I just couldn't write the regular old "how to green your Halloween" newsletter because a) it felt too clich� and b) if you really want to green your Halloween, just Google it! Lots of great, green tips are out there. But this newsletter is of the up close, personal (and hopefully humorous) sort.

Thought #1 - DON'T buy candy corn - even for edible decorating! First of all, it is nothing but pure sugar and food coloring. ZERO nutritional value. Trust me. And to me, it's like crack - at least for me. Last year I bought eight bags based on the recommendation of my out-of-the box home decorator and sister-in-law Cherie. "Cute additions to certain displays and vignettes created around the house" said she. I ate the entire eight bags in about four weeks and I am barely kidding - handful every time I passed any of them. It was the beginning of "packing on the pounds" season. And pack them on I did. I think I stopped overeating around January 15th when I was down to about three outfits that fit me. Not doing it this year. Hold me to it. If anyone knows where I can get fake candy corn cheap, do tell.

Thought #2 - DO shop the second hand stores for ALL your Halloween costumes, decorating, "cool stuff I can keep" items. My favorite haunt is, of course, Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona. Last year I bought the most adorable cupcake holder for $2.00 at one of their locations. What a hit it was at parties! They have decorations galore in many of their locations so why buy new when you can buy used? Added bonus? You feel so noble about supporting such a magnificent organization. The money from the resale stores supports programs for a myriad of at-risk populations.

Re: costumes. Why would you buy anyone you love costumes that look fake, come over-packaged and require little, if any imagination? And heaven only knows what kind of flame retardant or other toxic materials are on them. They are just gross. Now I get it that there are demands for Spiderman and Dora the Explora costumes. Oftentimes, you can find them in resale stores. If not, consider asking around your groups of friends or start a costume swap at school. Get creative, save money -- preserve the planet that is quickly filling up with waste.

Thought #3 - Tricks or Treats? Help me out here. I have yet to find an acceptable REAL treat to hand out to Trick or Treaters on a day of the year that brings back a FLOOD of happy memories for me from as far back as I can remember. I don't want to give out pencils or nickels or sugar free gum. Have you seen the faces of those hopeful children when you hand them a PENCIL? OMG - I would have cried. I DID cry when I was five years old and someone gave me an apple. My older brother and sister were so annoyed they brought me home. True story - pinky swear. So I ask you, members of my greenie tribe, what's a recovering chocaholic to do? Can we not just preserve this one day and give them candy? 'Tis a puzzlement and clearly I am at a loss.

Thought #4 - You know I know you know this one, but I wouldn't be Mrs. Green if I didn't say: RESUABLE BAGS, please, for trick or treating.