By Jessica Harlan

Posted: 10.07.09 | Tagged: food, holiday, parenting

As a kid, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. Not only did I get to dress up in elaborate costumes and pretend I was someone else, but I went door-to-door, filling garish orange pumpkin-shaped pails full of all the sugary, sticky candy that was ordinarily forbidden by my mother. Afterwards, I'd dump my loot on the floor and sort out my booty according to its cachet: the mini candy bars were most coveted, with Sweet Tarts and Smarties having the least appeal.

Now that I'm an adult, though, it's hard not to see Halloween through different eyes. Those ugly plastic trick-or-treat buckets often get thrown away (or hopefully recycled) come November 1, and worse, I hate not having control over the candy that total strangers are giving my daughter.

If you, too, are dreading the onslaught of sugar and waste that the holiday will bring, a little advance planning can help you make sure that you keep the unhealthy foods to a minimum, and also do your part to help the environment. Try these tips for scarily satisfying treats that you'll be happy for your kids to enjoy:

Coordinate with the Neighbors. Instead of knocking on the doors of strangers, team up with your neighbor families to plan a neighborhood trick or treat route. Talk to them about offering organic or healthier treats for the kids' pails. For instance, Crispy Green makes individual packages of 100 percent freeze-dried fruits with an addictively crispy texture. Or try individually wrapped granola bars, such as Apple Cinnamon or Chocolate Chip granola bars from No Nuttin'. To save money, look for these types of products in bulk packages at warehouse clubs, or see if you can order a case online from the manufacturer.

Plan a Party. Skip the trick or treating altogether and opt instead to throw a party for your kids and their friends. They won't miss out on the door-to-door action if there are homemade treats, games and a costume contest to keep them busy. For snacks, serve up tasty goodies with some nutritious hidden ingredients, such as carrot or zucchini muffins frosted with low-fat cream cheese icing (tint it orange and use raisins to make Jack O'Lantern faces). Take your cue from cookbooks like Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld or The Sneaky Chef by Missy Chase Lapine. Both have baked goodies with surprising hidden ingredients like pureed spinach or sweet potato. One to try: Peanut Butter Graham Crispies, which are packed with high-protein peanut butter and fiber-rich dried fruit. (See recipe below.)

Exercise moderation. If your kids inevitably end up with a sack-full of bad-for-you candy, let them pick a certain number of their favorite treats, and then get the rest of the candy out of the house (take it to your or your spouse's office, or give it to the office staff of your kids' school). Reward them for their discipline with a healthier goodie instead, or perhaps a small toy.

Tote Eco-Friendly Treat Bags. Invest in a nice-quality treat bag that will last a few years, so you can avoid buying the plastic buckets that get thrown out each year. Lillian Vernon sells canvas bags that can be personalized, and you can also search for eco-friendly trick or treat bags on that are made from recycled materials. If you can't find one yourself, make one yourself from fabric remnants or an old bucket or container.

These tricks and treats will go a long way in helping you have a happy, healthy Halloween.

Peanut Butter Graham Crispies
These cereal bars are addictively delicious for both kids and adults alike, but the protein in the peanut butter, the nutrients in the dried cranberries and the fiber in the cereal make them a healthier alternative to rice crispie bars. You can use any graham cereal you like (or even try another variety, such as O's or crisped rice), but we're partial to Graham Crackerz by Three Sisters, which are not only all-natural, but are made in a wind-powered facility and packaged with far less packaging than most cereals.

• 6 cups graham cereal, such as Three Sisters' Graham Crackerz
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1 cup peanut butter

1. In a large bowl, combine the graham cereal with the cranberries and chocolate chips, set aside. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray, set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar and honey over medium heat, stirring contantly, until the mixture begins to simmer and the sugar completely dissolves to make a smooth liquid. Turn off the heat, stir in the peanut butter until the mixture is smooth.
3. Immediately spoon the peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to coat all of the cereal with the peanut butter. Once the mixture cools a little, you can switch to mixing with clean hands. Pour the mixture into the baking pan and press it in an even layer into the pan, making sure the peanut butter is evenly distributed to coat all of the cereal. Let the bars cool and firm up before cutting into bars.

Makes 18 bars.