Healthy Valentine's Snacks: What's Hap-pinning

I am all about celebrating the holidays. You can take an ordinary day and make it so special by taking a few extra minutes to spruce things up. Now that the holiday season has come and gone, winter can feel a bit ‘blah’. That is one reason that I love Valentine’s Day! While it may be a Hallmark holiday, I don’t know how you can go wrong with pink, glitter, and the extra reminder to let those around you know that they are loved!

Of course, Valentine’s Day is also a holiday involving lots of candy, extravagant meals, and EXTRA LARGE boxes of chocolate. While I love chocolate as much as the rest of the world, I also limit my indulgences and make things like chocolate roses and boxes of sweethearts a special treat, rather than a regular occurrence. Just because you don’t give into a sugar craving does not mean that you can’t celebrate the day of love, though!

Heart Shaped Cutouts

Cookie cutters come in a variety of sizes, and they can be used for much more than just cookies! Slice a cucumber into coins, cut strawberries in half, and use the cutter to bring a lot of fun with little work! This can be done with just about any fruit or vegetable, including tomatoes, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew melons. Do a bit of food prep on the weekend when you have more time to get all of your cleaning and slicing of these fruits and veggies done. Then, when you get home from work and school during the week, whip out some mini cookie cutters and turn simple sliced veggies into fun, exciting Valentine’s treats!

We whipped up this fun snack after my little guy’s afternoon nap, and opted for cucumbers, strawberries, red peppers, and mangoes.

Fruit Notes

It can be fun to slip a little note into your child’s lunchbox, so they know that you are thinking of them throughout the day. Why not spice things up a bit, though, and move that message from the napkin to the meal! Cutie oranges, bananas, and anything with a removable peel can be a super fun way to send a valentine’s message to the ‘Cuties’ in your life! Or, if you are willing to take things up a notch, invest in edible food markers (found at craft stores and other major retailers) and write on any fruit your heart desires!

These Valentine’s snacks are simple, easy, and can be accomplished in a matter of minutes! It doesn’t take hours and lots of prep to bring festivity to a holiday. A few minutes is all it takes to bring a little bit of love and nutrition to the V-Day table!

I can't wait to see what everyone else is up to today! Linking up with Holly, Jenn, and Jessi!