You could eat an entire box of Valentine’s chocolates in a day.
I feel your pain. You probably do not want to core an apple in cute heart shapes this Valentine’s Day.
Me neither.
So, here are some healthy holiday treats that are guilt-free indulgences, usually under 100 calories.
Nibble on one chocolate truffle. Slowly. Savor every tiny bite. Make it dark chocolate and it’ll be heart-healthy. But you must stop at one.
Cold weather is perfect for mulled wine. Have a cup. It’s so festive for winter! Williams-Sonoma has mulling spices but you don’t have to use theirs. Make your own or find the spices elsewhere.
Don’t drink? A cup of sugar-free hot chocolate from any brand on the grocery shelf is not much of a sin at all. Hardly any calories, even if you pop a few mini-marshmallows on top. You’re past a few when you get to seven.
My favorite kind of cookie. I love the henna designs. I’m sure there is a healthy version somewhere on the Internet. And surely you burn of calories making those intricate designs.
Dip two strawberries in semi-dark dipping chocolate from your grocery’s baking area. Make them the biggest, plumpest strawberries you can find. Or this recipe for chocolate dipped fruit on a stick.
If you have a heart-shaped mini cookie cutter, make heart-shaped brownie bites. Once you have your baked brownies, use the cutter to make cute hearts. Roll the leftover brownie scraps into balls and freeze them. When you feel the urge to sin, take a couple out of the freezer, thaw and enjoy.
Kids or grandkids might love a home-made trail mix with heart-shaped cereal. Kashi makes one. Add almonds and dried cranberries or whatever you like. Don’t serve to small kids who might choke.
And a collection of heart-healthy recipes for Valentine’s Day on Pinterest here.
If you’ve got a recipe or an idea for healthy holiday treats, share in the Comments. Thank you!
It’s interesting how over the years everything Valentine’s Day has become edible. I’m really good to me all year long and especially on Valentine’s Day 🙂 and I’m a big fan of the HUGE SCENTED BATH BOMBS.
Those cookies are beautiful!
So funny … before going blog visiting, I made my green tea and took my last chocolate truffle (from Christmas), letting it melt in my mouth as I came up the stairs. You’re right–making them last is the way to go. 🙂
Well now I am urgently needing some strawberries and chocolate!! My current favorite ‘decadent’ snack is a small handful of dried cherries and a tablespoon or two of darkest chocolate chips. Especially with a nice glass of red wine. or latte.
I love this post to help get ready for Valentine’s Day indulgences. I definitely try and savor chocolate while I’m eating it, especially the richness of dark chocolate, and it works a charm to help prevent me from overindulging in a lot of it. Mulled wine is also a favorite of mine, nothing better on a chilly night!
there are way too many delicious nibbles available now days – and Valentines Day seems to be a good excuse to eat your way through a lot of chocolate. I love the idea of trying to find some healthy alternatives that still feel like a treat! thanks for sharing at our #OTM link up ~ Leanne
My goodness, I have never see a cookie with henna designs & this is looking beautiful & very much creative. A worthy idea to try for Valentine’s day which kids would fall in love.
I really love those henna designed cookies. I love putting henna on my palms and making various designed on my own. Will try to make some for this Valentine’s Day.
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It’s interesting how over the years everything Valentine’s Day has become edible. I’m really good to me all year long and especially on Valentine’s Day 🙂 and I’m a big fan of the HUGE SCENTED BATH BOMBS.
Yum! Great ideas! Happy Valentine’s!
Those henna cookies are gorgeous! I love the strawberry idea…very delicious and sexy, too!
I don’t have the love affair with chocolate that most people have, but every once in a great while…I will indulge.
I want strawberrys! And to look at the henna designs. Actually, I’ll be in Cabo on the 14th!
Want. Want. Want. But I’m not a baker, and chocolate is a horrid trigger for my acid reflux. I’m afraid the apple hearts will have to suffice. Yawn.
I like the idea of the heart-shaped brownie bites for my husband. I might give those a try. For me? I’m happy getting roses.
Those cookies are beautiful!
So funny … before going blog visiting, I made my green tea and took my last chocolate truffle (from Christmas), letting it melt in my mouth as I came up the stairs. You’re right–making them last is the way to go. 🙂
Those cookies are the most beautiful cookies I have ever seen. I wouldn’t want to eat them because they look like a work of art
I will remember this when my children bring home their valentine candy from school. 🙂
i’m with you on the sugar-free hot chocolate – since I am prediabetic, that would probably be a great option for me 🙂
My Valentine indulgence is not chocolate, it’s lobster and I look forward to it.
Well now I am urgently needing some strawberries and chocolate!! My current favorite ‘decadent’ snack is a small handful of dried cherries and a tablespoon or two of darkest chocolate chips. Especially with a nice glass of red wine. or latte.
I love chocolate especially chocolate covered strawberry so that’s the way I choose to indulge!
Hmm! Great ideas, the chocolate strawberries are calling for me <3
Heart shaped brownies, brilliant! Scraps into balls in the freezer, genius!!!
Those cookies look too good to eat!!
Here from Inspire Me Monday.
Those cookies are almost too beautiful to eat Carol!
All I want for valentines day is a nice homemade shrimp pasta lol But what tis mulled wine? You must tell me more?
These are great ideas! I have to refrain from eating too much chocolate!!!
I love this post to help get ready for Valentine’s Day indulgences. I definitely try and savor chocolate while I’m eating it, especially the richness of dark chocolate, and it works a charm to help prevent me from overindulging in a lot of it. Mulled wine is also a favorite of mine, nothing better on a chilly night!
All wonderful treats. I love rich, dark, decadent chocolate. Nothing else will do!
Yum!! This sounds so good, and just the right amount of stuff!
there are way too many delicious nibbles available now days – and Valentines Day seems to be a good excuse to eat your way through a lot of chocolate. I love the idea of trying to find some healthy alternatives that still feel like a treat! thanks for sharing at our #OTM link up ~ Leanne
I keep dark chocolate in the fridge and let a piece melt in my mouth when I need a chocolate fix. I like the brownie scrap idea!
Mmmm strawberries or truffles are on my Valentine’s Day list 🙂
Aweosme ideas but I better have some chocolate too 🙂 lol.
Those cookies look so delicious. I love the designs on them.
My goodness, I have never see a cookie with henna designs & this is looking beautiful & very much creative. A worthy idea to try for Valentine’s day which kids would fall in love.
Pinning this post. Maybe some day I will get creative enough to try decorating cookies with henna designs. So beautiful!
I really love those henna designed cookies. I love putting henna on my palms and making various designed on my own. Will try to make some for this Valentine’s Day.
I am now salivating for a chocolate truffle.
Have Valentine’s Day! Love these ideas! 🙂
Wonderful ideas!