No doubt about it, Halloween has well and truly taken off here in the Southern Hemisphere.

Rooted in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, Halloween originally began as a way to scare off ghosts and spirits before morphing into the candy laden festival of witches and wizards we know today!

We’re down with dressing up and getting into the spirit (HA! Geddit?) of things but we know some parents find the amount of sugary treats on offer a little overwhelming. (Especially if you spend a bit of time trying to teach your sprogs about a balanced, healthy diet!).

As always, Remedy’s here to help with some healthy Halloween hacks! We’re not total buzz killers though, we know it’s fun to trick and/or treat so we’re all about making small tweaks and balanced choices…here’s our hot tips to making it through Halloween without the sugar crash ‘n’ burn!

Focus on the fun as well as the food!

Spend time talking with your kids about the origins and history of Halloween. Enjoy workshopping the costume possibilities and house decorations rather than the sweets and lollies on offer. One of the beauties of Halloween is the chance for children to wander around their neighbourhood after hours and get to know their community. Why not make this the focus rather than all the sugary loot?!

Eat something healthy before heading out

Have an early dinner before heading out. Filling up with something wholesome and healthy will help minimise the temptation of gorging on lollies.

Healthier handouts

Consider gifting popcorn, fruit kebabs, cheese-sticks or small packets of sultanas or raisins instead of sugary sweets. You could even go for ‘on theme’ mini-cans of Remedy Switchel Blood Orange. They’re the perfect treat without the sweet and just the right size for little hands!

Nix food treats altogether

There’s no hard and fast rule regarding what you hand out to the kids in your neighbourhood and you can bet your bottom dollar some parents will be relieved to see some non-food treats in the trick or treat stash their little ones bring home. Try spooky Halloween themed stickers, bubbles, novelty erasers or even glow sticks to hand out on the night.

There you go – four healthy hacks that’ll have you saying ‘BOO’ to sugar this Halloween!

by Jacqueline Alwill

Most parents would agree that planning a kids’ party with the (inevitable) sugar highs that come with party food and treats is a tad exhausting even before the party starts. So to save you from your next kids’ party headache, dive into these 5 hacks for a healthier kids’ party.

1. FIND FAMILY FAVES

Plan the party WITH your kids when it comes to activities and food. Understand what makes them completely stoked and then be clever in the way you balance the party and health-ify it. If a piñata is on the cards, pop in some cool treats to balance the sweet ones exploding out of it. If your family loves a chocolate cake then make that the hero and leave the extra sugary cupcakes or dense brownies out of the plan. And, if lolly bags to take home are a non-negotiable then top up with some items that maybe aren’t related to food, but still super fun – try packs of cards, cool pencils or mini joke books instead. 

2. ENJOY THE SWEET

But be savvy in how you peel it back, so it doesn’t become a sugar rave. Kids actually don’t care if it’s lollypops on a table or watermelon cut and presented with a stick like a lollypop. It’s the novelty that counts for them and they’ll eat whatever is there. Remember that, because in the midst of wanting to make each party epic for your kids, it can be lost. Simple go to treats without the refined sugar hit might include:

• fruit nice cream
• choc dipped fruit
• healthy mini cupcakes or muffins
• bliss balls
• fruit kebabs / pops
• jelly gummies
• popcorn bars
• mini smoothie jars
• yoghurt and fruit pots

3. SAY HEY TO SAVOURY

To balance the sweet, make it a 2:1 ratio of savoury to sweet on the table and you’ll have a much happier bunch of kids in your company. Remember you don’t have to be making everything yourself, hunt down good quality party food from your local baker, pizzeria or sushi store to top things up and get some quick, little person loving, savoury action on the food table. Consider these crowd favourites:

• pizza slices - many great pizza shops will happily make up a large slab of pizza with a simple margherita topping if you order in advance
• mix of brown and white rice vegetable sushi
• veggie dip boats
• mini frittata
• sweet potato wedges
• vegetarian sausage rolls
• lavosh or pita bread chips with (no spice) guacamole

