By Barb Nicoletti - One of frustrating things I encounter as a mom is knowing that when we go to a party, most likely there will not be anything for my food allergic children to eat.  Time after time we have attended a function and the only food that was safe for them to eat was a bag of potato chips.  Like most food allergic mom’s I learn to plan ahead.  Packing drinks, sandwiches, snacks and even more snacks just in case I am running late ... This year my daughter entered kindergarten.  This meant a new school and new food challenges that came along with her becoming a big girl.  So when I was asked to be part of this years Halloween Party committee, how could I refuse ...

The month of October may be drawing to a close, but vegan bloggers are just getting warmed up.  With ovens preheated, they are churning out delicious desserts that showcase the warm fruits and vegetables of the fall harvest with a festive flare for the holiday season upon us.  Whether you need a last minute dessert for tonight's Halloween party, or you are planning for the events to come, this post is sure to suggest some delights.  Don't think dairy-free / egg-free sweets are your thing?  I might take a quick peek at the Cranberry Upside Down Cake and the Chocolate Pumpkin Pie before you make up your mind ...

Jackie at The Vegan Diet shares the virtues of those jack-o-lantern pumpkin seeds, some wonderful recipes, and great vegan Halloween links! - Halloween will be here in a few days and Jack O Lanterns will need to be made. Do not throw the pumpkin seeds away as they are as healthy and nutritious.  Pumpkin seeds contain a very good supply of phosphorous, magnesium and tryptophan with a good supply of vitamin K, iron, copper, zinc and unsaturated fatty acids. They are also a good protein and fiber source.

Stumped by special diet needs?  Tired of promoting tooth decay? Last week I came across this wonderful website called Green Halloween. Started by a mom in the state of Washington, this new idea seeks to promote healthier alternatives for kids at Halloween. Sponsored by big names like Whole Foods, this little movement is in its inaugural year.  The website has tips for hosting a kids’ Halloween party, and several suggestions for “tricks and treasures.” Really, it hadn’t occurred to me to hand out non-candy treats, but some of the ideas are pretty good...

Hannah Kaminsky, Bittersweet Blog and My Sweet Vegan - To the sugar-crazed youth of America, Halloween must be one of the most highly anticipated days of the year. After all, what could be better than dressing in some crazy garb, going out in the dark of night (or mid-afternoon), and getting free candy from any house you stop at? Kids have all the luck on this one magical evening, and the world is their oyster… But once you hit a certain age, this sort of parading about becomes unacceptable, and you are forced to hang up your treat bag for good...

To help us kick off our Vegan Week, VeggieGirl has several quick meal ideas - As a busy college student, I am always on a mission to find a dish that fits the following criteria: 1) It must be nutritious, filling, and satisfying; 2) It must be a dish that incorporates easy-to-find ingredients, but presents them in a new, innovative, and appetizing manner; 3) It has to be able to be prepared, cooked, and served in a flash (i.e. under an hour); 4) It must be vegan or at least easy to veganize. While it may seem impossible to find dishes that fit this strict list of criteria, I have been able to create quite a few meals recently, that fit the bill, and can be prepared in no time: