So why is it that on a day we celebrate things of the heart, we eat food that is so, so bad for your heart?

I say we start a revolution, a culture change! Let’s start a new tradition of eating heart-healthy foods on Valentine’s Day! Who’s with me?

First dish to make: Heart Beet Salad. (See how I did that – Heart. Beet.)

Beets are amazingly good for you. They have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification benefits in abundance. They are full of betanins, which have been known to reduce heart disease and certain cancers, especially colon cancer. Some believe that regular consumption of beets is what causes Russia to have such a large centenarian population. Why WOULDN’T you feed your sweetheart beets on Valentine’s Day? We want our sweethearts to live long, healthy lives, don’t we?

Here’s how easy this one is:

Roast whole beets on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for about an hour, until they are fork tender. Let them cool.

Slice the beets into slices that are a little thicker than 1/4 inch thick. Using heart shaped cookie cutters, cut out some hearts out of the beet slices. Place on a serving plate.

Take fresh Mozzarella (if you’re doing Whole30 eating, use slices of jicama.) and cut it into slices that are little thicker than 1/4 inch thick. Cut out smaller heart shapes. Press the Mozzarella hearts into the beet juices that are left on your cutting board, turning the slices slightly pink. Place these hearts on the beet hearts.

Cut out tiny hearts out of cucumber and scatter on top. Scatter nuts on top – I used roasted hazelnuts.

Drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Other bloggers do beet salads:

Warm Braised Beet Salad, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Girl Gone Gourmet
Grapefruit Beet Salad, Sunday Suppers