Reboot your Valentine’s Day with our Fab Five Recommendations
Valentine’s Day desires are as diverse as the people doing the desiring. But whether you’re longing for delicious aphrodisiac desserts, activities that will pump up your libido, a musical night in, a cuddle on the couch, or a sumptuous dining tour of a world class city, we’ve got your covered.
While many poo-poo Valentine’s Day as trite, overly commercial or desperately corny, we’re here to tell you that the meanings of this romantic holiday are yours for the making. Think Valentine’s Day is too profit-driven? Make hand-made gifts from the heart. Fed up with stale gifts like flowers? Wow your honey with out-of-the-box presents that scream “I thought long and hard about this”! Feeling sluggish and under the weather? Power up and limber up with a pre-date workout. Looking for original ideas to transform the dreary and routine into the ecstatic and extraordinary? Let us help make your Valentine’s Day fantasies come true.
Pump it Up
You probably know that exercise is good for your heart and your muscles. But did you know it’s also good for the libido? According to the National Library of Medicine, exercise may enhance sexual satisfaction, also benefiting cardiovascular health and mood. But exercise doesn’t have to be pumping weights or doing pushups, it can also mean moving, grooving, and twerking to your favourite R & B, dancehall, and reggaeton rhythms.
You probably know that your hormones have a lot to do with your health. But did you know that testosterone, in men and women, helps to regulate various aspects of our health including bone density, muscle mass, and – drumroll please – sex drive? Well, it turns out that dancing, which combines physical exertion and emotional expression, creates the perfect recipe for a libido-boosting testosterone increase. So we suggest that you “hot it up” with a great dance cardio workout like the Latin Dance Workout by Tara’s Body before you hunker down with our Black Maple Valentine’s Day Play List that brings the heat whether you’re in a happy marriage, playful partnership, or situationship.
Just Breathe
Do you know how people are always lamenting the lack of time to do something special for and with their partners? Well, we’re switching it up to suggest that you find the time to do nothing with your beloved. You heard us, nothing! Indeed, we’d like you to make a date to breathe together. Yes, breathe. Ever notice what mindfulness, meditation, and spiritually-centered practices like yoga have in common? We did. That’s attention to breath. So (by the way) does Tantra an eastern philosophy that incorporates spiritual principles that are applied to sex. Dating back some 5000 years, Tantra (a Sanskrit word) is an ancient Indian practice meaning woven together. Tantra melds spirituality and sexuality to engage the mind, body, and spirit, emphasizing the importance of intimacy in the sexual experience. Tantric sex centres intense and enlightened connection through sound, movement, and breathing that elevate sexual energy. While tantric techniques can be practiced solo, they can also be shared with your beloved to increase your intimacy and pleasure. The three core elements of Tantra are movement, meditation, and breathing. All elements can elicit profound sensations of wellbeing, arousal, and pleasure.
Tantric sex often begins with deliberate eye contact and synchronization of the breath (inhaling and exhaling together). But you may also wish to try circular breathing in which one person’s exhale matches the other’s inhale and so on. According to the Center for Holistic Mental Health and Sexual Therapy, the technique creates a flow of energy, connection, and intimacy. For an even more powerful connection, use these breathing techniques lying down with your head placed on your beloved’s chest or while sitting in your beloved’s lap with your legs wrapped around their hips in the Yab Yum (Father Mother) pose.
Cuddle Up for Movie Night in
Living in Canada means it’s brrrr (very cold) outside in February. So, we understand that you may not want to throw on the parka and head out to the movie theatre. Why not cuddle up for a Valentine’s Day movie night in? Whether you’re in the mood for a playful romantic comedy, a tear-jerker, or a steamy May-December romance, we’ve got the Valentine’s Day films that’ll make you laugh, cry, and cheer.
In the mood for a playful rom-com that combines enduring friendships, one nightstands, and true love? Check out Gina Rodriguez and Damon Wayans Jr. in Players (2024).
Feel like having a good cry? Taye Diggs and Meagan Good won’t disappoint as the devoted couple whose time together is cut short in Terry McMillan’s Forever (2024).
Looking for a little May-December love action where the older woman is finally the focus of the younger man’s attraction? If so, you’ll love watching Garcelle Beauvais and Vaughn W. Hebron heat up the screen in Terry McMillan’s steamy Tempted by Love (2024).
If celebrating bromance is more your style, watch Will Smith and Martin Lawrence revive their daring, comedic, Miami Metro Police duo as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett in installment number four of their mega-hit Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024).
Do you remember when 10 cc sang I’m not in Love (1975)? No? Then you’re too young! Our point? We get it if you’re not exactly hyped for Valentine’s Day and understand why you may want to wallow in the chaos and sadness of love gone wrong. If that’s your mood, Fair Play (2023) may be the right film for you. Watch as Phoebe Dynevor’s Emily witnesses Alden Ehrenreich’s Luke – “great” boyfriend turned fiancé – unravel when she gets the promotion that he thought was in the bag for him. Things get bad quickly at home and at work and Emily must confront the truth about the man she’s committed her life to.
Mid-Winter Restaurant Tour of the Big Apple
Films, theatre, museums, The Big Apple has it all. After all it’s known as one of the world’s greatest cities for a reason. One of those reasons is its culinary reputation. If you’re lucky enough to live near Montreal, Ottawa, or Toronto, you can indulge in a mid-winter city break in the Big Apple and fly direct in under two hours for about $300 CAN. So, what should you do? Well, eat! New York is as cosmopolitan as it gets which means that its culinary scene is global.
Soba Totto is a cozy, booth-lined Japanese restaurant in mid-town Manhattan with excellent welcoming service. Try pairing one of their smooth Sakes with their Gobo Chips and a Tempura platter.
Want Japanese food uptown instead? Head to the spacious Kouzan on Amsterdam and indulge in one of their delicious Teriyaki Bento boxes while you take in the vibrancy of the Upper West Side.
If a chill, romantic vibe is your scene, head to Aunt Bernie’s and indulge in their delectable tapas and sophisticated mixology. We recommend the croquette mushroom and beet salad. The vibe is chill, the interior is dimly lit, and on the right nights, the beats are old school 90’s R & B.
Who doesn’t love the unique blend of savory and sweet of Thai food? Head to Charoen Krung and indulge in their creative cocktails (like their Lum Duan) and exquisitely presented, delectable dishes like their crispy Mango Red Snapper. Their exposed brick and tiled bar make for an eclectic and sophisticated feel.
Want to end your trip with a bang and take in one of the most romantic views of the city? Head to Graduate by Hilton on Roosevelt Island and head up-up-up to the 18th floor for a visit to their Panorama Room where you’ll take in stunning views of Manhattan on their wrap-around patio while you sip on signature cocktails and groove to the DJ’s mix of R & B, hip hop, and reggae.
Aphrodisiac Anyone?
What would Valentine’s Day be without chocolate? Well, actually, what would any day be without it? But hey, this special day deserves some special delicacies. Luckily, cacao/cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, contains several compounds like flavonoids, caffeine, serotonin, and tryptophan that elevate overall health, mood, and energy. But remember to watch the sugar content and avoid the fillers and preservatives. You can still get all of the delicious taste, smooth mouth feel, and healthy upside if you choose wisely.
But let’s get to the best part. Is chocolate an aphrodisiac? Yes, indeed! The chemicals phenylethylamine and serotonin are both mood booster and sexual stimulants. So, incorporate chocolate into your frozen, refrigerated, and baked Valentine’s Day treats, or melt (and cool appropriately) for sexy time in the bedroom. You’re welcome!
