How to Create a Sugar-Free Easter Basket

A single line of quail crossed Annie’s path just as she turned into the farmer’s market. Simultaneously they began to run as they saw her approaching.

She smiled at them while pulling a shopping list out of her backpack.

Just as she started to review it, she noticed a crowd around a new vendor; Healthy Easter Baskets read the sign, “how timely,” she thought and walked over to have a look.

There were several baskets on display; people asked if they could buy them.

“Hello everyone, welcome to our booth. We have plenty of products, so we should be able to help you create a basket. These baskets are for display only and not for sale. We created them to help give you an idea of what is here to purchase. Each earth-friendly basket is made of bamboo and filled with recycled shredded paper. My name is Candy, but please don’t hold it against me,” she laughed. “We have products for all ages, including adults. And we do not sell anything that contains sugar.”

The crowd cheered.

Annie introduced herself when it was her turn, “I am impressed with your booth and happy to meet you, Candy. My husband and I are big proponents of a sugar-free lifestyle. Every Halloween, we host a party for children that does not include sugar. We carve pumpkins and have a build-your-favorite pizza table. The number of children attending the party has grown; it’s now twice its original size. At Easter, we host an Easter egg hunt. We want to support parents as they teach their children healthy lifelong habits around sugar. I imagine many parents are thrilled to meet you and see your booth.”

“It sure seems like it. My children were my motivation. When they were toddlers, I cringed watching people offer them chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks. I talked to other parents who felt the same way but were too uncomfortable to speak up, so I decided to create sugar-free baskets and offer them for sale so parents, grandparents, and godparents have an alternative. It’s a shame Easter became a sugar-high holiday. It didn’t start that way.”

“No, it didn’t,” said Annie. “The first Easter baskets were designed to carry home-grown food to church for a blessing to give thanks for a successful harvest. Candy was eventually…