Trick-or-treating on Halloween is a time-honored tradition for many children. The costumes and decorations seem to get more impressive as the years go by. People become heavily invested in transforming their front lawns into clown mayhem. Others prefer to go all-out with their costumes and let other people go to the extravagant level with home decorations. 

That’s all well and good and enjoyable for all, but we haven’t touched on the hot topic that all parents discuss on this unofficial holiday: candy. As a general rule, it’s wise to have a good balance of healthy food and junk food. For children, proper nutrition is integral for their growth, development, learning, and overall health. Some children have a fairly decent understanding of candy and only need a couple pieces to satiate their sweet tooth. Other kids continue to open wrappers and shove their faces full with any sweet creation they collected while trick-or-treating.

About 89% of children participate in Halloween activities, so it is important for parents to have some tricks of their own. Kids will undoubtedly wonder why they cannot have more treats, so you need a few ideas to avoid sugary meltdowns. Continue reading for some helpful information and a few surprisingly fun and enjoyable treats.

Don’t Forget Halloween Traditions

Candy is but one focal point of Halloween, and we encourage you not to forget other fun traditions. Get your children involved with decorating the house, carving pumpkins, or have them contribute to their own costume creation. That will usually inspire them to carry these traditions through the rest of their lives. Perhaps they become thrifty creative types who go all out on costumes every year!

Find Other Uses For Candy

There are many programs available if you want to donate candy to troops, sell it, or even give it away. If you do not want the candy your child collects to go to waste, you can freeze it or even bake with certain types. Since the holidays are around the corner, you may consider making gift baskets with the candy.

Set Limits

Do not let your child keep the candy in their bedroom. You should keep the candy in a secret location in the kitchen. Children are crafty and may find ways to sneakily steal some candy, especially if you keep it off limits for good. Do your best to divide the Halloween haul into small portions and put limits on the amount your child eats. That way you are not denying them their treasure; rather, you are letting them enjoy it in moderation.

Keep Your Expectations Realistic

Around the time of Halloween, children will eat sweet stuff, be it at school, at home, while visiting a shop, or after trick-or-treating. You may expect some Halloween trading to happen during school lunches. Or perhaps they enjoy a small treat after dinner. Just set expectations that your children will have some candy. Depriving them of that candy may actually cause negative outcomes. 

Halloween lands on October 31, but the entire month is Halloween Safety Month. This is a good time to talk with your children about safety while they are out trick-or-treating. It is also a good idea to educate your children about portion control and the effects of sugar. To help enjoy healthier treats than candy, here are a few fun Halloween-themed recipes. 

Halloween Banana Ghosts And Clementine Pumpkins

A little chocolate never hurt anyone! That is especially true if you pair the chocolate with bananas and clementines. You can’t give these out to trick-or-treaters, but you can make them for your own household!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Frankenstein Avocado Toast

It’s alive! Create a monster avocado toast with this themed appetizer. It’s fun for everyone who sees it and you can get the whole family involved for assembly. Have one person assemble the different parts of Frankenstein’s monsters!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Homemade “Blood” Vial Juices

Pull out the festive stops this Halloween by making these healthy “blood” vials. These are much healthier than classic V8 juices, which are full of sugar. Get in the spooky mood with this “blood” juice that goes great over ice!

Click here to make the recipe.

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Back-to-school season tends to bring about mixed emotions. Parents are eager for their kids to get back into a routine and kids may feel excited to reunite with friends. It’s also possible to feel a little sad about saying goodbye to the good times of summer. That is true for family members of any age, not just the kids.

Many children also experience back-to-school jitters. Perhaps they are worried about what the school year will bring or how they will fit in. Parents may wonder how to calm those nerves and help their children better navigate this busy time in their lives. In an effort to mitigate those back-to-school jitters, you can get your kids involved in various processes. Asking them to participate in various tasks can help distract them and increase their responsibility requirements. Here are a few ways to prep tips as kids head into the school year. 

