Trick or treat? Both! With scary foods and treats galore.

Have an up-coming Halloween party and don’t know what to make to feed your guests?  No worries!  Here are five scary foods and treats that are sure to monster rock the house down!

Scary Pear Heads:

Using Pears as your main ingredient makes for a fun and spooky treat!

Ingredients

Directions

1. Remove the stem from the pears. Using a wooden skewer, make a hole in the stem end of each pear. Insert a lollipop stick in each hole.
2. In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate. Let stand until cool. Dip the pears in the chocolate, turning to coat. Stand the pears up in a piece of foam or oasis. Let stand until set, about 40 minutes.
3. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the semisweet chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes. Fit a small pastry bag with a #4 tip, and fill with melted semisweet chocolate. Pipe chocolate onto pears to create facial features. Let stand until set, about 10 minute

Be sure to use chocolate with Fair Trade on the label!  For more fun recipes like this, check out Martha Stewart online!

Swamp Juice:

This spooky drink will creep out any party goer...in a delicious way!

Ingredients

• FOR 8 SERVINGS:
• 1/2 cup small tapioca pearls (found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores)
• 100% natural food coloring
• 4 tablespoons organic sugar

• 8 organic gummy worms
• Seltzer water
• All natural lemonade
• 8 organic gummy worms

Instructions

1. MAKE THE EGGS: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add the tapioca pearls. Reduce the heat slightly and boil the pearls, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes.
2. COLOR THE EGGS: Divide the pearls, with the remaining water, between two bowls. Add 4 drops of food coloring (we used 3 drops of yellow and 1 drop of green in one bowl, and 4 drops of blue in the other) and 2 tablespoons of sugar to each bowl. Stir the mixtures, then allow them to sit uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and rinse the pearls with cold water.
3. ASSEMBLE THE DRINK: Spoon 2 tablespoons of pearls into each glass and drop in a gummy fish. Fill the glasses with seltzer water, then add a splash of lemonade. Place a gummy worm around a spoon as shown.

Be sure to get use one of our fun sponsors for your gummy candy at Surf Sweets!  For more fun Halloween recipes similar to this one, check out Disney Family Fun!

Pizza Mummies:

Little mummies for mommy and her little kids too!

 

 

Ingredients (choose organic whenever possible)

• English muffins
• Pizza sauce
• Black olives

• Scallions
• Red or green pepper
• Cheese sticks or slices

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350º F. For each mummy, spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto half of an English muffin (toast it first, if you like).
2. Set olive slices in place for eyes and add round slices of green onion or bits of red or green pepper for pupils.
3. Lay strips of cheese (we used a pulled-apart cheese stick) across the muffin for the mummy?s wrappings.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the muffin is toasty.

Be sure to use English Muffins that are whole grain and gluten free!

For more fun Halloween recipes similar to this one, check out Disney Family Fun!

Swamp Creatures:

Oooooey, Goooey Swamp Creatures that taste good!

 

Ingredients

• All natural/organic Macaroni and cheese
• Sautéed spinach

• Olive slices

Instructions

1. Mix up a batch of macaroni and cheese, then spoon it into greased muffin cups and bake until firm, about 25 minutes.
2. Let the creatures rest for about 10 minutes, then gently remove them from the tins. Place them upside down on a swamp of sautéed spinach and add olive slice eyes.

Be sure to use whole grain, gluten free pasta for the macaroni!

For more fun Halloween recipes similar to this one, check out Disney Family Fun!

Slivered Scream Beans:

Healthy and Scary at the same time!

 

Ingredients

• 1 pound haricots verts
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 Thai chile, thinly sliced
• Coarse salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black sesame seeds (kalustyans.com)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

1. Prepare an ice bath. Bring a 4-quart pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add haricots verts, and blanch until vibrant green, about 5 minutes. Drain in a colander, and transfer to ice bath. Let stand until cool. Drain in colander, and thinly slice haricots verts on the bias.
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add garlic, and cook until just golden, 1 minute. Add ginger and chile, and cook for 1 minute more. Add blanched haricots verts, and cook, tossing, until heated through. Season with salt. Add sesame seeds and lemon zest, and toss to combine.

