When my oldest was able to go trick or treating at age 1 and the following 2 years, I told her that Halloween candies were toys. So for quite some time, she didn’t know that they were for eating and enjoyed sorting them. But of course, she eventually learned the truth.
I’m learning to be in peace with them but still not a fan of children eating them, mainly because of the ingredients. I didn’t know to read the ingredients in my past so I’ve eaten quite a bit of them myself but when I became a mom and learned to care about the ingredients of everything, I’ve realized how unhealthy they really are.
I knew they weren’t health foods but didn’t know why. So now that I understand, I’m simply uncomfortable because I think that children deserve to eat better.
Knowing the ingredients, I don’t want my girls to eat them but I know that’s not realistic because they don’t fully understand why I am not a fan yet and naturally, they want to eat what their peers are eating. So I let them have some but limit how much because I think it’s our (parents/adults’) responsibility.
They can enjoy some of what everyone’s having then I swap what they’ve gotten with ones that are made with healthier ingredients. And homemade options will be available like the one in the picture.
When I expressed my thoughts on Halloween candies the other day, my oldest (now 8) said “well, you should be happy that Halloween happens only once a year.” Just like that, she put my concern into perspective.
Peanut Butter Cups
Bottom layer:
1 cup pecans
1 cup shredded coconut
10 dates, soaked for 5 minutes in hot water
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 tsp pink salt
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp cacao powder
2 Tbsp maple syrup
Blend in a food processor until sticky dough is formed.
Peanut Butter layer
*I use peanut butter that only has roasted peanut butter as the single ingredient, instead of the ones that have added oil and sugar.
Chocolate layer:
I follow Minimalistbaker’s easy vegan chocolate recipe
1 cup cacao butter
1/2 cup cacao powder
5 Tbsp maple syrup
Pinch of Himalayan salt
1 tsp vanilla
(Notes):
I use silicon muffin cups to make these.
Direction:
Put the 1st 2 layers then freeze for 30 minutes, pour the chocolate layer, freeze for additional hour or 2 then finally enjoy!
