Spring Fun!

 The snow is melting, the days are longer, Easter is right around the corner, and the Red Sox are back in season. That can only mean one thing – spring has sprung! It’s time to celebrate that the winter months are (hopefully) behind us with some healthy spring treats and activities.

Now that the sun stays out later, there’s plenty more time in the day to fit in some outdoor activities. Go for a nice thirty minute walk downtown after work, or spend even more time outside on the weekend biking the Clipper City Rail Trail. If you enjoy running or just feel inspired by the talented Boston Marathoners, try out an outdoor run at the Rubert A. Nock Middle School track! Or maybe you want to channel your inner Red Sox player and spend some time at Cashman Park on the ball field. Any of these options are great ways to up your heart rate while getting some fresh air.

Check out the Newburyport Farmers Market to both spend some time walking around outdoors, and picking up some healthy, fresh, fruits and vegetables. One of our favorite spring treats to make with fresh veggies is a hummus plate. Grab some cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, bell peppers, and snap peas and have yourself a veggie feast! Just add some hummus to the mix, and you’re good to go!

Of course, there’s also the family-friendly option of an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt. This is always a fun way to spend some time outside, get a little bit of exercise in, and enjoy some Easter treats! Now, we know Easter eggs and baskets aren’t complete without some candy, but try to substitute the more sugary treats with some healthier alternatives.

Instead of only jelly beans and chocolate eggs, try fruit “baskets” and oatmeal peanut butter Easter eggs. Both of these will still taste sweet, but have much less sugar than your typical candy treats. You can even make the oatmeal-peanut butter eggs in the traditional plastic Easter eggs! Check out these recipes below.

We can’t talk about spring fun without at least mentioning that Dr. Lanphear’s birthday is in April! April 18th, to be exact. So be sure to give him a birthday kick when you see him around the office!