5 Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Include Food

Creative Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t involve food are hard to come by.

Big chocolate hearts, small and crunchy hearts, chocolate-covered nuts, caramels and crèmes in heart-shaped boxes, tart hearts, gummy hearts, marshmallow hearts and even lolli-hearts… ‘tis the season for every sweet version you can imagine.

And it’s everywhere you look. So it stands to reason that about half of Valentine’s Day shoppers gift their loved ones some form of candy, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF). What may surprise you, however, is just how detrimental one day of this splurge can affect your weight.

Before you ask, “how many calories are in those sweet confections,” you might want to prepare yourself. A box of Hershey’s chocolates from Walmart (specifically the Pot of God Valentine’s Premium Collection Pink Heart Box) has 200 calories per serving, half of which are from fat.

But, this isn’t even the worst part. There are four servings per container, meaning that if you go for it—and enjoy your special little, six-dollar Valentine’s Day gift—you’re actually wolfing down 800 calories. Yikes. The same remains true for fancier confections, which contain 190 calories in just three little pieces.

It’s true that a little dark chocolate can be healthy in moderation. But, if your loved ones are watching their weight, or trying to shed extra pounds, consider thinking outside the heart-shaped box to help them on their way.

Here are some creative Valentine’s Day gifts and date ideas that don’t involve food:

1. Plan an active date.

Instead of the go-to dinner and a movie date, start your day earlier and take a long walk along a pretty route. Hiking and biking are also fun, healthy date options. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, perhaps, tour a museum, head to the bowling alley or for the more ambitious—try ice skating or indoor rock climbing.

2. Upload a new workout playlist.

Surprise your sweetie by filling his or her iPod with upbeat songs that mean something to you both or bring a smile to his/her face. Include a few romantic favorites for the cool down. To make this Valentine’s gift even sweeter, pair the playlist with new in-ear headphones or a mini speaker for the workouts that take place at home.

3. Gift an experience.

Your spouse mentioned wanting to try yoga? Buy her passes for a few classes. If your valentine loves to draw, send him for an art lesson. To make it an experience that brings you two closer, take a dance class together or register for a cooking class. Lots of pottery and painting shops have opened their doors to BYOS-ers (bring-your-own-snackers), who want to partake in a painting or pottery class while noshing on treats they bring. Give your honey a gift card to one of these experiences, and bring healthy options to enjoy while you create something special together. Gifting an exciting activity that creates a special memory or enhances a particular skill lasts way longer than a candy, bound to go stale.

4. Consider healthy gear.

Give your babe something that’ll actually get used with healthy gear. Find a unique or personalized, reusable water bottle to help them stay hydrated, even during their most ambitious sweat sesh. New workout mats are ideal for yoga and Pilates enthusiasts, while fitness trackers do the job for someone who just started exercising. Mini blenders satisfy anyone that starts their day with smoothies or loves to get creative in the kitchen. Our new healthy living staple? Air fryers. The tools to help your loved one stay on track are endless, so explore a bunch of different options to find the perfect one for that perfect one.

5. Volunteer together.

Volunteering can bring two people together like nothing else. In this scenario, a couple is united, for a common purpose, learning how to work together, and maybe poking a little fun at each other while doing it. Volunteering also helps individuals feel more socially connected, while reducing depression and anxiety. Research also suggests that people who give their time to others may also enjoy better health—including lower blood pressure and a longer life. So give them a gift this Valentine’s Day that does the direct opposite of those boring, old candies.

The post 5 Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Involve Food appeared first on The Leaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Try African Mango Extract?

The benefits of mangoes are well documented. Mangoes are high in vitamin C, fiber and potassium. They are also rich in antioxidants, which protect against cancer-causing free radicals. They are an excellent choice for people who want to improve their health.

However, there is another benefit to eating mangoes – they taste delicious! This makes them easy to incorporate into any meal.

