Easter eggs: Tips to revamp the treat with healthy ingredients this year

Egg-shaped chocolates wrapped in colourful foil papers, dyed hard-boiled eggs and decorative oval treats are much in demand all over the world during Easter, as they pose famously as 'Easter Eggs.' Though the pagan tradition from the West wasn't too popular in Kerala until recently, youngsters today love to dig into them as restaurants and bakeries offer tempting treats. While the sweet treats aren't generally considered healthy, it's possible to twist them to suit your fitness plan, if you can prepare them at home.

Here are some tips: 
1) Buy or bake easter eggs using dark chocolate. Also, ensure that the dyes used are natural food colouring. You can use beet juice for the pink colour, turmeric for yellow, spinach for green and the like. You can also opt for healthy fillings made of nuts, dried fruits, homemade butter and seeds instead of candies. 

2) For decorating the eggs, use sliced fruits, coconuts, edible flowers and leaves instead of candies or unhealthy frostings. 
3) Here's a recipe to make some healthy Easter eggs at home

Ingredients
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup almond flour
1/2 cup shredded coconut
For toppings (optional)
Chopped dried fruits
Crushed nuts of your choice
Coconut slivers

Preparation
Melt the dark chocolate using a double boiler, adding vegetable oil
Stir well to combine till smooth and set it aside
In another bowl, mix shredded coconut, honey, almond flour, vegetable oil, vanilla essence and salt well
Take small portions of the mix and make oval shapes (Easter eggs) with your hands
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet
With a fork, dip each egg into the chocolate mix
Make sure the eggs are coated with chocolate evenly
and keep them back on the sheet
While the eggs are wet, sprinkle the toppings
Place the eggs in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for them to harden
Serve once the chocolate coating is set