When you are going through your child's candy bag tonight looking for the open packages, homemade foods, and razor blades in apples, I suggest also screening for unhealthy ingredients. Look for and toss out candies that contain hydrogenated oils and trans fat! Unfortunately, many popular candies contain trans fats. Here's a short list: Skittles Tootsie Rolls Three Read more

My house is a flutter with Halloween only a day a way! We had a costume check (just need to find a tail for my little kitty), and we rehearsed saying "Trick or Treat." Since the big day is tomorrow, I feel I know I can handle the temptation of having little bits of chocolate in my house. It is just one night. When I told my four year old I wanted to hand out tattoos, she told me that we needed Read more

"What are you going to be for Halloween?" I think my girls have been asked this question at least five times daily for the last two weeks. This question troubles me for two reasons. First, both my daughters answer the question differently each time they are asked – how is a mom supposed to plan? Secondly, I want to ask the inquisitor what they are handing out for Halloween. I always hope it Read more

I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love going pumpkin picking, making jack-o-lanterns, roasting pumpkin seeds, and creating costumes. Oh, who am I kidding? I also love the candy, the bags of tiny bite-sized servings are my weakness. To keep my candy intake in check, I buy my candy a few days before Halloween and buy the candy I don't like. How bad are these tasty little morsels, Read more

Every Halloween of my youth, we handed out the same candy: Smarties and Starbursts. While I have a huge affection for these two types of sweet treats, my mother can't stand them. They created no temptation for her what-so-ever, unlike say her favorite Snickers bar. So follow this age old advice: Hand out candy you don't like. Don't bring the temptations into your home where they can taunt Read more

I did it. I couldn't resist. The bags of candy were two for $5.00, so I thought I'd stock up for Halloween early, you know, for the trick-or-treaters. Bad mistake. I've already opened one bag just to have one taste after dinner, and now they're in the pantry calling my name after every meal. It is a slippery slope. Seriously ladies, do yourselves a huge favor. I know there are tons of bags Read more