Stop Eating! Recycle Halloween Candy

As I sit here looking at the bowl of candy ready for trick or treating, trying to convince myself I will only eat “one”. I decide to take action by moving the candy so it is not wearing on my self control. By “Storing” (hiding) it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight until ready to “use”. Most candy will easily keep four to six months. Check the best if used by dates on packaging to be sure. To take my mind off eating candy I have decided to share some creative ways to recycle Halloween candy. I sometimes even buy half price candy after Halloween for holiday baking. Many types of small individual candies such as M&M ® can replace chocolate chips or nuts in your favorite recipes that incorporate ingredient as mix-ins.

The traditional chocolate bar (dark or milk) is great for drizzle or icing on many different items such as ice cream, cakes, cookies, or fresh berries. Simply replace the chocolate chips with candy bars chopped into chuck size pieces. CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening (do not use spread or oil) 1. In small microwave-safe bowl microwave chocolate and butter at MEDIUM (50%) for 30 seconds; stir. 2. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Other candy bars with filling such as nugget, nuts, mint crème or caramel can all be used as filling or topping for different types of cookies. I have shared a new recipe my children love.

EASY CANDY BAR COOKIES Dough Base 1 cup Granulated Sugar ¾ cup Butter 1 tsp vanilla 1 egg 2 cups all purpose flour 1. Heat oven to 350⁰F. Spray sides and bottom of 9x13x1 inch pan with baking spay. 2. In large bowl, combine sugar and butter beat until light and fluffy. 3. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. 4. Add flour mix well. Spread half dough in bottom of pan and ½ inch up the sides. 5. Cut unwrapped candy in half lengthwise then arrange single layer candy on top of dough in bottom of pan. 6. Roll out remainder of dough and cover candy making sure candy is sealed inside dough. 7. Place pan on baking sheet in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. 8. Cool cut into bars. Gummy candy works well for decorating gingerbread houses or, making sand or dirt cup desserts. Stained glass cookies are a great creative way to use hard candy many recipes are readily available online. That leaves us with one of my favorites Tootsie® rolls. Pastry chefs refer to this product as molding chocolate with its main ingredients consisting of heavy corn syrup and melted chocolate. These ingredients enable this product to be molded and shaped with your hands to use as decorations on cakes, gingerbread houses or individual shaped candies think hearts. I saved you this time from eating all the Halloween candy, so you have time to either build up your will power or give the joy away to others as gifts. Enjoy.

Snacking revisited: Done properly, it's not a bad thing

William Nichols - Writer and featuring  Katherine French – Mercer County Extension Educator
Turns out, for most people, eating between meals may not be such a bad thing after all.

Healthy snacking is a great way for kids -- and adults -- to keep up energy levels, avoid overeating at main meals and ensure that they are consuming enough essential nutrients, according to a registered dietician in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Nearly all children need at least one healthy snack a day," said Katherine French, a nutrition, diet and health educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mercer County. Younger children may require two to three snacks per day, while older children may only need one.  Read more...  http://live.psu.edu/story/47894

Planning for Camp

As I sit helping my daughter collect all the last minute items needed to attend field hockey camp, I think back to the planning that went into making sure she has a safe experience. It started before registration. Finding an accredited camp and asking questions: What policies are in place to keep kids safe? What are camp procedures on handling medical emergencies and dealing with routine health needs? Do they have certified medical professional on site at all times? It is also a good idea to ask your network of friends for feedback from previous camper’s experiences.

As time for camp came closer, I went into my mother hen mode, making sure all safety gear fit and performed as designed to protect. Another safety item to consider: Is your camper prepared for the physical demands? During high heat index days, experts recommend scheduling exercise in early morning or evening hours when temperatures are cooler. But as July rolled around, my daughter scheduled her runs during the heat of the day to better prepare for the demands of camp.

With camp only one week away, it is now important to focus on another item often missed in the rush of other summer activities. Offering well balanced meals and snacks to make sure dietary needs are being met for optimum health. When purchasing camp snacks look for items that contain a combination of carbohydrates and protein. Good nonperishable items consist of dried fruit and nuts, granola bars (read the nutritional facts for good choices), and whole wheat crackers with peanut butter.

One other key to staying safe at summer camp is being well hydrated. The human body consists of 60-70% water which is critical in many body functions, and thirst is the body’s first sign of dehydration. We can help combat this by reminding youth to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, and offering foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables. Foods can contribute up to 20% of the water needed in our bodies. Knowing my camper will be in the heat and running much of the day, sport drinks (make sure to read labels before purchasing) are appropriate, but one to two a day is all that is generally needed to keep electrolytes balanced.

Knowing we have prepared for camp ensures she has a safe fun experience while she learns new skills, makes new friends and builds lifelong memories.

