The day of cupids and arrows is quickly approaching and love is in the air!  Stores are lined with amorous cards, cutesy stuffed animals, and of course, loads of chocolate.  Valentines Day can be a treacherous day for those watching their weight as it is filled with sweet temptations.  However, it can also be a great opportunity to show love to oneself, friends, and family.

1. Love yourself: Start the day off right with a healthy, Valentines Day themed breakfast.  Strawberries are a great choice.  Not only are they red and heart-shaped when sliced, but also, they are loaded with healthy antioxidants and fiber.  Combine a bowl of Greek yogurt, with sliced strawberries, and a drizzle of honey for a perfectly sweet start to the day!
2. Love your Friends and Coworkers: If you like to bring treats into the office or bake for your friends on holidays, consider swapping out the usual decadent treats for some “Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies.”  At only 94 calories per cookie, they pack an incredible amount of flavor as well as vitamins and minerals.  Waist lines will thank you so will taste buds since tart cherries and dark chocolate are an incredible combination!
3. Love your Honey: Plan a romantic dinner with your sweet heart and cook up a healthy well-balanced meal that will leave you both energized and bloat free.  That way you can fully enjoy the rest of the evening together!  Check out my “Healthy Recipes” board on Pinterest for ideas.  After a healthy dinner, a sweet bite to finish out the day is in order.   Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac, making it the perfect choice.  Share a Chocolate Souffle with your loved one for a sweet finish.  The following recipe from Cooking Light is only 188 calories per serving, yet moist and sexy.

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/3 cup)

1 1/2 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup dried tart cherries

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.
3. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; add brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add tart cherries, vanilla, and egg; beat until combined. Fold in chocolate. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Cool on pans 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.

Chocolate Souffle for Two

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

2 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk

1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 large egg yolk

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg white

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Coat 2 (8-ounce) ramekins with cooking spray, and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons granulated sugar. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet; set aside.
3. Combine water and next 5 ingredients (water through egg yolk) in the top of a double boiler. Cook over simmering water until thick (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat; add vanilla.
4. Beat egg white and cream of tartar at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold one-fourth of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon evenly into prepared ramekins. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until puffy and set. Sprinkle each soufflé with 1 teaspoon powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

Assistance provided by Allison van Camp

Would you love to cook more and save money? Do you sometimes not know what to do with leftovers? Do you constantly throw out veggies that have sat in your fridge and gone bad? Do you want to prepare healthy home-cooked meals quickly?

If you’ve answered YES to any of the above questions don’t worry – there’s a solution: a SLOW COOKER! With this kitchen essential you can have fun creating dishes that are flavor-packed and nutrient-rich – all while on a budget and with minimal time and effort. No matter if you’re vegetarian, a meat lover, pescaterian, or vegan, the Slow Cooker is right for you – the possibilities for healthy and delicious meals, sides, desserts, snacks (I could go on and on) are endless!

If you’re still not convinced – Here’s why a Slow Cooker will save you time, cash, and trips to the grocery store:

More Time Slow Cooking, More Time For You: The Slow Cooker is a great time saver! Simply select and put the ingredients into the slow cooker, turn the switch on, and sit back and relax – or if you’re like me use this bonus time to do something else! Turn the slow cooker on before you head off to work and come home to a nice, warm delicious meal!

Cheaper Ingredients Taste Expensive: With a slow cooker, the lower temperature and longer heating time tenderizes meat and locks in flavors of the dish. Therefore less expensive cuts of meat can be used and less stock and/or broth are needed.

Leftovers are the Main Ingredients: After a meal are there a few handfuls of beans leftover or a small cup of veggies not eaten? It’s too little to save yet too much to dump! With a slow cooker, instead of scraping those leftovers into the trash can, throw them into the crockpot for another night’s meal! A helpful tip: keep a container in the freezer for all those little portions of leftovers. Keep adding to the container until it’s filled and use for your next Slow Cooker creation!

Store Bought Products can be Homemade: why spend money on packaged and pre-made products when you can make them yourself? Use the Slow Cooker to create your own soups, sauces, broths, stocks, – even your own yogurt and granola, which can be pricey grocery items!

Some Great Recipes to try:

With the weather getting colder, enjoy a warm, hearty, and healthy chili: Slow Cooker Chicken Chili (Courtesy of Foodnetwork.com)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/slow-cooker-chicken-chili-recipe2/index.html

Here’s a great way to wake up in the morning: Slow Cooker Fruit, Nuts, and Spice Oatmeal (Courtesy of allrecipes.com)

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/slow-cooker-fruit-nuts-and-spice-oatmeal/Detail.aspx

Savor dessert with this perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake (Courtesy of the Healthy Apron & adapted from Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook)

http://thehealthyapron.com/2010/10/25/3-things-i-love/

Research Assistance provided by Marsi Shapiro

This is the time of the year when many of us pack up and head for the heat during spring break. If you are wanting to get bikini-ready fast to look your best, here are some tips to help you shape up quickly!

1.   EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN. How much is “enough”?  Aim for at least 15 grams at breakfast and 25 grams at lunch and dinner.  Eating enough protein will help keep you fuller longer, and resist the temptation to snack excessively in between meals. Including high-quality sources like lean pork tenderloin, chicken breast, and fish, lentils, beans, quinoa or protein-packed Greek yogurt are all great options!

2.  STAY HYDRATED. Dehydration has been known to be the underlying cause of food cravings, so this one is an easy fix – drink enough water!  Water also helps to keep you full and is one of the keys to detoxing your body. As I tweeted, you can flavor plain water with fruit or veggie slices for a fun twist.

3.  MORE VEGGIES, PLEASE! Eating more vegetables can help you meet weight loss goals in so many ways!  Vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibre, and can be one of your biggest assets for getting back in shape quickly.  Adding in more vegetables increases the volume of your food, which allows you to eat more of nutrient-dense foods for less calories.  Try incorporating them into salads, pasta, omelettes, soups or a stir fry.

4.  AVOID AFTER DINNER EATING. Late-night snacking can be an issue for many of us, especially if its done mindlessly while watching television or browsing the internet, since we can forget how much we’re actually eating.  Avoid eating after dinner so you can look fabulous in your bikini on the beach!

5.  STRENGTH TRAIN FOR LASTING RESULTS. Many of us stick to the cardio so much that we may forget about the weight training side of the gym.  Strength training, whether on your own, with a personal trainer or part of a group exercise class, can help you define and shape your muscles to help you get toned and also boost your metabolism for a vacation-ready physique!  If you’re really short on time, focus on your upper body – arms can show definition faster than larger muscle groups.  Try lifting weights 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes to see results.

What are your favorite get-in-shape-fast tricks?

With assistance from Megan Skinner