Most of us think of Peeps and Cadbury Eggs when we think about Easter baskets, but there are many ways to thrill and delight the people we love this Sunday without the extra calories.
I remember giving my kids baskets when they were little. They’d lose interest in the sugary goodies after a few days””and then I was the one picking at it all week! I would grab a piece, get a sugar high and then crash fast””leading me to feel bad, both physically and mentally, because I’d eaten it and knew I shouldn’t have. There’s nothing worse than a case of chocolate bunny remorse, so eventually, I’d throw it away just to get it out of my sight!
But now more people are filling Easter baskets with non-edible treats, which is a much healthier way to make the holiday fun. Here are some fun, themed basket ideas from a much more health-conscious version of the Easter Bunny.
Dance, Ballerina, Dance
My 12-year-old daughter is a dancer. She’ll be getting a basket with iTune cards (so she can download music to dance to), her favorite dance magazine, Desert Essence Organic Pistachio Foot Repair Cream and Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Relaxing Sweet Orange Mineral Bath for after-rehearsal pampering.
Buff Bunny
I still put together a basket for my son (he’s 23), who is into weight training. The bunny delivers athletic store gift cards, his favorite protein bars (ISS Research Oh Yeah Protein Bar Peanut Butter and Caramel) and extra supplements.
Outdoor fun
Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, coloring book, crayons, and Play-Doh are great springtime activities for small children who love to be outside and be creative. (I’d also add something regarding the religious meaning of Easter so my children are reminded of what we are celebrating, because sometimes that gets lost in all the fun of Easter egg hunts and baskets””but it’s up to you to interpret the tradition as it makes sense for you and yours.)
A little candy doesn’t hurt”¦
If you don’t want to ban candy entirely, some sweets enjoyed in moderation will keep your kids hopping””without total sugar overload. Fill little plastic eggs with Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans or Surf Sweets Organic Sour Worms. But don’t feel obligated to break out the hot pink marshmallows just because “everybody does it.”Kids live what they learn, so it’s our job to teach them a healthier way to celebrate.
Southern States Championships top contender Melissa Transou, a figure competitor, wife and mother, blogs about the unique sports nutrition needs of female athletes exclusively for Vitacost.com.