Hello smart shoppers. We're closing in on Halloween and it's time for some fun. We're going to make adorable little baskets for a child's Halloween party, learn about chocolate and top it off with a hot fudge sundae.

HALLOWEEN FLOWER

BASKETS (NIB)

To make several baskets you will need:

1 bag multi-colored gum drops

1 bag giant gumdrops

Pipe cleaners

Cellophane (colored)

Tooth picks

Small rubber bands

Cut the cellophane in 5- or 6-inch squares. Place a large gumdrop in the center and secure it with a rubber band near the base, as you ruffle up the cellophane.

Insert a pipe cleaner in the gumdrop, curving it to create a handle. With a toothpick, spear small gumdrops "flowers" and insert them into the large gumdrop. Very pretty, very different and yummy.

What makes Halloween special is that you get chocolate, it's my weakness. Finally the experts have learned what we always knew: chocolate is good for you. It contains several antioxidants and vitamins that help prevent many diseases. Does that mean you can eat that whole box of chocolates? You know the answer, of course not, but a little dark chocolate every day can be good for you.

The scientific name for chocolate, theobroma cacao means food or fruit of the gods.

The history of chocolate is a mystery. About 3,000 years ago, in what we now know as Mexico, cacao trees grew abundantly. The natives cut off the giant seed pods, discarded the flesh and removed the seeds which they cut in half, allowed them to ferment, dried and ground them. The result: chocolate. How mysterious, since the pods had a foul smell.

I think it's time for a hot fudge sundae or maybe a banana split, topped with whipped cream and a cherry or two, don't you? There are strings attached. You must use low-fat or fat-free ice cream or frozen yogurt. You must use low-fat whipped topping or fat-free canned cream. This fat- and cholesterol-free hot fudge sauce is the best. It is usually made with baking chocolate squares. One square of chocolate contains 14 grams of fat, 9 of them saturated! The nutrients in chocolate are in the cocoa powder, not the high-fat cocoa butter. The powder is fat free. It's still chocolate, but the fat has been removed. Just follow my lead, assemble a beautiful dessert grab yourself a nice big spoon and dig in. No need to feel guilty, you are getting little to no fat but oh so much pleasure.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE

(Fat free)

There is nothing to compare with a hot fudge sundae or a banana split, and when you're watching the fat and cholesterol, it's usually a forbidden food. My hot fudge sauce is better than any you'll find in the stores.

2/3-cup light corn syrup

1/2-cup cocoa powder

Check store brands for the corn syrup; many are much cheaper than name brands. Place corn syrup and cocoa in a small saucepan, over medium heat and slowly whisk together until blended and warm.

Top your ice cream choice with hot fudge. Add bananas and any other fresh fruit you choose. Top with your cream choice and a cherry or two, (they're fat free). You can add some chopped nuts if you choose. They do contain fat, but it's a "good" fat.

For a cookbook visit www.romancingthestove.net.