Have a Happy & Healthy Valentine's day!

I spent my day off today thinking of something special to do for my sweetheart for Valentine's day. We  don't especially like going out on this very big, expensive and commercialized holiday . Instead we enjoy spending the evening at home, enjoying a nice dinner and watching a good movie. In this spirit I thought I'd share with you some recipes and articles to help you celebrate this day in a healthier way.

My husband really enjoys a nice piece of red meat so I was able to find some grass fed & organic lamb chops for dinner. I'll be preparing them grilled on our green egg to give them a hint of smokiness and rub them in a rosemary brown sugar mixture.  To incorporate some veggies I will be making a a nice salad with roasted beets, as well as some grilled asparagus (two of his favorite veggies). The beets bring some nice pinkish red to the meal and asparagus just happens to be one of the vegetables associated with aphrodisiacs, due to its suggestive shape....oh darn! :-) You can find the recipe for the beet salad below.
Roasted Beet Pistachio & Pear Salad 
Ingredients:

• 2 beets (about 3/4 pound)
• 1 cup diced Asian pear or ripe pear
• 1/4 cup diced celery 
• 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• Dash of salt 
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 2 curly leaf lettuce leaves (optional) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Leave root and 1 inch of stem on beets; scrub with a brush. Place beets in a small baking dish. Bake at 425° for 50 minutes or until tender. Cool. Trim off beet roots; rub off skins. Dice beets.
3. Combine beets, pear, celery, and pistachios in a medium bowl.
4. Combine juice and next 5 ingredients (juice through red pepper), stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle over beet mixture, tossing gently to coat.
5. Serve at room temperature or chilled on lettuce leaves, if desired.

If you happen to be a vegetarian here are two yummy entree ideas to celebrate your love and help take care of your heart.

Morrocan Stew for Two
Italian Potato Torta

For me, its not really Valentine's day without some chocolate for dessert and I only want the good stuff. You can get the best health benefits form organic dark chocolate. You can usually find several good ones in the natural health aisles of your local grocery store.  Are you living a gluten free and vegan lifestyle? Check out these awesome chocolate cupcakes on the Organic Soul blog:

Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting

Still not sure why celebrating Love is such a big deal?- check out all the great health benefits being in love has to offer from this great article on Health.com:Why Love is Good For Your Health

I hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's day full of romance and wonder!