As you plan your Easter, are you tempted to surrender to the fattening traditions of Easter candy and an artery-clogging holiday meal? If you or your family members are overweight, consider making a change that will give everyone a chance at being more healthy. Instead of lecturing your family, make changes that won't feel drastic but will help get you all moving in the right direction.
Instead of filling Easter baskets with candy, buy gifts and only a little candy. Fill the baskets with presents the kids will use actively like a snorkel, a new softball, a hackey sack, slinkies, or bubbles. Use this opportunity to interest the kids in leisure activities that are creative or active; anything other than watching TV.
Give each child only a little candy. Don't eliminate candy entirely, but instead place a few decadent pieces of something special in the basket, like a couple of Godiva chocolates or a small package of Jelly Belly jelly beans. Don't let the kids down the candy all at once; have them guess at jelly bean flavors and tell you about the inside of the special chocololates, teaching them to savor treats.
Reduce calories in the menu. Cook up a lean ham, and don't offer huge slices of it. Eliminate buns, mashed spuds, and the creamy green bean dish topped with those Funions since these are the least healthy traditional Easter dishes. Instead serve a green salad, sliced fresh pineapple, and baked potatoes, halved. Replace heavy dessert items with light items like strawberries with whipped cream.
Plan an active agenda for the holiday. Plan a fun egg hunt, hiding eggs all over the place so the kids have to search hard to find them all. Go for an after-dinner walk to a nearby park if the weather permits. Get the kids playing something fun like hide and go seek or running through an obstacle course.
Buy an egg dyeing kit. Hard boiled eggs are delicious and full of protein. Plus, who doesn’t like to color eggs?
Give your family the gift of health this Easter, instead of the gift of an extra few pounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment