If you’re like many parents, you want your kids to enjoy Halloween, but you’re uneasy with the emphasis on candy.

Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. Over the last two years, we’ve discovered dozens and dozens of ways to enjoy Halloween without all the focus on loot. In fact, it’s not only possible, it’s becoming a trend! (And, we expect, one that’s here to stay.) Here are our five top ideas for celebrating a green Halloween. For the dozens more great ideas, check out www.GreenHalloween.org.

1. Focus on fun. Generally, when people think about Halloween, the first thing that comes to mind is candy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. How about planning a party with an emphasis on games that goblins of all ages are sure to enjoy. Dunking for apples is a classic—and hilarious to boot. You can also have your guests use non-toxic crayons to paint each other’s faces—with their eyes closed! Instead of trick-or-treating for candy, plan a Halloween scavenger hunt with your neighbors. Doing so at night with flashlights adds to the fun. Shakable flashlights makes the hunt eco-cool. Focusing on fun – rather than stuff is not only healthier and more earth-friendly, it makes for wonderful memories.

2. Choose treats you and your kids can enjoy. No, we’re not suggesting that you hand out candy that both of you can agree on. We’re encouraging you to choose from the many healthy and healthier goodies now on the market (with more being released every day), that are parent and kid approved. And with natural and healthy food and essentials stores popping up around the country like dandelions in the lawn (in a good way), finding treats like honey or agave sticks, fruit leathers, organic chocolate “bites” or all natural gum is a snap.

3. Consider treasures. “Treasures” are non-edible goodies that trick-or-treaters will love. Think they won’t? While we have yet to meet a child who would rather have conventional candy once he or she sees alternatives, we know your experience will speak louder than ours. So, this year, try putting your conventional candy choice in one bowl and in the other, a mix of the types of treasures we suggest such as polished stones, temporary tattoos or seed packets. (Why not check the extensive list at Green Halloween and allow your children be your guide as to what they think will be most popular?) Offer the kids a choice and see what happens.

4. Less is more. When we were kids, receiving one piece of candy at each home was the norm. Today, trick-or-treaters receive handfuls. Not only is this costly for this generation’s health and the health of the planet, giving out supersized quantities is expensive, too. This year, try giving just one of whatever you select. Or, allow the children to choose, “just one special (make a big deal of this part) treat.” You’ll be as amazed as we were to find that when it’s done with fun in mind, reducing actually encourages children’s excitement and gratitude.

5. Give yourself a treat and remember that you don’t have to do it all to make a big difference. New healthy and green steps will be more sustainable if you can find ways to enjoy the process and celebrate your baby steps. So, this year, consider starting where you are and with whatever choice or choices inspire your family most. Whether you make your own face paints, hold a party in a retirement home or carve (and eat) locally grown pumpkins, it’s really all about the “spirit” of going green. Celebrate what works for you!

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and the authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Celebrations, Holidays and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET. Pictures provided by ©2008 Holli Dunn.

KIWI Magazine and Florida Crystals have launched The Next Great Young Chef Contest inviting kids ages 4 - 17 to show off their cooking skills. A panel of prestigious judges will help to pick the next generation of culinary experts. Two talented winners will appear on KiwiTV webcasts and in a special feature article in KIWI Magazine and win over $12,500 in prizes.

See press release here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1508234.htm

Click Here >> Enter the kids cooking contest

Beyond the Ingredient Label: What’s Really in Your Pet’s Food?

Spending time preparing healthy and natural food for your family is an important concern of many busy mothers. You want your family to eat a balanced diet that not only provides the nutrition needed to live a healthy lifestyle but also enough energy to get through soccer practice and dance classes. When it comes to the four-legged family members, food selection should be just as important—our pets also depend on us for their well-being.

Many pet food companies use ingredients that, while deemed unfit for human consumption, are allowed as ingredients in pet food by the FDA and AAFCO. So, what protein ingredients should you avoid?

Meat byproducts and meat meals are carcass parts such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, bones, heads, and intestines. The animals raised for use in these ingredients are given antibiotics and hormones (which then end up in your pet’s food), and often live on factory farms that are damaging to the environment. The ingredients can contain protein from 4D animals, which is a USDA/FDA term used to describe meat that comes from animals that were dead, dying, diseased or disabled prior to being processed.

Just as important as what not to look for, you should know what ingredients should be in your furry friend’s dinner. The first ingredient on the label should be a pure protein source, such as chicken, duck or salmon. There are many high quality pet foods in natural food stores that use natural and organic protein sources, so the animals are raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones.

Feeding your pets high quality food will not only pay off with fewer vet bills, but you can also be rewarded with a longer and healthier life with your pet full of kisses, snuggling and tail wagging!

Beth Swanson

Be allergy-aware this Halloween with these helpful tips from Enjoy Life (www.enjoylifefoods.com).

1. Be proactive.  If you know of children with food allergies, ask the parents what types of candies are safe.  They will be thrilled to know you care.

2. Keep a stash of “safe candy” or fun trinkets (i.e. bubbles, silly putty, tattoos, stickers, spider rings, bracelets).  Up to six percent of children have food allergies, so you’re sure to have several grateful goblins at your door.

3. Be discreet. If you know the child has food allergies, don’t ask “Oh, you’re the one with the peanut allergy, right?”  These kids just want to fit in with everyone else.

4. Everyone loves ingredient labels.  Give out candy with clear ingredient labels so parents and children can decide which candies are safe.

5. Don’t drop candy into his bag.  Let the child select a piece of candy.  He may know which candies are safe and which aren’t.

6. Listen to the child.  If she says, “No thank you” it may be because there are no safe options.  No need to make a fuss, but don’t try to get her to take a candy that may not be safe for her.

7. Parents know best.  Don’t assume that peanut allergy is the only allergy.  There are many types of food allergies so it’s important to let parents decide what type of candy is safe for their child.

8. Think of your guests.  If you’re entertaining around Halloween, be careful with candy dishes and your children’s stashes of candy.  Young children with food allergies may be easily tempted by “unsafe” candy if left unattended.