We had such a great time today filming for our two-part Valentines segment that will air today 1/23/14 on 3TV Your Life A to Z at 10 am. Each month we enjoy working with this great station to raise celiac and gluten sensitivity awareness and help others understand how to properly take care of themselves and others as well as see that it can still be a very enjoyable life. So when it came time to come up with segment ideas around this time of year, there was no doubt that I HAD to talk Valentines, my absolute favorite holiday!! Growing up my mom always made it so fun with these felt hearts that were filled with Valentines candy and things like makeup (which now I totally recommend Red Apple Lipstick), a red shirt or a new book. I have loved carrying on this tradition with my boys.
Gluten-free treats can be just as fun and gorgeous as the regular ones, just check out these lovelies from Jewel’s Cafe and Bakery in Phoenix, AZ. Sugar cookies, whoopie pies, cream puffs and heart jam cookies couldn’t be more delicious and pleasing to the eye! Don’t live in Phoenix? No worries, we have a great roll out sugar cookie recipe for you!
I also made these delicious Sweet Chocolate Nachos from Food Should Taste Good. They were SO good and would make a great Valentines day snack, breakfast or even dessert! Get the full recipe HERE plus have at your chance to win 4 bags of Food Should Taste Good chips in whatever flavor you want!!
I also had fun making mini pizzas for our Easy Lunchboxes using Namaste pizza crust. The Namaste Blondie Pops & X’s & O’s we made were also fantastic and made great additions to our themed lunches.
For those health conscious friends, just take a mini heart cookie cutter and make little Valentine treats using your favorite bars like we did here with Quest Nutrition White Chocolate Raspberry and KIND Chocolate Cherry bars. It couldn’t be easier and they turn out so cute!! PLUS enjoy my favorite drink, LIVE Soda Kombucha with this fun label.
Get creative in the kitchen with these Red Velvet Pancakes (we used Namaste pancake mix and just added 1/2 c. sugar and 2 T. cocoa powder to the mix which worked great). Or give the man in your life a fun surprise with Mt. Dew Cupcakes! My hubs loved it and I am sure yours will too.
We thought another fun gift for the main squeeze in your life would be these “Stud Muffins”. We used the Namaste no sugar added gluten-free mix and tossed in some currents and cinnamon Sweet Leaf Stevia for a great result that anyone would enjoy whether gluten-free or not.
Some of our favorite Valentines traditions include playing a themed game of bingo (from Simply Fresh Designs) with red, white and pink M&M’s. My boys ask to do it every year! Cutting out hearts in all different colors and sizes and writing cute notes on them, next doing a “heart attack” to a loved one by putting them all over their room or car sure makes their day. You can also leave one with some cash taped to the gas pump for the person after you to enjoy a random act of kindness.
We will be back on February 13th with some awesome, last minute Valentines date night and gift ideas so stay tuned for that…How do you celebrate Valentines? We would love to hear your traditions! 
