Halloween Memories -- Reese's or Pieces? Tricks About Treats!

"Life is about compromises" 'they' say, and I'm going to compromise about Halloween this year.  I've decided to write something in this blog that I can Print and include with what I give to the kiddos and their parents (hopefully) coming around tonight.  I've decided to give Reese's out, because they're kind of a tradition in my family.  My mom selected the TWO PACKS to give out when I was in junior high because the kids had so few houses to go to 'in my neck of the woods' (which it literally WAS the woods -- rural Colorado mountains).  On the bus home that day the 'city kids' that had moved in the last decade into a nearby subdivision were talking about what their families were giving out, so they knew which houses to target. 

I learned a big lesson that day, because I was honest about what we were giving out and since it was FULL SIZED Double packs of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, we had a RECORD number of trick or treaters that night!  13 of them!  Our previous high had been six I think!  My parents wouldn't take me trick or treating, as my mom felt it was 'begging' (depression era 'shame' perhaps), so the only candy I got was what wasn't given out.   It was actually FUN to have my busmates come to the house and trick or treat because at least I got to 'be part of Halloween' in some way that night.  Besides,  I was still repulsed by the thought of eating Reese's from when I was 9 and my sister had eaten them all the way from South Carolina to Florida in the car on a trip to visit grandparents when I had such bad stomach flu or food poisoning that my mother stopped off somewhere in the South and took me to a doctor.  I associated Reese's with a looooong driving day of misery ..  BUT we stayed on schedule!  That was my mom!

This September, my father died on Labor Day, and his neighbor who essentially is my school-mate from those days above, who used to take HIS children to my dad's Trick or Treating and sometimes were the only ones as my dad's world got smaller and smaller with his advancing illness and age, suggested we have Reese's on the tables as decorations at the after-party gathering.  It was an excellent suggestion as it was a fitting remembrance AND simple, and at those events you want streamlined so you can enjoy talking with people! In his last years, my sister said he would sit there and think nobody was figuring out that he was eating them while sitting in his recliner --- but the wrappers on the floor and the chocolate on the arms were a give-away. It was really 'sweet' (pun intended) after he died and we were looking at the chair.  (He also denied that he ever slept, though he'd be sitting there with his mouth open 'sawing logs'.  There were many reasons one of my friends affectionately called him 'the little ol' bugger man'.)

So, it is for those two reasons I am giving Reese's tonight.  I'd rather give out bags of organic nuts and pieces of high cacao chocolate with educational information about why those are considered to be good for you! But THIS YEAR, it will be Reese's! A compromise!  

However, y'all know me to not miss a marketing opportunity OR one to educate (ask the people who attended the funeral, I worked in education about progressive health concepts, making choices, AND hospice!) here is MY favorite SIMPLE fall/ Halloween treat, inspired by the expensive and sugar-infused candied dried fruit available at candy shops!  Take dried apricot or peach halves (orange in color), some pretzels (gluten free highly recommended for those considering if foods have a part to play in their health issues), shelled nuts of your choice.  Get some high quality chocolate of your choice (brown to compliment the orange for Halloween, but a little white on some of these will really make it attractive, though less healthy). Melt chocolate (I've used bagged chips from the discount big box store for BIG batches) over a double boiler if you don't like the effects of microwave on foods, or on very low power in a microwave and in a fairly small container, such as a Pyrex 1 or 2 cup measuring cup.  (I'd do 20% for a minute and then stir when working with patients in the past). Dip the pretzels, fruit, nuts in the chocolate and then lay it on a piece of waxed or butcher paper to cool. 

I used to make these as give-aways to my favorite providers I wanted to thank, using Parchment Paper made by Reynolds and tear off segments that were square and put some nuts, some fruit, some pretzels on each piece and then just pull that up, put a nice ribbon on it and drop it off with a card.  (Some of the offices liked it that I'd also put a bag of NICE organic coffee so they could make a special treat for that oh-so-familiar afternoon 'drag' medical providers are faced with ever day.)  TIME SAVING TIP: Lay everything out very close in a single layer on the paper and drizzle the chocolate over whatever you want as the 'base' food.

To permanently honor and remember my Dad, NOT just about Halloween candy and Reese's, I will be 'officially rolling out' the NEW 'End of Life Issues' area of the Forums at Lumigrate.com in the near future. This area is being funded by the generosity of friends and colleagues of mine (and Lumigrate's) in honor of my dad 'in lieu of', so please stay tuned into Lumigrate.  Join us/Lumigrate and/or me on facebook, and Twitter as well.  And for sure, have some FUN this Halloween and enjoy all the Tricks about TREATS!

~~ Mardy