staring me in the face in the form of a luscious Snickers bar, and those snicker bars? I swear they are calling my name, mocking me, daring me to eat just one. They know I can’t eat just one.
Stupid candy.
This year however, I have vowed to have a healthier Halloween by following these 5 easy Steps:
1. Buy Halloween Candy the day before Halloween. This keeps you from snacking the entire month and keeps your candy bill down as well. It’s super tempting to stock up on candy on September 30 for Halloween, but only one thing happens when you do that— You eat it and then buy more.
2. Buy the “yucky” Halloween Candy. You know the kind I’m talking about, right? The tooth breakers, no flavor chocolate and bit-o-honey’s (no offense if you like that stuff). Buy the candy that you know you won’t eat–even if it was the last candy to be found on earth.
3. Before Trick-or-Treating, serve your family a healthy, hot meal. This eliminates (or at least reduces) the snacking-from-the-bag-along-the-route temptation for you AND for them. Need ideas? There’s a delicious recipe below. You’re welcome.
4. Allow everyone a free-for-all AT THE KITCHEN TABLE without other distractions– like the television. This allows everyone to eat their candy but prevents the mindless eating that occurs when we watch TV. You can eat as much as you like– at the table.
5. Set a Date for the candy to be gone and then take the leftovers to your work, the local Homeless Shelter or Women’s Shelter. Share the candy wealth, so to speak. Just because you have buckets a free candy does not mean you should actually EAT all of said candy.
Follow those simple instructions and you are (almost) guaranteed a Healthy Halloween!
Pendernalli’s River Boat Chili
1tsp vegetable oil
1tsp minced garlic
1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ Cup)
2 lbs ground beef
3Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
2 cans of 16 oz diced tomatoes, do not drain
2 cans beans – do not drain
Cook beef with the onion, garlic and oil. Add to crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
