Blog Posts by Good Housekeeping

Personally, I don't understand people who dislike chocolate. Alas, they're out there and I always think about them this time of year. Valentine's Day is a chocolate-lover's dream! But what if your someone special doesn't find something special about a beautiful box of chocolate or handmade truffles?

No need to panic. I'm faced with this question every February, as my dashing boyfriend is not a chocolate eater. Here are some chocolate-free Valentine's Day treat ideas I've accrued over time. Whip up 1 (or 3!) to show your sweetheart just how much you love them…weird food aversions and all!

Rice Krispie Treat

1. Giant Rice Krispies Treat Heart (my personal favorite!)

Melt 1/2 stick unsalted butter in a large pot. Add 1 bag mini marshmallows and cook until melted. Remove from heat. Fold in 6 to 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal. Pour out onto a parchment paper-lined surface and shape/flatten into a giant heart with greased hands. Decorate as desired. Mine was 15-inches wide at the top!

2. Mini

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SangriaWhen cooking a romantic dinner for two, there are a ingredients with supposedly aphrodisiacal powers that you might have already known about (oysters, red wine? Duh!), but some you might never have guessed (chile peppers and asparagus? Really?!).

Here are some of my favorite get-you-in-the-mood recipes that you can easily whip up on a weeknight for your special Valentine:

Pomegranate Juice: Long considered a symbol of fertility (have you checked out all those SEEDS?), pomegranate's berry-like sweet-tart flavor is delicious in drinks like sangria and margaritas. Just make sure to cut that margarita recipe by half or...don't. We won't judge.

Related: Best Chocolates for Valentine's Day

Red Wine: Not just for drinking on Valentine's Day, red wine can be a star on the plate. Use your leftovers, or pop open a new bottle and drink those leftovers, to whip up these fast and easy recipes for braised mushrooms, steak with creamy herb jus, or a luscious, adults-only dessert

A few easy steps to green your pet's habitsIn the quest to go green, you shop with reusable grocery bags, combine multiple errands into one trip, and choose environmentally products when you can. But there might be an area you're forgetting to "green" - we're talking about Fido here.

1. Groom Organic.
Many commercial grooming products are made with harsh chemicals that can irritate pets' skin. Fortunately, you can buy grooming products that are organic and even biodegradable. Check out brands such as Earthbath, Espree, Eco-Me or LuloDog. If you send your pet to a groomer, inquire about what products he carries. If they're not eco-friendly, ask if you can provide your own products or switch to a different groomer, says Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow, a network of premier doggy day and overnight camps around the country.

2. Break out the "fine china."
Fido and Fluffy might not care about eating or drinking out of plastic bowls, but Mother Earth does. In 2010, the U.S. generated 31 million tons of

Trade your bronzer for a multi-use color stick. Sticking with beloved beauty standbys may not always be a good thing, as old formulas can leave your complexion looking less than flawless. Try these 12 product upgrades that help you put your best face forward.

1. Trade your bronzer for a multi-use color stick. Bronzer doesn't always work on pale winter skin; instead, swap it for a product that can be used in multiple ways, on various skin tones. Joni Powell, makeup department head for the CW's Hart of Dixie, recommends ColorStick from Cargo ($28, ulta.com). Available in five colors, this stick can be used for cheek shimmer, lip color, blush, eye shimmer, and eyeshadow. "It's the perfect product for an overall look," says Powell.

2. Replace your powder compact with finishing cream. Finishing cream is the new little black dress for your beauty regime. Try Revitalift Miracle Blur Finishing Cream ($20, walmart.com). "It will not only mattify and blur imperfections for a skin 'pick-me-up', but it will also provide much-needed

Now that we're in the midst of cold and flu season, every sneeze threatens to leave us cooped up in bed for weeks. Protect yourself (and your family) with these foods recognized for their immune-boosting powers. Plus, super-simple ways to eat them every day.

Yogurt parfaitYogurt

Studies show that live-culture yogurts are powerful immune-boosters. The good bacteria in yogurt stimulate the production of immunoglobulin A, which protects the body against pathogens.

Look for: Yogurts with "live active cultures" and avoid brands with lots of added sugars.

Try it for...an easy weekday breakfast: Granola-Yogurt Parfait

Blueberries Blueberry pancakes

Blueberries are rich in vitamins A and C, which help strengthen your immune system. Heart-healthy bonus: a Harvard study that followed 100,000 women over a 20-year period found that those who ate more than three servings of blueberries or strawberries a week were less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Look for: Bright, beautiful berries. The

You should get more from your makeup! Save time and money - plus maximize the real estate in your makeup bag - with these 10 beautiful overachievers.

-by Melanie Rud

Helpful tips for getting rid of the common cold.1. Drippy Nose? Scratchy Throat?

Take two: Popping 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 10 mg of zinc at the outset may ease symptoms and even shorten your cold.

All stuffed up? Steam in a shower; follow with a decongestant. Sprays work better than pills, but stop after three days to avoid rebound congestion. Oral decongestants can keep you up, so don't take within several hours of bed.

A fever over 101° is a sign you could have the flu. Call your doc.

Related: Stop a Cold in Just 12 Hours

Kiwifruit is loaded with the vitamin; one study (using golden kiwi) found it reduced the severity and duration of colds. Strawberries are another rich source.

Try a teaspoon of honey before bed. It may release cough-suppressing opioids.

And try an extra pillow - it helps gravity move mucus out of your sinuses.

Related: Top-rated Pillows

In lab studies, its enzymes