Healthy Halloween Treats
One of my favorite things about Halloween weekend is lurking Facebook for all of the costume and party pics. Some of my favorite costumes were from friends that live far away (like my college-days downstairs apartment neighbor who was Honey Boo Boo). With Liv, our weekend was pretty low key (even though we had a lot of fun at the zoo event), but even pre-parenting days, our Halloweens were still pretty relaxed. I’ve mentioned this before, but the Pilot is usually deployed over Halloween, so I’d spend it drinking wine around a bonfire with friends, or watching movies and passing out candy at home. Things are much more fun this year since the Pilot (and Oliv!) are here.
I’m pretty sure the last time I actually dressed up for Halloween, I was a “sexy devil” (inventive, right?) but even though I haven’t been huge into dressing up lately, I’m ALWAYS into Halloween candy.
The little treat-sized packs are perfect portion control, and I don’t even mess around with the fruity treats: it’s all-chocolate over here 😉
The little M&M packs remind me of a totally random, yet kinda funny story:
When the Pilot and I were unpacking in our first apartment (some pics are here!), I found a huge pair of ski goggles in one of the drawers, along with a treat pack of M&Ms. I put on the goggles, ate the M&Ms and put the wrapper in the pocket of my hoodie. Of course, I had to show the Pilot how awesome the ski goggles were, and he laughed and gave me a kiss. Then he said,”Wait a second, those goggles smell like chocolate!” I said,”Oh, that’s weird!” and went back to unpacking.
He wouldn’t.give.up.
“Come here, I want to see those goggles! I can’t believe they smell like chocolate.”
He seriously thought I was wearing chocolate-scented goggles and couldn’t figure out how that happened. Since I knew I’d never hear the end of it, I threw the M&M wrapper at him and ran away.
Anyway,
back to Halloween candy.
I’m a huge believer in moderation when it comes to these little things. I’ll have 1 or 2 each day leading up to Halloween, then after that, I’m done with them until pie time (aka Thanksgiving).
In addition to having small amounts of the real stuff, I also think that at-home healthy versions of popular Halloween treats are a fun way to go. You can control what goes into them (no trans fat, artificial ingredients or preservatives), and I find the homemade versions even more satisfying than the packaged stuff. You can taste the love that goes into making the homemade stuff.
So here’s a roundup of some delicious, homemade Halloween treat ideas:
These delectable pumpkin treats
Here are some more of my favorite tips to make it a healthy Halloween.
Bonus points: bust out the HallowLEAN hill workout the morning before going out to party. Enjoy an off day the next day to recover… from the workout and previous night’s shenanigans. Word to the wise: if you’re feeling a little sluggish from the festivities, coconut water will do the trick.
Here’s to a healthy, happy and safe HalloLEAN week!
xoxo
Gina
Do you love Halloween candy? Are you making any fun healthy treats this week?
Sending lots of love to my east coast friends! Stay safe <3
*After 3 years, I decided to finally update the About page 😉
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Love the updated profile page. It’s precious! Thanks for your daily positivity and fitness/health advice !
Love all the homemade treats and love your thoughts on moderation when it comes to the treats! I think a couple a day leading up to Halloween is a great way to avoid the overindulgence come Halloween when you are “allowed” to have them! You probably end up eating less of them in the long run and avoid the major sugar rush on Halloween!
I did make some pumpkin chocolate chip, raisin cookies this weekend ; ) I have a bad habit of eating my children’t Halloween treats after they go to bed, lol. But, my worst is buying up the 50% off bags at Target the next day!! Take 5!! My favorite. Our Halloween will consist of early morning work, then off to the school to see all the kids in their costumes and help out with the class parties. In the afternoon we go to out town’s downtown trick or treating, then off to a neighborhood across town that does not mess around! The houses are amazing! They even have characters walk around and interact with people. Lastly, we head home, let the the boys do our neighborhood and pass out candy to the rest of the trick or treaters!! So much fun!!!!
I’ve never not dressed up, but I am so clueless this year?
