Who knew gamers -- the ones who hole themselves up in their basements alone with their consoles for weeks at a time -- could be so lovey dovey?
Paul Pape designed these little Mii milk, white, or dark chocolates that come two in a box that's shaped like a console. The figures inside have tiny red hearts to indicate their love. They're totally cute for Valentine's Day, but they are sold out! OH NO! If you're creative enough, I'm sure you could put together something like this, or something even better, for your gamer love.
It's no secret that what was once inexplicable about the seductive power of chocolate can now be explained with science. In fact, there are a lot of foods we call "aphrodisiacs" that have a real, studied, tested, and documented chemical basis for amor. They're good for your general health, contain compounds that stimulate hormone production, or simulate chemicals that have effects on the brain.
However, there are some aphrodisiac foods that have no scientific basis whatsoever. None! And yet people still use them to woo a lover. Like men and women who pout their lips, put on a red dress, coyly look out of the corner of their eye and lightly touch the other's forearm, these foods have seductive powers based mostly on what they look like and how they feel in your hands, mouth, and throat. Sure, love is about those deep, warm, inner things, but there's something to be said about seduction through visual and sensual stimulation.
Here's a list of nine foods that have the "Look of Love."
Documented by Romans in the 2nd century, there is no question that oysters are the classic aphrodisiac. While there is a lot to be said for their high zinc and iron content, which are important for sexual health, the real power of oysters lies in how they look and feel. Oysters look like some certain part of the female body, and when eaten raw, have a slippery, seductive feel in the mouth and throat.
It's also believed that oysters let a person experience both the masculine and feminine sides of love because some oysters change their gender from male to female and back again through their lifetime. I guess that'll work if you're spending Valentine's Day alone.
You and your mate might be Equals, but you don't call each other "Splenda." You call each other "Honey." (You might call each other something else, but you need couples therapy for that, not Valentine's Day.)
Honey as an aphrodisiac comes less from science and biology and more from history and folklore. In Medieval times, men and women seduced partners with mead, a drink made from fermented honey. It was likely that sexual vulnerability in the seducees came from the fermentation part (like drunk targets in a bar today?), and not from the honey. Ancient Persians also drank mead, though they drank it immediately following a marriage to "sweeten" the marriage. That's where we get the term "honeymoon."
However, honey isn't all just folklore. Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence, which worked because honey is rich in vitamin B, necessary for testosterone production. Honey also contains boron, which helps the body metabolize and use estrogen.
If nothing else, the sight of gorgeous golden honey dripping and oozing that can get the imagination working.
In ancient Greece, figs were eaten during frenzied sexual rituals. That fact alone should be enough to get some figs on the Valentine's Day menu!
However, the reason figs are associated with aphrodisiacs is that a fresh fig, when cut open, looks like (not too sound too clinical or anything) a certain part of the female reproductive system. Who wouldn't think of fertility when seeing all those tiny little seeds?!?!
Fresh figs are seasonal, and more than likely, not available during Valentine's day, but dried figs are available year round.
Is that a cucumber in your market totebag or are you just happy to see me?
I would say that more so than any of the other phallic foods, the straighter, thicker cucumber is probably the most, in my humble opinion of course, accurate. However, shape and size aren't the only things that matter when it comes to turning on a woman with a cucumber. Aside from its phallic shape, the scent of cucumbers is believed to stimulate women by increasing blood flow to the vagina.
That must be why so many of us love those cucumber melon scented bath products!
Aside from general health benefits like vitamins and beta-carotene, carrots supposedly stimulate men because of -- what else? -- their phallic shape. Carrots were used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid in seduction. I'm not quite sure if they waved bunches of carrots around in the air, but for our Valentine's Day, I'd suggest something slightly less in-your-face. My choice would be carrot cake. You might lose the visual power of the carrot's long, phallic shape, but who doesn't get aroused by cream cheese frosting?
Another food that relies on shape and texture, the phallic banana has long been considered an aphrodisiac. It definitely helps that bananas also have a luxurious, smooth texture.
However, there might be some romantic chemistry involved with bananas. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B, which are two components for sex-hormone production. Studies have also shown that the naturally occurring enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.
While bananas might not make it onto the Valentine's Day dinner table for two, they're a good thing to include for Breakfast in Bed the -- ahem -- next morning. Banana-stuffed French Toast or Banana Pancakes are a natural choice.
Even before finding out that avocado has been known as an aphrodisiac, I could always be seduced by an avocado. The way the ripe, creamy flesh of the fruit feels in the mouth probably has a lot to do with it.
The visual appeal of avocados applies to both men and women. The gentle curves of the avocado are similar to the curve of a woman's body, though I'm not sure how many women would want to be "avocado-shaped." Our word "avocado" comes from the ancient Aztec word "ahuacatl," which translates to "testicle tree." The ancient Aztecs thought the avocado, which hangs in pairs on the tree, resembled male testicles.
In the 19th century, bridegrooms were served asparagus in three courses because the vegetable was thought to have aphrodisiac powers. Whatever the reason for the effect, it certainly isn't whatever naturally occurring compound it is in asparagus that gives many of us that little fragrance problem in the bathroom after we eat asparagus. However, given it's shape, asparagus is a highly suggestive food, especially because we often serve them whole. Asparagus contains folic acid and vitamin B which are, for women, important not only for a healthy heart, but also for having healthy babies. OoooOOOoooh, so that's what it is -- preparation for making babies!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. It seems like every baking site is posting about heart shaped cake pans, or some other heart shaped dessert maker. And I appreciate that to no end. I have no problem admitting the level of my baking geeky-ness. But have you spent any time thinking about how you are going to present your dessert?
I stumbled across this beautiful cake stand at the Sur La Table website. This is a perfect presentation for your special dessert. You can keep up the theme, build an atmosphere and sustain the mood. Another plus to this cake stand is that it is very reasonably priced at $14.95.
I don't know about you, but I can't resist a red, heart embossed cake stand. It'll be the perfect platform for the special dessert in store for my baby later this week.
Okay, so giving a box of chocolates to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day is just about a requirement. If they don't get that big heart shaped box, there had better be a very good reason. If you're looking for a good reason not to give those chocolates, here is a great one.
The good news is that all bits of icky stuff are ground up so finely that you'd never even know it was there. Apparently the FDA has regulations about this kind of thing. The FDA has limits on the amount of fragments that can be present in any sample. According to one company's spokesman, "It's really impossible to exclude hair, bugs and fibers from chocolate or any other natural food product."
I say, what I don't know won't hurt me. People ingest all kinds of weird/bad things all the time. Our stomachs and digestive systems were designed to deal with oddities, to a certain extent. I know I'm looking forward to my heart shaped box of chocolates!
The decorator in me really comes out during big holidays like the one coming up next week. I know it's just a made up holiday, promoted by greeting card companies to drum up sales, or whatever. But Valentine's Day is so pretty! And, as pink is my favorite color, I am happy to see its unabashed over use for this holiday.
But I digress. If you plan on making some sweet treats for your sweetie, it might be cool to add a few colorful finishing touches. Perhaps some heart shaped delectable for dessert would be fun. If you're way too busy to go out and find these things, you may consider ordering online, and I have just the place. Try Shop Bakers Nook. It has an astounding variety of Valentines themed goodies. They carry every kind of heart shaped pan and cookie cutter you can imagine. The site also has carries a huge selection of finishing products, such as sprinkles and stencils and picks.
I was quite impressed by the amount and variety of inventory Shop Bakers Nook carries. Not all of it is treasure, but plenty of the items available are completely worth it. It's at least worth a look as you get ready to spoil your sweetheart this Valentine's Day.
I'm not quite sure if this concept could be a functional keyboard because really, wouldn't the chocolate melt from the heat of the computer, and get all over the user's fingers?
Okay, so even though it's a concept, it isn't really meant to be a working keyboard anyway. It's just something cute for that special geek in your life who happens to love chocolate. Hopefully, they'll actually make these in time for Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. We all want to do something special for that special someone on this holiday. Why not create an edible heart and blog about it?
Going on right now is a blog event celebrating Valentine's Day and you can join in. All you have to do is make some kind of heart shaped food. It can be sweet or savory, as long as it's in the shape of a heart. Then take a picture of your creation and post it on your blog. You can get more information and full instructions at this link. I'm not sure if they are taking entries from those of you without blogs, but it wouldn't hurt to email an inquiry.
Make a post about your heart shaped food and submit to the event host by February 15. They'll do a round up and we'll all have some great new ideas to try out for next year.
Okay, so giving a box of chocolates to your sweetheart on 
The decorator in me really comes out during big holidays like the one coming up next week. I know it's just a made up holiday, promoted by greeting card companies to drum up sales, or whatever. But 
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