Create Family Mindfulness Routines 

Most parents will say that one of the biggest back-to-school adjustments is reestablishing healthy morning and bedtime routines. There is no secret code that unlocks the perfect bedtime or morning routine for every child. One way to incorporate the whole family is to work together to find mindfulness routines that everyone can practice. In the morning, for example, consider reciting a daily affirmation that encourages positive thinking and confidence. Affirmations can help children face tough challenges that they may encounter at school. In the evening, engage in a shared gratitude practice, during which everyone shares one thing they are grateful for. 

Allow Children To Craft Grocery Lists And Help Meal Plan

Whether you have kids or not, grocery shopping is something you must do. Kids can help make grocery lists, restock the pantry or fridge after a grocery run, and write down when things are running low. Take that a step further by involving your kids in meal planning. Come up with a weekly calendar of meals and talk about what you will need to buy for certain meals. You will also need to include snacks and treats that everyone can enjoy. Consider trail mix without chocolate or carrot sticks with hummus. Plus, getting everyone involved with grocery planning can help your kids later in life when they have to shop for themselves. 

Let Kids Pack Their Own Lunches

Take a chore off your morning to-do list by allowing your kids to pack their own lunches. If they are too young to make lunches, let them help place the contents inside their lunch boxes. Giving your children a sense of autonomy over chores is essential for growth and development. They will also learn how the food they pack can help fuel their bodies. To make this process easier, give them a checklist of foods to include. Break it down into protein, vegetables, fruits, and treats. Work with them to help better educate them about healthy food choices. 

Get Out And Explore

One of the reasons that the back-to-school transition proves difficult for kids is because they spend less time outdoors. They are in classrooms all day with a small break for recess. Take them out to walk the dog in the evening or plan small bike rides to the local park. Exposing children to natural light after school can help boost their mood and encourage better sleep at night. You can also plan more elaborate weekend excursions, such as hikes, picnics, beach days, and scavenger hunts. Involve the kids in these plans by having them help pack the essentials for your excursions the night before. 

Create New Family Traditions

The start of the new school year is a time of change. Kids and families can find it very disorientating, but you can help develop new routines that your kids can look forward to. Weekly traditions for the family can be very exciting. Perhaps one plan is a weekly dinner where kids get to plan pizza toppings. Another idea is to have one family member pick a game to play on the weekend. Maybe you have a movie night at home with theater-inspired concessions. The possibilities are endless!

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Following a healthy eating routine is what everyone should do to maintain proper intake of nutrients. When you are pregnant, the body requires more of certain nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, folate, protein, iron, choline, and iodine. Making smarter food choices can ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. In this article, we aim to give you some quick dietary tips to help you eat healthy while pregnant. 

Before we get started, the basic principles of healthy eating remain whether you are pregnant or not. Make sure that you consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. A few nutrients during pregnancy deserve special attention, though. To maintain a healthy pregnancy, the following components come into play:

• A balanced diet
• Regular exercise
• Appropriate and timely vitamin/mineral supplementation
• Appropriate weight gain

Get The Right Amount Of Calories

The amount of calories you need will change during the course of your pregnancy. Generally speaking, most pregnancies require the following caloric needs:

• First trimester (first 12 weeks): no extra calories
• Second trimester (13 to 26 weeks): about 340 extra calories per day
• Third trimester (after 26 weeks): about 450 extra calories per day

Weight gain is completely natural during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat everything in sight. How much weight you’ll need to gain, in addition to the number of calories, will depend on a few things. Ask your doctor or midwife how many calories you need and how much weight is necessary for you to have a healthy pregnancy. 

Follow A Healthy Eating Routine

Ideally, you want to consume a wide range of healthy foods while pregnant. Choose a mix from the following food groups to enjoy daily:

• Whole fruits: berries, apples, mango, bananas, and more
• Whole grains: such as brown rice, bulgur wheat, millet, oats, and multi-grain bread
• Vegetables: sweet potatoes, okra, beets, spinach, bell peppers, jicama, broccoli, and more
• Healthy oils: olive oil, avocado oil, and virgin coconut oil
• Lean protein: eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, salmon, lamb, and skinless chicken
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy: yogurt, lactose-free dairy, cheese, soy yogurt, or fortified soy beverages

Should You Take A Prenatal Supplement?

