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This week, my good friend, Kelly Corbet, from Smart Foods Healthy Kids, Inc. shares some very helpful and useful tips for Halloween!

Don't get tricked by your treats It's here: the beginning of the season when "treats" nudge out healthier choices. But this year, some choices might be more frightening than others, especially if they include powdered dairy from China. The unwanted and unlisted ingredient may be melamine, a chemical responsible for the hospitalization of at least 10,700 Chinese children! Melamine has been found in lots of China-made goods that involve dairy, and a surprising number of companies/products has been affected, including Ritz snacks, Cadbury, Lipton, Dove chocolate, M&Ms...products we might not expect, and that also might end up in the trick or treat bag.

Most of these products are sold in Asia, but since country of origin labeling (COOL) isn't required for candy (and even if it were, COOL regs have incredible loopholes), we don't really know where those tainted treats started out.

To avoid unwanted tricks from Halloween candy, follow these simple tips:

Read labels. (I'm sure you do now anyway, but here's a new label-thought). If you see "milk powder," (certainly in milk chocolate and white chocolate products) you might want to think again about giving that sweet to your kids. Better safe than sorry! (Dark chocolate, the kind I recommend because of all those anti-oxidants, doesn't have milk or milk powder.)

Avoid synthetic colors. Though not as immediately or blatantly harmful as melamine, artificial dyes are candy-abundant, and have been linked to increased hyperactivity (among other undesirable responses).
Fortunately, less than 1% of candy sold in the US is made in China, but you still need to read the label!

The Candy Witch (known in other parts as the Halloween Fairy), magnanimously sweeps away all the Halloween candy from our house and leaves something more long lasting, and safe for my kids (last year she left Legos, that generous gal!) Even if there is toxic candy in the bag, neither you nor your kids will care, because you'll all be enjoying a fun toy!

Eat Well. Before we head out in our costumes, I make sure my family eats a healthy meal. This Halloween I'm making all sorts of chili, including blonde chili (it's got much more to it than meets the eye ). Even if you can't fill up on the good stuff prior to trick or treating, have the kids air-bob for apples (hang them by their stems), and whoever finishes first wins! Kids (and adults!) will have less tummy room, having just downed an antioxidant-filled apple...plus, they'll have fun!

Thanks Kelly from Smart Foods Healthy Kids, Inc., for the goulishly delightful tips and ideas for a safe and happy Halloween!