Reader’s Request: Healthy Halloween!
Halloween is a great time to reminisce about the excitement of being dressed up in costume (and mad because mom made me wear a sweater with my sparkly Little Mermaid outfit because it was cold), swapping details with neighborhood friends on where the “good” houses are, and filling bags to the brim with candy. Around Halloween, I usually like to enjoy some favorite childhood treats, since they’re plentiful – they seem to be provided everywhere I go (break room: candy, basket filled for trick-or-treaters: candy, car wash: candy), but it’s also easy to overindulge when the servings are small, calorie-dense, and some of the ingredients are a little creepy. I’d much rather enjoy a homemade treat than one that came out of a package any day, and here are some my favorite tips for making this Halloween a little bit healthier with homemade versions of classic faves and fun ways to get in extra calorie-burner power.
Homemade Halloween Treats
Some of the ingredients in typical Halloween candy can be a little sketchy. Make your own at home and you’ll be in charge of what goes in there. Bonus: whatever’s left in the mixing bowl 🙂
Brown rice crispy treats
Rice crispy treats are a Halloween fave over here, so yesterday I whipped up a batch of Angela’s Brown Rice Crispy Treats.
This is enough to make a heart swoon:
The texture is just right and they hold together extremely well. I enjoyed two, and froze the rest in packs of two for whenever I’d like a sweet treat.
This tastes a lot like the real thing, plus you get some protein out of the deal 😉
Junior Mints and Peppermint Patties
Dark, rich, creamy and an awesome dose of healthy fat.
Snickers are probably #1 on the freaky additives list, and this recipe uses all *real* ingredients.
Faves you may already have on hand:
-Popcorn! Pop 1/8 C in a paper bag with the top folded over for about 2 minutes. [Listen for the popping to slow and you can count to 2 in between pops- then it’s done] Spray with nonstick spray or olive oil and add chocolate chips and cinnamon for sweet, or nutritional yeast, sea salt, and chili powder for savory.
-Fresh fruit with pumpkin protein fluff
Bonus workout potential
-Take your little siblings out or go with friends that have kiddos to trick-or-treat. Fill up a mug with minty hot chocolate and enjoy the extra little bit of cardio and fresh air.
-Staying home to watch scary movies and pass out candy? Play a little workout game in between trick-or-treaters:
For every pop culture-related trick-or-treater –like little Snookie or Lady Gaga- do 15 burpees
For every trick-or-treater who is too old to be trick-or treating: 15 plie squats
For every comic book character: 30 second plank
For every pet you see in costume: 15 push-ups
For every Disney princess: 15 tricep dips
-Hitting the clubs? Remember to alternate between water and alcoholic beverages, and aim for clear liquor mixed with club soda or diet, as it has lower calories. Or, get an awesome glass or wine or cocktail and savor it slowly. No need to chug 🙂 Please be safe and have a DD in place, or take a cab home <3
Hope you enjoyed these little tips!
See ya later with a Family post <3
xoxo
Gina
What’s your favorite Halloween candy? Anything fun planned for Halloween? We have a squadron party on Saturday, pumpkin carving party on Sunday and taking the little bros trick-or-treating on Monday.
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Yummm! All of these look fantastic, and I can definitely attest to the fact that Ange’s brown rice crispy treats are amazing! I am loving popcorn right now too, and my favourite home-made healthy flavour is Pumpkin Pie Spiced Popcorn Mix (http://wp.me/pSUCS-2Io). It’s addictive!
that sounds fantastic!
I love the workout game! Totally doing that Monday. Lord help me if there’s a ton of Snookies this year! Burpees are my arch nemesis! PS: Love the minty hot chocolate. My BF even takes it to work in the morning in his travel mug instead of his usual coffee with a trillion sugars so thank you!
All the Halloween goodies in one place. YUM! I want to click on every link. Love the workout game. ha ha ha!
Favvorite Halloween candy- anything chocolate nad peanut butter. Those tootise roll nuggets (That look like doodoos) come in a close second. 🙂
I’m teaching my fitness classes at the Y while my husband takes my two year old twins trick-or-treating. 🙂 Good trade, huh? Please tell me you’re doing something funny with the pregnant tummy as a costume!
of course i am! 🙂
My favorite Halloween candy is chocolate and caramel covered apples! So good!
And Josh and I are going to a Halloween party hosted by a bed and breakfast with some friends. We’re going as Mickey and Minnie Mouse! What are you and the Pilot going as?
we have it narrowed down to a few ideas, but haven’t decided for sure yet
It’s crazy how all year I can not even give candy bars a sideways glance, but once they come out in those bite size packages (and are everywhere you look) they’re impossible to resist! I’m definitely going to be trying some of these options. Those peppermint patties look amazing!
i’m the same way! it’s something about halloween 😉
Oh my gosh, all those healthy treats look absolutely delicious! Those peanut butter cups and brown rice crispies make me soooo hungry for something sweet 🙂 Mmmm…way way better than funky, weird-ingredient chocolate bars…YUM! <3 Happy almost-Halloween! xyx
All of these recipes look great! I’m planning on making my own peanut butter cups later this week! I’m actually really excited for this weekend–I’m doing my first bar crawl! And seeng that I am a complete lightweight, I will probably want to go home after two bars. lol
That all looks fab, but push ups with trick or treaters would look a bit odd on the streets of brooklyn, although we do have a guy who wears a cat on his head, so maybe not THAT weird.
haha i meant if you’re at home passing out candy, in between trick-or-treaters. but if anyone wants to do it while out and about, please take a pic 🙂
My favorite candies growing up were junior mints and peppermint patties. I can’t wait to check out the link to those recipes!
