Self-Love Meal Plan:
A Heart-Healthy Valentine's Day Feast to Nourish Body and Soul
Get ready to woo yourself with this Valentine's Day meal plan. Self-care is sexy! Nourish your body and your soul with these heart healthy recipes. Whether you plan to shower yourself or your partner with love on Valentine’s day, we’ve got you covered.
These meals are nutritious, satisfying and fit the theme beautifully. Just remember to sprinkle a little love on your meal before you serve it.
Click on the image to be directed to the recipe.
1. A Sweet Kickstart: Strawberry Overnight Oats
Welcome the day with our Strawberry Overnight Oats. This easy to prepare meal can be prepared from the night before so you can spend a few extra minutes enjoying… your bed.
Oats are your knight in shinning armour when it comes to heart health, lowering cholesterol and controlling blood glucose. Chia seeds can reduce triglycerides in the blood with their heart healthy Omega 3 content as well as a healthy dose of fibre. The strawberries add an antioxidant and flavour boost to this heart healthy meal.
Swap strawberries for cherries – because variety is the spice of heart health! Frozen or fresh, whichever rocks your heartboat.
2. Midday Battle of the Heart: Kale, Lentil, and Beet Salad
It’s midday and you’re feeling the love all round you but let’s get some love into your belly with a Kale, Lentil, and Beet Salad. Salads don’t need to be boring and unsatisfying. This one is both vibrant and filling. It is also super high in fibre with it’s kale and lentils and the beets can help lower blood pressure like other nitrate rich foods. Pecans, my current obsession, add the perfect crunch to this stunning salad and also add to the heart healthy profile.
This salad is perfect for winter or any occasion – it's a showstopper! Mix it up with some golden beets – because who said salads can't have a wardrobe change?
3. Savour the Night: Portobello Mushroom Steak, Rosemary Roast Potatoes
Dinner is calling! These Portobello Mushroom Steaks are the meaty alternative you’ve been missing in your life. Before we plant based folk had meat alternatives like Impossible Foods and Beyond Burger, we had mushrooms. You know what’s great about mushroom steaks? They are fewer than half the calories of a traditional steak (when prepared) with none of the saturated fat or cholesterol!
A large portobello mushroom is about 120 grams and contains 5.2 grams of protein which is pretty good considering they’re only bout 40 calories! Of course, you also benefit from the almost 3 grams of fibre in this 40 calories. There is no cholesterol and there is no saturated fat which makes them a super heart healthy meat alternative.
So, what about the rosemary roast potatoes?
Ok, first of all, potatoes are a superfood and if someone tells you anything to the contrary, just nod and walk away. By super I mean they are nutrient dense, high in fibre and resistant starch. They are low in fat, rich in antioxidants, a great source of potassium and they are pretty much the most versatile and satisfying food on the planet.
Second, and most importantly, they are delicious and satisfying! Eat your heart out, baby!
So what's with everyone hating on potatoes? Well, with great power comes great enemies. Don’t believe the low carb enthusiasts - Potatoes are a healthy food… just don’t fry them of pile sour cream and bacon on them.
4. Fizzy Love Quencher: Pomegranate & Orange Fizz
Wash your dinner down with a refreshing mocktail: Pomegranate & Orange Fizz – the ultimate love quencher for your heart's party. This fizzy concoction, made with 100% pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, and club soda, is the heart's own version of a refreshing spa day. Pomegranate's antioxidants and oranges' vitamin C are throwing a heart-boosting fiesta, while club soda keeps it classy, hydrating you without the sugar crash. Enjoy it straight up or mix it up – your heart, your rules!
5. Sweetheart Dessert: Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
As the curtain falls on your heart-happy day, indulge in the grand finale – Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries. It's not just dessert; it's a love affair. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, and can reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, coupled with sweetness of strawberries you geta perfectly balanced treat that's not just romantic but also healthy.
We hope with you enjoy every bite and sip of this Valentine's Day menu. Know that you're not just pleasing your taste buds – you're doing something great for your heart. Cheers to a day of delicious choices that even Cupid would give a thumbs up!
Enjoy the feast!