One for the Gals

The month of February is comprised of 28 opportunities to show love to yourself and those around you. Whether or not you're celebrating Valentine's or Galentine's, use this month to show yourself the love. Self love isn't always meditating or positive affirmations or gym appointments or meal prepping... sometimes self love is eating the damn cookie and scream-singing with your best friends. This month I encourage everyone to create and show love, to yourself, to your roommate, to the cashier at Target. Everyone deserves kindness.

That being said, here's how to absolutely kill a Galentine's day party and show your gals you truly are the hostess with the most-est.

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MOST IMPORTANT GALENTINE'S DAY FOOD GROUP?

CHOCOLATE (and cheese)

How do I celebrate every holiday, bad day, or Sunday afternoon? Snack boards! Valentine’s day is no different.

I followed my usual plan for making a snack board. I chose my snacks and treats ahead of time and went grocery shopping to find the largest quantities of each snack for the cheapest possible price. I began by washing all of my fruit, pre-cutting all of the produce and treats into small, bite-sized pieces, and filling small jars and ramekins with dips.

Step-by-step:

For this board I chose to use red colored fruit (strawberries, cranberries, and grapes), heart-shaped snacks, and valentines colored treats. For meats and cheeses I made sure to pick cheese that matched the flavor of chocolate and other sweet things so there were no obvious flavor clashings. I chose brie and gouda as they are both on the more buttery side as opposed to strong flavors like cheddar and pepperjack. Salami and pepperoni paired great with these cheeses as an added bite to cut the sweetness.

I got extra fancy with this board, I cut the brie into a heart shape to make it the showstopper of the board, and I also created a rose out of the salami slices. I did this by layering the slices over the edge of a wine glass (thanks to TikTok for this).

Grocery List:

• Berries and grapes

• Cheese (brie and smoked gouda)

• Meats (salami and pepperoni slices)

• Sweet treats (valentines candies and treats in the clearance isle

• Fig jam

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COCKTAILS FOR THE GIRLS:

For those of us of legal drinking age, here are some awesome galentine’s day themed cocktails to start the party.

Lovely Mule

-Ingredients -

1 oz per drink made of Raspberry vodka (I used Smirnoff)

1.5 oz per drink made Lime juice

Cranberry juice

Ginger beer

-How to-

Throw everything into a shaker with some ice, serve chilled

Pomegranate Peach Sangria

-Ingredients-

1-2 oz per drink made Pomegranate juice

Half of a bottle makes 3-4 drinks - Red or white wine (we used peach moscato)

Strawberries

*optional* flavored or plain vodka 1 oz per drink made

-How to-

Mix ingredients into large pitcher or serving bowl and top with strawberries

Allow to sit for a least 30 minutes before serving

Pretty Pink Margarita

-Ingredients-

1 oz per drink made of Tequila (I used silver)

Strawberries

1.5 oz per drink made of Lime juice

Sparkling water or Sprite

-How to-

Rim a glass with salt

Pour in all ingredients and serve over ice

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AFFIRMATIONS FOR GIRL BADASS-ERY

Galentines day is an opportunity to celebrate the badassery that is being a woman. There is to be no talk of men or boys! Have a night with your girls filled with good food, great booze, and stupid romantic comedies.

When in doubt, scream I Am by Yung Baby Tate until the message renders.

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"I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am rich, I am that bitch

I am gonna go get that bag and I am not gonna take your shit

I am protected, well respected, I'm a queen, I'm a dream

I do what I wanna do and I'm who I wanna be

'Cause I am me"

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Powerful women support women! Happy Love month!