Category — Valentine's Day

Can Cookies Boost Your Valentine’s Sexual Desire?
By Bonnie Lowe

Many people bake or buy cookies for Valentine’s Day because, with the help of heart-shaped cookie cutters and pink frosting, they look like the perfect romantic treats. But with the right ingredients, cookies can also be powerful aphrodisiacs!

An aphrodisiac (named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sex and beauty) is something that can supposedly awaken or intensify sexual desire. While the Food and Drug Administration says there is no scientific evidence that aphrodisiacs really work, happy couples have sworn by them for centuries.

Some assert that aphrodisiacs work because they ignite hormones and stimulate increased blood flow to erogenous zones.

Others believe that any food will arouse passion if it’s prepared or eaten by those with love on their mind.

Whether the boost in sexual desire that is triggered by an aphrodisiac is due to physiological or emotional reasons, it may be a powerful helper in getting your Valentine into the mood for love! 

Most people have heard that oysters are aphrodisiacs. But here are some others that you may want to consider:

Chocolate. Considered by many as one of the best mood stimulants ever discovered.  It not only has a rich, delicious flavor, chocolate contains phenethylamine, a natural stimulant that can make you feel wonderful all over.

Cinnamon. Sweet and stimulating, it may help to increase the blood flow.

Ginger. A flavorful spice used in Asia for centuries to enhance one’s love life.

Honey. Considered one of the ultimate love foods, honey was used by ancient Egyptians to cure sterility and impotence. The term “honeymoon” comes from the ancient custom where newly married couples would drink mead (honey wine) during their first lunar month together, to “sweeten the marriage.”

Nutmeg.  With an intense and exciting aroma, nutmeg is another spice highly prized by Asian cultures as a powerful aphrodisiac.

Nuts. Several varieties, including walnuts, almonds and macadamias, have been considered to be aphrodisiacs for centuries. In ancient Rome, walnuts were thrown at newlyweds instead of rice because they were symbols of fertility. 

Vanilla. The smell alone is thought to increase blood flow. Vanilla is especially enticing for men.

A great way to multiply the effect on your Valentine is to combine several of those aphrodisiac ingredients into one incredibly sexy treat: a cookie!

The following cookie recipes each contain five aphrodisiacs.
 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
(Aphrodisiacs: vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, nuts, chocolate)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon; gradually mix into the creamed mixture. Stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Cool on wire racks. Yield: 4 dozen cookies.
 

Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies
(Aphrodisiacs: honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, nuts)

Ingredients:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped white chocolate
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, buttermilk, shortening, honey, and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Stir in chocolate chips, chopped white chocolate and nuts. Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Cool for 4 minutes, and remove from cookie sheets. Yield: 2 dozen cookies.

Treat your Valentine to stimulating cookies like these, and you could  be making sweet love together in no time!

You can find these and other free, delicious and sexy cookie recipes at www.CookieCrazy.com.
 

About the Author

Bonnie Lowe is the cookie-crazy creator of http://www.Cookie-Crazy.com. Visit her site for free cookie recipes, articles, tips, critiques, resources and fun!

Technorati Tags: valentines cookie recipes, valentines cookies

Create Valentine’s Day Family Traditions
By Sheila Anderson

Often the fondest childhood memories stem from family traditions that were lovingly repeated throughout the years. Family traditions have family at the center of a celebration spending time together and creating lasting memories. If you don’t already have a family Valentine’s Day tradition, why not start one this year. It could be the beginning of many wonderful years of Valentine’s Day memories with your family.

A Valentine family tradition doesn’t have to be expensive. The main idea is to spend time with the family together. Here are some inexpensive ways you can start a Valentine’s Day family tradition in your family.

Make a Food Treat Together

Most people associate chocolates with Valentine’s Day, but how about making a different treat together that your family can share together. One fun treat you can make are Rice Krispies hearts. All you need is the basic Rice Krispies squares recipe, heart shaped cookie cutters and red sprinkles. Lightly grease the insides of the heart shaped cookie cutters and press some Rice Krispies squares mix into the cookie cutters. Then remove the cookies cutters and add the sprinkles. Repeat as needed with the rest of the mixture. It’s simple enough for young kids to help out.

Another simple idea is to bake a cake in a heart shaped cake mold. Make some red (or at least pink) icing and then the kids can decorate the top with sprinkles and heart shaped candies.

Play a Family Game

Games are a great way for families to interact with each other and have fun at the same time. Choose a favorite family game and have an enjoyable time together. Make sure that it is a game everyone enjoys so nobody feels frustrated or left out. It’s also fun to learn a new game together so the whole family is at the same level of expertise.

A card game that has hearts as the central theme is a good match for creating a Valentine’s Day family game time tradition. Capture the Hearts is a simple card game that the whole family can easily understand and play. The object of the game is to win as many hearts as possible. The only card knowledge required is to know the order of the cards.

