When Valentine’s Day comes around, it is natural to want to treat your sweetheart with something sweet. However, this does not have to mean that the treat must be unhealthy.
There are many nutritious and delicious Valentine’s Day options, and a plethora of romantic activities for you and your loved one to make fun memories.
The following are just a few ideas:
Take your date outdoors
Grab some coats, boots and blankets, and enjoy a day exploring the great outdoors. You can pack a healthy picnic of fruits, dark chocolate and red wine to enjoy after a day of hiking and seeing what the world (or at least your city) has to offer.
You can also do things like enjoy a fire, go ice skating or hit the slopes for some sled riding if there is plenty of snow.
Dark chocolate fondue and candlelight
If you want to enjoy a meal by candlelight, keep it simple and healthy. Dark chocolate is if full of heart-healthy flavonoids that reduce blood pressure and help ward off heart disease. If you get unsweetened, organic, raw dark chocolate for your fondue, then sweeten with organic coconut crystals instead of sugar, your fondue will be healthy as well as scrumptious.
Almost all fruits taste great in dark chocolate, so mix it up with a variety of fruits, such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, apples and the antioxidant powerhouse, blueberries.
Get a couple’s massage
Massage reduces blood pressure, and it melts your stress away. Enjoying a massage with your partner gives you intimate time to bond while working toward better health together. After your massage, enjoy a healthy snack of fruits drizzled in raw honey with and a cup of tea.
Just make sure to drink plenty of water after your massage to flush out the toxins that are released in the process.
Choose a healthy gift
You surely want to spoil your sweetie with a great gift, so make sure that it promotes health. Things like fitness trackers, running shoes and heart rate monitors are all great options. You can also sneak in a little gourmet dark chocolate to top it all off.
Skin-safe gift ideas
When it comes to your health, your skin is something that you really need to pay attention to. Create a gift basket full of items that are great for the skin, such as organic, or preferably homemade, bath salts, exfoliating scrubs and soaps. Essential oils are also wonderful gift basket additions.
Give a bouquet of flowers
Flowers are certainly a bit cliché for this holiday, but red roses stimulate good feelings. When you take a minute to literally smell the roses, this makes you feel more relaxed and happy. When you are relaxed and your stress is under control, you are working toward less tension and lower blood pressure, both of which are critical for overall health.
Consider all of these healthy gifts when you are looking to buy something for your loved one on Valentine’s Day. There is no need to sacrifice great gifts for health, because there is literally a world of healthy – and delightful – options available!
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Healthy-Valentine-Day-Gift-Ideas-7292292#photo-7292292
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Heart-Healthy-Valentines-Day-Tips_UCM_322023_Article.jsp
http://www.womenfitness.net/top_10_heart_healthy_valentine_gift_ideas.htm
