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Be Good to Your Valentine

Foods That Say "I Love You!"

By Donna Smith

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Children love Valentine's Day. Get them involved and create a meal they will want to eat. A special meal – not those frozen chicken nuggets! chicken nuggets from scratch are a snap to make. Serve with barbecue sauce, honey mustard, honey or sweet and sour sauce on the side. Steamed broccoli, fresh green beans or oven-roasted potatoes are kid-friendly and round out the meal. For dessert try strawberry-glazed fruit salad. Kids and adults will love this recipe, and with only four ingredients, the kids can almost make it all by themselves. Jell-O Jigglers are another option. Choose cherry, strawberry or raspberry flavors and cut them out using heart-shaped cookie cutters.

Send Your Love!

If you have school-aged children and want to let them know you're thinking of them on Valentine's Day, whip up a batch of cinnamon popcorn. Fill a plastic storage bag with the popcorn, tie with a red ribbon, and hide this treat in their lunch box. Throw in a few Valentine stickers and a short note and you'll make their day. Why stop at the kids? If your spouse takes his or her lunch to work, hide a bag full in their lunch as well!

"Nothing makes a kid happier than finding a special note or treat in their lunches," says Melissa. "Older kids may act like they're embarrassed, but trust me, they love it! I might surprise my daughter and have lunch with her at school on Valentine's Day. Tell her how much I love her in person ... gosh, I hope I don't embarrass her!"

Don't Save Strawberries Just for Valentine's Day!
Ounce for ounce, strawberries have more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Vitamin C is important for the skin and connective tissues, for normal chemical and hormonal production and for the immune system. According to the American Cancer Society, a diet rich in vitamin C could help reduce your risk of developing some cancers.

One cup of strawberries contains:

  • 50 calories
  • More than 3 grams of fiber
  • 23 milligrams of calcium
  • 44 milligrams of potassium
  • Almost 95 milligrams of vitamin C
  • Almost 30 mcg of Folate
  • 31 milligrams of Phosphorus
  • 45 milligrams of vitamin A
  • 16 milligrams of magnesium

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