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Many schools have started to implement wellness policies and no longer allow sweets to be shared at school.  While many people are in mourning over this decision, others rejoice.  After all, school IS a place for learning, which can be difficult to accomplish on a sugar high.

In the meantime, Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, and many parents are in a tailspin as they try to figure out what to prepare for classroom holiday parties.  I thought I’d offer up a few healthy options that are so delicious that the kids won’t feel as if they are missing out (on the chalky candy hearts of our childhood!).

For starters, some treats are easy to prepare and to share with a crowd:

• Pop a fresh batch of popcorn in a pot on your stove, or in an old fashioned air popper.  Toss with parmesan cheese, salt or cinnamon sugar.
• Fresh seasonal fruits can be sliced and easily distributed.  Or, you can make little fruit kabobs.  To save money, use fruits that are in season this time of year and try to avoid ones that have traveled from a distant country.

Some recipes, like the ones below, are delicious and festive – perfect to share with a class full of students trying to avoid catching cooties on Valentine’s Day!  Both of these recipes are really fun to make – don’t forget to call your kids into the kitchen to help you!

Breadstick Hearts

Ingredients:

1 package refrigerated breadstick dough
Any of the following toppings (to suit your young chef’s personal taste):

• Freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Cinnamon sugar
• Red crystalized sugar

Directions:

1. Wash your hands and tie back long hair.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Take a piece of the breadstick dough and shape into a small heart.  For a larger heart, twist the ends of two pieces of dough together.
4. Sprinkle the dough with any of the above toppings of your choice.
5. Bake according to the package directions, or until golden brown.
6. Share with your loved ones!

I LOVE Roll-Ups!

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat or flour tortilla
Cream cheese
Strawberry jam

Directions:

1. Wash your hands and tie back long hair.
2. Place the tortilla in front of you on a clean work surface.
3. With a spoon, place a scoop of cream cheese on the tortilla.  Spread it evenly with a dinner or plastic knife.
4. With a clean spoon, scoop out a spoonful of strawberry jam onto the tortilla.  Spread it evenly on top of the cream cheese.
5. Roll up the tortilla and slice into 1 inch thick pieces.
6. Serve to the one you love.

P.S.  My after school cooking students can’t wait for class on Friday – we are currently doing a “Recipes from Books and Movies” series… We’ll be making Hermione Granger’s Love Potion Soup!