Fresh mango slices could be added to yogurt, smoothies and oatmeal. You can also use frozen mango cubes to top ice cream sundaes. For baking cookies, you can use dried mango powder in place of sugar.

And, if you want to take advantage of all these great benefits without sacrificing flavor, consider adding mango extract to your favorite recipes.

Although it’s not well-known, mango extract is made of mango seeds and not actual fruit. This means it has the same nutrients as whole mangos but without the sweetness.

What foods are good for burning belly fat?

Because they are low-calorie and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables are great for weight loss. They also contain vitamins C, E. and K, which help increase metabolism and improve energy levels.

Lean proteins, such as fish, eggs, chicken breast, turkey, and turkey breasts, are the best options for weight loss. These proteins are rich in essential amino acids and protein, which provide the building blocks to muscle growth.

For those who want to lose weight quickly whole grains, such as brown rice or oats, bread, pasta and cereals, are excellent options.

They are filling and provide sustained energy for the entire day.

Is African Mango Oil Safe to Use during Pregnancy?

Yes, African mango extract can be used during pregnancy. It can be safely used by women who are pregnant or have previously been pregnant.

If you’re pregnant, we recommend talking to your doctor.

Statistics

• On average, they experienced 28 pounds (12.8 kg) of weight loss, a 6.4-inch (16.2-cm) reduction in waist circumference, and a 6.3% dip in body fat (5Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• A 2008 survey noted that 33.9% of American adults trying to lose weight took dietary supplements (1Trusted (healthline.com)
• Vitamin C:62% of the Daily Value (DV) (healthline.com)
• In a total of 54 randomized controlled trials in healthy adults with overweight or obesity, the authors found no difference in weight or body fat percentage between the Garcinia Cambogia group and the placebo group (3Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• Nature’s Health Goji Berry – Lycium Berries – Maintain Vision Health – Jam-Packed with Vitamins A & C – 580 mg per Serving – 60 Veggie Capsules – Non-GMO Emerald Labs Goji Berry – 40% Polysaccharides – 60 Vegetable Capsules (amazon.com)

External Links

ods.od.nih.gov

• Ephedra – Office of Dietary Supplements
  
• Health Professional Fact Sheet: Dietary Supplements to Weight Loss
  

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• PubMed: Results from a National Survey on Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss in the United States
  
• African mango (IGOB131). A proprietary extract of Irvingia Gabonensis seeds is shown to be effective in reducing body fat and improving metabolic conditions in overweight individuals – PubMed
  

fda.gov

• FDA
  
• FDA
  

healthline.com

• Glucomannan – Is it an effective weight loss supplement?
  

How To

African Mango: The Nutrients, Benefits and Downsides

Mangoes are exotic fruit that originated in tropical climates. They are now grown worldwide. Mangoes are nutritious fruits high in vitamin C and potassium. They also contain fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants such lutein and lutein as well as lutein, zeaxanthin (lycopene), alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene.

The mango tree does best when it is between 15degC (59%degF) to 30degC (86%degF). The mangoes become yellowish-green when fully ripe. The flesh of the mango is soft and juicy when unripe but becomes firmer and drier after ripening.

Mangoes are used to make jams. In India, mango pulp goes into curries and rice dishes. It is also used to flavor stir-fried vegetables in Thailand. Mangoes can either be eaten fresh or dried.

Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Mangoes have long been used as a treatment for diabetes. Mangos are grown worldwide today. Mango trees come in many varieties, including Alphonso and Beni Suef, Bombay and Chaunsa.

Mangoes can help with weight loss because they are high in water, but low in calories. A medium-sized mango has approximately 100 calories and 3 grams of fat. This makes them among the healthiest fruits.

Mangoes are also packed with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and biotin.

Mangoes contain phytochemicals which are plant compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage. Mangoes can help protect your heart, brain and eyes.

Mangoes might be an effective weight loss tool because they are high-water content. Water keeps your body hydrated, and makes you feel fuller for longer.