No matter if you’re a professional chef or just a single mother handling the household duties and the kids, food is the main staple of life.  We all have the daily meals but sometimes constructing and laying out a meal game plan can be hard to figure out.  First things first, the star of the meal.  The star needs to be some great protein like a whole chicken, a succulent steak, a meaty filet of fish, or for all you veggies, some really flavorful beans or vegetarian casserole. ​

​My husband and I just got back from our Summer vacation- a three-week road trip that took us through the California redwoods, the city of Portland, the Olympic national park in in northern Washington and down the entire Oregon Coast. We stayed with friends and family along the way, but we also did about a week and half’s worth of camping. One of our goals for any vacation we go on is to eat as well as we can (and we certainly did a lot of that in Portland!) So I take my camping meal prep seriously. It has to taste great of course, but it shouldn’t be to hard to cook or clean up after (I mean, I am on vacation here!). So, I put together a quick list of some tips to help you execute some great meals during your summer camping trips. 

​How about preparing dinner for that “Special Someone” in your life?  It’s better than waiting in line for your table to be ready.  Hmm…why not opt to stay in and do some “Sensual Cooking”?  I can teach you how!  I aim to please when I am fantasizing about the special meal I want to prepare.  Here are one of my favorites!  I chose the Filet Mignon with Sage Butter and Organic Roasted Herb Fingerling Potatoes served with Romantic Haricot Verts and a touch of Garlic.  This dish speaks volumes and will impress most.  I pair it with Moreno BHLV Sparkling Wine…a nice balance with light honey apple nose and a smooth finish.

You have three options when it comes to buying Halloween candy.

1. You are the early bird that gets the worm and there is an endless supply of the best candy at your fingertips.
2. You wait until October 30 and buy whatever is left on the bottom shelf, which is unquestionably obvious to the trick-or-treaters. 
3. You decide to be healthy this year and hand out apples.  As a result, your house is taken off the neighborhood Halloween map. 

Since this so-called trivial decision may affect your future Halloweens, are there any tried and true Halloween candies that are considered less guilt-inducing than others?

I researched basic nutritional facts on the 2015’s Top 5 Halloween Candy (CNBC) and three healthier alternatives.  (Fun Fact: It was estimated that Americans spent $2.6 billion on Halloween Candy last year) (CNBC). I should mention that no candy is considered healthy or nutritious, but isn’t it a reason why you loved Halloween as a child?  I ranked Nestle crunch as the healthiest alternative because it is one of the lightest chocolate bars with a satisfying crunch and the lowest in calories and sugar.  Hershey’s Special Dark provides antioxidants from the dark chocolate.  Although high in sugar, Peanut M&M’s contain protein and fiber from the legume.  (Another Fun fact: A peanut is a legume, not a nut).  Below is a chart highlighting the findings.

So with that in mind...what will you be serving this Halloween? Tell us below!