For more fun recipes like this, check out Martha Stewart online!

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

 

 

 

by Corey

With scary stats such as the fact that 1 in 3 trick-or-treaters is expected to develop diabetes in their lifetime, it may be hard to imagine giving away chemically laden, conventional candy as kids come to your door.

So this Halloween, forgo the candy isle and grab a bag (or box) of these healthier treat options that keep all the YUM:

Yo’ Drops from Revolution Foods

The first time I tried Yo’ Drops, I couldn’t believe my mouth. These crunchy, freeze dried, 100% real organic fruit and yogurt snacks are sooooo good. Packaged just perfectly for Halloween, too. Might just become your family’s new Halloween favorite.

Stretch Island Fruit Co. strips

It’s amazing how delish a treat so simple can be. And how excited kids can get over something made from 100% real fruit. We gave Stretch Island Fruit Co strips away last year and the reactions from the kids were just adorable. Expressions such as “OOH! I LOVE these!” And “This is my FAVORITE flavor!” were heard throughout the night until every last strip was gone.

Larabar (minis)

In 2006, when first had the idea for creating a community movement around making Halloween healthier for kids and planet, I didn’t have a lot of recommendations for food items that kids would go wild over and that mom would approve of. At that time there wasn’t overt demand for healthier Halloween fare, and so many health-food brands were leaving the conversation alone. So in 2007, when the Green Halloween website was first launched, we had only three or four “treat” (food) items in our recommended list: granola bars, honey sticks, fruit leather and…. Larabars. Indeed, it was Larabar that led me to believe that Halloween treats could be just as exciting to kids without the processed and artificial ingredients, HFCS and hydrogenated oils that were the basis for most Halloween goodies. Larabars are whole, real food. But they come in flavors such as Cashew Cookie and Apple Pie that don’t just sound good, they are good. (Really good.) And now that they’re available as minis, they’re even more affordable for those families who get droves of trick-or-treaters.

Honest Kids organic drink pouches

Another little Green Halloween history tale: In 2006, as I took my kids trick or treating, I noticed that they (and their friends) were more excited about the goodies they received that were not conventional candy. Bubbles ans stickers received squeals of enthusiasm. Snickers and M&Ms, not so much.

What was going on?

I soon come to realize that kids today are over-exposed to conventional candies. They’re available at birthday parties, at the dry cleaner, even at the doctor’s office! I also discovered that my nephew’s teacher even kept a bowl of candy on her desk for when kids got a good test score or pushed in a chair for a friend.

So it’s not that kids like candy any less, it’s just that it’s not as novel as it was when I was a child – when Halloween was the one time of year when I had access to it.

So this year, why not consider giving away a drink pouch in lieu of a conventional treat? My hunch is that kids will be all over this twist on tradition – some ghosts and goblins may even down the drink while on their trick-or-treat trail. Moms will love Honest Kids’ organic ingredients, no HFCS, the fact that the pouches can be recycled through Terracycle.net.

Nature’s Path organic crispy rice treats

Nature’s Path new organic crispy rice bars knock the YUM ball right out of the park. Made with better for kids & Earth ingredients, and packaged and priced just right for Halloween, we think these new Halloween treats are going to be a hit!

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Of course, giving non-food “treasures” is another way to make Halloween healthier. Just choose items that are made from safe, natural materials and look for treasures that will last long past Halloween, such as polished rocks, recycled mood pencils, and mini decks of cards or games.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Welcome to Day #26 of our

“31 days of {Green!} Giveaways“

Today’s question: What is your top tip for a safe Halloween?

*Attention Facebook fans: Please answer as a comment on our blog, not our Facebook page in order to be entered to win!*

Today is day #26 of our month-long, trick-or-treating party for parents!

Just knock on our door (AKA blog) each day, answer the daily question (in lieu of shouting, “Trick or treat!” – although you are totally welcome to write that as well) and you’ll be entered to win some absolutely fabulous, ever-so-eco-friendly prizes.

