As we go through life, we're constantly categorizing (whether consciously or subconsciously) everything that crosses our path. He is this. She is that. These are different. That's the same. Yet, where does this lead us? No day is ever the same. And it’s this sense of variety that most of us thrive on and live for. So, why is that when it comes to analyzing our eating habits, we feel the need to categorize them as either “good” or “bad”? Let's dig into this a bit further.

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.

I took my daughter trick-or-treating for the first time when she was only 15 months old. She is now 16, and we still haven't missed a Halloween yet. We all know candy undermines our teeth, waistlines and health goals, but the ritual of selecting, creating and parading around in a Halloween costume, always outweighs the voice of moderation.