Are you looking to have a healthier Valentine's Day??

1. WHAT TO ORDER ON SWEETHEARTS DAY

Planning night out on the town with reservations to your favorite restaurant?   Keep your heart and waistline in mind by making heart healthy choices when ordering.  For your main course try the Surf and Turf...while it’s true that lobster and shrimp contain a fair amount of dietary cholesterol, both have virtually no unhealthy saturated fat, so they’re unlikely to affect a person’s cholesterol levels if enjoyed in moderation since most people will only be ordering this delicious combination a few times a year.  For the turf portion choose a Beef Tenderloin that is organic and grass fed for lower fat and cholesterol.  

Fish is also a great choice especially when able to choose these healthier options like Wild Alaskan Salmon, Wild Atlantic Mackerel or Wild Pacific Halibut.

Toast the night with red wine as many doctors agree that something in red wine appears to help your heart. It's possible that antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol, have heart-healthy benefits.

And finally for the end of the meal finish with a sweet like dark chocolate, the health benefits of dark chocolate are almost entirely due to the polyphenols found in cocoa. As a rule of thumb, whenever you read something good about chocolate, they're usually referring to the cocoa. Therefore, as the cocoa content of chocolate increases, so do the positive effects on health. A regular milk chocolate will contain about 30% cocoa, while premium dark chocolates usually have more than 70% and less fat too.

2.  WATCH OUT FOR THESE WORDS

When dining out on this sweet night, or any other night for that matter, watch out for these words.  Anything au gratin, battered, creamy, crispy, crunchy, en croute, fried, rich, velvety, and sautéed (in butter) all indicate that the item is not likely heart-healthy.  In other words... STAY AWAY!  Tell your waiter you like something baked, grilled, steamed or pouched.  Far less calories and herbs and lemon can boost the flavor.

3.  A SWEET WORKOUT.

Start the day with a couple’s workout.  Motivating each other to get up and go, you'll be learning moves together and sharing a new experience. You can be using each other as resistance and also support. Talk about a relationship builder! However, exercising 30 minutes most days of the week will improve your overall health, as well as your cardiovascular health.  Men and women who exercise regularly can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and maintain a lower body fat.  Additional benefits include improving your quality of life, helping maintain a healthy weight, reducing cholesterol levels and a couple who exercises in front of their children this demonstrates the importance of being active.  Keep the workout going from morning to night go from the dance floor, all the way to the bedroom.  You can squat seductively, spin around poles, and striptease for your man actually burns calories and strengthens that hot body of yours.  To learn more moves check out local workout studios for these types of classes.

4.  PUT AN END TO THE FAKE SWEET

While so many other holidays are celebrated with candies and sweets, Valentine’s Day immediately brings visions of fancy chocolates and conversation hearts in heart-shaped containers. Most of these candies are full of imitation coloring, preservatives, Trans fat and chemical additives. Instead of giving these traditional gifts, get your creative juices flowing and put together a healthier treat. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and whip up a few batches of homemade POP TARTS (recipe on KK Site) or a favorite homemade cookie using all natural ingredients.  If you have chocolate on your mind and taste buds try these other dark chocolate options like my Valentines Bark or dark chocolate-dipped strawberries and other fruits, dark chocolate-covered almonds and other nuts or dark chocolate-covered raisins.  

5.  SPREAD THE LOVE

Nothing makes the heart feel better than doing a good deed and helping others who are in need. Instead of spending an intimate Valentine’s Day together, use the day to celebrate the gift of giving. There are many places where you and your loved ones can volunteer your time together like a homeless shelter, hospital, nursing home, churches or a soup kitchen.  You will never have a sweeter Valentine's Day than one where you give of yourself.


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