BY TARA ZIMILIKI

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Every parent wants to brighten up their child’s day on Valentine’s Day and make them feel special but how can they do this in a healthy way.  When the store aisles are filled with sugar laden treats how can a parent find a healthy alternative to this? As a certified personal trainer, mother of three and owner of Tara’s Boot Camp, I have helped many parents set their families on the right path for the holidays and throughout the year.  Through their journey these parents have learned to maintain a healthier lifestyle and now I will share these 5 tips with you!

Although Valentine's Day is known for the exchange of candy there are healthy ways to keep a smile on your children’s' faces without an overload of sugar.  Read five healthy tips below:

1)  Start the day with a healthy whole grain heart pancakes. Your children will love starting
their day eating heart pancakes and to add that needed pink slice strawberries and put on
top.  Put a card as their place setting with a small poem customized to him or her.  This will set their Valentine’s Day on the right note and tell them you love them.

2) Set out a fun craft.  Purchase several wooden picture frames at your local craft store and pink paint. Paint picture frames and put a picture of you and the children in this.  Each frame should be customized to your little tike to show them how special Valentine’s day is and there is no sugar laden snacks that are necessary!

3) Set out a tray of Cheese and Crackers.  To set the Valentine’s day theme, make sure to use heart shaped cookie cutters and make heart cheese and lay across crackers. Set out crackers on a fancy tray to set the holiday mood.  Cheese will provide your children their dairy requirement for the day and it will allow the kids to have a day without
processed candy so you will be guilt free.

4) For lunch you can make heart shaped tea sandwiches. Use small heart cookie cutters for the bread and make any sandwich you like (peanut butter, turkey, tuna etc). These mini sandwiches will put a smile on any child’s face.

5) To sweeten things up for the holiday why not make a pink smoothie for the children.  In a food processor, blend a cup of strawberries, 1.2 cup of blueberries, ½ cup of raspberries, a cup of strawberry yogurt and add some skim milk to decrease thickness.  Pour blended smoothies into fancy pink cups and garnish with minced strawberries.  A pink smoothie is perfect because it is full of healthy antioxidants and sets off the perfect Valentine’s Day.

I hope these tips have helped you to set your child’s Valentine’s Day to be special, heart healthy and filled with love!

***Tara Zimliki is a nationally recognized weight loss expert, personal trainer, health coach, health writer and founder of Tara’s Bootcamp, the Premiere Bootcamp of New Jersey.  Tara has 9 years experience in helping countless clients lose weight, better their health and change their lives.  Additionally, Tara has completed 19 marathons, hundreds of 5ks and has trained with top athletes at the University of South Carolina where she was awarded a full cross country scholarship. She has placed in the top for USATF running grand prix for 8 years in a row.  Tara also has a degree from Rutgers University and specializes in fat loss and nutrition. In 2005, Tara ran the NYC Marathon while 8 months pregnant with her 2nd daughter, Ella. In 2008,Tara placed in the top 500 women for the NYC Marathon. And in 2011, Tara ran the NYC Marathon 6 months pregnant with her 3rd baby, Brent. Tara has been featured on many television segments including Fox, WPIX, NJ 12 and in Prevention’s 2011 book, . Tara’s practices what she preaches in all aspects of fitness and health and for this reason she is a trusted trainer that produces results. For more information on Tara visit www.tarasbootcamp.com and for tips on health, nutrition, motivation and workouts visit her motivational sister site www.funfitmama.com