It's that time of year when autumn leaves are falling, the air turns brisk and biting, and people start thinking about Halloween. I'm never too old to don a costume and hold out a hand for treats, but as a healthy living advocate, the problem I have with Halloween is all the candy.

Halloween can be fun and relatively healthy. The key is using moderation and making the best choice of the things available.

When asked for a recipe that was healthy or "a better version" for Halloween, I immediately thought of a mouthwateringly delicious, raw-food dessert I'd had at a potluck, made of nuts, dried fruit and a little coconut.

There is more to this night then just sugar-loaded snacks. Even though this holiday focuses on the children, there are always adults around, and all of that trick-or-treating can really make a crowd hungry!