This Halloween my eyes were bigger than the number of trick- or- treaters that came to my door. Last year my husband and I ran out of candy and we were those people who went inside and shut our lights. This year we were armed and ready. However, either our new house wasn’t on the trick or treat route or the party we left for started before the kids came knocking. As a result, I’ve completely lost count of the number of tootsie rolls I’ve consumed in the last 24 hours. The worst part, I said to my sister on Saturday morning in Target, I’m going to get candy I don’t like so I don’t eat it. Learned something new about myself, clearly I love Tootsie Rolls.
This morning I took the long way to work. I walked the three miles in an attempt to work off at least 2 of the 500 I ate yesterday.
So, to help myself and anyone else who needs the candy binge to stop ASAP, I brainstormed a list of things to do with leftover candy. And this list is more than just an effort to stave off weight gain. We are approaching the time where we spend SO much money. If we plan ahead, the leftover candy sitting in a bowl at your front door can become every upcoming holiday gift, celebration need and baked good on your never ending to do list. You’ll be thin and rich. Dream.
And FYI, I’m not going to tell you to bring the candy to your office. We are at our office so that’s pointless. And I don’t want everyone else in the office bringing in their candy so I’ll offer the same respect.
1. Make a healthy trail mix. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get your Omega 3’s without a touch of chocolate. Stop by a local store, pick up nuts, seeds & a high fiber cereal and mix up your snack for the week. I’d say the best ratio would be 92% trail mix to 8% chocolate. (No scientific evidence to that whatsoever)
2. Send a care package. Have a niece or nephew who just started college? Have a BFF who you know needs a pick me up? Package up your candy, write a note and send it out tomorrow morning:)
3. Prep a Piñata. Seriously though I’m sure you have a kids party coming up in the next couple weeks. Or just a party with drunk adults, same thing. You’ll be the hero if you bring the Piñata. Head to Party City after work, pick up Sponge Bob & stuff that little guy with every last piece of candy.
4. Freeze…. Duh! This one seems to obvious but I didn’t even think of it. Grab every Snicker, Milky Way, Twix, Kit Kat, Peanut Butter Cup and M&M and throw it all in the fridge. For 2 reasons; you eat less when candy is cold and you can pull this out when it’s time for any upcoming baking needs (even if that means keeping it frozen until the holidays)
5. Re-purpose for gifts. Elfster aside, we all have 500 people we want to give gifts to over the holidays. We can go real DIY this year with this leftover candy. Plus DIY is SO cool right now. So take the candy you have in your house, log onto Pinterest, search gifts with your candy and be prepared to check off every teacher, co-worker and doorman off your list early this year.
Here’s some clever Candy sayings
- Twizz the season to be Jolly
- You’re worth 100 Grand to me
- It’s a JOY working with you (Almond Joy)
- When it comes to teachers, There is no one BUTTER (Butter finger)
- You always help out in a CRUNCH
- You’re the Peanut Butter to my Jelly (Peanut Butter anything)
- Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re the yellow Starburst
6. Donate. This is the sweetest way to get rid of your candy. Apparently there is an amazing program called Operation Gratitude where they send all the leftover Halloween Candy to the troops:)
Click here for Operation Gratitude
7. Make favors. Hosting your sisters baby shower in a couple weeks/months? (I am!) Have a best friends bridal shower coming up? Offer to make the favors! You can literally Google any candy and find a way to make it work as a favor. So instead of waiting to be given a job, offer up your services and candy and you’ll quickly be bridesmaid or sister of the year!
8. Use it as tissue paper. Have you noticed that running into a drug store for a bag, tissue paper & a card is now $14.38 minimum? If you have a friend’s birthday this weekend, find a small bag that fits the gift & fill the rest up with leftover lollipops.
9. Hide. Seriously though, there is absolutely NO shame in asking your husband or roommate to simply hide the Candy. No waste, no temptation. When you need it (key word need) AKA you need to make cookies for your child’s birthday party, your hide and seek game can commence.
Hope this helps:) The main point, planning ahead will make us our best selves. If you can find a way to re-gift that candy from now until New Year’s you are going to feel better in more ways than one. We have the power to make life easier for OURSELVES!
If you have any other GREAT suggestions, please message me mondaydieter@gmail.com & I’ll add them to the list!
