Valentine's day is just around the corner, and with it being a bit of a strange year and all, I thought I would share a few healthy ideas that you can use have a fabulous day for both couples and singles (because you deserve to treat yourself too!)
Top 5 Date Ideas:
1. Bake Something Sweet
My absolute favourite brownie recipe is uber healthy - but all of the men that are close to me have tried it and loved it (shhhh… don’t tell them it’s healthy!) It’s rich and flavourful, and has no gluten, sugar, or eggs - I know, hard to believe, right?! For fun, you can cut them out with heart shaped cookie cutters before icing them.
Not a fan of chocolate? Chocolate Dipped Strawberries are also a crowd favourite for Valentine’s day.
2. Get Outside!
Since Valentine’s is on the weekend, we recommend getting outside to get some fresh air. There are plenty of beautiful (perhaps even romantic) trails and sights to see in the area. Pretty Trails down at Woodlawn, the Spill Piles, or even a day trip up to Kenosee make for a wonderful way to spend time together while boosting feel good hormones like serotonin and endorphins, feel-good hormones that boosts your mood and reduce pain.
*Bonus points if you hold hands.
Single? Get out and enjoy your own company - it’s important to spend some quality time with yourself before inviting others into your life.
3. Stay In and Cook!
Cooking together can be fun when you’re cooking something new and making it an experience. Download the app “Mealime” and spend some quality time in the kitchen together. The app allows you to search by ingredients, food categories, dietary needs, and even by the length of time you want to spend in the kitchen. You can search for recipes based on the ingredients you already have at home, or it will curate you a list for exactly what you need.
*Bonus points for cooking together!
Single? Treat yourself to a tasty meal and enjoy the experience of cooking. Or, plan ahead with a friend, cook up the same meal, and Facetime as you enjoy it. Being single doesn’t have to mean solo!
4. Build a Fort
Yep. Channel your inner child and build a fort. Play games, watch movies, laugh, and let all worries and the rest of the world slip away. You can even Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who is on clean up.
Single? Fort building is equally fun. Build a fort, watch a movie, and reminisce about the good ol’ days.
5. Get To Know One Another
Sometimes we think we know someone, but do we really really know them? These 36 questions by the New York Times are perfect for a nice romantic evening getting to know one another deeper. Too serious and romantic? You can mix it up with a bottle of wine and “truth or drink” if one of the questions just isn’t your thing, or find another fun game to play.
Solo? Skip the games and questions and go for a drive. We recommend the Backroads Tour if you live close to Estevan. Pick up a cozy, warm beverage to enjoy as you tour the backroads and enjoy an afternoon cruise.
There are plenty of things you can do this Valentine’s Day. The key is to be intentional and to make time for your partner, or with yourself to enjoy some quality time in the presence of those you love, and make an effort to remind them just how much they mean to you (and for you solo’s, to remind yourself just how special your own company is).