5 Tips For A Healthy And Happy Easter Holiday

Ham, deviled eggs, and chocolate eggs and bunnies. They may all be Easter traditions for many, but resist the temptation to turn this spring holiday into another excuse to indulge in fat and sugar-rich junk foods. Spring and Easter, which greet us at the same time, both usher in new beginnings of sorts. Why not use this chance to reflect on your diet and lifestyle?

Deviled Eggs, Indeed?

Eggs have a bad reputation, because they are high in cholesterol. According to some, a person should not eat more than a single (large) egg a day. Others still say that you should only consume a total of three eggs a week. So, should you put deviled eggs on your Easter menu?

Before you write this traditional and very tasty dish off completely, remember that free range eggs produced by organic-fed chickens are a lot healthier than their conventional counterparts. These eggs contain more vitamin D and selenium, which are essential to good health. Egg yolk will also give you 13 important nutrients including calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin E. Eggs may be high in fat, but they are still full of protein and have redeeming qualities as you can see from the nutrient list.

The moral of the story? If you are going to serve deviled eggs, don't discard the yolk and replace it with something like guacamole, no matter how tempting. Serve guacamole by itself, alongside a smaller quantity of deviled eggs. I've seen pictures of eggs shaped into little chicks that are very cute — you'd use a whole egg yolk for every half of a boiled egg. You can also serve various salads with your eggs, so your family and guests get plenty of healthy stuff.

The Healthiest Treats For Kids Are Not Food

Were you planning to fill your kids' Easter baskets with chocolates? Nobody will tell you that chocolate eggs don't make children (and grown-ups) happy, but there is a lot to be said for replacing most of the sweet treats with toys, crayons, and craft supplies.

Sure, a kid who was hoping for a bag full of sugar is going to be disappointed to start with. Yet, there is no denying that non-consumable gifts will give pleasure for longer — nor that giving children chocolate and other sweets every time there is a holiday will train them to want those very “foods” for every joyous occasion.

Younger kids might love a stuffed bunny, young elementary students might like some books or activity packs, and teens would probably enjoy a new outfit or gift vouchers. Of course, there is no harm in giving a small quantity of Easter eggs, especially if they're made from dark chocolate.

Easter: Rejuvenation Through Foods And Exercise 

Go On An Active Family Picnic

If the weather allows it, you should definitely consider going out for a family picnic rather than spending your Easter cooped up indoors. If you choose your location well, everyone will get to go for a walk on the way over to the picnic site. You could indulge in an even longer stroll after your picnic baskets are empty!

Do you want to stick to the usual Easter themes and take the youngest members of your family on an Easter egg hunt, the great outdoors will meet your needs perfectly. Don't forget to “hunt” for budding flowers and real baby animals too (but don't touch them!).

Enjoy A Green Smoothie

Easter is a great time to get into green smoothies, because spring is starting and the whole world is literally going green. Most people will have depleted their energy and nutrient stores over this long winter. The Easter holiday signifies new life, and the rejuvenating powers of green veggies will ensure you feel fresher and younger yourself.

Some surprising combinations you'll be shocked to actually enjoy are:

• Spinach, avocado, banana, apple and vanilla-flavored soy milk

• Spinach, cucumber, pineapple and apple with Greek yogurt

• Kale, bok choi, banana, strawberry and milk

• Avocado, kale, kiwi and carrots

• Kale, strawberry, spinach and pomegranate

Fertile And Healthy — The Easter Bunny

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Easter Bunny? This tradition dates back a long time, and it is so odd that it would be a shame to leave the bunny out of your Easter celebration! Medieval Europeans apparently believed that hares were hermaphrodites — and that they could thus reproduce without losing their virginity. This led them to associated the hare with the Holy Virgin, and... the rest, as they say, is history.

Beside that curious myth which has most certainly been debunked by now, hares and rabbits do have a great reputation for being rather fertile. They make a fine spring symbol. If you would like it on your Easter table with the rest of your healthy meal, you don't have to go for chocolate.

One idea is to bake a hot cross “bun” in the shape of a rabbit, and to surround it by healthy snack foods like carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices. If you want to eliminate the bread, you could also display a range of choice fruits in the shape of a bunny.