Page 18 Fall Home & Garden | September 2023 Lincoln Daily News The night of Halloween was bittersweet for me since I would allow my kids to eat as much candy as they wanted that night with the mindset that no matter what night Halloween fell on, no matter how much their tummies hurt, they would have to agree to go to school the next day and get their chores done. The next day, they would have to combine their bags into one big bowl, and each kid could choose three pieces a night until they forgot about the bowl on the fridge and stopped asking after supper, which usually meant the only candy that was left in the bowl was the ones that no one liked. After the memories, what comes to mind for me around this time is apples, anything apple, and if cinnamon or caramel is included, it’s that much better! But what about the kids? Getting the kids involved early and giving them fun activities to get into the Halloween spirit is not only fun for them but is also a good opportunity to spend time together, sprinkle a little education with the kitchen tools and measurements, and add a lot of memories that may lead to a family tradition. To help alleviate that once-a-year binge for those youngsters with a sweet tooth, which probably doesn’t eliminate very many kids, why not plan some simple no-bake recipes for a Spooktacular start to the Halloween season? There are even some healthier-than-not choices for those trying to limit the amount of sugar intake during this season. No-bake treats are delicious, and the best part is you can spend your energy having fun with your kids making these sweet treats extra spooky. Who doesn’t love chocolate chips? And they are great for melting and decorating as well. However, I prefer the ease and color assortment of candy melts. By using toothpicks, plastic forks, and knives, you can get creative by adding color, such as 2-dimensional eyeballs and Frankenstein smiles to your spooky masterpiece. The easiest way to melt your chocolate chips or candy melts is to place the chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and microwave it in 20 or 30-second intervals on half power, stirring in between. Regardless of the color, shape, or size, regardless of the taste, or lack of it, start a new tradition with your kids, parents, co-workers, friends, or neighbors with some of these recipes. Continued --
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