Halloween is fast approaching, and since I am a wellness coach, nutritionist and personal trainer I don’t feel like I would be acting responsibly if I gave candy to the trick-or-treaters. For the past few years I’ve been conflicted about what to give the neighborhood kiddos. Candy is fine in moderation, however there really isn’t anything moderate about the abundance of Halloween candy children receive: not to mention that Halloween signals the beginning of the 5 month long sugar-fest that concludes with chocolate eggs and colored sugar coated marshmallows in the shape of chickens & bunnies.
One year I tried to sell Gary on giving away those small 8oz water bottles, but he convinced me that we would get egged by the kids. When I looked into it, it wasn’t very economical either. You can get 6 lbs of candy (150 pieces) for less than $25; A case of 48 8oz bottles is $16. How do you compete with that? And as an added bonus, with the candy, you’re guaranteed not to get vandalized.
This year I was thrilled when I opened the mail & found the Oriental Trading Company‘s catalog. It’s filled with candy alternatives to give away for Halloween. Some items that I really liked were:
- Washable Tatoos
- Pencils
- Glow-in-the-dark Bracelets & Necklaces
- Glow-in-the-dark Superballs
- Woven bracelets in Orange & Black
- Glow-in-the-dark Vampire Teeth
These are just some of the more affordable items that I really liked. Athough Gary scoffed at the idea of pencils, I found this article that suggested that it was a good idea.
This year I will not contribute to the obesity epidemic in America’s children. I will only contribute to the growing mound of needless stuff that will accumulate in their homes in the coming months.
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Elizabeth is a Master Certified Life and Health Coach with over 18 years of experience, dedicated to helping women in midlife thrive through holistic health and wellness. Her personal journey began with a desire to reduce her own breast cancer risk, which evolved into a mission to guide women through the complexities of midlife health, from hormonal changes to mental clarity and emotional resilience.
Elizabeth holds certifications from prestigious institutions such as The Life Coach School, Precision Nutrition, and the American Council on Exercise, as well as specialized training in Feminist Coaching and Women’s Hormonal Health. Her approach is deeply empathetic, blending her extensive knowledge with real-life experience to empower women in their 50s and 60s to build sustainable health habits that last a lifetime.
Recognized as a top voice in women’s health, Elizabeth speaks regularly on stages, podcasts, and webinars, inspiring women to embrace midlife with energy, confidence, and joy. Her passion is helping women regain control of their health, so they can fully engage in the things that matter most to them—whether that’s pursuing new passions, maintaining strong relationships, or simply feeling great in their own skin.