Valentine’s Day is a day that evokes strong emotions from almost everyone. Whether it’s a holiday you love to love, or love to hate, chances are you have a feeling towards it. Regardless of your views on Valentine’s Day, this heart centered holiday provides a reminder of the importance of keeping our hearts healthy. What are the biggest ways to do this? Diet, exercise, and stress management.
In 2017, about 1/3 of the population planned on eating out for Valentine’s Day. We certainly understand the draw of going out for the evening. The idea of it is romantic, and knowing you don’t have to do your own dishes is certainly a plus. It can take some stress out of the evening. So if you’ve already got plans to hit the town–enjoy! But, if you are planning on staying in to enjoy a quiet meal at home with your partner or friends, here are some menu ideas that are both filling and heart-healthy.
What’s for Dinner?
We love salmon as a Valentine’s dinner options: It’s classy, easy, delicious, and a wonderful source of Vitamin D and other heart healthy nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids. What better way to show your loved one you care?
Here are two of our top picks:
- Balsamic Glazed Salmon by Well Plated
- Lemon Dijon Salmon with Asparagus by No Spoon Necessary
Healthy Sides
Since salmon covers both your healthy fats and your protein, your side will be where you can even out the meal with carbohydrates. The lemon dijon salmon has the built-in side of asparagus. But, if you choose the balsamic glazed salmon, you’ll likely want something extra for your meal.
Both quinoa and broccoli pair well with salmon, so you can check both boxes by combining both into a salad. If you’re desiring something more low-key, keep the roasted broccoli (or asparagus) and quinoa separate. Lightly toss the quinoa in olive oil and season using your favorite herbs or spices.
If you want a paleo approach, garlic sauteed broccolini or simple sauteed brussels sprouts would also work well with your salmon.
You’ll notice that both sides incorporate something green. It’s important to keep the colors on your plate diverse to get as many different phytonutrients as possible. It’s true what they say: you should eat the rainbow (just not the Skittles variety).
Decadent Desserts
Use dessert as an opportunity to fit in an extra serving of berries. Not only are berries wonderful for the pop of Valentine-esque color they add to your dessert, they are full of polyphenols and antioxidants that have been shown to improve several factors of heart health.
We think this Paleo + Vegan No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Tart looks delicious (and relatively simple to make… so it’s a win-win!)
If you aren’t a fan of chocolate, try this Paleo Strawberry Shortcake to hit the spot.
We hope that no matter how you choose to celebrate, whether it is with quality “me-time”, with friends, or with a partner, that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day that leaves your heart fulfilled (and healthy)!
1 John 4:7-17
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
