Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Instead of planning a night out with your special someone, why not cook up a lovely meal at home that your Valentine is sure to adore?  We’ve put together some of our favorite healthy Valentine’s Day recipes that will both wow your guest and leave him or her feeling loved and healthy!

Appetizer

Oysters are often associated with Valentine’s Day because they are known to be an aphrodisiac. This recipe for Oyster Ceviche is delicious served with gluten-free crackers or pita chips! If raw fish isn’t your thing, a cheese platter with Heart Shaped Figs is an adorable way to impress your guest.

Soup

After an unseasonably warm winter so far, February is proving to be not quite as kind as January. As the weather gets colder, warm up your dinner guest with a festive red soup such as this Roasted Beet Soup with Crème Fraiche and Dill or this Fire Roasted Tomato Soup with Crispy Chickpeas!

Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. I love everything about it – from its beautiful purple color to the way it so kindly absorbs the favor of whatever I decide to pair it with. Usually that’s tomato sauce and cheese. Since the classic dish eggplant parmesan isn’t exactly healthy, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to cook this pretty vegetable.

When I found this recipe on 2008 IIN grad Amie Valpone’s blog The Healthy Apple, I was elated! Not only does she use eggplant, but she also incorporates some of my favorite flavors – paprika and balsamic vinegar. If you love eggplant like me, definitely give this recipe a try! And don’t be afraid to switch up the flavors by using your favorite spices!

Eggplant Fries

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup green tea, brewed and chilled
• Juice of 1 fresh lemon
• 1/3 tsp. sea salt
• 5 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp. ground flax seeds
  

The beautiful city of Seattle sits on the Puget Sound in Northern Washington. Best known for the iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market as well as the breath-taking surrounding scenery of the Olympic Mountains, San Juan Islands and the Kitsap Peninsula, there is no doubt that Seattle is extremely picturesque. It also offers an endless amount of outdoor activities ranging from kayaking in the sound and skiing at Mt. Rainer to hiking the Sammamish River Trail and picnicking in St. Edward Park. 

If you’re planning a trip to Seattle (and you should!) check out a few of our favorite healthy restaurants and markets in the area. Not in the great Northwest? Check out our Healthy Living Guide Series for options in or near your city!

Restaurants

Thrive
1026 NE 65^th Street

Thrive is more than just a restaurant; it’s a community dedicated to providing healthy, organic food without sacrificing taste. The café serves fresh vegetarian dishes made with 95% organic ingredients. In addition to the café, Thrive also offers many programs and special classes such as Coconuts Demystified and a detoxing juice cleanse.

Wheatless in Seattle
10003 Greenwood Avenue North

Based on the extensive menu, which includes everything from cake to bread to strudel, you would never guess that this charming bakery is Seattle’s favorite wheat-free, gluten-free, and rice-free bakery! Stop in for a yummy dairy-free, gluten-free strawberry pomegranate muffin for breakfast or a gluten-free baguette to-go with dinner!

Austin, Texas is quickly becoming one of the hippest cities in the United States. Money magazine ranked Austin as the second best big city to live in in 2006, and in 2009, MSN ranked it as the third “Greenest City in America.” Most recently, Travel & Leisure magazine ranked Austin #1 on the list of cities with the best people.  Local businesses and the arts thrive in Austin, and the restaurant scene is no exception. As the birthplace of Whole Foods Market, it is no surprise that many of the trendy bars and restaurants have a healthy spin.

Check out some of our favorite healthy spots in Austin! If you’re interested in healthy living in other cities, you can read our entire series of Healthy Living Guides. 

Restaurants

The Monument Café
500 South Austin Avenue

This diner is just outside of Austin in Georgetown, TX and is a favorite among the locals. The Monument always uses the freshest ingredients, the vegetables are mostly organic, meats are all natural, and the juices are squeezed fresh at the café daily!

Beets Café
1511 West 5^th Street Suite 165

Beets is a living foods café with a delicious menu! We love the ELT (eggplant, lettuce and tomato) on sprouted almond sunflower flat bread with a fresh-pressed Beets Me juice on the side. Beets Café also offers a Raw Foods Basics Class where you can learn to make raw almond milk, “not tuna” pate, chocolate mousse, and more!

