February 2010: Valentine's Day!!

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

The American Heart Association encourages people to make the connection between healthy hearts and Valentine's Day. If there's someone you love who has diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other risk factors for heart disease, choose a Valentine's Day gift for him or her that's both good and healthy.

1. Sports Valentine's Day Gifts

Is your significant other an athlete or adventurer? Sports department stores sell clothing and gear for just about every sporting pursuit. Something from their online stores will make a great gift for the sports lover in your life. Don't know what to get? They also sell gift cards.

2. Stella McCartney Skincare Discovery Set

Fashion designer Stella Mc Cartney has long been a proponent of a natural, healthy, organic lifestyle, and she's recently introduced a line of products that reflect her ethos. This discovery set is a sampler containing moisturizing cream, calming and soothing elixir, radiance elixir, and nourishing elixir -- and it makes a great Valentine's Day gift for a friend who would never put anything irritating on her skin.

3. Healthy Back Bag for Valentine's Day

AmeriBag's medium-size backpack, useful for both men and women, is made of distressed nylon and designed to keep weight off the spine. It's usually available in black, blue, red, and orange and makes a nice Valentine's Day gift.

4. Florida Oranges for Valentine's Day

Send a gift of sunshine in a box. You can buy oranges, grapefruit, honeybells, and other healthy citrus fruits fresh from the grove. Gift baskets with an assortment of fruit also make a thoughtful and healthy gift this Valentine's Day.

5. Sugar Free Chocolate Gift for Valentines

If your sweetie can't eat sugar, you can still deliver a sweet Valentines Day chocolate gift. The Vermont Country Store candy counter features a variety of sugar-free chocolates.

6. Green Tea Spa Essentials Gift Basket

The clean and healthy scent of green tea infuses bubble bath, lotion, linen bag of bath salts, wooden massager, a back scrubber, and hand towel packaged in a chrome basket for a "green" Valentine's Day.

7. Heart-Healthy Red Wine: Yellow Tail Shiraz Reserve

They say a glass of red wine a day is good for the heart, so toast your love this Valentine's Day with a good-tasting Shiraz. The 2003 vintage is rated 88 out of 100 points by oenophile Wilfred Wong.

8. Juice Healthy Skin Organics to Go for Valentine's Day

A healthy gift that will be appreciated on Valentines Day and any other occasion, this six-piece organic skincare set is dedicated to fighting the effects of age upon the face day and night. Gift includes cleansing milk, antioxidant serum, green apple peel, hydrating mist, oil-free moisturizer and an organic bamboo washcloth.

9. American Heart Association

Consider making a donation in your beloved's name to the AHA this Valentine's Day. Your money goes towards the organization's effort to reduce death caused by cardiovascular disease.

The search for sexy foods is an ancient pursuit, and aphrodisiacs come in many healthy forms with skins, peels, and shells. However, you don't have to give up healthy living eating these foods considered sexy for their suggestive shape, texture, or color. So if you are on the prowl for a healthier love potion, check out these sexy, healthy foods that might just help you get in the mood.

Artichokes

It is said that in the middle ages, women were forbidden to eat artichokes due to this blossoming thistles aphrodisiac qualities. It was Henry II's Italian wife Catherine de Medici that broke the artichoke's gender barrier; she ate them regularly and fed them to her King. The sensual experience of eating an artichoke — stripping the leaves and scraping their flesh with your teeth — was probably not lost on Marilyn Monroe. Before earning the title of "ultimate sex goddess," the starlet was crowned the first California Artichoke Queen in 1949.  

Asparagus

Due to its phallic shape, asparagus is said to “stir up lust in man and woman.” Aside from its suggestive form, this veggie is incredibly nutritious. High in vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and potassium, 19th century French bridegrooms often ate several helpings of asparagus to fortify their manhood for their upcoming honeymoon.  

Avocado

Sharing a creamy avocado with your loved one may be just the thing to start any Valentine's Day meal. Considered an aphrodisiac by the Mayans and Aztecs, it is said to enhance sexual desirability. This fruit is also considered a traditional remedy for erectile dysfunction. Can you say "holy guacamole." The avocado is beneficial for body parts above the belt as well. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, known to promote a healthy heart.  

Banana

Due to its shape, the banana seems an obvious choice for a list of healthy, sexy foods. But bananas are also high in bromelain, which some studies have shown enhances male performance. Bananas are also high in potassium and B vitamins necessities for sex hormone production. On other health issues related to the heart, potassium helps fight high blood pressure.  

Basil

The heady scent of basil has been said to drive men wild. So much so that women have been known to dust their bosoms with dried or powdered version of this spicy herb. While basil may help increase circulation, it has long been associated with stimulating sex drives and promoting fertility. A fruitful combination, don't you think?  

Carrots

The Greek and Romans believed carrots to be a sexual stimulant; most likely due to their phallic shape. Early Middle Eastern royalty considered this tuber, loaded with beta-carotene, antioxidants, and minerals, to be a seduction aid when cooked in sugar.  

Chocolate

We all know that chocolate is powerful, so it is no surprise that this treat is considered an aphrodisiac. Containing both sedative and stimulative qualities, chocolate relaxes and lowers inhibitions while increasing the desire for physical contact. Chocolate was actually banned from some monasteries centuries ago. The Aztecs knew chocolate as the "nourishment of the Gods," and their emperor Montezuma ate it before many a romantic interlude. Although researchers believe chocolate's ability to act as a sexual stimulant is limited, it seems to be the way into many hearts — hence its prominence on Valentine's Day. Just be sure to make your chocolate dark, since it is considerably healthier than the milk variety.  

