Healthy Halloween!

It’s October and the aisles at the grocery store have been packed with Halloween candy since the end of August. Everywhere you look there’s variety packs, chocolate pumpkins and scary delicious treats. But candy isn’t the only thrilling goodies available this time of year; your local farmer’s markets also offer a bounty of healthy and yummy surprises.

Here are some of my favorite treats that are in season this time of year:

• Apples

Apples are like nature’s candy. Just add cinnamon and a touch of sugar and you’ve got a dessert that’ll please even the pickiest of eaters. Apple crisp is a favorite at my house, but really you can’t go wrong adding a new apple recipe to your repertoire. Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Sweet Potatoes

Nothing’s better than a perfectly roasted sweet potato. Whether you like to turn up the sweetness by adding a little brown sugar or go the spicy route by adding chili powder, you can’t go wrong with this slow-digesting, healthy carb. They’re even a great addition to enchiladas.

• Greens

From kale to spinach to collard greens October is a great time to work more leafy greens into your diet because they thrive in slightly cooler temperatures. But these leafy vegetables can do more than just your average salad. They are also a great addition to soups, stews, smoothies, eggs and even pizza. Pump up the nutrition on any of these old stand-bys in no time just by adding a handful of these leafy vegetables.

• Pumpkins

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving anymore! Pumpkins are a great addition to sweets like muffins, pancakes and oatmeal, but they can also go savory in chili, hummus and lasagna. Don’t forget to toast the seeds!

Adding these fruits and veggies to your menu is a great way to get additional nutrients into your families meal plan to balance out all of the candy from Halloween. Check them out! I hope you enjoy!