Posted on April 11, 2019 by Emily Forbes

The 5th March this year was Shrove Tuesday which immediately precedes Ash Wednesday. On Shrove Tuesday, many follow the tradition of eating pancakes. The idea of Shrove Tuesday is to use up all perishables like butter, milk and eggs before fasting for Lent.  Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent; a Christian practice which replicates the sufferings of Christ in the desert for 40 days. As such, Lent continues for 40 days before the fast is broken at Easter. But Easter these days, for many, is associated with chocolate and a few extra days off school/work. With all this chocolate about, how can you have a healthy Easter?

Healthy Easter Ideas:

  • Let’s be honest, it’s hard to avoid the chocolate since the shops have been stocked with eggs since the Christmas decorations were taken down in January. Perhaps some of you used the start of Lent to abstain from chocolate until Easter? Whether you have or haven’t abstained, make sure Easter isn’t one huge binge fest. You don’t have to avoid chocolate completely but make a plan to do it mindfully. Perhaps limit yourself to just one day of eating chocolate. Also, spend a little extra to buy one decent chocolate egg that you can savour and enjoy rather than a load of cheaper ones that will get scoffed with no thought.
  • Eggs don’t just have to be chocolate. Try blowing eggs with the children. You can have protein-packed scrambled eggs for breakfast then decorate the empty shells as an activity with the kids.
  • Easter is very much a “feasting holiday” but not all food has to be unhealthy. There are loads of ideas on the internet for Easter themed food ideas which you can create. This is again another activity for you to do with the children as well as an opportunity to teach them about healthy eating. Make some healthy homemade hot-cross buns or teach them how to make an omelette. Why not make the family a lovely roast with veggies and enjoy some bonding time together?
  • Organised egg hunts and egg rolling are a great way to get out and get the activity in. Check your local paper for information. With Easter being a little later this year we can hope for good weather too!
  • Perhaps the weather will even be nice enough to have a healthy BBQ?

Enjoy:

Whatever you get up to over the weekend make sure you add a focus of fun and not just food. Four days off is a lovely amount of time to enjoy with family and friends as well as getting some much-needed rest; I know that’s what I’ll be doing.

Emily x

Image credit: Pixaby