A DIY valentine gift basket does not have to be full of sugary sweets and calories. This is a gift basket with cheap, healthy food in an eco friendly lace basket.

Show your love by filing a valentine basket with healthy food instead of the usual sugary sweets. There are plenty of pink and red natural foods to choose from. Start with Himalania Pink Salt. Its rich mineral content gives it a speckled pink color.

 Buy the coarse version in a glass jar with a picture of the Himalayas that's ready for gift giving ($10.99). Get a container of any red tea such as Safari Sunset from the Republic of Tea. It's sold at Whole Foods and other supermarkets for a suggested retail price of $10.84 for 36 bags in an attractive canister ready for gift giving. There's no need to skip the chocolate all together. Get unsweetened, organic drinking chocolate from Dagoba in a 12 ounce canister. Your valentine can use it with coffee, yogurt, soymilk and more. ($11.95 at dagobachocolate.com). Add in some red fruits and vegetables like apples, pomegranates, and a jar of sundried tomatoes. Here is a website that you should check for more information on healthy articles.

Be good to the environment while you're being good to yourself with healthy food. Use a basket or container you already have around the house or one that can be recycled. If you don't have a basket on hand, the Container Store now has Lace Shopping Baskets that are perfect for the occasion. They're made out of polypropylene with the look of crocheted lace and come in black or white. They're about 9 inches high, 17 inches long, and 11 inches wide. When Valentine's Day is over, you can use them for shopping or remove the strap for an attractive storage bin. ($24.99)

No matter what container you choose, you can make an attractive presentation without creating a lot of disposable garbage. Get food items in canisters and jars that won't need additional wrapping. Pick up some postcards at museum gift shops with appropriate images of lovers and romantic settings, and add them to your basket for decorations. You can leave them blank for future use. For Valentine's Day, you can get cinnamon sticks and wrap them in bundles with red ribbons for a gift basket that smells as good as it looks.

This DIY valentine gift basket will make healthy food look good for you and your valentine.