Sweet Nothings

Oh goody, it’s that time of year again:  the day we celebrate evil and high blood sugar.

Every year I scratch my head and wonder why people find the day appealing.  My husband says it promotes community spirit.  I hope so.  I can see the fun of dressing up and pretending, but I can’t believe people actually buy blood-spattered chainsaws and horrific masks in the name of good clean fun or community spirit.

Then there’s the sugar.  Studies have shown that refined sugar suppresses the immune system and can make us more susceptible to colds and flu.  Of course, other studies have supposedly disproven this.  All I know is that Halloween seems to be a great kick-off to flu season and my kids are more likely to get sick when they’ve been sitting in piles of mini chocolate bars, lollipops, and bubble gum.

I used to encourage my children to make their Halloween candy last until Christmas – or longer – thinking that a little sugar each day wouldn’t be so bad.  I’ve changed my mind.  Maybe I’m a sucker but I’d rather have them binge on Halloween night, throw up if necessary, and be done with it.  One heavy night for the pancreas and then back to normal.

Then there’s the hyperactivity – another theory that has been poo-hooed and discarded.  Maybe I should see if those discrediting scientists want to babysit my kids the day after Halloween.

Sorry.  I wasn’t planning to treat you to a sour anti-Halloween tirade but I guess it’s a day that brings out the best in me (and so many others).

I actually planned to enjoy Halloween this year – even started putting together costumes back in August.  But try as I might, I can’t sugar-coat it.  There’s pretty much nothing I find sweet about Halloween.