Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovers out there! I know it’s a Hallmark Holiday and some people are allergic to all the mush, but the way I see it, it’s always good to have an excuse ― or a reminder ― to celebrate love! I mean why not? And if romantic love is not on the cards, it’s nice to celebrate with family or friends too.

My only complaint is all the sugary junk that floods the stores just as we were recovering from the mad influx Christmas goodies.

If you’re going to celebrate with chocolate, then try something like chocolate covered strawberries ― they are easy to do at home (method below) or you can buy amazing ones from Miles on the day.

If you want to go for it with a box of something luxurious, then Miles also have the Neuhaus chocolates.

Miles have recently replaced their Godiva line with Neuhaus which uses 100 per cent sustainably sourced cocoa, is palm-oil free, non-GMO and only uses natural colours and flavours. They are also delicious!

Yet in general, I would always encourage you to “treat” your loved ones with something outlandishly healthy.

If a treat takes someone away from their goals, then it starts to become less of a treat doesn’t it?

If you’re down for making a Valentines dinner, that’s healthy but feels indulgent, then I have the perfect recipes for you.

This salad (I know, salad for Valentines?…. Stay with me!) is packed full of protein from the chicken, almond butter and pumpkin seeds. Yet the dressing makes it feel indulgent and the pomegranate seeds ― as well as being tasty and packed with antioxidants ― add a little pop of Valentine’s red.

Although the pomegranate and the honey add a little carbs, this is relatively low carb so it’s a good option to pair with dessert.

This salad is also super flexible. If you’d rather use peanut butter, go ahead. You could also swap the chicken for lean, grass-fed steak.

You could even swap the chicken for tofu (make sure you marinade it and then lightly pan fry it) if you want to go plant-based.

You can switch up the salad veg and the type of seeds.

The dessert is less flexible. Chocolate covered strawberries are so simple they don’t leave much wiggle-room.

What would we do instead? Chocolate covered cucumber? Maybe when I was pregnant! But not now. Stick with the strawberries ― they are so good!

Chicken Satay Salad (serves 2)

Ingredients:

1 tbsp tamari sauce

1 tsp medium curry powder

¼ tsp ground cumin

1 garlic clove, pressed

2 tsps honey

2 skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1 tbsp almond butter

1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

1 tbsp lime juice

Light olive oil

2 Little Gem lettuce hearts, cut into wedges

¼ cucumber, halved and sliced

4 spring onions, finely chopped

Handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped (optional)

½ cup pomegranate seeds

¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Method:

Whisk the tamari, curry powder, cumin, garlic and 1 tsp honey together by hand. Marinade the chicken in the mix (in the fridge) for at least one hour or ideally longer (overnight is great!)

Mix the almond butter with the chilli sauce, lime juice, 1 tsp honey and 1 tbsp water. Set to one side.

Brush a large non-stick pan with light olive oil. Add the chicken and cook, covered with a lid, for five to six minutes on a medium heat, turning once. Set aside to rest for a few minutes (this makes the chicken more tender.)

Toss the wedges of lettuce with the cucumber, spring onions, fresh coriander (optional) and half the pomegranate/pumpkin seeds. Pop onto plates, spoon over a little sauce.

Then slice the chicken, place on top of the salad and spoon over the remaining sauce. Scatter with the remaining pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Chocolate covered strawberries

Serves 2 twice!

Ingredients:

1 box of strawberries, preferably organic

1 large bar of chocolate, preferably dark

Method:

If you have bought organic strawberries, no need to wash. If nonorganic then do wash them but make sure they are completely dry before using.

Line a baking sheet or plate with waxed paper and set to one side.

Break up the chocolate and place in a glass or ceramic dish. The dish must be bone dry as any water will cause the chocolate to curdle. Microwave at ten second increments until melted.

Dip each strawberry halfway into the chocolate and then place on the waxed paper. Set in the fridge and enjoy!

• The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Somorjay Burns BA Hons, Dip ION, BNTA is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda or instagram @naturalbda