My early memories of Valentine’s Day include those sugary little hearts with sayings printed on them. We passed them around with childish joy. We even ate them.

While the origin of Valentine’s Day is associated with romance, love is relevant in all relationships. Families and friends celebrate in many different ways all around the time of February 14. While the random acts of love and kindness may not be as ubiquitous as at Christmas time, this day is filled with flowers and sweets and connections.

Offices fill their candy dishes and some businesses give free candy. Individuals send cards, often accompanied with treats as a means of expressing appreciation.

As you’re thinking about how to express your love this weekend, perhaps you will consider healthy treats. Keeping your food simple and healthy will be the most loving thing you can do for yourself and others. Finding ways that are heart-felt and playful will mean more than foods laden with sugar and processed foods.

You can choose fruits for sweets and nuts for decadent treats. Honey is very sweet (but only use if you have no sugar sensitivity) and stevia are choices to sweeten your foods. Cacao all by itself is awesome!

Celebrate love!