A healthy Valentine’s Day? Oxymoron, you say? It IS possible to healthify your V-Day eats and sweeten the deal with some fun food that your little darlings will enjoy.
Here’s what was on the menu when I was on ABC10 as their recurring healthy living expert. Get your kids and grandkids involved — this is when they can play with their food!
On the menu:
Cocoa Cupcakes: What makes these so moist? Cooked beets! Also, flaxseeds and chunks of pecans and give them an added boost of healthy fat and the dark cocoa provides powerful antioxidants. Contains whole wheat flour and NO dairy or eggs.
Razzberry Choco-mole: Move aside guacamole. Dark cocoa meets avocado for a decadent, smooth and creamy sweet treat. Blended with both fresh and frozen raspberries for a tart undertone. Does not contain dairy or eggs.
Apple Heart Sandwiches: A sandwich kids will love to make. Slice apples horizontally then cut out the center with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Layer an apple slice with creamy nut butter, currants, muesli, and sunflower seeds, then top with an apple slice for a ‘hearty’ sandwich!
Chocolate Cups with Lemon-illa Filling: Dark chocolate cups are made ♥ lovingly ♥ by hand and filled with Greek cream cheese. The filling is flavored with fresh lemon zest, Mexican vanilla, and a touch of honey. Top with a fresh strawberry “heart”. Greek cream cheese contains half the fat and four times the protein than low-fat cream cheese.
Hearty Green Salad: A power blend of baby greens (Swiss chard, kale, and spinach) is topped with heart-shaped red peppers, cucumbers, and XO’s (cut from mozzarella and cheddar cheeses).
Rosemary Red Hearts: Red potatoes are cut into hearts and roasted with rosemary, freshly ground pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika.
Hibiscus Berry Smoothie: Red delicious apples, banana, frozen raspberries and strawberries, and cashew milk yogurt are blended in a base of hibiscus tea. Does not contain dairy.
