Sweet Valentine's Day … Without the Sugar

Just when you thought you had rid your house of the holiday sugar rush, in swoops Valentine’s Day with all its sweetness! The good news is that you don’t HAVE to succumb to the oh so sweet pressure of showering your kids with sugar!

We have provided a list of fun ideas for you to do with your kids that wont result in a sugar rush, but instead lots of love and gracious hugs!

• Fix a special breakfast – Throw together some whole wheat pancakes and grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter – instead of adding syrup, slice some fresh strawberries and even add a little honey on top. Click here to see how OrganWise mom, Karen McNamara, cooked up a special Valentine’s breakfast for her kids at home!

• Make it festive – Decorate your dining room or kitchen with pink and red streamers, balloons, Valentine’s plates, heart-shaped confetti and matching napkins. It makes the day feel special without loads of sugar.

• Add a special touch to lunch – Use your heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out their sandwich, add some stickers to the bottom of their bag, or even write a little note telling them that you love them.

• Prepare a healthy treat – Strawberries already have the natural shape of a heart – make strawberry/banana kabobs for an after-school snack and serve them in a red cup. If you want to add a little protein, grab some greek yogurt and make it into a festive yogurt parfait.

• Express your love – Take extra time to tell your kids how much they mean to you because really the biggest thing that kids need to know is that they are loved!

• Plan a special family night – Try going out with your significant other on a different night and plan a fun-loving family night! Make healthy heart-shaped pizzas, have a dance party, or make it a game or puzzle night! The possibilities are endless!

The bottom line is that the experiences made during these special times are what the kids (and you) are going to remember! So make this year a memorable one and swap out the sugar for some sweet memories!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans for this year?