Valentines Day The Healthy Way
Fun fact: Sources say that Valentine’s Day is the second most celebrated holiday in the world, falling behind only New Year’s. While rooted in the idea of love, the centuries-old celebration has seen a big shift with time and commercialization. The “Feast of Saint Valentine” was created as an annual customary celebration of the several Christian saints collectively named “Valentinus.” The most commonly cited history tells the romantic story of the martyr Saint Valentine who, while imprisoned for marrying and ministering to Christians, was said to have healed the daughter of his captor. As the legend goes, in 270 AD, Valentine bid his beloved adieu prior to execution via a letter sealed with the now iconic phrase “from your Valentine.” At the end of the day, it’s the thought, care and effort put into your Valentine’s gifts that count. In the spirit of the ultimate symbol of love, Saint Valentine, we’ve provided some ideas to add some extra oomph to your v-day gifts this February. For the classy crowd , tour a vineyard. Expand your palate and boost your antioxidant intake. Charm your lover with a calorie-burning walk in the beautiful countryside. For the rhythmically-inclined , try dance lessons. Moderate intensity dancing can burn 200 calories in 30 minutes. This type of cardio also releases endorphins, raising your date’s mood and increasing your chances of a follow-up cardio session later on. For the perpetually sore , get a couples’ massage. Massages stimulate the production of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, a chemical combo guaranteed to leave the body feeling fresh and frisky. For the wordsmith and/or total hipster , ink up a custom Moleskine . There are few things more romantic than a beautiful sonnet or clever haiku. Slap a permanent smile on your lover’s face by pasting your own face (or custom art) right alongside your literary masterpiece. For the hippy chic , pour from the Numi Flowering Teapot . In addition to beautiful aesthetic qualities, this tea gift packs a smorgasbord of health benefits , including an antioxidant boost and fat burning qualities. For the fitness freak , strap on BodyMedia Fit Core Armband . This sleek little gadget gives a comprehensive breakdown of your health by analyzing your activity and nutrition levels. For the insatiable sweet-tooth , opt for Edible Arrangements . A bounty of nature’s candy couldn’t be a better gift. Eating fruit instead of processed sugars will give your Valentine an energy boost without the consequences of other sweets. For the wine snob , pour a glass of Swanson Vineyard’s With Love . Besides being loaded with antioxidants and heart-healthy vitamins, these tasty reds are named with different romantic – though admittedly tacky – sayings. For the munchies , smash on the Deluxe Snack Attack gift basket . Replacing snacks like crackers and chips with almonds is a tried and true way to boost weight loss. This array of wise snack choices is a great alternative to the heart shaped box filled with diet sin. It doesn’t take Romeo’s romantic acumen to make Valentine’s Day special. A little effort and a lot of love goes a long way.
Source: Complete Nutrition
