{"id":16825,"date":"2016-03-23T17:01:45","date_gmt":"2016-03-24T00:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/?p=16825"},"modified":"2016-03-23T17:01:45","modified_gmt":"2016-03-24T00:01:45","slug":"10-healthy-alternatives-for-your-easter-basket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/blog\/travel\/10-healthy-alternatives-for-your-easter-basket\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Healthy Alternatives for Your Easter Basket"},"content":{"rendered":"
With Easter coming, a lot of people turn to the traditional sweets, chocolates, and various less-than-healthy goodies to fill their baskets. Let\u2019s be honest \u2013 we\u2019re all suckers for chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs, Peeps, and large jelly beans \u2013 but, none of these Easter favorites are actually good for us.<\/p>\n
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The whole idea of filling our Easter baskets with green-colored plastic grass and something other than a ton of sugary treats may seem to go against everything the Easter Bunny stands for but, in the long run, it\u2019s healthier for kids and adults alike.<\/p>\n
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So, at the risk of upsetting our furry friend, here are 10 healthier alternatives<\/a> you can try this year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Things You Can Eat<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This is where you have your work cut out for you, but you\u2019ll be surprised how switching things around slightly could still make you more popular than Old Floppy Ears.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n You probably thought that chocolate would be the first treat we\u2019d eliminate, but dark chocolate<\/em> with 70 percent or more cacao has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for coronary heart disease. Organic chocolate bars are best because they contain fewer ingredients, though they tend to be a bit more expensive. Enjoy, but in moderation.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n No, not those solid chocolate carrots wrapped in orange-colored foil \u2013 but, real baby carrots. Toss a few in small cellophane bags and onto the fake green grass of your Easter Basket along with some healthy dip. After all, what do bunnies eat? While this may work great with kids, your brother-in-law may be a harder sell.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Here we go with chocolate again. The fact is \u2013 you can create your own healthy dose of Easter treats by dipping whole strawberries, grapes, and banana slices in melted dark chocolate. If you really want a challenge, try dipping tiny wedges of pineapple.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Make your own graham snacks without the usual hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. Check around in health food stores for some made with real honey instead of the corn syrup. Don\u2019t forget to shape them like bunnies unless they already come that way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Stuff the plastic eggs with dried or dehydrated fruits, nuts, healthy trail mix or granola. If you can find something you know is healthy, thinly wrapped in dark chocolate, knock yourself out \u2013 but, indulge in moderation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n For the adults in the crowd \u2013 you can drop some attractive tea canister or small box of imported teas in assorted flavors as a way to smooth things down a bit, if their entire day was populated by a bunch of screaming, Easter egg-hunting kids.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Things You Can\u2019t Eat<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to fill your Easter Basket with only things you can eat. Some of the more popular non-edible treats are:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Sidewalk chalk can keep the kids busy and entertained for hours while they mark up your driveway and sidewalk in front of your house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Kids enjoy stickers, especially of the latest superhero or animated movie character. Make sure you keep an eye on the little guys so they don\u2019t put any stickers where they shouldn\u2019t \u2013 like the dog or your new widescreen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t need a Chapstick or lip balm from time to time? It\u2019s a great alternative basket filler for both the younger and older crowd. They come in many fun flavors and one even comes shaped like an egg in different pastel colors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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