Blockbusters and air conditioning make going to the movie theater one of my favorite summer indulgences. But the treats at the concession stand can turn an afternoon of laughs into a calorie-and fat-laden horror show. For example:

Large popcorn +
Large soda +
half a bag of M&Ms
= 2,400 calories!

That's like eating nearly an entire large Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza by yourself. Considering that most people don't need more than 2,000 calories a day, that's going way overboard, especially when you consider the amount of saturated fat and sugars you've also consumed.

I won't suggest that you don't buy any snacks at the movie theater-that's just not realistic and you wouldn't listen anyway (I wouldn't either!), but there are clearly healthier choices you can make-and they're just as satisfying as the diet-busting ones. Here are my picks for healthier ways to treat yourself at the theater, complete with nutrition info to guide your choices, plus healthier options

While "Harry Potter," "Finding Nemo," and "March of the Penguins" are great choices to watch with your family, sometimes it's nice to expose your kids to older films they may not be familiar with. Perhaps even some favorites from when you were growing up. We've handpicked our favorite child-friendly movies of the past 60 years that remain highly engaging and completely relevant. Some are for younger kiddies, while others might be more appropriate for tweens and teens-we'll leave the viewing to your discretion. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for hours of enjoyment.

In our parental zeal to minimize children's "screen-time," we sometimes forget what a magical experience a great movie can be. There are many truly wonderful films we want to share with our children -- classics like Willy Wonka and The Wizard of Oz, or contemporary gems such as the irresistible Babe or Hayao Myazaki's whimsical My Neighbor Totoro.

It is often tempting to use a movie as a convenient babysitter, but doesn't that dilute the charm? This summer we are planning to try a different approach. We want to make watching a movie the special occasion it really should be. The trick is in the presentation, and there's no more thrilling way to watch a movie than under the stars on a warm summer night.

Putting together a backyard movie night requires a little doing, but is absolutely worth the effort. You may want to invest in a DVD projector, or you could rent one. You'll also need speakers, extension cords, and a table to put all of the equipment on. A white wall or sheet