Reverse Trick or Treating : Our Family Halloween Tradition

Living in Australia Halloween is a slightly odd holiday. Mostly because we don't officially celebrate it! 

I, however, loved Halloween when I was a kid and I was keen to enjoy it with my own children too. But, there were a few problems... The first being #1 that seeing as it's not officially celebrated in Australia the chance of anyone expecting to be Trick-or-Treated is pretty low (ie. not many people with sweets ready to hand out), plus, #2 I didn't really want my children to be eating many sweets anyway!

So we came up with our own family tradition. One based on the concept of GIVING rather than receiving. It's sweet. It's fun. It strengthens our community spirit and it makes us all feel good. 

REVERSE TRiCK OR TREATiNG :)

We bake.

We make.

We dress up.

And we Treat!

We go door to door in our own neighbourhood giving out treats. Costumes can be any of our favourite dress-ups. Ghouls need not apply (but are becoming more popular as they get older ;)

This year it's cookies. We made 3 sorts (that's a batch of Walnut Golden Syrup cookies above).

But some years we make muffins too. You could make any easily handed-out baked good.

These Rainbow cookies (above) are a little extreme! But a concession to the occasion.

Chocolate chip and Nut-butter.

So we're ready to go. I'm just waiting for the boys to get back with T so we can head out soon... I'm sure they will end up with some of their own treats too :) They usually do. A lollipop from the corner house or some peaches from Fred down the road. They love that. But I like that it's not the only thing that we look forward to at Halloween. 

Kids who...

When your kids use a dysfunctional strategy to meet their needs, notice the deeper need they're trying to fill:

Kids who compete with siblings often need to feel more valued for who they are.

Kids who keep pushing for limits usually need to know the parent is in charge and will keep them safe.

Kids who "don't listen" often don't feel heard.

Kids who are always rebelling usually need to feel more powerful and competent.

Kids who are always cranky usually need more sleep. 

Kids who disrespect you are always showing you they don't feel connected enough to you.

I recently signed up to receive e*newsletters from Aha! Parenting and am appreciating the wisdom-fix. This is a post from their site that I particularly needed to read today. X

Ken Robinson on the Education Paradigm & the importance of Divergent Thinking

Here's to the Crazy One(s)...

Made me cry.

"The ones 
who are 
crazy enough 
to think they can change the world 
are the ones 
who do"

You can see Steve Jobs speaking about this campaign here. What passion. What integrity. What a life. Thanks for being yourself Steve - your legacy is a shining light for all of us. X

Parts of a Flower

I am loving this post from Satori Smiles. I've never seen a Microfleur Flower Press before! What a cool thing. Okay - I don't actually own a microwave but I know people who do. Lol. And this has now been officially added to my Amazon wishlist ;)

And as if that and the subsequently laminated + labelled lily aren't cool enough ~ the Celebration Plant Salad is brilliant. A salad where you can eat all parts of a plant:  flower + stem + leaves + seeds + fruit + roots.  Smart. And damn gorgeous too.

p.s. I'm pretty fond on their learning spaces too :) Like the Learning Loft and the Atelier Creative Room. I think I need to start naming some of our favourite spots too!

My cool cats...

Yummy + Healthy Bliss Balls!

+ Dried dates { pre-soak in filtered water for 30 mins and drain}

+ Almond meal 

+ LSA { Linseed / Sunflower seed / Almond mix - optional }

+ Raw Cacao 

+ Coconut Oil 

+ Coconut. 

So easy:

1. Guesstimate your quantities ;) You can adjust to taste.

2. Add the first 4 ingredients to a food processor; process until the dates are completely pulverised.  

3. Add enough Coconut Oil to get the mix sticky.

4. Roll into balls. 

5. Roll balls in coconut. 

6. Voila!

Yum! 

These are a huge hit here at the moment. Plus they're gluten-free, free of refined sugar, dairy-free & full of goodness. I've always wanted to make them & threw this very simple recipe together based on my own pantry but I'm sure there are a multitude of variations out there. 

What yummy { and healthy } treats are your family enjoying at the moment?