Halloween is mostly considered an American holiday, however, in recent years several countries around the world have made this holiday their own. For Halloween, stores are packed with candies and treats. But are those goodies healthy for our kids? Of course not. Most of the sweets and candies have lots of chemicals, preservatives and food coloring. So why not preparing all natural goodies that are homemade and all natural. Be aware that even all-natural homemade goodies contain lots of sugar, so do not treat your kids too many of them.

Tips:

        Instead of food coloring you can decorate with white, milk or dark chocolate. If you need to get a red or pink color you can use an all natural raspberry syrup (Monin Syrup, available in many supermarkets) which is made of fruit and sugar. You can use apricot syrup if you need to get a yellow or orange color. Just use your imagination and start using natural food that is good for you And your kids. You can use beet, carrot, cranberry, grape or orange juice as a food coloring, just mix them with whipped cream or any frosting of your choice. You can use chocolate chips or raisins in cakes and cupcakes for decoration.

        As a wonderful treat for kids and grown-ups use fresh fruit. With a Halloween cookie cutter (you can purchase them in any craft store) cut fresh apples or pears and decorate them with chocolate. If you do not cover them with chocolate drizzle them with lemon juice so they won't turn brown.

        You can make sandwiches in the shape of a bat, pumpkin or a witch. Kids will be delighted to eat a "Bat or pumpkin sandwich", ask them to help you preparing them and they'll have a ball. You can also use "Marzipan" which is an almond paste and all natural (but has lots of sugar). You can purchased "Marzipan " in every supermarket, it is ready to use, just cut it the shape you like. "Marzipan" can be colored (With natural food coloring) or coated and decorated with chocolate.

        When kids go "Trick or treat " they come back with lots of candies. You can freeze the candies for a later use or donate them to a needy cause. And when kids come to you for a "Trick and treat" surprise them with a homemade natural treat that will be different from the store bought candies (their parents will be thrill too). Another good idea for Halloween is instead of sweets and candies (some kids can't eat them) buy little Halloween decorated pencils, crayons, erasers, coloring books, etc.

        Remember, if you own a pet, candies and chocolate are a big "No-No"(Chocolate is deadly for dogs), so be careful to keep these treats in a safe place.

Happy Halloween!