Most health care providers or midwives will prescribe a prenatal supplement either before conception or shortly thereafter. This is to ensure that you meet all of your nutritional needs. Please note that a prenatal supplement does not replace a healthy diet. Whether or not you decide to take a prenatal supplement is up to you. Just make sure that you get enough of the following nutrients: 

• Iron: Many women do not get enough iron during pregnancy. Iron helps your baby develop, so consult your healthcare provider to see if you need a prenatal supplement with iron, or a separate iron supplement. 
• Choline: An important nutrient for the developing baby’s brain. Foods that contain choline include lean meats, seafood, beans, lentils, eggs, and fat-free dairy. Most prenatal supplements do not have choline, so if you don’t think that you are consuming enough, consult your healthcare professional.
• Folic acid: Keep in mind that folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which exists in many dark leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and nuts. You can also obtain folate from oranges, lemons, strawberries, melons, and bananas. If you take a prenatal supplement, make sure that it contains 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. 
• Iodine: Another nutrient that is integral for the baby’s brain. If you use salt to season your food, make sure it is iodized salt. Prenatal supplements typically do not have iodine, so ask your doctor whether you need an iodine supplement or not. 

Avoid Certain Foods

During your pregnancy, please note that you should stay away from certain foods. The following foods may contain bacteria that can harm the baby:

• Lunch or deli meats, smoked seafood, and hot dogs
• Raw (uncooked) or rare (undercooked) meats, poultry, or eggs
• Raw sprouts, including clover, radish, alfalfa, and mung bean sprouts
• Unpasteurized juice, cheese, or milk. Make sure you see “pasteurized” on the label.
• Raw or rare fish or shellfish, such as sushi or raw oysters. (You can eat fish because it contains healthy fats, but some seafood is high in mercury. Generally speaking, you can eat eight to 12 ounces of seafood per week, so long as it is low in mercury and high in healthy fats).
• Refrigerated pate and meat spreads

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If you are a parent, or someone with sensitive skin, you probably look at the ingredient lists of skin care products with a critical eye. Fragrances are just as suspect as natural flavors. The last thing you want to do is apply a skin care product that leaves your skin itchy, dry, or irritated. Because finding safe, natural products can be a challenge, making your own skin care products is often the best choice. Such is the case for this all-natural homemade baby lotion.

DIY skin care products are having a moment because more and more people prefer natural ingredients to harmful chemicals. Some people think that making skin care products is too much of a commitment. There are some recipes that take a lot of time to make, but a recipe like this homemade baby lotion is quite simple. Although it isn’t so easy that a baby could make it, the lotion is perfectly safe for sensitive skin and babies. Continue reading to learn how the ingredients are perfectly safe for sensitive skin.

A Quick Note: make sure to do a patch test of each of the ingredients on your baby prior to using it regularly. If there is no reaction within 24 hours, the ingredient is generally safe for use. 

Cocoa Butter

High in fatty acids, cocoa butter has a creamy texture that the skin can easily absorb. It melts at body temperature and can be a great option if the baby has dry skin. If the baby has oily skin, cocoa butter may not be a great option, as it can be too heavy and oily for their skin type. Cocoa butter contains a lot of antioxidants, which work to fight free radicals that can cause early signs of aging. These antioxidants also help protect the skin and keep it as healthy as possible. Cocoa butter also contains cocoa mass polyphenol, a substance that inhibits the production of immunoglobulin (IgE), which aggravates symptoms of eczema. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and is a completely safe ingredient to help protect your baby’s delicate skin. Skin experts concur that coconut oil is an easily accessible remedy for a range of skin and hair issues in both babies and people with sensitive skin. Coconut oil contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help moisturize the skin and provide a protective barrier, keeping the baby’s skin safe from dryness. Plus, coconut oil contains vitamin E, which plays an important role in skin repair and the prevention of premature wrinkles.

Vitamin E Oil

As a natural antioxidant, vitamin E oil works to neutralize free radicals. Your little one is probably not too concerned with early signs of aging, though. The main reason that this homemade baby lotion contains vitamin E oil is because it helps form a barrier between the skin and the environment. That helps to seal in moisture and protect the skin from things like sun damage.

