Avoid the sugar overload!

For most people, Valentines Day brings up memories of candy hearts, chocolates and heart shaped cookies.

While these treats are fun, indulging children (and ourselves) in all of them can be just too much.

Choose one luscious treat and then use some of the tips below to make your kids’ Valentines Day healthy and fun.

Give non-food treats:
Stickers, pencils, erasers, friendship bracelets, or small craft projects can be fun alternatives.

Get them moving:
Play some fun games such as:

Balloon relays with heart-shaped balloons
Pin the arrow on the heart
Beanbags tick tack toe with hugs (O’s) and kisses (X’s)

Pack in some healthy treats:

Fruit – Strawberries and raspberries are especially festive
Heart-shaped cutout sandwiches: try peanut butter* or low-fat cheese
Pretzels, crackers or cereal – or make a snack mix and include some raisins

*Please be sure to check for food allergies and age appropriate foods

Skip the soda:

Make a festive beverage with 100% fruit juice and sparkling water, or try Izzy as a soda alternative.

Focus on fun rather than food and make this Valentines Day great!

Remember to give your heart (and your kids’ heart) the gift of grow foods.

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Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com