Watch a Family Favorite Movie

The movie doesn’t have to be mushy and sentimental, as long as it is a movie that the whole family enjoys. It doesn’t even need to be a movie you’ve seen if it’s a movie that the whole family wants to see. Pop some popcorn, or eat some of the treats you’ve made for Valentine’s Day, and enjoy some time together.

Exchange Homemade Cards

Instead of shopping for cards try making cards at home. You’ll save money and have nice keepsakes. The cards can be as simple as folding a piece of paper and cutting out a heart with one straight edge of the heart along the fold. Write a customized message for each member of the family on a separate heart card for each. Encourage the other members of the family to do the same and you’ll have a nice time exchanging special heartfelt cards.

Holidays are very special to children and Valentine’s Day can be made even more memorable if you create your own family tradition. Your children may even use they traditions when they are grown with their own families.
About the Author

Sheila Anderson publishes a website called PrintActivities.com which features free printable worksheets, activity pages, coloring pages, puzzles and mazes for kids.

Technorati Tags: valentines day family traditions

A Valentine’s Dinner That’ll Knock His Socks Off
 by: Michaela Scherr

A few years ago I wanted to do something really special for my husband on Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want anything in return, only that the evening was fun and enjoyable, and that was how it turned out.

The look on my Valentine’s face when he came home for dinner was priceless and shall remain with me forever. I’d never seen his eyes or smile so wide!

I’d like to share this special Valentine’s Dinner with you now, it had the effect I wanted including an evening filled with laughter and great conversation.

What you’ll need:

A white table cloth

Approximately 20 silver balloons

Silver ribbon for the balloons

Selection of white candles of differing shapes and sizes (unscented)

Several sheets of red cardboard (thin enough to cut)

Blu-Tack or other safe, removal adhesive

White platter for prawns (substitute if you prefer something else)

Small white plates

Ice and lemons for prawn platter

Two servings of French Fries

Seafood sauce for dipping

Bowl for prawn shells

Finger bowl with lemon slices (to wash fingers when peeling prawns)

Red paper napkins

Forks

Small Gold Stars

Ornamental opaque glass pebbles

Small posy of flowers (in case he forgets)

Small vase

Aromatherapy oil burner

Aphrodisiac essential oils of rose, jasmine and mandarin

Cool, sensual music (soul music is great)

Setting the mood and table

Blow up all balloons, tie with silver ribbon around chairs, ceiling, anywhere in the area you’ll be dining.

Cut out as many love hearts as possible from the red cardboard and stick with blu-Tack (or other safe adhesive – read instructions first) wherever you can and where you can easily removable it.

To set the mood place water in your aromatherapy oil burner and add some aphrodisiac essential oils; add 3 drops rose; 3 drops jasmine; and 5 drops mandarin. Light the tea light candle approximately 30 minutes before arrival.

Put tablecloth on table.

Using panache strategically group some candles together at one end of table.

Always use caution with lit candles – never leave the room unattended when burning candles, this applies to aromatherapy oil burners.

Strategically place the remaining candles around the room. (I loathe being a killjoy but please ensure candles are not close to any flammable objects)

Position large white platter in centre of table; shell bowl next to platter then finger bowl with lemon slices.

Place red napkins and fork on top of smaller plates and positioned where you’ll be sitting.

Bring out vase and flowers.

Place opaque glass pebbles around candle display on table and several around white prawn platter.

Sprinkle a small amount of gold stars on table for effect.

His gift:

A selection of fine chocolates
Bottle of red wine
2 red wine glasses
Red ribbon
Valentine’s Day Card

Tie the two red wine glasses stem up, with red ribbon to the top of the wine bottle and place with Valentine’s card on table.

Scatter chocolates on table

Just before he arrives:

Light candles
Check aromatherapy oil burner
Place prawns on platter as well as some ice and lemon wedges
Place seafood sauce on table
Have French fries almost ready to serve and waiting in the oven
Turn on the music and program to repeat
Take off apron
Take a few deep breaths and reeellllaaaxxxxx

If this doesn’t impress him, he may be asleep, unconscious or he’s finding a reference point of what is before him!

Here’s to an evening filled with laughter, fun, and romance!

You can visit Michaela Scherr at http://www.michaelascherr.com

About The Author

Michaela Scherr

Copyright requirements are that it remains with Michaela Scherr and for the link to be clickable or ‘live’ at http://www.michaelascherr.com

Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives.

Michaela is the author of several e-books and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk, and Inspirational Musings, short fortnightly emails to inspire and give food for thought. 

