Tips for a Healthy and Happy Halloween for All Ages
By Lisa Barnes
With all of the news about the state of childrens’ health and diets today including the rise in diabetes, childhood obesity, and banning junk food in schools, how can we celebrate a fun, but healthy Halloween for our children? First we need to remember there is a lot more to Halloween than just candy.
The holidays are a particularly tough time to restrict children’s diets, but organic children’s food cookbook author, Lisa Barnes has some creative thoughts on Halloween festivities and treats for those with babies and young children just starting their Halloween traditions. Here are a few ways to celebrate the holiday:
Dress Up – Parents love to dress up babies and toddlers in cute Halloween costumes. Lisa remembers, “My son’s first costume was a pod of peas at three months old. I of course paraded him past the neighbors and took lots of photos to send to relatives”. There are many opportunities to show off that homemade or store bought costume before and beyond Halloween night – parties, parades, mom’s groups, play dates, preschool, and day care.
Host a Party – A Halloween Party is especially good for children who are too little to trick or treat and do not eat candy. However you may have a full house of older children too, as parents will appreciate having some place for their children to celebrate without being worried for their child’s safety trick-or-treating at night. And let’s face it – this holiday is for us parents too! With a little effort and some decorations, a Halloween gathering for any age can be more than simply eating a huge bowl of “what’s on sale” candy.” This is a great way to see friends, show off your little one, share healthy treats, and entertain all ages. “Before my son was born, my husband and I hosted and attended many Halloween dinner parties. Thankfully these parties now include children of all ages” says Barnes. Older children can scare each other with ghost stories, while younger ones can bob for apples.
Visit a Farm – There are many farms with pumpkin patches, hay rides, and petting zoos open to the public in October. Children love to pull wagons full of pumpkins and squashes they’ve carefully chosen. You may also want to pick up an unfamiliar squash or pumpkin variety and find out how to best cook and eat it for your Halloween gathering.
Make Treats – Go beyond the “what’s on sale” jumbo bag of candy and create and serve your own treats for friends and family. Cooking and baking is a fun activity for kids and a good way to insure a tasty and healthy treat. The treats do not need to be complicated or require much time or kitchen expertise. They can be healthy foods made festive by simply dressing them up. A simple bowl of cereal, cranberries and raisins can be decorated with surprise skeleton figures and spider rings hidden in the bowl. Pumpkin carving is always a creative activity with children, but why stop there? Remember to roast the seeds in the oven for a healthy snack. You can even use the carved pumpkin to hold a bowl of soup or stew to “wow” them at the Halloween table.
Here is a recipe for a festive and tasty cookie that all ages can help prepare and enjoy.
Goulish Gingerbread Cookies
Adapted from The Petit Appetit Cookbook
We usually think of gingerbread only for Christmas, but why not Halloween? Your little ones will love to roll and cut these cookies with their favorite scary shaped cutters. After baking you may want to use your favorite icing to add a name and decorate for your Halloween party – these make great personalized favors for children to take home. Or arrange in a scary scene on a chalk board or platter. Boo!
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup organic light brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups organic whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add molasses and continue beating until well mixed. Combine flours, baking soda, spices and salt in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients and the water alternately to the butter mixture. Blend well after each addition. You may need to add a bit more water to bring the dough together. Note: This dough is thick. The quickest and easiest way to combine ingredients is by using a stand or hand held mixer.
Roll out dough on lightly floured wax paper or a silpat mat. Cut gingerbread into favorite shapes with a floured cutter. Place cookie cutter on rolled dough, press down evenly, and lift away dough outside form. Pick up shapes with metal spatula to transfer to baking sheet. Continue to knead dough scraps to roll and cut more cookies.
Bake cookies for 7 – 9 minutes, turning baking sheet 4 minutes through baking. Check doneness by pressing on cookie. If the dough springs back, the cookies are done. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Makes 12 – 15 large (5 inch) or 24 – 28 small (2.5 – 3 inch) gingerbread cookies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Barnes
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-for-a-Healthy-and-Happy-Halloween-for-All-Ages&id=286125
