TRICK OR TREATING

Tonight I was entertaining myself with some good ole reminiscing of Halloweens gone by, I was thinking of my past costumes and memories, when I suddenly remembered one of the first Halloweens I celebrated after finding out I had Celiac Disease. I had gone trick or treating, and as was my usual fashion, was sorting out my candy into various groups and categories. My siblings and I often spread out our candy and would trade/negotiate our take, getting the candies we favored, and attempting to con some poor sap into accepting the ones we despised, like those taffy shaped, chewy "Peanut Butter Kisses" that came in orange and black paper....we were not fans. Anyway, I remember spreading out my candy and being excited at how many fun size candy bars I had received, always prizing those as quite the specialty reward. When one of my well-meaning sisters came and told me I could not eat the Snickers any more because they had "whey" in them; she said that was made from wheat, so I could not eat them. I sadly believed her and traded away all my treasured Snickers, only to later find out that whey, though somewhat similar to the spelling of wheat, is in fact a milk product, and is perfectly gluten-free. Now, it might seem funny to make that mistake, but over the years I have repeatedly had so many people ask me if I was allergic to whey due to Celiac's. The answer is definitely "No." So all you gluten-free kids (and chocolate loving adults) out there, be sure to enjoy any Snickers you get your hands on this Halloween. Also be sure to enjoy 3 Musketeers, they were not always gluten-free, you know, so don't take those delightful morsels for granted. Butterfingers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are also deliciously gluten-free. But stay away from Milky Ways, Crunch Bars, and Twix, all of which contain gluten. Any other candy questions, just let me know.....after all, no Halloween treat should be traded away unnecessarily! :)