It’s Good Food Friday on ABC WCIV! Today I shared Valentine’s Day-themed food and drinks to celebrate the holiday with a nutritious twist.
Valentine’s Day Breakfasts
I shared my Valentine’s Day breakfast ideas – cinnamon streusel muffins, strawberry vanilla waffles and egg in a heart flavored with Simply Organic seasonings. With it being Heart Health month, it’s a great time to get creative with spices and herbs in lieu of salt. It’s a heart-healthy way to bring flavor to meals for virtually zero calories. Simply Organic’s mission is to bring the goodness of organics to everyday meals through the delicious flavors of their spices and extracts –a great staple for heart month!
Valentine’s Day Pink Cocktails
I shared my delicious 3-ingredient Valentine’s Day cocktail. I used a better-for-you soda to add color and flavor by Sipp. They are organic craft sparkling beverages made with organic fruits and herbs. I used their Ruby Rose flavor made with grapefruit and rosemary. Great to have on hand for the busy hostess – use them as a cocktail mixer or enjoy on their own.
Valentine’s Day Dessert
For dessert I shared brownies, parfaits and chocolate honey bites. As a dietitian, I love sweetening my desserts with raw manuka honey. Unlike refined sugar which is a purely carbohydrate, honey contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so it’s a more nutritious substitute. My favorite raw honey is by Wedderspoon sourced from New Zealand where the manuka plant is native. Since it’s raw, it has been minimally processed which better preserves those nutrients.
Chocolate with benefits
It wouldn’t be Valentines Day without chocolate. I shared a chocolate with benefits – sugar-free chocolate chews called BasicBites. They were developed and tested at a dental school and contain nutrients that enrich and fortify teeth and help maintain enamel health. They are 15 calories each, can help satisfy a sweet tooth and you can even have them AFTER you brush your teeth. In fact, that is what they recommend!
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