Technorati Tags: home valentines dinner, valentines dinner

Use Valentine Decorations To Make Your House A Romantic Home
 by: Nicola Kennedy

One of the best parts about Valentine’s Day is all of the decorations that you can line the house with. There are many ways in which you can decorate for this holiday. Of course, the colors of the day include reds, pinks, white and other similar tones. You can even make a wide selection of these from the kid’s construction box. Here are some ideas to help get you started.

The Bulletin Board

Need to decorate a bulletin board? Fill it with flowers and hearts in the color scheme mentioned. Make sure to put a fun border around it and possibly put hearts of all shapes and sizes throughout it. Include some pictures of family members of the students in a class for a great look. You can also ad a fun saying or slogan to it. Make it something quirky like “Be My Valentine” or make it religious such as “God Is Love.” In the background do something unique. For the backing, go with a tablecloth in the color scheme, a pink piece of paper or otherwise interesting forms.

Candles

A great way to make a room or home look beautiful for the holiday is through the use of candles. Often, you may have some extra from Christmas to use. Get candle holders or use rings of silk flowers and greenery. Look for the right scent for the candles too if you would like. Make sure they are pink, white or red.

Get Christmas Out

Did you just put away everything for Christmas? Think about using such things as pearl garlands, beautifully placed on a tabletop or the candle and floral displays too. In the center of the tablecloths, add a gathering of pillar candles, surround them with lace trim, pearls and rose petals. Perhaps you can even decorate them with glitter or other sparking elements. Use a red and pink potpourri to make the smell of the home wonderful.

Foods

There are a number of foods that you can make to celebrate the day too. Heart shaped cookies can be frosted in pinks and reds and then use other colors for sprinkles on them. Place on a heart shaped tray. Chocolate is a very appropriate option and can be purchased or made in heart shapes. Use crystal dishes or plain white china for your treats. For the kids, get out paper cups filled with candy hearts, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. For the grown ups, you can think about chocolate mousse and whipped cream.

All of these things can make an ordinary Valentine’s Day much more enjoyable. You’ll find wonderful ways to decorate for this holiday just by looking around your home. If you want, make some homemade decorations with the kids and enjoy the time together too.

About The Author

Nicola Kennedy has become an expert in making Valentines Day decorations with her children. Visit her site http://www.Best-Valentines.info for more great Valentines advice to make Valentines 2006 a special one.

Copyright Best-Valentines.info All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: valentine decorations

Prepare A Romantic Dinner At Home For Valentine’s Day
 by: Christine Steendahl

Remember those pre-child days when you would go out to a fancy restaurant or spend the weekend at a romantic get-away to celebrate Valentine’s Day? That may not be an option this year, but you can still enjoy a romantic dinner with your spouse. Here are a few ideas on how you can easily create a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home.

Creating The Menu

This is the perfect time for some “Grown-up” food. Cook a separate dinner for the kids or order in some pizza. Let the kids eat an early dinner and then send them off to play, or watch a movie while the two of you enjoy your meal. If your children are really young, you may want to put them to bed before you sit down for your Valentine’s Day dinner.

Cooking a restaurant inspired meal doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick up some mini-quiches in your grocers frozen food section and bake them up as an appetizer. For a first course pick up a can of gourmet style soup that you just need to heat up. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh herbs for visual appeal.

Choose a main dish that you can prepare ahead of time, so you can enjoy the evening. Good choices are baked salmon or chicken. Just place either one in a baking dish, add whichever marinade you prefer and refrigerate. When you are ready just bake it until it’s done. Serve with mixed greens and fancy store-bought vinaigrette. Grab French bread, or fix some wild rice.

Dessert could be anything from cheesecake with fresh fruit, to chocolate dipped strawberries to chocolate mouse that you can make ahead and refrigerate. Or serve assorted cheeses with a nice glass of red wine.

Setting The Scene

Set the table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins and candles. Take out your good china and crystal. Since dinner will be just for the two of you, you don’t have to worry about damaging any of your special tableware. Now is the perfect time to enjoy all these fancy goodies you received as wedding gifts.

Take the time to dress up, and do your hair and makeup. I feel sure you spouse will appreciate it and you will feel like you are actually going out. For even more fun get ready in separate rooms and ask your date to come pick you up.

Turn down the lights and light the candles. Play some soft, romantic music, or some songs that have special meaning for the two of you. You never know, with the right music, your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner may end with some slow dancing in your dinning room.

Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. You never know, this may turn out to be the most romantic Valentine’s date yet.

About The Author

Christine Steendahl Is The Founder Of Dine Without Whine – Your Number One Online Source For Affordable And Family Friendly Weekly Meal Planning. Eliminate The Dinner Hour Stress And Re-Discover The Pleasure Of The Dinner Hour! For A Free Sample Menu And Grocery List Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info. 

Technorati Tags: home valentines dinner, romantic valentines dinner