Healthy Valentine’s Treats
Kachi Realty
Healthy Valentine’s Treats
Healthy Valentine’s Treats
Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that are filled with sweet treats. From the chocolates to the fancy desserts, many of the treats are delicious but not the healthiest options. Fortunately, there are some great ways to enjoy a tasty treat on Valentine’s Day without the calories and sugar. Try a few of these ideas instead.
Healthy Fruit Treats
Fruit is a sweet treat that can be enjoyed in the place of processed candies on Valentine’s Day. Create a colorful fruit salad by cutting up fruit and tossing it together in a pretty glass bowl.
You can also create a very simple fruit tart using a frozen pie crust and fresh fruit. Top with whipped cream or drizzle with a small amount of melted chocolate for a delicious fresh “pie” that will be a lot healthier than one full of sugar.
A fruit fondue is another way to add something nutritious to the holiday mix. Simply dip fruit in melted chocolate for a yummy and healthy treat. Use dark chocolate to reduce the sugar and increase the antioxidants in your fondue. You can also dip fresh fruit in delicious strawberry yogurt for a healthy alternative.
Sneak In The Veggies
It may surprise you to know that many baked goods can be made both extra delicious and a little healthier with the addition of some nutritional power. Zucchini, carrots, and even parsnips can all make a cake moister and put a lot more vitamins into it.
Beets are another veggie that not only adds nutrition, but also can be used to provide a beautiful color to your recipes. Use them to add a lovely red hue.
Shape And Color Healthy Foods
Instead of making sweet treats, make healthy foods into fun shapes. Use a cookie cutter to cut a healthy sandwich into a heart shape. Make heart-shaped whole wheat pancakes and top them with fresh fruit.
Cut cucumber slices into heart shapes and toss them on a fresh, healthy salad, and use a nice red dressing to add some Valentine’s Day color. Remember that you don’t have to make it sweet to make it romantic! You can even turn a basic meal into a Valentine’s feast with a small touch like a little red food coloring.
Valentine’s Day can be fun and tasty even without all the excess sugar. Just look to healthy foods that can be turned into a tasty treat quickly and easily, and you can enjoy Valentine’s Day without blowing your diet.
Useful Information from Kachi Realty LLC
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WAYS TO GO GREEN IN THE KITCHEN Start a garden. Whether you opt for a full-out vegetable garden or a small window of fresh herbs, the taste of freshness will be unmistakable! Shop locally! Visit local farmers markets or choose locally produced produce whenever possible. Bring your own bags when you visit the grocery store. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Save time and energy by cooking a double portion and setting half aside in the freezer for a quick meal at a later date. Get energized and leave the appliances alone. Whenever possible, mix and beat ingredients by hand, cook multiple items at the same time, and avoid washing dishes unnecessarily. Use energy-efficient appliances such as the slow cooker or toaster oven, which can use up to 30% less energy. Be aware of energy wasters such as excessive pre-heating or simmering. Ditch the wraps (such as saran wrap or foil) and make the switch to reusable containers for lunches and leftovers. Put a lid on it! Did you know that cooking with lids could save up to three times the energy? Keep all that steam inside the pot for a more energy-efficient (and faster!) meal. Go fresh—say goodbye to excessively packaged foods, which are often produced using processes that are harmful to the environment. Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is not only healthier, it’s often less expensive and better for the environment. Decide what you are looking for before you open the fridge, and never keep the door open longer than absolutely necessary.
Water Features For Your Yard A water feature can make a major change in your yard, and there are plenty of different ways to go about adding one. From a simple and small fountain to a koi pond or waterfall, you can use water to create a peaceful sense of a real escape from life in your yard. Small Water Features For small yards or for those looking to add something simple, a basic fountain is easy to add. They come in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes and can fit into any landscaping. Your fountain can be a centerpiece for the yard or can be placed near the patio. You can even get a small tabletop fountain for the patio table. Most fountains are easy enough to install by yourself. They use a pump system that circulates the water and keeps the fountain running. Follow all of the instructions for set-up, use, and care that come with the fountain and you can enjoy the sound of trickling water for many years to come. Adding A Pond A pond is a really eye-catching and special addition to any yard. You will need some space for it, but even smaller yards can manage one. Koi ponds are a very popular choice, as the fish are lovely and create an ambience in the yard. They fit in well with any sort of Japanese or other Asian landscape design, but really extend into other styles as well. Make sure your pond has a system for keeping the water circulating and clean; standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and it can get quite dirty over time. It’s best to have a professional install the water system for your pond. Waterfalls You may not be able to have Niagara Falls in your yard to enjoy, but you can get a waterfall added as a feature of your yard. These can be falls that descend over a rock wall, a small stream that runs over consecutive drops in a sloped yard, or something in a corner where water falls down into a small pond. A waterfall adds the sound of moving water to the air all the time. Be sure you have proper drainage for the water system. Water features are a beautiful addition to any yard, and your imagination is really the only limit. Many professionals can help you to design the water feature that is right for your yard and your needs.