When did Halloween get so complicated? The days of just buying oversized bags of individually wrapped candy are disappearing. Today, there are concerns about everything from food allergies to how Halloween festivities affect our planet. Carolina King is helping take the anxiety out of Halloween for parents. “You can have a healthy and sustainable Halloween without taking any fun away from the holiday,” states King, founder of Mama Instincts and The Mama Instincts Podcast.

For example, the candy industry is starting to do the right thing. “One common candy ingredient that no longer needs to spark concern is palm oil,” she points out. “We can finally enjoy chocolate that is not tied to rainforest destruction. Today, major candy manufacturers including Mars and Nestlé are using only certified sustainable palm oil. Much of that palm oil comes from Malaysia, which is a world leader in progressive environmental policies. The Malaysian palm oil industry is a huge contributor to wildlife conservation.”

King’s ideas for keeping the little goblins and our planet healthier while trick-or-treating

King hears from parents who choose to use Halloween as a time to teach their kids about responsible choices. For those families, she offers the following tips and ideas:

Conventional, budget-friendly treats: “While candy will probably never be considered healthy, it can be more earth-friendly by choosing brands made with Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil, such as Kit Kats.”

Organic treats: “GoOrganic Fruit Chews are Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Certified Organic. The chews are made with Fair Trade-Certified sugar, and the bulk candy comes in home-compostable, cellophane bags.”

Allergy-safe treats: “Dots, Skittles and Starburst are all free of the top 8 allergens. For healthier options, consider these Enjoy Life Seed and Fruit individual packets, or MySuperCookies which are organic and nut-free.

Low-sugar candies: “Candies made with xylitol help to fight cavities. Tasty, individually wrapped options include Xyloburst Lollipops and Dr. John’s Xylitol Sunkissed Fruit Candy.”

Novelty Toys: “These are very popular today as parents move away from giving out candy. Kids love such things as Glow Stick bracelets and scary Eyeball erasers. You can also get 48 Halloween-themed Slinkys for less than $15.”

Creative, sustainable food ideas for Halloween parties

King says friends and families can have a frighteningly good time with these Halloween treats.

Do-it-yourself popcorn bar. “Start with freshly popped Malaysian popcorn (recipe below) or try some Tiny but Mighty popcorn which has really cute tiny kernels without the annoying husks that get stuck in your teeth. Set out a seasoning station with different toppings. In keeping with the Halloween theme, include these Surf Sweets Gummy Worms which are USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project verified. They are also free of the 10 most-common allergens.”

Instead of punch, prepare flavored fruit-infused water enhanced with Regular Girl. “Some kids eat more junk food than usual and are probably not so regular this time of year. Regular Girl is a good source of fiber plus probiotics. This is so easy to make! Press fresh fruit at the bottom of a jar to release the flavor. Top with water. Add one scoop of Regular Girl for every 8 ounces of water. It blends invisibly without changing the taste, aroma or appearance of the water.”

Make a platter of cheese ghost sticks or ghost bananas. “Use a permanent marker to draw a ghost face on an unpeeled banana or on cheese sticks. This is a fun activity to do with the kiddos and a fun way to turn a healthy snack into a Halloween snack.”

Serve witch finger carrots sticks. “Turn baby carrots into creepy fingers by using a paring knife to give the carrot a finger shape. Shave one end of the baby carrot to make a fingernail bed and cut some grooves where a knuckle would be. Cut a small triangle piece of red pepper to use as nail. Dip one side of the pepper in honey and place on the carrot. Serve the fingers on a platter and watch your guests’ amazement!

King reminds parents, “We still want our kids to have fun each Halloween. But now it’s easier to find ways to make the festivities good for the planet and safer for their bodies.”

Biography: Carolina King

Blogger and TV contributor Carolina King is founder of Mama Instincts and The Mama Instincts Podcast, the ultimate resource for the natural and conscious mom.

Best popcorn ever:

Say goodbye to microwave popcorn or your electric air popper. The best popcorn is made on the stove using premium popcorn and Malaysian sustainable palm oil. Malaysian palm oil won’t break into harmful chemicals at high heat. Plus, its red color provides a beautiful golden tinge, similar to theater popcorn. Yum!

For the best popcorn ever, you’ll need:

A large-capacity pot, about 6 quarts works well. Take note of the pan’s bottom. Thinner pots which heat up quickly are preferred over high-end, heavier-bottomed pots.

3 Tablespoons Malaysian sustainable palm oil

½ cup popcorn kernels

Seasoning

Directions

Add the oil to the pan, along with 3 kernels. Cover and heat over medium-high heat until the kernels pop. Then remove the pot from the heat, remove the popped corn and add the remaining kernels.

Cover the pan, give it a shake and let it sit off the heat for 30 second to 3 minutes.

How long you wait depends on how quickly your pot distributes heat. Waiting enables the kernels to come to temperature evenly and pop at approximately the same time. Otherwise, some kernels pop early and may begin to burn before the others have popped. Waiting also reduces the amount of unpopped kernels (old maids).

Put the pot back on the stove over medium-high heat with the lid slightly askew so steam can escape. Give the pot a few shakes. Once popping begins, the corn will pop very quickly.

Popcorn kernels pop when the water vapor inside the kernel expands under heat. Once popped, however, this water vapor can turn popped kernels soft. Quick popping and a vented lid help keep your popcorn crispy.

When the popping has slowed down, immediately pour into a large bowl. Toss with your favorite seasonings and serve.