Trick or Treat this Halloween?

Decisions, decisions: should we hand out raisins, pennies, or pencils this Halloween? Answer: choose any of these and my 12-year-old self will be standing in line, adrenaline pumping, at Walmart with dozens of toilet paper rolls destined for your home.


Of course, eating candy all day everyday will lead to rotten teeth, insulin abnormalities, and a mean tummy ache. I trust your body will not want you to eat candy with this much frequency...unless you come from a home that handed out raisins and you weren't allowed to enjoy Halloween candy. (Even then, there's a way to work through this.)


Fellow dietitian Maryann Jacobson wisely describes this rationale here. Even more, she explains how to help your kids have a healthy relationship with Halloween candy. With her described strategy, they can enjoy it and be healthy.

Pumpkin Seeds

Dillon Family pumpkins. Guess which is mine!

My family carved out big appetites yesterday which had me experimenting with the leftover pumpkin seeds. 

I drizzled olive oil then added kosher salt, creole seasoning, and garlic powder. Popped them in the oven for about an hour at 300 degrees (I was sure to rustle them around a few times while roasting).

My roasted pumpkin seeds. Left a little of the orange goo since it gives them more flavor!

Fresh out of the oven, a nourishing way to get iron, Vitamin E, protein and many other nutrients. 

Num, num, num!


Have a favorite pumpkin seed concoction? Please share in comments!