Pumpkin patch pictures take over Instagram, Starbucks reinstates the pumpkin-spice latte, Spirit Costumes sells out of every pair of cat ears: it’s Halloween. All Hallows’ Eve, our dentists’ worst nightmare, has once again crept up on us. We all love candy—there’s no denying that. Yet, we also like our healthy and toned bods. While we wish we could shove four Reese’s Peanut Butter cups in our mouth at once, we know better than that. Just because we shouldn’t eat mountains of candy, doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun celebrating Hershey’s favorite day of the year!
Read on for healthy, yet ghoulishly fun, options to celebrate Halloween:
1.Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Parfait
Pumpkin Pie—but for breakfast! Try mixing pumpkin puree and Greek yogurt. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the savory taste of pumpkin, while getting almost a day’s worth of protein from the Greek yogurt. Mix in some maple syrup, granola, cinnamon, and some fresh-cut strawberries for a filling, yet delightful, parfait breakfast.
For recipe: http://healthynibblesandbits.com/pumpkin-pie-yogurt-parfait/
2.Chocolate Spider Web Cupcakes (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)
Who can deny a chocolate cupcake? These delicious treats are grain-free, and dairy-free! The combination between the chocolate and peanut butter will remind you of our beloved Reese’s. To make things more interesting (and healthier), prepare your taste buds for the taste of coconut oil and honey. The coconut oil, used as a fat, compliments the cocoa powder and honey perfectly.
3.Snack-o’-Lantern Fruit Cups
Though there is no chocolate or candy involved, your taste buds will still be delighted by the sweet fruit. Cut an orange peel to look like a jack-o-lantern (because we know carving the real things aren’t too easy) and fill the shell with fresh fruit salad. This treat captures the true essence of Halloween—scary, yet sweet.
For recipe: http://www.seededatthetable.com/2009/10/14/snack-o-lantern-fruit-cups/
4.Frozen Boo-nana Pops
98-calories of fun! Easy and quick to make—cut bananas with your friends and dip them in white chocolate. Place the bananas in the freezer—and devour a few hours later! For extra fun, use food coloring to change the color of the chocolate. What’s to say you can’t have a pink boo-nana pop?
For recipe: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/frozen-boo-nana-pops.html
5.Peanut Butter Pumpkins
Aren’t they adorable? Create these delicious granola pumpkins, filled with the flavors of honey and cinnamon. Coat the granola balls with melted peanut butter to hold the flavors together. Nothing wrong with a little chocolate—melt chocolate chips for eyes, and use chocolate chunks at the stem. For a healthier chocolate stem—stick to dark chocolate or coconut based chocolate.
For recipe: http://thesmartcookieblog.com/peanut-butter-pumpkins/
Have a fun (and healthy) Halloween!