Celebrate a fun Valentine's Day with your partner! But how? As this celebration continues year after year, you may run out of ideas. If you want something different from roses and chocolates, this list can help!

1. Bookstore Date

Bookworms will surely love the idea of going to the bookstore, checking out the new releases, and picking out a book your significant other might love reading.

2. Write A Bucket List

What are the things you want to accomplish this year as a couple? It can be as simple as going to the gym together, getting a dog, or finally owning that dream house.

3. Cook Together

Instead of ordering food or eating out, why not cook your meals together or have a cook-off? You can bake cookies or whip up a dinner menu.

4. Breakfast In Bed

Breakfast made with love and served on the bed is the perfect way to start the day.

5. Recreate Your First Date

Take a moment to relive your first date, from the location to the outfits you wore, and even how weird you acted. It is also the perfect time to propose if you have plans.

6. Write A Love Letter

Put your love into words your partner can read over and over again. It’ll be a special keepsake, a reminder of your love for each other.

7. Attend A Concert

Do you have a similar passion for a band or singer, and they are performing near you? Grab two tickets and make it a date night idea!

Whatever ideas you plan on using in this list, the fact that you prepared it with your partner in mind is enough to make Valentine’s Day romantic and memorable.

A new year's resolution list is relatively easy to make, but fulfilling everything on the list proves to be the most challenging. If you want to break from the cycle of failing your resolutions every year, you should know how to fire up your motivation and never give up when faced with obstacles. This sounds easier said than done.

We all have different goals from stabilizing our personal growth and adopting healthier habits to focusing on our happiness. Whatever you plan to achieve this year is doable if you believe in yourself. But that alone is often not enough to follow through with what we have written on our list.

For starters, have realistic and measurable goals. Once that is settled, you can proceed with planning to make it happen. Have self-control, discipline, and patience. Invest time and effort in your goals. Prioritize and expect some discomfort along the way. It takes time for new routines to become habits, approximately 66 days.

Science-Backed Approaches to Keeping Your Resolutions

Expressing your will over your intentions is the key to making your New Year's resolutions a reality.

• Lessen The Stress- When we are stressed, it created a barrier to self-discipline which results in comprised intentions.
• Do Self-talk- Your inner voice can wield powerful self-control.
• Exercise Regularly- Increased blood flow to the frontal lobe from exercising is associated with higher-level cognitive function and executive functioning.
• Tell Someone- They can offer you support while holding you accountable for your goals.
• Empathize- Demonstrating empathy motivates self-control and motivates a change in behavior.

Change takes time. When you fail, be forgiving and gentle with yourself. You can always get back on your feet and start again. Be persistent!

Do you read ingredient labels? Polydimethylsiloxane, Propylene glycol, Azodicarbonamide, etc. The list goes on and on. You’re not sure exactly what they are, but it’s a pretty safe bet some of them shouldn't be part of a healthy diet.

If you’re like many people who want to avoid eating things they can’t pronounce, here are 4 tips to help you live and eat better:

1. When shopping at the grocery store, stick to the perimeter.  Fresh produce, meats, and dairy tend to be on the outer aisles of the store. Once you venture into the center areas of the store, where prepackaged foods are, the choices are not nearly as healthy.

2. Consider additives carefully.  While the Food & Drug Administration has approved additives, many people have adverse reactions to them. Some of the likely culprits include olestra, aspartame, artificial colors and flavors, monosodium glutamate, saccharin, sodium nitrate, sulfites, cyclamate, caffeine, BHA, BHT and acesulfame-potassium. Save the list to your phone, or print a list to consult at the store.

3. Don’t fall prey to thinking cheap can’t be healthy.  Dried beans, rice, old-fashioned oats, canned tuna and salmon, popcorn, frozen vegetables, and canned tomatoes are all healthy choices that are not very expensive.

4. Be choosy.  When in doubt, look at the labels. Choose the product with the shortest ingredient list.

Here’s to healthy… and pronounceable… dining. 

Whether you’re a dedicated weekend warrior or just decided to check out the free trial membership offer at the local gym, working out can be a great way to improve your quality of life. But along with the benefits come a few pitfalls. Here are some of the most common workout mistakes, and how you can avoid them:

1)  Doing the same workout routine every day.  You can avoid boredom by changing up your fitness routine. You need to rest overused muscles, so focus on different muscles on different days and add new exercises, too.

2)  Using the machines incorrectly.  If you are just copying what the other people are doing, you could cause yourself unnecessary pain, and end up wasting a lot of time. Invest in a trainer to show you how to exercise effectively and efficiently.

3)  You’re all about the cardio.  If you’re trying to lose weight, you need to add resistance training to increase your metabolic rate. Lifting weights in addition to your cardio training will help you burn calories 24 hours a day.

4)  Exercising on an empty stomach. Like a car needs gas to go, you need energy to fuel your workout. Some pre-workout food suggestions: a granola or protein bar, an apple and string cheese, or a slice of wheat bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

5)  Who needs to warm up?  You do! Warming up raises the body heat and prepares the ligaments and tendons for work.

Exercise can be a great part of achieving better health. Exercising the right way can help you keep up that healthy lifestyle.

With the start of every New Year, we all hope there's a healthy new us just around the corner. Instead of finding the same old us two or three months from now, here are a few things we can do differently this year:

• Document everything. Start a journal. Make a chart. Take pictures of yourself. If you can see evidence of the progress you're making, you'll be more encouraged.

• Start small. If a task is too big, it can overwhelm us. Make small specific goals, like “I will substitute water for two sodas.”

• Be prepared. Don't give yourself any reasons why you can't keep on track. Keep the gym shoes and clothes ready to go. Have healthy snacks in the fridge. Keep a list of alternatives to smoking on hand.

• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep loss can cause increased weight gain, along with other health problems. If you're giving up nicotine, extra sleep may help with the withdrawal.

• Exercise! Exercise helps control appetite! Exercise helps with stress! It keeps you warm when it's cold outside! Your body will release endorphins and you will be happy! Just keep repeating these things to yourself!

• Get help if you need it. Professional personal trainers can help set up a meal plan and exercise regimen specific for you and your daily schedule. Smokers can get free advice and counseling by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Don't give up. Most people give up on their New Year resolutions within 4 weeks. Try to stick with your plan for at least 6-12 weeks. If you aren't getting the results you wanted, re-evaluate your program and start again!

Does it feel like you are missing something in your life? Do you find yourself feeling listless or bored? It's important for each of us to feel like our lives mean something, that we were put on this planet for some sort of purpose.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" 

In 1994, Congress designated the third Monday in January each year as Martin Luther King Jr Day, a national day of service. The MLK Day of Service is an excellent time to seek out a volunteer opportunity that could add purpose to your life.

How to get started? Visit the AmeriCorps MLK Day website. Scroll to learn more and find volunteer activities in your area. There are such a wide variety of services needed, and you are bound to find something that will appeal to you. If you've ever had a desire to try a second career, like teaching or baking, volunteering is a good way to get that experience. 

Helping others can help you find your purpose, and you'll find a reason to get up each day, to be happy and fulfilled.