For all of you who do not believe in celebrating Valentine's Day this year or any year because you think that it is a Hallmark holiday and has no history or tradition tied to it, here is a tidbit of information for you. Early Romans made their love connections at fertility festivals held in mid-February. And February 14 has been designated St. Valentine's Day since the fifth century (498 A.D. to be exact), when Pope Gelasius declared it such. (RealSimple.com & History.com)
So, if you happen to change your mind and want to do something good for yourself or someone else on Valentine's Day, get some chocolate. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease.
Moral of this story: Prevent heartbreak and heart disease by celebrating St. Valentine's Day.