Today’s prize package is worth $44!

Natural Luxe. Shainsware recycled bracelet for kids, $9 Ships to Continental USA and Canada!

One set of three (3) Preserve Jr. Toothbrushes. Value $10. Continental US only.

One pack of each Surf Sweets variety in an eco-friendly Trick-or-Treat Bag, along with other ghastly “green” goodies! Value $25. Ships to US and Canada only.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add your e-mail address to the comment login, below. (We cannot notify you if we don’t have your e-mail address!)

2. Add a comment (one per e-mail address) with your answer to the question above.

3. Comment must post before 11:59pm PST – TONIGHT

Be sure to review our giveaway rules here. Please note shipping limitations.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook & Twitter for daily reminders & updates for the 31 Days of {Green} Giveaways promotion.

Good luck & have FUN!

(& See you tomorrow )

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Get a jump-start on going green this Halloween by repurposing your child’s costume from last year into something new this year. Not only will it save time and money, reusing an old costume is eco-friendly and is a great way to get creative this year. It’s perfect for busy parents and those who want a unique costume for trick or treating. Here are some simple tips that will turn last year’s classic costume into this year’s brand new Halloween costume.

Princess to Angel or Fairy

If you have a princess costume, you’re in luck because this one can easily be transformed.  The first option is to turn your princess dress into an angel costume by ditching the crown for a pair of angel wings and a halo. The second option is to make it into a fairy costume by adding fairy wings and a wand. Check out your local thrift stores to find classic costume accessories like wings and halos, or go to a craft store and make your own. You can have your child add personal touches with glitter and by gluing on “jewels” or colored feathers.

Capes for Vampires, Wizards and Superheroes

A nondescript cape can be used for a multitude of costumes. Create a vampire costume by putting a cape with dark clothing and adding vampire fangs  with non-toxic or home-made face paints. Make your own magician or wizard costume by adding a top hat or pointed wizard hat and a magic wand. You can even use the cape for a superhero costume. Have your child wear matching shirt and pants and create their own unique superhero logo out of fabric scraps. Then sew or pin the logo onto the front of their shirt. Go a step further and stuff the sleeves of your child’s shirt to create a “muscular” appearance.

Ghost to Mummy

If you happen to have a ghost costume, aka a white sheet, cut it up into strips and wrap/tie the strips around your child’s body and you’ve got an instant mummy costume! You can take this mummy costume to the next level by soaking the strips in dark tea for a stained appearance. This will make your child look like a mummy who’s been in the tomb for a long time!

Wicked Witch to Kitty Cat

Don’t feel like being wicked this year? Turn your witch costume into a cat costume with these simple steps. Shorten the length of the witch dress and add a pair of cat ears and a tail. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, go ahead and shorten it that way. If not, you can make a nice hem with some fabric glue. You’ll be the cat’s meow!

Creating a Zombie Costume

Lastly, you can make almost anything into a zombie costume by cutting holes, ripping the costume, and adding zombie makeup. Become a zombie bunny rabbit, a zombie cheerleader, or a zombie pirate! Get creative with the details and let your child’s imagination run wild.

Costumes as Decorations

What about costumes that your child has completely grown out of? Reuse an old scarecrow or skeleton costume by stuffing it with newspaper and setting it up in your yard as a decoration. You can also hang old Halloween masks around your home or on your front door like you would a wreath. You’ll add a creative touch to your Halloween decorating.

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This post was written by Tonja Thompson, a writer who loves Halloween costumes, being thrifty, and anything creative. She has a degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and currently writes for HalloweenCostumes.com.

by Corey

We are thrilled and honored to partner with Non-GMO Project to present the first-ever Guide to a non-GMO Halloween!

Offered to parents as a toolkit, the 2011 Guide contains a list of Non-GMO Project Verified Halloween treats (such Nature’s Path organic crispy rice bars, Endangered Species Chocolates and Glee Gum minis), fun ideas for “treasures” (non-food goodies) and even a healthy recipe from our very own food blogger, Kia Robertson.

Get the Guide here.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.