Mix and Match Meals

A "Restaurants and Institutions" survey found that about 70 percent of the United States adults decide what to eat for dinner at 4:00 P.M. or later. One way to ease the "dinner dilemna" is to plan meals like some people plan clothing purchases. Consider the person who mixes and matches a few clothing items into dozens of different outfits. You can do the same with foods by combining basic foods into an assortment of different and tasty meals. Try this list of foods for mixing and matching: Assorted Fresh Fruits in Season: Can be eaten "plain, as is;" chopped, sliced and added to salads; toppers for frozen desserts; or layered with pudding for a parfait. Cheese: Used in cheese sandwiches (toasted or untoasted): add to main dish salads; mix into a white sauce and serve over vegetables like broccoli or baked potatoes; or grate and use in a casserole topping. Eggs: Hard-cook, slice and use for a main dish salad; fry: scramble; make into an omlet or use in egg salad sandwiches. Frozen Vegetables: Cook and serve or toss into soups; add to casseroles or pasta dishes. Milk: Use in white sauces, puddings and cream soups. Use milk as a base for beverages. Meat, Poultry and Fish: Can be used as a single entree or combined or added to pasta dishes, casseroles, or even pizza topping. Rice and Pasta: Offer with seasonings as a side dish, serve topped with a sauce; mix with other foods and a white sauce or can of soup for a casserole; use in cold salads; or added to soups. By mixing and matching different combinations your meals and snacks will have a better chance of being nutritious as well as offer variety to your menues.

100 Calorie Snack Packs--Thinning On Your Wallet or Your Waist?

A few years ago 100 calorie snack packs hit grocery store shelves. The explosive demand for 100 calorie snack packs has generated nearly 200 million in sales last year alone. Selections range from crackers pretzels, chips, pudding to yogurt. But are the manufacturers thinning our wallet or our waist? You decide.

You're paying for the extra packaging! With a full bag of pretzels, the cost is about 17 cents an ounce as compared with a 100-calorie snack pack, that same pretzel cost nearly 40 cents an ounce. Single-use packaging also means more waste for the environment.

Are they really a healthy choice? I recently purchased an assortment of 100 calorie snacks. The first thing I noticed was that there wasn't much in each package. Upon reading nutrition facts labels many are free of trans-fats and low in sugar, but don't confuse them with a nutritious snack. Most are highly processed, and not nearly as good for you as fresh fruits and vegetables. Plus, 100 calorie snack packs don't always taste exactly like their regular counterparts. That said, some 100-calorie packs do contain less fat and sugar than regular cookies and crackers. Just remember while junk food may satisfy your craving, it does little to satiate your hunger. But for those times when only a cookie will do and you are faced with a full-size version of your favorite indulgence and weak willpower, then a 100 calorie snack maybe what you need.

What is a healthy 100 calorie snack? Look for choices that will satisfy your hunger and meet your nutritional needs. To keep your appetite in check, make sure your snacks include a bit of protein, fiber, carbohydrate, and fat.

Fatten your wallet and thin your waist! Prepare your own 100-calorie snacks built around foods you like to eat. Read nutritional fact labels on foods to determine the appropriate serving size for 100 calories.

The following are a few ideas to get you started:

• Half an apple with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter
• An orange and a few dry-roasted nuts
• 10 almonds
• 3 ounces low-fat cottage cheese and 3 whole-wheat crackers
• 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing with mixed raw veggies
• 6 Wheat Thins crackers with two teaspoons of peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/2 cup frozen orange juice, eaten as sorbet
• 3 handfuls of unbuttered popcorn, seasoned with herbs
• 4-6 ounces of no-fat or low-fat yogurt
• Half a "finger" of string cheese with 4 whole-wheat crackers

Make Toddler Snacks a Learning Adventure

Many toddlers need to snack between meals since their stomachs are small and they may not eat enough at meals to stretch until the next meal. Snacks can contribute to a balanced diet by providing needed nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and fiber. The best snacks contain some protein (cheese, peanut butter, lunchmeat, milk) which stays in the stomach longer than grains or simple sugars (popsicles, juice). When snacks are a daily occurrence, caregivers can get weary of the same choices. Creating a theme for your snack choices can be fun for your children and yourself – and a learning experience. Preschools often focus on colors or shapes. How about having circle shaped snacks one week like Cheerios, round pretzels, green or red pepper slices, cucumber slices without the seeds, doughnuts or bagels. Another snack theme might focus on local foods, choosing snacks grown or produced in your community or county. This might require a trip to a local farmers’ market or outlet store. Your child might be too young to appreciate the value of supporting local vendors but would enjoy the field trip. Snacks might also center around the Nutrition Facts label, choosing snacks that include 2% calcium or labeled whole grain. Check the serving size and see how much your child is eating. The serving sizes are established for adults but give you a reference for making healthy choices. Many snacks are advertised to children with popular movie or TV characters. If the labels indicate that these are good choices, include these into your themes. While poor snack choices can lead to empty calories, overeating and missed meals, preplanned snacks in proper portion sizes can keep the day going and contribute to your child’s mental and physical development.