February 14th, the most romantic day of the year…for some. For others this “holiday” can be more trouble than it’s worth.
For me, after 8 years with my husband, February 14th passes with not so much as an eyebrow raise. But for others like my single friend, who last year went on a first date with a man who didn’t quite grasp “gluten free” the night can end in disaster – literally.
As Pat Benatar said, “love is a battle field”, but it doesn’t have to be.
Why celebrate in the first place?
Because we’re all busy that’s why! In an age where we have to compare diaries to find a suitable time to go grocery shopping, a day like Valentines Day, dedicated to love, becomes a blessing and not a curse. It sort of gives us permission to put our love life ahead of everything else for one day.
But being thoroughly modern women, we don’t need to wait around for Prince Charming to sweep us off our feet. It’s 2015 girl, time to get your own sexy on.
Pamper Me
This is about you. Don’t think about what you think your significant other wants, think about what you want. What makes you feel good about yourself? A new dress? A new hair do? Sweating it out at a cross fit class? What ever it is, do it. Take the time to treat yourself like the goddess you are. You don’t need to live up to anyone else’s standard of beauty, do what makes you feel beautiful.
Feed Me
For someone who has a major relationship with food, this is what Valentines Day is all about for me. Whether you are cooking or eating out, there are a few Cosmo Hippy guidelines.
Avoid wheat. That right sweet lips, no bread, pasta, cake or biscuits. It will bloat you, making you look like you swallowed a boulder and make you feel equally bad. Not conducive to romance.
But there are plenty of sexy wheat free foods like:
- Oysters - especially good at giving you that loving feeling thanks to their high amounts of zinc
- Strawberries – packed with vitamin C that helps stimulate libido in women. Strawberries also help relax blood vessels and promote blood flow
- Dark chocolate - contains phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin. The same chemical produced in our brains when we fall in love
- Asparagus – promotes the production of histamine a chemical that helps both men and women reach those highest of highs
- Figs – full of trace elements like vitamin E and magnesium that are essential for sexual health
- Watermelon – high in a compound that helps our bodies produce Nitric Oxide, a chemical that dilates our blood vessels. Very similar in action to that little blue pill starting with a V
- Chilies – helps raise the heart rate and release endorphins, giving us a happy natural high
- Red Wine – again with the nitric oxide production, but you can’t really get enough of this good thing when it comes to love
- Salmon – high in omega 3 that helps raise dopamine levels and trigger arousal
Why not try raw oysters with a chili dressing or chocolate dipped strawberries?
Talk to me
You’ve taken the time to make yourself feel fabulous, the food is perfect, it doesn’t even matter if the company is so-so. Just relax! Take the time to really enjoy your Valentines Day moment.
Avoid talking about politics, family, religion, the kids, the bills, the washing, the neighbor’s dog. Take the time to get to know your date, whether they are a new thing or the same old hat you’ve been with for the better part of a decade, now is the time to really plug into them and talk.
Turn your phone off, look into your date’s eyes and truly listen to what they are saying. Be present in the moment and you might be surprised at what you discover.
It might be a super commercialised day, but if you take the time, you might just fall in love with a whole new side of Valentines Day. Besides, any day that promotes the eating of Chocolate is a-ok with me.