It’s almost Easter… and we’ve done NOTHING to prepare! Thank goodness for the internet, other bloggers being on the ball and Amazon Prime! I’ve heard from a few of you that you wonder what our plans are. Since I very well couldn’t blog about being completely unprepared (did you know it was Finian’s birthday last week, the same week our book was released?) I appreciate the motivation you gave me to to figure it out and share!
Our family’s tradition is that we host Easter (and Christmas) brunch as well as Thanksgiving dinner. I love that people come here and the boys get to see their family and we get to spend quality time together. Plus, we control the menu!
But really, there’s something magical about seeing their growth year after year, with the same traditions, the same yards, the same people surrounding them. So, to answer the biggest question people ask, What is your family is doing on Easter? is Spending time together.
Beyond that… here are our plans (remember, we’ve got vegan family members – so I’ve noted what items are egg & honey free below with an *):
[EDITED on 4/4 – we’re now hosting a dinner as well… so, we’re making a few changes!]
Our Brunch Menu
Caramelized Coconut Chips from The Clothes Make the Girl*
Date Walnut Bars from Elana’s Pantry*
we’ll replace the agave with maple syrup and the grapeseed oil with coconut oil – Stacy won’t partake because she’s doing the 21 Day Sugar Detox
Unsweetened Silver Dollar Pancakes
we’ll be making an almond butter version without fruits or sweeteners so that Stacy and her mom (also on the detox) can have some
Deviled Bacony Eggs from Eat Like a Dinosaur
this will be the first year we’re not dying eggs – yes, we could do natural colors… but we eat SO many eggs it seems weird to make a scene out of coloring a few, instead the kids LOVE deviled eggs so our “new tradition” will be them helping us make the homemade Baconnaise and then scooping yolks from hard boiled eggs for this delicious version of a classic
Grated Carrot and Mint Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette by Serious Eats*
Since Stacy’s on the 21DSD, we’ll skip the honey and currants – upgrading the oil to coconut
Mint Lamb Burger Rolls inspired by these Thai Beef Rolls
we’ll blog the recipe if they turn out!
Our Dinner Menu
Black Olive Tapenade from ELaD with English cucumber and baby carrots*
Slow Cooker Kalua Pig by NomNomPaleo from the amazing pastured pig we just got from Mount Vernon Farms
We’re going to put cabbage & onions on the bottom (instead of bacon) and leave the skin on
Our guests have been asked to bring a green salad, deviled eggs and coleslaw. Then we’ll serve dessert…
Coconut Cream Pie (also in ELaD)
Stacy and her mom won’t be participating… but her family loves pie!
I had a HARD time coming up with this menu, so many awesome recipes on my Pinterest boards! Follow me there for more ideas & inspirations!
Special thanks to 52KitchenAdventures for the idea – photo credit: totally her!
For the Boys’ Baskets
Homemade Marshmallow Peeps!
We’re using Urban Poser’s recipe in these bunny silicone and egg silicone molds (thanks Amazon Prime!) to make our own version
Annie’s Summer Strawberry Organic Fruit Snacks*
We’ll be opening these bags up and putting the bunnies into eggs we hide in the yard – I of course signed up for Subscribe & Save and then immediately cancelled – gaining me extra % off!
Matt’s making Coconut Date Rolls shaped like eggs*
A LOT of coins
We traded in the boys’ piggy bank for dollars this week… we’ll be putting the coins and a few dollar bills (in special colored eggs each boy gets one of) into eggs
Tattoos
I got Cole Marvel, Finian Wild Cats and Wesley Spiderman
Silly Putty
These already come in eggs! And I found a cool variety pack!
Books
I got Peter Rabbit for Wes, Velveteen Rabbit for Finian and Cole’s loving the Bone series so I got him #2
Summer Sandals
This is just a way to package something I already had to buy! I sprung for the clouds and got Wes Batman Crocs. That kid happily shouts Batman, Spiderman and Green Lantern but refuses to even try to say “water”… saying he’s going to FREAK OUT with joy about these shoes is an understatement. Then I got Cole plain black and Finian green Crocs. Matt’s going to the local store this week to buy Jibbitz that will go inside hidden eggs. Plus, Amazon had $10 off $70, so it worked out pretty well to do it online.
Other People Actually Did Stuff
Have you seen The Paleo Mom’s Paleo Cream Eggs (Cadburry replications)?
How about NeoHomesteading’s Nutty-Butter Balls?
And The Urban Poser’s The Best Almond Flour (Biscuit Style) Cinnamon Rolls made the front page of FoodGawker – there’s a dish to impress for brunch!
Last year’s Spunky Holiday Round-Up for Easter by The Spunky Coconut has lots of paleo or easily adaptable goodies!
We also still love our Nona’s Nut Butter Eggs and Coconut Candies, we just won’t be making them this year because Stacy’s on a sugar detox and they’d be too tempting.
Because no blog post is complete without photos, here’s one of our adorbs boys last year!
I hope however you choose to celebrate (or not) this holiday, that you’re enjoying your day and hopefully spending it with family and friends. I know we will!
