Quick and Easy: A Valentine's Gift that Gives Back

Give a Valentine’s Day gift that benefits children in Kenya.   Acacia Creations is a fair trade company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that has been creating and selling handmade merchandise out of recycled materials since 2007. Their products range from jewelry made out of recycled glass and magazines to tableware made from recycled paper and […]

Chocolate: Heart-Healthy Gift for Valentine’s Day

Chocoholics can cheer about the latest health findings—and just in time for Valentine’s Day! Chocolate, especially with 70% or more cocoa, is the BEST gift you can give your Valentine if you want to also lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack. Dark Chocolate Healthier In the largest study to […]

A Valentine’s Day Playlist

Card? Check. Flowers? Check. Dinner reservation? Check. Back to your place? Check. MUSIC? Check. VALENTINE  Be Mine Stoned Love by The Supremes Pretty Eyes by Alex Goot The Luckiest by Ben Folds Who’d Have Known by Lily Allen Lovely Day by Lee Ritenour I Was Made to Love Her by Stevie Wonder You Are My […]

5 Places to Dance with Your Sweetheart

Kick up your heels with your sweetheart over the Valentine’s Day weekend at these Chicagoland dance clubs. Country Western and Line Dancing Sundance Saloon 300 Lakehurst Rd. Waukegan 847-887-0858 sundancesaloon.com Go with your date on Friday nights from 8 to 9 p.m. for Line Dancing lessons, and then spend the night dancing to your favorite […]

Valentine’s Day Idea: Homemade and Heartfelt

It’s a challenge to give your Valentine an original gift. This year surprise your honey with something personal and homemade. It’ll be meaningful, yet cost you less than $20.     Frame of 14 Type or handwrite 14 detailed reasons why you love your loved one. A decorative font or lovely piece of paper will […]

Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing! 
Send a Little Love

True confession.
 I haven’t quite finished putting away my Christmas decorations. Frankly, while snow is still piled high on the picnic table, and the days are short, a little Christmas glitter feels cozy, so I give myself a reprieve.   However, time (and Hallmark) wait for no woman, and Valentines Day looms. 

Now I am […]

Gingerbread for Valentine’s Day

Ginger has a long tradition as an aphrodisiac. This version of gingerbread is so easy, you might serve it to your sweetie more than once a year. To really make it sexy, add a little lemon zest or grated fresh ginger to the whipped cream. Spicy fun. Serves: 9 (or two tonight and leftovers tomorrow) […]