Halloween seems to be the gateway for the holiday season. It always feels like as soon as we have wiped off the face paint, we are ready to carve a turkey. We all have long-standing traditions around all the holidays and most of them involve food. What are some of yours? Do you find yourself torn between celebrating the way you always have and maintaining the healthy lifestyle you began this year? If so you're not alone there are plenty of ways to get in the holiday spirit and be part of the festivities, without completely blowing all the hard work you put in this far.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set up an obstacle course instead of a buffet table at your pumpkin carving party. Use fun holiday decorations to create obstacles. Hang apples from string instead of donuts and see who can get the most bites. Offer the winner the opportunity to smash the biggest pumpkin! It will be messy for sure, and it will also be memorable.

2. Ask your friends and family to come up with the most creative dish that includes real pumpkin. Tell them that the traditional stuff, like cookies and pie, are out and it has to be something that works as a side dish or entree. This will eliminate excessive number of cookies, pies and treats, and will open the door for all kinds of new vegetable dishes, soups and salads.

3. Go trick-or-treating! I know, WHAT?! I mean do not go trunk or treating. Actual trick-or-treating requires lots of exercise and even opens the opportunity for some running and laughter. Go with your kids and actually walk with them, don't drive. Will they get candy? Absolutely! Will they love the fact that you're participating with them? Absolutely! You could even have a contest to see who takes the most steps that day, if you have a mobile device that measures it.

4. Try out something brand new. Traditions are fantastic but they got started because someone tried something new. What if you found the next awesome tradition for your family that included fun, laughter and minimal sugar? Future Generations will definitely thank you! Think outside the box and really search for something unique and special.

5. Teach self control and moderation in all things.  Don't be afraid to have a treat or two! And definitely allow your kids to enjoy the fruits of their labor, if they actually went trick-or-treating. This is a great opportunity to teach them about portion control and moderation in all things. Teach them it's okay to have a treat every day, as long as it's a small one. Teach them that there's no such thing as bad food or good food, it's just food. Instead, teach them what it does to their bodies so that they can make better choices when they are adults.

Holidays are a very special time and an opportunity to make some fantastic memories with your family. Don't let them be the reason for your derailment, let them be the reason for your success. Just because you've always had hot donuts and hot chocolate on Halloween night, doesn't mean you can't try something new. I have a great recipe for dinner in a pumpkin if you need a suggestion! Make it fun and make it memorable. Enjoy the people and the season, without all the sugar.