Chocolate Wasted

As I unpacked my child's first trick-or-treating bucket filled to the brim with all things imaginable (a pencil included) I sorted through the candy I will let him have (soft, easily chewed things) and put the other stuff (hard candy, candy I know he doesn't care for, etc) in my husband's emergency sugar low stash. Also while unpacking/sorting, I couldn't help but think about the millions of trick-or-treaters that visited door to door throughout the United States- we had a whopping 50-75 kids visit our home.

I decided that I would write my first blog of the week regarding "health" on Halloween candy- the yummy, gooey, goodness...yet calorie and sugar filled.

Here's some of the neatest stats I found:

- There were an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters out last night

- The average American consumes 24.7 pounds of candy per year (I believe that our family at about half that much last night!!)

- The highest calorie popular candy is the fun size Butterfinger- ringing in at a whopping 85 calories

- The lowest calorie popular candy is the 2 pack Starburst- coming in last at 40 calories

(thanks to calorielab.com and factmonster.com)

I wish that I could say that I limited myself and my son when it came to consuming the Halloween candy- but I didn't. Both of us consumed three pieces...my favorite are the fun size Twix and Gage's favorite are the Reece cups. What I can say is, Halloween comes one time per year; eat up! Enjoy those little pieces of chocolate heaven. Get chocolate wasted.

Our "One-Eyed Monster" on his First Trick-or-Treating Adventure!

Here's to staying up late with your kid that has a sugar rush, all the extra miles on the eliptical, and finding a good dentist....

Erica

Trick-or-Treat...Have a Drink!

With the 4th Annual Goodnight Halloween Throwdown looming around the corner (tomorrow night at 7 pm to be exact), I have to write my "happiness" blog on just that- the Throwdown!

Why is it called a "Throwdown"? Well, a throwdown (according to Webster.com) is to make (a slam dunk) with exceptional force. A party on the other hand (again according to Webster.com) is a social gathering. My friends, this is far beyond a social gathering...this is a SLAM DUNK version of a social gathering. And, the exceptional force? Well, that refers to my flip cup team- our winning force is exceptional.

As LaQuisha (my Halloween alter-ego) prepares for tomorrow's festivities I recall some of my fondest Throwdown events:

#1: The 1st Throwdown and the PJ courtesy of the Harris' that ended up ALL DOWN our NEW concrete driveway.

#2: Again, the 1st Throwdown, LaQuisha ended up in the woods, behind the port-a-potty with leaves in her fro...all before 9 pm. (yes, it was THAT bad!)

#3: From the 2nd Throwdown, poor Matt and his tent 3" deep with water...yet he slept in it.

#4: A shout out from the 3rd Throwdown to the McCurdy's- how Lynn even asks Mike to dress up like a ballerina, I'll never know!

#5: And, from the 3rd Throwdown, Meg insisting that Dr. McDreamy check her out...but she was the bomb, like tick-tick.

For those of you who would like to know a few of our favorite Throwdown traditions, here they are:

1) Everyone must dress up...no excuses!

2) Best dressed single and couple win a prize...

3) Everyone brings beverages and food. Favorite foods include meatballs by Jimmie or Janna, mini sandwiches by Megan, and spinach dip by Carrie. Favorite beverages include PJ as mentioned earlier...that's a killer (literally) recipe. Mix 1 Everclear to 2 Hawaiian Punch + 1 Diet Sundrop + 1 Diet 7-Up. Add fruit as desired. Let sit AT LEAST 24 hours.

4) Corn-hole, flip cup, and dancing. Yes, dance to the beat...move those feet...like no one is watching!

From Throwdown #2: Bekah, Ally, Ashton, Carrie, LaQuisha, Meg

Have fun this Halloween- I know we will.

By all means, put on a silly costume, eat a mini-Snicker's bar...and raise your glass to being happy this Halloween season....Trick-or-Treat!

Until next week,

Erica