TIPS FOR TRICK OR TREATING:
Choose a classic with universal appeal…Nestle Crunch is familiar yet exciting with its tempting combination of creamy milk chocolate and airy crispies. No one will be disappointed to find these in their Halloween basket. And this is one treat grown-ups enjoy just as much as the kids.

Remember to brief your kids on Halloween etiquette. If they’re offered a bowl full of candy, each child should take one piece. Only greedy goblins grab a whole handful!

Don’t send them hungry! Give them a snack before they head out, so they won’t be tempted to munch on their Halloween booty before they get home. Try Goldfish Grahams:
• They come in chocolate, honey or cinnamon.
• No artificial preservatives.
• They’re sweet enough to satisfy the kids, but make a nourishing snack because they’re baked with whole grain.

And now we have to talk about the dark side of Halloween – tooth decay. What can parents do to help kids protect their teeth during the sweetest time of year? Obviously, reminding your kids to brush their teeth often is a good idea. It doesn’t hurt to have them brush every time they eat some of their Halloween treats. The new Advanced EnameLock Formula from Aquafresh strengthens teeth from the inside out. Teaching your kids good oral hygiene is the best way to let them enjoy their candy without compromising their pearly whites.

The Balancing Act's favorite shows are are the ones that surround the holidays-- past and present. Even though Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Halloween just passed-- and The Balancing Act hopped on the "Spooktastic Wagon" with Woman's Day Magazine. It was a show that grabbed every boils and ghouls attention!

Halloween-- a festive time for children and adults, but it can be stressful when trying to choose the perfect costume and tastiest goodie for the trick-or-treaters. The expert tips for Halloween essentials were featured on The Balancing Act thanks to another visit from Mary-Theresa Tringale, from Woman’s Day. An excellent resource for every woman, the advice provided by Woman’s Day is a way to help our viewers navigate issues that include home, parenting, health, career and more.

In this show the focus was on Halloween. From goblins and ghouls to pretty princesses, the little ones will be adorned in costumes that range from funny to scary. When the doorbell rings and the kids say “trick-or-treat”, what’s a classic treat with universal appeal? The Nestlé™ Crunch™ candy bars, according to Tringale. Kids love the combination of chocolate and crunch!

After trekking through the neighborhood and showing off their great costumes, the kids come home tired and ready for a snack. Since Halloween is all about sweets, the Goldfish® Grahams in chocolate, honey or cinnamon are a great solution. With no added preservatives, they can make mom and dad rest easier… And finally, when it is time to go to bed, the Aquafresh Advanced EnameLock™ Formula is the perfect choice for oral hygiene.

Tringale also gave some great suggestions on party themes and creative ways to decorate cookies and cakes. On the website www.womansday.com/diary, you’ll find a lot of holiday tips and recipes such as this one for Pumpkin Spice Cake:

• Active Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 20 muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup each granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp each ground cinnamon and vanilla extract
• 1.5 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs plus 2 large egg whites
• 1 1/4 cups pumpkin purée
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, halved
• Maple Drizzle
• 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
• 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• Garnish: toasted pumpkin seeds

PREPARATION

1. Heat oven to 350°F. You'll need 20 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Beat sugars, butter, spices, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed 2 minutes until blended.

2. Beat in eggs and whites. Beat in pumpkin purée on low speed until just combined. Alternately beat in flour, then milk, until just blended. Stir in berries.

3. Put 1/4 cup batter in each muffin cup. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pans on rack, remove from pans and cool completely.

4. Drizzle: Up to 4 hours before serving, stir ingredients in small bowl until smooth. Scrape into a small ziptop bag. Cut a small tip from one corner of bag and drizzle over cupcakes. Garnish with pumpkin seeds.


For more festive holiday ideas, past, present, and future-- visit Woman's Day at www.womansday.com/diary.