4. SWAP THE SODAS

There are always better options and Remedy Drinks has just made the healthiest yet with their NEW fermented soda range. Whilst the idea of juice boxes and some sneaky sugar laden soft drinks might be tempting to keep the small peeps happy this party season, rethink your choices for a HAPPIER and HEALTHIER event. Remedy Drinks has just introduced five new fermented sodas to the Remedy stable including crowd favourites such as Cola, Lemon Lime and Bitters, Lemonade, Ginger Beer and Oranja which means there is a flavour for everyone big and little alike. What’s the difference between Remedy and the ‘usual’ soft drinks or sodas you ask? Well … Remedy Sodas are made with organic fruit juices brewed with Remedy’s live culture to ferment out all of the sugar before adding all natural ingredients including spices and botanicals. Remedy Drinks are making sodas right, with no sugar, naturally. A healthier, tasty fizzy? Yes please!

5. RUN THEM RAGGED

Finally, rather than leave the cake til last, sneak it in half way, get the savoury food out and run kids around before parents come to pick up. Tap into all your old favourite party games and tricks you loved growing up and bring them to life again - pin the tail on the donkey (maybe a minion?), three legged or egg and spoon races, tag, tip you name it. A party planned around great games, healthy food and drinks and family faves are fun filled, healthy kids’ parties done right. 

Recipe: Choc Dipped Pineapple Triangles

Makes approximately 24 slices

Dairy Free: Gluten Free: Refined Sugar Free: Vegan

• 1 small pineapple, sliced into 1cm thick triangles, skin left intact
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Toppings: finely chopped pepitas, pistachios, coconut flakes, cranberries, or any other dried fruits and nuts you wish

Whisk together coconut oil, raw cacao powder, maple syrup and vanilla.

Line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Dip 3/4 pineapple piece into melted chocolate, allow a little to drip off the end, lay onto tray and repeat.

Place in fridge to set for 10 minutes then repeat with remaining chocolate this time adding the dried fruit, seeds and nuts (optional) on the top of the pineapple and chocolate.

Pop back in fridge or freezer to set and serve straight from fridge or freezer (chocolate will melt quickly if it’s a hot day!).

This post originally appeared on Remedy Nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill's Brown Paper Bag blog.

Sorry to say guys but your eight weeks of summer lovin’ are OVER!

It’s OK though, Remedy’s here to help you get ready with some great ideas to liven up your snackage and lunches because it’s BTS!

Here’s some cheap ‘n’ easy ideas that’ll get you through, give your gut a boost AND save you some pennies.

Chickpea Salad

Canned chickpeas, lentils or black beans make for a healthy, fibre packed, sustaining salad. Try heating a drained can of chickpeas with teaspoon of curry powder, cool and mix with chopped bell pepper, celery, dates and red onion and cilantro for a spicy, tangy twist.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Grab a spoonful of jarred pesto (basil or sundried tomato) and mix through some leftover cold pasta (if you’re going gluten free try spelt or pulse pasta). Got a bit more dough to spend? Get fancy and throw in some fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and olives. Bonus points for this little lunch because cooled pasta contains resistant starch. Resistant starch is key to supporting a healthy gut as it acts as a source of food for the 'good bacteria' in the large bowel, fuelling their growth and activity which is all good for supporting a healthy gut microbiome.

Asian Inspired Noodle Salad

Try a simple salad using cooked and cooled soba noodles (go for buckwheat for a nutty flavour) and whatever veg you have in the fridge. Whip up a dressing with lime juice, soy sauce and sesame oil adding in carrots, cabbage, spring onion, edamame, red peppers and cucumber for colour, fibre and all of the vitamins! Cold noodles = you guessed it – resistant starch!

Potato Salad

Want something comforting and filling? Try a homemade potato salad. Use leftover roasted or boiled potatoes and mix with yoghurt, dill pickles (live cultures ahoy!), hardboiled eggs for a protein hit, Dijon mustard, green onions and celery for crunch. (Cold potatoes = resistant starch!) A pre AND probiotic potato salad.

What about snacks 'n' sides? Not all are created equal!

