Re-think sweet this Valentine’s Day: 7 ideas for a healthier celebration

Be sweet to yourself and your loved one this Valentine’s Day, by celebrating in a healthy way.

Take the opportunity to make this holiday of love special by getting active, eating nutritious food and living well to help you and your Valentine reduce your cancer risk. That way, you’ll be able to spend many more special moments together.

Here are seven ideas that will brighten up anyone’s Valentine’s Day.

1. Use this day as an opportunity to tell your loved one how important they are to you, and share ways that you can support each other’s health and wellness. We have the perfect card to help! DOWNLOAD OUR PUN-TASTIC FREE PEAR CARD HERE. If you do, please consider donating what you would normally spend on a card to our vital work in cancer control, here.
2. Plan an active outing. Quality time is one of the most meaningful gifts, so why not practice teamwork by heading on a double kayak date or riding tandem bikes.
3. Prepare a romantic candlelit dinner. This is a great opportunity to show your loved one how much you care for them by cooking something special that’s also on the healthier side. By cooking at home, you can control both the ingredients and the portion sizes. Healthier. Happier. have a range of delicious recipes that you could try, from a balsamic beef salad, to sweet treats like this rhubarb and pear crumble.
4. Or you could try to come up with a red-themed meal together. Different coloured fruit and veggies have different nutrients and health benefits, and as it turns out, many naturally bright red foods (such as cherries, red capsicum, tomatoes, red onion and rhubarb) contain Vitamin C and phytochemicals like lycopene, anthocyanins and saponins.
5. Just dance. Twirling around the dance floor with someone you love is not only romantic, but it’s a good way to get some aerobic exercise.
6. Give a healthy gift. If you both crave sweet things, gift a beautiful fresh fruit basket to your loved one instead of candy with added sugars. A healthy cookbook, personal training sessions or a massage voucher are also healthy alternatives. If you do receive a luxurious box of chocolates from your sweetie, stick it in the freezer and enjoy in moderation over the next several weeks.
7. Or choose a gift that gives back! If you’re looking for a little gift to go with our free card, go for something that gives hope for a cancer free future, and shop our Pink Ribbon merchandise. Our pink and silver bangle is perfect for jewellery lovers, while our luggage bag tag is ideal for the constant traveller. Each dollar donated through merchandise sales contributes to eradicating women’s cancer – a cause close to the heart and important for every woman’s health.

Even if you don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, these ideas can be shared with friends, family and colleagues to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risk of cancer.

For more information, please contact: