Happy Valentine’s Day! I love that this year Valentine’s Day falls on a long weekend, how perfect! Being a new mom and having a 3 1/2 month old baby has definitely encouraged us to think of new ways to celebrate this year. Since we wanted to celebrate as a family, the typical fancy dinner just wasn’t in our cards this year. And I’m totally fine with that, because how cute is this little heart breaker?
These days I’m a huge fan of self-care because I really feel that in order to be the best mom I can be, I need to make sure I take care of myself too. So, here are my top three Valentine’s Day tips this year…no dinner reservations required!
Celebrate with a Cup of Cheer!
Right now, nothing provides more cheer for me than some caffeine! With a newborn, I need to start my day with a little caffeine, usually in the form of my favorite black tea. So on Valentine’s Day you will find my husband and I enjoying coffee and tea together at our favorite coffee shop! Whether you choose to enjoy a glass of red wine, cup of tea, or a fresh pour over coffee …what matters is to enjoy the conversation. Slow down and connect with your loved one, talk about what matters the most to you and enjoy the simplicity of enjoying a beverage together.
Many people don’t realize that tea and coffee actually have amazing health benefits. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world (water is first on the list) and is a great source of antioxidants. As long as you skip the sugar, and drink your caffeinated drink in moderation and as close to its natural state as possible, you are likely reaping health benefits.
Snack on Strawberries
Strawberries are readily available for Valentine’s Day, and with good reason! They are packed with antioxidants, which will help improve our immune system (especially helpful this time of year). Vitamin C is the most prominent nutrient within these antioxidants found in strawberries, and eating just 8 strawberries will provide 100% of our daily Vitamin C needs. Since Vitamin C is best absorbed when it is consumed from raw food sources, this is such a great treat today and every day. Amp up the heart-healthy benefits by adding 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa for the best heart health benefits.
Take a Stroll
Yes, walking is a great form of exercise and helps burn calories. It even aids with digestion shortly after eating a meal. But this isn’t necessarily the goal today. If you are both off of work on Monday, why not take some extra time to go on long walk? I find that walks help clear my head, reduce stress levels and always leave me feeling better than when I left the house. While I realize the weather might be a little better out here in Southern California compared to other parts of the country right now, indoor walks are just as great!
And what about you? Share your Valentine’s Day plans below for anyone else that may be looking for more creative ideas to help celebrate!
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