You’re probably thinking I’m a downright nutter for starting a Halloween topic now.
I’m hoping that you’ll see the nougatty chewy section that is my reasoning as I begin, however, and won’t toss mental candy apples in my direction.
We’re going to start with this adage that I’ve altered somewhat due to language issues.
PPPPPP
Proper Planning Prevents Piddly and Poor Performance.
Planning ahead circumvents and prevents a lot of problems. You can anticipate problems you’ve had in the past, and start NOW to change those mental hangups and sabotaging efforts that tend to start to ruin your way of eating in the fall.
Start visualizing your successes and game plans to get through those holidays NOW!
It all starts here for a lot of us, folks!
That said, let’s talk strategies NOW for getting through Halloween, so as to prevent poor performance.
1) Take the kids and go do something fun instead of centering the holiday around candy. Holidays are about people and not food. So taking the kids (in costume if they wish) bowling or playing laser tag is not only healthy, but it’s also a fun memory they’ll remember, even long after the candy is gone.
2) Buy the kids’ candy from them. Offer $.50 for the candy bars and $.25 for everything else. Then toss the candy out or donate it to the food bank.
3) Give out slim jims for Halloween instead of candy. It’s slightly healthier. You could also substitute with fruit snacks, peanuts, or other healthier options.
4) Give out toys or other non-edible items. Keeping the temptation out of the house is a great way to start fighting the temptation! We’ve been creating a major stir in the neighborhood with small packs of Play Dough. Target is selling them this year. Even the teenagers love them.
5) Buy candy only on the day of Halloween. If you really want to give out the candy, buy it the day of Halloween. This way the family won’t eat it before that date.
6) Buy candy no one likes in your family. This way after Halloween, no one is tempted to eat it.
7) When the kids bring their candy home, bag it up into small baggies, each with a date on it. Let them have a bag per day (or every so often). Mini-bagging keeps you out of the open bag they brought home and it also keeps you accountable, because you’re tying those bags shut. Would you really take candy from your children?
8) Buy each child their own bag of candy or a comparable toy instead of trick or treating, and spend the evening playing cards instead. If they like Snickers, buy them a bag of Snickers in lieu of going out for gobs and gobs of candy no one even likes. It can even be a small bag, or just a King-Sized candy bar. Take the onus off of the gathering of a huge stash of candy and instead have fun.
9) Take the Trick-Or-Treating time to talk with kids and enjoy the night air. Find leaves. What phase is the moon in?
10) Have a bonfire for Halloween. Tell scary stories and spend the evening together, huddled under blankets, being thankful for togetherness. (Make sure there are no flammable Halloween costumes near the fire).
If you have any other ideas for getting through this holiday, please share them! Education and planning NOW is the key! Be ready!
Leave a Reply