Savvy Halloween

Halloween has most definitely been “Americanized,” in the sense that it has become all about buying large amounts of candy and discounted decorations.  It is a mindless holiday that people ritualistically practice without even thinking about it.  It is rare to hear someone talk about the history of Halloween.  However, the history of Halloween and [...]

(NC)-Hosting a Halloween party doesn’t have to be all about the candy. Be a super-mom by hosting a healthier kid’s party that includes the classic Halloween décor but offers candy-free goodie bags and fun games designed to get kids physically active. This spooky feast will keep kids eating a balanced diet while still having a [...]

There’s no law saying that you have to make your own Halloween sound effects, but you get more into the spirit of the season doing it yourself and not buying ready-made tapes or CDs.  People – especially teenagers – will recognize the difference between a sound made live and that from a recording.  If you [...]

I can trace my obsession with vampires back to 1987 when I saw The Lost Boys for the first time (the first of many, many times). Years later, there was “Buffy”, then “Angel”, and later “Moonlight” on television.
I’ve always preferred entertainment with bite.
While I have to admit that the sequel, Lost Boys: The Tribe, was terrible, I [...]

Halloween is a great time for all kinds of treats—and they’re definitely not hard to find!  Starting in August and September, most grocery stores and convenient stores put bags and bags of candy assortments up for sale.  Everyone has a favorite traditional, store bought treat, but why not take your Halloween offering to the next [...]

It is difficult to think of Halloween as being anything other than a purely commercial holiday.  However, there are many traditional recipes associated with Halloween that reveal the holiday’s history and importance.  Many of these recipes can be made with one sole source—the pumpkin!  One of the essential components of Halloween, the pumpkin is the [...]

by Sirena Van Schaik
People often say, “Halloween, it’s just about the candy,” and although I often agree with them on some level, I don’t really think it is a bad thing. To me, Halloween is one of the truly whimsical holidays around. There is no deep meaning, although there is a history, and children and [...]

This year, instead of throwing your pumpkin seeds away, roast them for a crunchy treat that’s low in fat and full of heart healthy goodness.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
Toss 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) of cleaned, unshelled pumpkin seeds with 2 tsp melted Becel with Bertolli olive oil margarine.
Add a dash of salt or other seasoning [...]

Halloween party food can be really fun to make, it’s the time of the year when you can make your food look unappetizing and people will still want to eat it. Children love the thrill of eating what they think is dismembered body parts and ordinary food that has been dyed fun colors.
If you don’t [...]

Halloween masks are the easiest way to transform an ordinary outfit into a costume. If you are running short on time then this is the perfect way to have a costume ready for that party you forgot about.
Halloween masks are also great for the budget conscious; you don’t have to spend a whole lot if [...]