Candy-Free Valentine's Day

Sustainably Sadie

Candy-Free Valentine’s Day

Well, Christmas went away and immediately Valentine’s Day paraphernalia hit the store shelves.  Granted, not as pervasive as Christmas; it seems as soon as one holiday passes the next one is immediately in your face.  Since Halloween, it has been one big candy and treat roller coaster.  For those of us trying to stay healthy, the appropriately-colored, tinfoil-covered treats that match the hues of the season are a damning temptation.  And as parents, at some point the constant diet of sugar, sugar, sugar becomes worrisome.  Even the yogurt that I give my 3 year old has sugar listed as the second ingredient—and I thought it was so healthy.  It seemed appropriate to jump off the sugar train for one holiday and try for a Candy-Free Valentine’s Day.  Now I just have to stay away from Pinterest so I can avoid the temptation of trying out a batch of new Valentine’s sweet eats.     

Treat the special lady in your life to fresh flowers, a house plant, dinner out, a special bottle of wine, or maybe a pedicure/ manicure from a local stylist and help her keep to her diet resolutions.  Put together a Man Basket filled with his favorite beer/ spirits, jerky and superhero flick to watch together on Date Night.  For the kiddos, I hit up the Dollar Store to pick up shape bracelets and glow sticks.  Pinterest has lots of great ideas for putting together Candy-Free Valentine’s for kids and teachers.  You could also do crayons, markers, and coloring books; new reading books; flashlight; and other small toys…like plastic bugs for your “Love Bugs.”   

Handmade cards are budget-friendly and a sweet way to show the people in your life that you care.  Even if kids aren’t in the picture, you can take a few minutes being creative with crayons, water color paints, and cardstock.  It will be healthy break from reality that could score some major points when your sweetie opens your lovingly crafted card.  Glitter hearts on rocks, a few candles and a special meal and this Valentine’s Day will be memorable, budget-friendly and diet-friendly. 

Create a new Go-To Valentine’s Day sentiment and share your sustainable successes at the blog, www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com or better yet comment at the new Sustainably Sadie Facebook page and remember to *Like* the page to follow along on Facebook.  Thanks for reading and I look forward to conversing with you about all topics sustainable!

Twin Bits

As part of the Big Read project, there will be a Twin Bridges Book Club/ community discussion of Willa Cather’s book, My Antonia, at the MT Room at TBS, Monday Feb. 11 at 7 pm.  Mrs. Kelly Downing’s sophomore class is participating in the discussion and there will be pizza.  Please contact Mary Beth Walsh (mwalsh@rubyvalleybank.com) so she can have a head count for pizza. 

From TBS Calendar:

Wed Feb 6:  Elementary Spelling Bee @ MT Room, 1 pm; Booster Club Mtg @ MT Room, 6 pm

Thurs Feb 7:  Elementary Dental Screening; Jv BB @ Dillon, BG, 6 pm

Fri Feb 8:  State Wrestling @ Billings; BB w/ Lima @ Home, BG, 5:30 pm, Senior Night!

Sat. Feb 9:  State Wrestling @ Billings; JrHi BBB 2 West Yellowstone tourney; BB @ Sheridan, 4 pm, BGBG

Mon Feb 11:  JrHi BBB @ Cardwell, 4 pm; Big Read Discussion @ MT Room, 7 pm

Tues. Feb. 12:  Motivational Speaker Jerry Traylor @ Multi-Purpose Gym, 10 am

Thurs Feb 14:  VFW Mtg @ MT Room, 7:30 pm; FCCLA Valentine’s Day Balloon Sale

Feb 13-15:  District Basketball tournaments, Boys & Girls @ Butte MAC

Mon Feb 18:  No School, President’s Day

Tues Feb 19:  JrHi BBB @ Ennis, 4 pm; School Board Mtg @ MT Room, 7 pm

Sat Feb 23:  FFA attending State

Feb. 20- 23:  Divisional Basketball tournaments, Boys & Girls @ Hamilton

Wed Feb 27:  Spring Picture Day; Madison County Spelling Bee @ Alder Community Center

Feb 28- March 2:  State Girls’ Basketball Tournament @ Belgrade

March 7- March 9:  State Boys’ Basketball Tournament @ Bozeman 

I am here to promote activities and events in the Ruby Valley.  Please contact me at the above Sustainably Sadie address, call me at 684-5222 or snail mail: P.O. Box 491, 59754.