Atlanta is a city known for its culture. With everything from an extensive performing arts scene to bohemian shops in Little Five Points, Atlanta has something for everyone. Atlanta is also quickly becoming known for its culinary scene. Restaurateurs have mastered upscale and chic versions of old-fashioned Southern comfort food, and now healthier options are starting to make a huge impact on the city. Check out some of our favorite healthy restaurants in Atlanta.

We hope you enjoy our healthy Atlanta picks. For recommendations of healthy spots in other cities, check out all of Integrative Nutrition's Healthy Living Guides!

World Peace Café Atlanta
220 Hammond Dr, Suite 302

World Peace Café is unlike any other restaurant in the Atlanta area. It is owned and operated by Kadampa Meditation Center Georgia, and all profits go to support meditation classes.  The menu is packed with delicious vegan and vegetarian options, and they also offer 100% organic specialty coffee.

At IIN, we are always looking for good, healthy cookbooks, so it’s no surprise that we are very excited about the release of Integrative Nutrition Graduate, class of 2011, Elizabeth Rider’s new book, WholeEating Cookbook!

The book is a vegetarian, gluten-free cookbook with an emphasis on low-glycemic recipes. What is low-glycemic? The glycemic scale measures the rate at which the food that you eat increases your blood sugar levels. Foods with lower numbers, 0-55, are low glycemic foods, and only raise your blood sugar level slightly. Foods that are medium glycemic range from 56-70, and high glycemic are from 71-100. Rider’s book features recipes for foods that satisfy your appetite without spiking your blood sugar level.

WholeEating Cookbook is full of healthy recipes that are perfect to serve at your holiday party this year. Our favorites include the Orange Pomegranate Sparkler, a sweet, fizzy, and festive drink, and the Crunchy Spiced Chickpeas, an appetizer recipe we recommend doubling – your guests will love it!

Thanksgiving is just days away – do you have your menu prepared? If you are still looking for some healthy dishes to serve your family and friends, check out our list of 101 Healthy Holiday Recipes for inspiration!

These Pumpkin Spice Muffins from IIN graduate and author of Clean Start and Clean Food, Terry Walters, are another of our favorite healthy, protein-packed recipes. They’re the perfect snack to keep you fueled as you start to power through your holiday cooking this week!

Thanksgiving is upon us, which means it’s time to start planning the menu for your next holiday gathering! Instead of overwhelming your body with high-calorie, unhealthy foods this year, why not try some healthy versions of all your holiday recipe favorites? We’ve put together this list of 101 of our favorite healthy holiday recipes, many of them straight from the kitchens of our students and graduates – thank you for your recommendations and suggestions! You, your family, and your friends are sure to love these delicious concoctions.

Breakfast

A healthy breakfast is a great way to start your day, especially during the busy holidays! These recipes will give you the energy your body needs to start the day but still leave room for plenty of turkey later.

1. Apple Cinnamon Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal

2. Pumpkin Pancakes

3. Cinnamon Raisin Pull Apart Bread (V)

4. Pecan Pie Muffins (V)

5. Cinnamon Raisin “Toast” (R)(V)

6. Savory Oatmeal

7. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (DF)

8. Healthy Banana Bread

9. Weekend Frittata

10. Buckwheat Crispies (R)

If you are on a gluten-free diet, or you have celiac disease, you know that reading cookbooks, cooking magazines or anything of the sort can be tough. It’s no fun looking at pictures of beautiful, delicious food that you can’t eat!

Enter Easy Eats, the newest digital food magazine to hit the web.

At first glance, the cover that features delectable glazed doughnuts scattered with rainbow sprinkles might have gluten-free eaters running for the hills. However, the tagline will, without a doubt, pull them back in: "It’s good to be gluten free."

Editor-In-Chief Slivana Nardone, whose most recent gig was Editor-In-Chief of Rachael Ray magazine, decided to create the online magazine after her children were both diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerance.  As a cookbook writer, former bakery owner, and food lover, she created Easy Eats to prove to her children (and everyone else) that it’s good to be gluten free! As Slivana says "My intentions all originate from the same place: positivity. Yes, you can eat mac and cheese. Yes, I will make cupcakes for your school birthday party."

Tomatoes are often associated with summer, but we are actually only half way through tomato season. While a fresh, tomato, mozzarella and basil salad does sound delicious, it’s time to enjoy some warm, fall tomato recipes. This gluten-free tart from IIN grad, Sherilyn’s blog, Whole Promise, is a great use for the heirloom tomatoes that can still be found in farmers markets, not to mention that it’s a beautiful dish that will definitely impress your friends and family.