What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Every Valentine’s Day I ask myself, “How can I make it special for the ones I love?” This year, you can join me in making your significant other fall deeper in love with you by preparing my incredibly romantic and delicious meal—keto lobster and chocolate-avocado mousse—for him or her.

If you are a hopeless romantic like me and love Valentine’s Day, then you don’t mind putting in the extra effort. Romance and pleasure is always worth investing in for a sustained connection. I can’t think of anything more beautiful than a lifetime of true love. That got me wondering, Where did Valentine’s Day come from? Wikipedia states the following:

Valentine’s Day originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus. Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world.

There are numerous stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome’s imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge, and he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell before his execution. The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269.

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”). Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

In my marriage, how I like to celebrate romance and express my love is through cooking healthy and delicious food to support my family’s wellness. I believe true love promotes health by helping your lover make good and nourishing decisions. This Valentine’s, I am sharing two of my most elegant and romantic recipes: keto lobster and chocolate-avocado mousse — perfect and easy recipes for a special and delicious night in for two that tastes like an expensive restaurant!

What does keto mean? Dictionary.com says, “Keto is short for ketogenic, referring to a diet that is low in carbohydrates but high in protein. While originating as a medical diet, it’s popularly associated with weight loss.” Medical News Today states the benefits of the ketogenic diet are that it supports weight loss, improves acne, may reduce risk of certain cancers, may improve heart health, may protect brain function and may reduce seizures.

This Valentine’s, you can skip the less healthy store-bought chocolate options (you know those heart-shaped boxes of chocolates) and create a special evening by having a nice romantic dinner at home. One of the biggest keys to my husband’s and my health is that I cook at home for about 95 percent of what we eat because I care about our wellness and longevity. What are some of the reasons why people are overweight? Harvard Health reports the following: “Experts say it’s a combination of increased availability, bigger portions and more high-calorie foods.” In today’s modern society, we are eating more bad calories because of the availability and convenience around every corner such as fast-food restaurants, gas stations and shopping centers.

“Americans are spending far more on foods eaten out of the home,” Harvard Health states. “In 1970, we spent 27 percent of our food budget on away-from-home food; by 2006, that percentage had risen to 46 percent.” Plus, portion sizes have tripled and added sugar content has contributed to the overconsumption of unhealthy foods, thus contributing to obesity and people being overweight.

One of the solutions to obesity and being overweight is to eat healthier choices and foods in the home so that you can control what is in your meals. This way you know that what you are eating is all organic, nutritious and fuels your optimal health on a daily basis. It’s time to get in the kitchen, cook up the love, and feel good together this month and beyond.

Make it elegant and romantic!

10-Minute Garlic Butter Keto Lobster Tails

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter and two 1-tablespoon pats of butter
• ¼ cup minced garlic
• 4 lobster tails
• juice of 1 lemon
• sea salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• diced parsley

Directions

Dark Chocolate-Avocado Mousse

Serves 2

A delightful and healthy superfood chocolate dessert, you won’t believe how good it tastes!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons almond milk
• 6 tablespoons grass-fed butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla powder
• 7 ounces dark chocolate at least 70% cacao
• ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 avocado, pitted and peeled
• 6 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon stevia

Directions

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