Love, Give & Stay Healthy on Valentine's

"One word frees us from all the weight and pain of life: that word is Love.” (Sophocles)

Valentine's Day is knocking on the door. It is quite impossible to not notice it. Shop windows everywhere are decorated with hearts (cards or candy or toys... or just plastic stuff) that have once again been pulled out from the bottom shelves or tucked-away boxes and are now adorning every previously vacant spot. Although, like every other beautiful holiday, Valentine's Day has also been so commercialized... I still like it! I think it is wonderful to have one day a year that is completely dedicated to LOVE. Hey, we can never have enough of it. And, I am not talking about romantic love only.

In Estonia we celebrate Valentine's Day also as a Friendship day, so, no one is left out. Even those who do not have a sweet-heart are fully included in this beautiful day, dedicated to Love. We send cards to all our treasured friends and family members. We prepare little delightful gifts to one another and of course, we indulge in sweet stuff. So, please, if You do not have a sweet-heart, do not feel left out on this day. You too can adopt Valentine's Day as a Friendship day. Invite Your best friends over and prepare something sweet BUT healthy for them... so You can truly enjoy. Make it special... and remember,

“We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.” (sorry, I do not know who to give credit to for those wise words)

I have picked out some delicious, mouth-watering, yet, completely healthy recipes for You. We can enjoy sweet stuff without killing ourselves with unhealthy ingredients. The first recipe is the one I am going to prepare. The second recipe is so easy, even men can combine those healthful ingredients, creating a low-calorie delight to their sweet-hearts or friends. The third recipe is for those who love to bake... and the fourth one can easily be boxed and made into a lovely gift.

But, before I move on to the recipes, here is a site where You can get ideas for a home-made card: http://www.bisous.biz/catalog/layout_1_cards.htm A very simple card idea that I have used very often myself, is to pick a bloom of a flower, flatten it and place it between sheets of paper (or newspaper). Put some books on it as a press and leave for a couple of days. When it is dry, glue the bloom on a plain card. Now all You need are beautiful words and the card is ready. Bless Your sweet-heart with something that You have made Yourself.

Now, on to the healthy, sweet, mouth-watering recipes for the Valentine's:

Healthy Chocolate Pudding Inspired by The Great American Detox Diet, by Alex Jamieson (Rodale Press, 2005).

After the indulgence of the holidays, we may still want sweets, but we need to be mindful of our health and our waistlines. This seemingly decadent dessert actually gets its sweetness from dates and figs rather than refined sugar, and it boasts a lot of luscious chocolate pleasure.

Ingredients: 10 dates, pitted and cut into quarters 10 dried figs, cut into quarters (stems removed) 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons raw nut butter, such as almond, cashew, or peanut 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 to 2 cups water 1. In a blender or food processor, place the dates, figs, cocoa, nut butter, vanilla, and 1 cup of water and pulse until just beginning to blend. 2. Slowly add water as you continue to pulse, until the mixture is creamy, smooth, and the desired consistency. Serves 5 to 6.

Good-for-You Chocolate Mousse by Cait Johnson, author of Witch in the Kitchen (Inner Traditions, 2001).

My sweetheart and I discovered this amazingly delicious but oh-so-healthy dessert because we were craving something sweet, creamy, and chocolaty but didn't feel like really cooking. It's ridiculously easy to make, and it tastes so decadent, it's hard to believe it's good for you, too.

Ingredients:

1 cup Greek-style yogurt (any yogurt has healthy probiotics, but the Greek kind is extra-thick and creamy)

Organic fair-trade cocoa powder, to taste (lots of antioxidants here; we used about a tablespoon, but some of you may prefer it stronger)

Maple syrup, to taste (a natural sweetener that is better for you than refined sugar; we used about 2 tablespoons, but let your sweet tooth be your guide)

Optional toppings: Walnuts, dark chocolate shavings, a dollop of plain yogurt, thawed frozen raspberries.

Simply mix the ingredients together, spoon into pretty glasses, top with optional toppings (or leave it nude) and enjoy.

Serves 2.

Lemon Custard Cakes inspired by a recipe in Martha Stewart Living Magazine.

These amazing confections burst in your mouth like sunshine with their bright sweet-citrus taste. The combination of lemon and tender custardy cake makes a dessert that feels like Spring.

Ingredients:

3 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup organic granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons grated lemon zest (basically the zest from 1 organic lemon)
1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Butter for custard cups

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil while preheating oven to 350F. Lightly butter six 6-ounce custard cups and place them in a deep baking dish lined with a kitchen towel.

2. Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until light, then whisk in the flour. Add lemon zest and juice gradually, whisking to combine, then whisk in the milk.

3. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites with the salt until they form soft peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the lemon mixture, using a whisk.

4. Evenly divide the batter among the buttered custard cups. Place the baking pan in the oven and then fill the pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the cups.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until custard cakes are golden brown and puffed. Serve warm or room temperature.

Serves 6.

Date Nut Truffles inspired by Vegetarian Times Magazine.

These mouth-watering little treats are so delicious, the grateful recipients will never guess how healthy they are! Made with almonds, dates, and coconut flakes, these lower-in-fat-and-sugar morsels will disappear in no time. Date Nut Truffles make a lovely dessert, gift, or potluck offering.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
2 cups pitted dates
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

1. Cover dates with water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and allow to stand for 10 minutes. Drain dates, reserving 1 tablespoon of the water. Puree dates and reserved liquid in a blender or food processor until smooth.

2. In a skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds until light brown, 3 or 4 minutes.

3. Place pureed dates in a bowl and add the almonds, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine.

4. Place the coconut flakes on a plate. Combine cocoa, sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl.

5. Shape the date mixture into 1-inch balls, roll in coconut mixture, and then in cocoa mixture.

Helpful hints: The truffles will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or for 2 months in the freezer.

May You have the most wonderful Valentine's/Friendship Day ever! ...and remember:

"Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8) ...so, give, be a blessing, and You in turn, will be blessed!

Eve
Body-Mind-Spirit Health, Fitness & Beauty in Organic Way
http://www.TheSpringOfLife.net