As we know, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love. Whether you plan on doing a date night, or a Galentine’s Day, or even some #selfcare, we all of course, want to make this fun and festive holiday special for the kids. From classroom parties, to snacks and desserts, Valentine’s Day themed food for February is the perfect way to do this. Whether it’s planning for 2 or 20, these foods will for sure make both kids and parents happy and all will feel the love! As always, I like to keep it simple, healthy and fun.

 

Breakfast

  • Start off the morning with something that’s not only healthy, but also pretty ‘n pink. Simply blend 3 to 4 strawberries in a food processor, then add 8 ounces of room temperature cream cheese. Once mixed together, remove from food processor and use right away by topping on whole wheat toast. Next, top with fresh strawberries or raspberries.  Leftover cream cheese can be stored up to one week.  
  • Homemade Valentine’s Day granola is the perfect topping to for a strawberry yogurt. This recipe can be made ahead of time and doesn’t take much time. Feel free to use pecans (as the recipe calls for) or substitute for a different type of nut such as walnuts or almonds. The chocolate is optional, but why wouldn’t you want to add pink and red M&M’s?!

 

Lunch + School Snacks

  • Whether or not you have cookie cutters in the shape of a heart, a heart shaped sandwich is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to include a little note to remind them that they’re on your mind. Whether the message says, “You are pear-fect” or “I’m bananas over you”, writing them a special note will remind them that you love them berry much.  
  • A Valentine’s Day snack mix is fun, festive and easy to make with your little ones. Take 4 cups of pretzels, 4 cups of cheerios, 3 cups of Annie’s chocolate bunnies,  2 cups chocolate chips, 2 cups vanilla yogurt raisins, 2 cups dried cranberries. Mix all of the ingredients together and portion out into ¼ servings for a grab ‘n go snack pack.
  • Conversation Cuties …Valentine’s Day addition. Instead of drawing pumpkin faces (for Halloween) write lovely messages on clementines. Display in a bowl in the kitchen for a healthy snack for everyone.

 

Dinner

I never really got into fondue until I worked as a hostess at a French restaurant in NYC. The melty, gooey, delicious hot bowl of cheese is my ideal food for Valentine’s day. Now that my kids are 5 and 2 ½ I think I can introduce this favorite dish of mine to them this year (just need to be careful with the skewers). Whether you serve this dish with chicken or shrimp, broccoli or mushrooms, this dish encourages kids to eat their vegetables and possibly even try new ones. I plan to try this recipe from super healthy kids.

 

Photo credit: Facebook

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About Emily Price

Emily Price is a registered dietitian who recently moved back to metro Detroit after living in New York City for 10 years. She is so happy to bring her East Coast hubby and two daughters, Phoebe and Josie, to her hometown of Huntington Woods and looks forward to exploring all the great things Michigan has to offer.  Emily likes to spend time with her family, break a sweat at a Zumba class, and enjoy a glass of Cabernet.