Although it's nearly a month away, the thought of being able to keep my picky eater from turning into a little monster on Halloween is giving me nightmares. Last year, he could at least have dairy and the list was pretty large when it came to finding him standard, store-bought Halloween loot. Click here for that list. Here are some things that worked for me last year:

1. I packed a "safe" candy bag and kept it at home. He still went trick-or-treating, but when he came home, I told him "good job!" and handed him his goodie bag as a reward. I even snuck in some dollar-store toys that I knew he would love.

2. Only pass out gf candy, such as Tootsie Rolls and M&Ms. That way you can keep the leftovers.

3. Think non-candy treats. We have passed out glow-sticks, raisins and fruit snacks.

4. BEWARE of candy corn. Gluten hides inside its "modified food starch." Some people say Brach's brand is gluten-free, but I have yet to hear from the company on a definite answer, so I'm not going to risk it. Jelly Belly brand definitely is, but I haven't seen that kind in stores. Click here to order online.

This year, I'm working the midnight shift trying to figure out some new tricks to get treats into his little plastic pumpkin. Here is what I plan to do now that my picky eater is gfcf:

1. I'm stocking up on Mike & Ikes, Dum-Dum pops, Jelly Belly Candy Corn (see No. 4 above) and Skittles. Those are the only "mainstream" candies I know are gfcf.

2. I'm again making a goodie bag with dollar-store items, Enjoy Life chocolate bars (found at Good Food Co. and other health food stores), fruit snacks, stickers and glow sticks.

3. I will involve him in making some spooky treats, like Kraft marshmallows dipped in melted gfcf chocolate chips. I'll put a stick in each marshmallow and let him do the dipping. I also plan to make chocolate-covered gf pretzels to pass out in his class for Halloween.

4. I will vow that he has a costume that will make him forget he is eating a different bag of candy.