Tag Archives: Valentine’s Day

Feb14

Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts

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Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts
Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts

The school that my children go to has cracked down on sweets in the classroom, and many parents were up in arms over this decision.  I think they felt that kids would miss out on birthday and holiday celebrations without the cookies, candy or cake element.    Personally I feel that the kids can still have fun celebrations in their classroom without the sweets. I know my kids get plenty of treats in their life, and  I have been determined to come up with fun but healthy alternatives ever since.  The students really don’t seem to mind fruit instead of candy, and are just as enthusiastic when it is presented in a fun way.   These watermelon hearts that I brought in to my daughter’s class today for Valentine’s Day were a big hit, and SO easy to create. I realized that Watermelon is a great substitute since it is naturally sweet, and can be made into any shape with a cookie cutter. I see watermelon in all sorts of shapes in my future! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Feb12

Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat

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Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat
Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat

The Martha Stewart Clementine Granitas from the Magazine

I adapted this recipe for Valentines Day from the fabulous Clementine Granita recipe I found in Martha Stewart Magazine (December 2011 issue). I served the clementine version on Thanksgiving and for a holiday gift swap and it was a huge hit both times with the children and adults.  I am always thrilled to find a healthful but festive dessert to add to my repertoire.  When I saw the Blood oranges I thought their ruby pulp would create a pretty Valentines Day alternative version to our new family favorite.

 

12 Blood Oranges

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp Powdered Ginger (the Martha Stewart Recipe calls for 1/2 in peel of fresh ginger but I don’t tend to keep fresh ginger on hand so have only made this with powdered  so far)

1 T lemon juice

Slice the oranges in half, cut around the pulp and scoop it out, leaving the shell. Place the pulp and any juice in a bowl.

Wet the skins and roll in sugar, then place in the freezer to crete tiny bowls for the Granita.

In a pot mix the water, sugar and ginger and bring to a boil. Cool.

Juice the pulp from the oranges, ideally enough for 2 cups, you may need to buy extra oranges to get this amount of juice. Add in sugar water mixture and lemon, and place in a bowl to freeze.

Once frozen (about 2-3 hours) Scoop the granita into the frozen skins, and keep them in the freezer until it is time to serve. Enjoy!

       Happy Valentine’s Day!

Feb11

Spread the Love: Great Gifts

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Spread the Love: Great Gifts
Spread the Love: Great Gifts

You know those people who deck their homes for Christmas with neon lights, bells and whistles, inside and out? They may wear red and green all month, and have little jingle bells hanging from their ears. They lOVE that holiday with all their being. Well, that is how I feel about Valentines Day, I do wear a lot of red in February, but it’s also the American Heart Association campaign to wear red for heart health in February, so I can get away with it.  I also decorate my house a bit, but really how far can you go with the hearts and the red without it taking on the look of a brothel? My complete ardor for Valentines Day may have a tiny bit to do with the fact that it happens to fall on my birthday, but how can you not love a holiday that is all about love?! Because Valentines Day makes me so happy, I truly enjoy spreading the love with gifts and cards for my kids, my friends, and of course the love of my life, my Husband. Here are a few fabulous finds this year for the ones you cherish.

 

Vosges Chocolates:  I blame this little obsession on my friend Lisa who discovered Vosges when she lived inLincoln Park in Chicago way back as Vosges opened their first boutique in that area. Their packaging is exquisite, so it always makes a great gift to send, and the the contents are sublime!  Their Chocolate  flavors are curated from around the world, like the spicy dark chocolate Aztec collection (my favorite), or the Naga bar with flavors from India like curry and coconut.  Sampling the exotic flavors is an adventure in every bite!

 

 

The Best Friends Bangle set by Alex & Ani.  They are an amazing Jewelry company that serves as a great example by giving back to society. How much do you love this bracelet set!?  Their bangles have become hugely popular, and just in time for Valentine’s Day they launched the Best Friends bangle set.  This is a beautiful way to share the sentiment that you care, and 20% of the proceeds from this set goes to The American heart Association to help save lives.  So you are really giving twice with this gift!

 

 

The FEED (RED) LOVE 30 bag  is another great gift if you like the idea of giving something that also helps others.  I love the look of  it, and each bag purchased provides about one month of life-saving assistance in food and medication to someone in need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen the new Tony Duquette Jewelry collection by Coach!? Beautiful! Any of the brilliant  baubles in this line are sure to please!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes it’s the little things…at Starbucks if you pick up one of these cute cards in stores now, then on any day between now and Februaury 14th you can bring it in after 2pm and buy one Caffe Mocha or Hot Chocolate and get one free for your friend.

 

Happy Valentines Day! It is all about love! So share it!