10 Ideas for a More Organic Halloween for You and Your Kids

1. Stock Up On Alternative Healthier Choices For Sweets
Refined sugar wreaks havoc on your immune system and acidifies your body. The less refined the sugar is, the less damage you will do to your body. See our sugar alternative page at www.greenmagazines.com/organic/alternative-sugars.php for some ideas. There are lots of sweets that are made with better sugars than the white refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup most candy manufacturers use.

2. Educate Your Kids
Remind them what it felt like the last time they got sick. Prepare them ahead of time. Prime them to be ready to make better decisions with you.

3. Limit Your Sweets Consumption
Even Agave nectar and raw honey should be limited. Stevia is not a sweetener you need worry about, but any others, even unrefined sugars, should be eaten in moderation.

4. Do a Trade—Negotiate
When they get back from their trick or treating expedition, offer them a trade. Make it a game. Teach them how to negotiate. It can be fun! You may also want to keep healthier alternatives with you while trick-or-treating in case you or your kids get the munchies during your adventure.

5. Cook With Them
Bake healthier choices (organic cookies—stevia, raw honey, or fruit juice sweetened treats).

6. Offer Your Kids Money For Their Hard Earned Candy
You can always bribe them. Hey, it’s better than making them sick! Just make sure they don’t go and buy more candy.

7. Offer Your Kids Toys Instead of Candy
Try squirt guns, games, movies, anything they would rather have than candy. And you can give them toys that will last, as opposed to candy that will be gone quickly.

8. Offer Trick-Or-Treaters Toys Instead of Candy
They get enough candy from everyone else. Try squirt guns, glow bracelets, or jacks. There are a lot of inexpensive small toys you can give away.

9. Make Your Own Costumes
You can make your own costumes out of items you don’t need, and you can do it with your kids and make it fun. Reusing is even better than recycling.

10. If All Else Fails, Set a Time Limit
If healthier sweets are not an option, you can give them a time limit. Let them know they have one day or x-amount of hours to consume as much junk as they want. Throw the rest away.