Happy Valentine's Day
The Nine People Optical illusion
10 Things not to do at dinner on your Valentine's Day date
- Recite your dating history. Improvise. Include pets.
- Stand up every five minutes, circle your table with your arms outstretched, and make aeroplane sounds.
- Pull out a harmonica and play blues songs when your date begins talking about themselves.
- When ordering, inquire whether the restaurant has any live food.
- Ask your date how much money they have with them.
- If they are paying, order the most expensive thing on the menu. Take one bite. Yawn.
- Slide under the table. Take your plate with you.
- Beg your date to tattoo your name on their derriere. Keep bringing the subject up.
- Insist that the waiter cut your food into little pieces. In a similar vein, insist that he take a bite of everything on the plate, to make sure no one poisoned it.
- Lick your plate. Offer to lick theirs.
Good News for Your Valentine Sweeties
By: Shelly Morales, CSU Dietetic InternAside from cupids, hearts and flowers, one thing is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. Chocolate. For many, this holiday provides a major challenge for chocolate lovers everywhere. However, it turns out that chocolate may be good for your heart, especially the darker varieties. Chocolate contains a flavonoid, an antioxidant, which appears to protect against heart disease by preventing plaque build-up. In addition, oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil, makes up one-third of the fat in chocolate has been shown to be beneficial for heart health.
However, as in the case of any other food, eating too much chocolate may cause health problems. The cocoa butter in chocolate does contain saturated fat, which can increase blood cholesterol levels, and high cholesterol may contribute to heart disease. Chocolate is also high in calories and eating too much may cause you to become overweight, which will also increase your risk of heart disease. Nevertheless, with a little planning, chocolate can fit nicely into your Valentine’s Day plans.
The key to enjoying these treats is balance and moderation. Food is meant to be enjoyed. An occasional indulgence in sweets can be balanced with lower-fat selections. So, when you plan your Valentine’s Day celebration, make sure fruits, vegetables and grains are included in your Sweetheart meal to incorporate a wide range of phytochemical-rich foods. As you do indulge your chocolate craving, remember that moderation is important. Savor your treats and make them last. Following this routine allows you to enjoy your chocolate hearts without the guilt.
For those who want to make a special Valentine’s Day treat for their sweetie, look no further than the flavonoid-filled recipe below.
Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
6 oz dark chocolate
3 Tablespoons half and half cream
½ Tablespoon unsalted butter
20 large strawberries
In a one-quart glass bowl combine chocolate and cream. Heat in microwave oven on high 1 ½ to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Add butter and stir until melted. Dip each strawberry into the chocolate mixture allowing the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. If necessary, add additional cream to the chocolate to achieve desired coating consistency. Transfer the coated strawberry to a baking sheet lined with foil or waxed paper and repeat process. Allow the chocolate to cool and then chill the strawberries until chocolate is set, about 20 to 30 minutes.Per strawberry: 57 calories; 3 grams fat; 1.9 grams saturated fat; 2 milligrams cholesterol; 15 milligrams Vitamin C.
Sources:
1. American Dietetics Association (ADA) website. Chocolate appeals to the palate and your heart. www.eatright.org/erm/erm021403.html.
2. ADA website. Happy Valentine's Day. www.eatright.org/erm/erm021402.html.
3. ADA website. Chocolate Cravings. www.eatright.org/erm/erm032802.html.
4. ADA website. Attention chocolate lovers: More evidence your favorite treat is good for the heart. www.eatright.org/feature/0203.html
