In January many of us made resolutions to develop a healthier lifestyle but who said healthy eating has to be boring?  Start by adding lots of colorful fruits and veggies to your daily diet and switch to lower fat dairy products. 

If you want to show your loved ones how much you really care this Valentine’s Day, prepare this delicious, heart-healthy meal.  Take care of your heart and your sweetheart’s!

Pan-Seared Salmon with Pepper-Pineapple Salsa
Makes 4 servings

Red Pepper-Pineapple Salsa:
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
2 T. minced red onion
½ jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 T. Meijer honey
1 T. chopped fresh mint

Salmon:
4 (6 oz.) salmon fillets
½ t. lemon pepper
2 t. chopped fresh chives
Sea salt

1.  In a medium bowl combine bell pepper, pineapple, onion, jalapeno pepper, honey and mint.  Set aside for flavors to blend.
2. Season fillets with lemon pepper, chives and sea salt to taste.  Coat a nonstick grill pan or sauté pan with nonstick olive oil cooking spray and place over medium-high heat.
3. Arrange fillets in pan and cook 4 minutes per side or until fillets flake easily with a fork.  Remove fillets to a serving platter and serve with salsa.

Nutrition information per serving:  300 calories, 19g carbohydrate, 11g fat, 34g protein, 2g fiber, 101mg cholesterol, 122mg sodium

Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Dill
Makes 6 servings

2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, washed, unpeeled, cut into quarters
¾ cup Meijer 2% milk
2 t. Meijer butter
4 green onions, minced
2 T minced fresh dill
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. Place potatoes in a large pot and generously cover with water.  Bring to boiling.  Reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
2. Meanwhile, combine milk and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Set aside. 
3. Drain potatoes and return to pot.  Gently mash potatoes with a fork or potato masher while slowly adding warm milk mixture.
4. Mash in green onions, dill, and salt and pepper to taste; combine well and serve.

Nutrition information per serving:  153 calories, 29g carbohydrate, 2g fat, 5g protein, 2g fiber, 7mg cholesterol, 57mg sodium

Bittersweet Chocolate Dip with Fresh Fruit
Makes 4 servings

6 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate
¼ t. Meijer cinnamon
1 t. instant coffee
¼ cup strong brewed coffee
2 cups assorted fruit (strawberries, raspberries, apple wedges, banana chunks, pineapple chunks, and pear wedges)

1. Combine chocolate, cinnamon and instant coffee in a small heatproof bowl.  Place over a saucepan half filled with water.  Bring water to boiling; reduce heat to a simmer.  Heat until chocolate is melting.
2. As the chocolate melts, slowly stir in brewed coffee; whisk until smooth.  Transfer chocolate mixture to a small crock to keep warm as a dip for the fruit.

Nutrition information per serving:  253 calories, 32g carbohydrate, 18g fat, 3g protein, 4g fiber, 0mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium