54 Sweet and Healthier Valentine's Day Treats
By: Stepfanie Romine,
SparkPeople Blogger
2/9/2011 6:09 AM
: 39 comments
: 18,250 Views
According to the Census Bureau, Americans ate 24.3 pounds of candy per capita in 2009, and at least part of that was consumed on and around Valentine's Day. With boxes of chocolate so easily accessible--and so many varieties to try (just a nibble won't hurt!)--it's easy to see how the calories and empty wrappers add up. (That could amount to more than 10 pounds of extra weight a year!)
We're here to keep you and your sweetie in tip-top shape this Valentine's Day. We surveyed members and the SparkPeople team and compiled a list of better-for-you sweet treats, including several that are either calorie-free or will burn calories. I present to you the good, the "bad" and the chocolate-y!
This one from ARIZONAMARY was my favorite: One year we were beyond broke. I made 50 hearts out of construction paper (see below!) & hand wrote a different reason I loved him on each heart. I got a glass jar with hearts on it from the thrift store & filled it with the hearts. Now 10 years into our marriage, he still has it... along with the hearts inside.
The Good, the "Bad" (wink, wink)…
We're here to keep you and your sweetie in tip-top shape this Valentine's Day. We surveyed members and the SparkPeople team and compiled a list of better-for-you sweet treats, including several that are either calorie-free or will burn calories. I present to you the good, the "bad" and the chocolate-y!
This one from ARIZONAMARY was my favorite: One year we were beyond broke. I made 50 hearts out of construction paper (see below!) & hand wrote a different reason I loved him on each heart. I got a glass jar with hearts on it from the thrift store & filled it with the hearts. Now 10 years into our marriage, he still has it... along with the hearts inside.
The Good, the "Bad" (wink, wink)…
- Attune probiotic chocolate bars (We sampled these in the office and love them! We'll be giving some away on Friday!)
- sugar-free, chocolate-covered strawberries!
- yoga, Pilates and a massage!
- Angel food cake with sugar-free icing
- Tickets to a hockey game!
- Couples massage.
- diamonds! or new running shoes
- A DVD with a good workout
- New running shoes! (OK, or at least some really pretty flowers)
- A fruit bouquet w/ dark chocolate dipping sauce
- pink Wii fit accessories.
- COUPON BOOK! One free hour of video game time...one meal of your choice... one massage session... or movie tickets
- scented candles
- Cocoa flavored Pirate's Booty--tastes a bit like Cocoa Puffs
- A snazzy new exercise outfit
- nothing beats a scary movie so you can cuddle closer
- dark cocoa & raspberries
- Equal Exchange Chocolate Caramel Crunch bars. So, so good. (We also sampled these in the office!)
- jewelry lasts much longer the candy...much prettier too...just saying
- last year, we walked a half marathon for Valentine's Day!
- Matching bikes, heart rate monitor that has a pedometer and calorie counter, fitness magazine subscriptions, Zumba classes or a gym membership, or dance lessons... either swing, salsa, tango...or a couples spa day!
- a Pandora bead for my bracelet
- Diamonds... one for every pound I want to lose? ROFL!!
- Bubble bath and candle supplies!! A great to soothe yourself without food plus romantic for 2
- Naughty = Champagne and Strawberries! Nice = spa day!
- Candy = DumDum lollipops are sugar free
- Fitness = P90X system
- Romantic = Detoxifying spa treatment and massage for two!
- A bowl of fresh berries, a pitcher of lemon water and the Wii Biggest Loser game.
- I'm making homemade granola to give as Valentine's treats in pretty jars, rather than candies!
- Healthy cookbooks!
- a GO Red for Women lapel red dress pin!
- CD of romantic and personal songs; dancing lessons; date at a healthy restaurant; a night at a nice hotel/suite/bed & breakfast; ski or snowshoeing trip; hike; walk on the beach; healthy picnic; blender bottle full of flowers; healthy recipe book; homemade healthy treats
- As a mom of five boys, I don't ask for chocolate, flowers, or jewelry. I ask that each of us hand-made cards and list a few reasons we love each other on the card. After dinner, we read the cards to each other. I always feel like the most loved, richest woman in the world on Valentine's! I have years of cards saved; it truly is a treasure!
- A hiking trip, weather permitting! My boyfriend and I have a book of "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles" and plan on doing as many as we can. If we lived in a warmer climate, we'd have done some already... but that's what spring, summer, and fall are for.
- An indoor picnic--blanket on the floor, music playing, healthy food and drink.
- mixing a dark chocolate Hershey's Kiss with nut butter, melted and then dipping apples into it!
- one Riesen chocolate caramel with a cup of good coffee = my personal heaven.
- Favorite chocolate treat? Cherry Cordial Hershey's Kisses. It is easy to control portion size.
- Ghirardelli Midnight Reverie 86% dark chocolate bars. Always keep a bag at my desk.
- Nature Valley Dark Chocolate & oats fiber bars. Addicting and my go to treat with hot green tea.
- OOOH! Definitely gotta be a single square of high-quality dark (72%+) chocolate!
- Skinny Cow bars
! - dark chocolate covered blueberries
- a bit of dark chocolate by itself. So yummy and with antioxidants, healthy.
- Green and Black's Organic Dark Chocolate
- 2 chocolate graham crackers, lite Cool Whip between them, freeze for a couple of hrs - easy and very good!
- Yoplait Chocolate Whips...all flavors
- A single square of Lindt Chocolate dark chocolate with sea salt. Real ingredients, decadent flavors!
- I'm old-fashioned - if I want a taste of chocolate, I just pop a Hershey's Kiss (but just one).
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My fave chocolate treat is VitaMuffin: Triple Chocolate!
- Sugar-free Jell-o pudding cups! Favorite chocolate treat. Only 60 calories, several flavors and super yummy.
- Chocolate graham crackers
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Comments
I am single so may go to a singles valentine bash but if I feel like catching up on DVD's that would be just fine with me lol
ENJOY the love of God, friends and family everyday of your life! - 2/12/2011 10:31:55 AM
I NEVER thought I would say that, nevermind feel that way! - 2/10/2011 2:48:21 PM
http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/
2011/01/naturally-sweet-diy-valenti
ne / - 2/9/2011 11:38:52 PM
Also, I agree that love should be celebrated every day of the year, but Valentine's day just gives the celebration such a touch of romance... it kinda sets the mood... so why not take advantage of the day! =) - 2/9/2011 4:25:38 PM
This year, we're having dinner with friends, so I'll bring our cake as the dessert. - 2/9/2011 11:37:46 AM
I've been making a giant heart-shaped cookie for each kid for the last 10 or so years. I'll do that again this year; even though they're adults they love the few traditions we have. Hubby gets store-bought but good quality chocolate or nuts. I love the acai berry dark chocolate from Purdy's! - 2/9/2011 8:26:05 AM
I was 19 years young when I got my first and only boxed valentine card from my present DH. Now still my darlingDH of 47 years. When we came to the US for 2 years when I was 21 I brought that card with me. Box and all in my suitcase.
Every year I get it out and put in on display then back it goes to the next year.
DH buys me a card and I love it but never will any other card be so special to me as that one is. Pat in Maine. That will be a good blog. - 2/9/2011 8:17:32 AM
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