Recognized fitness and nutrition expert Andrew Flach, author of Combat Fat! (Hatherleigh Press), offers some non-traditional ways to heat up your Valentine's Day!

1. Start the day with strawberries.
   Colorful and oh-so-romantic, strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which bolsters the immune system. Serve them with low-fat fruit yogurt and a cup of green tea instead of coffee. Green tea contains powerful blood-thinning agents called flavonoids, which can reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots by 60 percent.

2. Take a yoga class together.
   Yoga refreshes, relaxes and restores. It increases strength and flexibility. Enthusiasts even claim yoga positively affects your love life! So what are you waiting for?

3. Give (and get) a massage.
   Stock up on a bottle of fragrant massage oil infused with jasmine. Jasmine is a relaxing and alluring scent. Rub those achy shoulders and backs.

   

4. Get away for a healthy weekend.
   Rather than stay at home, venture to a quiet and cozy bed and breakfast or spa where you can spend Saturday and Sunday hiking, cross-country skiing or mountain biking.

5. Spice it up in the kitchen,
   Cook a delicious low-fat, low-calorie meal together. Experiment with healthy cuisine from around the world. Add some real spice, too! Onions, garlic and ginger are rich in compounds that destroy viruses and bacteria.

6. Indulge in a glass of red wine.
   Rather than beer or other alcoholic beverages, opt for a glass of red wine. Red wine is rich with antioxidants called phenolics, and red wine drinkers have a 50 percent lower risk of diabetes.

7. Single? Take a group exercise class.
   Exercise classes are not only very motivating, they are a great way to meet new friends who share a common interest in exercise and health. Treat yourself to new workout attire while you're at it.

   

8. Buy your soul mate a new pair of running shoes.
   Over time running shoes wear down. The soles no longer act as shock absorbers, and the shock gets passed along to your bones and joints. A brand new pair of running shoes are a welcome fitness gift and will help prevent injuries.

9. Go dancing!
   That's right, dancing is a great way to burn calories together. Try the twist, the foxtrot or – if you are daring – the tango, the most romantic of all dances. Want more? Dancing can burn over 300 calories per hour.

10. Whatever you do, don't forget a Valentine's card.
    While non-traditional ideas are great fun and can be healthy too, don't put yourself under needless stress by forgetting to give your special someone a Valentine's Day card! Love can be a tonic for all of life's challenges, so don't take it for granted.

Want to see more?

• Fitting Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule
• Be Good to Your Valentine: Foods That Say "I Love You!"
• Poetry on a Plate: Valentine's Dinner for Less Than $6
• Talk about it!