Figs

Juicy figs have long been associated with fertility due to their high seed content. This fruit is largely considered an aphrodisiac due to its shape and texture. The fig harvest was celebrated by the ancient Greeks with a wild copulation ritual. Remember the ancient Greeks also created democracy, so maybe they were onto something.

Oysters

It is not only that oysters are slippery and sensual, they are considered an aphrodisiac because they can change their sex from male to female and back. Oysters understand both the feminine and masculine experience of love. High in lean protein, zinc, heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, oysters were considered an aphrodisiac by the Romans as early as the second century A.D.

Valentines Day is February 14th. Are you looking for some ideas of ways to express your love to someone special? Here are some helpful resources and some special events for Valentines Day in the Washington, DC area.

See "Grease" at the National Theatre

American Idol Taylor Hicks stars as Teen Idol in this Broadway version of the 50s themed musical production. February 9-21, 2010. Enjoy your favorite songs: "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together" Tickets are on sale now through Telecharge and TicketsNow.com.

Outdoor Ice Skating

What's more romantic than ice skating under the stars at one of Washington, DC’s outdoor ice skating rinks? After a nice dinner, get some fresh air and enjoy the ambiance of the city.

Visitors enjoy the crisp cool winter air and the ambiance of the city while skating on one of Washington, DC’s outdoor ice skating rinks.

Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden's ice-skating rink is a favorite destination, attracting thousands of visitors to skate in the parklike setting on the National Mall, surrounded by extraordinary sculptures by renowned modern and contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The skating season begins in mid-November and continues through mid-March, weather permitting. The Pavilion Café offers a panoramic view of the Sculpture Garden and ice rink as well as a variety of food and beverages.

LOCATION:
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC

HOURS:
Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ADMISSION:
$7.00 Adults

Best Chocolate Stores in Washington, DC

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to give the gift of chocolate. Find the best chocolate, truffles, fudge and brownies in the Washington, DC area.

Looking for a romantic restaurant to celebrate a special occasion? Here are the most romantic restaurants in the Washington, DC area. These special restaurants have great food and are among the best restaurants and the most popular in the region. They are all expensive and require reservations. Be sure to call ahead to make a reservation at least a few days in advance.

Citronelle in the Latham Hotel, 3000 M. St., NW, Washington, DC. (202) 625-2150 American cuisine with a French influence served in an intimate setting in the heart of Washington, DC.

Marcel's 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 296-1166 French-Belgian restaurant with nightly live entertainment.

Palena 3529 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 537-9250 Fine Italian restaurant with award winning chef.

1789 Restaurant 1226 36th St. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 965-1789 Georgetown’s premiere restaurant serving world-class American cuisine in a renovated Federal house.

Tabard Inn 1739 N St. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 833-2668 New American cuisine in a quaint restaurant in a Victorian style hotel just blocks from the White House in downtown Washington DC.

Two Quail 320 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC. (202) 543-8030 American restaurant in three Victorian Capitol Hill rowhouses. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride following your meal.

Little Fountain Cafe, 2339 18th St. NW, Washington, DC (202) 462-8100 Quaint European styled restaurant located in the basement of an Adams Morgan townhouse.

Asia Nora 2213 M St. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 797-4860. Intimate New Asian restaurant with food prepared with organic ingredients.

Sea Catch Canal Square, 1054 31st St, NW Washington, DC (202) 337-8855. Fresh seafood in a romantic setting in a restored historic building in the heart of Georgetown. The setting is unique with a view overlooking the C & O Canal.

2941 Restaurant 2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA (703)270-1500. Modern American cuisine with classic French influences in a gorgeous setting with waterfront views.

Oya 777 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC (202) 393-1400. Asian and French cuisines in a sophisticated contemporary setting.

La Ferme 7101 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase, Maryland. (301) 986-5255. French country restaurant with an intimate setting and beautiful outdoor seating when the weather permits.

Old Hickory Steakhouse Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, Maryland. (301) 965-4000. Stunning restaurant with intimate ambiance and sweeping views of the Potomac River.

La Miche 7905 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, Maryland. (301) 986-0707 Intimate French country restaurant in the heart of Bethesda.

Old Angler’s Inn 10801 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, Maryland. (301)365-2425 Quaint country inn with beautiful outdoor seating when the weather permits.

Maestro, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, Virginia (703) 917-5498 Mclean, Virginia. Intimate Italian restaurant located at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson’s Corner.

Inn at Little Washington Middle and Main Street, Washington, Virginia (540) 675 3800 Romantic country inn at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

L'auberge Chez Francois 332 Springvale Rd. Great Falls, Virginia. (703) 759-3800 Elegant French country inn in Great Falls.

The Grill at Morrison House 116 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, Virginia (703) 838-8000 Award-winning restaurant in a cozy atmosphere at a small inn in Old Town Alexandria.

Flowers.
A beautiful bouquet or a long lasting flowering plant is sure to please.

A massage.
Give your fiancee a gift certificate for a soothing massage. Some types of massage are more relaxing than others.

Music.
We're all affected by music. It has the power to inspire, uplift us, change our moods, and even alter consciousness.