Homemade Baby Lotion

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup organic cocoa butter
• 1/4 cup organic coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil
• 3 drops therapeutic grade lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• Place the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a heat-safe glass measuring cup. Place the measuring cup in a small saucepan with an inch or two of water in it. 
• Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat down to a low simmer. Stir the cocoa butter and coconut oil frequently until melted. 
• Once fully melted, remove from heat and then stir in vitamin E oil and optional lavender essential oil. 
• Place the measuring cup in the fridge and remove once the mixture has hardened. 
• Remove from the fridge and whip the mixture with a hand mixer with one whisk attached. It will take about five minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Scoop into a glass jar, screw on the lid, and then store in a cool, dark place. Use when ready.

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The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a serious respiratory infection that can affect people of all ages. Recently, many children’s hospitals across the country experienced an increase of pediatric patients hospitalized with the RSV, in addition to influenza. In most cases, RSV may only cause symptoms like difficulty breathing, lethargy, and cough, but it is most serious when it occurs in babies. 

What Causes RSV?

RSV is spread from person to person via close contact with an infected person via secretions from coughing or sneezing, or touching objects like toys or door knobs that have the virus on them. According to health experts, it takes between two to eight days from the time of exposure for someone to become sick. In most cases, symptoms last for three to seven days, during which time the infected patients are most contagious. Because it can spread so easily, health experts encourage you to isolate and limit contact with other people. The peak season for the RSV is between fall and spring. 

Symptoms Of RSV

People who become infected with RSV usually show symptoms within two to eight days after exposure. The most common symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Decrease in appetite
• Fever
• Wheezing

These symptoms tend to appear in stages and not all at once. Very young infants who contract RSV may only experience decreased activity, irritability, and breathing difficulties. Surveys confirm that almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. 

RSV Can Cause Serious Health Problems

In more serious cases, RSV can cause serious infections like bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the small airways in the lung. RSV can also lead to pneumonia, a lung infection. Health experts say that RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under the age of one. 

Healthy adults and children don’t usually require hospitalization. Some people with an RSV infection, especially infants under the age of six months and older adults, may require hospitalization if they have trouble breathing. In the most severe cases, a patient may require oxygen or IV fluids, if they have difficulty breathing or become dehydrated. Some patients with RSV have been in need of intubation with mechanical ventilation. In most of those cases, hospitalization only lasted a few days. 

Take Additional Steps To Prevent RSV Infection

The best way to protect yourself from RSV infection is to keep the body as healthy as possible. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, wash hands, and consider the following tips when trying to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• Avoid kissing your baby on the face if you have cold symptoms. Additionally, keep your baby away from older siblings, relatives, or anyone else with cold symptoms. 
• Wash toys and the baby’s environment regularly.
• Ask people to first wash their hands before holding or touching your baby. And you do the same if you want to hold a friend’s baby.
• Limit the time that high-risk children or babies remain in daycare or play settings, especially between late fall and early spring.
• Keep your baby away from high-risk settings, for example, crowded indoor spaces. 
• Avoid environments with smoke.

As a final note, it is common for babies to make a full recovery from RSV within one to two weeks. Most babies recover from RSV without receiving treatment in a hospital setting. More often than not, you can treat symptoms at home. You can use a cool mist humidifier to introduce moisture to the air to aid breathing, or use a bulb syringe to clear thick secretions from your baby’s nose. If you think your baby has dehydration or is in moderate to severe distress because of RSV infection, you should seek medical care.

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There’s an excitement that kids experience when the time comes to return to school. This is an interesting phenomenon considering the elation kids feel when summer break rolls around and they get to leave for a couple months. The start of the school year, however, gives kids the opportunity to catch up, reconnect, and share all sorts of germs. That’s great news for parents, right? 

Back to school is a challenging time for families, and the 2021 fall semester is no different. With delta variant surges occurring all over the United States, sending kids back to school can be a terrifying thought. Millions of students are preparing for fully in-person education for the first time in over a year. In addition to shopping for school supplies, there are health issues to consider. Ensuring that children understand the importance of hygiene and masking policies is one primary job. While the physical health of children is something that parents need to worry about, mental health may also be a topic of discussion. 

