If you walk into any grocery store around this time of year, you are bound to be assaulted by the ginormous, colorful bags of Halloween candy. But instead of dolling out bag after bag of artificial colors and flavors to the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood, how about trying out a few of these healthier alternatives? I'm not suggesting handing out bunches of kale and flaxseeds—after all I don't want your house to get TPed—but there are ways to healthify even this most junky of holiday traditions while still maintaining the festive spirit.

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but we don't think the issue has been solved. Let's take a closer look.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, it can be difficult for kids to get all the nutrients they need from just three meals a day. When you pack healthy snacks for your youngsters, you give them a better chance at getting all the vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber they need.

As the summer winds down, it’s time to start thinking about getting the kids ready for back-to-school—and I don’t just mean buying new school supplies and getting their new schedules because this is also a great time to focus on health and lifestyle fitness. Here are a few healthy tips to help your children transition back to school.

Every time I travel to Florida or California, I think of how lucky children there are to be able to play outdoors year-round. My kids, and regrettably now my grandchildren, were stuck inside the house much of the year due to lousy weather. But, alas, spring has sprung and outdoor time is here.

Ever since I got my iPhone a year ago, I feel like I have suffered an amputation if I leave the thing at home for even a few minutes. I do use iMapMyRun to track my workouts, but the technology approaches a point of absurdity when I stop jogging to update my status.

I am the room-mom for my fifth-grade daughter, and a few months ago, I organized the class breakfast party the day before winter break. I made my tasty buckwheat waffles for the class. And while I was prepping, one of the parent helpers asked me about my caramel-colored waffle batter.

“It’s all whole-grain,” I said. “Whole-wheat and buckwheat with olive oil, no butter. I make that pretty much every Sunday morning.”

“Well,” she said, “I guess if your kids are used to it, they don’t mind eating it.”

My kids hate to run. The problem is that I love to run, and nothing would make me happier than to be able to go out for five miles with one or more of the kids. It would provide some one-on-one quality time with these people who are growing way too fast for my own comfort.

After years of trying, I eventually realized that I could not just say, “Hey, lets go jog two miles.” I am sure there are kids on this planet who would jump at that chance, but none of them live in my house. I have to be sneaky.