Thanks for giving us some alternatives to the highly processed (and kinda scary) traditional Halloween candy!
Based on what I’ve seen in recent years and what I’m hearing on the streets (costume-wise), I’ll be doing bunches of burpees and push ups!
Now I’m hungry for candy!
Loving these treats, especially the caramel apples!
Haha! I could see Anthony looking at me like a crazy if I did workout moves while handing out candy ; )
I actually will get exercise on halloween, going to take Anthony around, so that will be a nice 2 hour walk!
p.s . I was watching Regis and Kelly this morning, and she said she went to take her kids trick or treating in North Carolina last year, and people at houses would offer a wine to the parents, like all of the houses were giving wine, haha!
Love these tips! Thanks, Gina!
You have me drooling! I found the dark chocolate almond milk after I saw it on here, need to try the minty version you make 🙂
HA! I love the Halloween workout. I’m doing it.
Awesome workout idea, plus great recipes! 😀
This made me laugh: For every trick-or-treater who is too old to be trick-or treating: 15 plie squats My friend is 30 and she still goes trick or treating and gets mad when people point out that she’s past the age for trick or treating. Very odd to say the least :/ I think I’ll be making those homemade Snickers this weekend! 😀
Thanks for the Halloween tips! I just recently switched over to vodka + soda from my usual tonic. It took some getting used to, but it’s not so bad now 😀
This was a great post. 🙂 I adore your blog.
thank you! i adore you for reading <3
I made chocolate hazelnut brown rice krispie treats and they were soooo amazing. I’ll have to make krispie treats again, soon!
Honestly? While these are great, healthy snacks, I’d much rather indulge in a couple of pieces of the real stuff…small, miniature sized candy/chocolates. 2 pieces satisfies the REAL urge, and it does absolutely no harm…..everything in moderation!
i totally agree! but i do like homemade versions better if i have time to make them.
Awesome tips!! All those treats look yummy 🙂
Homemade snickers bars? Crazy excited to try those out!
Love the idea of doing exercises in between the trick-or-treaters. Too bad I have class and can’t hand out candy this year. 🙁 Maybe next year.
Mmmm…all of those sound delish! I’m going to have to try that savory popcorn! I try not to reach into my kids trick-or-treat bags. I usually end up throwing half of their candy away while they are sleeping 😉 Sneaky mom.
I love this especially the chocolate-avocado pudding! I will try making those brown rice krispy treats soon 🙂
Holy yum! I will most likely be indulging in these brown rice krispie treats & NOT feeling the least bit guilty. Thank you Gina! ~Evee
excited to try some these healthy and delicious sounding recipes! i love cooking and baking, especially in the fall….
i love healthy eating, i love fitness!!!! healthylivingbringsmiles.wordpress.com
oooo that snickers recipe looks fab! can’t wait to try some of these out for the weekend 🙂 thanks, gina!
So, I’m thinking of buying Sun Warrior for the first time. Do you recommend the original blend or the new Warrior blend? Thanks!
i like them both, but i think i like the original better
I love the look of the homemade Peppermint patties. They are always one of my favorites. My ultimate favorite candy is definitely peanut M&Ms. I would love to see some kids come to your door for candy and see you doing plank:)
Those are all awesome tips, especially the one about having a DD or taking a cab! Safety first. I think My Love and I might join some friends and go see a burlesque show! Should be interesting!
Thank you so much, Gina, for featuring my PB Cups. You are so sweet to do that…thank you 🙂
And I love the idea of homemade Snickers and your peppermint tea and that Butterfinger smoothie…yum!
And your paper bag popcorn trick..when I first read about it years ago on your blog, it changed my life because nearly almost every day for the past few years, I pop a little popcorn in the micro…and always think of you!
I hope you have Happy Halloween and thanks for sharing all your ideas in this post 🙂
Mmmm…I love peppermint tea in the dark choc. almond milk too. Know what else is good? Steep a pumpkin spice tea in it. Might sound gross, but I love it! I bought a pumpkin spice tea from Stash!
What an amazing list of healthy treats! Thank you times a million!
I loooove Jolly Ranchers. All about the green apple…even if it does turn my tongue green. 😉 The boyfriend and I have an awesome party we’re attending on Saturday night. Can not wait!
I have been dying to make Brown Rice Krispie treats but am having a HELL of a time finding brown rice cereals?!
what about whole foods or a health food store?
Halloween dinner will be spiders and slimy worms! It’s actually all-beef hot dogs and homemade pesto over noodles! I learned how to make spiders when I was in Girl Scouts, and I make them every year for Halloween! So silly, but so fun!
Some really great tips here! I love the idea of the Choco-cado Pudding, never tried that before but it sounds delicious. Happy Halloween!
Love all these ideas! I’ve been dying to make my own chocolate PB cups, except with soy nut butter instead of PB so that I don’t kill myself. 😛
The trick or treaters workout game is so clever! We don’t get a whole lot of trick or treaters; I may have to double my reps or something!
All those recipes look delicious!
AAA is doing Tipsy Tow tonight! Free tow home 🙂
I knew as soon as I saw that pb cup that it was Averie’s! haha Love the healthy halloween alternatives. I would also include larabar’s on there, but that’s just me 😉 (plus I just ate one haha). I also made these delicious vegan cupcakes and I’m thinking I didn’t bake enough because really…is 12 EVER enough cupcakes to make in one batch?!
[…] Post Fitnessista Reader’s Request Healthy Halloween. In this post the author Gina links to a lot of her own Halloween-related recipes and even has a […]