Love is in the air! You probably already see pink and red roses decorating every store you enter, and commercials for last-minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas. This Valentine’s season more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold, and almost 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year, but are chocolates and candy hearts the healthiest choice for your family? The American Heart Association suggests that sugar intake should be limited to no more than half of your discretionary allowance, which is roughly 100 calories or 6 teaspoons a day for women, or 150 calories or 9 teaspoons a day for men. This amount is even smaller for children. So, for you to have the healthiest Valentine’s Day you can, we rounded up some alternatives to chocolates and candy.

1. Find healthy alternatives to candy, or sweets: Here’s a great collection of healthy desserts, such as strawberry doughnuts, sugar cookies and truffles, using organic ingredients and alternative, healthier sugars such as honey and maple syrup. Make your own chocolate-dipped strawberries and other fruits using organic materials, and soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free chocolate. Or ditch the chocolate, and place red berries in a heart shaped box. Switch candy toppings on sundaes and ice cream with fresh fruits, nuts and honey. Or, even better, swap the ice cream with frozen yogurt. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make heart-shaped sandwiches, fried eggs, pancakes or waffles topped with strawberry jam instead of syrup. Find ways to utilize heart-shaped ice cube trays. Use real fruit juices to make heart-shaped ice pops, or freeze juice in heart-shaped ice cube trays, and serve them in carbonated water. It is a fantastic replacement for soda, and your child will love the festive juice cubes.

1. Stay home, and opt for healthy home-cooked meals: Create a fun, family date by cooking healthy meal together, which includes fruits and vegetables and foods low in saturated fat and salt, and limit sweets. Nutrition plays an essential role in maintaining overall health.
2. Encourage physical activity: This month is also American Heart Month. Plan a family activity, which encourages physical fitness. Regular physical activity can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, improve mental health and mood, and increase your chance of living longer. At the same time, teach your family the importance of physical activity, and help raise awareness about heart disease prevention.

Providing a healthy environment for your family is a huge responsibility, and at Air Oasis we want to help you achieve that environment easily. This month, while love is in the air, make sure it’s the purest air. Learn more about the Air Angel and how it is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your family. Visit: https://www.airoasis.com/shop/air-angel.