by Carolyn “The Healthy Voyager” Scott

If you’re like me, you live for the chillier nights, trees changing color and all of the clues that ring in the beginning of the holiday season. I happen to adore the season opener, Halloween!!! But as a fellow entrepreneur, it can be time consuming, pricey and even unhealthy to observe all Hallow’s Eve.  If you have children, costume costs add up and for us, Halloween parties and stocking up on goodies for the big night can cause us to break our diets very easily. Trying to juggle work, kids, diet, and budget while still attempting to enjoy the season can be quite the task.  I have compiled a few tips to help you keep costs down, environmental karma rewarded, waistline in check and the kiddies happy this Halloween!:

Make your own costume- I raid local thrift stores and put together our costumes by just recycling people’s discarded clothes, the photo features my better half and I with our homemade zombie costumes. We not only get great inspiration but we save a lot moola by not buying pre-packaged costumes. If you or a friend has a sewing machine you can alter and embellish the garments for a unique disguise. Plus you can avoid hearing, “OMG, we’re wearing the same costume” at any spooky festivities! Get creative and have fun!! If time is a factor, raid your closet and see what great ideas you can come up with – I’m sure we can all find a Hillary Clinton or Sarah Pallin type outfit tucked in the corners of our armoires.

Use reusable cloth or canvas bags for trick or treating- You can wash them if their is any chocolate meltage and they won’t tear or break, saving you from disappointed little goblins ; ) Even better, personalize the bag and designate it as their personal trick or treat bag to use every year!

Environmentally conscious Halloweenites may want to bring along an extra bag

for trash- Many excited little ghouls may leave behind wrappers and half eaten

treats. Be a good witch and pick up what you see along your evening and make up for

the naughty little gremlins ; ) Disguise your grocery bags or old pillow cases, giving

them a new identity for the trick or treating.

Practice what you preach and hand out healthy Halloween treats- Like what they

sell at Cosmo’s Vegan Shoppe, Food Fight Grocery or Vegan Essentials – all found

online.

If you are hosting a party, make it green:

Feature organic, locally grown pumpkins for carving, apples for bobbing, and

other pesticide-free, harvest season foods- Make sure you save the leftover apples

and pumpkins to use in pies, soups, or other dishes.

Use dishes, cutlery, napkins and tablecloths that can be washed and reused-

Instead of disposable plastic and paper tableware. Also, look into potato or corn based

disposables if you cannot accommodate the party with your personal dishes.

Use recycled and recyclable materials to create your Halloween decorations- Bed

sheets hung from the ceiling or tree branches make great ghosts, for example, and can

be taken down, laundered, and returned to the linen closet when Halloween is over.

And offer these healthier, delicious treats at any Halloween party, they will be a scream!!:

Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

1/2 pound firm or extra firm tofu, pressed

1 15 ounce can pumpkin

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

2 tbsp soy milk

1 pre-made pie crust

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy, adding more soy milk if needed. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until set. Serve with a dollop of soy whipped cream if desired.

The Glowing Gecko (alcoholic beverage)

1 ounce Midori melon liqueur

1/2 ounce organic vodka

1/2 ounce organic rum

1/2 ounce Rose’s lime juice

1 ounce prepared sweet-and-sour mix

Combine ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain.  Serve over ice in a martini glass.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!!!!

To find out more about Carolyn “The Healthy Voyager” Scott go to www.healthyvoyager.com.