Do Your Heart Some Good & Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Since today is National Wear Red Day® and Valentine’s Day is literally one week away, today on TheFieldPosition we’re providing ideas and activities that will “do your heart some good.”
If you forgot to wear your red power tie or lipstick today, no problem! You still have 21 more days to “Go Red.” The entire month of February is National Heart Month to draw nationwide attention to the fact that heart disease, which was long thought to be a “man’s disease,” is the # 1 killer of women. Did you know that heart disease claiming more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined?
Don’t be scared, be proactive! Know the signs of a heart attack. Exercise regularly, and eat heart-healthy foods. Remember, a healthy mind and spirit is as important as a healthy body.
“Giving to others makes them happy and in turn it makes you happy,” says American Gothic Pie Lady Beth Howard. Find peace by serving up a few slices for your loved ones. Even if baking isn’t part of your plans this weekend, you can others’ spirits and your own during Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 10-16. Iowa farmer and author of the Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids blog, Val Plagge, offers 10 ideas to Beat the Winter Blues such as sending a handwritten “just because” note to friends or family members.
Another idea is to make your own Valentine’s Day notes or cards. Who says you have to have preschool or grade school children to enjoy this DIY project? I don’t know of a grandparent who wouldn’t love the Peek-a-Boo card. I think it would be fun to make one of these cards and stick it on a bag of Homemade Valentine’s Day Chex Mix as shared by Iowa agvocate and blogger Crystal Blin (aka @Crystal Cattle).
The Iowa Girl Eats offers up 15 recipes for Valentine’s Day. Honestly, I had thought about making reservations before I read her blog yesterday! Now I’m thinking I should really celebrate at home because so many recipes caught my attention from the Surf & Turf Combo of Asian-Grilled Shrimp and Dijon-Brown Sugar Marinated Steak to Individual Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes and Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars. I’m also intrigued with a recipe for White Chocolate Dipped Krispy Treats. If I don’t get these krispy treats made for Valentine’s Day, I’m putting it on my “to do” list for meeting treats in March! (Can’t you just picture them with green sprinkles and shamrocks?)
Next Saturday morning I’ll likely be whipping up a batch of Heart-Shaped Pancakes for my family because that’s been a valentine tradition for the past 10 years at our house. Apparently nothing says “I love you” like hot cakes with a side of bacon!
Reese’s Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- Pretzels (any shape or size, but I prefer the square ones)
- Reese's Chocolate Hearts (unwrapped)
- Valentine's Day M&M's
- Parchment Paper (NOT wax paper)
Instructions
Directions:
- Line a cookie sheet with some parchment paper.
- Layout your pretzels on the covered cookie sheet.
- Unwrap all your Reese’s chocolate hearts and place them on top of the pretzels.
- Put them in the oven on a low heat, like 250° or so for about 1-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them because you want them the chocolate to melt just enough that they stick nicely onto the pretzels but not too much that they lose their shape.
- Take them out just when the chocolate starts to glisten/look shiny and melty.
- Once they are out, top the chocolate with an m&m.
- Put the cookie sheet in the freezer or refrigerator for the Reese’s Pretzel Bites to set.
Cook's Tip: If you don't want to use Reese's Chocolate Hearts, you can always use Hershey's Kisses, Hugs, or Carmel, but I am a Dove Chocolate fan, so even a small Dove Chocolate piece would work great!. :) What doesn't say Valentine's Day like a variety of chocolates.
