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Think Outside the Candy Box
Emily Lynne Ion
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Trick or Treating is usually the highlight of Halloween for children. But these days, sugary candy is less of a special treat than it used to be. Children are exposed to all sorts of goodies on a daily basis, perhaps contributing to the skyrocketing rates of childhood obesity and diabetes. And common candy ingredients such as artificial colors and preservatives are known to cause behavioral problems in some children.
Here, the authors of the eco-friendly holiday guide, Celebrate Green!, share some great ways to green Halloween treats. And there’s much more where that came from. Celebrate Green! is packed with creative tips and ideas to make year-round holidays fun and festive, but safe for your family and easy on the planet. If you pick up a copy of the book, the authors will generously donate a part of the proceeds to Healthy Child!
Alternatives to Conventional Candy:
• Individually wrapped organic tea for kids
• Organic food bars or cookies, like Clif Kid Spooky Smores Bar
• Organic fruit and leather sticks, such as Clif Kid Twisted Fruit
• Boxes of organic raisins or dried fruit, such as Bare Fruit Snacks
• 100% raw honey sticks (not for children under 2 years old!)
• Organic dark chocolate made from cacao
Treasures that are not Made of Sugar:
• Lead free charms, jewels, and glass rings
• Coins, US or Foreign
• Crystals or polished rocks
• Yo-yos, jump ropes, or frisbees made from recycled plastic
• Home-made play dough or non-toxic face painting pencils
• Soy or beeswax crayons
• Non-toxic temporary tattoos
• Bean Bags
• Seed packets and individually wrapped organic teas for children
Green Halloween treats and treasures need not be purchased. Handmade items, especially those made from recycled and natural materials, can be easy and inexpensive. In an eco-effort to reduce the amount we buy and eventually dispose of, forego giving handfuls of treats away and just give one or two per child. The average American child hauls home about 10 pounds of candy on Halloween! This is a good holiday to begin a discussion about waste and consumption with your children.
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Posted by wishuponamural on 10/22 at 09:29 AM
Love the website and all the great ideas for Halloween! I don’t like my child eating any candy, and although my son brings home a ton of candy he doesn’t eat it like it’s going out of style. I monitor how much he eats to so that helps, and we always have 1/4 to 1/2 of his stash come next October. I usually let him eat some and it then goes in a bowl on top of the fridge where it’s easily forgotten about! Then slowly I take some out when he’s not around and it goes in the trash. A little sneaky I know, but I’m saving my son’s health and teeth!
We live in a secluded area and don’t get trick-or-treaters, but I plan to make some healthy snacks at home so my son will hopefully choose those over candy.
p.s. love the bag!
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Posted by Leslie on 10/10 at 12:25 AM
I love these new ways of looking at holidays! I hate coming home from Halloween with bags full of treats that I know will end up in the trash! I look forward to seeing our consciousness of conservation change over the next decade and beyond! And kids STILL get to have fun!
This book Celebrate Green looks like a great place for me to start transforming my holidays.