Healthy Halloween House

Decatur resident Dave Soleil writes in that he is the national organizer for a grassroots initiative call Healthy Halloween House. He is encouraging folks to “take the pledge” to not give “junk” to children for Halloween and to give an alternative.

 “As a Healthy Halloween House, I pledge to provide a Trick-or-Treat alternative for kids that is not candy or junk food.  I believe we can create a healthier world for our kids that strengthens our community without contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity.”

Take the pledge here.

Ideas for candy alternatives, from www.paperseed.wordpress.com:

• Temporary tattoos
• Stickers
• Pencils
• Fancy erasers
• Pencil toppers
• Crayons
• Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes)
• Small novelty toys
• False teeth
• Superballs
• “Slime”
• Miniature magnifying glasses
• Plastic jewelry/decoder rings
• Necklaces
• Glow-sticks
• Sugar-free candy
• Tiny decks of cards
• Plastic medals
• Fake money
• Origami paper & instructions
• Bubbles
• Granola bars
• pretzels
• cheese and cracker packs
• sugar free gum
• packets of instant hot chocolate or cider
• miniature raisin boxes
• single serving nut packets