by Chrishonda Brown
Strawberries are the perfect Valentine’s Day fruit. Shaped like hearts in the symbolic red of love and romance, it’s no wonder strawberries are conventionally known as a natural aphrodisiac. But strawberries can boost your health as well as your romance.
Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, boosts the immune system and protects cells from oxidative damage.
Iodine boosts thyroid health, supporting production of thyroid hormones. It also regulates metabolism and promotes strong hair, nails, skin and teeth.
Manganese keeps your nervous system and reproductive system healthy, helps your body break down nutrients and stabilizes blood glucose levels.
Strawberries can also be eaten many different ways. Dark chocolate strawberry dips are a fun tradition for family Valentine’s Day. Simply melt the chocolate and take turns dipping the strawberries. It’s a great way to add a little more fruit into the family diet while celebrating how much you love each other.
Chrishonda Brown, M.S. in Kinesiology, is a guest columnist for Kansas State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County. For more recipes visit www.kidsacooking.org Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KSREWyco and follow us on Twitter @WyCoSnapEd.
Strawberry Sweetheart Bites
Makes: 24 sweetheart bites
4 six-inch whole wheat tortillas
4 Tablespoons strawberry cream cheese
4 Tablespoons strawberry jam
Directions:
Place 1 Tablespoon of cream cheese on each tortilla and spread to edge.
Spread 1 Tablespoon of strawberry jam down the middle of the tortilla.
Fold one end of the tortilla to the middle.
Roll the front edge of tortilla until completely closed.
Cut into 2-inch bites. Enjoy.
Nutritional information for each bite: 37 calories, 0.8g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 2mg cholesterol, 7g carbohydrates, 0.5g fiber, 27mg sodium, 0.8g protein, 0% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 1% calcium, 1% iron.
