Give Something For The Heart

by Darline Turner Lee, Physician Assistant, ACSM Exercise Specialist

Article Last Reviewed: Sept. 9, 2006

As we enter into February, all minds turn to Valentine’s Day and thoughts of love. We ponder what to give that special someone, that special gift that will show how much we care. In keeping with the theme of health and wellness, give something FOR the heart instead of only something FROM the heart. In that way, you not only show that you care, but also that you want your loved one around for the foreseeable future.

The typical Valentine’s Day Celebration often begins with flowers. What a wonderful way to show love and appreciation as well as to offer some beauty for one to behold. Florists are inundated with orders for long stemmed red roses, and millions will be presented as tokens of affection on this “Day of Love”.

Next is Candy. Godiva, Sees, Ghiradelli and others sell tons of chocolates for Valentine’s Day alone! More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold and according to Candy USA (www.candyusa.org), an estimated $1,090 million dollars will be spent on chocolates for Valentine’s Day 2002.

Finally, the day will be capped off with couples flocking to restaurants for a lavish dinner. Nothing will be spared. Appetizers will be ordered. Wine will be poured. Extravagant entrees will be consumed. And it will all end with a decadent dessert. After all, it is Valentine’s Day, isn’t it?

This Valentine’s Day, give your loved one something that shows you love them and their heart. Here are some heart healthy suggestions for Valentine’s Day.

· Take a half-day off and take your honey for a walk, hike or bike ride in a local park.

· Give a gift certificate for a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure.

· Go dancing.

· Offer to baby sit for a significant other who has children so your loved one can have some quiet time alone. Better yet, hire a baby sitter to stay the night and the two of you can spend some quiet time alone!

If you just can’t bear the thought of not giving chocolates, try this: Find out exactly what kind of chocolates your sweetheart likes and buy a small amount of that kind. This will alleviate the reckless purchase of the one-pound assortment box with the numerous bitten rejections.

If dining out is a must, try to select restaurants with healthy choices on the menus. In order to fully enjoy the entrees, skip the appetizers. Be romantic. Order one dessert and share it. And if you are really romantic, order one dessert, one fork and feed each other. (Yum!!)

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to overtly demonstrate your love to someone, but that does not mean reckless abandon to all that is healthy. Take a little time. Use a little forethought. Be creative. You can love someone, show it and be heart smart all at the same time.