10/30/2025
Dear parents, maybe it’s time we reconsider the traditional trick-or-treating routine.
Candy and commercial sweets are, in essence, toxic for growing bodies and minds - full of sugar, corn syrup, artificial colorings, and GMOs. Science has long linked these to weight gain, dental problems, inflammation, heart and kidney issues, and even cognitive decline. The effects might not show up right away, but they build up over time.
I remember during a family trip to the Smoky Mountains we were told never to feed bears human food, especially sweets, as it causes diabetes and other illnesses. And I thought: if it harms bears, what do you think it does to us? Most health problems in adulthood start with what we ate and how we lived as kids. So… what kind of foundation and future do we want to build for our children?
Some parents say, “My kids are used to it - they expect candy.” But this is exactly where our role comes in - to guide, not just please habits we may have helped create. Children are impressionable and can quickly get attached to harmful things. It’s on us to help them understand and choose better.
Just because we’ve always done something doesn’t mean we shouldn’t change. Growth is natural - we evolve, our thinking evolves, our habits should too. And now we have so much research showing better ways to care for our bodies and minds.
If your kids are small, it’s easy to replace unhealthy treats with healthier ones. If they’re older, have an honest talk. Explain why sugar and artificial foods are harmful and how they affect their future well-being. It might actually work. Team up with other parents.
Some say, “We don’t eat the candy, we just give it away.” But if we know it’s bad, why pass it on to others - even if less fortunate? What goes around, comes around. Others say, “We just collect it and throw it away.” We did that once - and realized it still fuels candy production and wastes Mother Earth’s resources.
It’s just better to stay away from the whole candy business.
Instead, have fruit parties! Kids love fruit - make it fun, colorful, get them involved. Try healthy vegan or raw vegan treats, free from sugar and gluten, with natural colorings like turmeric, beet powder, or blue spirulina.
There’s also no need to pretend to eat fingers or eyeballs - that’s the opposite of light and kindness. Everything we feed our consciousness shapes our reality.
Let’s create new family traditions - rooted in health, compassion, and awareness - and help our kids make choices that reflect wisdom and love. 🎃🍎
What do you do to make Halloween healthier and more conscious? I’d love to hear your ideas.
