One of the things I have recently learned is that many of our “Favorite Chocolates” are made with fake or imitation vanilla, (known as vanillin) which contain synthetic flavors and toxic chemicals. Keep an eye out for this synthetic additive.

I used to think, I will buy imitation vanilla because it is cheaper, why buy something that is more expensive when it tastes and looks the same.  BUT DON”T BE FOOLED!  FAKE VANILLA IS A TRICK NOT A TREAT.  It is actually made with petroleum.   Yes, I said gasoline.  Check out more details from the Feinhold association.    http://www.feingold.org/Research/BLUE/Page-06-7-colorsBHT.pdf

Also, if you think its just the sugar that causes hyperactivity, think again.  “Hyperactivity can be triggered by synthetic additives – specifically synthetic colors, synthetic flavors and the preservatives BHA, BHT (and later TBHQ) – and also a group of foods containing a natural salicylate radical. This is an immunological – not an allergic – response. ”    Dr. Feingold.

When I told my kids there was gasoline in their favorite chocolates, my oldest son was  disgusted.  He said, “tell me what chocolate I can eat that doesn’t have gasoline in it.”  Ghiradelli is an approved chocolate in our house.

So this year, I told my kids I would buy their halloween candy off of them.  We decided we would give them .25 for each candy they liked and .05 for each candy they didn’t like.  They made a list of all their favorite candies ahead of time, so they didn’t try to trick us.

I was pleasantly surprised that all of my boys wanted to sell me their candy.  It was a fun experience.  They created 2 piles and all the boys participated in counting their candies.  I let them each keep 5 pieces of candy and I am certain they snuck some along the way.

One kid got $10, another $16 and my oldest (who stayed out the longest) earned $30.  My goal was about $20 a kid, and this worked out great.  We will take all the candy they collected to their school, where they are being donated to some other organization.

This strategy turned out to be a great TREAT for me as a parent as well as the kids.