Two Reasons Valentine's Day is Healthy

One of my favs...Edible Arrangements!

I can't believe it is already Valentine's Day again! I swear, the more fun I have in life, the faster things seem to go. The B man and I were recounting all of our Valentine's Days together (yes, we can remember them all, mainly because there are only 4 of them (this will be the 5th), but also because they have been fun markers in our journey. We celebrate our lives together daily, but really like this holiday, because it just reminds us to keep doing just that. As we talked about our days, Brad lamented the year he had multiple gifts, set to arrive at multiple times throughout the day (roses, chocolate covered strawberries, travels guides for Argentina...) and it all fell apart or the blizzard that stopped his flower delivery last year. I remembered the carefully planned meals, the replacement sunglasses, and the shoe that hit the wall [yes, this is an inside joke...that will remain an inside joke].

In pondering what I could possibly share with you on this lover-ly day, I started to think: how can we make the most of this chocolate filled, indulgent rich food/drink fest we call Valentine's? Here are two reasons it's a day to cherish:

1. Dark Chocolate: Bring it on baby. The stuff that real chocolate lovers drool over. High cocoa content, bittersweet, rich, smooth and paired nicely with a Port or Medeira. Whether you eat it solo, pair it will some metabolism inducing chiles, or give it the guest feature in a flourless chocolate cake, it is a heart healthy treat. I didn't say eat the whole box...however, chocolate has been touted as reducing blood pressure and decreasing risk for heart disease (among other health benefits). Don't eat it with milk, as this reduces the absorption of the anti-oxidents that make this treat so darn special. 

2. S-E-X: The horizontal mambo, bumping uglies, getting freaky, the twisted tango, or hooking up...Need I say more. Now, I am not referring to the "let's get it over with" genre. I am talking the rigorous, heart pounding, make you sweat your ass off kind. The average person can burn anywhere from 80-200 calories during 30 minutes of sexual activity. This varies by body weight, intensity, type of activity, duration, and position (aside from various other factors). Right. I know. It's not the calorie burn you get from running or spin class, but WHO CARES? In the words of Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On" so we can get some "Sexual Healing." 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Anna Marie