Halloween will come knocking on our doors soon in the form of youngsters searching for treats. But traditional trick-or-treat fare is laden with processed sugars and dyes that can leave the digestive system screaming for help and the nervous system raw—and can make children behave like little monsters. 

For a happy, healthier Halloween, try hosting a spook-fest of your own. Fire pits with organic s’mores and scary stories, a Fear Factor challenge with “frog eggs” to munch, and less-sugary foods that still tickle the taste buds are sure to thrill the neighborhood ghouls and superheroes. Easy recipes abound online for families searching for healthier versions of traditional treats. 

Beverages

For a drink option that combines a science lesson with mystery, serve Witch’s Brew. In a large punchbowl, blend two 22-ounce or larger glass bottles of organic sparkling apple or grape juice, one gallon of another organic juice of your choice and one 32-ounce or larger bag of organic frozen mixed berries. Just before guests arrive, add chunks of dry ice to create a steaming brew. 

Treats

When healthy treats are a visual delight, they can alter the mindset that sugar-laden options are always best. For a treat as decorative as it is delicious, create a fruit tray that smiles (or frowns) back. On a large, round platter, use organic orange slices to create a pumpkin, leaving spaces for the eyes, nose and mouth, and fill them with organic grapes, blueberries or raspberries. Vegetable trays can be arranged the same way, using organic baby carrots for the pumpkin, celery sticks for the stem, cherry tomatoes for the mouth and broccoli tops or dips for the eyes. 

Ten minutes and some silicone molds are all you need to turn luscious paleo chocolate into pumpkins, spider webs, bats or any other creepy critter imaginable. (See the paleo chocolate recipe) Try adding a few drops of essential oils: five drops of wild orange will result in an immediate uplift in behavior or mood, plus a delectable citrus taste; four drops of peppermint, either with the wild orange or on its own, will provide a refreshing burst of flavor; three drops of lavender make for a soothing end-of-the-evening treat. (Note: use only certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils that have supplement facts available.)

Add some gruesome flair to an otherwise mundane treat by whipping up some Bleeding Brain Cupcakes (visit PaleOMG.com), adding the paleo chocolate or buttercream frosting of your choice (there are plenty of recipes online). Pipe the frosting on in chaotic swirls resembling a brain, drizzling raspberry or strawberry purée over the top to create the final effect. 

Fear Factor

Get your guests moving with a Fear Factor challenge: set up stations where they can compete in gruesome games to win points. Bobbing for bloody monster eyes is always a hit. Fill a large bowl or tub with water that’s been dyed red with natural food coloring (available at health food stores). Toss in some plastic eyeballs and brussel sprouts (or other round fruits or vegetables) for that additional ick factor. Guests have 10 seconds to retrieve as many plastic eyeballs or vegetables as possible; each item is worth a point. 

Other games could include a toilet paper mummy competition with two-person teams (one teammate wraps the other), or the 10-second ice bucket challenge, where guests use their toes to grab small items from a tub of ice water. Then there’s the ever-terrifying frog egg challenge. To make the frog eggs, cook a few servings of tapioca pearls as directed, without sweetener. Add natural green food coloring and a dash of black pepper, then refrigerate until solid. For the challenge, each guest rolls a die and must eat that many spoonfuls of frog eggs. Be ready to cheer competitors on, as the texture is abominable! 

Party Favors

Last but certainly not least, send your young guests home with goody bags stuffed to the brim with healthy treats such as raisins or trail mix plus an assortment of small toys, stickers or other fun items such as mini magic tricks and Chinese finger traps, topping off an experience they will remember for months to come.

Diana Pereira owns Pereira Produce & Health. For more information on healthy recipes and preparing foods with essential oils, call 850-499-3670 or visit PereiraProduceAndHealth.weebly.com.

Paleo    Chocolate    

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup high-quality cocoa powder

½ cup smooth almond butter

¼ cup raw honey 

½ teaspoon vanilla​

Melt coconut oil. Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pour into paper-lined muffin cups about a half-inch full, or into silicon molds. Freeze for 10 minutes or until firm. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.