Valentine's Day is here, and although you're dressed in red and have sent the obligatory card to Great-Aunt Mildred, you're missing one thing: a valentine. The Daily Cardinal knows that there is no better way to spend a lonely Valentine's Day than pigging out on comfort food. Here are some great foods that will fill the emptiness of your heart and stomach.
Brownies
It may seem that everyone you know is being smothered with roses and teddy bears, but you can have something better than a hot date and cheesy presents: chocolate. You may look slightly pathetic buying yourself a box of Fannie May's, but you can't go wrong with some delicious homemade brownies.??Any of the boxed varieties requiring the least amount of baking knowledge are your best bet, such as Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix, which only costs $1.75.
Now you may already be deep in the Valentine's Day slump and think that brownies are no match for romantic evening with someone you love. But brownies and a significant other are actually quite similar. Both make you feel all warm inside. Both will cuddle with you on the couch. And, both give you sweet lovin' at the end of the night.
Okay, so maybe a hot date would be a slightly better companion than a batch of fresh brownies this Valentine's Day, but brownies are a much better option than sitting at home alone. So run out to the grocery store and buy a box or two. Your heart, and your stomach, will be happy.
Ice Cream
It will entice and tempt with a deep and intense first impression, leading you on with velvety good looks and taste. And all while being so incredibly smooth. We're talking about ice cream, not your significant other, and it's exactly the kind of treatment you've earned after a week of demanding classes.
Starbucks Low-Fat Latte ice cream, $4.89 per quart, delivers just that. If you're a coffee lover, then this is one cream you can't skip out on. The heavenly melt-in-your-mouth taste of ice cream combined with the rich and creamy flavor of a Starbucks latte is unspeakably delicious. This low-fat treat is loaded with intense flavor, and has only 170 calories per half cup with three grams of fat.
But, the grocer's freezer isn't the only place to find frozen treats. One dessert can be whipped up in a blender right at home. Try this recipe for \The Crowded Van Through Georgia"" which is a silky blend of chocolate, bananas, milk and ice cream that can be sipped delicately or eaten with a spoon. Just blend half of one banana, two tablespoons of chocolate syrup, one-half cup of milk and three scoops of vanilla ice cream until smooth. Top with whipped cream, and savor your reward!
Hot Dogs and Macaroni
As you sit alone and single on the worst holiday ever created by evil greeting card companies, let your mind drift back to the time when having a boyfriend or girlfriend was considered to be ""yucky.""
As you let these memories soothe your loneliness, you should cook yourself up a childhood favorite, macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. Try cooking up a classic dog from Oscar Mayer ($3.99 for 10), then make your mac in a jiffy with Kraft's Easy Mac ($3.55 for a six-pack). Sink even further into childhood bliss and cut up the hot dogs and mix it all together. And if you're a ketchup person, go ahead and pour it on.
What kind of fancy Valentine's Day dinner could possibly beat that creamy goodness of cheesy macaroni and oh-so-sinful hot dogs? This meal won't burn a hole in your pocket and you won't have to worry about if you have to split the bill. So, now that you're completely satisfied with being unattached on Valentine's Day, grab your old Care Bears sleeping bag, curl up on the couch and enjoy watching some cartoons.
