• The Healthiest Halloween Candy

    Category:
    The Healthiest Halloween Candy

    What is the healthiest Halloween candy? It's probably safe to say that no candy is really considered a healthy food. But, there are some that contain much better ingredients and can be considered a healthier option.

    How to Choose Healthier Halloween Candy

    There are a few criteria that I use when deciding if a food is “healthy.” If you want to find the healthiest options to hand out this year, there are a few things you can look for when you are reading labels.

    The healthiest Halloween candy has…

    • a short list of ingredients
    • lower sugar content
    • no high fructose corn syrup
    • no trans-fats

    That is the short answer! Halloween can be hard for healthy moms. My philosophy over the years has been to lighten up for one day and then trade the rest of the stash for a gift or healthier candy. We have done it for so many years that it's an expected tradition to trade in their candy.

    Healthiest Halloween Treats

    Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle doesn't mean you can't still have some healthy treats. It's really more important not to go overboard and just have healthy treats in moderation. If you are looking for some better alternatives to traditional Halloween candy that won't cost a fortune this list should help.

    Unreal Coconut Bars

    With only six ingredients, 3 grams of sugar, and partially organic, Unreal Coconut Bars are a great option. Some of the ingredients are even organic and all are non-GMO. If you haven't tried these, you should! It's a great way to curb a sugar craving in a healthier way. ($0.67 each)

    Honey Sticks

    Although honey has natural sugars it also has health benefits. Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It also promotes digestive health, is a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system. Most kids love the taste of honey and honey sticks are a unique inexpensive ($0.23 each) thing to give out on Halloween.

    Annie's Organic Fruit Snacks

    While I wouldn't say these fruit snacks are perfect, the ingredients are organic and there is no corn syrup. I don't love that it contains sunflower oil but overall it's a much better option then other gummy candy. ($0.56 each)

    YumEarth Organic Lollipops

    These vitamin C lollipops are flavored with fruit juice and are made from cane juice instead of corn syrup. These made my list because they are one of the most economical options if you need to give out a lot of candy and have much better quality ingredients then a typical hard candy. On Amazon these are around $0.19 per pop.

    Halloween Stickers

    The healthiest candy, is no candy at all! Stickers are really inexpensive and younger kids will be excited to get them.

    Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop. If you are looking for some of the healthy tools and resources mentioned in my articles, take a look at my healthy shopping guide.

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  • Apple Cinnamon Paleo Muffins

    Category:
    Apple Cinnamon Paleo Muffins

    These apple cinnamon paleo muffins are a sweet and healthy snack with 6 grams of protein per muffin. Typical muffin recipes made with refined wheat flour are high in sugar and low in protein and fiber. Packed with nutrition, these muffins are a good source of protein, fiber, and calcium due to the almond flour.

    Low carb muffins like these make a great snack or even a dessert. The diced apple makes them taste like a mini apple pie. Kids enjoy them as a lunchbox treat. Since they are so nutritious you can feel good about this recipe. Each muffin has:

    • Dietary Fiber 8.5g
    • Total Sugars 9.9g
    • Protein 6g
    • Vitamin D 4mcg
    • Calcium 154mg
    • Iron 2mg
    • Potassium 130mg

    Apple Cinnamon Paleo Muffins

    Ingredients you will need for this recipe:

    apple cinnamon paleo muffins

    Apple Cinnamon Paleo Muffins

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 10

    Ingredients
      

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
    • Whisk together the oil, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla in a bowl.
    • Add in the dry ingredients one by one, mixing well.
    • Fold in the apples.
    • Spoon the batter into 10 muffin cups.
    • Bake 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown.
    • Fool for 30 minutes before serving
    Could these muffins be made into a dessert?

    Yes! These muffins make a nice low sugar dessert. Simply add a scoop of organic vanilla ice cream on top or make a paleo crumb topping. Mix together the following ingredients and top the muffins prior to baking:

    • 5 tbsp almond flour
    • 2 tbsp butter soft
    • 3 tbsp coconut sugar
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    Are paleo muffins gluten-free?

