Halloween on our Eating Plan, Year 2

We have now been on our more natural "real food" eating plan for almost 2 years.  We are still reaping huge benefits from it, and I don't see us ever going back to the way we ate before.  As a matter of fact, we are gradually and constantly adjusting to make things even healthier for us. 

I am reposting information from last year about how we handle Halloween on this plan.  It worked GREAT last year, so we plan to repeat the process this year.   Hope it helps any of you struggling with what to do with all that candy!!

We are going to let the kids trick or treat as normal, getting candy and other goodies as they knock on neighbors' doors and hold out their  plastic pumpkins.  When we are finished for the evening, they can each pick one piece of candy of their choice.   ANYTHING, even if it's not on plan (provided, of course, that it looks safely wrapped!).  Then, my husband and I are going to "buy back" any non-plan candy from them.  Last year they got a lump sum for their candy of about $20.  Next, the kids can use that money to buy themselves one type of candy or treat that they CAN have.  Any remaining money will be used to purchase goods for our church pantry.   The kids were excited about shopping for the pantry, so they are completely on board with this idea. Some of the candy we "buy back" will be saved for our annual gingerbread houses in December.  We are hopeful that, in addition to making sure we stay on plan, it will help the kids learn to think of others and to learn to use their money in ways that is helpful to others as well.   This year we are currently studying budgeting and grocery shopping in ways that maximize what we get for our money, so we are planning to incorporate that into shopping for the pantry as well!