From The Chief Editor's Desk

Halloween was a HUGE affair at our house, as I suppose it would be in anyone's house where a three and six year old reside. The hospital where I work hosted a "Trunk And Treat" for the kids in the employee parking lot. Lots of candy to be had there. Then, the Kansas City Zoo hosted a "Boo At The Zoo" Halloween celebration. Lots more candy to be had there, too. And then, the kids went Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood on Halloween. All totalled, the kids ended up with way, way more candy than is healthy. Without a doubt, I'll be taking some of those "unhealthy" treats into work to share with my co-workers in a few weeks, who will likely devour them in less than a day. There's no need to "ask" the kids. The candy will simply just disappear.

There's one thing I really dislike about the end of the year. First, we have Halloween, with all that candy. Then, less than a month later, we have Thanksgiving, with all of its heavy, carbohydrate saturated dishes. And then, less than another month later, we have Christmas, with yet another "feast" and all kinds of holiday candy and baked goods. It's no wonder that with so much gluttony in the last quarter of the year that so many people make New Year's resolutions to lose weight. It must be all that weight they put on in the final three months of the previous year. But then again, it's in our nature to fatten up for the winter, in order to help insure our survival during leaner times.

My daughter seems to think (remember, she's only three years old) that candy ... num-nums to her ... and other "sweets" are THE main staple of the food pyramid. She may proclaim that she is "full" from dinner, but that "fullness" only lasts until something sweet -- like desserts or candy -- is offered.

We try, as much as we can, to teach the kids how to eat a healthy diet, and to make good choices. My son isn't obsessed with sweets. He's perfectly happy eating meat and other high protein choices (cheesy scrambled eggs and tacos are two of his favorite foods). But my daughter is all about the carbs, and the sweeter the better ... in her eyes, anyways. We try to steer her towards healthier choices, like fresh fruits over candy and pastries. Oranges, apples, bananas, and strawberries are some of her favorites. But sometimes, you have to give in. Every child craves those delectable sweet treats. Come to think of it, I'm not a child and even I crave those sinfully sweet treats every now and again.

About this month's cover ...

November 18th represents the 91st "birthday" of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. On that day in 1928, the first Mickey Mouse short cartoon, Steamboat Willie, was released. To pay homage to their birthday, this month's cover features two Tux penguins dressed as Mickey and Minnie Mouse re-enacting a scene from that first short cartoon. Over the years, Mickey and Minnie Mouse have become instantly recognizable among people the world over.

Until next month, I bid you peace, happiness, serenity and prosperity.