Whether you are single, in a relationship, married, or not exactly sure, most people would agree that Valentine’s day can be depicted by the phrase ”treat yourself.”
Treat yourself for most of us means heart-shaped chocolate, indulgent desserts, rich meals, bottles of wine, and champagne. Yet every year, on February 15th, most people wake up feeling bloated, exhausted, and regretful. Maybe you had one too many bottles of merlot and texted your ex. Maybe your stomach is killing you because you finished not one, not two, but three boxes of chocolates. These really weren’t the V-day plans you envisioned, were they?
Valentine’s is all about lovin’. Extra attention for your love, or extra love for yourself. This Valentine’s Day let’s change the way we see the phrase “treat yourself.” What if “treat yourself” meant to take care of your body and to put good things into it? Follow one or all of these 5 tactics to reinvent “treat yourself” this heart centered holiday.
5 Healthy Ways to Treat Yo Self This Valentines Day
1. Start the Day Out Right
Save some dough with a do it yourself V-day brunch. The best part? You won’t spend all day napping like you would if you went out for an all-you-can-eat buffet. Try these healthy pancakes that are sure to get your loved one in the mood or eat them in bed yourself while watching your favorite movie.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 egg
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond butter
- splash of almond milk (if batter is too thick)
- 1 scoop of MyNursh Beta Glucan
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- berries and honey (optional)
Directions:
Mash the bananas in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add in splsh or two of almond milk if the batter is too thick. Mix until combined. Heat coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to pour each pancake onto the frying pan. Top with berries and drizzle with honey if desired.
See V-day indulgences as an opportunity for creativity. Check out Pinterest for a lighter hollandaise sauce. Ditch the bloody mary mix and substitute it for real tomato juice, pepper, and Sriracha sauce. Use real orange juice and tons of fruit in your mimosas. These substitutes are very simple, but they’ll make a heck of a difference in your energy level and mood for the rest of the day. See you later sugar crash and post-brunch passouts!
2. Try a Spin on V-Day Dinner
We aren’t telling you to skip Valentine’s Day dinner. Remember that some indulgent foods can actually be good for you. Think steak, salmon, or seafood. Try pairing a meat with roasted veggies and potatoes, light some candles, and you’ve got yourself a fancy satisfying romantic dinner. If you are interested in something more adventurous, make reservations at a sushi or Thai restaurant. Super yummy. Surprisingly healthy.
3. Sweat it Out
Ever been to the gym on Valentine’s day? It’s usually gloriously empty. Rather than struggling out of bed with a hangover on February 15th, incorporate a workout into your V-day plans. This can mean time to yourself to go for a run, snowshoeing in a local park, or a walk through the woods with your valentine. Get some friends together, get out your pink and red workout gear, and hit up a Valentine’s Day themed yoga or spin class. To anyone with a broken heart this V-day-there is no better revenge than a rockin’ bod, and there is no better way to release endorphins than jammin’ out to an amazing pump-me-up playlist.
4. Take Care of You
The best ways to self-soothe doesn’t have to involve alcohol or food. A beautiful bath with bubbles, salts, or essential oils. A pair of fuzzy pajamas. Candles and your fav novel. Lovin’ on your valentine. Getting a full night’s sleep. Hanging with your cat. A massage. A pedicures. Make the day all about destressing.
The best part about this is you can do it whether you are in a relationship or single. We are all overworked, over-tired, and under-loved. Take time this Valentines Day to love yourself and those around you.
5. Healthy V-Day sweets
We can hear the sighs of relief as we state that tasty and guilt-free Valentine’s Day treats are out there! Name your favorite Valentine’s Day treat, and we guarantee there is a healthy recipe out there. We love to use Mind Body Green and search for healthy substitutions for the not so healthy fare. If that’s not really your forte, a trick that works for a lot of people is the “three bite rule.” Many people argue that after three bites of a rich dessert, you’re no longer mindfully eating it. The first three bites of a dessert are actually the most satisfying and enjoyable. Sound crazy? Try it out, you might be surprised.
Above anything else, if you splurge on Valentine’s day treats, embrace it. Don’t ruin moments with your significant other or loved ones by obsessing. But do listen to your body. If you’re feeling lonely on V-day, resist the urge to reach for the entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s (trust us, we’ve been there). Whip up the super easy recipe below instead.
Dark Cocoa Drizzled Strawberries
You could eat 10 without feeling guilty because these yummy berries are full of antioxidants and goodness.
1 hr 10 min
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cocoa butter
- 3 tbsp raw cacao
- 1 ½ tsp raw honey
- 20 fresh strawberries
Instructions
- To make the chocolate, melt the cocoa butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water.
- Add the cocoa powder and honey and mix well to combine.
- Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Dip a fork in the chocolate and drizzle the chocolate over the strawberries. Top the strawberries with chopped nuts or coconut flakes for an added texture. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.