A Meal for “Mon Coeur”

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Happy Mardi Gras All! If you’ve never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you have to put it on your bucket list. Totally worth your time!

After Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, comes Ash Wednesday and this year, Valentines Day.

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love. Whether your valentine is your spouse, significant other, child, family member, or pet, you both deserve a delicious, warm meal. What better way to show your affection than getting in that kitchen and cooking for your heart?  So, let’s talk about heart-healthy Valentine’s Day dinner suggestions.  And, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am referring to your actual heart.

Here are some suggestions for a nice, heart-healthy meal:

• Appetizers
  • Baked brie topped with nuts and berries
  • Whole wheat tortilla topped with mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and basil
    • Hint: You can either make it like a pizza or a cheese dip
• Main Course
  • Shrimp or veggie pasta cooked with olive oil, tossed in pesto sauce and topped with feta cheese, olives and sun-dried or diced tomatoes
  • Salad of any kind, with a mix of vinegar and olive oil for the dressing
  • Lean cut of  seasoned beef or lamb, topped with mushrooms, drizzled in olive oil, served on a bed of brown rice and a side of asparagus
• Beverage Options
  • Red wine
  • Sparkling grape juice
• Dessert
  • Dark chocolate covered fruit
  • Baked apples topped with cinnamon and walnuts
  • Fresh fruit added to gelatin

I actually cooked the shrimp pasta with veggie noodles and made a salad. It wasn’t half bad! The salad has romaine lettuce and arugula, avocado, cucumber, red onion, dried cranberries, and garbanzo beans.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a chef, nor am I a photographer.  I worked EXTREMELY HARD to take the best, most beautiful pictures of my food. Here’s how they turned out:

Have an amazing Valentine’s Day!

XOXO

~Kwynn

P.S.-Are you planning on giving up anything this Lenten season? Comment below – I’d love to know your goals!