Celebrating Easter can lead to overindulgence in foods that are high in sugar and low in nutrients. Let kids help you in the kitchen make delicious, nutritious Easter treats and make lasting memories.

Some ideas for purchasing non-edible Easter treats; stickers, coloring books, children card games, small stuffed bunnies, erasers in cute shapes, tattoo sticker and yo-yos.

Easter Bunny Smoothie

1 cup nonfat milk

1 Tablespoon honey

½ cup orange juice with calcium

¼ cup cooked carrots (can be frozen)

¼ cup fat-free plain yogurt

6 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender and whirl until smooth. Makes 2 -1 cup servings

Easter Bunny Salad

Lettuce leaves

Pear halves, fresh or canned, blotted dry

Raisins

Miniature marshmallows

Apple Slices

Fat-free cream cheese

Have the child place a lettuce leaf on their plate. Use the pear half as the bunny’s body. Add raisins for eyes and nose, using the cream cheese as glue to hold them in place. Use the apple slices to form ears. Add a miniature marshmallow for the tail, again using cream cheese to hold it in place.

Easter Fruit Baskets

Make a half batch of Rice Krispie Treats following the package directions but using half the margarine. Press into 8 cupcake tins, sprayed with vegetable oil spray, forming a nest. Remove from pan and place in paper cups. Using ½ cup fat-free cream cheese that has been tinted green, add “grass.” Add fresh fruit such as berries or grapes. A pipe cleaner can be added as a handle, if desired. Makes 8 baskets.

0