I don’t know about you, but I’ve always loved making treats for Valentine’s Day, whether I’m with my husband or celebrating solo (granted, we HAVE been together since I was 17, so… mostly with him).
These days, I’m all about incorporating my kids into my treat-making process, since it gives us something fun to do, but with the side benefit of my getting to teach them about baking, especially doing it using healthier ingredients.
What’s on my Valentine’s Day treat-making agenda this year?
Chocolate Covered Strawberries (see below)
Heart Cookies (Moment of honesty: Even though all ingredients are at the ready, I haven’t made these yet with my kids, but I really want to get this post out, since um, today is Valentine’s Day. I’ll post them on the blog next week! 🤪)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
1 quart of strawberries
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (you might not need the full amount but I like to err on the side of extra chocolate)
Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries. Put chocolate chips into a glass bowl, and put that bowl on top of a small pot filled with water. Heat the water on the stove, stirring the chocolate chips often as they melt. Keep heat on low once melted. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, either half of it or the whole thing, baby. If your kids are decorating them with sprinkles (or hemp hearts), sprinkle those on right away while chocolate is still moist. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour, then they are ready to enjoy. Store in fridge and eat within 2 days (easy to do, and otherwise they’ll get soggy).
Important Note
Now, I know I’ve used healthier ingredients in the above recipes (after all, this is a health & wellness blog, so I feel it’s up to me to show you how to healthify your favourite recipes and ingredients). However, you can absolutely use whatever ingredients you already have at home if you prefer… things like flour, sugar, and even sprinkles. You can pick and choose which alternatives you try out, and stick to your tried and true where you’d like. Do I ever use those “conventional” ingredients? Heck yes! But do I mostly use the healthier ingredients? That would also be a heck yes. My kids are exposed to all sorts of foods, but where I can choose the healthiest ones to nourish their littles bodies, strengthen their immune systems, and build healthy cells, I absolutely will.
Have the most amazing Valentine’s Day, and if you need a nudge to help you feel okay about indulging today, listen to this week’s podcast episode.
xo, Laura