Halloween, for some of us, means the start of the two and a half month holiday sugar binge!

For me, my discipline comes to a screeching halt about two weeks before Halloween when I figure I’ll buy a bag of candy to “get ready.” It has to be the “cool” candies… which are one of my favorites. I do the same every year. It’s a pattern I’ve formed. And I can guarantee that it won’t be there when Halloween night rolls around! It’s in my belly instead. I have to try them for the kids, you know!

So on Halloween I run out and buy extra stash. And the leftovers? Where do you think they land? Hint: none can be wasted.

The saddest part of this sugar binge: it continues… until Christmas. And I’m so embarrassed that I can’t control it. And even though my husband never says a word… I can imagine what he’s thinking as he watches the effects it has on me: The mood swings, the weight gain, the feeling of exhaustion, and worst of all, the constant need to the rest! My energy seems to go out the door. This cycle will last until just after New Year’s Eve when I make my promises to give up candy.

I know I’m not alone. Last year, $1.89 billion was spent on Halloween candy. (I only spend about $20, I get!)

While that temporary sugar high may not kill you instantly, it does do serious damage to our hearts and to adult-onset diabetes. As I write this article, I am thinking that I would save money and my health if I simply went to a health spa for 3 weeks! OK OK… not realistic for me either!

So what can I do differently to help myself and what can I do to help those kids so they don’t have to develop the same sugar problem that I have?

I think we should “think beyond the candy wrapper”…and think of ways to celebrate and have fun…but not with candy!

Here are some giveaways that will help you:

1. Go to Oriental Trading and buy some small toys like bubbles, balls, tops, games, balloons, the list goes on. 2. The dollar store often has great little gifts… any kind of toy. 3. Small packets of pre-sealed apples 4. Packets of pretzels 5. Change: pennies or nickels 6. A small packet including one or two balloons and instructions on how to perform an easy balloon experiment… I’ve made this …and it turned out great.

If you have children at home, throwing a party with delicious snacks is a wonderful plan. Have some spooky games planned to get the kids active and moving! Ask them to practice and present a play, learn to tell jokes, recite a poem, tell their favorite story…

However, some parents can get together and “divide and conquer” together. You can browse us to find special, spooky and delicious recipes that other families have created. You can also go to http://getthegoodness.com for some amazing snack recipes that can be customized for almost any holiday.

Halloween no longer has to be the start of the sugar season. It can still be fun and eventful without causing harm.

Remember, if it’s not prepackaged, don’t deliver it. Most likely it will be thrown away… by the parents. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

To your health!!!

Gretchen Jack, CrushSugarCravings.com