I really love your views on moderation! I feel exactly the same way. I’ll definitely be indulging in laaaarge amounts of Reese’s and dark chocolate Milky Ways in the upcoming weeks 🙂 Can’t wait to try some of those healthier versions, too!
All of those Halloween treats look so yummy!
Ohh thank you for all of these healthy treat ideas, they look fabulous!! I’m especially into making them this year since I’m now celiac and have to be extra careful about what I eat!
I wish there was an even stronger word for love in the English language. That word would describe my feelings for Halloween candy. I just have to keep reminding myself that candy isn’t just around for Halloween and that I can have it any other time of year. Prevents me from feeling like I need to indulge because it’ll be gone soon.
Between your amazeballs and Angela’s Twix, I don’t need storebought 🙂
Mmm, I love Halloween candy and fall inspired baked goods! I made some gluten free pumpkin muffins this weekend (one of my most successful gluten free baked goods!) and some yummy snack balls.
I’m not a big baker but those recipes look awesome.
I’m with you on the Halloween candy – it should definitely be only the chocolate kind! I haven’t bought any yet – maybe tomorrow. If I buy it too soon I have to re-buy and re-buy and…..
Thanks for always blogging about everything in moderation! I love how real you are that we’re all hungover at times, that we can indulge in a little too much and there’s always going to be situations where we’re tempted by treats. Life is about moderation and you really make it clear here. Thanks!
I loveee funsized candy! Those pumpkin amazeballs sound amazing! Thanks for the good wishes, the East coast is taking a beating right now, it just keeps on raining!
-Big- fan of Halloween candy over here, and I definitely think that enjoying it in moderation is the way to go. I went way too many years saying no to a lot of my favorite treats, and it takes a lot of the fun away from being able to properly enjoy the holidays.
I love Facebook stalking everyone’s halloween costumes too, so you’re definitely not alone. But I gotta say, fruity and sour candies are the way to go 🙂
Definitely love Halloween candy! Reese’s and Almond Joys are two of my favourites, actually!
When I was a kid I would go crazy for a three musketeers, but nowadays that one seems the worse one! I’m all for anything crispy, chocolate and peanut loaded. Twix recipes are popping up all over and I’m stoked to tackle one of them! Thanks for the recipes!
Okay I was just freaking out because I clicked on your post about you and the Pilot’s first home and umm…small world but my fiancé and I are living in the SAME apartments in Fayetteville,NC RIGHT. I almost collapsed at how small our world is…we go on trips to Raleigh every now and again as we’ll…especially for Trader Joes! I would love to know what else you did while you were here! Oh and we are at 4621!
Little things make me smile!
Taylor
Thughes122@gmail.com
Love your outlook on eating Halloween treats! Moderation is definitely way better than restriction. I can’t imagine a Halloween without at least a bit of chocolate!
For Halloween this year I baked some witch’s fingers cookies for a party. And I’m sure there will definitely be some chocolate consumed over the next few days. 😉
Not sure if you have seen this yet but when i saw these I had to share:
http://www.amazon.com/Candy-Corn-Oreos-Limited-Edition/dp/B0096ARSSW
I need to make your pumpkin amazeballs! they look too good!
Halloween just reminds me of being pregnant as my girls BDay is the next day! I joked I would dress up as a pumpkin if I made it to Halloween. I was far too pregnant to do anything but eat too much Halloween Candy!
These are good! Here are some more ideas for you: http://fatlossultra.com/easy-and-healthy-halloween-treats-snacks-and-and-party-food/ They are all easy for making last minute. Feel free to copy anything you want (my favorite is the ghosts)
GREAT recipes! Halloween is one of my all-time favorite holidays, and baking/making candy is a must. I made a Halloween-themed bundt cake.
I loved all of the recipes in that link. Make your own Twix? Mind blown.
We have the candy minis here too – so much fun!
Wait I don’t get it…why were you embarrassed to tell the Pilot you ate a fun-sized pack of M & M’s?
Because I didn’t even aak if he wanted some. I just ate them haha