Healthy Valentine's Day Meals

Do you want to have a romantic and healthy Valentine's Day dinner. Here are some menus you can choose for your special day. I decided it would be fun to have a special ethnic theme.

Japanese

Appetizer: Edamame - This is soybeans in a pod. Many stores sell them frozen and you just boil them or put them in the microwave for a minute. They are very tasty and very good for you.

Main dish: Sushi - Raw fish and rice are very healthy. There are a lot of different types of sushi to choose from. Sushi is very flavorful and very healthy.

Drink: Sake - This drink can be served hot or cold and is served in a small, maybe only 4 oz. cup. I'm not sure of the nutritional value, but if you only have one cup it can't be that harmful. Sake is pretty strong, so you don't want to drink too much anyways. You do want to remember your special night, right?

Dessert: Mochi - This is a traditional Japanese dessert. It is a small ball of dough with ice cream inside. Once again, I'm not sure how healthy this is, but you can eat just one and feel very satisfied.

Mexican

I know of a lot of delicious and very romantic Mexican restaurants, but I'm not sure if I can think of very many Mexican restaurants that are delicious and romantic and healthy. If you choose to do a Mexican menu I recommend you make the dinner at home.

Appetizer: Chips and Salsa - Be sure your chips are baked, not fried. Also, make your own salsa. Use fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Blend the ingredients quickly in a small blender. It will not only be healthy, but probably taste better than salsa at the restaurant. If you like it spicy you can also add a jalepeno pepper.

Main dish: Chicken soft taco - I use fresh corn tortillas from the Mexican grocery store. I then buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the chicken. Add salsa, avacados, or lettuce to the soft taco.

Drink: One margarita - The rest of the meal is very healthy, you can afford to have one drink.

Dessert: Cinnamon grilled banana - Slice 4 bananas lengthwise and crosswise so that you end up with 16 banana pieces. Combine 1 TBS sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the bananas. Grill the bananas for 2 minutes on a clean grill. Flip over and cook for another 4 minutes. Add vanilla ice cream on top.

Italian

Appetizer: Fresh sourdough bread - You can make your own or buy it fresh from the store or bakery. If you'd like you can prepare olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt to dip the bread pieces in.

Main Dish: Angel Hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic. Then add the fresh diced tomatoes and add a little more olive oil. Cook the angel hair pasta according to the package and then add the tomato mixture on top.

Drink: a glass of red wine - Wine is very healthy for your heart

Dessert: A hot cup of coffee with a biscotti cookie.