Halloween Sugar. There are TWO aspects to this holiday:
There’s Sugar and YOU? And Sugar and your Kids.And, no worries. I’ll help you through it!
We’re going to also have to talk about: Ideal, possible, and realistic solutions to the problem. (You’ll get all of that, in this blog).
First of all, let’s talk about why we’re even talking about sugar….
Sugar = inflammation. Period.
Now, you can go ‘in search of’ people who write books and will tell you 159 reasons sugar is bad for you. We know it fuels cancer and that it increases your chance of cancer. But the most important question is… WHY?
And that answer is easy. Sugar = inflammation. It takes your body from alkaline to acid. Picture your cells jumping up and down, turning red and screaming. That’s what you do to your body every time sugar enters your system. And if you can shift your thoughts about sugar to this? Well that’s half the battle!
WHAT ABOUT SUGAR SUBSTITUTES, CHEF?
Glad you asked! The news is not good. Sugar substitutes aren’t any better. If there’s chemicals in the ingredients? Your body can’t process chemicals.
If it’s the ever heralded ‘agave’? Agave spikes your glycemic index. And that’s really what it’s all about. How much…. and how much does it send your blood sugar through the roof!
That being said, I recently ran across low glycemic Agave. Says it’s organic and is Blue Agave Nectar. So, if you’re making Pumpkin Pie this holiday (as listed below), it’s an option. And I will also say I like honey as an option, because it has so many benefits. It’s probably more about how much honey you use…Remember: we’re always doing a layer of flavor balancing act: sweet with salt. So less sugar (honey) tastes better, (is more satisfying) if you use a pinch of salt to balance it out.
Getting back to Halloween, you want to give out little packaged raisins? Only if you want your house ‘egged’! lol
Kids expect candy. It’s what Halloween is all about. But here’s the first thing you can do for yourself. Buy the candy you really hate… the stuff that will not ‘call’ to you. That’s a great first step.
I remember one year saying: I’ll get snicker bars and what doesn’t go, I’ll put into the freezer and use up over time. Any idea how good a frozen snickers bar is? One by one they did go… into my stomach! So again, buy something you hate!
Second, you don’t want to single your child out, or make it a big deal. Let the kid have his fun!
Now with what follows, I’m going to say he. Doesn’t mean you don’t have a she. I’m just using this term generically. Ok?
OK CHEF!
My suggestion is that the day after Halloween, you have this conversation with you kid(s) and make sure if you have more than one, do it separately with each kid so they can’t gang up on you:
- I want to see what your favorites are. Can you show me (from this big bowl or bag or pillowcase of candy you collected) you top 10 favorite candies? (The kid will pull them out. Have a second bowl or bag ready to place them into).
- Ok. Those are your favorites. But are you sure there’s not another 5 that you really, really like? (The kid will be happy to pick another 5 to show you). You may want to have conversation… aahh… I see you like coconut, chocolate, etc.
- And if I ask you, out of all the candies you have left, what are the top 3 you would pick? (Take those and place them in the second bag, along with all his other favorites).
- Show me one last favorite. (Kid picks one last favorite).
Now, you have a bag with under 20 candies. You say: “You ate a ton of candy last night and today. And I was thinking about all the boys and girls that don’t have candy because they live in shelters and don’t get to go trick or treating. You have everything you already ate, and this bag full of your favorites. Let’s give the rest to other kids who really need the candy”.
If you sound unsure, or like you are asking their permission? You lose. But if you go with the ‘assumptive sale’… they may be a little upset, but then follow it up with: “I’m so proud of you. I love it when you share like this”, they’ll get a payoff way better than candy. And once you set the pattern, this is what they will come to expect. And whatever they ‘hide’ knowing it’s going away…. that’s ok. It’s still way less than they would have eaten.
Then you have to follow thru and maybe drop the candy to a battered women’s shelter.
Don’t, I repeat DO NOT bring it to work and give it away, so that it’s sitting in the lunchroom or on someone’s desk ‘calling’ to you!
HOW DO WE GET SOME SUGAR SATISFACTION WITHOUT TOO MUCH SUGAR CHEF?
Well, first… you’ve got to remember less is more and my 3 bite rule. If you take a slice of pie, make it a thin slice and enjoy every bite.
Ok. Here’s the ingredients of how I do it:
There’s gluten free pie crusts that have little or no sugar. You can even find pie crusts that are vegan and eliminate the animal fat. Or, you can take Annies Graham Cracker Bunnies and crumble them into the bottom of the pan. Very little sugar and no high fructose corn syrup!
You fill it with Organic Pumpkin Pie Filling. Check the label. Not all pumpkin is equal. There’s canned pumpkin: some high in sugar. There’s Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin that is ONLY certified organic pumpkin (you can get it at Sprouts and probably Trader Joe’s), and then there’s the ‘real’ deal: actual pumpkin you can pick up at the store. Remember: go organic for a tastier healthier benefit.
Now, if you work and have a family, you’re not making pumpkin pie from scratch. You’re probably getting it out of the freezer section. But this Sunday, if you have a minute, what you can do is combine pumpkin, vanilla coconut creamer, a couple of egg yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg and if you must, some honey or low glycemic agave and a dash of salt…. whip it together by hand or in your blender and you’ve got a yummy custard filling. Another thought? Add chopped dates or raisins or apricots for sweetness, but make sure you blend them up into the mixture, so you can taste it, and see it only as tiny specs.
I hope these tips get you through the 31st.
Then, we’ll have to talk about Thanksgiving, my favorite part of the year where we can make healthy flavorful vegetables to sit center stage along side a yummy but healthier stuffing (and a side of Tofurkey or this year a small turkey, which we will remember to brine to have it soft and flavorful) only because we know what pushing away from the table stuffed and needing a nap feels like. And it ain’t pretty!
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian