Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season.  The next couple of months are filled with treats, parties, family gatherings, alcohol, and a packed schedule.  So how do you continue to pursue your health and fitness goals despite this time of year?
The definition of insanity is…

"Doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result."

This year as the holiday season approaches, do things differently than you have in the past.  It’s not about “depriving” yourself of your holiday favorites, but it’s not about avoiding them all together either. You can also consider substituting with healthier foods and behaviors as well.   

Let’s Start With The big Ol Bowl Of Candy
Instead of staring at it, mouth watering, stomach churning, anxiety growing, simply enjoy a piece. It’s usually snack size any way. Now, should you do this multiple times throughout the day? Probably not. But, can you have a piece and enjoy it? Of course you can! Here are 2 great options to enjoy some candy and not fall off the wagon!

Option 1: Out Of Site Out Of Mind
The key here is to get that bowl out of site and out of mind. This way you don’t wonder around aimlessly all day walking past the bowl over and over again forcing yourself to say no. When you do that, your willpower gas tank will literally run out! It’s a thing, I promise. Don’t believe me, click here to read our blog on your Willpower Gas Tank! 

Option 2: Plan For It
Instead of having that candy bowl sitting around the house, give it all away!!!! Make sure some kids take it from you! If it’s the end of the night and you still have candy, give it away at the kid’s bus stop the next day! Maybe ask the parents first lol! In all seriousness, plan for the candy. Plan to rock out and crush some candy! Maybe that day, you don’t have breakfast or you don’t snack at all that day to help save a few calories for the candy. Or, only have water to drink that day instead of drinks with calories in order to save some calories for the candy. Or, maybe, just maybe, you crush a moderate amount of candy, get off track, have some compassion for yourself, and get right back on track. As long as you don’t get off track 3-7 times a week, you WILL BE OK! If you allow yourself to feel guilty and shame yourself for it, you’ll probably overindulge and the entire day or night will be more like self sabotage than self compassion. To learn more about the importance of Self-compassion, check out a previous blog here! However you do it, make the decision and be ok with your decision. We all have the power to choose and making the choice takes away some of the powerlessness you may have surrounding foods.


Non-Candy Alternatives

Halloween is later this week! Normally, everyone hands out candy. Maybe you could be a bit different this year! Here are a few alternatives that the kids won’t hate you for.

Ideas include:
Glow Sticks
Temporary Tattoos
Stickers
Pencils
Plastic jewelry that is glow in the dark and Halloween themed
Mini Play-dough containers
Halloween themed mini-toys:  plastic eyeballs, fake fingers, etc.

Bottom line is be creative…ask your kids what they would like to get other than candy.

Better Choices

If you still want to hand out candy here are some “better” choices free of the ingredients above.
-Endangered Species individually wrapped chocolates    
-Yummy Gummy Candies
-Annie’s Gummy Snacks
-Trader Joe’s Organic Pops
-Unreal candy

I have seen most of these products at most Whole Foods stores.

Switch Witch

What is the Switch Witch? I got this idea from a trainer out in Minnesota at Fitness Revolution named Justin Yule.

The Switch Witch lives on the dark side of the moon.  She LOVES candy.  The Switch Witch loves candy so much that she’s eager to trade toys to girls and boys in exchange for their candy stash.  

The girls and boys can choose to keep a little candy for themselves, but the more they give the Switch Witch, the better their toy will be!  The Switch Witch eats the candy over the course of the year.  Just when she runs out it’s Halloween time again and time for another visit from the Switch Witch.

The Switch Witch can also be known as:  
The Candy Fairy
Great Pumpkin

Have the Switch Witch come to your house this year…

Make Halloween 1 day this year, after trick-or-treating on the 31st allow your kids to pick 5 of their favorites pieces of candy.  Place the rest on your front step for the Switch Witch.  In the morning, your kids will find a new toy, book, or something else they would value more than candy in exchange for the candy they left the night before.

Recipes to Try this Halloween

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
2 mashed bananas
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 Eggs
½ cup Almond butter
4 TBSP melted coconut oil
½ cup Coconut flour
½ TBSP Cinnamon
½ TBSP Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Vanilla
Pinch of Sea Salt
¼-1/3 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Combine your bananas, eggs, almond butter, vanilla, and melted coconut oil.  Mix well.
Add in coconut flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt.  Mix well.  Fold in your chocolate chips. 
Grease a metal loaf pan with coconut oil.  Pour in your batter and spread evenly.
Place in the pre-heated oven for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Enjoy!

Pumpkin Ice Cream
2 frozen bananas
¼-1/3 cup canned organic pumpkin
¼ cup canned coconut milk
¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)

Directions
Add bananas, pumpkin, coconut milk, and pumpkin pie spice to a food processor.
Process until mixture becomes the consistency of ice cream. 
If you like the “soft serve” texture enjoy right away.  If you want it to be thicker, put in bowls and place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
½ - 1 frozen banana
½ cup canned organic pumpkin
½ cup canned coconut milk or 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 scoops Thorne Vanilla Protein Powder
¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice or ½ tsp. cinnamon

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and enjoy!!!

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to connect with family and friends.  Remember it doesn’t always need to be centered on food and treats.  But, don’t feel guilty if it is. Enjoy it, and get right back on track.And maybe, try a few of the alternatives mentioned above!