Valentine’s Day is in a few days Reader, and over the past week, I've been in the car while the radio station's morning show has been asking the hard-hitting journalistic questions like:

“What’s the worst Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?”

And honestly?

It unlocked a memory I had clearly tried to bury for 17 years.

So let me tell you a little story.

The Year of the Romantic… Spatulas.

It was our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple.

I was young(ish). Hopeful. Glowy.
​I thought maybe there would be flowers.​
Maybe chocolate.
​Maybe something mildly sparkly.

Instead?

I opened a box.

And inside was…

A signature set of Rachel Ray spatulas.

Spatulas.

A set - meaning not just one. Multiple.

Bright. Cheerful. Optimisticly orange spatulas.

I know they were good quality. I know they were cute to look at. I know they could have flipped the best pancakes.

But I do not like the kitchen.

Back then? Didn’t like it.
Now? Still don’t like it.

I am not flipping anything.
Not flapjacks.
Not omelettes.
Not world-class Sunday brunch for my beloved.

I don’t know what Marks envisioned — me whipping up gourmet pancakes at sunrise in a cloud of domestic bliss? (Pardon. No.)

It felt less like, “You are the love of my life,”​
and more like, “Please make me something flippable.”

(He will never live this down)

And the thing is — he genuinely thought it was practical. Helpful. Encouraging, even.

Which is basically the theme of long-term love, isn’t it?

Not roses.
Not grand gestures.
But showing up.
Again and again.
In slightly misguided, practical ways.

And that is where this gets interesting...

Because Valentine’s Day Is a Lot Like Health.

Some people love it.
Some people roll their eyes so hard they see their brain.

Some people go all in — reservations, roses, prix fixe menus and heart-shaped everything.

And some people panic-buy gas station chocolate at 6:47 pm. (We do not judge. We observe.)

But here’s the thing.

Love that lasts 17 years?
It’s not built on one big dramatic day.

It’s built on the small stuff.

The repeatable stuff.
The unglamorous stuff.
The “we’re tired but we’re still in this” stuff.

And so is your health.

Not a detox.
Not a 30-day shred.
Not cutting carbs because someone on the internet said so. (although I do have a GF story to share in the coming weeks)

But simple. Doable. Repeatable.

The kind you can do while you’re:

Driving to hockey.
Finishing that work deadline.
Reheating coffee for the third time.
And occasionally eating chocolate on Valentine’s Day like a sane human.

Because we are not here to obsess about things that do not matter.

We are here to create the health you deserve — without drama and most certainly without chaos.

You do not need drama. You need consistency.

You need “I can do this for life.”

Now; back to Speaking of Love…(and Valentine's plans) (because I couldn't come up with a better segue)

If you’re local, we may not have roses.

But we do have Borscht at the cafe.

Because it’s beet red and that’s the closest we could get to the colour of love without food colouring and regret.

Our Valentine specials line-up include:

• Borscht
• Turkey & brie panini on our homemade sunshine bread
• Hot chocolate with strawberry cold foam (our first time attempting cold foam and… she lives!)
• A shortbread heart cookie dipped halfway in chocolate with the prettiest sprinkles you’ve ever seen
• Valentine’s cards. Mittens. Mugs. Cinnamon bun mixes. Biscuit mixes. CAFFEINE!

Basically, the perfect “oh shoot I forgot” gifts.

If you suddenly realize Valentine’s Day is in 48 hours and you’ve done absolutely nothing?

We’re here to help. (unlike the spatulas)

And Because I Love You… Here’s a Ridiculously Simple Valentine’s Recipe

No link.
No 9-step process.
No mystery ingredients you can't pronounce.

Just this:

3-Ingredient Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Cups

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 handful chopped strawberries
• 2 squares melted dark chocolate

Stir yogurt + strawberries.
Spoon into cute little bowls. (Rachel Ray bowls perhaps?)​
Drizzle melted chocolate on top.
Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt if you’re feeling bold.

Done.

Protein. Sweet. Balanced. Feels fancy. Took five minutes.

This is what we do.

We keep it simple.
We keep it doable.
We keep it delicious.

Because your life is already full. You do not need more complicated rules about what you should and shouldn't be doing.

You need habits that quietly stack up while you’re out living your life.

That’s how you boost your energy.
That’s how you feel like yourself again.
That’s how you thrive in midlife and walk into your 50s thinking,

“Oh. This? I can do this.”

Not because of one dramatic gesture.

But because you showed up.
Again and again.
In the most unsexy, yet powerful way possible.

That’s real love.

And honestly?

That’s hotter than a set of spatulas.

Nat - your Rachel Ray spatula set owner 💌

P.S. If you needed to hear the 'your health should be simple' message and want to know how you can make it happen in your life, hit reply and type "I WANT SIMPLE".

Make this the easiest 3 words of your day!

P.S.S. Tell me your worst Valentine's gift! I'm curious.