Holiday seasons like Easter can be a real challenge if you’re new to a healthier way of eating and trying to avoid things like additives, allergens or lots of refined sugars. It can feel like you have to miss out on what might be life long family traditions.
As the mother of a child with life threatening allergies, I know that most chocolate bars and store-bought cookies are not an option. It has become our family’s mission over the years to find alternative holiday treats that are fun or yummy, but, most importantly, safe.
Here is a list of things that can be thrown into an Easter basket for naturopathic kids to enjoy! Check it out…
Outside spring toys like skipping ropes, sidewalk chalk, soap bubbles, balls, mini sticks, and Frisbees.
Craft materials like markers, construction paper, scissors, glue, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, melt beads, and, of course, rainbow loom!
Healthier snacks such as sugar free fruit leather, licorice and mint Yogi tea bags, Ener-C packets, raisin boxes, packs of xylitol sweetened gum and honey sticks.
Homemade goods using cookbooks like the reliable Nourishing Meals which has these great stevia sweetened “sugar” cookies decorated for Easter. Or try these oatmeal cut-out cookies which I have made for almost every holiday or season, just by changing cookie cutters. They are so nutritious and delicious, I don’t care if my kids eat the whole batch in one night!
Allergen-free treats for when you want a traditional, but safe, treat. Peanut Free Planet is a great online store with a wide variety of allergen free options.Divvies‘ popular high calibre solid chocolate bunny is peanut, tree-nut, milk, egg and gluten-free and available at Whole Foods Stores. And Gimbal’s Fine Candies have jelly beans that are free of gluten and the top 8 allergens. These are commonly available at Shopper’s Drug Mart and Walmart.
Lastly, have fun thinking of things to put inside hollow Easter Eggs for an Easter Egg Hunt. Although we have tried almonds, raisins, cheerios, marbles and lego, MONEY (pennies, nickels and dimes) has been the kids favourite of all!
Have a healthy and safe Easter!
Paulina Zettel, ND