    Yes! Paleo muffins are made with alternatives flours, like almond flour or other but flours. This recipe calls for almond flour which makes them gluten-free.

    Looking for more healthy muffin recipes? Try these:

    Chocolate zucchini muffins

    Lemon Blueberry Muffins

    Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop. If you are looking for some of the healthy tools and resources mentioned in my articles, take a look at my healthy shopping guide.

    Some of our links are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I earn a small commission. The price is the same for you, though. Thank you!

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  • How to Make Peppermint Extract

    Category:
    How to Make Peppermint Extract

    If you grow peppermint in your garden, you can easily learn how to make peppermint extract and use your fresh herbs. Peppermint extract is useful for culinary purposes, it can be used in baked goods, cocktails, ice cream, and more. Once you have this delicious extract on hand you will find more ways to use it in your kitchen. If you don't have a garden, dried peppermint can be purchased at a local herb shop or online and will work to make this extract.

    Peppermint Benefits

    Peppermint is a wonderful digestive aid. It soothes and calms the digestive system when used internally or externally. Peppermint helps to alleviate gas, indigestion, nausea, and heartburn. You can also use peppermint for relaxing nerves and improving circulation.

    Medicinal Uses for Peppermint Tincture

    Peppermint tincture can be used all on its own to help with digestive issues. Use 1-2 dropperful of the tincture for gas, bloating, nausea, or indigestion. You can also add it to a cup of hot water and sip it like a tea.

    The words tincture and extract can be used interchangeably. Usually extract is used when referring to culinary uses and tincture is used in medicinal purposes. It is the exact same thing.

    How to Make Peppermint Extract

    Ingredients Needed:
    • Fresh peppermint leaves
    • 100 proof vodka
    Instructions
    • Place fresh peppermint leaves in a large, clean glass jar and pour on the solvent ensuring that the herb is covered.
    • Close and label your jar with the name of the herb, solvent, and the date.
    • Shake the jar for 1-2 minutes.
    • Store in a cool dark place for at least 30 days (or longer), shaking the jar every 1-2 days.
    • After 30 days you are ready to strain out the herbs. Pour the jar through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. (There are some new fancy tools for this I have found like this herb press that helps make it less messy and extracts every last drop).
    • Squeeze out the herb to get all remaining liquid.
    • Discard or compost your herbs.
    • Pour your finished tincture into a clean dark class bottle using a funnel.
    • Close and label your jar with the name and date of your tincture.
    peppermint extract

    Peppermint Extract

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
      

    • Fresh peppermint leaves
    • 100 proof vodka

    Instructions
     

    • Place fresh peppermint leaves in a large, clean glass jar and pour on the solvent ensuring that the herb is covered.
    • Close and label your jar with the name of the herb, solvent, and the date.
    • Shake the jar for 1-2 minutes.
    • Store in a cool dark place for at least 30 days (or longer), shaking the jar every 1-2 days.
    • After 30 days you are ready to strain out the herbs. Pour the jar through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. (There are some new fancy tools for this I have found like this herb press that helps make it less messy and extracts every last drop).
    • Squeeze out the herb to get all remaining liquid.
    • Discard or compost your herbs.
    • Pour your finished tincture into a clean dark class bottle using a funnel.
    • Close and label your jar with the name and date of your tincture.

    Recipes with Peppermint Extract

    • Add to your homemade ice cream recipes, like this one Vegan Ice Cream
    • Mix up your typical brownie recipe and add some peppermint extract for a chocolate mint treat
    • Add peppermint extract to hot cocoa
    • Use peppermint extract in your sugar cookies for a minty twist on a classic holiday cookie.
    • Make homemade peppermint soap

    Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop. If you are looking for some of the healthy tools and resources mentioned in my articles, take a look at my healthy shopping guide.

    Some of our links are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I earn a small commission. The price is the same for you, though. Thank you!

    You might also like these posts…

     

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