Give yourself an upgrade: Frozen yogurt-dipped strawberries made with self-love

Pink and red hearts may not be swirling among the snowflakes when you walk out the door this morning, but love is certainly in the air. 

 The season for dinner date planning and chocolate-covered everything is in full swing starting February 1st, and we know it’s tough to fight the temptation to fill the fridge with “comfort foods” when they’re advertised at the end of almost every aisle of the grocery store. That’s why we’re sharing helpful hints to promote self-love this season and keep Cupid’s arrows away from the unhealthy snack food. 

We covered strawberries with
greek vanilla yogurt and placed
them in the freezer for 4 hours to firm.
We also recommend frozen
banana slices dipped in
organic chocolate yogurt!

1) Plan ahead – Whether your date night is a relaxing, home-cooked meal or a night out at a nice restaurant, be sure to plan the menu ahead of time. Use your Food Target to find healthier options and make a shopping list before hitting the store, or refer to the center circles of the Food Target when glancing over the online menu for the restaurant before you get into the car.

2) Spoil your dinner with snacks – Eat every two and a half to three and a half hours and stay well-hydrated throughout the day before you have Valentine’s Day dinner. This way you’ll still be hungry but you won’t be tempted to lick your plate clean and consume huge portions. Who doesn’t love leftovers?

3) Don’t deprive yourself of dessert – Give yourself an upgrade by substituting higher-quality foods for sweet treats. Try combining fresh fruit and your favorite flavored yogurt, and then freeze it for a delicious after dinner snack. Even dessert presents an opportunity to improve the balance and quality of your foods.

This month, we’re working with you to keep the momentum of the 13 Week Challenge and to help you  as you continue making healthier choices. As we move forward together, we want to be sure you’re not afraid or ashamed of what the color red represents. You may find your favorite food in the red area on the Food Target, labeling it is as a poor food choice, but you should learn to enjoy your favorites without feeling guilty. 

Remember these foods are not off limits; they’re simply not a large part of your action plan for healthy eating. Serve yourself a small portion, sit at the table, and savor the flavor without distractions. It’s okay to let the color red represent a little bit of self-love.