There are so many restaurants out there that sometimes choosing where to go out for date night can feel overwhelming and overstimulating. This year, leave the stress outside and celebrate Valentine’s Day by cooking a romantic and delicious dinner right at home! Holistic Nutritionist Jordana Hart and Farm Boy have curated an exciting dinner date recipe that you can make in less than 30 minutes.
Read on for a look at the recipe that you can recreate yourself, and a fun Q&A with Jordana Hart as we chat all things wellness, Love Month, and date night of course!
Meet Jordana Hart
Jordana Hart is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and the entrepreneur behind I HART NUTRITION INC. with a social media following of over 150,000. Jordana has been practicing as a Nutritionist for 10+ years, and promotes attainable wellness to her clients and community. She is both a foodie and health nut and takes a balanced approach to health and wellness.
Finding it tough to balance your wellness practices with a relationship, new roommate, or busy lifestyle? Read on as we get the inside scoop from the expert!
datenight: To kick things off, can you share some wellness practices that couples can incorporate into their daily routines, especially those who are recently living together for the first time?
JH: Definitely! Here are a couple of suggestions:
Food focused – Establishing a regular at-home date night is a great way to nurture wellness together. You could whip up a healthy meal together or pick up something on the healthier side. The key? Spend at least 30 minutes eating together without any phone or TV distractions. It’s all about enjoying each other’s company and the food. Easy Farm Boy idea – grab yourself a premade rotisserie chicken, premade Farm Boy™ Fresh Tabouleh, tzatziki, and a premade salad. Easy, affordable, and delicious!
Quick Walks for the Win – We all get caught up in our routines, but squeezing in movement helps improve mental & physical health. Scheduling a quick 15-minute walk a couple of times a week is an easy win and a great way to spend a bit more quality time together. Whether it’s a stroll after dinner to help with digestion or a brisk walk first thing in the morning to kickstart your day, keep it to just 15 minutes.
Farm Boy is all about quality product for great value while providing exceptional customer service and a positive shopping experience when you enter its stores. How can couples make grocery shopping a fun date and opportunity for bonding?
JH: Start the process at home when you are relaxed! Dedicate 30 minutes on a Sunday morning, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down with a pen and paper. Start by jotting down your favourite foods, maybe even scroll through Instagram or Pinterest for some quick inspiration, and then put together your grocery list. Think of it as a cozy and relaxing activity, not just another chore. It’s all about enjoying the process together and making healthy choices as a team.
As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, how do you suggest couples balance their plates for a well-rounded and nutritious dinner date at home?
JH: Focus on incorporating the three macronutrients—fat, protein, and carbohydrates—alongside a generous serving of non-starchy vegetables. There’s no need to get caught up in weighing your food or counting calories. Simply choose one item from each category to keep things balanced and simple. For Protein, consider options like fish, chicken, tofu, or beef.
Fats can be included through olive oil, nuts & seeds, avocado, or pesto. Carbohydrates might come from sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa, pasta, or bread. And for Non-Starchy Veggies, think about adding a big green salad, roasted asparagus, or sautéed mushrooms to your plate
As someone who advocates for colourful and nutritious meals, what’s your go-to “date night” recipe that never fails to impress?
JH: Some type of salmon bowl is typically my go to! It’s an easy clean protein and I like to pair it with some type of carb and veggie. I am currently loving my almond crusted salmon with vegetable orzo and roasted asparagus. Comes together in less than 30 minutes and is a flavour bomb!
Superfoods, and other health trends, are all the rage and often people are left to wonder what’s *actually* the advice to pay attention to. What are some real superfoods and proven ‘hacks’ that people can easily incorporate into their weeknight meals when energy to cook just isn’t there.
JH: My best hack is to plan ahead. Having easy-to-assemble options at hand can be a lifesaver. Stock up on precooked proteins and carbs, and don’t forget pre-chopped veggies.
Next time you’re at Farm Boy, grab some pre marinated chicken souvlaki or shrimp. During meal prep, cook some of these proteins, along with staples like quinoa or sweet potatoes, and wash your greens ahead of time. This way, when you’re exhausted, you can whip up a balanced meal in just five minutes.
Another tip is to make a salad dressing in advance that you can enjoy when you’re in a pinch! Extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, a touch of honey, and salt & pepper is my go to!
We know you’re all about wellness, but we’re curious, do you have a not-so-guilty pleasure that you *must* enjoy on a cozy night in?
JH: I always have a stash of homemade healthy snickers in my freezer 😉 They are Medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter and flaky salt and dipped in dark chocolate. I keep them in the freezer and they are the perfect sweet treat! I love having these with tea or a glass of red wine from time to time.
And to finish off, for couples looking to shake up their routine, do you have an unconventional date idea that combines wellness and fun?
JH: I highly suggest a spa day that features saunas and cold plunges. It’s an exciting and rejuvenating experience that you both will love (check out Othership in Toronto!)
Bonus points if you begin the date with a homemade meal. This combination of wholesome dining and wellness-focused activities is perfect for recharging and connecting on a deeper level.
Ready for the recipe?
Farm Boy x IHart Valentine’s Day Dinner
Almond Crusted Salmon, Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo, and Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
Farm Boy has a variety of fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create a really impressive meal for a date. Jordana Hart has shared a unique and healthy dinner recipe that couples can try for a special date night!
The menu features a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to keep you and your date full and satisfied: Almond-Crusted Salmon, Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo, and Lemon Parmesan Asparagus.
Main: Almond Crusted Salmon
The almond-crusted Salmon is restaurant quality, and full of healthy protein and healthy fat. Salmon is a powerhouse of nutrition!
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 portions (6-8 oz) Salmon
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Dijon Mustard (225 ml)
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 L)
- 2 tsp Farm Boy™ White Liquid Honey (500 g)
- 1 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (945 ml)
- Chili Flakes – a sprinkle
- 1 Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp almonds chopped
- 1 Tbsp parsley chopped
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and top with
salmon. Season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients
and pour on top of the salmon. Top with chopped almonds and parsley. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked to your liking.
Side Dish: Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
Asparagus is a tasty green full of antioxidants, Vitamin C and fibre. The ‘parmesan’ brings a zesty, umami flavour that compliments the asparagus perfectly.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
- 2 tsp Farm Boy™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 L)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup Farm Boy™ Vegan Parmesan-Style Shredded Cheese Alternative (200 g) grated
- 1/2 lemon
- Salt & pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the
asparagus on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over asparagus and sprinkle with salt,
garlic, parmesan, and salt & pepper. Bake for 12 minutes. Pair with Farm Boy™ Tzatziki
Side Dish #2: Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo
The vegetables provide a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre, which helps your digestion and maintain a healthy gut. The orzo offers a satisfying base, making this dish a balanced source of carbohydrates for energy.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup cooked orzo
- 1/2 cucumber halved
- 1 heaping cup parsley
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Farm Boy™ Pickled Roasted Red Peppers (500 ml) chopped
- 1/4 cup Farm Boy™ Goat Feta Cheese (200 g) crumbled
- 3 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 L)
- 2 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Prosecco Wine Vinegar (500 ml)
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt & Pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl!
Ready to cook Jordana Hart’s recipe for date night? Here is the full recipe and directions on Farm Boy for a healthy and delicious meal!
[Sponsored by Farm Boy]
Looking for restaurants to eat out on another day? Check out our Food & Drink section!
