It’s that time of year again. The crisp leaves cover the ground, the kids are back in school, you pulled your cozy sweaters from the closet, and we’re all gearing up for the holidays. It’s the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch to watch a family movie.
Unfortunately, this season also carries with it many pitfalls (filled with butter, fat, sweets & sugar) that can undo your weight loss progress.
Halloween can be especially dangerous. That’s why it’s time to talk about healthy Halloween treats.
The obvious question is, “What the heck do I do with all this EXTRA CANDY in my pantry?!”
No one wants to waste it and just throw it away, but it doesn’t make sense to keep it there, begging to get eaten. Think about all the mini candy bars, candy apples, candy corn, lollipops, single-wrapped candies, and everything else.
You might think it’s the kids who can’t resist Halloween junk food, but, to be honest, it was ME who needed to be tamed when it came to all that extra candy laying around the house.
My kids could keep their candy in a gallon bucket for months and not touch it. Me, on the other hand, I can’t keep my hands off it. If it is there, I eat it.
My sweet tooth is insane. Being a coach, I know that this is not good for my body. I’ve figured out a few “life hacks” (in the form of healthy fall recipes) that help me and I hope they help you too.
There are a few ways to tackle the Halloween candy problem… so don’t worry!
Use this handy guide to help kick this ooey-goey issue to the curb before it gets the best of you.
Give It Away
Yes, that’s right… there are a million different places to hand off your unwanted Halloween candy. You can send it with the kids to school, drop it off at your local church, food bank, or shelter, or give it to friends and family who have kids (or a sweet tooth!)
You can also freeze the candy to use later in baking. Just make sure you give those baked goods away, of course!
Throw It Away
It might sound crazy but there is nothing stopping you from throwing away all the junk food that won’t add any value to your diet or your life.
If you don’t want to hand all the sugar off to someone else, feel free to throw it in the trash! I promise no one will find out!!
I look at it like this, somebody eats it, I eat it, or the garbage can eats it. I’m OK with throwing away free candy that doesn’t align with my goals.
Make Delicious & Healthy Alternatives
And now for my favorite choice, make some healthy Halloween treats INSTEAD of indulging in pre-packaged junk! Your health and waistline will thank you for it!
One of my favorite fall treats is LEAN Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. It’s just the right amount of sweet, salty, and protein-packed goodness that you need to keep your diet on track. As far as healthy Halloween snacks go, this one is a national favorite.
Now, for our LadyBoss® healthy fall recipes…
LEAN Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- Take 3-4 c of raw pumpkin seeds
- ¼ c of organic coconut oil melted
- 3 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 scoop LadyBoss® LEAN
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- In a large bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon
- Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 minutes, tossing midway through.
- Allow seeds to cool.
- In a large bowl, toss seeds with LadyBoss® LEAN
Notes
Healthy Dark Chocolate Truffles
Healthy Dark Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
- 2 heaping tbsp dark chocolate baking cocoa powder
- 2 heaping tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 c rolled oats
- 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ c dried cranberries
- ¼ c mini chocolate chips
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 1-2 tbsp almond milk
- Extra cocoa powder
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Form balls with 2-3 tbsp of dough.
- Chill for at least two hours.
Monster Bark
Monster Bark
Ingredients
- 1 c dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- ¼ c chopped almonds divided
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries divided
- 2 tbsp dried blueberries divided
- ½ scoop LadyBoss® LEAN
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt dark chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time.
- Mix in LadyBoss LEAN, half of the chopped almonds, 1 tbsp dried blueberries, and one tbsp dried cranberries.
- Spread an even, thin layer of chocolate mixture onto parchment paper.
- Sprinkle remaining chopped almonds, blueberries, and cranberries on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or until chocolate is hard).
- Break into pieces.
Chocolate Popcorn
Chocolate Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 scoop LadyBoss® LEAN
- 1-2 tbsp of cocoa powder
- 4 c of warm popcorn
Instructions
- Mix together LadyBoss® LEAN and cocoa powder.
- Toss warm popcorn in powder mixture
Notes
Protein PB Cups
Protein PB Cups
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp crunchy almond butter or peanut butter
- ¼ c LadyBoss® LEAN
- 4 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- ½ c of 90% dark chocolate
- 5 silicone cupcake cups
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, LadyBoss LEAN, and unsweetened almond milk.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring after each.
- Pour chocolate into silicone cup, carefully, about 1-2 teaspoons per cup.
- Brush chocolate up the sides of the cup to create the outer shell.
- Chill for at least 20 minutes (or until chocolate is set.
- Spoon ½-1 tablespoon of peanut butter mixture into each cup.
- Evenly divide the remainder of the dark chocolate over the top of the peanut butter mixture.
- Chill for at least 2 hours, or until chocolate is set.
Healthy Oreo Cookies
Healthy Oreo Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp calorie-free maple syrup
- ⅓ c unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp LadyBoss® LEAN
- 1 tbsp of fat-free cream cheese
- 1/8 to 1/4 c of LadyBoss® LEAN
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 395 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, cocoa powder, and LadyBoss LEAN until a stiff dough forms. (Add additional maple syrup if too dry or cocoa powder if too sticky)
- Form 6-10 balls with dough, then flatten with your hand.
- Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 5 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool completely.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine fat-free cream cheese and LadyBoss LEAN to make a paste (for the filling).
- Spread filling onto half of the cookies, and top with the other half.
Notes
You should be able to form shapes with your hands without the cookie dough sticking to it.
The filling should have a pasty texture, much like the inside of an oreo. However, you can add more LadyBoss LEAN or cream cheese to get your desired texture.
So, now you have no excuses to skimp on healthy Halloween snacks this fall!
Use this arsenal of delicious, protein-packed recipes so you and your family can enjoy eating healthy Halloween treats that not only taste good, but that also will make you look and feel great!
Don’t be surprised if your friends and neighbors ask you where you got all these great trips and recipes. Feel free to tip them off and let them know they too can find all these great recipes and many more in the LadyBoss® Pocket Personal Trainer.
