Every year I do two things for Valentine's, buy my grandmother flowers like grandfather did when he was alive & make a dessert for my household. This year, I made a healthier dessert for them. I care about my sweeties' health just like you guys do. In the past, I gave them a cheat day for a Valentine's Day gift.
Then that cake looked like that within a half-hour one year. Last year, they got fruit salad. This year, I'm looking to do something different. And I decided to share my contending recipes with you guys.
What's Valentine's without a little chocolate. Chocolate is many people's must-have indulgence. And those many love to the fact that Chocolate is good for the heart. They miss the fact that the health benefits are found in Dark Chocolate. Now, in my opinion, chocolate on strawberries has been done to death. Let's try it on some oranges. When one says dark chocolate it is one that’s at least 85% dark – if not darker. And remember that you’ll be eating it on the oranges, not all alone, so you’ll still be getting some sweetness from the fruit.
Dark Chocolate Covered Oranges(Found the recipe HERE)
Ingredients
• 5 mandarin, clementine or navel oranges, peeled
• ½ cup dark chocolate
• Sea salt (Optional)
Preparation
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the chocolate using a double boiler placed over boiling water on medium-low heat.
3. Dip each orange slice halfway into the melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle each chocolate-covered orange slice with sea salt if using.
5. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes and serve
Well with this holiday being in February, it might be a little chilly. Who does like feeling a little warm & cozy? The best drink that drinks that says warm & cozy like Hot Cocoa. Yummy!!! But instead of the sugar-filled packet that is added to that high-fat percent cup of milk, try this.
Healthier Hot Chocolate (HERE is the recipe)
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup 1% milk, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
Preparation
1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and 2 tablespoons cold milk in a mug until smooth.
2. Heat the remaining milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a 2-cup glass measure in the microwave until steaming hot but not boiling.
3. Stir in the cocoa mixture and vanilla.
To froth the hot chocolate, whirl a whisk in it by rubbing your hands back and forth. (Alternatively, pour the hot chocolate into a blender, cover with the lid and a kitchen towel and blend until frothy.) Pour it back into the mug and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Not a chocolate lover? Allergic to chocolate? I didn't forget you. Sweet potatoes may be one of nature's unsurpassed sources of beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, & vitamin B1, vitamin B2. In my home, sweet potatoes have been bought a lot this year. They like them as side dishes (baked, candied, oven fries), I don't. And I will only make so many pies & cakes. How about a simple yogurt based pudding?
Sweet Potato Pudding(I doubled Snack Girl's RECIPE)
Ingredients
• 1 baked sweet potato
• 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• sliced almonds for garnish (optional)
Preparation
1. Mash sweet potato in a bowl and mix in cinnamon.
2. Top with yogurt and almonds. Enjoy!
To bake sweet potato: Heat oven to 400F. Make fork holes in the sweet potato and then place it on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour until soft
If that didn't whet your appetite, I have one more. Like chef & TV host Carla Hall, I love a good pucker.
Even though it is bright, it's not just used for summer dishes. The lemon is probably one of the most commonly used brighteners in cooking & baking. Make your honey's lips contract with this tangy number. Food Networks states that heart-healthy olive oil and protein-rich Greek yogurt replaces butter in this lemony pound cake. Egg whites also help cut calories, fat, and cholesterol and whole-wheat flour boost fiber.
Healthy Lemony Yogurt Loaf Cake (Food Network is the source for THIS)
Ingredients
• Nonstick baking spray, for a coating loaf pan
• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup plain low fat (2-percent) Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup low fat (1-percent) milk
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 large egg
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with baking spray.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Put the sugar and lemon zest in another bowl and rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers.
4. Add the yogurt, milk, olive oil, vanilla, egg whites, and whole egg and vigorously whisk until well blended.
5. Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture and fold until just incorporated.
6. Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, and then unmold and cool to room temperature
So, here to Loving the body on not just February 14th but any day & every day. Spread love wherever & whenever you can. And no better way to spread it than something made from the heart.
As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms
