Valentines Day Tips
When it comes to Valentines Day, we've been there, done that, now serving 17 tips in 6 categories ranging from First Impressions on Valentine's Day to Valentine's Day Flowers.
Good Chocolate, Good Mood
If you're planning on giving a box of chocolates to your favorite chocolate lover, you may be giving more than candy. Studies show that eating chocolate produces a chemical response in our brains that relaxes and uplifts us.
A Chocolate Spa Day
Ever fantasize about being smothered in chocolate? At some spas around the country it is now possible and even socially acceptable to have chocolate smothered over your body. The antioxidants in the chocolate benefit your skin. It's been proven that antioxidants are a powerful anti-aging substance, and if you rub chocolate on your skin, the antioxidants from chocolate will protect your skin from the effects of sun and everyday pollution. If you're looking for a chocolate gift for that chocolate lover in your life who is hard to shop for, this may just be it.
How Hot is Your Chocolate?
If you make your own chocolate candy or truffles at home, you know that it's crucial to be accurate about the temperature of your chocolate at all times. To get an accurate reading use a digital thermometer. A regular candy thermometer is less accurate at the low temperatures that chocolate candy making requires. Also, be sure that you hold your thermometer so that it doesn't touch the sides or bottom of the container your chocolate is in, as this will affect the temperature reading.
Candy Making Maddness
The best chocolate for making truffles and chocolate candy shapes is called “couverture chocolate.” A high fat content makes this high quality chocolate easier to melt and although it's expensive, the extra price is well worth it in terms of flavor and ease of use. Another option for homemade chocolate candy is “compound chocolate.” This chocolate contains hard vegetable fat as well as cocoa butter so it's a bit cheaper. Be sure to sample before purchase if you can, as poor quality compound chocolate can taste waxy.
What to Wear
We know first impressions are important, and we'd like to think they're primarily based on personality, right? Wrong. First impressions are largely about on how we look. So when you're getting ready for that all-important first date, think about what you are going to wear. Dress to impress, but also dress to show your personality. Keep in mind the activities you have planned for evening, and dress accordingly. If you initiated the date, make sure your invitee knows your plans as well so that he or she can dress appropriately.
Important First Impressions
How do you get a second date? By having a successful first date! But how do you know if the first date went well? Most people claim that they aren't really themselves on a first date, but there are still some signs that are real. Some signs of a good date include feelings of attraction; wanting to get to know a person better; feeling their kindness; being able to talk with each other; and being at ease with each other. If you have these impressions after a date, it went well, and a second date is most likely.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Phyllis Serbes |
