Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat! It’s that time of year again, to send our kids door to door to get as many sweets as possible, (and snag some for ourselves). Oriental Art of Healing would like to share a few tips on how to stay healthy during this high sugar holiday.

First, stay warm. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the cold is a large disruption to the balance of the immune system. Be sure to dress up warm and keep the back of your neck covered when you are out trick or treating. Drink warm beverages and eat warm meals to keep your body from getting sick.

Sleep. Be sure to have plenty of rest. This gives your body a chance to renew itself and keeps your immune system high to resist cold like symptoms.

Avoid consuming too much sugar. In total, the average American consumes about 25 pounds of candy per year. Not surprisingly, a large amount of that candy consumption happens during Halloween. TCM believes sugar, in excess makes the bones ache, slows down calcium metabolism and causes bone loss and arthritis. Excessive amounts of sugar consumed may also lead to hair loss.
The best source for sweets come from whole foods, especially vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Some examples include: apples, carrots, celery, cinnamon, pumpkin and squash.

Of course, no one wants to be known as the house that hands out apples. So here are a list of non-candy items kids will love and their immune systems will thank you for.

  • Play Dough
  • Bubbles
  • Rubber Balls
  • Stickers

Spider Rings

Find more non-candy ideas click on the following links…
http://lilluna.com/20-non-candy-halloween-treats/
http://www.annsentitledlife.com/library-reading/101-non-candy-halloween-treat-ideas/
For party treats, here are some non-candy ideas…
http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/2013/09/heathy-halloween-food-ideas.html
http://www.listotic.com/64-non-candy-halloween-snack-ideas/

From all of us at Oriental Art of Healing,

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

References: http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/misc/renee/2012/suger2.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/blog/scary-truth-about-halloween-infographic/