Welcome to month TEN of the Gluten Free Your Year challenge!
(You can find an overview of the challenge HERE) I’m so glad you’re here and I can’t believe it is already Fall!! The end of the year always flies by for me with so many celebrations back to back!
This month’s theme is “Gluten Free Your Halloween,” so let’s learn about how to safely trick or treat while still having a blast with our kids. And if you’ve been around my podcast and instagram, you know I love the color TEAL, so it’s great that we get to celebrate Halloween with one of my favorite colors! This month, I challenge you to plan ahead to be ready to have fun and enjoy trick or treating– TEAL PUMPKIN STYLE!
You can also listen to my Gluten Free You & Me Podcast on this topic here:
Episode 77: https://glutenfreewithcoral.com/77-6-tips-for-the-best-gluten-free-halloween/
To kick off this month’s challenge, download your own “Gluten Free Your Halloween Checklist” to use as we work our way through the weekly challenges leading up to that ghostly night! Then, scroll down to learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, preparing for parties, buying/baking safe treats, and helping your child stay healthy during the Halloween season.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
According to the FARE website (https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project):
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in thirteen children living with food allergies, and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters. Help us make this Halloween one to remember!
So I put a Teal Pumpkin on my doorstep, meaning I offer safe treats/trinkets for trick-or-treaters, but I also have my children carry a teal pumpkin when trick-or-treating to let bring awareness to the community and let neighbors know to offer a nonfood trinket if they have it available.
A Side Note about the BLUE PUMPKIN–
Blue Pumpkins designate a child with autism, while teal pumpkins designate a child with food allergies. No matter what, it is great to have a variety of safe, nonfood options for trick or treaters and show kindness to anyone who shows up to your door to join in the festivities!
You can find teal pumpkins at major stores like Target and Michaels, for you can purchase online at Amazon– Click the links below to purchase.
1. Yard Flag
2. Teal Pumpkin
3. Decor
Planning your Halloween Schedule
I love getting in party mode! To be prepared with safe foods and treats all month long- it is so helpful to be organized and plan ahead. When you hear someone talking about an event or get an invitation- take the extra minute right then to get it on your calendar.
Gluten Free Treats for Parties
I love to have some yummy desserts stockpiled and ready for parties! Here’s some of my favorite options:
- enjoy life cookies
- Katz donuts and cupcakes
- And I like to have my yummy famous mint brownies bagged up in my freezer as well, ready to take in a moment’s notice.
You can also find free recipes for my vanilla and chocolate cake HERE on my Recipes Tab
Take a moment and ask your child about their favorite homemade dessert. See if you can make it spooky or add a seasonal flare to it. Take the time to bake together and individually package them up to freeze and be ready to grab anytime throughout the month.I love to do this with my kids because instead of focusing on times when they can’t have a certain treat, they get the special memory of us baking together, and they always have a delicious alternative when other’s are enjoying treats that aren’t gluten free safe.
Safe and Gluten Free
Trick-of-Treating
Gluten Free Candies
It is actually pleasantly shocking how many candies are really gluten free. For example Reeces, succors, smarties, jolly ranchers, starbursts, skittles, nerds…
A Note about Cross Contact and Manufacturing Facilities
Often times seasonal candy with special packaging or holiday shapes are manufactured in a different facility and can even have different ingredients. So a product that you usually trust may be different when it is in holiday packaging. Many are still safe, but doing that extra bit of research for the candy that is most loved can save you in the long run.
Prepare your Child for a Safe and Healthy Halloween
Hydrate
First off, be sure everyone is drinking lots of water to keep their system clean and hydrated! Feel more confident about the extra treats you and your kids may be eating during the holiday by balancing it with healthy foods and water. So great to have little indulgences when you know its part of a balanced, healthy diet.
Ask Before Eating
Second, my go-to motto is “don’t assume everyone knows how to gluten free.” It is my responsibility to research and decide what is safe for me and my family, and it is my job to teach my children these skills. I always prepare my children by teaching them to advocate for themselves. Asking simple questions like “Can I eat this?” before digging in to a bag of treats is so simple and crucial if they don’t already 100% know it is safe for them.
WISHING YOU A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN!
Xox, Coral
Thank you for joining me for another month in the Gluten Free Your Year Challenge. Share about your journey in an Instagram story or post, tag me, and use #glutenfreeyearwithcoral. And if you haven’t already done so:
- Sign up for my newsletter to get emails with extra information and to get updates of podcast episodes and blog posts related to Gluten Free Your Year. I also make recommendations for great resources to help you along the way!
- Make sure you are following me on Instagram @glutenfreewithcoral and join our Facebook group, Gluten Free with Coral Community to join the discussion! I’ll be posting tips, fun mini challenges, and giveaways throughout the year on both, so don’t miss out!