Happy Healthy Halloween!

Halloween is that time of year when kids, young and old, can collect and eat as much candy as they want! But with the obesity rate rising and the increased chance of cavities from sugary delights this holiday can be a frightening one! And for those of us trying to eat clean and healthy it can be downright scary!  Now that is scary!  If you are following the 21 Day Fix or are trying to eat healthy here is some information and ideas to assist you in keeping the holiday a little healthier!

Have You Ever Said That?

“Halloween is just one day out of the year, so I will just enjoy those candy and other goodies, indulge myself for just one day…”  Does this sound familiar? It is something that I have said so I understand it.  But where we get ourselves into a sugar frenzy and spiral out of control is when we enjoy the “treats” not for just one day but the rest of the month (and occasionally right into Easter…)

So while the occasional “not clean” treat is definitely allowable on a clean eating plan, you do need to keep a handle on what you eat. You need to take control!

Taking control means making a plan and sticking to it. It means reading those labels. It means being aware of ingredients in recipes and changing them up to be healthier.  And keeping things as clean and healthy as possible while still enjoying some Halloween fun!

So eating “Clean” if you are unfamiliar with the term basically means eating food without processed and artificial CRAP in it.  Here’s a general rule of thumb: If it’s God-made, it’s GOOD! If it’s man-made, it’s likely full of synthetic ingredients which can have a BIG, negative impact on our health.   If you aren’t familiar with the basics of clean eating, check out this link: http://coastalgirlfoodnfitness.com/2016/06/simple-basics-of-clean-eating

Halloween does put us into a bit of a bind because some of our favorite treats are loaded with unwanted ingredients.  The Fooducate App is a great app for checking quickly how healthy a food is. Download it from the App or Google Play store. You scan a foods bar-code and it gives the product a grade.  I aim for B+ or higher.

Healthy Haunting!

Everyday it gets closer to the magical night when trick or treaters (big and small) fill the streets! Our neighborhood literally turns into Halloween Town! It has become one of my favorite holidays.

Are you trying to figure out what non-candy treats to pass out without getting your house rolled in toilet paper? My husband likes to give out full size candy bars, I like to give out healthier options… So we do both.  Light sticks, necklaces and bracelets have been a big hit with the trick or treaters.  Below is a list of other great alternatives to candy and unwanted ingredients!

• Small Halloween-themed toys like fang whistles, monster finger puppets, etc.
• Plastic jewelry—glow-in-the-dark preferred.
• Bubbles
• Small containers of Play-Doh
• Glow sticks or wands
• Halloween Tattoos
• Halloween pencils, erasers, mini note pads
• Spider rings
• Vampire teeth
• Halloween rubber ducks
• Bouncy balls
• Mini coloring books
• Mini packs of crayons
• Mini juice boxes
• Mini bottles of water
• Mini boxes of raisins
• Pretzels
• Popcorn

Leftover Candy Solutions

Halloween candy hangover anyone? The day after Halloween we often look at the stash of candy in a panic wondering how we are going to get rid of it all… There will be favorites that you or your kids will want to save but staring at it with horror and realizing all the calories, artificial ingredients, preservatives and other unwanted ingredients in the pile you will want to make sure that most of it leaves your house quickly! What are we to do????

Here are a few ideas I love:

• Switch Witch: Have your kids leave it on the front doorstep when they go to bed. While they are sleeping the switch witch exchanges it for a wanted toy! No tears for the missing candy when a new toy is found in its place!
• Donate the Candy to organizations that collects candy for service members overseas such as Operation Shoe Box (http://www.operationshoebox.com/)  or Operation Stars and Stripes (http://operationstarsandstripes.org/)
• Better yet find a local dentist who participates in a Halloween Candy Buy Back Program. They will give the child something in exchange for the candy and ship it off to the troops for you. http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/
• Take it to work and put it out for your co-workers (somewhere far out of temptations reach for you).

How Fun Are Those Fun Size Bars?

Halloween candy shows up in candy dishes way before Halloween arrives. They usually show up in cute little fun size or snack size portions. But don’t let that fool you because the next thing you know, one little bite-sized candy bar, chocolate kiss, tootsie roll midget or candy has become has led to another and another…. and before you know it you find yourself in a sugar coma surrounded by nothing but empty wrappers and guilt. One way to deal with those pesky extra calories is to exercise more. However to keep you motivated and from spiraling downward this Halloween, we’ve have a list of Halloween favorites and how much time you’ll have to work out to negate those extra calories after you indulge. It may make you think twice before indulging….

Treat Yourself!

As you Trick or Treat with children, host or attend parties, help with Trunk or Treats, or hand out goodies don’t forget to treat yourself. And I am not talking about candy here. I am talking about doing something for you to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Do something to help you become even more awesome than you already are!

Too often we put our needs on the back burner thinking we have to take care of everyone else, and we lose ourselves. But if we don’t take care of ourselves, one day we won’t be able to run around trick or treating or care for those we love.

One great option is to join us for a Challenge Group to really focus on your goals, to do something for you!  The 21 Day Fix, Shakeology and 30 Day Challenge groups is how I lost 46 pounds.  This program has a great food guide and portion control containers not to mention DVD’s with a variety of 30 minute workouts. And better yet it is on SALE as well as many other programs BUT only until the end of the month!!!   Just fill out the form below if you are interested in learning more! Or if you already have a Beachbody Coach reach out to them for assistance!

We have some great groups getting ready to start up in November aimed at supporting you in reaching your fitness and wellness goals!  

• A FREE 5 Day Hydrate Group where we focus on drinking the amount of water our bodies need each day
• A 4 week Thanksgiving Survival Group “BURN FOR THE BIRD” 

Fill out the form below if you are interested in either group!  Hope to see you there!

Are you interested or thinking about changing your lifestyle to clean, healthy eating? We offer FREE COACHING and ONLINE ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS!!!! If you want a discount on Shakeology, ask me how!

If you are not working with a coach sign up with ME as your FREE COACH! Just fill out the form below!