Returning To School: A Mental Struggle

Clinical psychologists have been receiving calls about assisting children with their reentry to in-person classes. Each child has their own set of concerns, worries, or fears about heading back to school in general. Lack of enthusiasm to go to class, developing a morning routine, and cementing an after-school homework ritual are all things that require work, but this year presents a different challenge. The coronavirus is still in the air, spreading rapidly with the newer delta variant. Kids may feel worried or nervous to be around their peers. Will kids abide by masking guidelines and practice proper hand-washing? Kids who are old enough understand that it’s much easier to get sick, and that worry may make it difficult to head back to the classroom. 

Whether you are an educator, parent, administrator, or counselor, the following tips may help students start the year off right. There will be inevitable challenges, but you can tackle them as they come. 

Create A Morning Checklist

Heading back to in-person school involves a much different routine than heading to the dining room table to start Zoom classes. Aside from equipping kids with a mask, hand sanitizer, and lunch, there may be other things to pack. Consider after-school programs, sports, or musical instruments that also have to go with them. Create a daily checklist for children to reference every morning. This will be interactive and fun, and it will help get them ready for each day. 

Refresh Proper Coughing & Sneezing Etiquette

Everyone coughs and sneezes, which can make people nervous in today’s day and age. Remind children to sneeze and cough into their bent elbow, not their hands. This is to help prevent germs from clinging to their hands, which can inevitably touch their face. 

Prioritize Mental Health

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that mental health can dictate how you feel overall. Encourage your children to speak up if they experience too much stress, pressure, or anxiety about returning to school. Remind them that counselors and educators are there to help. Tackling mental health problems in their early stages is the best way to combat the issue. Children have demonstrated incredible resilience during the pandemic, so make sure they know to speak up about anything and everything. There may be learning gaps or loss, but children became resilient and learned to cope with how the world changed. 

Read School Emails

This tip is for parents because there will undoubtedly be more emails this coming school year. Schools will most likely update parents via email about events, COVID-19 concerns, or learning opportunities. Always keep an eye out for new information, especially before classes start and during the first month of schooling. 

Remind Them Of Proper Hand-Washing

A classroom is a breeding ground for bacteria, even if kids are wearing masks. Touching any surface in school, even if there are enhanced cleaning measures, means that germs end up on hands. Failure to keep hands clean can cause anything from pink eye to COVID-19. Make sure children have hand sanitizer and that they wash hands after dirtying them. Encourage frequent hand-washing by practicing this at home. In fact, making children wash their hands upon returning from school is also a healthy reminder and good idea. 

Know When Staying Home Is Best

Now more than ever, staying home during sickness is paramount. If you notice the subtlest hint of illness, keep the child at home and away from other kids at school. If a fever, cough, or congestion develops, consider getting a COVID-19 test to confirm whether or not that is the cause. Determining this will dictate how soon or if they go back to school or not. 

Always err on the side of caution with children, especially this year. Be the voice of reason and roll with the punches, just like we’ve been doing since the beginning of the pandemic. Your kids are resilient and they will persevere. 

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People thought they could start relaxing about COVID-19, but then the delta variant came along. As with any virus, future mutations that are more contagious are bound to occur. In the case of this delta variant, people resumed their worry about potential infection, especially if they did not receive the vaccine. What does the more transmissible delta variant mean for unvaccinated children? This article aims to offer advice and information on the matter. 

For the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic, children have mostly avoided serious COVID-19 complications. Although an estimated four million kids contracted SARS-CoV-2, the majority of cases were fairly mild. Rare cases resulted in hospitalization and death. Now that summer camps are open, playdates are happening, and school will soon be back in session, parents need to understand the risk for unvaccinated children. 

What Is The Delta Variant?

Researchers first noticed the delta variant in India and found it to be 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant from the United Kingdom. The alpha variant was 50% more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. A mere month ago, the delta variant only accounted for about 25-30% of all cases in the United States. Currently, the delta variant accounts for more than 83% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

What Does This Mean For Children?

Within the past week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that all children over age 2 wear masks upon returning to school. This advice comes regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccines have only been authorized for children 12 and older in the United States. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see case rates among young unvaccinated children to rise after resuming regular activities like summer camp and school. That being said, these organizations and programs are doing their best to implement strategies that keep children safe from infection. 

Is Delta Worse For Children?

