Trick or Treat Goodies!

    Trick or Treat Goodies!

    Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

    Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for kids and adults! Halloween is one of my personal favorite times of year. I love all of the fun decorations, costumes and goodies! I wait impatiently at the door for the trick-or-treaters as I hold my bowl of goodies for them.

    Here are some tasty & non-food treat ideas:

    • Better for your treats: whole grain chips, pretzels, dried fruits such as apricots, apples, cranberries and raisins, animal crackers, single serve ready to eat boxes of cereal.
    • Non-food treats: glow-sticks, stickers, play-doh, toothbrushes, miniature magnifying glass, fancy pencil topper erasers, bookmarks and coloring books.
    • Invite your guests to make their own chocolate covered apples and dip in pecan pieces, coconut, or cereal.
    • Bake quick breads such as zucchini and banana bread – add apples, pears or dried fruits for extra sweetness and nutrients.

    Handling candy at home

    • Keep candy in a location only accessible to you. Consider giving away the candy or disposing of it after a few days.
    • Inventory the Halloween treats for forbidden and safe treats; allow a few pieces on Halloween night.
    • Give one piece of candy along with a healthy food such as fresh fruit or at the conclusion of a healthy lunch or dinner.
    • Always brush your teeth after eating candy – perhaps there is a new toothbrush in your Halloween bag!

     

    Jgn Chocoloate Apple Bats

    Chocolate Covered Apple Bats

    Prep: 15 minutes

    Makes: 6 to 8 Bats

    Ingredients:

    • 2 large Honeycrisp Apple
    • 6 ounces chocolate chips (for melting)
    • 4 Oreo Cookies, separated and cream removed
    • 8 Almond Slivers
    • 8 Candy “eye balls”
    • 8 Chocolate Chips
    • 1 red lollipop or other red candy
    • 6 to 8 Wooden Candy Sticks

    Directions:

    1. Slice apples ½ inch thick. Core the apples and remove seeds using a teaspoon. Push the wooden candy stick into the bottom of each apple slice. Place apples on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    2. Place chocolate chips into a glass bowl, microwave in 30 second increments until melted. Place the melted chocolate bowl over another larger bowl with boiling water so that the chocolate will not harden.
    3. Dip each apple slice into the chocolate until covered front and back, use a spoon to help cover the apple and lay flat on lined baking sheet.
    4. Add the candy eyes to each apple. Separate Oreo cookies, remove cream. Cut cookies in half to create “wings”. Place ½ cookie to each side of apple slice.
    5. Melt red lollipop/candy in the microwave, be sure to cover the bowl with paper towel as candy can splatter, note the candy will harden very quickly.
    6. Dip the ends of the almond slivers in the red candy and then place on apple bat to create “teeth”.
    7. Lastly, press in two chocolate chips onto the tops of the apples for “ears.”
    8. Continue until all bats are prepared and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Remove from fridge and enjoy!

    Recipe by: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA