Sugar free is the way to be but at Easter time, it isn’t always easy. Here are some great sugar free alternatives for your Easter Egg hunt this year.
Today, for the second time this week, my afternoon snack consisted of a bag (not a handful, a bag) of mini-eggs and a strong cup of tea. I figure I deserve it, what with a 6 month old baby keeping me on my toes every minute of every day. Plus it’s better than diving into that bottle of wine sitting on the counter, right? Admittedly, I’ve always been a “three o’clock in the afternoon” sugar-kick kind of gal, but when Easter season comes hopping around the corner, my chocolate quota seems to sky rocket and all attempts at healthy-eating fly straight out the window.
While I may stand by my right to over-indulge from time to time, I’m not about to let my kid shove their face full of chocolate as soon as cinnamon hearts and edible roses give way to chocolate statues the size of a soccer ball. Fight you may however, unless your kids are little health-nuts (kudos to you) or despise the taste of chocolate, at some point you’re bound to give in and buy yourself some peace and quiet by buying your child a pre-Easter, Easter delight.
If you’re struggling to say no during the days leading up to the big egg hunt, why not try switching things up a bit the day of? As an alternative to hiding chocolate eggs around the house, start a new tradition that isn’t so hard on your kids health and hide these instead:
1. Coupons – If you’re crafty at all (even just a little bit), try making up some fortune cookie-sized coupons that will delight and surprise your little ones. You can throw in a few get-out-of-jail free cards that excuse kids from weekly chores like emptying the dishwasher or taking out the garbage. Needles to say, a coupon or two promising an ice-cream treat at DQ or a mid-week hot chocolate from Tim’s probably wouldn’t hurt your reputation as the coolest mom ever.
2. Encourage Creativity – Little trinkets are always a fun surprise to stand in the place of chocolate eggs! Try hiding some fun knickknacks like crayons, action figures, bubbles, stickers, a pack of cards and coloured post its around the house. Take the lead by encourage your kids to step away from the television and get creative!
3. Message in a Puzzle – For the queen of do-it-yourself, try the puzzle challenge. Using your jaw-dropping design skills, create a puzzle announcing a fun outing for the whole family or special treat just for the kids. Cut it up into pieces and hide the pieces all over the house. Then have the kiddies gather all the pieces up and put the puzzle together to reveal the surprise!
4. Change it Up – Now is a great time to get rid of that extra coin filling your pockets (or your cup holder, or your wallet, or a plastic baggy in a drawer beside your bed). Just picture it – quarters everywhere! Whether your wee ones are saving up for their favourite toy in the short term or something bigger later on, help them reach their financial goals and save yourself time and money by having to finance another cavity… this year, at least.
5. Go Sugar-Free – Still want to give your kids the pleasure of a traditional hunt, without the sugar high? Explore sugar-free alternatives and trick your kids into believing they’re enjoying the real thing. Its mean, I know, but your dentist will thank you later.
Blog written by Arden Jobling-Hey: new mom, momstown Milton member, travel fiend, freelance writer and blogger at www.thefriendlygiraffe.com.
