Valentine’s Day Recipes for Healthy Indulgence

Today is all about creating that perfect setting for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening right in the heart of your kitchen. Picture soft candlelight, the aroma of something delicious wafting through the air, and the warmth of love filling every corner.

Cooking for someone you care about is more than just nourishing their body; it’s nourishing their soul. It’s saying, “I love you” in a language that transcends words—a language that speaks through the flavors, textures, and colors of the dishes you create together!

Sweet & Slimming Love Potion Cocktail

If you’re anything like me, you also enjoy starting your romantic journey with a touch of sweetness in hand. Crafting a delicious cocktail to share with your beloved sets the stage for an evening of warmth and connection. And if you’re seeking a drink that’s not just flavorful but also carries a hint of elegance and healthful goodness, then the Love Potion Cocktail is simply irresistible!

Ingredients: ⅓ cup vodka, 4 oz. SkinnyFit Detox Tea, ¼ cup Peach Schnapps (or peach liqueur), 1 cup ruby red pomegranate juice (or any red juice with cherry or raspberry in it)

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled. Optional step: Add a sugar rim to the glasses if desired.
2. Pour mixture into martini glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries or strawberries.
3. Enjoy (& drink responsibly!).

Low-Carb Baked Parmesan Carrot Fries

Are you on the hunt for a great appetizer, something quick to whip up (perfect for snacking while you cook) and a healthier take on classic French fries, but with all the flavor? Then you’ve got to try these Parmesan carrot fries with a tasty chipotle dip.

Unlike regular fries, which are deep-fried and loaded with grease and fat, these carrot fries are baked to perfection. Not only do they taste amazing, but they’re also packed with essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K1, vitamin B6, biotin, and potassium.

These carrot fries aren’t just a healthier option—they’re proof that you can enjoy delicious food that’s good for you too. So why settle for less when you can have both flavor and nutrition in one tasty dish? It’s time to treat your taste buds to something special!

Ingredients: 2 large carrots, 1 egg, 2 tsp water, 6 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, 4 tbsp plain greek yogurt, 2 tsp diced chipotle peppers (or chili sauce), Parsley, 1 scoop Super Youth Unflavored

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Slice the carrots into long thin pieces, about the size of a french fry.
3. Mix the egg and water and place in a shallow dish. Place the parmesan into another shallow dish.
4. Dip the carrot sticks first in the egg wash, allow any excess to drip off, then roll in the parmesan and place on the baking tray. Repeat until you’ve used all the carrots.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, turning once until dark golden brown.
6. While the carrots are cooking, mix together the greek yogurt, Super Youth, and chipotle peppers in a small bowl.
7. Take the fries out of the oven, place on a plate and sprinkle with parsley, and serve with the chipotle dip. 

Rainbow Vegetable Rolls

Feeling the urge for take-out but longing to create your own culinary masterpiece? Look no further than vegetable spring rolls—an enticing option that promises lightness, freshness, and a burst of flavors that you’ll want to savor in every bite.

Picture yourselves in the kitchen, weaving together vibrant veggies and aromatic herbs, each roll a canvas for your creativity. The result? A symphony of textures and tastes, light yet satisfying, and bursting with the goodness of wholesome ingredients. With every bite, you’ll discover a new layer of flavor—crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, perhaps a hint of sweetness or a touch of spice!

Ingredients: 1 cup roasted, salted peanuts, 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons Asian sesame oil, 1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped, 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approx 2 limes), 1 tablespoon room temperature water, 1 ½ tablespoon honey, 1 ½ tablespoon sriracha, 1 ½ cup finely shredded white cabbage, 1 ½ cup finely shredded red cabbage, 1 large red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks, 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into matchsticks, 1 cup fresh cilantro, leaves only, 8 sheets rice paper, 1 scoop Super Youth Unflavored

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Pour peanuts onto a dry baking sheet and toast them in the oven, about 7-10 minutes.
• Let peanuts cool and place roasted peanuts in a food processor or blender.
• Blend/pulse until peanuts are finely chopped, then add olive oil, sesame oil, chopped garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, water, honey, sriracha, and Super Youth Unflavored and process until mixture becomes a fine paste.
• Scrape spicy peanut sauce into a bowl and set aside.
• Shred cabbages and slick bell peppers into matchsticks, then set aside.
• Soak rice paper one piece at a time in room temperature water for around 20 seconds.
• Place rice paper on a dry wooden board, and place a small handful of white cabbage, red cabbage, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, and cilantro in the middle of the rice paper.
• Fold the paper from the bottom up, then fold in the sides, and finish rolling tightly.
• Repeat with the rest of the rice paper and vegetables.
• Slice each vegetable roll diagonally into two pieces and serve with spicy peanut sauce.

Healthy Homemade Meatballs

If you’re planning a cozy Italian-themed evening to celebrate love, you can’t miss out on adding this heartwarming meatball recipe to your dinner table. This dish is not only delicious but also carries a lightness that perfectly symbolizes the tender moments shared between you and your partner.

Pair these homemade meatballs with your loved one’s favorite pasta, and with every lovingly prepared bite, feel the warmth of your connection grow stronger.

Ingredients: 1 lb 80% lean ground beef (or sub with half ground pork), 1 large beaten egg, ¼ cup bread crumbs, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ cup finely chopped onion, 2 tsp minced garlic, ¾ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 scoop Unflavored Super Youth

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, line baking sheet with foil & nonstick spray
2. In a large bowl, combine the meat, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, and SY Unflavored
3. Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the meat mixture. Form into 1 ½-inch balls & place on baking sheet
4. Bake uncovered for 17-20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center. Turn halfway through to avoid the bottoms browning
5. Simmer with marinara sauce for 10 minutes, if desired, enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Love fills the air whenever chocolate-dipped strawberries make an appearance! There’s an irresistible allure, even a touch of seduction, in these delectable treats. Yet, purchasing a dozen of these delights can hit the wallet hard, and store-bought versions lack the personal touch of homemade creations.

So, rather than opting for the convenient route, why not surprise that special someone with homemade chocolate-covered strawberries?

Ingredients: 1 pound strawberries with stems, 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, 1 scoop Super Youth unflavored, 3 ounces white chocolate, red or pink food coloring

Steps:

1. Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)
2. Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Add the Super Youth collagen to the semisweet chocolate and mix until blended.
3. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. 
4. Add some food coloring to the white chocolate to create pink, red, or you can leave it white. For multiple colors, divide the white chocolate into multiple bowls and add different colored dye to each bowl. Dip a fork in the colored white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
5. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.