Trick or Treat what are you having at your house?

You couldn't ignore Halloween if you tried, not with the shelves of nearly every store piled high with candy. There's chocolate, candy bars, lollypops, licorice, chewy coloured candy in cute shapes, hard candy, gum, and more ... much more.

This overwhelming reminder of the approach of Halloween represents more than just a tradition of dressing up in costumes to celebrate the day of the dead and then showing them off to your neighbours. Today Halloween is really nothing more than an excuse to eat lots of sugary, insulin-triggering treats.

So in an age when one in four Canadian children are overweight or obese should we be rethinking our manner of celebrating this increasingly popular holiday, or simply carry on with what we've been doing?

Alternatives to Sugar Crashes

Parents and caregivers should try to change the focus of the day away from the habit of collecting and eating candy. Try to emphasize other fun aspects of Halloween, such as creating great costumes. Some helpful ideas for parents to think about:

• Allowing children to make the rounds of houses in the neighbourhood, but then limiting the candy they are allowed to keep to a reasonable number of their favourite pieces when they return home.
• Predetermine this amount before kids go out and to keep the rule consistent for all children in the family regardless of their age.
• implement a system of buying back most of the candy their children have collected and then removing it from the home. "Do not keep enough candy in the house for the next six months."
• Try healthier customs. Use the family pumpkin carving experience as a means to encourage healthy eating by making tasty snacks from the interior, such as muffins, cookies and baked pumpkin seeds.
• Hold a Halloween neighbourhood party. Parents meet and plan the event ahead of time and organize entertaining activities such as costume contests, games and even a potluck dinner. Have fun by celebrating the occasion together rather than just gathering candy.

Plan Healthy Halloween Strategies

Rather than go out with your kids, have a Halloween party at the house and have fun watching the other kids come by in their costumes. Limit the amount of "treats" you hand out to other kids and opt for healthier choices. Offer your children Halloween toys or stickers instead of candy. Instead of going around collecting candy, have your child go around collecting loose pennies and nickels for a favourite charity UNICEF is traditionally supported, but it need not be the only one.
If your child does collect candy, have him or her trade in the candy for a new toy or activity such as going to a movie, sports event or amusement park.


Lori Tinella founder, owner of Little Chefs based in Erin, Ontario
www.thelittlechefs.ca
519-940-1131

Healthier Treat

I know in my last post I talked about alternatives to the usual sweet treats for this upcoming Halloween but I thought I would give a nice eas recipe.
A healthier version of a brownie/cake recipe that can be adapted also to cupcakes for a party if you wish.

Buried Treasure Brownies

2 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
½ cup canola oil
½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
¾ cup agave syrup
2 tsp pure vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
¼ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin tins with papers or can use a cake pan if desired.

In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl mix agave syrup, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until well blended. Add flour mix to wet ingredients and stir until combined ( do not over mix) Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips.

Divide the batter between the liners in the muffin cups or in your greased cake pan
Bake until toothpick comes out clean for 17-22 minutes.

Icing
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate/ chips work well
1 ½ cups of sour cream
1 tsp real vanilla

Melt chocolate over a pan of hot water, or in a bowl in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and the vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Let cool slightly until the frosting begins to thicken. Makes about 3 cups

Yours in good health,
Lori Tinella, Founder
Little Chefs

Have a Party that COOKS!
info@thelittlechefs.ca
519.940.1131

Happy Halloween from Little Chefs!

Little Chefs would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Halloween. To celebrate this fun filled day we have classes that are still open for registration at Alder St Recreation Centre this Saturday October 24th!
"Hooray for Halloween"
1pm. Ages 5 and up.

Wear your costume and get a special themed treat! Come for food, fun, crafts, prizes and more..........

You must register by Friday October 23rd at Alder St. guest services desk or call 519-940-1131 for more information on this Spooktakular event!

ABOUT US
Little Chefs is Headwaters Premier mobile cooking studio for kids!
We are a proudly mom-owned and operated business!

Little Chefs
519-940-1131
info@thelittlechefs.ca
www.thelittlechefs.ca

Kids Halloween Trick or Treating

Tips for staying safe for kids at risk (allergies)

Halloween is fast approaching. As the kids get ready to have some fun, remember some key rules to keep them safe.
For parents and kids at-risk:
Be organized
Always have children accompanied by an adult when out
Remember to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen or Twinject)
Wear MedicAlert identification
Dont go out hungry
Ensure the kids have a hearty dinner before venturing out so they will be less tempted to snack enroute
Emphasize the 'no eating' rule when kids are out
Check all treats
Ask the kids to wash their hands as soon as they come home
Have the kids sort through the candy with an adult at the end of the evening
Read the label carefully on each treat - no label, no candy
Consider donating the extra treats to your local food bank
For the community:
Don't be shy - ask when kids come to the door: "Does anyone have a food allergy?"
Be prepared - have food packages and their labels nearby, so you can check ingredients if asked
Think outside the candy box - if in doubt, have non-candy treats available too such as stickers or trading cards
We wish you all a happy and safe Halloween!
Anaphylaxis Canada

Yours in good health,

Lori

Kids going out for Halloween in snow!

Good morning,

"Welcome to my new blog "Little Chefs Cooking Up Some Fun!" I am starting to blog about my adventures of owning my own New small business. My other Full Time job is Mom to two beautiful girls!
I guess I am what is called a Mompreneur!

I hope to get a website going but I will use my blogging to post information as well as local events.
I am up for the challenge as I think Little Chefs needs web presence. I would like to let people know about the parties, lessons and upcoming events. I am planning a Holiday Gingerbread House making class for kids for December! More details on locations and dates to follow.

Yesterday was an odd day as it was cold and ended up snowing on and off throughout the day. My girls went to school with Fall jackets + hats + gloves but could have had their winter coats!
Can anyone remember having snow or extreme cold weather for trick or treating?
Sent me a comment on this.

Yours in good health,
Lori

Little Chefs
519-940-1131