Do you celebrate this day of love? It doesn’t have to be a day for couples – we love to get together with our friends or family, celebrating spending time together and creating happy memories. Here are a few tips on how we like to spend a mindful Valentine’s day.
Make a special meal
If you usually go out or order a takeaway on this day, why not bring the restaurant home and try to create a meal at home that is a bit more special than usual? We know that Valentines is on a weekday, so maybe nothing that takes hours of prep – but how about a Thai prawn curry using ready prepared Thai curry paste? Or make it vegetarian with a plant based meat alternative.
Go on an active date
Get moving, plan an active date this weekend! Have you ever tried rock climbing? There are some great bouldering and climbing indoor locations across the UK. Or maybe an outdoor swim will get you and your loved ones hearts pumping! Try something different to your usual exercise and you may fall in love with it!
Or create a home-spa day
Nothing is more relaxing than a day at the spa – but maybe bring the spa to you? Give each other massages, use calming music and scented oils to create a relaxing atmosphere, and maybe indulge yourself in a warm bubbling bath with a glass of what you fancy!
Watch the alcohol intake
If you are working on health goals, perhaps choose an alcohol free valentines celebration this year. There are some fantastic non-alcoholic versions, or challenge yourself to make a delicious no alcohol cocktail. With many options now available, you can experiment to find something you enjoy. Be sure to keep hydrated with water, whether you do decide to have a few drinks or not.
Recipe inspiration (All recipes serve 2)
Mindful Valentine’s day recipes
Miso coconut & lime curry
A creamy and umami rich curry is a delicious way to get in the veggies!
Ingredients:
- 2 fish fillets (such as salmon), skinless, cut into chunks
- 200g raw prawns, cleaned and shelled
- ½ red onion, diced
- 50g white miso paste
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tin coconut milk
- 2 limes
- 200g tenderstem broccoli
- 100g mangetout
- 1 red chilli, sliced (optional)
- Handful of coriander, chopped
Cooked brown rice to serve
Start by heating a tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and add the onions. Cook until softened for around 5 minutes, then add the garlic and ginger. Stir for another minute.
Add the miso paste, mix it around until melting, then add the coconut milk and broccoli.
After 2-3 minutes, mix in 1 more tin of water, then add the fish, prawns and mangetout, along with the juice of 1.5 limes.
Simmer until fish is fully cooked and season to taste.
Garnish with the coriander and red chilli, and an extra squeeze of lime.
Enjoy with the brown rice!
Note: To make this dish vegan, substitute the fish for 200g of tofu chunks and add after the vegetables in the recipe.
Raspberry possets
Sweet and creamy but so easy with just three ingredients! Make this ahead of time to enjoy on the day.
Ingredients:
- 150g raspberries (fresh)
- 200ml double cream
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
Blend the raspberries in a blender or small stand mixer until juiced. Then use a sieve to filter out the seeds, leaving behind the delicious raspberry juice.
Warm the cream together with the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Once sugar has dissolved, up the heat to max and boil the cream for 2-3 minutes, making sure you keep stirring.
Turn off the heat and add in the raspberry puree. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
Transfer to 2 small ramekins and chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight).
Cranberry passion mocktail
A non-alcoholic but very tasty drink to share with your loved ones time and time again!
Ingredients:
- 150ml cranberry juice
- 1 tsp grenadine (optional)
- ½ a lime, juiced
- 300ml soda water
- 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Start by adding ice into a cocktail shaker, then add in the cranberry juice, grenadine and lime. Close and shake for 30 seconds.
Pour into two chilled glasses, and top up with the soda water.
Add in the pomegranate seeds, give it a mix and enjoy!
Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your day with your valentine or valentines! Happy mindful Valentine’s day!
By Reema Patel, Registered Dietitian at Dietitian Fit
