How to Create a Dietetic, Guilt-Free Easter Basket

Easter baskets are usually synonymous with chocolate and calories, but they don't have to be. Your dieting friend will be thrilled by this low-calorie, guilt-free Easter basket that will make his or her day without ruining that diet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 12 Plastic Easter Eggs
• Easter Basket Grass
• Curling Ribbons
• Woven Easter Baskets
• Fresh Fruit
• Sugar-free Candy
• Tea Bags
• Fresh Fruit
• Tea Bags
• Colored Plastic Wrap
• Stuffed Or Ceramic Rabbits

1. Buy a pretty woven basket, a dozen pastel-colored plastic eggs and pastel paper Easter grass.

2. Search the Internet for sites with recipes for low-calorie, low-fat treats like apple muffins, banana bread and even guilt-free fudge. Then bake them yourself.

3. Wrap your homemade goodies in colored plastic wrap and secure them with pastel ribbon or Easter stickers.

4. Include several pieces of beautiful, ripe fruit. For the best selection, find a local farmer's market or organic food store. Wash, dry and polish the fruit before you place it in the basket.

5. Fill the plastic eggs with tea bags, poems, jokes, magnets or any creative small gifts you can think of.

6. Place two cute coffee mugs and a pound of flavored coffee or a box of herbal tea in the basket. Place a scented candle in each of the mugs.

7. Include a sweet stuffed rabbit or ceramic bunny figure in place of the traditional chocolate bunny.

8. Pick out a recipe book filled with healthy desserts or (if you both are on a diet) a humorous book about food and dieting. Wrap it in colorful spring paper.

9. Arrange all these items in the basket, putting the heavier items (such as plastic eggs and gifts) on the bottom and the lighter ones (baked goods and fruit) on the top.

10. Scatter a handful of sugar-free candy in the basket to add a little color.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure any treats or recipes you find are both low-calorie and low-fat. Many foods that are low-calorie have plenty of fat, and many low-fat foods are loaded with sugar and calories. Read labels and recipes carefully.
• Don't make a dietetic basket for someone unless you know they are actively trying to lose weight. You don't want to offend someone by making them think that YOU think they need to lose weight.
• Don't include any diet jokes or books unless you are a close friend and fellow dieter.