Valentine's Day
Single or sort-of-single on V-day? You can still celebrate! Couples don't have a lock on this holiday.
By Kevin Armento for HowAboutWe
Single on Valentine's Day...'nuff said? There are all kinds of guides out there about how to take your mind off it, or ice cream away the dread, or scrounge up a last-minute date at all costs.But you know what's better than trying to suppress any and every reminder that you're single? Doing things you might actually enjoy! Here are five to consider:
Related: 10 Signs You Need to Go On a Date1. Sublimate!
Look, you're feeling that urge more than ever to be coupled, to lay in bed with someone, maybe even to get knocked up - so take those natural impulses and exorcise them elsewhere, in a productive way. That "treat yourself to a night in" advice doesn't work unless you actually accomplish something. Paint a room you've been putting off, clean out the attic, finish the novel that's been on your nightstand for three months. The cathartic chemical charge you'll get from crossing something off a list will be so much bette
...Read More »- By Nikki Metzgar for HowAboutWe
Have a sweet -- not stressful -- Valentine's day with these tips.
Just like mom always gets upset on Christmas Day because she's anxious about cooking a feast for 10, Valentine's Day can be a pressure cooker for couples -- especially when expectations are not managed. He's feeling crushed by the burden of having to plan the most romantic date ever; she secretly doesn't like surprises. Here are four strategies for making sure everyone is happy, feeling loved and in the mood.
Related: 5 Common Ways Valentine's Day Can Mess Up Your Relationship
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1. Plan the date together. Anticipating something fun is often the best part, so if you're both part of the planning process then you can look forward to the date equally. No one will feel single-handedly responsible for making things happen, there will be no unpleasant surprises and you can be completely honest about preferring Chinese takeout and some time in the hot tub over making reservations and dressing up for a fancy dinner. Or if the fancy dinner is your thing, If a brownie swirl sundae's what he really wants, why buy him a heart-shaped box of chocolates?
By Nikki Metzgar for HowAboutWe
Valentine's Day is coming -- and store aisles (and restaurant ads) are practically shouting at you that heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and expensive roast duck dinners for two are the components of a romantic evening. We all know that's not true for everyone, but now comes the hard part-actually figuring out what is romantic in time for your Valentine's Day date.Keep things personalized
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In other words, be thoughtful. The most romantic thing you can do is show that you know the person you're in a relationship with and act on that knowledge. Maybe the best night your girlfriend could dream of is to get drunk on margaritas and go home for sex. So why take her for a steak dinner? Maybe he loves cooking, and you don't care for it, but you spring for the sushi making class anyway. A dozen red roses might be romantic in Hollywood, but it wont mean a thing to the girl who loves lilies, just like an expensive watch won't woo the guy whCharm your sweeties this Valentine's Day with confections such as our ultra-easy truffles, sparkly cookies, and chocolaty cherries.
Peanut Butter Truffles, Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels, and Sweetheart Sugar Cookies
Peanut Butter Truffles
Makes: about 2 dozen Hands-on time: 20 min. Total time: 3 hr., 30 min.
If you overbeat the chocolate mixture in Step 2, beat in 2 to 3 Tbsp. more whipping cream to return mixture to a smooth consistency.
1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
½ cup whipping cream
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
¾ cup finely chopped, lightly salted roasted peanuts
Wax paper
1. Microwave first 3 ingredients in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 to 1½ minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Let cool 10 minutes.
2. Beat chocolate mixture at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until whipped and smooth. Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.
3. Shape chocolate mixture into 1-inch balls, using a small ice-cream scoop. Roll in chopped peanuts. (If chocolate mixture becomes too sof...Read More »- Strawberry Whoopie Pies
Photo: Anna Williams
Baked's signature whoopie pies-two delicious strawberry cookies sandwiching strawberry-meringue filling-are sure to warm any heart.
To make cookies: Put 1 cup (about 5 ounces) stemmed and halved strawberries in a food processor and pulse in short bursts just until they are chopped into small pieces (about 4 to 5 pulses), and set aside. (Be careful not to puree them.) Sift 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. baking soda and 3/4 tsp. salt into a medium bowl, and set aside.
Put 2 cups light brown sugar and 2/3 cup canola oil in a large bowl and mix well, using the back of a spoon to break up any lumps in sugar. Whisk in chopped strawberries and 1/2 cup plain yogurt until combined, then whisk in 2 large eggs, one at a time, just until combined. Fold in flour mixture in two parts, being careful not to overwork the batter. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. Using a measuring spoon, drop a heapin
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