Valentine’s Day shopping can be challenging for those with a health-conscious loved one, and with only a day to spare before the Hallmark holiday, you might find yourself running out of time to find the best healthy Valentine’s Day gifts; the perfect way to say, “I love you.”
3 Hot and Healthy Gift Ideas
Your healthy partner might not care much for the candies inside a heart-shaped box and may flat-out gag at the idea of another home-cooked meal. The problem is they may silently hope you don’t pull the trigger and make a reservation at a restaurant filled with fatty, greasy options sure to leave their stomachs in knots. But don’t you worry, because I’ve got the scoop on a health Valentine’s Day gifts that will leave your health-focused lover filled with appreciation (and maybe even lust!).
1. Hot and Healthy Gift Idea #1: Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is delicious and nutritious, but the benefits don’t stop there. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidant flavanols that can relax the arteries and improve blood flow. It may also help to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and boost “good” HDL cholesterol, which can lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Make sure you go for solid dark chocolate; no fillings or unhealthy additions. If your partner must have something in with his/her chocolate, make it nuts (but not sugared or candied nuts). To make sure the chocolate you’re giving is on the healthy side, choose a product that contains 70% or more cacao.
2. Hot and Healthy Gift Idea #2: Essential Oils
Of course, not everyone likes the bitterness of dark chocolate, so that might not be the best option for you. Another great Valentine’s Day gift idea for your health-conscious lover is essential oils, which are sold individually or as a blend. You can use them in the bath, as massage oil, to scent your home in an oil or aromatherapy burner, and in water diffusers. They can create a relaxing setting, ease anxiety, treat cold and flu symptoms, and even set the mood as an aphrodisiac. There are so many selections for you to tailor your essential oil gift that it’s sure to be a home run.
If you want to spark the mood for Valentine’s Day, some great oil options are:
- Patchouli
- Orange
- Green mandarin
- Vanilla
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Palmarosa
- Nag champa
- Ginger
You can also pick up options that help reduce stress and ease anxiety, like:
- Lavender
- Rose
- Ylang-ylang
- Bergamot
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
Essential oils are easy to find and are a gift that keeps on giving. But if you want to add to your V-Day celebration, including a glass or two of red wine can definitely be a healthy option.
3. Hot and Healthy Gift Idea #3: Red Wine
Much like dark chocolate, red wine is rich in flavanols and helps lower blood pressure by increasing arterial flexibility. Oh, and the warmth you feel when you drink it? That’s because of the increased oxygen and blood moving through your body, which leads to easier arousal. In fact, some say red wine is one of the world’s best drinks for great sex!
The Perfect Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifts
So there you go! Have a piece of dark chocolate, drink a glass of wine, and give an essential oil massage to make it a healthy Valentine’s Day to remember!
Sources for Today’s Article
Teeter, A., “The Best Alcohol for Great Sex? It’s Red Wine,” Vine Pair, February 12, 2015; http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/want-great-sex-drink-red-wine/, last accessed February 7, 2017.
Gunnars, C., “7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate,” Authority Nutrition; https://authoritynutrition.com/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate/, last accessed February 7, 2017.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, “Why dark chocolate is good for your heart,” ScienceDaily, February 27, 2014; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140227092149.htm, last accessed February 7, 2017.