Homemade Candy Corn and Halloween Goodies

 It's that time of year again! The witch/ghost/bat decorations are out of the attic and adorning the house and I've pulled out some favorite seasonal recipes like homemade candy corn and pumpkin apple muffins. 
 
 I recently had the opportunity to participate in a webinar with Jo Frost in which she shared her experience with her own food allergies, as well as some Halloween tips for food allergy families. Here are some of her seasonal ideas:

• focus on the non-food festivities like mask making, pumpkin decorating, face paint, spooky scavenger hunts.
• remember that different sized treats may contain different ingredients. If you can't read the label, assume it's unsafe (that piece of advice is mine).
• give your child something to eat before going out trick or treating or to a party. That removes some of the temptation to eat without thinking or because of hunger.

For more information about Jo's work on behalf of food allergy families, check out 25 Years of EpiPen, and while you're there, upload a photo showing how you carry your EpiPen and Mylan will donate $25 to leading allergy non-profit groups. 

Halloween Fright

Only 11 days until Oct. 31. The ghouls and goblins will be knocking at the door, bags open wide for Halloween treats. Each year I question myself about what our family should hand out. Should I stick with non-food items or maybe only candy safe for my food allergic son? I worry about the candy bars and other treats he will get as he goes door to door but it doesn't seem fair to tell an 8 year old he can't go trick or treating. He knows he can't eat anything until it's been checked and he also knows that we'll need to take away nearly everything he brings home. We swap the treats for safe ones. My heart breaks a bit, but he knows nothing different and seems to be fine with our arrangement. If you know that a child with a food allergy will be trick or treating at your home, there are a few things you can do:

* Drop the treat directly in the bag rather than handing it to the child.

* Don't call attention to the child's food allergy.

* If you want to have a safe treat available, check with the parents in advance. Some of our neighbors put boxes of raisins, safe candies, bags of pretzels or safe cookies in my son's treat bag. Again, don't call attention to the difference, but know that it's much appreciated when there are safe treats to enjoy.

* Consider handing out pencils, stickers or other non-food items.

* Comment on costumes and less on "look how much candy you've got in your bag". Yes, Halloween is about, but it's also about dressing up and visiting with neighbors.

So pull out those witches hats, stretchy spider webs and jack-o-lanterns and enjoy all of the festivities of Halloween.