Express Your Love With These Healthy Valentine’s Day Recipes

The 14th of February is celebrated every year as Valentine’s Day. We all think of innovative ways to surprise our loved ones. So, instead of the usual chocolates and candlelight dinner, why not surprise your partner with healthy valentine’s day desserts? This personal touch can do wonders and make your bond stronger.

While valentine’s day is about love, it is also about caring for each other’s health to lead a long life together. Take a look at 3 healthy valentine’s day recipes that are delicious and sure to impress your partner.

1. Almond date energy hearts

These are easy and quick-to-make valentine’s day recipes. The best thing is that you can modify the recipe to include extras that you may have in your pantry, e.g., dry fruits, nuts, chocolate, desiccated coconut, etc.

Ingredients

• 300 grams almonds
• 750 grams of seedless dates
• 50 grams of chocolate chips
• 50 grams shredded coconut, optional
• 200 grams of raisins, optional

Method

1. In a food processor, pulse dates and almonds together till they blend to form a ball. Adjust the number of dates and almonds if needed.
2. Add in the optional ingredients as desired. The mixture should come together without being too sticky or too dry.
3. Press the mixture into a tray lined with butter paper to form a layer roughly ½ to 1 inch thick.
4. Chill for 2 hours.
5. Remove from tray and cut into squares or hearts with a cookie cutter.

2. Red berry celery smoothie

“Green” smoothies are one of the healthiest ways to kick-start your Day. The best thing about this smoothie recipe is that it has all the goodness of a green smoothie and maintains a delicious fruity flavor, perfect for a quick weekday Valentine’s breakfast.

Ingredients

• 5 stalks celery
• 2 bananas
• 1 large apple
• 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup ice

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend till all the fruits have been pureed.
2. Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder if desired, and serve immediately.

3. Valentine’s day cookies

Just because they’re cookies does not mean they cannot be healthy. This recipe pulls out all the swaps – natural sweetness from honey, fiber from whole wheat flour and protein from peanut butter – to make this a healthy compromise on the otherwise high-calorie snacks available on this Day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips or gems
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C.
2. Sieve together the flour, wheat germ and baking soda.
3. In a mixing bowl, mix butter and honey.
4. Add egg and vanilla essence.
5. Mix in the flour mixture a little at a time till fully incorporated.
6. Scoop out the mixture onto a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes.
7. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

This valentine’s day, give your partner the gift of health with these lip-smacking healthy dessert recipes.

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Source – www.greatist.com