Well it's that time of year again, where Easter is just around the corner and people are giving up chocolate for lent. Even if you aren't Catholic, this week is a great time to consider your habits and think about how to get more physically active and eat healthier.

This week is Screen Free Week, where parents, kids and community members are encouraged to turn off the TV, video games and computer and get moving!

Screen free week is celebrated from April 18 to April 24 and focuses on doing activities other than sitting in front of a TV or computer screen. For 101 things to do outside, check out this great website: www.beoutsideidaho.org and be sure your diet will give you the energy you need to stay active.

As the final countdown to Easter Sunday begins, consider these tips to lighten up your Easter eating.

Eat a meal

Before you break into that basket full of goodies, eat a small meal. Having food in your stomach will help you resist the temptation to overindulge on candy and junk food.

Try to incorporate a good source of protein, such as lean ham or beans, and a complex carbohydrate, like a whole grain roll or sweet potato. Adding a side of fruit salad or cooked vegetables will help add bulk to the meal and provide extra nutrients. Once the Easter baskets have been opened, portion all the goodies into little baggies then limit yourself to one bag a day.

Use plastic

Instead of hiding hard boiled eggs, which add cholesterol and saturated fat to the holiday menu, or chocolate Easter eggs, which provide excess sugar, try hiding plastic Easter eggs. These can be filled with small knick-knacks, trail mix, snack crackers, movie tickets or extra change. Kids have fun cracking them open to discover what's inside. Besides, you can reuse them year after year.

Lighten the load

Rather than stuffing Easter baskets full of Cadbury's and peeps, try yogurt covered raisins and pretzels. You could add granola bars and individual bags of microwave popcorn too. Nonfood items could include pencils, silly bands, movies and small toy items. You could even put CDs and magazines in them. Check out your local dollar store for more ideas.

Lessen the leftovers

After the family has come and gone and you are left with mounds of scalloped potatoes and green bean casserole, consider freezing the leftovers. That way you have it for a night when you don't want to cook and you aren't stuck eating for the rest of the month.

Be conscious of how long the food is sitting out. Discard any food that is left out for longer than two hours and use cooked leftovers within 3-4 days. And last but not least, while it might be tempting to take advantage of all those after Easter candy sales, remember you'll be paying extra at the gym if you indulge. Come on, put those remotes down and hop into a healthy Easter!