Fruit

Aim for fresh over dried. Dried fruit sticky and high in sugar so best as a ‘sometimes’ food. Avoid dried fruit bars and fruit straps or fruit leathers which are very high in sugar, low in fibre and can stick to teeth.

Vegetables

Crunchy veggie sticks like carrot, celery, cucumber and peppers are all winners as are cherry tomatoes. Steer clear of chips or crisps.

Dips

Hummus, tzatziki and guacamole are all great options for the lunchbox with veggies or crackers.

Live cultured foods like yoghurt and kombucha

Incorporate live cultured foods into your everyday diet to give your gut health the TLC it deserves. But make sure you read your labels! Fruit yoghurts can pack a punch in terms of sugar content as can some brands of kombucha. All Remedy drinks contain no sugar, naturally and come in handy 250ml cans which are perfect for on the go.

So there you have it - some quick, easy and cost effective ways to incorporate gut boosting foods into your lunches.

by Jacqueline Alwill

The most exciting soda to hit the fridge has officially arrived and to party with REMEDY TEPACHE I’ve created the most deeeeelish and as always nutritious dish to team up with it. Let me first introduce you to Remedy Tepache (pronounced te-par-chey) though… 

Remedy Tepache is based on a traditional Mexican recipe and hand crafted the same way all Remedy drinks are, with no sugar, naturally.

Taking organic pineapple juice and fermenting it with Remedy’s live culture, Tepache is full of beneficial bacteria and organic acids for a scrumptious PINEAPPLE (oooooh yeaaaa) fermented soda that can help to:

• fuel the good bacteria in your gut
• reduce the growth of bad bacteria in the gut which can impact your health and wellbeing
• stabilise your blood sugar and energy levels
• help keep your appetite at bay throughout the day
• deliver vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to the good gut bacteria and your body so both can thrive!

Did you know that PINEAPPLE is rich in a digestive enzyme called ‘bromelain’ too? It’s one of a few fruits including kiwifruit and papaya, that are incredible sources of these digestive enzymes to support your gut health – even more reason to get stuck into it right?

You can enjoy REMEDY TEPACHE any time, with the full confidence that because it naturally contains no sugar and has tremendous benefits for your nutrition, it’s doing something right for your health.

And any time is a good time for a Tepache, but especially when you whip up some of my oh so scrumptious SWEET POTATO NACHOS WITH PINEAPPLE AVOCADO SALSA to go with it!

Recipe: Sweet Potato Nachos with new Remedy Tepache

Serves 4
Gluten free : Dairy Free : Vegan

Nachos:

• 1500g mixed sweet potatoes, sliced 5mm thick
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive or coconut oil
• 1 medium (170g) brown onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoky paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• good pinch chilli flakes
• 1/2 bunch coriander, leaves picked, stalks finely chopped
• 1 x 400g tin black or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 x 400g tin lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 large tomato, chopped or 200g tinned chopped tomatoes

Pineapple avocado salsa:

• 1/2 small pineapple, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons red onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 avocado, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup coriander leaves (can use from the above ingredients), finely chopped
• juice of 1/2 -1 lime
• sea salt, black pepper and chilli flakes to taste

Heat oven to 200C and line two large baking trays with greaseproof paper. Spread sweet potato slices over the tray, drizzle with 3-4 tablespoons oil, toss to coat, spread evenly over the tray again and place in oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Whilst potatoes are baking, make the nachos mix by heat a large pan on medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon or so of extra virgin olive or coconut oil, then add onion and garlic and cook with the lid on for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Give them a stir throughout. Remove lid, add coriander stalks and spices, cook a further minute stirring throughout so they don’t stir to the pan. Add beans and tomatoes, lower heat to low-medium and cook 10 minutes with the lid off.

Mix together all ingredients for the salsa in a bowl and set aside. Once everything is ready simple layer the nachos mix over the cooked sweet potatoes, top with salsa and coriander leaves, season with sea salt and black pepper and serve.

This post originally appeared on Remedy Nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill's Brown Paper Bag blog.