{HMW} Slow Down and Savor: Mindful Candy Eating for a Sweeter Halloween


Dear Reader

Halloween candy has a way of triggering the automatic “plow-in” mode, where before you know it, half the bag is gone, and you barely tasted it. But this year, I invite you to bring a little mindfulness into your candy experience. You don’t need to restrict, pre-plan, or feel guilty about it.

Instead, slow down and savor each bite.

One way to hit pause on that automatic trigger is by adding a little friction to the process. Try sorting your candy by color before diving in. This simple act creates a moment to reflect instead of react. Once you’re ready, give yourself full permission to choose whatever piece you want—without pre-planning how many you’ll “allow” yourself. Try to let go of that mental tally.

Before taking a bite, hold the candy to your nose and take a deep breath. What memories or feelings does the smell evoke? Maybe it’s a reminder of childhood trick-or-treating or those nostalgic Halloween parties. Allow yourself to soak in the experience of scent, noticing the subtle aromas that often go unnoticed.

When you do take that first bite, especially with chocolate, let it melt on your tongue instead of chewing right away. Letting it linger gives your brain time to register the rich flavors and satisfaction—sometimes a couple of slow, mindful bites can satisfy more deeply than eating multiple pieces in quick succession.

You might also notice something surprising: when you slow down and savor the experience, you may realize how rich or sugary the candy actually is. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about tuning into your body’s natural signals. Your brain and body will let you know when they’ve had enough if you trust them and stay present with the experience.

By slowing down, savoring, and listening to your body, you may find that you don’t need to set arbitrary rules like “only 5 pieces.” Instead, you can trust your body’s intuitive cues and stop when you’ve had your fill—no guilt, no restriction, just pure enjoyment.

Help me win an argument with my family? What is the most drool-worthy halloween candy?

Have it:

This is a very cool new app I'm trying out. If you're someone who would rather "talk" out your thoughts, this AI tool will convert your voice notes to digital notes instantly.

Interesting article alert: The 7-Minute Stress Workout (gift article)

Made it:

5-senses Sunday: Just the Facts edition

Breaking Through Limbic Friction: How to Build Better Food Habits by Training Your Brain

Want it:

Pumpkin Spice Donut holes that are both vegan and gluten free! 😱

I want to go to a poetry pharmacy!

Ingredient Spotlight:

Delicata Squash

Delicata squash, often called the "sweet potato squash," has a mild, creamy flavor with hints of brown sugar and butter, making it a favorite among fall vegetables. Unlike other winter squashes like butternut or acorn, its skin is thin and edible, which means no peeling required! This makes it not only easier to prep but also great for roasting.

Its oblong shape and delicate flesh are perfect for slicing into half-moons and roasting with olive oil and herbs, stuffing with grains and veggies, or even slicing into rings for a crispy, caramelized treat. Whether roasted, sautéed, or stuffed, delicata squash's natural sweetness shines through, offering a comforting, cozy flavor that pairs well with both savory and sweet dishes.

17 Delicata Squash Recipes to get you through Winter.

Announcements & Upcoming:

Sassy Single Woman Bundle

I wanted to make sure that you knew that for a limited time, you can get my 21 Days of Eating Empowerment (normally priced at $127), as well as over $1,500 worth of other incredible courses, workshops, templates and more, for FREE.

It’s happening right now, so click here to jump on this and access the bundle now!

The Sassy Single Woman Bundle was created so that you can feel more confident and empowered in all areas of your life, including home, work, relationships, and more.

Also...

Ultimate Bundles Holiday Bundle


On Monday I told you about A Year of Holidays Bundle -- your personal library of resources to help you organize, plan, and celebrate for an entire YEAR of holidays!

It’s a phenomenal deal just by itself, but guess what?

If you buy the bundle before tonight’s early bird bonus deadline, you’ll also get a FREE collection of fun greeting cards for any occasion ($29.97 value, yours free, just pay shipping, if you purchase before tonight)! These cards are so much fun and better yet, work for pretty much any holiday or celebration you need!


Check out all the details here and get your bundle + the bonus when you buy before midnight:

Extra Bytes:

What I'm Reading: Everything we Never Said, by Sloan Harlow

What I'm Watching: The Northern Lights! Bucket item....crushed!

What I'm Listening to: Nature Sounds with Earth FM

What I'm Eating: Autumn Squash Bolognese, with Penne & Sun-Dried Tomato Salsa

That's it for me this week. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy hump day!

Warmly,

Jenny

The Conscious Eating Coach

Welcome to "Have it // Made it // Want it Wednesday," a space where we come together to explore the realms of Eating Psychology, Mindful & Intuitive Eating, Meal Planning, and Culinary Nutrition.

Read more from The Conscious Eating Coach

Dear Reader, Introducing.... I know, I know. It’s still just the middle of October. But you know what’s just a few weeks away? The beginning of peak holiday season. Halloween kicks off a very busy few months for all of us, so it never hurts to get ahead and work on organizing and planning as much of those upcoming festivities as possible. Imagine yourself…this could be the year you actually enjoy the holidays instead of feeling like the busiest elf in Santa’s workshop. To that end, I have...

Dear Reader, Ever notice how the pull of instant gratification—like grabbing that bag of chips when you’re stressed or eating ice cream after a long day—feels impossible to resist? That’s limbic friction at work. Your limbic system is the brain’s emotional center, driving automatic behaviors (aka System 1 thinking). It’s fast and instinctive, but when it comes to building sustainable food habits, this friction can derail us from our goals. Limbic friction is the mental tug-of-war between what...

Dear Reader, How much of your day is spent doing what you need to do versus what you want to do? Chances are, it’s pretty skewed. Most of us are consumed by the daily grind—laundry, school drop-offs, commuting to work—with much less time for the things we actually enjoy. If I had a 100% “want” day, it would include a yoga class, a delicious vegan lunch (made by someone else, of course), and an afternoon filled with spa treatments, music, and time with my favorite people. The daily grind can...