Eat Well, Live Well - A Valentine's Day to remember

Fed up with cheap chocolate and boring bouquets? Then chuck out those chocs and have a Valentine’s Day to remember this year.Celebrate your love for partners, family and friends by thinking about what’s truly special about them. Here’s just a few ways to share the love!

Love is all around
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about telling partners how much you love them. It’s also a wonderful way to show other loved ones how special they are. So take a tip from the Finns - in Finland, the day is known as Ystävänpäivä, which means ‘Friend’s day.’
On this day, people give gifts to friends and spend the evening partying or eating with them. Perhaps you’ve got a friend who’s supported you through hard times, or a family member who plays a big part in your life. Whoever they are, use this occasion to make them feel special. Often, we don’t see our extended family and friends as much as we’d like, so make the effort to meet up, whether it’s just for a quick lunch or a whole night out. Or why not throw a Valentine’s Day party for all your loved ones if you can’t decide between them? It doesn’t have to be a huge effort – just get in plenty of fabulous nibbles like RYVITA® Thins . They’re great for sharing and perfect with party dips.

Try some new romance
What does ‘romance’ mean to you? Is it red roses and dinner for two in the local bistro, or is it something else that’s not so easy to define? After all, many of the moments that we remember as being romantic might not seem that way at all to others. So when you’re planning something romantic, think about those memories. Was it that walk along the beach in the pouring rain? Breaking down on the moors, miles from anywhere? Giggling at the weird pictures in that awful B&B? It’s not about trying to recapture the exact experience - it’s about realising that we find romance in the most unlikely places. So to rekindle that spark, break out of your comfort zone and try something new and unexpected. Think up six things that you’d never normally do – how about a ballroom dancing lesson, a hike across the hills, dressing up and visiting the opera, feeding the penguins at the local zoo, or even staying in with a stack of funny films if that’s not usually your preference! Then play the dice game with your partner. Give each activity a number and roll the dice – the number you roll is what you’re doing for Valentine’s Day.

Be unashamedly old-fashioned
Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a gift which you’ve really thought about – and that gift doesn’t have to cost a lot. Back before extravagant Valentine’s cards, mugs, T-shirts, teddy bears and the like, lovers would simply send hand-written notes to each other. So why not invest in some beautiful writing paper and envelopes and recapture the spirit of that age? A letter means so much more than a shop-bought card or an email, and it’s something that your partner will be able to keep and treasure. And if writing love letters isn’t your strong point, just combine the best of old and new by finding some appropriate love poetry on the internet!

Give the gift of time
Ask any busy woman what she wants the most and it’s likely to be ‘more time to myself.’ So if your partner is wondering what to get you this Valentine’s Day, ask him for just that! For example, he might present you with a ‘gift certificate’ for ‘Six sessions of looking after the kids on Friday night while you go out with the girls.’ Or you might ‘give’ him one morning every month for him to go and play football in the park. This kind of gift is also great for friends and you can also use it to ‘give’ your skills and help – for example, ‘giving’ your friend who’s just moved house two of your weekend days to help her paint the bedroom.

Make the most of each day
It’s lovely to have one day a year devoted to telling people how much you love them. But you don’t have to wait until February 14 to let those around you know how special they are. So in the midst of your busy life, take a moment every now and then to show your affection. Smile at your partner, hug your child or offer to share that precious bag of RYVITA® Sweet Chilli Minis with a friend – you’ll be carrying the spirit of St Valentine with you for every day of the year.