Growing up in the States, I considered Halloween to be one of the most exciting festivals in the year. After all, it included dressing up, going out into the dark night and seeing lots of my school friends in costumes and acquiring lots of candy. Now that this has been adopted by some in the UK, here are some suggestions to keeping sugar to a minimum for your children.
You could offer the trick or treaters who arrive at your door a few pennies instead of sweets. Just round up your loose change, bundle together a few pence for each child and see the delight on the children's (and their parents') faces.
If you want to be more traditional, rather than offering sugary sweets, why not opt for chocolate. The best would be dark chocolate or 100% milk chocolate. The more natural the ingredients, the better.
Over the half term week you and your children could make Halloween treats and then you would know what the ingredients are (with the cooks carefully washing their hands first!) Children enjoy cooking, and this could help them become interested in making their own healthy creations.
Here's a recipe you could try to make with your children:
Halloween Fruit Sweets Ingredients
• 2/3 cup of fresh strawberries or blueberries (or both)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/3 cup of unflavored gelatin (I use Great Lakes Gelatin)
• 1-2 tbsp of raw honey or maple syrup (optional, omit for less sweetness)
Directions
Put the fresh berries in a blender and add the water until it is of a runny consistency. Pour the berry mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat and slowly add the gelatin. Stir until all the gelatin is dissolved. Pour the mixture into a small heatproof dish. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters etc.
Children love these easy yummy sweets, and they contain natural ingredients.
If you'd like some great Halloween treat ideas try sweet cheeks. Click here for more information.