Although infectious disease experts expect to see an increase in cases where vaccination rates are low, children still have a low risk of getting seriously ill. The most recent data states that children make up about 1.3 to 3.6% of the total reported hospitalizations. Additionally, 0.1 to 1.9% of all COVID-19 cases in children resulted in hospitalization. A variant that is more contagious will naturally result in more hospitalizations, which explains the rise in rates. The good news is that child hospitalizations are not increasing as a result of the delta variant. Ultimately, though, parents who have children with underlying health complications need to take more precautions. If the child is immunocompromised, for example, more protective measures need to take place. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for children in regards to COVID-19 defense. 

What Should Parents Do?

The delta variant may not affect children the same way that it affects adults, but an adult can still infect a child. Adults with children have to be extra careful, especially if they live in an area with low vaccination rates. The disease currently spreads like wildfire in those areas. Health experts advise adults with children to get the vaccine, as all of the current FDA-approved vaccines have proven efficacy against the delta variant. Additionally, consider a slower reopening for the household. There may be an urgent “need” for normalcy, but supporting children’s health is the number one priority. Do not be careless about get-togethers or mask wearing. Try to keep gatherings small and outdoors whenever possible. Lastly, reconsider travel plans because exposure to the delta variant is much higher when traveling. 

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This week on Top5, we’ll be telling you the Top 5 Cancer-Causing Foods That You Should NOT Feed Your Child!

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It’s been a rough and unexpected year for everyone. Working from home, Zoom schooling, mass business closures, and the absence of concerts and sporting events are things nobody could have predicted. Now, Halloween is on the horizon and we have to handle it cautiously. Can children still get excited about dressing up and collecting candy from houses around the neighborhood, or do they have to give up Halloween?

According to health experts, people should avoid Halloween parties, events, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement that said that Halloween activities are high risk. That being said, choosing costumes, going to costume parties, and running around the neighborhood shoving handfuls of candy in their faces are things that every child looks forward to on Halloween. So what can you do?

How Can You Get Spooky While Being Safe?

Halloween is a billion-dollar industry with month-long celebrations and events that everyone enjoys. It’s not cancelled because Halloween merchandise is readily available in almost every major store. The economy would take a major hit if Halloween was in fact cancelled. So you can get your spooky on as long as you’re safe about it. From infectious disease specialists to epidemiologists, their primary recommendation is to avoid indoor gatherings. You can have reduced capacity outdoor gatherings, so long as you practice social distancing and wear masks. You can find other, safe ways to enjoy Halloween below.  

Tips For Trick-or-Treaters

If you do plan to trick-or-treat this year, it’s imperative that everyone wears a facial covering. Note: a costume mask is not a facial covering. Children can wear gloves when they get candy, especially if it’s from a community bowl that people leave outside the house (a common thing you’ll see this year). Parents should also carry hand sanitizer to minimize germ accumulation on their children’s hands. You can wipe down candy wrappers if you want, but it isn’t necessary to sanitize every wrapper. It is imperative, though, to make sure hands are clean before opening candy to eat. People who hand out candy can designate entry and exit paths, and they can also leave small sandwich bags of candy to avoid all hands digging in the same candy bowl. Lastly, try to keep a six-foot distance between others when possible. 

Virtual Costume Parties

No, this isn’t as fun as an in-person costume party, but it’s nice that we have the technology to bring us together while we’re apart. Use video chats to have an online party with friends or family and show off your costumes. You can play games or simply enjoy the company. We highly suggest dancing to “Monster Mash,” no matter what you do. If you have a large outdoor space to gather with 10 people or less, be smart about it. Wear face coverings, maintain your distance, and wash your hands after touching high-touch areas. 

Carve Pumpkins

This is a safe, family-oriented Halloween activity that doesn’t require a massive gathering. If you typically have a pumpkin carving party, you can always do it virtually, but it’s also fun to just keep it in the family or household. The only safety note is to be careful during the actual carving process. If you’re extra resourceful and seeking a nutritional boost, separate the pumpkin seeds from the meat and roast them. Roasted pumpkin seeds make for a perfect healthy snack. 

