How Much Candy?

Before you dive into that candy bowl or your kid's bag full of candy, think about how much exercise it will take to burn all of that sugar off.  It might make you re-think things. Thanks to Live Better America for this awesome chart that really puts into perspective the effect of treats you eat!  It just might make you think twice before you eat that candy tonight.

How To Survive Halloween

Halloween is coming up this Thursday and we all know what that means...LOTS of candy.  Here are a few tips from Live Better America to help you survive this holiday without undoing all of your hard work!  And as always, remember moderation in everything.

Donate the leftovers.

What to do with all the leftover candy the trick-or-treaters didn’t eat? Consider donating it to a fire station, nursing home or local business that provides treats to customers. Let the kids or grandkids be involved in making the donation.

Have a nutritious meal or snack before the Halloween party.

This tactic will keep you from overloading on sweets, and from nibbling on unnecessary extras. The best strategy for party-going is an obvious one: Don’t arrive hungry.

 

Give away non-candy foods that won’t get your house egged.

If you don't want to contribute to your neighborhood's collective Halloween sugar rush, give away non-candy treats that are still delicious – and will keep your house safe from eggs and toilet paper! Choose single-serving cereal or raisins, or savory treats like popcorn, snack mixes and pretzels.
 

Better yet: Give away non-food treats.

Let’s be real: The neighborhood kids’ baskets will be filled with enough candy. Be the one on the block who gives away non-food items that will make the kids cheer, such as pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos, silly bands, cards and bubbles.

Better yet, go out on the town.

Instead of staying at home to answer the door, put someone else in charge of the candy bowl and get out into the fresh night air for a walk. It's a great chance to add some exercise to your day and check out the neighborhood kids' costumes.
 

Limit other sugar extras.

Just because you’ve dipped into the candy bowl doesn’t give you an excuse to turn to other sweets, too. Get back on track and grab a piece of fruit to munch on instead.

 

Save leftovers (and save some money while you’re at it).

Instead of eating all the leftover candy, save it for making gingerbread houses in December. There’s no need to purchase candy at Christmas when you can repurpose Halloween candy for a later date.

Keep the stash out of reach.

Out of sight, out of mind. When the doorbell stops ringing Halloween night, keep the candy in a stash away from eye level.

Be a role model.

Model healthy habits for the little ones; when they see you controlling your sweet tooth with one or two pieces, they'll learn how to eat candy in moderation, too.

 

 

 

Healthified Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread is my favorite pumpkin recipe. It is so versatile that I can add some chocolate chips to the batter and have a dessert.  Or if I bake it without chocolate chips in it I can toast a thick slice for breakfast and eat it with a little butter on it or if I feel like splurging a nice layer of nutella!  I love a thick slice of it right out of the oven, you just can't beat that.  But pumpkin bread typically has loads of oil or butter and lots of sugar.  This recipe cuts down the fat and sugar and also adds in some whole grains.  You will love it!

Healthified Pumpkin Bread
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 24

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 cup fat-free milk
3/4 cup fat-free egg product
1/2 cup canola oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottoms only of two 9X15 loaf pans. In a large bowl mix flours, soda, powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves until well blended.

In medium bowl mix pumpkin, milk, egg product and canola oil until well blended. Stir into flour mixture just until combined. Spoon batter evenly into pans.

Bake 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan and put on cooling rack, let cool. 

Source: Live Better America

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake With Creamy Ginger Filling

I love once it is October and pumpkin is everywhere.  All I want to do is bake with pumpkin so prepare yourselves for a few pumpkin recipes over the next couple of weeks.  Try them out, they have all been healthified by Live Better America and taste great, you won't even notice they are healthier!

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake w/Creamy Ginger Filling

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 3 Hours
Servings: 12

Cake:
1 box white angel food cake mix
1 T all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup cold water

Filling:
1 container (8oz) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
2 T finely chopped crystallized ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl beat all cake ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and then beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Pour into an ungreased 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan.

Bake 37 to 47 minutes until crust is dark golden brown and cracks are dry. Immediately turn pan upside down on heat proof funnel or glass bottle. Let hang about 2 hours or until cake is completely cooled. Loosen cake from sides with knife or long metal spatula. Turn cake upside down onto serving plate.

In medium bowl, gently blend whipped topping and ginger. Cut cake horizontally in half to make 2 layers. Spread half of filling on bottom layer, replace top of cake. Spread remaining filling on top of cake. Sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice if desired. Refrigerate any remaining cake.