Out of the Box Ways to Sweeten the Day
We all know to brace ourselves from Halloween through New Year’s Day for that avalanche of sugary sweets and creamy, fatty delights that bombard us from every direction.
We make our New Year’s resolutions only to turn around and then BAM!–here comes Valentine’s Day and those heart shaped boxes of brown, gooey pound-makers. While an occasional dark chocolatey treat is fine and even heart-healthy, there are other ways we can say BE MINE that are in line with our wellness goals, but also excite the romantic in us.
Here are 5 of our favorites:
1. Tell your lover to “take a hike!”
…with you, of course. Researchers from the University of Essex compared the benefits of hiking a trail through the woods to walking in an indoor shopping center. They found that the nature hike reduced depression, whereas the stroll in the mall increased it. And a study by the Mayo Clinic showed that those who add at least 2.5 hours of exercise per week increase their sex drive. So get out there and trek with your truelove alongside the birds and bees and let nature give you a boost. For some invigorating hikes in your area, go to localhikes.com.
2. Homemade goodness.The benefits of creating a culinary treat yourself is that you know exactly what is going into it–not only the ingredients, but the energy of your focus and attention as you create something special for the object of your affection. Get in the kitchen and do your Valentine’s heart good by whipping up a heart healthy meal. Try one of the recipes from our Rainbow Diet Recipe book.
3. A real LIVE one.Yes, a movie date is nice, but when was the last time you took your sweetheart to a LIVE performance of theatre, music, or dance? Let’s start with music: According to Dr. Daniel Levitin of McGill University, live music can activate the same brain areas as chocolate, opium and orgasm. Okay…I think that’s all we need to hear on that, yes? Go to eventful.com to find a live event near you.
4. Craft it like a Kid.Remember the days of paper doilies and construction paper? Homemade Valentines are nothing new, but did you know that making them will also keep you young? A study by NEA and NIMH found that seniors who engage in creative activity had better health, fewer doctor’s visits, and used less medication than seniors who were not creatively active. So stay young while you craft your sweetie that heart-shaped photo collage or write that heart felt haiku?
5. Clear the Air.Skip cut flowers this year and opt for a houseplant. NASA did a study to find out which plants were best to filter the air of the space station, not only producing oxygen from CO2, but also absorbing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Some greenery that top the list are the heart-leaf philodendron, the rubber plant, and the peace lily. And where a bunch of flowers are destined to die, your potted gift will live on and on…like your love.
So don’t just go on auto-pilot and buy the most obvious, cliche tribute of the season. Be not afraid to show that sensitive self, the one who acknowledges your partner or friend in a thoughtful and specific way. You don’t have to give sweet–you can BE sweet.
Please note: The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your doctor. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. You should consult with your doctor before starting any diet, exercise, or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have a health problem.
We all know to brace ourselves from Halloween through New Year’s Day for that avalanche of sugary sweets and creamy, fatty delights that bombard us from every direction.
We make our New Year’s resolutions only to turn around and then BAM!–here comes Valentine’s Day and those heart shaped boxes of brown, gooey pound-makers. While an occasional dark chocolatey treat is fine and even heart-healthy, there are other ways we can say BE MINE that are in line with our wellness goals, but also excite the romantic in us.
Here are 5 of our favorites:
1. Tell your lover to “take a hike!”
…with you, of course. Researchers from the University of Essex compared the benefits of hiking a trail through the woods to walking in an indoor shopping center. They found that the nature hike reduced depression, whereas the stroll in the mall increased it. And a study by the Mayo Clinic showed that those who add at least 2.5 hours of exercise per week increase their sex drive. So get out there and trek with your truelove alongside the birds and bees and let nature give you a boost. For some invigorating hikes in your area, go to localhikes.com.
2. Homemade goodness.The benefits of creating a culinary treat yourself is that you know exactly what is going into it–not only the ingredients, but the energy of your focus and attention as you create something special for the object of your affection. Get in the kitchen and do your Valentine’s heart good by whipping up a heart healthy meal. Try one of the recipes from our Rainbow Diet Recipe book.
3. A real LIVE one.Yes, a movie date is nice, but when was the last time you took your sweetheart to a LIVE performance of theatre, music, or dance? Let’s start with music: According to Dr. Daniel Levitin of McGill University, live music can activate the same brain areas as chocolate, opium and orgasm. Okay…I think that’s all we need to hear on that, yes? Go to eventful.com to find a live event near you.
4. Craft it like a Kid.Remember the days of paper doilies and construction paper? Homemade Valentines are nothing new, but did you know that making them will also keep you young? A study by NEA and NIMH found that seniors who engage in creative activity had better health, fewer doctor’s visits, and used less medication than seniors who were not creatively active. So stay young while you craft your sweetie that heart-shaped photo collage or write that heart felt haiku?
5. Clear the Air.Skip cut flowers this year and opt for a houseplant. NASA did a study to find out which plants were best to filter the air of the space station, not only producing oxygen from CO2, but also absorbing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Some greenery that top the list are the heart-leaf philodendron, the rubber plant, and the peace lily. And where a bunch of flowers are destined to die, your potted gift will live on and on…like your love.
So don’t just go on auto-pilot and buy the most obvious, cliche tribute of the season. Be not afraid to show that sensitive self, the one who acknowledges your partner or friend in a thoughtful and specific way. You don’t have to give sweet–you can BE sweet.
Please note: The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your doctor. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. You should consult with your doctor before starting any diet, exercise, or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have a health problem.
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