Scary Movie Night

Whether your favorite Halloween movie is Ghostbusters, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Exorcist, Friday the 13th, Hocus Pocus, or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, get in the Halloween spirit and have a scary movie night. Consider dressing up as your favorite characters from the movie! If you want to get out of the house for a Halloween movie night, many cities are offering drive-in Halloween movie events. Safety measures are in place for everyone to enjoy the movie from the comfort of their vehicle. 

Plan Ahead

Halloween is an enjoyable time of year, but you have to plan ahead for whatever you decide to do, especially if it involves populated, public areas. First and foremost, assess your own risk. If you are over the age of 65 or you have preexisting health conditions, it’s not wise to open your door for trick-or-treaters or go out to public events. If you want to walk around the neighborhood, be sure to keep your distance and wear a mask. Lastly, we have to reiterate that a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth facial covering. The only exception is if the mask contains more than two layers of breakable fabric over the nose and mouth. 

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Any woman who has experienced pregnancy knows that a ravenous hunger can come out of nowhere. From one minute to the next, you go from relaxing on the couch to demanding a full buffet in front of you so you can stuff your face. As much as we want every pregnant woman to have whatever she wants, it’s important to monitor the food you eat during pregnancy.

It’s not just about the ABC’s of vitamins for pregnant women; rather, other superfoods deliver necessary nutrients for the optimal health of growing babies. Folate, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, calcium, and iodine are essential nutrients that contribute to healthy fetal growth and development. While the occasional bowl of ice cream or slice of pizza won’t derail your pregnancy, try your best to include the following nutrient-dense foods in your daily diet.

Broccoli

As a rich source of calcium and folate, broccoli needs to be a staple in every pregnant woman’s diet. The fiber helps to encourage healthy digestion and it keeps you satiated between meals. Broccoli also contains vitamin C, which works to fight harmful free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C aids the absorption of iron, so make sure to eat broccoli with iron-rich foods for optimal nutrient absorption.

Lentils

Whether you’re pregnant or not, lentils are excellent to include in your diet. Containing lots of protein (one cooked cup contains 17 grams) and fiber, lentils help keep the digestive system running smoothly, reducing the all too common constipation during pregnancy. Lentils also contain folate, an essential B vitamin that encourages healthy brain and nervous system development in your baby.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Vegetables are beneficial, but green vegetables are where it’s at. Get a super blend of nutrients when you include kale, spinach, chard, arugula, and collards in your pregnancy diet. All of these leafy greens contain vitamins, A, C, & K, folate, potassium, calcium, iron, and other antioxidants. An added bonus is that leafy greens help you meet your daily fiber goals, staving off pregnancy constipation.

Nuts & Nut Butters

You don’t want your baby to be fat, but you need the right fats for the baby’s healthy brain development. Health experts advise pregnant women to replace saturated fats (in meats and butter) with unsaturated fats, which are abundant in nuts. Unsaturated fats are beneficial for both heart and brain health. Since nuts contain a lot of calories, stick to a one-ounce serving of nuts or two-ounce serving of nut butter at a time. Great varieties include pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, and Brazil nuts.

Sweet Potatoes

If you want your baby to grow healthy tissues, it’s time to load up on some vitamin A, which is present in sweet potatoes. One medium sweet potato satisfies 300% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, and it also offers lots of potassium and vitamin C.

Bananas

It’s very common for pregnant women to experience fatigue, and the carbs in bananas help to fight that lethargy. If you feel nauseous, eat bananas because they are very easy on the stomach. Bananas are also excellent sources of potassium, which works to regulate blood pressure and decrease your risk of preeclampsia, or other pregnancy complications. One study found that pregnant women with balanced blood pressure levels had a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome up to ten years later.

Avocado

They are creamy, dreamy, and loaded with healthy fats that help keep cravings at bay. The monounsaturated fats and folate help to build your baby’s tissues, brain, and skin. Just like bananas, avocados contain potassium (they actually have more potassium than bananas), which helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Pumpkin Seeds

During pregnancy, a woman must eat foods that help repair muscles on a regular basis. The uterus grows and abdominals and hips stretch in unfamiliar ways as a result. When you consume protein-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, your muscles have an easier time keeping up with the daily changes the body goes through. Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and other nutrients that hydrate the muscles.

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